"This is just too dramatic, isn't it?"
Neither Rock Lee nor Sasuke looked particularly pleased. Although they were eager to fight each other, it wasn't supposed to be this early. This meant only one of them could advance to the next stage of the exams.
"No help for it. I'll just have to defeat you ahead of schedule," Sasuke said with a helpless shrug, his tone remarkably nonchalant.
"…" Beside them, Sakura clutched her head in anguish.
"Those are my lines," Rock Lee retorted with a cold smirk, flexing his fists.
An internal battle between Konoha geniuses always drew attention. The other genin perked up, hoping to see a different side of Konoha's genin—something to prove, at least, that Naruto was just an exception. Perhaps the other genin's skills weren't that different from their own. Holding onto such hopes, they silently prayed.
"It's actually Sasuke. This fight looks interesting," Kankuro and Temari chuckled softly. The scene of Gaara being thrashed by Sasuke was still fresh in their minds. They glanced at Gaara, who surprisingly looked calm, with no killing intent swirling around him. This unusual sight astonished them. Ever since Gaara's fight with Naruto, it was as if he had become a different person. He wasn't as violent as before; even his demeanor seemed to carry a hint of… elegance?
Hiss, what am I thinking? Temari and Kankuro shook their heads, banishing the thought. Gaara and elegance couldn't possibly be related.
Hiding in the shadows, Orochimaru was also watching this match. His gaze frequently landed on Naruto, filled with a probing curiosity about Reiatsu. Sensing Orochimaru's gaze, Naruto looked over, only to see Orochimaru flash a bizarre smile before turning and walking into the darkness. Naruto's mind stirred; he left a shadow clone and followed Orochimaru.
Tap, tap, tap. The crisp, pleasant sound of footsteps echoed in the dark space.
After a while, Naruto stopped. Before him stood the woman Orochimaru was disguised as.
"Mr. Orochimaru, your penchant for cross-dressing is truly… something else," Naruto said with a smile.
"Sss~~~" Orochimaru let out a sinister hiss, licking his lips. His voice was soft and effeminate. "Being fixated on gender, now that's not a quality a researcher should possess. Naruto-kun, you're too confined by these useless elements."
"Indeed, I was being too superficial," Naruto nodded, his eyes filled with admiration as he looked at Orochimaru. "Mr. Orochimaru is just as I thought, a born scientist."
"And Naruto-kun is also as I imagined, possessing vast ambitions, at least not confined to a tiny speck of land like Konoha. I'm very impressed."
After the exchange of professional courtesies, the two looked at each other and smiled.
"How do you plan to destroy Konoha? Jiraiya is present at this stage, and he has already mastered Sage Mode. You are definitely not his opponent. I wouldn't want you to lose your life in this plan," Naruto said lightly.
"No need to worry. This plan will definitely be executed perfectly. After all, there's an inside informant within Konoha," Orochimaru's tone was filled with confidence.
This slightly puzzled Naruto, but he quickly understood. Danzo was cooperating with Orochimaru; he could certainly restrain Jiraiya.
Thinking of this, a mischievous smile appeared on Naruto's face. He said, seemingly casually, "This plan… I want in."
"Join? That might not be good, Naruto-kun. Your status is very sensitive," Orochimaru was taken aback, quite surprised internally. As the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Naruto was bound to be monitored by Root. If Naruto slipped up at this time, it would inevitably affect his future cooperation with Orochimaru. Orochimaru didn't want any hitches in the Reiatsu research; after all, it was a terrifying power that could potentially surpass even the Sharingan.
"Rest assured, I know what I'm doing." Naruto clasped his hands behind his back, looking out through a window at the bustling Konoha, a smile playing on his lips. "I'm just adding a little amusement to this performance."
"Having lurked for so long, of course, I have to do something on such a grand stage."
Not only Konoha's higher-ups but even Orochimaru had greatly underestimated the terror of Kyoka Suigetsu. It was the ultimate tool for overwhelming lesser opponents.
"Hey, hey, hey, Naruto, when are you planning to defect? I'm getting a little impatient," within the seal space, the Nine-Tails was sprawled lazily in a chair, scratching his chubby belly.
Beside him, Minato didn't look too pleased. Although he had decided to support Naruto, hearing this Nine-Tails fellow constantly instigating Naruto still irked him.
"Not happy? Well, you'll just have to suck it up if you're not happy," the Nine-Tails noticed Minato's expression and couldn't help but sneer. "Foolish Minato, no matter how hard you try, you can't change Naruto. He's a wise one. If he could be swayed by someone like you, brainwashed by the Will of Fire, then he wouldn't be Naruto, nor would he be qualified to be my Jinchuriki." The Nine-Tails flicked its tails, looking utterly smug.
"Compared to that stinky tanuki's Jinchuriki, Naruto is far too outstanding. Only he is worthy of my status and position." The Nine-Tails hummed a little tune, flicking its tails in front of Minato, constantly prodding his sensitive nerves.
Originally, the Nine-Tails had only seen Naruto as a tool for amusement. As time passed, he saw a more genuine Naruto and the terrifying potential he possessed. He gradually came to believe that Naruto could grant the Tailed Beasts their freedom in the future; he could definitely stand at the apex. Given his proud nature, he wouldn't deign to bind the Tailed Beasts; he would release all of them, perhaps even help them grow stronger.
Because… he was always seeking and cultivating the strong.
Such a Naruto was very much to the Nine-Tails' liking. He was also very willing to help such a Naruto.
That's right. Not a transaction, but help.
"Minato, ah, once Orochimaru completes his Reiatsu research, I too will transform into a Shinigami!" The Nine-Tails' eyes were profound, a flicker of anticipation for the unknown within them. "When life ascends to a new level, one will see a different scenery." As he spoke, an image of the man who once lived in harmony with the Tailed Beasts surfaced in the Nine-Tails' mind. Perhaps, after I undergo Shinigamification, I can see him again. I wonder what his reaction would be then? Right now, I truly can't muster any anticipation for humans. Those naive fantasies have long been ground to dust by reality.
Thinking of this, an indescribable emotion surged within the Nine-Tails. He quietly watched Naruto conversing with Orochimaru, his eyes glinting.
At this moment, Naruto and Orochimaru had shifted their discussion to biology.
Naruto, having received education from the modern world, had a certain understanding of biology. Theories regarding cells, body composition, organs, brainwaves, and the like were all greatly benefiting Orochimaru. The biological knowledge in the ninja world was relatively basic, and Orochimaru had been fumbling his way forward alone. Naruto, with his modern knowledge, was essentially standing on the shoulders of giants. From the origin of life to evolutionary theory, and then to cell cloning, this systematic knowledge made Orochimaru feel as if he had met a kindred spirit. He inwardly exclaimed at how much he was learning. His gaze towards Naruto was also filled with goodwill. In his heart, Naruto was already completely a fellow traveler on the same path.
The two talked for what felt like ages. To be safe, Naruto even activated Kyoka Suigetsu, creating an area impervious to interruption. Naruto himself had many questions about biology from his experiments with Hollowfication and Shinigamification, and after discussing with Orochimaru, he gained a clearer understanding of his experiments. The human body was full of mysteries, capable of accommodating multiple different energies. Natural energy, chakra, Reiatsu. These energies could form a delicate balance within the body. Before the appearance of ninja, the toads of Mount Myoboku, proficient in natural energy, already existed. The cycle of human birth, aging, sickness, and death also became a law. After death, souls journeyed to the Pure Land.
But… when did chakra appear?
Orochimaru voiced his speculation: "The human body itself should also be able to form a kind of energy, different from chakra, Reiatsu, and natural energy. From the various results of my research, chakra also seems like an external energy."
This was a very bold, even heretical, speculation. It had always been believed in the ninja world that chakra was a fundamental energy refined from within the human body. The human body and chakra were inseparable.
"Many people are unable to refine the chakra within their bodies, and even in past literature, there is no information related to chakra. Natural energy, on the other hand, has always existed on this planet."
"I also learned some things from the White Snake Sage, which is why I arrived at this conjecture. The origin of chakra might not be from our world," Orochimaru mused. "Looking at it from another angle, could it be that chakra has limited the direction of our human evolution, trapping us in the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death, preventing us from attaining eternal life?"
"And natural energy, symbolizing vitality, along with Reiatsu, symbolizing death, these might be the fundamental energies of this planet. If one could cultivate both types of energy, perhaps one could break through the limits of life and thereby achieve immortality," Orochimaru's tone became fervent.
Orochimaru's words were shocking, even horrifying. If other ninja heard them, they would undoubtedly refute Orochimaru.
But Naruto would not.
"Your thoughts are the same as mine." Naruto showed a warm smile, giving Orochimaru the greatest affirmation. "This is also one of the reasons I persist in Reiatsu research. Compared to summoning animals, human lifespans are too short. How can a mere hundred years be enough to glimpse higher levels of power?"
"That's why I need to break free from Konoha's control as soon as possible and gain freedom, only then can I conduct my research."
"I need to find a way into the Pure Land, obtain more Reiatsu. Only then can I transform towards a higher level of existence." Naruto's tone was calm, but the content was impossible to ignore.
"I see, I see." A look of understanding dawned in Orochimaru's eyes. He murmured to himself, "You actually intend to enter the Pure Land."
"Could it be…" Orochimaru seemed to have suddenly thought of something, his face aghast.
"That's right. I will make the Pure Land my world, transform all souls, build an army, and one day, counter-attack the ninja world!"
"I will take over the ninja world, abolish all decadent rules, and usher in a new era for the ninja world!"
A sharp glint flashed in Naruto's eyes as he declared this with resounding force.