A few days later, in the Land of Waves.
Beneath the Mutual Aid Foundation building lay a spacious, enclosed training field.
Though the area was brightly lit, the air was permeated with an unsettling sense of oppression, like the calm before a storm.
Creak—
The heavy metal doors were pushed open.
"Naruto-sama, I have brought him."
Kimimaro bowed respectfully.
Behind him followed a tall young man with orange hair.
This young man was Jugo, the source of the Cursed Seal's power.
He looked somewhat uneasy; his mouth twitched nervously from time to time, as if the killing intent within him could spiral out of control at any moment.
However, when Jugo saw Naruto, that beast-like instinct instantly quieted down.
It was as if he could sense a deeper malice lying dormant within the boy.
With Jugo and Kimimaro joining the ranks, Naruto's core team was now fully assembled.
Former Hidden Mist ninjas: Zabuza Momochi, the Demon of the Bloody Mist, and Haku.
Sound Ninja: Tayuya, Sakon and Ukon, Kidomaru, and Jirobo.
Special Talents: Suigetsu Hozuki, Karin, Kimimaro, and Jugo.
Research Core: Orochimaru, Yakushi Kabuto, and Tsunade.
This was an extremely complex force with diverse personalities, yet terrifying enough to give any Kage of the Five Great Nations a headache.
There were no bonds or Will of Fire here.
What bound them together was solely absolute strength and mutual interest.
At this moment, they stood there quietly, waiting for the young boy's command.
"Very good."
Naruto closed the book in his hand, his gaze calmly sweeping over everyone present.
Then, he pulled a silver-white metal briefcase from his spatial pocket and placed it gently in the center of the long table.
Snap.
The case popped open.
As the cold mist dissipated, dozens of vials of potion emitting a faint red glow lay neatly inside.
Under the light, the red liquid appeared eerie yet captivating.
"These are gifts for you, as well as your entry tickets to the New World."
Naruto adjusted his glasses, his tone calm.
"These are Level 1 Gene Lock Potions."
"Inject them, and you will be able to break the limits of mortals, gaining a stronger physique and beast-like combat instincts."
Before anyone could recover from the shock, Yakushi Kabuto and Haku stepped forward, distributing a thick stack of documents to everyone seated.
"This is our internal Points Exchange List."
Kabuto, wearing a professional smile, explained to the group.
"Under Naruto-sama's command, every contribution has value."
"Whether it's higher-level potions, rare secret techniques, top-tier medical services, or even—"
Kabuto paused, his gaze drifting—intentionally or not—toward Tsunade, as he spoke meaningfully.
"—bringing the dead back to life."
"As long as you have enough points, any wish can be granted here!"
These words sent ripples through everyone's hearts.
Greed flickered in Suigetsu's eyes, as if he could already see a future where he had collected all seven ninja swords.
Zabuza clenched his fist, a greater ambition growing in his heart.
Looking at the enviable items on the exchange list, the breathing of almost everyone present grew heavy.
Under this system, power, wealth, and life were all simplified into naked numbers.
This pure exchange of interests actually made them feel more at ease than any ethereal ideals.
Naruto picked up two vials of the potion and handed them to Orochimaru and Tsunade, who were on his left.
"Hehehe—"
Orochimaru extended his long tongue and licked his lips.
There was no hesitation in his golden pupils; instead, they were filled with a craving and greed for the unknown.
"The Key to Evolution bestowed by Naruto-kun?"
He took the potion and let out a slightly excited laugh.
"Since I want to study it, how can I be considered a scientist if I don't experience it personally?"
Pfft!
Without any hesitation, Orochimaru plunged the needle directly into his neck.
Immediately, he closed his eyes, his body trembling slightly.
When he opened his eyes again, his snake-like pupils had constricted into pinpoints, and his entire body emitted a hair-raising aura of danger.
"I see... amplified senses, increased neural reaction speed, and a dormant potential being awakened..."
Orochimaru looked at his hands and muttered to himself.
"Is this what Level 1 feels like? Truly wonderful."
Naruto turned and handed the other vial to Tsunade.
Tsunade looked at the red potion before her, her brow furrowed, and she did not reach out to take it.
"I'll pass."
She snorted coldly, crossing her arms, her eyes filled with a hint of pride and caution.
"I am a medical ninja. Before I thoroughly understand the specific effects of this thing on the body, I won't gamble with my own health."
As she spoke, she glanced at Naruto.
"Besides—with my Monstrous Strength, I can crush most people in this room without needing such a thing."
"Suit yourself."
Naruto didn't get angry or force her; he simply withdrew the vial of potion casually.
"But Tsunade, as a researcher, I hope you can clearly observe the essence of this power from the sidelines."
Naruto said indifferently.
"After all, you'll be responsible for its mass production and optimization in the future."
"If you don't understand the product, you won't be able to earn points."
The distribution continued.
When Naruto walked up to Yakushi Kabuto and handed him an identical Level 1 potion, Kabuto respectfully accepted it.
"Thank you, Naruto-sama."
Although he hid it well, Naruto still keenly caught a flash of disappointment in the depths of Kabuto's eyes.
As the first confidant to surrender, Kabuto clearly expected some kind of preferential treatment, rather than being given the same thing as the test subjects.
Naruto did not leave; instead, he consoled him with a few words.
"Kabuto, don't show that expression."
"As one of the first people to follow me, I've noted all your contributions."
"Unlike others who charge into battle and need physical enhancement..."
"I've always felt that the Third Stage's Wisdom Domain, which can perceive all things, is more suitable for you."
Kabuto's pupils constricted sharply, and his breathing instantly became rapid.
"But right now, your body is too weak, and your will is not firm enough. Plus, the high-level potions are not yet perfected."
Naruto patted his shoulder, painting a vision for him.
"Forcing open a high-level Gene Lock will only cause you to die instantly."
"First use the Level 1 potion to adapt, assist Orochimaru and Tsunade well in completing the research, and accumulate points."
"When you are truly ready, I will personally guide you—into the high-level stages."
"Yes! This subordinate will surely do his utmost!"
The disappointment in Kabuto's eyes vanished instantly, replaced by a raging fire of ambition.
Naruto looked at the room full of subordinates whose eyes flickered with desire and ambition, and a satisfied smile curled at the corners of his mouth.
Power, interests, and most importantly—hope!
As long as one mastered these three things, there were no monsters that couldn't be controlled.
Besides the core members mentioned above, at the end of the line stood a dozen elite chunin selected from Otogakure and the Land of Waves.
They looked at the red liquid with both longing and a fear of the unknown.
"Begin."
Naruto gave the order indifferently.
Pfft! Pfft!
Dozens of potions were stabbed into necks simultaneously.
The next second, the training field was filled with one scream after another.
"Arghhhhh!!"