Akatsuki's secret base.
After Kabuto did some unspeakable things with Anko's body, Orochimaru was successfully resurrected.
"Orochimaru-sama…"
Confirming Orochimaru's resurrection, Kabuto's emotions were a tangled mess.
He had thought he'd finally proven himself—only to realize, in the end, he still had to rely on him.
Kabuto opened his mouth, intending to explain the current state of the war.
Orochimaru, his voice raspy and hoarse, interrupted, "No need. I've already seen it all through Anko's body."
"Kabuto, you've grown a lot during the time I was gone. To think you've managed to perform Edo Tensei on such a massive scale…"
Though he knew Orochimaru was complimenting him, Kabuto couldn't help but feel defeated.
"To suppress the Allied Shinobi Forces, I even resurrected an Uchiha Madara who surpassed his prime… but even so, we still lost…"
"Orochimaru-sama, what does it take to defeat the Shinju?"
Orochimaru didn't answer. He merely placed his hand on Kabuto's shoulder.
"If you want my help, you should first let me reclaim my power."
The moment he spoke, Kabuto's body trembled.
Then, the purple Sage markings on his face and the serpent-like scales on his skin began to fade—the Ryūchi Cave Sage Mode was completely stripped away!
In exchange, Orochimaru's complexion gradually grew rosy, his expression relaxing as if revived in spirit.
Feeling chakra surge through his body again, Orochimaru licked his lips with a snake-like tongue, excitement gleaming in his eyes.
"Come. We're going to Konohagakure."
"I refuse to believe there isn't a single person in this world who can deal with the Shinju…"
"Oh, right—before we go to Konoha, we'll borrow a few White Zetsu from the masked man."
"And we'll need an Uchiha as well…"
...
Kumogakure.
Allied Shinobi Forces Headquarters.
The Four Kage had already returned.
At the moment, the towering Raikage wore an expression of excitement.
"The victory at the Iron Country battlefield has completely shifted the tide of war! The Alliance is unstoppable right now! ୧⍢⃝୨"
Ōnoki, the Tsuchikage, looked uneasy.
"We're lucky the Shinju was there to turn things around. Otherwise, the Four Kage would've been killed and the Second Division annihilated—it was a close call…"
The Mizukage nodded as well.
"Right now, the First Division is resting, while the Second and Fourth Divisions are heading to the Land of Rain for support. Victory is within reach."
Tsunade frowned. "There are still potential threats we can't ignore. Those White Zetsu hiding among our ranks—we need a way to root them out."
Nara Shikaku sighed. "Unfortunately, their disguises are nearly perfect…"
Mabui said calmly, "There's always a breakthrough somewhere…"
Yamanaka Inoichi spoke up.
"We've received a message from the Island Turtle—Naruto and Killer B are requesting permission to join the battle."
Raikage waved his hand. "At a time like this, they're just going to stir up trouble. Denied! (′д｀σ)σ"
Inoichi continued, "But they said the Shinju left a safety mark on them."
Raikage paused. "In that case, their safety would be guaranteed… and since they're both Jinchūriki, their combat power isn't trivial. Maybe we can consider it…"
...
Island Turtle.
Naruto was training in the forest, maintaining his Tailed Beast Chakra Mode.
After learning that the Shinju had succeeded the title of Sixth Hokage, he felt deeply the gap in their strength.
He'd stopped helping Shinju forge weapons, throwing himself entirely into training instead.
Inside Naruto's inner sealing space, the Nine-Tails scoffed.
"Give it up already, that guy. Even if you trained for a hundred years, you'd never catch up to the Shinju… --003d_--003d"
"That guy's clone defeated Uchiha Madara. Do you even get what I'm saying? A clone! Beat Uchiha Madara!"
"Speaking of which, that bastard Madara even controlled me once… filthy human! Ծ‸ Ծ"
Naruto said, "Of course I know all that. But I can't just give up because I can't surpass the Shinju."
"Besides, my current goal is to become the Seventh Hokage! ✧(◍˃̶ᗜ˂̶◍)✩"
"Still, being stuck on this island… I have no idea how the war's going. I really want to go see it for myself!"
As Naruto was training, Killer B suddenly appeared. "Yo, that guy!"
"B-san, what's up?" Naruto asked.
Killer B leaned in close, lowering his voice so only the two of them could hear. "Let's sneak out and take a look…"
"But we're not supposed to—"
"This is wartime! This is exactly when they need us! What, you planning to live out your whole life on this turtle island?!" B said, feigning shock.
"I mean…" Naruto opened his mouth, about to object, but the Nine-Tails spoke from within his seal.
"Idiot kid, remember what the Shinju said last time? He can't join the war because of the Great Toad Sage's prophecy—but you can."
Naruto scratched his head. "Now that you mention it… yeah, I think he did say that."
"But Akatsuki started this whole war just to capture the Tailed Beasts. If we go wandering around, it'll be bad…"
"That guy, you—"
Killer B gasped dramatically and pressed a hand to Naruto's forehead.
"You hot-blooded fool, did you just say something smart? ⊙▽⊙"
"Let me feel—have you actually grown a brain lately?"
"Overthinking and hesitation—those aren't your style!"
Naruto's face darkened. (ー_ー)!!
"I've always had a brain!"
Killer B laughed. "I know what you're worried about. Don't sweat it—I already asked my brother, and he agreed! ❛‿˂̵✧"
"If you're still worried about being captured, just have the Shinju put the same safety mark on you that he used on the Hokage. It'll protect your life when it really counts… (๑ت๑)"
Naruto thought it over—it actually made sense—and turned to go find the Shinju.
Killer B watched him leave, a sly grin spreading across his face. "Yoshi! Plan successful! (•̀⌄•́)"
The Eight-Tails muttered, "Raikage agreeing to let you two leave… only Naruto would believe such nonsense. ┐(´-｀)┌"
Killer B said, "Tell Headquarters that the Shinju placed safety marks on us."
"Then tell the Shinju that Headquarters has already approved our departure."
"Since they've just witnessed the power of the Shinju's safety mark, they'll likely agree—and the Shinju will probably think, 'If HQ approved it, what's the harm in adding a mark?'"
"With that, we'll be free to go—and I can start my enka world tour! ୧⍢⃝୨"
"I'm a genius! ❛‿˂̵✧"
...
A small island beside the Island Turtle.
The tools forged by the Shinju from meteorite iron had begun to take shape.
Naruto pushed open the door, staring at the thing Shinju was hammering.
"Shinju, is that… a pot lid?"
Too lazy to explain, Shinju paused to take a sip of water.
"Weren't you supposed to be training?"
Naruto scratched his cheek.
"About that… B-san and I applied to leave the Island Turtle, and Headquarters already approved it."
"But I'm worried it might be dangerous out there, so I wanted to ask you to place a safety mark on me too…"
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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