Uchiha Sasuke.
That name caused a flicker in Orochimaru's eyes.
He was silent for a moment before saying, "There's no point in capturing him now."
Reincarnation has its limitations too.
To perform the next reincarnation, at least three years must pass.
"Lord Orochimaru, please allow me, in the final moments of my life, to shine a faint light for you," Kimimaro pleaded.
Orochimaru looked up and glanced at Kabuto: "Kimimaro, I truly wish you were a healthy person."
"I'd be willing to pay a great price for that, even seal my legs again if needed."
Kimimaro was truly the most satisfying subordinate he had ever had.
Loyal and powerful.
He also possessed a rare Kekkei Genkai comparable to the Sharingan—Shikotsumyaku, the Dead Bone Pulse.
It was just unfortunate...
He was afflicted with a severe illness, an incurable disease even Orochimaru couldn't do anything about.
"Lord Orochimaru," Kimimaro said heavily, "It's this body of mine that has held you back."
Orochimaru said no more, falling into deep thought.
His feelings toward Kimimaro wouldn't affect his judgment.
"Since you have such a request," he finally said after a long pause, "then help me with one last task."
"Do you know Uzumaki Naruto?"
Kimimaro nodded. "The one who caused you to end up like this, one of the main culprits."
"Find him," Orochimaru said softly. Though Naruto had once killed him, when he mentioned his enemy, there was no hatred in his tone. In fact, he seemed almost pleased. "Then try to bring him back."
"If that doesn't work—"
"Tell him, I want to discuss a cooperation."
"His father, the Fourth Hokage, once used the Reaper Death Seal and was sealed inside the Shinigami's body."
"If he wants to release the Fourth Hokage's soul, tell him to come to the Land of Fields."
"I can even teach him the Edo Tensei technique."
Kimimaro accepted the task, a little excited. "Yes, I will risk my life for you, Lord Orochimaru."
Orochimaru glanced at him.
His eyes were both nostalgic and heavy.
"Kabuto, go with Kimimaro," he added softly.
Kabuto was surprised.
"This is a reward for loyalty," Orochimaru said with a grin.
Kabuto nodded. "Understood."
They prepared and set out.
Naruto and Karin's whereabouts weren't difficult to track—they hadn't hidden their movements and traveled openly.
In half a month, they had visited seven temples and shrines, each worshipping different gods.
In the coastal shrines, the deity worshipped was Ebisu.
Inland ones worshipped Konohanasakuya-hime, Ōyamatsumi, Ōkuninushi, and others.
These places were prosperous.
They had numerous followers and visitors praying daily, even some ninja could be seen.
But...
Naruto's conversations with the shrine maidens and monks were rather unproductive.
They knew nothing concrete about the origins or the actual existence of these deities.
At most, they would claim "These gods existed even before the Sage of Six Paths."
But from Karin's sensing—
Many who said such things were lying.
That didn't necessarily mean the gods were fake—just that those people didn't truly believe in what they were saying.
Those who worship deities aren't necessarily devout.
That was Naruto's greatest realization during this period.
Land of Fire — a prosperous town.
Inside a barbecue restaurant.
"These people are so unreliable," Karin couldn't help but complain. "If their followers found out, they'd probably tear them apart."
Naruto chuckled and shook his head. "Maybe the ones the followers would want to tear apart... are us."
Karin tilted her head, confused.
Naruto didn't explain. He took out a map. "According to our route, after two more towns, we'll reach the capital of the Land of Fire."
"The temples there should be more reliable."
Karin picked up her chopsticks and, quite naturally, placed some meat into Naruto's plate before getting herself a piece. "Hopefully we'll get some useful information."
As they spoke—
Naruto looked up toward the door.
He sensed five familiar chakras entering.
Among them, one barked out a "woof" the moment it came in, signaling its recognition of Naruto.
It was a brown, floppy-eared white dog.
"Naruto?" The boy being ridden by the dog deciphered that bark's meaning and glanced over, locking eyes with Naruto.
It was Team 8 of Konoha.
Their leader was Yūhi Kurenai.
The boy with the dog on his head was Inuzuka Kiba, the white-eyed girl was Hyūga Hinata, and the one with a weak but dense presence was Aburame Shino.
Kurenai looked a bit awkward seeing Naruto.
She was the first to oppose Naruto's departure from the village.
She didn't expect him to be the son of the Fourth Hokage.
Compared to her, Kiba was much more natural. He cheerfully greeted, "Naruto, long time no see!"
He jogged over and sat at the table next to Naruto's. "Kurenai-sensei, over here!"
Hinata also wanted to approach.
Shino had no objections—he rarely did.
Kurenai could only follow and sit with them.
Running into Team 8 here was a coincidence.
They had just completed a C-rank mission and were going to celebrate with some barbecue.
Kiba was warm and talkative with Naruto, asking about his well-being.
Kurenai said little, but to express her apology, she paid for Naruto and Karin's meal.
After they finished eating—
"Naruto, are you really not coming back to Konoha?" Kiba asked at the door, looking at Naruto.
In just a few months of not seeing him—
He realized Naruto had grown quite a bit. He used to have to look down slightly at him, but now... he had to look up a little to meet Naruto's gaze.
Hinata stood behind Kurenai, eyes warm, though she tried to hide it.
She kept staring at Naruto.
"I'm not going back," Naruto shook his head. "I still have important things to do."
"Wish you all the best in your ninja careers."
Kiba opened his mouth, scratched his head, and nodded. "Alright, but if you ever get the chance, come back to Konoha and visit us."
"There are still a lot of people who care about you in the village."
Naruto nodded. "Yeah, if I get the chance, I'll visit."
They waved goodbye.
Heading off in different directions.
"That white-eyed girl seems to like you," Karin suddenly remarked.
Naruto paused, thinking. "Maybe it's because I stopped the Sand shinobi during the Chūnin Exams."
"Kiba was pretty friendly too."
Karin shook her head, serious: "I don't mean that kind of liking between friends."
"I mean the romantic kind."
When someone likes you, their eyes and demeanor are different.
Karin was 100% sure.
That Hyūga Hinata girl—though introverted and shy, seemingly expressionless—definitely liked Naruto.
During the meal, she secretly looked at Naruto eighty-seven times. That frequency was not normal.
"Really?" Naruto scratched his head, unconcerned. "So I can be liked by girls, huh?"
Karin was stunned, sighed, and kicked a stone on the roadside.
When it came to feelings—
This guy was unexpectedly dense.
Outside the town.
"We've found Uzumaki Naruto," Kabuto said, glancing at Kimimaro. "What do you plan to do?"
Kimimaro was about to answer when he coughed twice, spitting up blood. "I don't have much time left."
"Let's keep it direct."
He paused and looked at Kabuto with a warning tone. "This is my battle for Lord Orochimaru. You are not allowed to interfere."
"If I beat him, take him back."
"If I fail—"
"Then carry out Lord Orochimaru's second command."
Kabuto nodded. "Don't worry. I won't interfere."
He held out a pill.
Kimimaro squinted at him.
"Relax. It's a drug that will temporarily stabilize your body and suppress your pain," Kabuto explained. "Of course, once you take it, there's basically no chance of returning alive."
Kimimaro didn't hesitate, took the pill, pocketed it, and vanished.
Kabuto stared toward the distance, filled with anticipation.
Naruto stopped walking and turned toward a direction.
"Someone's coming?" Karin also stopped and closed her eyes, activating Kagura's Mind Eye. She sensed a powerful chakra approaching. "Seems… not quite at Orochimaru's level?"
During the past half-month in the Land of Fire—
At first, there were still clueless ninjas approaching them.
Some from small nations' "ANBU".
Or rogue ninjas.
All of them wanted to capture Naruto, either to exchange for money or to gain control of the Tailed Beast.
Even though Konoha had already released word—
That Uzumaki Naruto had the power to kill one of the Sannin, Orochimaru, and left the village only to train.
Even Sunagakure stood with him—as part of their compensation after failing in the "Konoha Crush" plan.
Among the remaining Three Great Nations, there was a strange silence. No actions taken.
But these small countries and rogues didn't believe the rumor.
A twelve-year-old brat—
Could kill a Sannin? Who would believe that?
But after Naruto killed a wave of them, they finally believed.
No one had come after them for several days now.
Let alone capturing the blond kid—
Just getting close to him was already impossibly difficult.
"There will always be those whose greed overcomes their reason," Naruto said, shaking his head. "Karin…"
The red-haired girl nodded. "I know. I'll hide."
She leapt away from Naruto in a flash.
Using Kagura's Mind Eye—
She concealed her chakra completely.
Moments later, a figure landed on a tree branch nearby.
Naruto looked up.
It was a young boy with white hair, his chakra abundant, but his physical condition was alarmingly weak.
"You've already noticed me?" he looked down and said softly.
(End of Chapter)