Jiraiya turned to Tsunade, his voice low and solemn. "What did you do with Orochimaru's body?"

Tsunade's gaze hardened as she thought back to the battlefield. "We left it there," she replied, the tension in her voice barely concealed. "Naruto and I had no reason to bring it back."

Jiraiya nodded, but there was a heaviness in his eyes. "I know... but I'd like to give him a proper burial. As much as I despise what he became, Orochimaru was once a comrade."

Tsunade sighed, understanding his sentiment even if she didn't share it. She stood up, tossing a few coins onto the table. "Let's go then. We'll retrieve him."

The two left the the bar and made their way to the outskirts of the town. The battlefield where Naruto had fought Orochimaru was eerily quiet now, the signs of their deadly struggle already fading into the landscape. Orochimaru's body, however, remained untouched. Jiraiya knelt beside the fallen Sannin, his expression unreadable as he took out a scroll and began the sealing process.

"Rest in peace, old friend," he muttered under his breath, though the weight of the words seemed more for himself than for Orochimaru.

With the body safely sealed, they returned to the hotel. Upon their arrival, Naruto greeted them with an unexpected announcement.

"I've decided to free Orochimaru's test subjects/subordinates," Naruto said, his voice firm but calm. "Kabuto and I had a long talk, and he's willing to repent. He wants to find his true self."

Tsunade raised an eyebrow at the mention of Kabuto, while Jiraiya chuckled softly, a wry smile forming on his lips. "Be careful just because Kabuto says he's willing to change doesn't mean he won't be a danger."

Naruto returned the smile with a confident grin of his own. "I'll be careful, Pervy Sage. Besides, I'm not the one who needs protecting."

Jiraiya gave a nod of approval, though there was still a trace of concern in his eyes. "I'm sure you'll manage, but still, just watch your back. Even if you don't need my concern."

With that, Naruto gave a final goodbye to everyone. The moment was bittersweet as they all stood at the hotel entrance, watching as Naruto and Kabuto began their journey. In a flash, the two were airborne, sitting on a miniature version of Geundoowun, the mystical cloud, as it carried them off into the sky. The wind from their ascent stirred the air, leaving Tsunade and Jiraiya watching until the pair were mere dots on the horizon.

--

Jiraiya poured himself a cup of sake, offering one to Tsunade, who waved it off. As he sipped, he turned to her, his voice laced with curiosity. "So... did you tell him? About his parents?"

Tsunade, leaning against the window frame, stared out at the darkening sky. Her expression softened, a rare gentleness crossing her usually hardened features. "I did," she said, her voice almost a whisper.

Jiraiya looked up from his cup, surprise flickering in his eyes. "How did he take it?"

Tsunade let out a small sigh, recalling the moment. "He was happy, Jiraiya. He wasn't angry or upset... he was just happy to finally know. To know who his parents were, what they stood for."

Jiraiya placed his cup down, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "That sounds like Naruto." He chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Always seeing the good in everything. Minato and Kushina would be proud."

Tsunade nodded in agreement, though there was a bittersweet note to her expression. "He's more like them than he realizes. But he's also his own person. The things he's been through, the choices he's making... he's not the same kid we knew. He's something more now."

Jiraiya leaned back, closing his eyes as he thought of the boy he had trained, the boy who had surpassed his expectations time and time again. "Yeah," he murmured, a hint of pride in his voice. "He's going to change the world, just like his father."

For a moment, the two old comrades sat in silence, reflecting on the path ahead. Outside, the night sky stretched endlessly above them, the stars twinkling faintly in the distance. The world was changing, and Naruto Uzumaki was at the heart of it.

Next Day

Unknown Location

Sasori and Deidara stood at the center of the dim cave, the flickering green light from the holographic projections casting eerie shadows across their faces. The other Akatsuki members were present, their phantom forms encircling the two in silence. Pain's Rinnegan eyes bore into them, the weight of his gaze unmistakable.

"Why did you call this meeting?" Pain asked, his voice calm but laden with authority. "Your mission was not scheduled for a report yet."

Sasori spoke first, his tone emotionless but with an undercurrent of tension. "The mission... didn't go as planned."

Kakuzu, ever pragmatic and scornful, immediately responded, his voice thick with disbelief. "How could two ninja of your caliber fail to kill a simple merchant?" He crossed his arms, his green eyes narrowing with skepticism.

Deidara, always quick to anger, shot a glare at Kakuzu, his fists clenched. "Simple merchant? You don't know what you're talking about, un!" he snapped. "Kaito is not just some merchant. He's something else."

Pain's brow furrowed, his curiosity piqued by Deidara's unusual tone. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice calm but piercing.

Sasori's cold, calculating voice cut in. "Kaito is dangerous. But not in the way you might expect. He's possessed... or rather controlled by something far worse than we anticipated."

"Controlled?" Zetsu's voice slithered through the air, its dark half curious and its white half intrigued. "By what, exactly?"

Deidara clenched his teeth, barely able to contain his frustration. "By a devil, un! This guy is possessed by a devil called Zagred, and it's like nothing we've ever faced before!"

A stunned silence followed, the news rippling through the Akatsuki members. Kisame let out a low, amused chuckle, though even he couldn't hide his surprise. "First the kid claims he's a god, and now we've got a devil? What the hell is happening in this world?" he said with a smirk, but his eyes held a wary glint.

Hidan grinned wickedly, eyes gleaming with excitement. "A devil? Sounds like something Jashin would enjoy. What kind of devil are we talking about, Sasori? Something I can tear apart and sacrifice?"

Sasori's face remained impassive, but his voice grew colder, more serious. "Hidan, Zagred is no ordinary foe. His power is unlike anything we've encountered. He doesn't just manipulate chakra or energy, he manipulates reality itself."

Pain's eyes sharpened. "Explain."

Sasori continued, his words deliberate, each one carrying the weight of the revelation. "Zagred's power is tied to his words. Anything he speaks becomes reality. When we fought him, he twisted the battlefield just by speaking. Our attacks were rendered useless. It wasn't that he was stronger or faster... it's that he rewrote the very rules of the fight."

The room fell into a stunned silence, the gravity of Sasori's words sinking in. Even the normally stoic Akatsuki members seemed visibly shaken by the revelation.

Kakuzu's eyes narrowed, but for once, he didn't have a snide remark ready. "Are you saying that all he has to do is speak, and whatever he says happens?" There was a hint of disbelief in his voice, but also an underlying unease.

Deidara nodded, his face grim. "Yeah, un. The ground was splitting, the air itself was suffocating, and our attacks... they just vanished. It was like fighting a goddamn nightmare."

Kisame's smirk faltered as he leaned on Samehada, his expression darkening. "So, this devil can just say whatever he wants, and it becomes real? That's... a problem."

Hidan, eyes gleaming with fervor, laughed maniacally. "Oh, this sounds fun! I want to see if his devil powers work when he's bleeding out in the name of Jashin!"

"Focus, Hidan," Konan spoke for the first time, her voice calm yet stern. "If what they say is true, this devil's power could be far more dangerous than any of us have faced."

White Zetsu, intrigued, added, "A devil that can control reality with words... Zagred must be ancient. I've never heard of anything like it. We need to dig deeper into the old texts."

Kakuzu, always pragmatic, crossed his arms, his mind already turning toward profit. "If this Zagred is as powerful as you say, controlling that kind of power would be invaluable. But it also makes him a threat to our goals. We'll need a strategy."

Hidan laughed again, his bloodlust barely contained. "Forget the strategy! I'll carve him up myself. Let's see how his reality warping works when his head's on a spike!"

Pain raised a hand, silencing the rising tension. His voice, calm yet commanding, carried the authority of a leader not to be questioned. "Enough. If this entity, Zagred, truly possesses the ability to warp reality with his words, then he is a threat to everything we are working toward. We cannot afford to ignore this."

He turned his Rinnegan gaze toward Zetsu. "Zetsu, search the ancient records. Find anything you can about devils like Zagred, their origins, their weaknesses. We must understand what we are dealing with."

Zetsu nodded, a twisted grin creeping across his black half's face. "I'll see what I can dig up."

Kisame smirked again, though his eyes were now more serious. "So, I guess the next time we run into this Zagred, we keep his mouth shut. Let me know when you need someone to slice him up."

Pain's gaze shifted back to Sasori and Deidara. "For now, you will not engage Kaito Sumeragi. We need to know Zagred's full capabilities before we make our next move. If he can bend reality with his words, we will need to act with caution."

Sasori nodded, his eyes cold and unblinking. "Understood."

Deidara, though still clearly frustrated, gave a nod as well. "Yeah, un. We'll regroup and figure out a way to deal with this bastard."

Suddenly Itachi spoke up.

"It seems," Itachi began, his Sharingan eyes narrowing as he focused on Sasori, "that this devil's power is indeed formidable, but every power has its limitations. Did you observe any weaknesses in Zagred's abilities?"

All eyes turned to Sasori. Even Deidara, who usually reveled in causing chaos, was uncharacteristically still, his arms crossed as he shot occasional glares around the room.

Sasori, his face as emotionless as ever, met Itachi's gaze. His voice, cold and detached, carried no hint of the frustration he must have felt during the battle. "A limitation… yes." His gaze swept over the rest of the group. "I have a theory."

The Akatsuki members waited, the silence heavy and expectant.

"I don't believe Zagred can kill someone outright with his words alone," Sasori explained "Throughout the entire battle, despite numerous opportunities, he never once used his power to simply tell us to die. If his abilities truly allow him to bend reality to his will, that would have been the most efficient means of ending the fight. But he didn't. Instead, he manipulated the environment, creating scenarios that led to near-death experiences, but never death itself."

Kakuzu, his arms crossed, scoffed, his eyes narrowing in disbelief. "So, you're saying this devil can twist reality but can't utter a simple command to kill? That seems... weak." His voice was as cold as his merciless heart.

Itachi's eyes narrowed thoughtfully, ignoring Kakuzu's skepticism. "So, you're suggesting that while Zagred can alter reality in a myriad of ways, there's a boundary to what he can do, he can't simply command death."

Sasori nodded slowly. "That's exactly what I'm suggesting. It seems there are certain laws even he cannot break. He can warp the world, distort space, and control the very fabric of reality, but he cannot directly cause death with his words. If he could, we wouldn't be standing here discussing this now."

Kisame, resting on his sword, let out a low chuckle, his shark-like teeth flashing in the dim light. "So, he's not the all, powerful devil you make him out to be. Good to know. We just have to survive long enough to find that opening, huh?"

Deidara, still visibly irritated from the battle, uncrossed his arms and nodded. "Yeah, un. As annoying as it was, we survived because he had to play by some rules. We can't let our guard down, but his power isn't limitless."

Hidan, his twisted grin widening, let out a mad cackle. "Heh, a fair fight then! I can't wait to get up close and personal with this devil. I bet Jashin would love a sacrifice like him! Let's see how well he talks when I'm carving him up!"

Konan, who had been quiet for much of the conversation, folded her arms, her paper wings fluttering slightly. Her calm, cool demeanor remained as she gave a soft nod in Sasori's direction. "If your theory is correct, then this is a weakness we can exploit. But even with this knowledge, Zagred's power is still immense. We must approach this carefully. Any misstep could be fatal."

Kisame leaned back, resting Samehada across his shoulders. "Well, it looks like things are getting interesting again. Let me know when you need someone to slice this devil up."

As the meeting neared its end, the members began to vanish, one by one. The tension of the unknown still weighed heavily in the air, leaving them with more questions than answers.

In the Hidden Rain Village, the ceaseless downpour echoed against the metallic walls of the tower, as if the heavens themselves mourned the pain that lingered in the city.

With Nagato

"Heh, Zagred..." Tobi's voice carried a mocking edge, as if the name itself was a joke only he understood. "Quite the curious being, isn't he?"

Nagato's Rinnegan eyes flickered toward Tobi, showing no outward reaction to the taunt. His voice, however, was calm but firm, resonating from his weakened body with the authority of a god. "You find amusement in this, Madara? This devil, Zagred, is not something to be taken lightly."

Tobi's chuckle deepened, echoing through the room. "Oh, on the contrary, Nagato. I'm well aware of Zagred's power. It's quite fascinating, actually. A devil that can bend reality with mere words, tell me, doesn't that sound like something we could use?"

Konan's sharp gaze focused on Tobi, her suspicion clear. "What is your interest in Zagred?" she asked, her voice carrying a cold edge, as if she was already bracing for Tobi's manipulative games.

Tobi turned his masked face toward her, though his amusement didn't waver. "My interest, Konan, is in potential. Zagred represents a power unlike anything we've encountered before, power that could either aid or destroy our plans. That alone makes him worth watching."

Nagato's mechanical chair creaked as he shifted slightly, his body struggling under the weight of his injuries and the machinery that kept him alive. "Zagred is dangerous," he stated bluntly. "Even Sasori and Deidara, two of our most skilled members, were nearly destroyed by him. We cannot risk this devil interfering with our goals."

Tobi's chuckle faded into a more serious tone. "Ah, but that's where you and I differ, Nagato. Where you see danger, I see opportunity. Imagine harnessing the power of a being like Zagred. He speaks reality into existence, no chakra, no hand seals, just words. It's a power even you, with your Rinnegan, cannot match."

Konan's brow furrowed slightly, her concern deepening. "You're playing with fire, Madara. Zagred isn't something you can control."

Tobi waved a hand dismissively, his voice dripping with casual arrogance. "Control is overrated, Konan. Influence, manipulation... these are far more effective. Besides," he paused, his tone lowering into something darker, "if it comes down to it, we'll find a way to remove him from the equation. But until then, we should learn from him, study his abilities. Zagred may hold the key to accelerating our plans."

Nagato's eyes narrowed, though his face remained impassive. "And what if this devil becomes a threat to us all, Madara? What if his power cannot be contained?"

Tobi's masked face tilted upward, as if he were gazing at something far beyond the walls of the tower. "Then we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. For now, Nagato, keep your focus on the plan, the Tailed Beasts. Zagred is just a piece on the board, and if I'm right... he'll be useful to us."

Konan glanced at Nagato, her eyes filled with a quiet concern. She knew that Tobi's words, while logical, often masked his true intentions. "What if Zagred sees through your schemes, Madara?" she asked, her voice steady. "What if he's not just a pawn in your game?"

Tobi's chuckle returned, soft and mocking. "Oh, Konan... everyone is a pawn. Even devils. It's all just a matter of who plays the better game."

With that, Tobi turned and began to walk away, his figure slowly fading into the shadows of the chamber. His voice, echoing with that ever-present amusement, lingered in the air. "Watch carefully, Nagato. Zagred may just surprise you."

As Tobi vanished, Nagato remained silent, his eyes focused on the rain-soaked horizon visible through the window. Konan, ever by his side, spoke softly. "We can't trust him, Nagato. Madara may have his own agenda."

Nagato nodded slightly, though his gaze never left the storm outside. "I know. But for now, we must play along. Zagred... we need to understand the full extent of his power before we decide our next move."

Konan's wings shifted slightly, her resolve unwavering. "Then we'll find out what we need. And when the time comes, we'll deal with both Madara and Zagred."

The rain continued to fall, relentless and unyielding, as the weight of their decisions hung heavy in the air. The threat of Zagred was now on the horizon, and both the Akatsuki and their unseen adversaries were preparing for a confrontation that would shake the very foundations of their world.

Later

Sasori went back to Tanzaku Gai. It didn't take long for him to locate two legendary figures. Standing just outside a gambling den, Tsunade and Jiraiya were deep in conversation, their presence commanding the attention of anyone nearby. Close by, Shizune stood at Tsunade's side. The trio seemed unaware of the approaching storm, their minds occupied with more immediate concerns.

Jiraiya was the first to notice the presence, and the moment his eyes landed on Sasori, his face darkened.

"Sasori of the Red Sand," Jiraiya muttered, his voice carrying a note of warning. He instantly recognized the Akatsuki cloak "What are you doing here? If you're looking for Naruto, you can turn around now. I'm not telling you a damn thing."

Tsunade's eyes narrowed, her fists already clenched, ready for a fight. Shizune, though less overt, subtly shifted closer to Tsunade, her stance tense.

But Sasori didn't flinch. His voice remained calm, as if the threats directed at him were of no consequence. "I'm not here on official Akatsuki business," he said smoothly, his words cool and deliberate.

"Official business?" Tsunade scoffed, her brow furrowing. "What the hell does that mean?"

Even Shizune shot a confused glance at Jiraiya, who didn't lower his guard for a second. "And why should we believe you?" Jiraiya shot back, his voice filled with suspicion. "Since when do Akatsuki members make house calls for anything other than abduction or assassination?"

Sasori's lips curled into the faintest hint of a smirk. "I'm not here to capture Naruto," he said evenly. "I'm here to ask for his help."

That stopped them in their tracks. Jiraiya's eyes widened. Shizune glanced at Jiraiya, her confusion mirrored in his shocked expression.

"You... what?" Jiraiya demanded, his voice filled with disbelief. "You're asking for Naruto's help? Why would you of all people"

"I encountered something far worse than any of you realize," Sasori cut him off, his tone growing darker, more serious. "A threat that even the Akatsuki might not be able to handle alone."

Tsunade's expression hardened again. "Cut to the chase. What are you talking about?"

Sasori paused, his gaze cold and calculating as it swept over the three of them. "Have you heard the name Zagred?"

The silence that followed was deafening. Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Shizune all exchanged glances, none of them recognizing the name. Finally, Jiraiya spoke, his voice tense. "No. And why should we care?"

Sasori's expression darkened. "Because Zagred is a devil. A true devil, not some myth or metaphor. And his power far exceeds anything this world has ever seen."

The words hung in the air, leaving Tsunade and Shizune visibly stunned. Jiraiya's brow furrowed deeply, his mind racing to process the weight of what Sasori had just said.

"A... devil?" Shizune asked, her voice trembling slightly. "What do you mean, a devil?"

Sasori's face remained emotionless as he explained. "He has the power to manipulate reality with his words, to warp the world around him, to create death traps with a mere command. Even I, with all my abilities, barely managed to escape. I've fought countless enemies, but nothing like Zagred. He's a threat to everyone."

Jiraiya's expression was a mixture of disbelief and concern. He knew the Akatsuki had faced powerful enemies before, but for Sasori, to come asking for Naruto's help? This was something different, something unprecedented.

"And why do you need Naruto for this?" Jiraiya asked, his voice laced with suspicion. "Why not deal with it yourself? The Akatsuki have plenty of strong members. What do you want with Naruto?"

Sasori's eyes gleamed with amusement, and he let out a low chuckle. "You don't know, do you?"

"Know what?" Jiraiya snapped, his patience wearing thin.

Sasori's smirk grew slightly as he continued. "I'm sure you've noticed it, Jiraiya. Naruto's strength, his power. Haven't you ever wondered why a mere genin is capable of feats that rival the greatest shinobi of this era?"

Tsunade's voice cut through the tension, sharp and demanding. "Enough with the riddles, Sasori. Just spit it out."

Sasori's smile faded, his expression growing cold and serious once more. "Naruto Uzumaki... is a God."

The words struck like a thunderclap, leaving all three of them in stunned silence. Tsunade's eyes widened in shock, and Shizune's breath caught in her throat. Even Jiraiya, who had suspected there was more to Naruto's strength than met the eye, was taken aback by the revelation.

"A... god?" Tsunade repeated, her voice barely above a whisper. "You're saying Naruto is"

"Exactly that," Sasori interrupted. "His power is not just the result of the Nine-Tails. It goes far beyond that. Naruto possesses the strength of a god, and that's why I've come here. Zagred is a devil, and to defeat a devil, you need a god."

Jiraiya's face was etched with concern. Even with the revelation that Naruto was something more than human, a god even, he couldn't shake the uneasy feeling in his gut. He knew Naruto knew that the boy's relentless spirit and battle-hungry nature could lead him into dangerous situations.

"If we were tell Naruto about Zagred. He wouldn't even hesitate" Jiraiya said, his voice heavy with concern. "He'll throw himself into the fight the moment he hears about it."

Sasori chuckled darkly. "Perhaps. Besides, he's not just any shinobi. Naruto is fully capable of handling himself, he's a god, after all."

The weight of Sasori's words hung in the air as Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Shizune stood there, their minds racing with the implications of everything they had just learned. This was no ordinary threat, and Naruto... Naruto was far more than they had ever imagined.

"When Naruto returns," Sasori said, turning on his heel, "I'd be grateful if you filled him in. Zagred won't wait forever." With that, he walked away, leaving the legendary Sannin and their companion standing in a whirlwind of confusion, fear, and awe.