Naruto moved rapidly across the shinobi world using the Flying Thunder God Technique.
His mastery still wasn't on par with the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze.
He could only sense marked coordinates within a few hundred meters—but thanks to Heaven Rewards Diligence, his proficiency soared at a frightening pace.
Even Minato, while guiding him, had sighed in amazement.
It was the first time he had truly witnessed Naruto's overwhelming talent.
A shinobi so versatile… there had likely never been another quite like him.
With Heaven Rewards Diligence, Naruto advanced in Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and Genjutsu at the same time.
His progress in fuinjutsu, barrier arts, medical ninjutsu, martial disciplines, and even scientific research was far above average.
Ordinary shinobi would never have the time—nor the capacity—to study so much. Attempting to master everything usually made one mediocre at all of it.
Even Orochimaru had once tried to learn every ninjutsu in existence, only to eventually specialize in his serpent-based techniques.
Through constant study, he understood how brief a human life was—
and through war, how fragile.
That realization had pushed him onto the path of immortality.
Naruto's abilities destined him for greatness.
If he specialized, he would improve even faster…but against diverse and powerful enemies, such narrow focus would eventually become a weakness.
Naruto understood this clearly.
That's why he deliberately broadened his arsenal.
Every technique, every skill, every discipline—each one became part of his unshakeable foundation.
A rapid rise often came with unseen cracks.
Naruto refused to let any form of weakness exist in himself.
Before long, he arrived in Konoha.
After mastering the Flying Thunder God, Naruto had begun quietly planting his seals throughout the shinobi world—not everywhere, but in carefully chosen, discreet locations.
Upon arriving, he immediately extended his senses.
A faint smile curved his lips.
"Found it."
Whoosh!
His figure vanished from the rooftop.
On a training ground, Yamato was in the middle of a session when Naruto appeared silently on a large tree limb.
A faint disturbance of chakra leaked from Naruto—intentionally.
"Who's there?!"
Yamato reacted instantly, hurling a kunai.
His right arm morphed into wood, spiraling toward Naruto in a swift binding technique.
Naruto lightly hopped aside, dodging the kunai.
Facing the Wood Release attack, he simply raised his fist—
—and punched straight through it.
A burst of power erupted.
The massive wooden tendril shattered into splinters.
Naruto landed, and Yamato finally recognized the intruder.
Naruto had deliberately let him detect his presence.
"Uzumaki Naruto?"
Yamato sounded startled.
At this point, the two were not yet familiar with each other.
Naruto stepped forward.
"I came to ask for your help. This is Tsunade's written order."
He handed Yamato a scroll.
Yamato unfurled it.
The message instructed him to cooperate with Naruto and follow his command.
The writing and encryption were unmistakably Tsunade's.
"My apologies, Naruto-kun," Yamato said, bowing slightly.
Naruto waved it off.
"It's fine. Honestly, I'm impressed by your vigilance."
He meant it.
A former member of Root, Yamato was trained to react instantly to any shift in his surroundings.
He was strong—an elite jōnin—and despite appearances, he was actually younger than Kakashi.
"This mission will take about a month. I hope we'll work well together."
Naruto extended his hand.
Yamato clasped it.
"Pleasant cooperation."
The two left Konoha together.
Naruto explained that the mission's destination was the Land of Wind.
Yamato immediately started traveling the normal way, but Naruto grabbed his arm.
"No need for all that."
A series of rapid flashes—
space folded and shifted—
and the two reappeared deep within the Land of Wind.
"Urgh… ugh…"
The moment Naruto stopped, Yamato nearly collapsed, vomiting violently.
Naruto couldn't help but smile.
He had forgotten that Yamato wasn't used to spatial teleportation yet.
Yamato glared weakly at him, trying to regain his balance.
In that moment, he silently swore: he never wanted to experience that kind of travel ever again.
"Ugh…"
Yamato doubled over and vomited again.
It took nearly ten minutes before he finally regained his balance.
"No. Absolutely not. Let's just travel normally," he said quickly, waving his hands as he staggered forward.
Naruto shook his head helplessly.
He understood that feeling all too well—like motion sickness in his previous life.
That disorienting dizziness was truly unbearable, and only faded after he adapted to it later.
"Yamato, slow down. Do you even know where you're going?"
Naruto caught up, moved ahead of him, and adjusted their direction.
Hearing this, Yamato simply followed behind.
Whatever had happened earlier… he never wanted to experience that again.
Before long, under Naruto's lead, the two arrived at their destination.
Gaara was already waiting.
"Gaara!" Naruto called from afar.
Hearing the familiar voice, Gaara's expression brightened immediately and he walked over with rare warmth.
"Naruto, you made it so quickly. And… who is this?"
Naruto scanned the surroundings.
Thousands of workers were already spread around the Oasis—digging, planting, transporting, organizing.
They were planting seedlings—special drought-resistant species developed by Umbrella, designed to survive desert climates.
For now, they could only be grown around the Oasis to ensure a higher survival rate.
"This is Yamato, a Wood Release shinobi from Konoha. An expert I invited," Naruto said with a smile.
Gaara immediately understood.
When it came to planting trees, no one was more suitable than a Wood Release user.
Only Yamato looked completely lost.
Expert? Me? Why didn't anyone tell me that?
"The other team should arrive in three days."
Naruto looked at the distant crowd and said.
"Thank you, Naruto-kun," Gaara said sincerely.
Naruto patted his shoulder. "With our relationship, you don't need to thank me."
Then he turned to Yamato.
"Alright, Yamato, time to get to work. Your mission is to use your Wood Release to plant those saplings or reinforce the reforestation around the Oasis. I don't care how you do it—just make this desert turn green."
Yamato froze.
This… this is the important mission he talked about?
Planting trees?
"You mean… my mission is to plant trees?" Yamato asked, eyes wide.
Naruto shot him a look of mild disappointment.
"Oh, Yamato, your awareness is way too low."
He clapped a hand on Yamato's shoulder, smiling like a businessman selling a dream.
"This isn't simple tree planting. Years from now, when the Oasis expands… do you know how many civilians in the Land of Wind will rely on this place to survive?"
"And at that time, they will remember your contribution."
He grinned.
Yamato, however, felt a sudden chill down his spine.
Something about Naruto's words felt… dangerous.
Why does this feel like I'm being sold, and I'm the one helping count the money…?
...
TN:
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