Naruto nodded, his arms folding across his chest. "Not just any trouble. You need to be the kind of wildcard they can't ignore. A rogue so dangerous, so unpredictable, that they'll be forced to take you in."
The clone chuckled darkly. "Oh, I've got a few ideas. Maybe I'll take out a few bounty hunters, destroy a hidden Black Market outpost, make some missing-nin piss themselves in fear. Nothing like a good old massacre to get their attention."
Naruto smirked but shook his head. "Too straightforward. Akatsuki doesn't recruit just anyone. They look for special pieces—those who either have insane power, a dangerous ability, or… an agenda that aligns with theirs."
Jack's grin faded slightly, and he tilted his head. "You want me to play the long game, then?"
"Exactly," Naruto said, his tone serious. "You're going to become a name for yourself in the underworld. Not just a brute, not just some powerful rogue—a storm waiting to be unleashed. Make the world fear Jack. Make them talk about him. Spread whispers about a missing-nin who doesn't just kill—but breaks entire systems."
Jack smirked, nodding. "Got it. Make them desperate to have me rather than me chasing them."
Naruto's smirk deepened. "And once you're in, we will begin the second phase of our goal."
His blue eyes gleamed with mischief. "Nagato… and my waifu Konan… Just you wait. I'll come for you too."
Jack snorted. "Still calling her your waifu when she doesn't even know you exist?"
Naruto shrugged. "Details."
His smirk widened. "By the time I'm done, she'll know me very well."
Jack shook his head, amused. "And here I thought we were supposed to be toppling secret organizations, not collecting women."
Naruto raised a brow. "Why not both?"
Jack laughed. "Fair enough."
He cracked his knuckles before turning away. "Alright then, Boss. Time for me to raise some hell."
With that, the clone disappeared into the wind, beginning the first stage of Naruto's multi-layered plan.
Naruto exhaled, watching the horizon for a moment before turning his gaze forward.
Jack was only the beginning.
The Akatsuki was powerful, but flawed. They moved like an unstoppable force, but he had seen their weakness. They lacked true unity.
Nagato's will controlled them, but every member had their own selfish agenda. They were not a family. Not a true organization. Just a collection of monsters working together out of convenience.
And that—that was something he could use.
Jack's mission was to infiltrate, but Naruto had bigger plans. He wasn't going to just destroy the Akatsuki.
He was going to hijack it.
He glanced back at Kirigakure one last time, smirking to himself.
"Hope you're thinking about me, Mei-chan," He murmured.
Then, with a flicker of chakra, he activated the Flying Thunder God and vanished—returning to the one place where his identity as Alex didn't exist.
His game had only just begun.
----
Years slipped by like sand through fingers, and before Naruto knew it, he stood on the threshold of graduation from the Ninja Academy.
The transformation in Konoha during this time was nothing short of remarkable, and all thanks to the young man who controlled it all from the shadows.
At the Uzumaki household, Naruto was more than just a son—he was the master. His mother, Kushina, adored him fiercely, but it wasn't just maternal love that filled her eyes. She respected and revered him, her love teetering on the edge of worship. Every command he gave was met with eager compliance.
And then there was Sarada Uchiha. Sarada's devotion to him was unwavering, her loyalty cemented through countless secret training sessions.
In the Uzumaki house, Naruto's word was law.
The Academy was another domain entirely. Naruto—still hiding behind his innocent grin and carefree attitude—had become a magnet for attention, especially from the girls.
Ino Yamanaka and Sakura Haruno, originally rivals over Sasuke Uchiha's indifferent affection, had become inseparable friends and playful rivals for Naruto's attention. Their rivalry was no longer fueled by jealousy, but by a shared admiration for the blonde boy who had captivated them both.
Hinata Hyuga, the originally shy and meek heiress of the Hyuga clan, had blossomed under Naruto's influence. Her confidence radiated in every step she took, her Byakugan eyes filled with determination. She was still submissive to Naruto—following his every word with unwavering loyalty—but to others, she appeared every bit the strong, proud heiress her clan needed.
Beyond the girls, Naruto had cultivated friendships across the board. Clan heirs and commoners alike found themselves drawn to his charismatic aura. His infectious energy, combined with a mysterious depth, made him impossible to ignore.
Sasuke Uchiha should have been the object of every girl's affection and every boy's envy. But now, it was he who looked at Naruto as a rival—determined to surpass him, yet secretly admiring his strength.
Their sparring matches became legendary, each one drawing a crowd of wide-eyed classmates eager to see who would come out on top.
But Naruto's friendships weren't limited to just his classmates.
Rock Lee, the bushy-browed taijutsu enthusiast, found in Naruto not just a rival, but a mentor. Their shared passion for hard work and perseverance forged an unbreakable bond. Together, they trained relentlessly, their fists and kicks flying, each session pushing them closer to their goals.
Naruto respected Lee's dedication and often shared tips, honing his own taijutsu while inspiring Lee to achieve even greater heights.
The Hyuga Clan had undergone a radical transformation. Thanks to Naruto's decisive actions—eliminating the corrupt elders and using his influence over Hiruzen Sarutobi—the infamous Caged Bird Cursed Seal was abolished.
No longer would the branch family suffer under the oppressive control of the main house.
Naruto had guided the clan into unification, merging the main and branch families into one cohesive unit.
The Hyuga clan's strength hadn't diminished—instead, it flourished, becoming even more formidable and respected throughout Konoha.
Naruto's influence reached far beyond just individual clans. Understanding the root of the Uchiha clan's resentment, he set his sights on the Konoha Police Force—a tool of oppression originally created by the Second Hokage.
Through Hiruzen, Naruto orchestrated its dissolution.
In its place, a new force was born—a coalition of warriors drawn from every clan in Konoha. This new police force wasn't just stronger—it was diverse, and inclusive, and represented the unity Naruto sought to bring about in the village.
By blending members from different clans, old grudges began to fade, and a newfound camaraderie blossomed.
During a council meeting, Hiruzen credited Naruto for the idea, raising his status among the clan leaders. Even the most skeptical elders couldn't deny the brilliance of his plan.
With Itachi and Shisui Uchiha still present in the village, the Uchiha clan's strength was undeniable. The hidden tension that once existed between the village and the Uchiha clan had eased, replaced by mutual respect and collaboration.
Naruto's influence had not only ensured the Uchiha's survival but had also fortified Konoha as a whole.
The village was no longer a fragmented collection of clans but a united front—a testament to the silent power Naruto wielded.
As Naruto strolled through the Academy grounds, watching his classmates spar and laugh, he allowed himself a moment of quiet reflection.
Years ago, this village was on the brink of civil war—divided by fear, mistrust, and ambition. Now, it stands stronger than ever.
Yet, this was only the beginning.
Naruto's ambitions stretched far beyond the borders of Konoha. He saw the entire shinobi world as his playground, each village a piece in the grand chess game he was orchestrating.
And as his graduation approached, Naruto couldn't help but smile.
The game is far from over.
--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---
🚨 Want to read chapters before anyone else? Head over to Patreon for early access and exclusive perks!
📖 If you're enjoying the stories and want to help keep them coming, your support means everything. Join us and stay ahead!
👉 Patreon: patreon.com/Myth_Valley
☕ Or support directly: buymeacoffee.com/myth_valley
Let's keep the adventure alive! 🔥📚✨