"That's it..."
Naruto didn't push further. "Then come to me when you're mentally prepared."
He hadn't expected that Sasuke — the same guy who once dressed as a woman just for the sake of power — would now refuse to even try an illusion.
It didn't match the Sasuke he remembered.
Maybe Jiraiya's teaching had something to do with it.
After saying that, Naruto had no intention of using genjutsu anymore.
He activated Kagura's Mind Eye and sensed the surroundings.
"Found it."
Naruto whispered as he walked to the edge of the boat.
Everyone noticed his movement and followed him curiously.
Looking down, they saw a miserable, fat man clinging to the hull of the ship with both hands.
Oh.
So, the Hail Winter Bear that Jiraiya had knocked into the sea earlier hadn't died after all.
When the Konoha shinobi saw him now, they were a little confused.
This fool… can't even use chakra to walk on water?
"Come up," Naruto said flatly.
The fat man knew escape was impossible and didn't dare resist. He endured the sharp pain and took more than ten seconds to climb onto the deck.
"Don't kill me," Hail Winter Bear slumped to the ground, panting. "I'm willing to cooperate — I'll tell you everything you want to know."
"That makes it easier to talk," Jiraiya said, rubbing his chin. He stepped forward and began questioning him.
After a while, Hail Winter Bear explained the situation in the Land of Snow.
Finally, perhaps out of arrogance or habit, he tried to threaten them again.
"You'd better let me and my companions go soon," he sneered. "Otherwise, Lord Doto won't let you off."
Pfft!
Naruto drew a kunai and thrust it straight into Hail Winter Bear's chest.
The man stared down at the blade in disbelief, then looked up at Naruto with hatred. "Why... what...?"
Naruto didn't answer. He gripped the kunai with one hand and began forming hand seals with the other.
This technique — one that controlled souls — was developed for use in the Naruto simulation.
With it, Naruto could manipulate a soul, then use the True Waterfall Illusion to draw out the enemy's dark side into battle, turning it to his advantage.
Zzzt...
As Naruto performed the jutsu, a layer of gray, mist-like chakra began to form around Hail Winter Bear's body.
The mist was strange — drawn toward the kunai impaled in his heart, slowly being absorbed into it.
The energy looked vile at first glance, enough to make anyone's blood run cold.
Hail Winter Bear, now devoid of his soul, collapsed lifelessly.
Standing behind Naruto, Sasuke felt a chill down his spine as he watched.
Naruto's technique was too sinister... it made him think his earlier refusal had been the right choice.
Pfft!
Naruto pulled the kunai from the corpse and examined it.
He smiled faintly, sensing the weapon's chaotic energy, bound to his will.
"The first one's done," he murmured.
Jiraiya's eyes narrowed. "How do you control this kind of power?"
Naruto replied casually, "Just perfecting an illusion, that's all."
"It seems you've gone astray," Jiraiya said sternly, his tone serious. "Using such a dark power to control people's souls — don't you have a bottom line?"
He knew Naruto was strong, but this... this was something he couldn't accept.
Naruto chuckled softly. "This guy was one of Doto's subordinates. He's oppressed the Land of Snow for years. Controlling his soul is a fitting punishment — it's exactly where he belongs."
"I'm not asking about justice!" Jiraiya's voice rose. "Naruto, it's clear you lack proper guidance. Otherwise, you'd never develop such a twisted jutsu!"
Naruto sighed. "Jiraiya... it's already done. And who are you to preach to me now?"
"Enough. Don't bring this up again — or we'll have a real problem."
With that, Naruto turned away, ignoring Jiraiya completely.
After all, he felt nothing for the man.
If Jiraiya insisted on pushing him, Naruto would...
But at that moment, Kurama spoke up from within.
"Naruto, I also feel that kind of power crosses a line."
Oh?
Even Kurama said that?
Naruto was a little surprised.
But Kurama was his friend, so he took the time to explain.
"Kurama, power itself isn't good or evil," Naruto said calmly. "Only the one who uses it decides that."
"Of course, I'm not claiming to be righteous," he added with a smirk. "But calling me a complete bastard would be an exaggeration."
"That's true," Kurama said lazily, dropping the matter.
In the shinobi world, techniques that tampered with souls were always seen as taboo.
To most, anyone who used such jutsu was inherently evil.
Sasuke stayed silent, deep in thought. No one knew what was going through his mind.
Sakura and Karin, however, didn't seem too bothered.
Naruto was right — power itself wasn't evil. It depended on how it was used.
And Naruto wasn't righteous... but he definitely wasn't evil either.
He hadn't done anything truly wrong.
Naruto sheathed the kunai containing Hail Winter Bear's soul and started toward the cabin.
Jiraiya, sensing what he intended, quickly asked, "You want to take that woman's soul too?"
He meant Fubuki.
Naruto frowned slightly. "Like I said, she's another of Doto's lackeys. She deserves this end. I don't need anyone's permission to do what's necessary."
"Jiraiya... move aside."
Jiraiya's face darkened. He struggled for a moment, then tried again to talk Naruto down.
But it was useless.
Naruto wasn't as powerful as in the original timeline, but he still outmatched Jiraiya.
Realizing he couldn't stop him, Jiraiya sighed heavily.
He hadn't expected things to turn out like this.
Minato had carried the Will of Fire — loved and respected by everyone.
But now, his son had become someone who toyed with souls without guilt or hesitation.
The thought filled Jiraiya with regret.
If he had known this would happen, he would've taken Naruto with him on his travels — guided him properly.
However...
If Naruto knew what Jiraiya was thinking, he would've just scoffed.
Of the Sannin, only Tsunade was a bit better.
Orochimaru was a born villain — that was obvious.
And Jiraiya?
A hopeless pervert.
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