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    Uchiha Sasuke.


    The name caused a slight change in Orochimaru''s expression.


    He remained silent for a moment before speaking: "There''s no point in bringing him back now."


    Reincarnation also has its limits.


    To perform another reincarnation, at least three years must pass.


    "Orochimaru-sama, please allow me to offer whatever weak light I can in the final moments of my life." Kimimaro pleaded.


    Orochimaru looked up and nced at Kabuto: "Kimimaro, I truly wish you were a healthy person."


    "I would be willing to pay any price for that, even sealing my legs again." Kimimaro was indeed his most satisfying subordinate.


    Loyal and powerful, with a rare Kekkei Genkai, the Shikotsumyaku, which could rival the Sharingan.


    But unfortunately, he was suffering from a terminal illness, an incurable disease even Orochimaru couldn''t handle.


    "Orochimaru-sama," Kimimaro said heavily, "it''s my body that has burdened you."


    Orochimaru fell silent, lost in thought.


    His feelings for Kimimaro would not affect his judgment.


    "Since this is your request," he finally spoke after a long pause, "then help me with onest task."


    "Do you know Uzumaki Naruto?"


    Kimimaro nodded: "One of those responsible for putting you in this state."


    "Find him," Orochimaru said softly. Despite having been killed by Naruto once, he didn''t seem to harbor much resentment; in fact, his tone was almost pleasant. "And see if you can bring him back."


    "If you can''t..."


    "Tell him I want to discuss a cooperation."


    "His father, the Fourth Hokage, also used the ''Reaper Death Seal,'' and his soul is sealed within the Shinigami''s body."


    "If he wants to release the Fourth Hokage''s soul, he shoulde find me in the Land of Rice Fields."


    "I can even teach him the ''Edo Tensei'' technique."


    Kimimaro agreed, a bit excited: "Yes, I will stake my life for Orochimaru-sama."


    Orochimaru gave him a look, his expression both nostalgic and heavy.


    "Kabuto, go with Kimimaro," he added softly, issuing amand.


    Kabuto was taken aback.


    "This is a reward for loyalty," Orochimaru said with a grin.


    Kabuto nodded: "Understood."


    They made their preparations and set off.


    Naruto and Karin''s whereabouts weren''t hard to track; they hadn''t concealed their traces and were openly traveling.


    In just half a month, they had visited seven "temples" and "shrines," each dedicated to different deities.


    The shrine near the coast was dedicated to a deity named "Ebisu."


    The ind shrines were dedicated to gods like "Konohanasakuya-hime," "ōyamatsumi," and "ōkuninushi."


    These shrines were thriving, with countless believers praying daily, and even some ninjas could be seen among the visitors.


    But the results of Naruto''s conversations with the shrine maidens and monks were unsatisfactory.


    They knew nothing about the origins or existence of these gods.


    At most, they would say something like, "These gods existed even before the Sage of Six Paths."


    But ording to Karin''s perception, many of those who said such things were lying.


    This didn''t mean that the depictions were false, just that those people didn''t truly believe what they were saying.


    Those who worship gods aren''t necessarily devout.


    This was Naruto''s greatest realization during this period.


    In the Land of Fire, in a prosperous town,


    inside a barbecue restaurant.


    "These people are so unreliable," Karin couldn''t help butin. "If those believers knew, they''d tear them apart."


    Naruto chuckled and shook his head: "Maybe the ones the believers would want to tear apart are us."


    Karin tilted her head, puzzled.


    Naruto didn''t exin, instead pulling out a map: "At the pace we''re going, we''ll reach the capital of the Land of Fire after passing through two more towns."


    "The temples there should be more reliable."


    Karin picked up her chopsticks, naturally cing a piece of meat on Naruto''s te before taking one for herself: "Hopefully, we can get some useful information."


    As they spoke, Naruto looked up towards the door.


    Five somewhat familiar chakras entered.


    Among those five, one immediately noticed Naruto upon entering and barked, "Woof!"


    It was a brown, floppy-eared white dog.


    "Naruto?" The young man riding the dog understood the meaning behind the "woof" and nced over, locking eyes with Naruto.


    It was Team 8 from Konoha.


    Their team leader was Yuhi Kurenai.


    The boy with the dog on his head was Inuzuka Kiba, the girl with the Byakugan was Hyuga Hinata, and the one with a faint presence was Aburame Shino.


    Yuhi Kurenai was a bit embarrassed to run into Naruto.


    She had been the first to try to stop him from leaving the vige.


    But she hadn''t expected Naruto to be the Fourth Hokage''s son.


    In contrast, Inuzuka Kiba was much more natural, happily greeting him: "Naruto, long time no see!"


    He jogged over and sat at the table next to Naruto: "Kurenai-sensei, over here!"


    Hinata also wanted toe over.


    Aburame Shino, as usual, had no objections, so he didn''t oppose.


    Yuhi Kurenai could only follow and sit down. It was merely a coincidence that they ran into Team 8 at this ce.


    They had justpleted a C-rank mission and were nning to enjoy some barbecue as a celebration.


    Inuzuka Kiba was very enthusiastic toward Naruto, asking him about his well-being.


    Kurenai tried to speak as little as possible, but to show her apologies, she took the initiative to settle Naruto and his team''s bill.


    After the meal.


    "Naruto, are you really not going back to Konoha?" Kiba stood at the entrance, looking at Naruto.


    They hadn''t seen each other for a few short months.


    He noticed that Naruto seemed to have grown a lot taller. Previously, Kiba had to look down, but now, he had to slightly raise his head to meet Naruto''s eyes.


    Hinata was hiding behind Kurenai, her gaze eager yet shy, watching Naruto intently.


    "I''m not going back." Naruto shook his head, "I still have important things to do."


    "Wishing you sess in your ninja career."


    Kiba opened his mouth, scratched his head, and simply nodded, "Alright, but if you get the chance, remember toe back to Konoha to visit us."


    "There are still a lot of people in the vige who care about you."


    Naruto nodded in agreement, "Yes, if I get the chance, I wille to see you all."


    They waved goodbye.


    The two groups headed in different directions.


    "That girl with the Byakugan seems to like you," Karin suddenly remarked.


    Naruto was startled and thought for a moment, "Is it because I drove away the Sand ninja during the Chunin Exams?"


    "Kiba was also very warm towards me."


    Karin shook her head, her expression serious, "I''m not talking about that kind of friendly affection."


    "I mean the kind of affection between a man and a woman."


    When you like someone, your gaze and expression are different.


    Karin was 100% certain.


    That girl named Hyuga Hinata was definitely in love with Naruto, just a bit shy and reserved, so it didn''t show much.


    While they were eating, she secretly nced at Naruto 87 times, an unusually high frequency.


    "Really?" Naruto scratched his head, indifferent, "So I''m also liked by girls, huh?"


    Karin was stunned, sighed, and kicked a pebble by the roadside.


    When ites to emotions, this guy is unexpectedly dense.


    Outside the town.


    "I found Uzumaki Naruto," Yakushi Kabuto said, asking Kimimaro beside him, "What do you n to do?"


    Kimimaro was about to speak when he coughed twice and spat out two mouthfuls of blood, "I don''t have much time left."


    "I''ll be straightforward."


    He paused and looked at Kabuto with a hint of warning in his tone, "This is my battle for Orochimaru-sama. I won''t allow you to interfere."


    "If I can defeat him, you''ll take him back."


    "If I fail..."


    "You''ll carry out Orochimaru-sama''s secondmand."


    Kabuto nodded, "Don''t worry, I won''t interfere."


    He extended his hand and handed over a pill.


    Kimimaro squinted at him.


    "Don''t worry, it''s a pill that can temporarily stabilize your body and suppress your pain," Kabuto exined, "Of course, after you take it, there''s almost no chance you''ll return alive."


    Kimimaro didn''t hesitate, took the pill, put it away, and then disappeared in an instant.


    Kabuto looked into the distance with anticipation.


    Naruto stopped in his tracks, looking in a certain direction.


    "Someone''sing after us?" Karin also stopped, closed her eyes, and used her Mind''s Eye of the Kagura to sense a powerful chakra approaching them, "It seems... not on the level of Orochimaru?"


    In the past half month in the Land of Fire.


    In the first few days, some clueless ninjas woulde looking for trouble.


    Some "Anbu" from small countries.


    Or rogue ninjas on the run.


    They all wanted to capture Naruto and exchange him for some money, or control the "Tailed Beast" as a resource.


    Even though Konoha had already spread the news.


    Uzumaki Naruto had killed one of the "Legendary Sannin," Orochimaru, and left the vige only for training.


    Even the Sand Vige voiced their support—this was part of theirpensation for their defeat in the "Konoha Crush n."


    The remaining three great nations were oddly silent, and no action had been heard of.


    But these small countries and rogue ninjas didn''t believe such rumors.


    A twelve-year-old kid with the ability to kill one of the "Legendary Sannin"? Who would believe that!


    But after being killed by Naruto one after another, they finally believed, and no one hade to challenge him in recent days.


    Let alone capturing this blond kid.


    It was incredibly difficult just to get close to him.


    "There will always be some who let greed ovee reason." Naruto shook his head, "Karin..."


    The red-haired girl nodded, "I know, I''ll hide."


    She instantly leaped away from Naruto.


    "Mind''s Eye of the Kagura!"


    She suppressed her chakra.


    Momentster, a figurended on a branch of a nearby tree.


    Naruto looked over.


    It was a young boy with white hair, abundant chakra, but an extremely weak life force.


    "Have I already been discovered?" he looked down, speaking softly.