He was quite satisfied with himself, serving under Lord Orochimaru, to die by his command.
Rather than dying in a warm, comfortable hospital bed.
This was the best outcome.
Naruto didn't let it slide; instead, he extended his senses to their fullest.
He stared intently at Kimimaro's corpse.
Before obtaining the texts from "Uzumaki Village," he was unaware of the concept of "Pure Land," nor did he imagine that a soul, upon death, could journey directly to this place without any intermediaries.
This was quite different from what he knew as a "Death God."
Yet now, with this understanding, he could observe.
In a fleeting instant, a faint, nearly imperceptible spiritual force emerged rapidly from the earth, seizing Kimimaro's soul.
Once enveloped by this force, Kimimaro's soul became equally hard to detect.
Then, as it recoiled downward, both the force and the soul disappeared into the ground.
The speed was faster than the blink of an eye.
No wonder he hadn't noticed it before.
But what was that?
It didn't resemble the power of that malevolent spirit known as the "Death God."
There was even a hint of chakra's presence.
Could it be a deity overseeing the "Pure Land"?
It was extremely swift; even with such intense focus, Naruto couldn't truly sense its presence.
What kind of existence were these beings?
Naruto landed, sealing Kimimaro's corpse.
It seemed the man's true intention wasn't as stated, to capture him and bring him to Orochimaru.
He was rather displaying something in the final remnants of his life.
Team 8 and Karin arrived.
"Why are you here?" Naruto asked, somewhat surprised to see the four people beside Karin.
Kurenai Yuhi raised her hand and tugged the scruff of Akamaru's neck with a lighthearted tone, "Shino sensed you encountered an enemy."
"Kiba and Hinata insisted on coming to support you,"
"though we didn't expect,"
"Naruto, you didn't need our help."
Naruto smiled, "The technique that person used was quite fascinating, so I observed a little."
"I'm glad you're safe, thank you."
Kurenai Yuhi shook her head, "No need to thank us. We didn't really help."
Naruto glanced in a direction, "Shall we head off now?"
Taking Karin with him, he prepared to leave.
Hinata mustered all her courage to call out, "W-Wait, Naruto-kun."
Naruto turned back to look at her.
"I…" She took a deep breath, "I like you, Naruto-kun."
Hinata knew this wasn't the ideal time to confess, that the timing was all wrong.
Yet, she had a nagging feeling that
if she didn't say it now, she might never get the chance again.
Kurenai was surprised.
So were Kiba Inuzuka and Aburame Shino.
Naruto smiled brightly: "Looks like Karin was right after all."
"Thank you for liking me."
"This is the first time a girl has ever said that to me."
Even in the Soul Society, despite being a captain, girls never confessed to him—not because he lacked charm, but because most women there saw him as a young brother or viewed him as a mere child.
How should Hinata respond to Naruto's answer?
Was this a rejection?
It seemed so.
Hinata was overwhelmed; until now, just the act of 'liking' was enough for her, she had never expected a 'response'.
"Naruto! That's the best you can respond with?" Kiba bared his teeth, Akamaru joined in, growling beside Kurenai.
Naruto scratched his head, completely transparent: "I've never really thought about these things, so I can only say thanks."
"I've never really interacted with Hinata before. I'm surprised she likes me."
Hinata opened her mouth, but in the end, nothing came out.
Naruto waved and bid them farewell.
"Naruto is quite a distinguished person now." Kurenai patted Hinata's head, "If you want to be with him, you have to keep up with his pace."
Hinata said nothing, bowing her head low.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the world.
"You sure turned her down quickly." Karin tilted her head, looking at Naruto. "That girl was kind of cute."
Naruto shook his head. "I don't even know her."
"And besides,"
"liking someone feels like such a distant distance."
"She's over there, and I'm over here."
"From so far away, what can she really see?"
Karin looked at Naruto, puzzled. "A distant distance?"
"She's never spoken to me," Naruto said softly. "The me she likes is a combination of what she's seen and what she's hoped for, an image that exists only in her imagination."
"Looking at someone with expectations just beautifies them to the point of distortion."
Just like when he once hoped for "Kakashi," only to find him completely different.
Karin nodded thoughtfully.
She wondered if she saw Naruto with expectations.
Probably not.
Her feelings for Naruto developed after seeing his actions.
No problem there.
She grinned contentedly, following behind Naruto, but hadn't walked too far before she noticed the direction of the branches. "Naruto, I think we've gone the wrong way."
"This isn't the road to the next town."
Naruto responded, "That's right, we're not heading to the next town now."
"We're going to meet an old acquaintance."
Karin tilted her head, considering if it were someone like those ninjas from before.
The path wasn't long, and they reached their destination shortly after.
In a clearing within the woods, a man with white hair looked up and gently pushed up his glasses. "Naruto-kun, you really have come."
"With such a strong scent, how could I not sense it?" Naruto stood on a branch. "So Orochimaru has been revived, has he?"
Kabuto grinned a fake smile. "Sharp as ever."
"Lord Orochimaru has indeed been revived."
"Kimimaro is a gift. Does it please you, Naruto-kun?"
Naruto sneered coldly. "Orochimaru's gift is to send someone so battle-hungry to brandish his blade at me, huh?"
"Then perhaps I should offer myself as a gift to Orochimaru."
"Does he have the guts to accept it?"
Kabuto spread his hands. "Kimimaro worships Lord Orochimaru as a god, making him a devout subordinate. His views differ significantly from ours."
"Let's not discuss this right now."
"Lord Orochimaru wishes to collaborate with you, Naruto."
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Collaborate?"
"Currently, I have no interest in destroying Konoha. After all, it was my parents' home."
Kabuto shook his head. "No, it's not about destroying Konoha."
"It's about the powers you possess, Naruto. Lord Orochimaru is very interested in them."
Naruto pursed his lips and lifted his hand.
Kabuto's previously relaxed expression turned slightly anxious as he raised his hands, speaking faster. "Naruto, don't be hasty in attacking me. First, hear the conditions Lord Orochimaru offers?"
"He can provide you with the technique of Impure World Reincarnation."
Naruto remained unmoved.
Kabuto continued, "The Dead Demon Consuming Seal technique, Lord Orochimaru invites you to research it together. In terms of technique research, Lord Orochimaru is undoubtedly the most powerful ninja."
The Dead Demon Consuming Seal?
Naruto seemed intrigued.
Kabuto breathed a sigh of relief, his tone gradually calming. "Aside from this, whatever you wish to obtain, Lord Orochimaru is willing to negotiate with you."
"As one of the Legendary Sannin,"
"The knowledge Orochimaru has accumulated over the years is an immeasurable treasure."
Naruto withdrew his hand. "That sounds rather appealing."
"The only question is,"
"Does Orochimaru dare to face me now?"
Kabuto lightly adjusted his glasses with a hand. "Don't underestimate Lord Orochimaru."
"Are we departing together now?"
Naruto nodded.
He and Karin temporarily adjusted their plan and set off for the Land of Rice Fields, arriving at the Hidden Sound Village after a full day's journey.
Of course, Kabuto didn't lead them to the underground base
Instead, they were brought to a conference room in the Hidden Sound Village.
After a brief wait, Kabuto pushed Orochimaru, who emerged from a secret passage.
"It's been such a long time, Naruto." The man in the wheelchair, wrapped tightly in bandages, spoke, "I'm truly glad you came to see me."
"You really are in a pitiful state now," Naruto whispered softly.
Orochimaru grinned, his voice deep, "All thanks to you and the Third Hokage."
"And what about Kimimaro?"
Naruto took out a scroll, "You mean that guy with the bone bloodline limit?"
"He's here."
Orochimaru's gaze sharpened, "Naruto-kun, you truly show no mercy."
"He's the last user of the Shikotsumyaku," Naruto toyed with the scroll. "If you want his body back, let's see what you're willing to give."
Orochimaru leaned forward, "What does Naruto-kun want?"
"Do you have any research on deities?" Naruto threw out a question.
Orochimaru was momentarily stunned, "Deities?"
"Are you referring to mysterious forces beyond ninjas?"
Naruto nodded and gently placed the scroll on the table, "So you have done some research?"
"Then answer a question for me first."
"I've been spending time in the Land of Whirlpools, collecting those lost inscriptions that leave me perplexed."
"The Death God worshiped by the Uzumaki clan is said to be older than the Sage of the Six Paths."
"Could this be an erroneous record?"
Orochimaru chuckled, "It's quite surprising that Naruto-kun shows interest in such matters."
"I do have a bit of knowledge on this subject."
"The records aren't mistaken. The birth of these deities indeed predates the Sage of the Six Paths."
Naruto's expression grew serious.
Karin flipped through a scroll, noting down Orochimaru's words.
"Before the power of chakra, people and those powerful beings used something called 'natural energy,' which can be referred to as 'senjutsu power.'"
"Those deities were born from these energies."
"However, after the Sage of the Six Paths appeared, the existence of these deities became confined to shrines and temples or within some secret sects."
"As a matter of fact, I know someone blessed by a deity."
"I can introduce him to Naruto-kun."
Naruto shook his head, pondering the term "natural energy" from Orochimaru's mouth.
"Now for my second question," he said after a moment.
(End of Chapter)