"Th-that…" Kankuro stiffly turned his head to look at the devastated area, then back at the smug-looking Shukaku, and swallowed hard.
A ten-year-old brat had caused this much destruction.
Was this some kind of joke?
Kankuro rubbed his eyes, but the reality before him was undeniable.
"This kid…" Temari was also at a loss for words. Her mind replayed the terrifying, unstoppable Cero from before, and she was utterly shocked.
That power… it's already at the Kage level, isn't it?
The way they looked at Shukaku instantly changed. They finally understood Gaara's intentions.
This was a ten-year-old kid with Kage-level strength!!
The revival of our Sand Village is at hand!!!
"Lord Shu, is there anything else you'd like to play with? Please, feel free to ask," Temari's attitude did a complete 180, and she sidled up to Shukaku, immediately starting to suck up to him.
"Ahem, Little Shu, you're so incredibly strong. I surrender," Kankuro, despite his bad temper, understood Shukaku's importance to the village and also softened his stance.
By this time, many Sand ninja had arrived at the scene.
After Kankuro and Temari dismissed the ninja, they hurriedly led Shukaku toward the Kazekage's tower.
…
In Otogakure.
The period of instruction was nearing its end.
Under Orochimaru's clear and comprehensive explanations, Rock Lee and Aburame Neri had come to fully understand the difference between Hollows and Shinigami, and they developed a longing for these different powers.
Rock Lee longed to become stronger.
Aburame Neri, on the other hand, hoped for the opportunity to research Hollows or Shinigami.
During this time, Orochimaru also conducted related experiments.
Neri followed by Orochimaru's side, the very picture of a humble and eager student.
This scene always made Rock Lee want to laugh.
Orochimaru did not hold back on sharing some of his research findings. He treated Neri as his student, imparting his knowledge without reservation.
It had to be said, although Orochimaru had a sinister appearance and often made strange movements, his personal charisma was undeniable.
Neri was not his subordinate and had no loyalty to him. Cultivating a talent like her held little meaning for Orochimaru.
But even so, he taught her without hesitation.
And he used a method of equal footing and guided instruction to inspire her thinking.
This was why so many talented individuals had sought out Orochimaru.
Orochimaru taught with great dedication.
Firstly, he saw in Neri a research talent that was no less than his own.
Neri's speed at grasping any and all knowledge was astonishingly fast; she could even extrapolate and apply concepts in new ways. Moreover, her research on bodily structures was on the verge of surpassing his own.
But on second thought, this was perhaps understandable.
After all, as a child, Neri had enjoyed collecting organs and could even sleep blissfully among them.
That kind of talent was not something an ordinary person possessed.
Secondly…
Orochimaru's perspective had been influenced by Naruto.
On the path to pursuing one's goals, being all alone was a bit too lonely.
He wanted to create a research genius on par with himself, someone who could push him further.
Thinking of this, Orochimaru's expression became somewhat complex.
If Naruto had not appeared, he might have continued his solitary pursuit of eternal life.
Perhaps one day, he would have died of old age in some forgotten place.
Or perhaps he would have successfully obtained eternal life, but with no one left by his side.
Naruto had ignited a fire within him, a yearning.
Just like decades ago, when he was still in Konoha.
At that time, although he loved research, deep down he also hoped to become Hokage and help Konoha grow stronger.
But…
His methods were too decisive and ruthless, his personality too cold.
This was completely at odds with the Konoha elders' requirements for a Hokage.
A person like him was difficult for the higher-ups to control.
So, he was merely a foil for the Fourth Hokage.
Seeing all this clearly, Orochimaru had given up.
He became a complete research fanatic, walking down the path of human experimentation.
Until finally, he was branded a rogue ninja.
Orochimaru couldn't help but feel a little wistful.
Who would have thought that one of the once-famous Sannin of Konoha would now be an enemy of the village.
And in the future, he would even stand with Naruto against the entire ninja world.
That's right.
After obtaining the research results on Hollows and Shinigami, Orochimaru had already decided to stand completely on Naruto's side.
Once, he had yearned to help bring true peace to Konoha.
A world without sorrow, without war.
Where life, fragile and precious, would be well-protected under Konoha's shelter and allowed to grow.
But after his defection, he had hidden away such naive thoughts.
Until now, what he had once seen as a childish idea had resurfaced.
To overthrow the entire world, to rewrite the rules.
And to obtain a new power, to make the soul immortal, thereby achieving true eternal life.
And to achieve all this, he had to stand by Naruto's side.
Naruto… what a complete and utter madman!
"I truly look forward to the day we stand against the ninja world," Orochimaru couldn't help but remark.
"Eh?!" Neri, who was in the middle of an experiment, had her expression change drastically. The scalpel in her hand clattered to the floor.
Orochimaru against the ninja world?
That means Naruto against the ninja world.
That means… me against the ninja world.
I'm just an ordinary Jonin!!
She looked utterly hopeless.
But there was nothing she could do.
Her eyes darted around, and she began to consider the idea of Shinigamification or Hollowfication.
If she could obtain great power and conduct more research, she could definitely find a safe place for herself in the future.
She would only need to do her research every day, studying bodies.
The rest could be left to Naruto and the others.
Wouldn't such a life be wonderful?
…
Meanwhile, Rock Lee had already become well-acquainted with Naruto's loyal subordinates, Haku and Karin.
Unlike Kimimaro and the others, Lee was a subordinate from Naruto's own faction, so Haku and Karin's attitude toward him was much warmer.
The three of them bought ingredients for dinner together, and cooked and ate together.
During their time together, Haku and Karin asked about every little detail of Naruto's life in Konoha.
And they came to a deeper understanding of Naruto's past.
"That's just how Naruto is. Don't be fooled by how gentle he seems. He's always had his own goals. After I learned what he was thinking, I understood that there has always been a fire in his heart. One day, that fire will spread to the entire ninja world! I'm glad he didn't hide it from me, that he let me see the real him," Rock Lee said, moved.
"Sob, sob, so that was Lord Naruto's past," Karin said, her eyes brimming with tears as she listened.
"That's Lord Naruto for you. He is kinder than anyone, but at the same time, he can be more ruthless than anyone," Haku said with a gentle smile. "All we can do is stay by his side and help him clear away all obstacles."
"I firmly believe that peace will surely come."
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