Exiting the laboratory, the heavy doors opened, and the dazzling sunlight made Naruto's clone instinctively narrow his eyes.
"Naruto-sama!!!" A familiar, clear female voice reached his ears.
Once his eyes adjusted to the light, Naruto's clone could make out Uzumaki Karin's appearance.
"Karin? Long time no see." He offered a gentle smile.
Seeing the smile she had longed for day and night, Karin's eyes immediately welled up with tears.
"Ah, it's Karin. She went to quite some trouble to meet me back then," Orochimaru chimed in from the side with a smile. As an experienced 'talent scout,' he didn't mind nurturing geniuses for others. Of course, during that time, he wouldn't hesitate to unleash his own charm. Uzumaki Karin's talents were exceptional. Her sensory abilities were undoubtedly among the most useful in warfare. It was just a pity that her mind was entirely preoccupied with Uzumaki Naruto, making her unwilling to join the Sound Five, much to Orochimaru's regret.
"You've gotten stronger, Karin." Sensing the chakra within Karin, Naruto's clone smiled faintly.
"To follow Naruto-sama, I will train very hard!" Uzumaki Karin clenched her fists, her expression earnest.
"Then you'll have to keep it up," Naruto's clone chuckled, ruffling Karin's soft red hair.
Naruto-kun, like this… he's so gentle it's almost enlightening, Orochimaru thought to himself as he observed from the side. For a 'trafficker of people' like him, the most adept skill was to become a beacon of light in the hearts of children. But unfortunately, his own inherently sinister aura meant he couldn't achieve a one hundred percent success rate. Seeing Naruto's clone's sun-like, warm smile, Orochimaru couldn't help but shake his head, silently giving Naruto a thumbs-up in his mind. Such refinement, such gentleness… no wonder he can make Uzumaki Karin so utterly devoted. And yet, it is precisely this gentle Naruto whose calculating depth is truly terrifying. I really look forward to the day Naruto defects from Konoha.
Orochimaru smiled and departed, leaving Naruto's clone and Karin some time alone.
When he first met Karin, Naruto's clone had almost failed to recall this kinswoman he had saved in the Forest of Death. At the time, it had merely been a casual act, but he hadn't expected Karin to provide him with a pleasant surprise. Her strength had increased quite commendably, and more importantly, her loyalty to him was evident. Naruto, adept at manipulating people's hearts, could naturally tell that the way Karin looked at him was with romantic affection.
Love was the easiest emotion to manipulate in a person.
Thus, he gently stroked Karin's hair, offering her verbal praise, and finally added, "You must hurry and improve yourself in Otogakure. My enemies are very terrifying."
Naruto's clone's trust filled the young girl's heart with bliss. Her eyes, gazing at him, were full of stars. She nodded vigorously, determined to train even harder so she could protect Naruto in the future.
"Naruto-sama, I will work hard! I will become the sharpest blade in your hand!" she declared.
Hearing this, Naruto's clone offered a gentle smile and said softly, "No, it's enough if you just have the strength to protect yourself. The future of the ninja world… will be very chaotic."
Uzumaki Karin's heart practically melted.
Orochimaru, eavesdropping from the shadows, exclaimed internally that he could never learn such techniques.
After a brief discussion with Orochimaru, Naruto's clone left behind a portion of the funds he had "solicited" from the Land of Snow. He and Orochimaru were, after all, partners; he had an obligation to invest in their research. This not inconsiderable sum of money solved Orochimaru's pressing financial needs.
During their discussion, Naruto's clone proposed a new hypothesis. "Since the essence of a Shinigami is Reishi, is it possible to sever one's own soul to condense a second primary body, similar to a clone?" Though the phrasing was a bit awkward, Orochimaru immediately grasped Naruto's meaning.
"Chakra is composed of physical and spiritual energy. Techniques like the Clone Jutsu can produce independent consciousness, which is already a very interesting research topic. So, do these chakra clones contain fragments of a divided soul? Because only with a soul can independent thought arise."
"From this perspective, perhaps we can create a vessel capable of containing a fragmented soul, allowing a severed Shinigami soul to control this vessel, forming a clone that cannot be easily destroyed," Orochimaru stated methodically.
The ninja world's definition of the soul was far too vague. Even though Orochimaru had been conducting related research, he hadn't been able to uncover the truth. But he had a premonition that everything he wanted to know might find its answers in Hollows and Shinigami.
"I will conduct research in this area concurrently. Perhaps in the future, you can condense a clone that represents your will and can stay in Otogakure long-term."
"If there's a chance in the future, I'd also like to study the Nine-Tails within your body. Can a Tailed Beast made of chakra become a Shinigami or a Hollow? Where is its soul located?"
"I need more rare and precious materials, not just simple Genin, Chunin, or even Jonin. Naruto-kun, I believe you understand my meaning," Orochimaru said with a smile.
"Of course. Rest assured, there will definitely be an opportunity to research Tailed Beasts in the future," Naruto's clone nodded with a smile. He didn't plan to let the Nine-Tails reside within him forever. When the time was right, he would definitely find a way to give the Nine-Tails its freedom. Perhaps in the future, the Nine-Tails could also become a part of his own forces.
After finishing his conversation with Orochimaru, Naruto's clone dispersed, returning to his main body.
"It's been so long… I'm finally back." Outside Konoha, Tsunade looked up at the towering gate and the Konoha symbol, sighing endlessly.
"Yeah, and this time you're returning as the Fifth Hokage," Jiraiya chimed in beside her, his lecherous gaze landing on Tsunade's chest. He couldn't help but exclaim, "So good, so big."
Pow! Jiraiya shot backward like a cannonball, crashing through a dozen trees before finally stopping.
"Jiraiya-sensei, long time no see. Your lecherous habits haven't changed a bit, have they?" Suddenly, a gentle laugh echoed from the forest.
"Naruto!!!" Accompanied by Sakura's joyful cry, a figure flashed in a golden trajectory, appearing on a nearby tree branch. The branch was slender, yet it didn't tremble in the slightest under Naruto's weight.
"So you're Naruto." Tsunade looked up, a flash of surprise in her eyes as she took in Naruto, who was as handsome as jade. This Nine-Tails Jinchuriki… he really did resemble Minato somewhat, but his aura was even more elegant and at ease.
"What a coincidence, Naruto. Did you just finish a mission?" Jiraiya stumbled over from the distance, covered in bruises, grimacing as he asked.
"Yes," Naruto landed beside Jiraiya, Kazahana Doto (his headband removed and face masked by Naruto) slung over his shoulder. Jiraiya couldn't recognize Doto's identity.
"If there's nothing else, I'll go deliver my mission report first. Talk to you later," Naruto bid farewell to Jiraiya and the others, then vanished from their sight using Shunpo.
"This Uzumaki Naruto's strength is considerable," Tsunade said gravely, looking in the direction Naruto had disappeared. "No wonder Danzo wanted Naruto to join Root." Since Sakura was present, they didn't discuss any classified information.
"If I get the chance, I'd like to spar with this kid," Tsunade said boisterously.
"You'll get your chance. Let's head back to the village, future Fifth Hokage."
Not long after Tsunade's return, she officially inherited the position of Fifth Hokage. That day, the cloud of unease hanging over the villagers finally dissipated. They cheered enthusiastically, welcoming the succession of the Fifth Hokage, Senju Tsunade. The Senju clan was one of the founding families of Konoha and was deeply loved by the villagers. Tsunade's return re-coalesced the scattered and uneasy public spirit, igniting enthusiasm and hope for the future.
Naruto and Danzo stood among the crowd, watching the spirited Tsunade. A flicker of fighting intent also flashed in Naruto's eyes. Tsunade excelled in healing, perhaps lacking somewhat in offensive techniques, but her monstrous strength was still astonishing. Tsunade's overall combat power wasn't as high as Jiraiya's; she should be a decent opponent. He wondered if Danzo's strength could contend with Tsunade's.
Naruto looked at Danzo, who was staring intently at Tsunade on the stage, his murky eyes filled with a strange mixture of emotions: greed, unwillingness, and also defiance.
"Sensei, do you really want to become Hokage?" Naruto asked softly, a mischievous curve playing on his lips.
"Hokage? That's what everyone desires. Don't you?" Danzo looked deeply at Naruto.
"I want to become Hokage too," Naruto said warmly, his radiant smile momentarily overlapping with Minato's.
Danzo couldn't help but feel a wave of emotion. The Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, had become a pillar of the Third's faction, yet his son had become Danzo's own disciple. Both possessed brilliant golden hair, warm smiles, and aspired to become Hokage. This could only be described as… a twist of fate.
Sarutobi Hiruzen watched Tsunade's inauguration with a cheerful smile, tears faintly glistening in his aged eyes. During his tenure, he had considered too much for Konoha's sake. But after passing on the Hokage title, he felt a profound sense of relief. At this moment, he was no longer the Third Hokage, but simply an old man in his twilight years. Of course, emotions aside, he still intended to intervene in the Fifth Hokage's governance. After all, Tsunade had been away from the village for so long and was unfamiliar with many village affairs. Without his, the Third Hokage's, assistance, how could she possibly govern the village? The Third watched the inauguration ceremony happily, full of confidence in Konoha's future.
Not long after the inauguration ceremony ended, Danzo led Naruto back to the Root headquarters. The ceremony had once again ignited his desire for the Hokage seat. Tsunade was still young; she could definitely hold the position for another ten years without issue. And Tsunade harbored great animosity towards Root. The days to come would foreseeably be the most difficult for Root.
Danzo's expression was extremely grim. He knew that if things continued on their current trajectory, he would never become Hokage in this lifetime.
It seems I still need to cooperate with Orochimaru as soon as possible. But my movements will be closely watched from now on. Who should I find to be Root's emissary? Danzo sighed, his gaze unexpectedly settling on Naruto.
He viewed Naruto as his successor and had invested immense effort in him. He was well aware of Root's darkness and worried it might cause Naruto to develop an aversion to the organization. So, he had always used missions to gradually make Naruto accept Root's darkness, to rationalize it in Naruto's mind. But the recent sudden various changes had started to make Danzo impatient. The Hollows were a relatively unknown project at present, and Naruto's Kekkei Genkai was also something Root had always wanted to possess. It just wasn't the right time to extract Naruto's cells yet. Danzo didn't want to act rashly and alert his target.
Before that, he would first let Naruto come into contact with Root's core operations. Once Naruto was integrated into Root, he would then make the request to research his cells. At that time, Naruto surely wouldn't refuse. However, before that, he would pave the way for Naruto to become Root's leader, providing him with loyal, capable subordinates, including those with certain research abilities.
Thus, he looked at Naruto and said with concern, "Your mission completion rate has been excellent recently. Go and rest well for a few days. I will have someone inform you of specific arrangements later."
"Understood, Sensei." Naruto nodded and stepped back. Before leaving, he glanced at Danzo. The man, wrapped head to toe in bandages, seemed to be contemplating something in the darkness, an extremely unsettling atmosphere swirling around him.
Along the way, Naruto passed by a laboratory and saw a familiar woman engrossed in some activity around an experimental subject. The familiar mask was unmistakably Aburame Neri's. Aburame Neri received very good treatment in Root, even having her own exclusive laboratory.
Naruto watched Aburame Neri's experiment with keen interest. He saw Neri take a piece of muscle tissue from an experimental subject and then place it in an insect nest she was cultivating on the side. Black insects swarmed out, crawling densely over the muscle tissue. Soon, these insects began to emit a blue glow, the air temperature noticeably dropped, and specks of frost condensed within the insect nest. It actually gave off a strangely beautiful feeling.
"Are these insects that can absorb ice-type chakra?" Naruto raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Have you seen enough?" Just then, Aburame Neri, who had been focused on her experiment, stopped her actions, her voice icy.
"My sincerest apologies. I didn't mean to peek. It's just that your experiment was too fascinating, and I got carried away," Naruto said, walking into the laboratory and offering a gentle apology.
Seeing that the visitor was Naruto, Aburame Neri didn't press the issue and continued with her work. Just before, she had been summoned by Danzo and informed that from now on, she was to regard Naruto as her master and follow him. For Aburame Neri, who had grown up in Root, obeying orders was second nature. Her heart felt no ripples. It didn't matter who she obeyed, as long as it didn't interfere with her research.
"Are these insects that can absorb chakra?" Naruto asked gently from the side.
"Mm," Aburame Neri grunted in affirmation.
"Strange. Can these insects directly absorb chakra from muscle tissue? Doesn't chakra dissipate from the body after death?" Naruto asked curiously.
Hearing his inquiry, Aburame Neri couldn't help but look at Naruto with newfound respect. She hadn't expected him to have some insight in this area.
"I use special insects to preserve the body parts. These insects that can devour chakra and Kekkei Genkai are also special insects I've cultivated through research," Aburame Neri's tone was quite proud. Only when discussing her insects did her emotions fluctuate so much.
"Then can these insects use Ice Release?" Naruto asked curiously, pointing at the blue insects.
Aburame Neri shook her head with some regret. "Although they can't use ninjutsu, if you get bitten by one, your blood and chakra will solidify in a very short time. The specific effects are still being tested. Want to try?" Aburame Neri looked at Naruto, her expression unruffled.
"No, thank you. I have trypophobia," Naruto said, taking a step back with a smile, politely refusing.
Aburame Neri pursed her lips and said no more.
However, Naruto's next words piqued her interest.
"By the way, have you done any research on souls?"