(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited smoothly. https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)
****************
In a secret base in the Land of Sound, Kabuto carelessly placed the scarred Sasuke on a bed, a smirk on his face.
Since Sasuke had defected to Orochimaru, he had been treated like a treasure.
When things went wrong, Sasuke even yelled at Orochimaru, let alone his subordinates.
Now, seeing his ego deflated under Colt's hands, Kabuto felt indescribably happy.
At the same time, his fear of Colt increased threefold.
After briefly treating Sasuke, Kabuto entered Orochimaru's laboratory.
Only Kabuto and Sasuke were allowed to enter and leave Orochimaru's lab at will; others could only enter as test subjects.
Orochimaru stood before an operating table surrounded by various high-tech instruments that seemed out of place in the ninja world.
"Kabuto, come help me," he said.
On the operating table lay a White Zetsu.
After Colt had ordered Kisame to send some White Zetsus to Orochimaru, Kisame had sent the ones nearby him at the time. And claimed they had angered him.
Black Zetsu didn't care much, knowing some White Zetsus were indeed troublesome.
Killing a few wasn't a big deal; he just replaced them.
In reality, Kisame had used Zetsu to locate one of Orochimaru's bases and left them there.
It was natural to be wary of the strange creatures that suddenly appeared, but Orochimaru couldn't resist his love for scientific research.
This research had brought countless surprises to him. White Zetsu was simply amazing, very similar in nature to Hashirama cells, but slightly weaker.
This weakness was actually beneficial, as Hashirama cells were too erosive.
White Zetsu, however, was extremely compatible with any chakra and could even awaken the Wood Style after transplanting a certain number of Hashirama cells.
Most importantly, although White Zetsus were creatures with 'intelligence', they had no soul.
This meant that the [Living Corpse Reincarnation Technique] would not encounter any obstacles using them.
Watching Orochimaru's tongue twist, Kabuto couldn't help but ask, "Orochimaru-sama, aren't you concerned about Uchiha Sasuke?"
If it were the past Orochimaru, he would have immediately started treatment for Sasuke's serious injuries without leaving any hidden dangers.
After all, this was his future body; how could he leave it injured? But today, Orochimaru had ignored it and went straight to the experiment.
"Kabuto, is this the time?" Orochimaru's gloomy eyes rolled over, frightening Kabuto into silence.
However, to his capable subordinate, he still explained, "Sasuke still has some use, but not as a container for me."
Looking at the White Zetsu, his gaze was as gentle as gazing at his first love.
In this White Zetsu, he saw infinite possibilities.
Orochimaru looked longingly, having seen the horror of the combined power of the Uchiha and Senju.
"Kamiyo Colt, wait," he thought, "Sooner or later, I will become a being that surpasses you!"
Meanwhile, with Orochimaru and Sasuke having escaped, the mission had naturally failed.
However, Colt didn't rush back to Konoha with the [Flying Thunder God].
Instead, he traveled slowly, as this was Yakumo's first time out of the Konoha Village, and he was going to show her around.
In a border town between the Land of Grass and Konoha, Yakumo looked around like a curious child.
Colt followed behind, paying for anything her eyes lingered on for more than two seconds.
Over the past two years, he had acquired enough money to splurge, so he didn't care.
Naruto was out of tune with this lively atmosphere, remaining taciturn along the way, his head bowed in thought.
Which was understandable.
Colt didn't bother him, knowing this blow was no less severe than the battle at the Valley of the End three years ago.
He hoped it would increase Naruto's inner desire for strength.
Perhaps this period marked the greatest difference in strength between Sasuke and Naruto, unless Naruto desperately broke past it.
After a happy afternoon of strolling, Yakumo was tired and soon fell asleep upon returning to the hotel.
Colt then knocked on Naruto's door.
"Are you still brooding?" he asked.
Naruto, who had been staring at the ceiling, sat up when he heard Colt's voice, his head still drooping.
"Colt, why would Sasuke choose Orochimaru rather than return to Konoha with us?"
Colt leaned against the doorframe without entering.
"Naruto, since you consider Sasuke a friend, do you know what he wants the most?"
Naruto thought for a moment.
"He wanted to kill his brother, that Uchiha Itachi guy."
"That's right," Colt said slowly, spreading his palms.
"Since you know his goal, you're now a kind of restraint for him. Sasuke will gain the greatest strength only if he devotes himself wholeheartedly to his revenge."
Naruto was disappointed; he knew this but worried that Sasuke was being used by Orochimaru.
"Let's put Sasuke aside for now," Colt continued.
"This time, you've seen how much he's grown. If you want to bring him back to the village one day, it's not enough to rely on just your words."
Colt walked over, patted Naruto's shoulder, and looked him in the eyes. "You can't do anything now."
"I can't do anything with how I am now..." Naruto murmured, looking at his palm.
His spirit of never giving up resurged.
"Colt, you're right. I can't do anything right now, but I won't give up. When I return to the village, I'll start the special training again, and I must complete that jutsu!"
Colt nodded, satisfied.
It was good for someone with such a straightforward personality to have this determination.
Their emotions came and went quickly.
Meanwhile, within the Land of Lightning, two figures in black robes with red clouds darted between high-rise buildings.
"Kakuzu, are you sure the Two-Tails Jinchūriki is here? Don't let us waste our time again!"
"Shut up. I bought this information for 200,000 ryō!"
"Oh? After you bought it, you killed the informant and got an extra 400,000 ryō? That's how you got that money you told me about earlier. You really know how to do business."
"I'll take that as a compliment, Hidan."
Under the cover of the night, a terrifying crisis was slowly approaching.