"I just received intel that Obito may be hiding close by."
Before Naruto could finish speaking, Kakashi vanished in an instant and rushed off.
Naruto smirked, clearly having everything planned out, then activated the Flying Thunder God Technique to teleport back to Konoha.
Arriving back at the Uzumaki clan's mansion, Naruto stepped inside and immediately saw a familiar face.
"Kimimaro! You're actually awake?"
Kimimaro recognized Naruto. He remembered their past encounter when Naruto had stopped him from capturing Sasuke.
At this moment, Orochimaru stepped forward and said, "It's nothing short of a miracle. I treated Kimimaro before and diagnosed him with a terminal illness."
"Even with Tsunade's medical skills, he barely survived all these years, clinging to life."
"He suddenly woke up a few days ago—and his strength appears to have increased too."
Naruto was mildly surprised. Kimimaro had lain comatose for over three years, and now, not only was he alive and well, but his strength had also grown.
Suddenly realizing something, Naruto spoke, "Kimimaro, can I take a look at your chest?"
Kimimaro turned toward Orochimaru.
Orochimaru nodded.
Kimimaro began unbuttoning his shirt only after receiving Orochimaru's permission.
Naruto noticed a glowing mark on Kimimaro's chest—the Yin–Yang Release seal he himself had implanted after fusing the powers of multiple Tailed Beasts.
It didn't work at first, but its effects were finally manifesting now.
"This is incredible—I've gained another powerful ally!"
Naruto was genuinely thrilled.
Kimimaro said nothing, maintaining his usual cold demeanor. After lying bedridden for three years, his muscles had severely atrophied, leaving him practically skin and bone.
"Kimimaro, there's something important I need you to help me with," Naruto said casually, acting as if he belonged there.
"Why should I listen to you?" Kimimaro thought to himself.
"Because even Orochimaru listens to me—and so must you."
Kimimaro looked shocked. He glanced toward Orochimaru.
Orochimaru gave Naruto an adoring gaze, then stuck out his long tongue slightly, licking his lips.
"That's right. I always listen to Naruto."
Kimimaro was stunned!
During the three years he lay unconscious—what exactly had happened in the world?
Orochimaru still appeared to be the same revered figure he once respected—but now he obeyed Naruto's orders.
"Orochimaru, Kimimaro, Torune Aburame, Itachi—you four will come with me to handle a significant mission."
Without waiting for a response, Naruto walked outside.
Karin rushed over: "I want to go too."
"Not this time. You're staying here to guard the place."
Karin visibly deflated.
Naruto activated the Flying Thunder God Technique, taking Orochimaru, Kimimaro, Itachi, and Torune with him as they teleported directly to Hinata's location.
As soon as they arrived, everyone saw Hotaru riding Two-Tails Kokuo while Hinata rode atop Two-Tails Matatabi.
Praising them, Orochimaru remarked, "No wonder you're Naruto—you tamed two Tailed Beasts so quickly! If the Akatsuki knew this, they'd be ashamed."
Itachi used his Sharingan to observe the Tailed Beasts closely but found nothing unusual.
He thought to himself, How exactly did Naruto manage to control the Tailed Beasts? There wasn't a single sign of coercion.
"I brought you here, not for you to critique my Tailed Beasts."
"You all know your missions by now. Don't screw it up."
Naruto leapt onto Five-Tailed Kokuo and sat behind Hotaru.
Naruto's closeness made Hotaru extremely nervous.
"Hinata-chan, mind leading the way?"
Naruto gave an awkward smile.
Though Hinata wasn't thrilled, she understood Naruto—he wouldn't betray her.
Thanks to her Byakugan, Hinata could pinpoint Nagare faster than anyone—faster even than the Mist Anbu.
Once they found Nagare's whereabouts, Hinata took the lead while Naruto carried Hotaru atop Kokuo, charging straight toward him.
Kokuo moved at an incredible speed. To Hotaru, it felt like Five-Tailed Kokuo had run only a short distance.
All of a sudden, thick mist blanketed the forest.
Hinata, originally riding Two-Tailed Matatabi and leading ahead, suddenly vanished.
Hotaru sensed something was wrong.
"Naruto, Onee-chan Hinata is gone."
Naruto scratched his face, thinking: She's even calling Hinata 'Onee-chan' now. I was only gone from Konoha for a little while—girlfriends bond fast.
Naruto could only lie and say, "Maybe Hinata got separated from us."
"Why are we even coming here looking for this Nagare guy?"
"Nagare is an expert in water-style Ninjutsu. If we find him, he can teach you powerful techniques."
"I don't want Nagare. I want Naruto to be my teacher."
"Don't be stubborn. Nagare is really strong."
"I've never even met this Nagare person. Even if he's strong, he couldn't hold a candle to you, Naruto."
"Well... that's fair." Naruto narrowed his eyes. "But Nagare is single though, and I already have Hinata."
At those words, Hotaru finally gave up on any romantic hopes for Naruto.
After all, Hinata had just recently become her new older sister.
Back when Naruto had returned to Konoha, Hotaru wanted to learn more about him and actively approached Hinata, asking about Naruto's past.
Hinata spoke highly of him, describing Naruto as the greatest man alive—practically perfect.
Sitting atop their respective Tailed Beasts, the two women bonded instantly over talks about the same man and started calling each other sisters.
This outcome surprised Naruto.
He hadn't expected Hinata to gain someone who'd become like a younger sister to her—someone whose importance could rival Hinata herself.
Oh...
"Even so, I still don't want Nagare to be my teacher," Hotaru said, pouting like a child.
Oh no... Naruto internally groaned. Why am I so damn awesome? So handsome? So powerful? It's just because I met Hotaru slightly earlier than Nagare did... How annoying.
Pushing aside his ego, Naruto continued searching for Nagare with Hotaru.
Riding atop Five-Tailed Kokuo, Naruto and Hotaru moved through the heavily fogged forest.
Hotaru felt completely safe like this and wasn't afraid at all.
"As long as I'm with Naruto, I feel completely safe," Hotaru said, her face flushing afterward.
"That goes without saying. With a Tailed Beast standing guard here, there's almost no one left in this world who can stand up to me—not even Obito. Even if Madara Uchiha were brought back to life, he'd still end up defeated by me."
Hotaru couldn't help laughing.
She didn't know who Obito was, let alone Madara Uchiha.
But she found Naruto's bragging amusing.
...
Elsewhere on the ninja continent,
Zetsu had tracked down Kabuto.
Zetsu: "I've got what you asked for."
Kabuto: "Let me see it."
Zetsu: "Have you truly mastered that technique?"
Kabuto: "Don't worry—I've already mastered it."
Zetsu led Kabuto into a secret cave, deep into its farthest chamber, where a corpse lay.
There was no mistaking it—it was undeniably Madara Uchiha's body.
Kabuto was ecstatic.
"With this, I can save Lord Orochimaru.
That bastard Naruto used Shisui's eye to manipulate Lord Orochimaru. The Orochimaru we see now is an impostor—I don't accept this version as the real one.
I'll use Madara Uchiha to defeat Naruto and restore the true Lord Orochimaru."
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