He remained silent for a moment. "There's no point in bringing him back now."
Rebirth isn't without its limits.
To perform the next reincarnation, it would take at least three years.
"Lord Orochimaru, please allow me to shine a faint light for you in the final moments of my life," Kimimaro pleaded.
Orochimaru looked up, glancing at Kabuto Yakushi. "Kimimaro, I truly wish you were a healthy person."
"For that, I'm willing to pay any price, even if it means sealing my legs again," Kimimaro insisted.
He was truly Orochimaru's most satisfactory subordinate—loyal and powerful.
And he possessed an exceedingly rare kekkei genkai, the Shikotsumyaku, which could rival the Sharingan.
Unfortunately, he was stricken with a terminal illness, an incurable disease even beyond Orochimaru's powers.
"Lord Orochimaru," Kimimaro said gravely, "it is my body that has become a burden to you."
Orochimaru remained silent, lost in thought.
His emotions towards Kimimaro would not cloud his judgment.
"Since you have such a request," he spoke slowly after a while, "then do one last favor for me."
"Do you know Naruto Uzumaki?"
Kimimaro nodded. "One of those responsible for what happened to you."
"Find him." Orochimaru's voice was soft, despite having been killed by Naruto once, he didn't speak of his adversary with animosity. There was even a touch of pleasure in his tone as he continued, "And try to bring him back to me."
"If it's not possible,"
"tell him I want to propose a collaboration."
"His father, the Fourth Hokage, also used the 'Reaper Death Seal' technique. His soul is sealed within that death god's body."
"If he wishes to free the Fourth Hokage's soul, he should come to the Land of Fields to find me."
"I can also teach him the Edo Tensei technique."
Kimimaro agreed, a hint of excitement in his voice. "Yes, I will risk my life for Lord Orochimaru."
Orochimaru looked at him, his eyes heavy with remembrance.
"Kabuto, go with Kimimaro," he softly added an order.
Kabuto Yakushi was momentarily taken aback.
"This is a reward for your loyalty," Orochimaru grinned.
Kabuto Yakushi nodded, "Yes."
They made their preparations and set out.
Naruto and Karin's whereabouts were not difficult to trace; they did not bother to conceal their tracks and moved freely.
In just half a month, they had visited seven "temples" and "shrines," each venerating a different deity.
The shrine near the seaside worshipped a deity named "Ebisu."
Meanwhile, the inland ones honored deities like "Konohana-sakuya-hime," "Ōyamatsumi-no-Mikoto," "Ōkuninushi-no-Mikoto," and others.
These shrines thrived with numerous followers.
Countless citizens came to pray daily, even some ninjas could be seen among them.
However.
Talking to the shrine maidens and monks brought little satisfaction to Naruto.
None truly understood the origins or presence of these deities.
At most, they would say that the origin of these deities is far older than the Sage of the Six Paths.
Yet, even in Karin's perception.
Many who spoke such words were lying.
This did not mean that what they depicted was false; rather, they themselves did not believe what they said.
Those who worship deities are not necessarily devout.
This was Naruto's biggest realization during this time.
In the Land of Fire, in a bustling town.
Inside a barbecue restaurant.
"These people are just too unreliable," Karin couldn't help but complain, "If those believers found out, they'd tear them apart."
Naruto chuckled, shaking his head, "Those believers might just want to tear us apart."
Karin tilted her head, puzzled.
Naruto didn't explain, instead, he took out a map, "Continuing in this direction, after two more towns, we'll reach the capital of the Land of Fire."
"The temples there should be more trustworthy."
Karin picked up her chopsticks, naturally placing a piece of meat onto Naruto's plate before getting another for herself, "I hope we find some useful information there."
Just as they were speaking, Naruto lifted his head and looked towards the doorway.
Five somewhat familiar chakras entered the room.
Within those chakras, one immediately sensed Naruto and let out a "woof" as soon as it came in.
It was a white dog with droopy brown ears.
"Naruto?" The boy being ridden by the white dog interpreted that single "woof" and turned his head, meeting Naruto's gaze.
It was Team Eight from the Hidden Leaf Village.
Their leader was Jonin Kurenai Yuhi.
The boy with the dog on his head was Kiba Inuzuka; the girl with the white eyes was Hinata Hyuga, and there was also Aburame Shino, whose presence was faint but dense with chakra.
Kurenai seemed awkward upon encountering Naruto, as she had been the first to try to stop him from leaving the village.
She hadn't expected Naruto to be the son of the Fourth Hokage.
In contrast, Kiba greeted Naruto cheerfully, "Naruto, long time no see!"
He ran over and sat down at the table next to Naruto's. "Over here, Sensei!"
Hinata wanted to go over as well.
Shino, as usual, had no strong opinions; he didn't object to joining them.
Meeting Team Eight here was purely by chance.
They had just completed a C-rank mission and were about to enjoy a barbecue to celebrate.
Kiba was friendly towards Naruto, engaging in lively conversation.
Kurenai tried to speak less, but to show her apology, she insisted on paying their bill.
After finishing their meal, "Naruto, are you really not coming back to the Leaf Village?" Kiba stood at the door, looking at Naruto.
In just a few short months, Naruto seemed to have grown taller.
Before, Kiba had to look down to meet his eyes, but now he had to slightly look up.
Hinata, standing behind Kurenai, gazed at Naruto with intense but shy eyes, fixing her gaze on him tightly.
"I'm not going back." Naruto shook his head, "I have important things to do."
"I wish you success in your ninja journey."
Kiba opened his mouth, scratching his head, and just nodded, "Alright, but if you ever get a chance, remember to come back to the Leaf to see us."
"There are still many people in the village who care about you."
Naruto nodded in acknowledgment. "Yeah, given the chance, I'll come visit you all."
They waved goodbye, each group heading in different directions.
"That girl with the pale eyes seems to have taken a liking to you," Karin suddenly commented, her words cutting through the air.
Naruto was momentarily taken aback, considering his response. "Perhaps it's because I managed to fend off the Sand Ninjas during the Chunin Exams."
"Kiba treats me quite warmly too."
Karin shook her head, her expression serious. "I'm not talking about the kind of liking between friends."
"I mean the sort of affection between a boy and a girl."
When someone likes another, their gaze and demeanor change. Karin was one hundred percent sure.
That girl named Hinata Hyuga was simply reserved and shy. She might not show it overtly, but she absolutely liked Naruto.
During the meal, she secretly glanced at him eighty-seven times—an unusually high frequency.
"Really?" Naruto scratched his head, not taking it too seriously. "So I'm actually liked by girls too, huh?"
Karin was left speechless. She sighed, kicking a pebble on the roadside.
When it came to feelings, this guy was surprisingly dense.
Outside the town.
"We found Naruto Uzumaki," Kabuto Yakushi stated, turning to ask Kimimaro beside him, "What's your plan?"
Kimimaro opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by a coughing fit, spitting out two mouthfuls of fresh blood. "My time is running out."
"Let's keep it straightforward."
He paused, looking at Kabuto with a hint of warning in his tone. "This is my fight for Lord Orochimaru. You are not allowed to meddle."
"If I can defeat him, then you'll take him back."
"And if I can't,"
"you will carry out Lord Orochimaru's second order."
Kabuto nodded. "Don't worry, I won't interfere."
He reached out, handing over a pill.
Kimimaro squinted at him.
"Relax, it's a medicine that can stabilize your physical state temporarily and dull your pain." Kabuto Yakushi explained, "However, once you take it, there's almost no hope of returning alive."
Kimimaro didn't hesitate. He accepted the pill, stored it away, and then vanished instantly.
Kabuto watched expectantly into the distance.
Naruto halted, gazing in one direction.
"Is someone approaching?" Karin stopped as well, closing her eyes to activate her Kagura Mind's Eye. She sensed a formidable chakra heading their way. "It seems so, though it doesn't feel like it could be Orochimaru."
In the past half-month within the Land of Fire, Initially, some short-sighted ninjas would come looking for trouble.
From small countries' 'Anbu' or rogue ninjas on the run.
All believed capturing Naruto would earn them money or control over the 'Tailed Beast' power.
Despite Konoha spreading the word, about Naruto Uzumaki's ability to kill one of the 'Legendary Sannin,' Orochimaru, and his departure from the village merely for training, Sunagakure also voiced support — part of their reparations for their failure in the 'Leaf Destruction Plan.'
The remaining three great nations remained mysteriously silent, taking no known action, while these small nations and rogue ninjas doubted the rumors.
Could a mere twelve-year-old possess the power to kill one of the 'Legendary Sannin?' Who would believe that!
After being defeated by Naruto, they finally acknowledged it, and no one dared to seek him out over the past few days.
Capturing this blonde brat was unthinkable;
even getting close to him was incredibly challenging.
"There will always be those whose greed overwhelms their reason." Naruto shook his head, "Karin."
The red-haired girl nodded, "Understood, I'll hide."
She leapt away swiftly, distancing herself from Naruto.
"Kagura Mind's Eye!"
She concealed her chakra.
Moments later, a figure landed atop a nearby tree branch.
Naruto looked up.
It was a young boy, white-haired, brimming with chakra yet exuding an extreme frailty.
"Have I already been discovered?" he murmured, lowering his head.
(End of Chapter)