In his mental space, that most dazzling golden light finally bloomed slowly under Naruto's gaze.
[S-rank treasure chest opening—]
There were no earth-shattering phenomena, nor was there any world-destroying chakra infusion.
Naruto only felt a faint change occurring in his body, yet he couldn't put his finger on exactly what it was.
[Congratulations, you have obtained: Gene Lock]
[Description: Countless "locks" are hidden within the human body; they limit power but also protect the physical form.]
[Unlocking the Gene Lock means breaking this protective mechanism, releasing the combat instincts and computational abilities hidden deep within the human body.]
[This is the ultimate path of biological evolution, the key to breaking Biological Limiters and reaching the realm of gods.]
[Effect: You now possess the Gene Lock.]
[First Stage: Restores humanity's original combat instincts.]
[Second Stage: Grants the ability to freely control one's own body, exerting one's latent power at one hundred percent.]
[Third Stage: Develops the brain regions and simulates thinking, reaching the limits of mortal wisdom.]
[Fourth Stage: Micro-control, rewriting one's own essence at the genetic level.]
[Fifth Stage: Control over the conversion of energy and matter; in other words, "Godhood."]
Naruto slowly opened his eyes, feeling the throbbing deep within his genes.
Although his outward appearance hadn't changed at all and his chakra hadn't increased in the slightest, he could faintly perceive a truth.
A door, standing between the mortal and the transcendent, between the ant and the god, had appeared within his body.
As long as he pushed it open, evolution would begin.
"The Gene Lock—is this the ultimate answer to life?"
Naruto muttered to himself, pushing up his glasses as a trace of fanaticism flashed in the depths of his eyes.
Combined with the Hōgyoku he had just obtained, this was simply a broad highway leading to the pinnacle of evolution.
Just then, a set of footsteps interrupted his thoughts.
Naruto turned his head to see Orochimaru walking over slowly.
This once-unrivaled Sannin now looked at Naruto with eyes that held a hint of an inexplicable sentiment, alongside a touch of obsession.
At the moment Naruto fused with the S-rank reward, perhaps because of the dominated soul fragment or Orochimaru's keen intuition, his subconscious spoke.
It told him that the life level of the youth before him had undergone an unspeakable transformation.
It was the ultimate answer to life that he had been bitterly seeking through countless dissections and experiments, yet had always remained out of reach.
"What is it? Do you need something?" Naruto asked calmly.
Thud.
Without the slightest hesitation, Orochimaru knelt on one knee three steps away from Naruto and deeply bowed his head.
"Naruto—no, Lord Naruto."
Orochimaru's voice was as raspy as ever, but it carried an unprecedented humility and longing.
"Please—dominate me completely."
Yakushi Kabuto, standing to the side, was stunned, staring at him with a face full of shock.
No, it wasn't just him; everyone present—Karin, the Sound Four, and all the surviving elites—were frozen in shock.
That was one of the legendary Sannin, the leader who had founded Otogakure by himself, Lord Orochimaru.
To think he would perform such a grand gesture to a youth, signaling total submission?
Orochimaru ignored the gazes of those around him.
He looked up, his golden vertical pupils filled with fanaticism.
"Back in the forest, you only took a fragment of my soul. That connection is too weak, too unstable..."
"I beg of you—grant me a complete soul chain and let me become a part of your will."
Naruto looked at Orochimaru, his expression unreadable.
"Orochimaru, you are a person who will use any means to achieve your goals."
"Why would you voluntarily give up your sense of self and want to be completely dominated by me? Isn't it better to retain some freedom?"
"Freedom?"
A more fervent light erupted in Orochimaru's eyes.
"After seeing the high mountains, so-called freedom is nothing more than the wishful thinking of an ant."
"I have seen it—I see the end of truth within you."
"Rather than being a collaborator who might betray or be discarded at any moment, I would much rather follow you forever to the end of truth."
Orochimaru pressed his forehead to the ground.
"Please grant me—that trust."
Naruto watched Orochimaru quietly.
In his original plan, after utilizing the resources of Otogakure, he indeed intended to start purging this group of unsavory remnants.
But now—
Orochimaru's behavior was a bit too sensible and pragmatic.
He was like a seeker of the Way; upon seeing the hope of true evolution, he decisively chose to sacrifice himself in exchange for becoming one of Naruto's "own."
As everyone knew, Naruto had always been somewhat protective of his own people.
"Since you have this resolve—I will give you a chance."
Naruto raised his hand, and a translucent Domination Chain emerged from his palm, instantly sinking into Orochimaru's chest.
Orochimaru offered no resistance whatsoever; he even opened his heart, actively welcoming the entry of the chain.
The Soul Contract was instantly established.
Orochimaru's whole body trembled, and he let out a satisfied sigh.
He felt his empty soul finally find an anchor, becoming completely bound to the path leading to evolution and truth.
"Congratulations, Orochimaru. You have made the right choice."
Naruto said flatly.
Seeing this, the expressions of Karin and Yakushi Kabuto changed.
Karin rushed over, also wanting to kneel.
"Nar-Naruto—I'm willing too! No matter what you want me to do, even if I become a puppet, I—"
Naruto reached out and gently pressed Karin's shoulder, stopping her from kneeling.
He looked into Karin's red eyes and smiled warmly.
"Karin, you don't need that thing."
"You are already one of my own; you don't need a chain to prove your loyalty."
Karin was stunned, her eyes instantly welling up.
She nodded vigorously and stepped aside, her heart filled with the sweetness of being trusted.
Having dealt with Karin, Naruto's gaze shifted to the other side.
There, Yakushi Kabuto was kneeling on one knee with his head bowed, his eyes flickering with longing and a deeply hidden trace of jealousy.
"Lord Naruto, I am also willing to offer everything. Please also—"
Before Kabuto could finish, Naruto interrupted him.
"Senior Kabuto, the seats for domination are very precious."
Naruto's tone was flat, but it was like a bucket of cold water poured over Kabuto's head.
"Orochimaru possesses top-tier research capabilities; he has that value."
"As for you, while you are clever, you still lack a bit of qualification."
Yakushi Kabuto's face turned pale instantly, and the hand hidden in his sleeve clenched tightly.
Resentment, shame, yet mixed with an even stronger longing.
"Do you want that position?"
"Then perform well and prove your value."
"I still have high hopes for you."
"Yes—I understand."
Kabuto gritted his teeth and lowered his head even further, the look in his eyes becoming complex and determined.
After giving him a stick followed by a carrot, Naruto closed his eyes again.
Using the Hōgyoku to unlock the Gene Lock also required a massive amount of energy.
Therefore, he planned to resolve some energy issues.
Naruto's consciousness sank, arriving once again in that dark and damp sewer.
There, a massive Nine-Tailed Demon Fox was waiting for him.