"Ku ku ku," Orochimaru laughed. " I'm curious to see how you plan to handle Sasuke-kun. He won't be as easily swayed as your pale friend here."
"Don't worry about Sasuke," Naruto's expression turned confident. "I've got something special planned for him, dattebayo!"
Inside his mind, Kurama snorted. "Just don't overdo it, kit. We don't need any problems."
"Trust me, partner," Naruto replied mentally to Kurama, a determined smile on his face. "I just want to show him what true strength is. Not the kind you get from hatred and revenge, but the kind that comes from protecting what's precious to you, dattebayo!"
Turning back to Orochimaru, Naruto's expression grew serious. "Now, about those bases. We'll need detailed maps and information about all the security measures."
"And what makes you think Sasuke-kun will be interested in your definition of strength?" Orochimaru asked, his golden eyes gleaming with curiosity.
Naruto's response was immediate, his blue eyes blazing with conviction. "Because I won't just tell him this time - I'll show him. When he sees what I've achieved without abandoning my bonds, without giving in to hatred..." He clenched his fist, a slight golden glow emanating from his body. "He'll understand that there's a better path, dattebayo!"
"Very well," Orochimaru sighed theatrically. "I must say, watching Sasuke-kun's reaction to your growth should be... entertaining."
Inside his mindscape, Kurama rumbled with approval. "Just remember, Kit - actions speak louder than words. Show him your strength, but don't reveal everything yet."
"Got it," Naruto thought back. "Time to show Sasuke what real power looks like!"
As Orochimaru led them through the forest, he deliberately took a winding path, occasionally making subtle turns away from the actual direction of the base. However, Naruto quickly caught on.
"Nice try, snake-face," Naruto called out with a knowing smirk. "But the base is that way." He pointed in the correct direction. "You're trying to lead us through the trapped route, dattebayo!"
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed slightly. "Ku ku ku... How observant of you, Naruto-kun. I'm curious though - how would you know that?"
"Let's just say I know more than you think," Naruto's expression hardened. "And if you try to mislead us again..." His eyes flashed red momentarily. "Well, our deal might need some... adjusting."
"Very well," Orochimaru conceded, his smile not quite reaching his eyes. "Shall we proceed the direct way then?"
"That's better," Naruto nodded, keeping a watchful eye on the Sannin. "And remember - no more tricks."
As they approached a large rock formation, Kabuto stepped forward and performed a series of hand signs, deactivating the concealment seal. The rock face shifted, revealing a hidden entrance.
"Alright," Yamato spoke up, taking charge. "Sakura, Kabuto, and I will gather the evidence against Danzo. Orochimaru, you'll guide Naruto to Sasuke's location." He turned to Sai. "You can choose which team to join."
"I'll go with Captain Yamato," Sai decided after a moment's consideration.
"Naruto, create some shadow clones to accompany our team," Yamato requested. "We might need backup if anything goes wrong."
"Got it!" Naruto formed his signature hand sign. "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" Three clones appeared beside him.
"Remember the plan," Yamato warned Orochimaru. "No tricks."
"Of course," Orochimaru smiled his unsettling smile. "This way, Naruto-kun. Let's go see how Sasuke-kun reacts to your... visit."
As they walked down the dimly lit corridor, Sakura couldn't contain her frustration.
"Yamato-taichou, why did you ask me to come with you?" she asked, her voice tinged with disappointment. "I want to see Sasuke-kun too..."
Yamato stopped and turned to face her, his expression serious. "Sakura, what's about to happen between Naruto and Sasuke... it won't be like before. Naruto plans to show Sasuke the true difference in their powers, which won't be gentle. Having you there might make things more complicated."
Kabuto unconsciously rubbed his still-sore ribs, remembering his recent encounter with Naruto. "He's right, Sakura-san. The Naruto we're dealing with now is... different. More intense."
Sai nodded in agreement. "From what I've seen of Naruto-kun's current abilities, Sasuke-kun is in for quite a... demonstration."
"But..." Sakura started to protest.
"Trust in Naruto," Yamato said firmly. "He knows what he's doing. Sometimes, the only way to get through to someone like Sasuke is with overwhelming force. That's the language he understands best."
Kabuto shuddered slightly. "I almost feel sorry for Sasuke-kun. Almost."
As they continued walking, Sakura fell silent, understanding but still worried about what would unfold between her two teammates.
Meanwhile, Orochimaru led Naruto towards the training grounds in another part of the base. The sound of crackling lightning and explosions grew louder as they approached.
As they entered the large chamber, they found Sasuke in the middle of his training, his Sharingan active and Kusanagi blade in hand. Upon noticing them, Sasuke's eyes narrowed.
"Orochimaru," Sasuke said coldly, "what is he doing here?"
Before Orochimaru could respond, Naruto stepped forward with his signature grin, but there was something different about it - more challenging, almost predatory.
"Yo, Sasuke! Just thought I'd drop by and see how strong you've gotten, ya know!" Naruto called out, his voice carrying its usual energy but with an underlying edge. "Though I gotta say if this is all you've got to show after all this time..." He shrugged dramatically. "Maybe you should've stayed in the village after all, dattebayo!"
Sasuke's expression darkened. "You're still as annoying as ever, Naruto."
"And you're still trying to act all cool," Naruto shot back, crossing his arms. "But hey, since I came all this way, why don't you show me what you've learned? Unless you're scared?"
The tension in the room became palpable as the two former teammates faced each other, while Orochimaru watched with amused interest from the sidelines.
In a flash, Sasuke's eyes morphed into their crimson Sharingan pattern, attempting to trap Naruto in a genjutsu. However, Naruto just stood there, grinning.
Inside Naruto's mindscape, Kurama let out a deep chuckle. "Heh, these Uchiha never learn. Their genjutsu is useless against us now, kit."
Sasuke's eyes widened in shock as he realized his genjutsu had no effect. Even Orochimaru raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by this development.
"What's the matter, Sasuke?" Naruto teased, rocking back and forth on his heels. "Looking a bit surprised there! Did ya really think the same old tricks would work on me? Come on, I thought you were supposed to be the genius, dattebayo!"
Frustrated by Naruto's taunting, Sasuke gripped his Kusanagi tightly, channeling his lightning chakra through the blade. "Chidori Stream!" he shouted, charging at Naruto with impressive speed.
But Naruto simply weaved around each strike, moving with fluid grace that he'd never shown before. "Too slow!" he called out, ducking under a slash. "Is this really all you've got? Man, and here I was hoping for a real fight!"
"Stand still, you idiot!" Sasuke growled, his attacks becoming more aggressive but increasingly sloppy as his frustration grew.
"Now why would I do that?" Naruto laughed, backflipping away from another strike. "You know, for someone who left the village to get stronger, you're not showing me much, Sasuke!"
The sound of chirping birds filled the air as Sasuke's attacks grew more intense, but Naruto continued to dodge effortlessly, his playful demeanor only serving to further aggravate his former teammate.
Veins bulging with frustration, Sasuke activated his cursed seal, black flame-like markings spreading across his skin. "Now you'll see my real power!" he snarled.
"Oh? Finally getting serious?" Naruto grinned, still dodging Sasuke's enhanced attacks with surprising ease. "But you're still too slow, ya know!"
After a few more exchanges, Naruto's playful expression suddenly shifted to something more serious. "Alright, playtime's over, dattebayo!"
In a burst of speed that caught Sasuke off guard, Naruto delivered a powerful kick that sent him crashing into the wall, creating a small crater. "You lose, Sasuke."
Sasuke remained in the crater, staring at Naruto with a mix of shock and burning anger. The silence was heavy as they locked eyes, and Naruto could see the same stubborn darkness that had driven Sasuke away from the village.
"Man, you haven't changed at all," Naruto sighed, raising his hand. A swirling ball of chakra began forming, growing larger and larger until it dwarfed any Rasengan he'd shown before. "Still too stubborn to see what's right in front of you!"
"RASENGAN!" The massive sphere of chakra shot upward, tearing through the ceiling like it was paper. Sunlight poured into the chamber as chunks of rock rained down around them. Both Orochimaru and Sasuke stared in disbelief at the sheer destructive power.
"I know all about your Kirin, Sasuke! Come on, show me what you've got!" Naruto taunted, spreading his arms wide. "Let's see if all that training with snake-face over there helped you handle even a fraction of Kurama's power!"
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed at Naruto's casual mention of 'Kurama.' So, he's given the Nine-Tails a name... and speaks of it without any trace of hatred. Interesting. Despite knowing it killed his parents, he seems to have formed some sort of bond with the beast. Just how powerful has Naruto-kun become?
The Sannin also noted the gaps in their intelligence. They know about our jutsu but seem unaware of the entrance seals. We'll need to be more careful with our information network.
"How... how do you know about Kirin?" Sasuke demanded, his Sharingan spinning wildly.
Naruto just smirked, crossing his arms. "Sorry, Sasuke, but you're still too weak to deserve that answer. Maybe if you weren't hiding in this hole playing with snakes, you'd know."
"WEAK?!" Sasuke roared, his cursed mark spreading further as dark clouds began gathering through the hole in the ceiling. "I'll show you weak!"
The air crackled with electricity as Sasuke began forming his ultimate lightning technique. Thunder boomed overhead while Naruto stood calmly, not even attempting to move.
"That's right, take your time," Naruto called out, looking almost bored. "I'll wait right here, dattebayo!"
"You know, Sasuke..." Naruto's voice remained steady as seals began spreading across the chamber floor, his blue eyes showing determination rather than fear. "I learned a few tricks while you were playing with snakes."
Purple flames suddenly erupted from the seals, forming the Four Violet Flames Formation barrier around them. Orochimaru's eyes widened in shock. The Four Violet Flames Formation? That's an ANBU-level technique. When did he...?
"KIRIN!" Sasuke's voice boomed as he brought his hand down, directing the massive lightning dragon towards Naruto. The beast of pure electricity roared as it descended, its light so bright it was almost blinding.
"DIE, NARUTO!"
The lightning dragon crashed down with devastating force, the impact sending shockwaves throughout the sealed chamber. The barrier held firm, containing the massive explosion within.
As the dust began to settle, Sasuke's triumphant smirk started to fade. Through the clearing debris, Naruto stood with his hands forming a seal, a sphere of swirling wind chakra surrounding him like a protective shell.
"Is that all?" Naruto's voice cut through the silence, the wind sphere dissipating around him. "Because now... it's my turn, dattebayo!"
This isn't the same knucklehead ninja from before, Orochimaru thought, his face showing genuine concern. His growth is... remarkable.
Naruto's hands flashed through the seals, creating a shadow clone that immediately sprang into action. Golden chakra chains erupted from the clone's body, shooting toward a surprised Orochimaru.
"What?!" The Snake Sannin's eyes widened.
Before he could continue, the chains wrapped around him, pinning him in place. The clone grinned, "Just stay put, snake-face. The original has some business to handle."
In one fluid motion, Naruto grabbed Sasuke's collar and leaped through the massive hole in the ceiling, dragging his former teammate with him into the open air above the hideout.
"What do you think you're doing, usuratonkachi?!" Sasuke snarled, struggling against Naruto's grip.
Naruto's face broke into that familiar fox-like grin, but there was something different about it – something that made even Sasuke pause. "What am I doing? I'm gonna show you what I'm truly capable of, teme. No Nine-Tails, no shortcuts – just pure Naruto Uzumaki."
They continued ascending into the sky, higher and higher, until the hideout looked like a tiny spot below them. "You wanted to see power?" Naruto's voice carried on the wind. "Well, get ready for a front-row seat, dattebayo!"
Naruto threw Sasuke to the side with enough force to make him skid across the ground, but not enough to seriously hurt him. "Watch carefully, Sasuke. I'm going to show you what real power – the power to protect – looks like!"
Natural energy flowed through Naruto's body as orange pigmentation appeared around his eyes. His pupils transformed into horizontal bars, characteristic of Sage Mode. "See this, teme? This is the same kind of natural energy your cursed seal uses, but pure, untainted by Orochimaru's corruption."
Golden chakra chains materialized around his right arm, forming an intricate gauntlet that pulsed with power. Seals began to spread across his face, similar to the ones Tsunade used. "A little gift from ba-chan. She taught me more than just how to punch things."
In his left hand, a Rasengan formed, but this was different from any Sasuke had seen before. Five distinct elements began swirling around it: fire, wind, lightning, earth, and water, each one perfectly balanced and controlled. The air itself seemed to vibrate with the sheer concentration of chakra.
"This is what happens when you train to protect instead of destroy!" Naruto shouted, closing his fist around the elemental Rasengan. The power condensed into a single point, and with a movement that seemed to bend the very air, Naruto punched forward.
The impact was devastating. A perfect line carved through everything in its path - the ground split open like a massive canyon, the clouds above parted as if cut by a divine blade, creating a clear path that stretched as far as the eye could see. The sheer force of the technique left even Sasuke speechless, his Sharingan struggling to process what he just witnessed.
Naruto stood tall, his sage-marked eyes gleaming with determination as he watched his handiwork. A slight smirk played across his face as he turned to Sasuke.
"I call it 'Path of Protection' - Hogo no Michi," Naruto declared proudly, his voice carrying both power and warmth. "Pretty cool, right? This is what happens when you combine everything I've learned from the people who believed in me - Ero-sennin's natural energy, ba-chan's medical techniques, my dad's Jutsu, and my mom's chakra chains. All wrapped up with my style, dattebayo!"
Sasuke's eyes widened, his Sharingan spinning rapidly as he tried to comprehend what he'd just witnessed. The sheer scale of destruction was beyond anything he'd expected from the once-clumsy ninja he'd known.
"When... how did you develop this?" Sasuke asked, his usual stoic demeanor cracking with genuine curiosity.
Naruto's sage mode flickered slightly as he maintained a steady stance. "While you were chasing power through the darkness, I was learning from everyone who cared enough to teach me. Each piece came together when I realized something you still haven't figured out, Sasuke - true strength comes from protecting others, not from hatred."
The chakra chains around his arm slowly dissipated as he continued, "This technique isn't just about destruction. The chains can guide and control the blast, protecting allies while striking enemies. The medical seals help me withstand the strain. And the sage mode..." He paused, looking directly at Sasuke, "It lets me feel everything around me, every life I need to protect."
The massive canyon created by the technique stretched out behind them, a testament to its power. Yet not a single tree or rock outside the perfect line of destruction had been touched - showing a level of control that seemed impossible for the Naruto that Sasuke once knew.
"This is just the beginning, teme. There's a lot more I can show you if you're willing to open your eyes to a different kind of strength."
Sasuke's expression shifted subtly, a mix of disbelief and something else - perhaps a hint of recognition. The wind swept through the battlefield, carrying dust from the newly formed canyon.
"You're still the same naive idiot," Sasuke said, but his tone lacked its usual bite. "Creating paths? Protecting others? The world isn't that simple, Naruto."
Naruto took a step forward, his sage mode still active. "Maybe not. But that's exactly why we need to make it simpler, believe it! Look around you, Sasuke. This power you're chasing... what's it given you except more darkness?"
The chakra chains materialized again, but this time they moved differently - forming a bridge across the canyon Naruto had created. The chains glowed with a warm, inviting light.
"I meant what I said back then, and I mean it now. You're my friend, my brother. And I'll keep fighting until you understand that true strength isn't about being alone." Naruto extended his hand, just as he had done so many times before. "Come home, Sasuke. There are still people waiting for you."
Sasuke's Sharingan blazed, his face twisting with a mix of anger and pain. "You don't understand anything, Naruto! My whole existence... everything I am... it's all been for one purpose - to kill Itachi! This power, this darkness, it's the only path I've ever known, the only path that makes sense!"
Naruto's eyes softened, but his voice remained strong, filled with the wisdom he'd gained through his struggles. "You're wrong, Sasuke! You're so focused on the path Itachi laid out for you that you can't even see what's right in front of your eyes, dattebayo! Everyone - Kakashi-sensei, the Third Hokage, even Sakura-chan - they all kept quiet not because they wanted to hurt you, but because you were too blind to see the truth!"
His voice rose with emotion, chakra swirling around him. "You're chasing after shadows, living inside the cage Itachi built for you! The real strength isn't in killing - it's in understanding! But you're so busy running down this dark path that you can't even see the light anymore!"
Naruto clenched his fist, his eyes burning with determination. "Your brother... there's so much more to this story than you know. But you'll never find the truth if you keep wearing these blinders Itachi put on you! Look around you, teme! LOOK! There's a whole world out there, people who care about you, truths you haven't even tried to see!"
Sasuke's eyes widened, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face before rage took over. "Shut up! What do you know about Itachi? About my clan? You've never had a family to lose in the first place!"
But Naruto stood his ground, his blue eyes blazing with intensity. "You're right, that's exactly why I can see what you can't! Every bond I have, I had to fight for it, understand it! While you've been so busy pushing everyone away, I've been learning what it means to be strong!"
Chakra surged around them as Naruto continued, his voice carrying across the battlefield. "Your clan, your brother - there's so much more going on than what you think you know, dattebayo!!"
"And what truth is that?" Sasuke spat, his Sharingan spinning wildly.
Naruto's eyes sharpened, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. "That's not even the right question, Sasuke! The real question you should be asking is WHY? Why did Itachi kill the entire clan but leave YOU alive, dattebayo?!"
His words echoed across the battlefield as he took a step forward, passion burning in his eyes. "You keep saying he did it to test his strength, but that's the biggest load of crap I've ever heard! If Itachi just wanted to test himself, there were plenty of strong shinobi he could've fought! The Hokage, the Legendary Sannin, other ANBU captains - hell, he could've challenged any powerful ninja in the Five Great Nations!"
Naruto's chakra flared brighter, his voice rising with conviction. "But he didn't! Instead, he killed your clan, your parents, everyone... except YOU! He left his little brother alive, gave you a purpose, pushed you toward hatred - WHY? Have you ever stopped to think about that, teme?! If he was this heartless monster who just wanted to test his power, why go through all this trouble? Why create this elaborate path for you to follow?!"
The wind whipped around them as Naruto's words hung in the air, challenging everything Sasuke thought he knew about that fateful night. "You're so caught up in WHAT happened that you never stopped to ask WHY it happened, dattebayo!"
Sasuke's composure cracked slightly, his Sharingan flickering as the words hit home. "What... what are you trying to say?" His voice carried a mix of anger and uncertainty.
"I'm saying there's more to this story than you know!" Naruto pressed on, seeing the small crack in Sasuke's armor. "Think about it! Itachi was a prodigy, an ANBU captain at thirteen - everything he did was calculated! He was smart enough to plan every detail, yet he left you alive and gave you this specific path of revenge. That doesn't make any sense, dattebayo!"
Naruto took another step forward, his voice softening slightly but maintaining its intensity. "The brother who used to carry you on his back, who taught you shuriken jutsu, who always poked your forehead - do you believe he just snapped one day? The same Itachi who was known throughout the village for his patience and wisdom?"
"SHUT UP!" Sasuke roared, but there was a tremor in his voice. "You don't know anything about him!"
Naruto's expression softened, but his eyes remained intense and focused. "Actually, Sasuke... I do know. I know everything - why Itachi did what he did, what happened that night, and the weight he's been carrying all these years, dattebayo."
Sasuke's eyes widened, a mix of rage and desperation crossing his face. "You're lying!"
"When have I ever lied to you, teme?" Naruto shot back, extending his hand once again. "But this isn't my truth to tell. These answers... need to come from Itachi himself. That's why I'm here - not just to drag you back to the village, but to help you find the real truth!"
The chakra chains bridge glowed brighter as Naruto took another step forward. "Come with me, Sasuke. Let's find your brother together, and this time, instead of fighting, let's make him tell us everything. All the secrets, all the pain, everything he's been hiding all these years, dattebayo!"
His voice carried that familiar determination, but also a deep understanding. "Take my hand, brother. Let's end this cycle of hatred and find the answers you've been searching for. The real answers - not the ones Itachi wanted you to believe!"
"I promise you, Sasuke - what we'll find will change everything you thought you knew. But you have to trust me, just one more time. What do you say, teme?"
Sasuke stood frozen, his Sharingan flickering between activation and deactivation as internal conflict played across his face. "How... how can you possibly know anything about Itachi?"
Naruto scratched the back of his head with his free hand, giving Sasuke that signature goofy grin despite the tension in the air. "Well, ya see... something pretty crazy happened after our fight at the Valley of End, dattebayo!"
His expression turned more serious as he continued, "But that's a story for another time, ya know? First things first - you need to hear what Itachi has to say. My part of the story... well, that'll make a lot more sense after you understand what went down that night!"
"Man, I really wanna tell you everything right now!" Naruto's face scrunched up in that familiar way when he was trying to hold something back. "But Kurama would probably smack me upside the head if I did, dattebayo! Some things gotta happen in the right order, ya know?"
He extended his hand again, his blue eyes shining with sincerity. "Trust me on this one, teme. Let's go find your brother first. After that... well, I've got one heck of a story to tell you that'll blow your mind! But first things first - what do ya say? Ready to hear the truth from Itachi himself?"
Inside his mindscape, Kurama rumbled approvingly. "Well handled, kit. Let the Uchiha brat stew on that for a bit."
"Come on, Sasuke!" Naruto called out with his trademark enthusiasm. "I promise you - this is gonna change everything, dattebayo!"
Sasuke's eyes narrowed, a mix of suspicion and curiosity crossing his features. After a long moment, he let out his characteristic "Hn" and closed his eyes.
"You're still as annoying as ever, dobe," Sasuke said with a slight smirk, opening his eyes again. "But... if you're lying about this, I'll make you regret it."
He took a step forward, deliberately ignoring Orochimaru's hissing protests. "This better not be another one of your stupid pranks, usuratonkachi. If you really know something about Itachi..."
"Lead the way," he finally said, his voice carrying that familiar Uchiha pride, but with an underlying tone that suggested he was willing to listen.
"Fine," Sasuke relented, pulling down his collar to expose the curse mark. "But try anything suspicious..."
"Yeah, yeah, you'll Chidori me into next week," Naruto waved off the threat with a grin. "Just hold still, that'll only take a minute, dattebayo!"
Naruto's hands began forming complex seals at an impressive speed, golden chakra chains materializing around them. "Ya know, your brother actually helped develop part of this sealing technique. Well, sort of... it's complicated, but we'll get to that story later!"
As the chains wrapped around the curse mark, Sasuke felt a strange sensation - like something was being pulled out of him. The mark began to glow with an eerie purple light.
"Gotcha!" Naruto exclaimed as a small, snake-like essence emerged from the mark, trapped within the chakra chains. "Man, Orochimaru really needs to stop leaving pieces of himself in people. It's super creepy, dattebayo!"
With a quick series of hand signs, Naruto sealed the essence into a small scroll. "There! The power's still yours, but now snake-face can't try to possess you anymore! Pretty cool, right?"
Sasuke touched the curse mark, feeling the difference immediately. The constant dark whispers that had plagued him were gone, but the power remained.
"How did you..." Sasuke started, but Naruto cut him off with another fox-like grin.
"Later, teme! Right now, we gotta go get the others and deal with Orochimaru. Though..." Naruto's expression turned mischievous. "I bet he's pretty mad about us messing up his backup plan, dattebayo!"
"Let's head back," Naruto said, already walking toward the edge of the crater. "And Sasuke? Thanks for trusting me, even if just a little bit."
"Hn," Sasuke responded, but there was the ghost of a smile on his face as he followed his former teammate back to the hideout.
As they dropped back into the hideout through the massive hole in the ceiling, they found Orochimaru still bound by the clone's chakra chains, looking absolutely livid. His usually composed face was twisted with rage, and his snake-like eyes were practically bulging.
"YOU!" Orochimaru hissed, struggling against the chains. "What have you done to my curse mark?! How dare you interfere with my—"
"Aw, shut it, snake-face!" Naruto's clone interrupted cheerfully, tightening the chains. "You're just mad 'cause I messed up your whole body-snatching plan, dattebayo!"
The real Naruto landed with his hands behind his head, grinning that signature fox-like smile. "Man, you should see your face right now! All twisted up like you ate some bad ramen or something!"
"You insolent little—" Orochimaru started, but Naruto cut him off again.
"Yeah, yeah, save the creepy villain speech!" Naruto waved dismissively. "By the way, your soul fragment technique? Super gross! You need to stop leaving pieces of yourself in people - it's weird, dattebayo!"
The clone nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! And the boss here just cleaned it right out! Pretty awesome, right?"
Naruto's grin widened mischievously as he looked at the bound Orochimaru. "Aw, don't look so angry, snake-face! I know your three years are almost up, and you're probably worried about losing your next vessel..." He paused dramatically, his blue eyes twinkling with amusement. "But I've got a special surprise prepared just for you, dattebayo!"
"What are you babbling about now?" Orochimaru hissed, his golden eyes narrowing suspiciously.
"Well, ya see," Naruto rocked back and forth on his heels, looking entirely too pleased with himself, "I figured since you're so obsessed with getting new bodies, I should help you out! I've been working with ba-chan on some pretty interesting medical techniques..."
Inside his mindscape, Kurama chuckled darkly. "Oh, this should be good, kit."
"Remember those regeneration experiments you were so interested in?" Naruto continued, his grin turning slightly predatory. "Well, we've made some... improvements. How'd you like a brand new body that won't reject you or decay? One that'll last way longer than three years, dattebayo!"
Orochimaru's eyes widened slightly, a mix of interest and suspicion crossing his face. "You're bluffing."
"Am I?" Naruto raised an eyebrow, forming a familiar hand sign. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!" A clone appeared beside him, immediately beginning to form complex medical seals in the air. "Want a demonstration? Though I should warn you..." His expression turned playful but with an underlying edge. "The procedure might be a bit... uncomfortable, dattebayo!"
"Ku ku ku," Orochimaru laughed, though there was a hint of unease in his voice. "And why would you offer me such a thing, Naruto-kun?"
"Because," Naruto's expression turned serious, "unlike you, I actually try to help people - even creepy snake guys who make really bad life choices, dattebayo! Besides..." His grin returned, "It's either this, or we can do things the hard way. Your choice!"
The clone continued forming seals, creating a complex array on the ground. "See, ba-chan and I figured out something interesting about your immortality jutsu. It's pretty flawed, ya know? Always needing new bodies, dealing with rejection, limited time... But what if there was a better way?"
"The First Hokage's cells," Naruto continued, his voice carrying an unusual wisdom, "combined with some special seals we developed... We could give you a permanent body. No more switching needed, no more three-year limit. Though..." He scratched his cheek thoughtfully, "You might have to give up some of those creepy snake features, dattebayo!"
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed, calculating. "And what's the catch, Naruto-kun?"
"Well..." Naruto's fox-like grin widened, "You start using your knowledge to help people instead of hurting them."
The clone finished the seal array, which began glowing with a soft green light. "So, what do you say, snake-face? Ready for an upgrade, dattebayo?"
Orochimaru's eyes darted between Naruto, the seals, and Sasuke, clearly weighing his options. "And if I refuse?"
"Then we do this the hard way," Naruto shrugged, his casual demeanor belying the steel in his voice. "And trust me, you really don't want that, dattebayo! I've learned a few sealing techniques that would make even Jiraiya-sensei proud!"
Just then, Yamato's team returned, with Sakura's eyes immediately locking onto Sasuke. However, before she could say anything, Naruto raised his hand.
"Perfect timing!" Naruto called out cheerfully. "Sakura-chan, I could use your help with this medical seal array. You've studied under ba-chan longer than me, after all!"
Sakura hesitated, torn between rushing to Sasuke and helping with whatever Naruto was planning. Professional curiosity won out as she examined the complex array of seals.
"Naruto, this is..." Her eyes widened in recognition. "These are Lady Tsunade's cellular regeneration seals, but you've modified them! When did you...?"
"Hehe, I've been practicing!" Naruto rubbed the back of his head. "But what do you think? Will it work for our scaly friend here?"
Sakura studied the seals more closely, her medical expertise taking over. "With some adjustments... yes, it could work."
Orochimaru's tongue flicked out briefly as he contemplated the situation. After a long moment, a small smirk crossed his face. "Ku ku ku... How interesting. You've grown far more cunning than I expected, Naruto-kun."
"Well," Naruto replied, "having a giant fox in your head for years teaches you a thing or two about dealing with difficult personalities, dattebayo!"
Sakura had already begun modifying the seal array, her hands moving with practiced precision. "If we're doing this, we'll need to stabilize the cellular matrix first. The Hashirama cells tend to be... aggressive in their regeneration."
"That's where my sage chakra comes in!" Naruto explained, creating more shadow clones to gather natural energy. "It'll help balance everything out!"
Sasuke, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke up. "You're considering this, Orochimaru?"
"The boy makes an... intriguing offer," Orochimaru admitted. "And I must confess, the limitations of my current immortality technique have become... troublesome." He stepped closer to examine the seals. "Though I wonder, what makes you think you can trust me?"
Naruto's expression became serious again. "Because unlike you, I understand what true strength is. It's not about jutsu or immortality - it's about protecting what's precious to you. And maybe, just maybe, you'll learn that too."
"Of course, I'm sure, Sakura-chan!" Naruto's confident smile never wavered. "Everyone deserves a second chance to find their true path. Even someone like him." He then turned his attention to Kabuto, who had been watching silently from the shadows.
"Oi, Kabuto! Stop lurking around and come help us! You're probably the only one who knows Orochimaru's body composition better than anyone else. We could use your medical expertise too!"
Kabuto adjusted his glasses, light reflecting off them as he considered the request. After a moment, he stepped forward. "You continue to surprise me, Naruto-kun. To think you'd extend this offer to both of us..."
"Well," Naruto said with a gentle smile, his blue eyes showing understanding. "When you know the whole story, it brings each conclusion. Orochimaru might keep staying as a prisoner for the rest of his life, with some privileges... but Kabuto,"
he turned to face the silver-haired ninja directly, "I think it's time you return to the orphanage. One of your brothers is still searching for you, to bring you back. What Danzo destroyed..."
Naruto bowed deeply, his voice filled with sincerity, "for that, I apologize. But please, give me the chance to help you find yourself. Let me help you find the boy your Mother Nonō Yakushi named."
Kabuto's eyes widened at Naruto's words, his usually composed demeanor cracking slightly. "My... brother? And you know about Mother Nonō?"
"Yes," Naruto straightened from his bow, his eyes meeting Kabuto's with unwavering conviction. "I made it my business to learn everything. The orphanage, the children, and especially about Nonō Yakushi - the woman who gave you more than just a name. She gave you love, a home, and a purpose."
Kabuto's hands trembled slightly as he adjusted his glasses, a nervous habit that betrayed his inner turmoil. "After all this time... after everything I've done... someone still..."
"Your brother never stopped believing in you," Naruto continued, taking a step closer. "He remembers the kind-hearted boy who helped tend to the younger children's wounds, who told them stories at night, who made them feel safe. That person isn't gone, Kabuto. He's just lost."
A heavy silence fell between them. The light reflecting off Kabuto's glasses couldn't hide the conflict in his eyes anymore.
"The path you chose with Orochimaru," Naruto said softly, "it was never really about power, was it? It was about finding yourself. But sometimes, to find who we are, we need to return to where we started. The orphanage might be different now, but the bonds you made there - they're still strong, still waiting."
"Because," Naruto's voice was firm but kind, "I've seen people change. I've seen Gaara transform from someone who only lived to kill others into a Kazekage who protects his people. Change is possible, Kabuto, when you choose to face yourself honestly."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out an old, worn photograph. "Here. Your brother gave this to me." He held it out to Kabuto - a picture of younger Kabuto surrounded by orphanage children, Nonō standing proudly behind them.
Kabuto's hands shook as he took the photograph, his eyes fixed on the smiling faces. "This was... before everything. Before Danzo, before Root..."
"That boy in the photo," Naruto said softly, "he knew exactly who he was. He didn't need to be anyone else. The orphanage was his home, and those children were his family. That truth hasn't changed, even if everything else has."
A single tear rolled down Kabuto's cheek, falling onto the photograph. For the first time in years, his carefully constructed walls began to crumble.
Kabuto's voice trembled as he spoke, his eyes still fixed on the photograph. "I... I don't know if I can go back to that. I've done so much... become something so different."
Naruto stepped closer, his voice gentle but firm. "You don't have to go back, Kabuto. You can move forward. Use what you've learned, your skills, and your experiences - even the painful ones - to help others. To be the person those kids in the photo needed."
Kabuto looked up, his eyes meeting Naruto's. The usual calculating gleam was replaced by uncertainty and a flicker of hope. "And you think... you believe that's possible?"
"I do," Naruto nodded, a small smile on his face. "It won't be easy. There will be people who doubt you, who fear you. But there will also be those who need you. Who can benefit from your knowledge and your understanding of pain."
He gestured to the village around them. "Konoha is rebuilding. We need every hand, every skill. Your medical ninjutsu could save lives, your experience could guide others away from the dark paths you've walked."
Kabuto's grip on the photograph tightened, his knuckles white. "I... I need time to think. To process all of this."
"Take the time you need," Naruto said, turning to leave. "But remember, Kabuto - you're not alone anymore. When you're ready, there's a place for you here."
As Naruto's words hung in the air, each person in the room had their reaction to the unfolding events:
Sai's usually blank expression softened slightly, a hint of genuine emotion breaking through his trained facade. He watched Naruto with a mix of curiosity and admiration, thinking to himself, 'So this is the power of bonds that Naruto always talks about. It's... different from anything Root taught us.'
Yamato's eyes widened in surprise, but a small, proud smile soon formed on his face. 'Naruto,' he thought, 'you've grown so much. You're not just using your strength to fight anymore but to understand and change people's hearts. Senpai would be proud.'
Sakura's emerald eyes glistened with unshed tears, her medical expertise momentarily forgotten as she watched her teammate. "Naruto," she whispered, 'when did you become so... wise? You're reaching people in ways I never thought possible.' Her gaze flickered briefly to Sasuke, hope rekindling in her heart.
Sasuke's stoic mask cracked slightly, a mix of confusion and grudging respect crossing his features. His Sharingan deactivated as he processed Naruto's words and actions. 'This dobe,' he thought, 'he's changed so much. Is this... is this what true strength looks like?' For the first time in years, doubt crept into his mind about the path he had chosen.
Orochimaru, still bound by the chakra chains, watched the scene unfold with a calculating gaze. His usual smirk was replaced by a thoughtful frown. 'Interesting,' he mused silently. 'Naruto-kun has grown far beyond my expectations. To think he could reach even Kabuto's heart.'
'How fascinating,' Orochimaru mused quietly. 'You've grown into something quite remarkable, Naruto-kun. Your ability to reach into people's hearts and manipulate their very core beliefs... it's far more effective than any jutsu I've created, or any of Danzo's schemes.'
"Yosh!" Naruto pumped his fist in the air, his trademark grin spreading across his face. "Let's finish up with snake-face here so we can head back to the village! Man, all this talking about change and bonds is making me hungry for some Ichiraku ramen, dattebayo!"
Sakura couldn't help but smile, shaking her head fondly. Even after such an intense confrontation and deep emotional moments, Naruto was still... Naruto. "Only you would be thinking about ramen at a time like this," she said, but her hands were already moving to complete the medical seal array.
"Hey, ramen is serious business, Sakura-chan!" Naruto protested, creating more shadow clones to help with the procedure. "Besides, I promised old man Teuchi I'd tell him all about my new jutsu! And you know his ramen always tastes better when you've got a good story to tell, dattebayo!"
Kurama rumbled with amusement inside Naruto's mindscape. "Some things never change, eh, kit?"
"Alright, Orochimaru," Naruto turned to the bound Sannin, his expression becoming more focused despite his earlier levity. "Ready to get your new body? Fair warning though - this might sting a bit, and no complaining about the lack of snake features!"
"Man, that looked like it hurt!" Naruto commented as Orochimaru adjusted to his new body, watching the Sannin flex his fingers experimentally. "But hey, at least you're not falling apart anymore, dattebayo!"
Orochimaru's new form was indeed more stable, lacking the sickly pallor and snake-like features of his previous vessels. His movements were fluid and natural, showing none of the strain or rejection symptoms he'd grown accustomed to.
"Remarkable," Orochimaru murmured, examining his new form. "The cellular integration is perfect. No rejection, no degradation."
"Alright, everyone," Yamato announced, gathering the group's attention. "We've accomplished our primary mission and then some. It's time we head back to the village."
He turned to Naruto, his expression serious. "Naruto, have one of your clones take the evidence against Danzo back to the village immediately. The rest of us will take a longer route to avoid attracting Root's attention."
"Got it, Yamato-taichou!" Naruto nodded, signaling to one of his clones. The clone carefully gathered all the documents and evidence they'd collected.
"Remember," Naruto whispered to his clone, "run for a while before using 'that' jutsu. We don't want anyone knowing about our trump card yet, dattebayo!"
The clone grinned and gave a thumbs-up. "You got it, boss!"
"Be careful," Yamato warned. "Root agents could be anywhere. Stay alert of this area."
The clone nodded seriously before taking off through the trees, deliberately choosing a path that would make it difficult to track. It would run for several miles before using Minato's signature technique to instantly transport back to Konoha.
"Now then," Yamato addressed the remaining group, "let's move out. We'll take the long way home - and stay together this time." He gave Sasuke a meaningful look.
As they prepared to depart, Naruto couldn't help but grin. Things were finally starting to come together, even if not everyone knew all the cards he was holding yet.