Konoha: Naruto, trained by Aizen

The mere mention of the Sharingan made Orochimaru grit his teeth in hatred.

That battle was a humiliating one.

Before the battle even began, he was instantly knocked down by an illusion.

Because Orochimaru constantly changes bodies using secret techniques, he has very weak resistance to Tsukuyomi.

This is also why Orochimaru was so focused on studying Hollows.

His soul was weakened by the secret technique.

The ability to transform into a Shinigami or Hollow can strengthen or even mutate the soul, perhaps making up for one's weaknesses.

"The Akatsuki's operation should be imminent; we need to speed up our research." Orochimaru's face showed a hint of apprehension.

"Before the great war breaks out, we need to at least train death gods who can fight."

“Being able to fight and willing to fight for us, that’s something I’m very good at.” Upon hearing this, Naruto revealed a strange smile.

……

"What? Lord Naruto is here?" Inside the Sound Village.

Karin Uzumaki was excited as she received the news.

"Tch, so he's the Naruto Uzumaki you've been longing for." Jirobo snorted, his hands trembling slightly as he recalled the oppressive force he had felt from Naruto.

With a look of fear on his face, he gripped his trembling right hand with his left and forced a cold snort: "He's just a child."

"Child? Lord Orochimaru himself said that Naruto Uzumaki's strength is already at the Kage level," Kidomaru said from the side.

"Shadow level"—that's such a distant term.

However, what they didn't know was that, in order to motivate the Sound Five, Orochimaru raised Naruto's strength from Jonin to Kage level.

"I'm going to see Lord Naruto!" Karin Uzumaki couldn't contain her excitement and stood up, rushing towards the door.

"Tch, what a lovesick fool." Kidomaru curled his lip in disdain.

Ever since Karin Uzumaki arrived in Otogakure, all she can think about is Naruto Uzumaki.

He counted the stars every day, hoping that Naruto would come to pick him up.

This puzzled the Sound Five.

What is it about Naruto Uzumaki that makes Karin Uzumaki so devoted to him?

"That Haku who joined Otogakure first is no simple character either; he'll probably form a team with Karin Uzumaki," Kimimaro, who had just returned, added.

Karin Uzumaki has been training with them, but she has not yet joined the Sound Five.

"Is that Bai guy really that strong? He looks very friendly and seems like a nice person," Jirobo interjected.

“He’s very strong. He possesses a power within him that rivals mine.” Kimimaro’s eyes were filled with fighting spirit. “I want to spar with him. Let’s see if my bones are sharper, or if he is stronger.”

Chapter 152 The Fifth Hokage and Danzo's Thoughts on Hokage

As Naruto stepped out of the laboratory, the door opened, and the blinding sunlight made him squint.

"Naruto-sama!"

A familiar, clear female voice rang in my ears!

Once his eyes adjusted to the light, Naruto was able to see Karin Uzumaki's appearance clearly.

"Karin? Long time no see." He smiled gently.

Seeing the smile on her face that she had missed so much, Karin's eyes immediately welled up with tears.

"It's Karin. She went to great lengths to meet me back then," Orochimaru said with a smile.

As a seasoned human trafficker, he does not recommend raising geniuses for others.

Of course, during this time, he will also unhesitatingly unleash his charm.

Karin Uzumaki has exceptional talent.

Perception is absolutely one of the most useful abilities in warfare.

Unfortunately, Karin Uzumaki was preoccupied with Naruto Uzumaki and was unwilling to join the Sound Five.

This was quite a disappointment for Orochimaru.

"You've gotten stronger, Karin." Naruto smiled slightly as he sensed the chakra within Karin.

"I will train very hard in order to follow in Naruto's footsteps," Karin Uzumaki said earnestly, clenching her fists.

"Then you'd better do your best." Naruto chuckled as he ruffled Karin's soft red hair.

"Naruto-kun is so gentle that I've even come to understand him," Orochimaru thought to himself as he watched from the sidelines.

For him, a human trafficker, his most effective skill was to become a beacon of light in the hearts of children.

Unfortunately, his own temperament was too cold and aloof, which prevented him from achieving a 100% success rate.

Seeing Naruto's warm, sun-like smile, Orochimaru couldn't help but shake his head, silently giving Naruto a thumbs up.

With such refinement and gentleness, it's no wonder he could make Karin Uzumaki so devoted to him.

This gentle Naruto is actually incredibly cunning and intimidating.

I'm really looking forward to the scene where Naruto betrays Konoha in the future.

Orochimaru left with a smile, leaving Naruto and Karin to their own devices.

When Naruto first saw Karin, he almost didn't remember that she was a member of his clan whom he had saved in the Forest of Death.

He had only done it casually at the time, but Karin unexpectedly gave him a pleasant surprise.

Her strength has increased quite well, but more importantly, she is loyal to herself.

Naruto, who was adept at manipulating people's hearts, could naturally see that Karin's gaze towards him was that of romantic love between a man and a woman.

Love is the easiest thing to manipulate a person's emotions.

So he gently stroked Karin's hair and gave her verbal praise.

He added at the end, "You need to work hard to improve yourself in Otogakure, because my enemies are terrifying."

Naruto's trust filled the girl's heart with happiness.

His eyes were full of starlight as he looked at Naruto.

She nodded vigorously, determined to train even harder so that she could protect Naruto in the future.

"Lord Naruto, I will work hard, and I will become the sharpest blade in your hand," she said.

Upon hearing this, Naruto smiled gently and said softly, "No, it's enough for you to have the power to protect yourself. The future ninja world will be very chaotic."

Karin Uzumaki's heart melted instantly.

Orochimaru, who was secretly studying the scriptures, immediately exclaimed that he couldn't learn them.

After a brief discussion with Orochimaru, Naruto left behind some of the money he had obtained from the Land of Snow through alms-begging.

He and Orochimaru were originally in a cooperative relationship.

There is an obligation to invest in research.

This considerable sum of money relieved Orochimaru's immediate crisis.

During this time, Naruto put forward a new conjecture.

"Since the essence of a Shinigami is spirit particles, is it possible to cut one's own soul and condense a second body similar to a clone?" Although the words were a bit convoluted, Orochimaru still understood Naruto's meaning directly.

"Chakra is composed of physical and mental energy. Techniques such as the Shadow Clone Technique can generate independent consciousness, which is already a very interesting research topic. So, are there any souls separated from the chakra in these clones? Because only with a soul can independent thinking occur."

"From this perspective, we might be able to create a body that can accommodate a fragmented soul, allowing the separated Shinigami soul to control this body and form a clone that cannot be destroyed," Orochimaru said slowly.

The definition of the soul in the ninja world is far too vague.

Even though Orochimaru had been conducting related research, he was unable to uncover the truth.

But he had a premonition that everything he wanted to know might be answered by Hollows and Shinigami.

"I will conduct research in this area simultaneously. Perhaps in the future you will be able to create a clone that represents your will and can stay in the Sound Village for a long time."

"If I have the chance in the future, I would also like to study the Nine-Tails in your body. Can a tailed beast composed of chakra become a Shinigami or a Hollow? Where does its soul reside?"

"I need more rare and precious materials, not just simple chunin, genin, or joinin. Naruto, I think you understand what I mean," Orochimaru said with a smile.

"Of course, don't worry, there will definitely be opportunities to study the Tailed Beasts in the future." Naruto nodded with a smile.

He did not intend to keep the Nine-Tails residing in his body indefinitely.

When the time is right, we will definitely find a way to give Nine-Tails its freedom.

Perhaps in the future, the Nine-Tails could become part of his own faction.

After talking with Orochimaru, Naruto dispelled the clone and returned to his original body.

"It's been a long time since I've been here, but I'm finally back." Outside Konoha, Tsunade looked up at the towering gates and the Konoha symbol, sighing repeatedly.

"Yes, this time you're back, you're the Fifth Hokage." Jiraiya chimed in, his lecherous gaze lingering on Tsunade's chest, and he couldn't help but sigh:

"It's so nice, so big."

"Bang!" Jiraiya was sent flying like a cannonball, crashing into more than a dozen trees before coming to a stop.

"Jiraiya-sensei, it's been a long time. You're still got that lecherous habit, aren't you?" Suddenly, a gentle laugh echoed through the woods.

Naruto!

"!" Accompanied by Sakura's joyful shout, a figure flashed with a golden trail and appeared on a tree branch not far away.

The branches were thin, but they didn't tremble even when Naruto stepped on them.

"You are Naruto." Tsunade looked up at the handsome Naruto, a look of amazement flashing in her eyes.

This Nine-Tails Jinchuriki does indeed bear some resemblance to Minato.

But one should have a more elegant and natural demeanor.

"What a coincidence, Naruto, did you just finish a mission?" Jiraiya stumbled over from a distance, covered in wounds, and asked with a grimace.

“Yeah.” Naruto landed next to Jiraiya, with Fuuka Nutō on his shoulder.