Kimimaro died with a smile on his face.
He was satisfied—satisfied that as a subordinate of Lord Orochimaru, he died following Orochimaru's orders, not lying weakly in a warm and comfortable hospital bed.
That was the best outcome.
Naruto didn't leave immediately. Instead, he expanded his sensory perception to the maximum.
He stared fixedly at Kimimaro's corpse.
Before reading those records from the "Uzushio Village," he hadn't understood the concept of the "Pure Land." He hadn't realized that the soul, after death, didn't need to go through any process but could directly enter a place called the Pure Land.
This conflicted with what he knew as a "Shinigami."
But now...
With understanding came observation.
In an instant, a faint, nearly imperceptible spiritual force surged up from the ground, grabbing onto Kimimaro's soul. Once it wrapped around him, the soul became equally hard to detect.
Then it retracted downward—the force and the soul vanished into the ground.
Faster than the blink of an eye.
No wonder he hadn't sensed it before.
But what was it?
It didn't feel like the power of that malevolent spirit known as the "Shinigami."
There was even a trace of chakra.
A god who governed the Pure Land?
It was simply too fast. Even while focusing so intently, he couldn't fully sense its presence.
Just what kind of existence was that?
Naruto landed and sealed Kimimaro's corpse.
It seemed that man's true purpose wasn't just to capture and bring him to Orochimaru, as he claimed.
But rather, to demonstrate something with the last flicker of his life.
Team 8 and Karin soon arrived.
"You guys came?" Naruto was a bit surprised to see the four people with Karin.
Kurenai raised a hand and grabbed Kiba's dog Akamaru by the scruff, speaking lightly, "Shino sensed you encountering an enemy."
"Kiba and Hinata insisted on coming to support you."
"Just didn't expect..."
"That you didn't need our help at all."
Naruto smiled, "That guy used an interesting jutsu, so I stayed to observe."
"Sorry for making you worry—and thank you."
Kurenai shook her head, "No need to thank us. We didn't do anything."
Naruto glanced in a certain direction. "Then should we go?"
He began to leave with Karin.
Hinata mustered her courage and called out, "W-Wait, Naruto-kun!"
Naruto turned to look at her.
"I..." She took a deep breath. "I like you, Naruto-kun!"
Hinata knew it wasn't the right time to say something like this. The timing was completely off.
But she had a faint feeling...
If she didn't say it now, she might never get another chance in her life.
Kurenai was surprised.
Kiba and Shino were just as shocked.
Naruto gave a dazzling smile, "So Karin was right."
"Thank you for liking me."
"This is the first time a girl's confessed to me."
Even during his time in the Soul Society, despite being a captain, he'd never been confessed to—not because he lacked charm, but because most of the women in the squads saw him as a younger brother or a child.
How should Hinata take that response?
Was it a rejection?
Yes, it was.
Hinata was at a loss. Up until now, just "liking" Naruto had been enough to satisfy her—she had never dared to expect a reply.
"That's your response?" Kiba growled. Akamaru growled too from Kurenai's hand.
Naruto scratched his head, unfazed, "I've never thought about those things, so all I can say is thank you."
"I've barely interacted with Hinata before. I'm also surprised she likes me."
Hinata opened her mouth but ultimately said nothing.
Naruto waved goodbye to them.
"Kurenai-sensei," Kiba spoke up as Naruto left, "he's amazing now."
Kurenai patted Hinata on the head. "If you want to be with him, you'll have to catch up to him."
Hinata said nothing, only bowed her head.
Elsewhere—
"That rejection was pretty blunt," Karin tilted her head and looked at Naruto. "She was a cute girl."
Naruto shook his head. "I don't know her."
"Besides..."
"Love is a distant thing."
"She's over there, and I'm over here."
"There's so much distance—how clearly could she possibly see me?"
Karin looked at Naruto, puzzled. "A distant thing?"
"She never talked to me." Naruto's voice was soft. "The version of me she likes is something she pieced together from what she's seen and what she hopes for. It only exists in her imagination."
"And when you look at someone through the lens of hope, it becomes beautiful to the point of distortion."
Just like how he once hoped for Kakashi—but the reality was something else entirely.
Karin nodded thoughtfully.
She wondered—had she viewed Naruto with hope?
Probably not.
Her feelings for him all came after seeing what he did.
Then it was fine.
She grinned in satisfaction and followed Naruto, but after a while, she looked toward the trees. "Naruto, I think we're going the wrong way."
"This isn't the road to the next town."
Naruto replied, "You're right. We're not heading to the next town right now."
"We're going to meet someone."
Someone?
Karin tilted her head. Like those ninja just now?
The path wasn't far, and they soon arrived.
In a clearing in the forest, a white-haired man looked up and pushed his glasses. "Naruto-kun, I knew you'd come."
"Your scent is strong—I couldn't possibly miss it." Naruto stood on a branch. "Orochimaru is back, huh?"
Kabuto gave a fake smile. "You're as sharp as ever."
"Lord Orochimaru has indeed returned."
"Kimimaro was a gift. Did you like it, Naruto-kun?"
Naruto sneered, "Orochimaru's idea of a gift is to send a fanatic to chop me up?"
"Then maybe I should send myself to Orochimaru as a gift."
"Would he even dare accept?"
Kabuto spread his hands. "Kimimaro was a devout follower who worshipped Lord Orochimaru as a god. His way of thinking differs from ours."
"But let's not talk about that."
"Lord Orochimaru wants to work with you."
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Work with me?"
"I'm not exactly interested in destroying the Leaf right now. That was my parents' home, after all."
Kabuto shook his head. "No, not to destroy Konoha."
"Lord Orochimaru is interested in the powers you've acquired."
Naruto curled his lips and raised his hand.
Kabuto, visibly tenser, quickly raised his own hands and sped up his speech. "Naruto-kun, don't be so hasty. Please hear Lord Orochimaru's offer first?"
"He can teach you the Impure World Reincarnation technique."
Naruto didn't react.
Kabuto added, "That Reaper Death Seal technique—Lord Orochimaru invites you to study it together. When it comes to jutsu research, he's the strongest ninja there is."
Reaper Death Seal...?
Naruto's expression showed interest.
Kabuto let out a breath of relief and continued, more relaxed now, "Beyond that, anything else you want—Lord Orochimaru is open to discussion."
"As one of the Legendary Sannin…"
"The knowledge he's accumulated over the years is an immeasurable treasure."
Naruto lowered his hand. "Sounds decent enough."
"There's just one problem."
"Does the current Orochimaru even have the guts to face me?"
Kabuto adjusted his glasses. "Don't underestimate Lord Orochimaru."
"Shall we go now?"
Naruto nodded.
He and Karin changed plans and headed for the Land of Rice Fields. After a full day's travel, they arrived at the Hidden Sound Village.
Naturally, Kabuto didn't take them to the underground base.
Instead, he led them to a conference room in the village.
After a short wait—
Kabuto wheeled Orochimaru in through a hidden passage.
"It's been a long time, Naruto-kun." The man wrapped in tight bandages on the wheelchair spoke. "I'm glad you came to see me."
"You look pathetic," Naruto said softly.
Orochimaru grinned, voice low, "Thanks to you and the Third Hokage."
"Where's Kimimaro?"
Naruto pulled out a scroll. "That bone-style guy?"
"He's in here."
Orochimaru's gaze sharpened. "You really didn't hold back."
"He was the last user of the Shikotsumyaku."
Naruto played with the scroll. "If you want his body back, let's see what you're willing to offer."
Orochimaru leaned forward. "What do you want, Naruto-kun?"
"Do you have any research on gods?" Naruto asked.
Orochimaru paused. "Gods?"
"You mean those mysterious powers beyond shinobi?"
Naruto nodded and gently placed the scroll on the table. "So you have done research?"
"Then answer a question for me first."
"I've been in the Land of Whirlpools recently, collecting ancient inscriptions. They mentioned something that confused me."
"The Shinigami worshipped by the Uzumaki Clan is said to be older than the Sage of Six Paths."
"Is that a mistaken record?"
Orochimaru chuckled. "Naruto-kun, you never cease to surprise me—interested in things like this?"
"I actually know a bit about it."
"The records aren't wrong. These gods did indeed exist before the Sage of Six Paths."
Naruto's gaze grew serious.
Karin took out a scroll and began noting Orochimaru's words.
"Before chakra became widespread, humans and those powerful entities used something called 'natural energy,' or what we now call 'Senjutsu'."
"These gods... were born from those forces."
"But after the Sage of Six Paths appeared, those gods became confined to shrines, temples, or secret cults."
"Speaking of which—I happen to know someone who was blessed by one of those gods."
"I could introduce you."
Naruto shook his head, mulling over the term "natural energy."
"Then let me ask my second question," he said after a long pause.
(End of Chapter)