Chapter 244

In that moment, Inoichi and Shikaku also noticed Naruto.

Inoichi made a precise judgment in an orderly manner, "Naruto, your presence here indicates you've triumphed over the sixth Pain!"

Naruto frowned upon hearing this, half-closing his eyes. His expression and tone carried a tinge of disappointment, "At this stage, victories or defeats no longer matter."

Shikaku sensed an underlying tension in the air, prompting him to inquire, "Naruto, what happened?"

The seasoned strategist, with his wisdom, had already pieced together some aspects of the situation.

Naruto's response was hushed, his voice barely audible, "I don't know what to say about this matter."

Perplexed, Shikaku probed further, "Don't know what to say? What's the meaning?"

Naruto's expression turned grave as he disclosed, "In short, I am going to see Pain's true body now. Please don't follow me. I want to go alone."

"Naruto, do you already know the location of Pain's main body?" Inoichi and the others exhibited a hint of surprise.

Naruto elucidated, "Yes, I found it using Sage Mode. The black rod I took out of Pain sensed the chakra of that guy."

"I see."

"But why go to such lengths for someone like him? What happened?" Inoichi pressed for clarity.

"I want to find out one thing about him, so I need to talk to Pain's true body," Naruto declared with unwavering seriousness.

Inoichi interjected disapprovingly, "What nonsense are you talking about? We are grateful to you for defeating Pain, but the matter has reached a point where negotiation is no longer possible!"

Undeterred, Naruto passionately countered, "So what? Can destroying Pain's true body, his subordinates, and all hostile villages solve all of our problems smoothly?"

The discussion delved into a battle of ideas, and Naruto, driven by the last wishes of Jiraiya and his father, the Fourth Hokage, refused to back down. He felt the weight of all hope resting on his shoulders.

"What's the point of talking? He is an enemy who invaded Konoha and killed many ninjas in our village! How can we let him go!" Inoichi's emotions escalated, mirroring the rising tension in the room.

But in this pivotal moment, a silhouette materialized on a nearby tree. Naruto, Inoichi, and the others were taken aback, their eyebrows twitching in surprise.

The sudden appearance of this figure went unnoticed until now, both in their midst and up in the branches.

This mysterious presence was none other than Carnes.

He regarded the group with a condescending air and spoke calmly.

"There's no point in arguing here. Whether this gets resolved is Naruto's concern alone. The rest of you, go back. It's none of your business."

Carnes' voice held a softness devoid of unnecessary mood swings.

However, the authority ingrained in him from his extensive time in a high-ranking position gave his words an unquestionable sense of command, rendering refusal impossible.

"Lord Carnes?"

"Carnes-san!"

Inoichi and the others exchanged glances, their expressions a mixture of complexity.

If it had been Naruto, they might have engaged in some banter or debate. But facing the person before them, someone whose identity and strength outstripped theirs, was an entirely different matter.

In terms of identity, they owed him for saving Konoha Village, a fact they, as a Konoha Shinobi, couldn't deny.

And as for strength, he eclipsed the entire force of Konoha Village ninjas combined. A single move from him could obliterate not just Konoha Village but potentially the entire Land of Fire.

Faced with such a formidable presence, Inoichi and the others fell into a contemplative silence.

"Carnes-san, do you share the same sentiments as Pervy Sage?" Naruto's eyes brightened.

When he faced the questioning of the Deva Path before, he was genuinely perplexed, seeking answers desperately.

Even his father, the Fourth Hokage, couldn't provide the solution, causing Naruto to nearly despair.

But now, with Carnes—an acknowledged powerhouse—speaking up, the tide turned. Was the current path the right one?

This realization fueled Naruto with renewed determination. Recalling what his father had said about seeking Carnes' opinion for answers, Naruto decided to seize the opportunity.

"Carnes-san, you are the most powerful ninja I've ever encountered. Can you provide me with an answer to that question?"

Naruto gazed at Carnes with hopeful anticipation, convinced that Carnes held the key to the answers he sought.

In response, Carnes maintained a prolonged silence before finally speaking in a composed manner.

"Even if I were to provide you with the answer, it wouldn't hold much weight. The ultimate truth is something you must discover for yourself. Haven't you already set your course?"

Carnes was resolute in his decision not to meddle with the natural progression of events. He was adamant about avoiding any interference with Naruto's life journey.

Naruto absorbed Carnes' words, dwelling in a contemplative silence.

"Alright, I get it! I'll confront Pain directly," Naruto declared, a realization dawning upon him.

Yet, as he mulled over the situation, confusion etched across his face, and he turned to Carnes, seeking clarification.

"Carnes-san, are you truly unwilling to provide any more insight? You don't want to be a part of this, even though Pain is, in a sense, your son...?"

Carnes' expression abruptly became cold, and he retorted sharply, "Cease your senseless chatter! Proceed with haste!"

Naruto's innocent misunderstanding lingered in the air. He took a deep breath and resolved, "Fine, I'm off to meet Pain."

As Naruto departed, Carnes couldn't help but wonder about the unfolding events. Why was he entangled in this matter once again? It seemed the resolution was still elusive.

The wheels of fate continued to turn, leaving Naruto to navigate the intricate web of destiny with Carnes silently watching from the sidelines.

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