Naruto: After Seclusion Becoming Naruto Grandfather

Uzumaki Chito chuckled softly at Neji's words, shaking his head with a faint smile.

"Neji, you give Orochimaru far too much credit," he said. "He's a brilliant mind, one even I acknowledge, but intelligence alone doesn't dictate the course of this world. Strength—true strength—is the only currency of power here. And Orochimaru, for all his cunning, has chosen the wrong path."

Chito's expression turned sharper, his presence growing heavier.

"No matter how smart a man is, a weakling cannot hope to stand against a god."

As he finished speaking, an immense, otherworldly pressure radiated from Chito. It was as if the very heavens were bowing before him.

The overwhelming force pressed down upon Neji and Lee with terrifying intensity. Their breaths grew shallow, their knees buckled, and a deep-seated fear gripped their hearts.

Even Lee, who had opened the seventh gate in the past, felt powerless, as though his strength was nothing more than a drop in the vast ocean of Chito's might.

And then, as quickly as it appeared, the pressure vanished.

Neji and Lee collapsed to the ground, their bodies trembling as if they had survived a hurricane. The absence of the oppressive force left them gasping for air.

When they regained their composure, they realized Chito had disappeared.

Neji gazed skyward, his voice trembling with awe.

"Lord Chito's power… it's beyond comprehension," Neji murmured. "It feels endless, like standing in the middle of an infinite ocean with no shore in sight.

"It's no wonder Orochimaru means nothing to him. To Lord Chito, Orochimaru must seem like an insect—one he could crush without effort."

Lee, who prided himself on the fruits of relentless hard work, remained silent for a long moment. His usual confidence wavered.

"Even if Sensei opened all eight gates," Lee muttered, "it wouldn't be enough to match that kind of power. This… this is the domain of gods. Mortals like us cannot hope to reach it."

The two exchanged glances, a shared sense of reverence in their eyes.

At that moment, Might Guy and Kakashi approached, their conversation interrupted as they noticed the younger shinobi's expressions.

"You two look like you've just seen a ghost," Might Guy remarked, his loud voice breaking the silence.

Neji and Lee quickly explained what had transpired, recounting their encounter with Chito's overwhelming power.

As Kakashi listened, his normally lazy demeanor gave way to a rare seriousness.

"I understand now," Kakashi said quietly. "That's why Lord Chito has instructed us to head to the capital of the Land of Fire.

"It's not just about countering Orochimaru—it's about cementing the reputation of Shin-Konoha as an undeniable power in the ninja world. We're not just fighting for ourselves; we're fighting to prove our strength to the world."

Might Guy nodded solemnly.

"True strength is forged through adversity," he said. "If we are to uphold Lord Chito's vision, we must face these challenges head-on. Let's prepare for battle!"

As the group prepared to leave for the Land of Fire capital, Kakashi couldn't help but voice his concerns.

"If Orochimaru uses the Edo Tensei to summon the great kages of the past," he said, "we might be in for a battle unlike any we've faced before. The Edo Tensei is… unsettlingly powerful."

Hearing this, Neji and Lee tensed, while Might Guy clenched his fists in determination.

"Even so," Guy said firmly, "we'll fight with everything we have. Lord Chito entrusted us with this mission, and we won't let him down."

Kakashi sighed, stroking the ninja dog Obito cradled in his arms. The dog, with its sharp intelligence, barked sarcastically, but all Kakashi heard was an endearing "Woof."

"Thanks, Obito," Kakashi said with a smile. "I know you believe in us."

Lee and Neji exchanged incredulous glances, wondering what kind of bond Kakashi shared with the oddly expressive ninja dog.

With their resolve steeled, the group set out for the Land of Fire capital.

Meanwhile, in the Land of Rain, the Akatsuki convened under the leadership of Pain.

"My friends," Pain began, his voice resonating with authority, "the winds of war are upon us.

"Uzumaki Chito's presence in the Land of Fire has set the stage for a confrontation that could change the course of this world. The Five Great Nations may join forces against him, and Orochimaru's treachery only adds fuel to the fire.

"As the leader of the Akatsuki, I have decided to intervene—not for Uzumaki Chito, not for the nations, but for the sake of true peace.