These researchers, with a combat power of five, stood no chance against Naruto. And as for calling for reinforcements?
Well, the reinforcements they were hoping for were currently upstairs, fast asleep.
…Well, there was also the possibility that the escaped prisoners might kill them on their way out, but that wasn't Naruto's concern.
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.
Even if Naruto had been present, he probably wouldn't have stopped them.
With a casual release of his Haki, Naruto knocked out the entire group of bookish researchers before finally turning his attention to the white-haired boy inside the containment tank.
Meanwhile, Hozuki Suigetsu, who was trapped in the container, looked bewildered, as if he was only just realizing what was happening.
To be honest, he was pretty unlucky.
In the original work, this guy had escaped Kirigakure after his older brother's death, only to be captured by Orochimaru before he could even make a name for himself.
But now, Suigetsu's older brother, Hozuki Mangetsu, the prodigy of the Hozuki Clan who could wield all seven of the Mist's legendary swords, is still alive.
So even though Kirigakure was already in turmoil under the Blood Mist Policy, Suigetsu hadn't yet considered fleeing.
In a way, his current predicament was partly Naruto's fault.
Because of Naruto's actions, Orochimaru's plans had failed, but Orochimaru himself had suffered almost no losses.
At the same time, Mei and the others in Kirigakure had caught wind of certain rumors and decided to send someone to make contact with Naruto.
And Suigetsu just happened to witness it.
So, using his Hydrification Technique, he slipped out of the village unnoticed, tailing them.
But the result is this.
Maybe he and Orochimaru were just fated to cross paths, as through a series of coincidences, he had still ended up captured.
But since it hadn't been long, and this hideout was still too close to Kirigakure, Orochimaru hadn't conducted any major experiments on him yet.
In fact, keeping him here was partly to prevent his escape and partly to prepare for his eventual transfer to another hideout.
Through the glass tank, the two stared at each other for a long moment before Naruto finally drew Kusanagi Sword.
With a single slash, he cleanly severed the sealed top of the tank.
Suigetsu immediately activated his Hydrification Technique, and slipped out as a stream of water.
When Naruto saw the young man turn into a stream of water, Naruto's eyes gleamed slightly.
'An ability similar to a Logia Devil Fruit's elemental intangibility?'
'And without the weakness to seawater…'
'Interesting.'
Originally, Naruto had just been freeing another prisoner on a whim, but now, he was genuinely intrigued.
When he was in the tank, Suigetsu was surrounded by anesthetic drugs, which made it impossible for him to gather Chakra.
The bottom of the container was also rigged with Lightning Release mechanisms, and with the press of a button, the researchers could electrocute him.
As everyone knew, water was weak to electricity.
That was one of the few weaknesses of the Hydrification Technique.
"Oh? What's this supposed to mean?"
Naruto sheathed his sword, then turned his head away without hesitation, completely ignoring Suigetsu's actions.
Behind him, Suigetsu was pointing two fingers at Naruto's head like a gun.
"I'll let you off once. That makes us even."
Even though Naruto had freed him from captivity, Suigetsu was a guy with a bit of a strange personality.
He didn't want to owe anyone a 'life debt' and be ordered around.
"Then go ahead and shoot."
Naruto just tilted his head slightly, looking down at the brat in front of him.
It should be mentioned here that at this time, Naruto was almost 180 cm tall, while Suigetsu, despite being the same age as Naruto, hadn't even hit 160 cm yet.
So… he was standing on his tiptoes to threaten Naruto.
It's actually quite hilarious.
"Do you even realize what you're saying?"
Suigetsu acted as if he'd been provoked, and Chakra gathered at his fingertips.
With just a thought, he could fire a high-pressure water bullet from his fingertips.
"Shoot."
There wasn't a trace of nervousness on Naruto's face, in fact, he looked amused.
"You bastard…!"
Suigetsu felt like this tall bastard was looking down on him, so he pressed his finger even closer to Naruto's head.
But in the end, he didn't fire the Water Gun. Instead, he used Great Water Arm Technique to strengthen his arm several times over, intending to knock out Naruto, who was still hard to read as either friend or foe, from behind.
But the moment he moved, Naruto twisted around, grabbed his arm, and slammed him face-first into the ground.
"I didn't sense even a hint of killing intent from you."
Naruto hadn't intended to use much force, but his sudden movement startled Suigetsu.
Fortunately, thanks to the passive effect of his Hydrification Technique, he turned into liquid just before being pinned and swiftly flowed to the side.
The liquid then reformed into his human shape.
"You bastard…!"
He gritted his teeth, but Naruto merely flexed his fingers thoughtfully.
'Even Haki can't touch him in that state?'
Having reached that conclusion, his appreciation for Suigetsu grew even more.
"Hey! Don't look down on me!"
Hozuki felt ignored, and his teenage temper flared up instantly.
Unlike in the original work, where he had lost his brother's protection and developed a prickly but dependable personality, this version of Suigetsu was still very much a brat.
Being provoked by this, he immediately abandoned his earlier restraint.
"Water Gun Technique!"
Two high-pressure water bullets shot from his fingertips.
To his credit, even in his anger, he avoided aiming at Naruto's vitals.
But Naruto didn't even treat the attack seriously.
He simply raised a hand and swatted the water bullets away like they were flies, dispersing them into mist.
"If Haki doesn't work… then how about this?"
With a thought, two golden chains shot out from Naruto's body and pierced through his body before Suigetsu could react.
"Hah! It's useless! My Hydrification Technique can-"
Before Shuiyue could finish his words, he felt all his Chakra instantly sealed away.
His body was also forcibly reverted to solid form.
Fortunately, Naruto quickly adjusted the chains to wrap around Suigetsu's body instead of impaling him in time, otherwise, the kid would've been skewered in that casual test.
Now, Suigetsu hung in the air like a sacrificial offering, with his arms spread wide and legs bound together in a cross shape by the chains.
This made Suigetsu, who already had a strong sense of self-esteem, turn red and white.
Of course, Naruto hadn't meant to humiliate him. After realizing that the kid was not wearing any clothes, he immediately lowered him and tossed over a lab coat snatched from an unlucky researcher.
"Ah, sorry about that. I didn't mean to do that."
"You…! Just you wait!"
Suigetsu wrapped the coat around his waist and looked at Naruto with gritted teeth.
At least he didn't attack again.
After this exchange, Suigetsu understood that Naruto meant him no harm… otherwise, Naruto could've killed him the moment his Chakra was sealed.
But the teenager's self-esteem would not allow him to back down against the guy in front of him.
"Hahaha, not bad, kid. Got some fire in you!"
Seeing Suigetsu's current expression, Naruto's eyes shone with approval.
"What the hell do you want?! Just say it!"
Suigetsu couldn't stand Naruto's gaze and finally snapped.
"Fine! As thanks for saving me, I'll do one thing for you!"
"Nah, I don't need anything from you."
In response, Naruto simply waved his hand.
"You're free to leave whenever."
"…Huh?"
Suigetsu froze, unable to believe what he was hearing.
Naruto simply stepped aside to make way, indicating that the other party could leave at any time.
"So… I can just go?"
"Uh-huh."
Suigetsu cautiously stepped out of the laboratory, half-expecting Naruto to stop him. When no such thing happened, he actually felt a little guilty.
"Oh, one more thing."
At this moment, Naruto spoke again.
"If you ever need help, come find me in the Land of Whirlpools."
"My name is Uzumaki Naruto."
"…Weird guy."