Chapter 295: Tonight I Set Sail~
"Forget it."
Under the tense gazes of the three captives, Uchiha Hikari withdrew her blade.
This kind of "fusion" was not that kind of "fusion." She could still tell the difference.
Moreover, the three who had fused with summoned beasts through the Chimera Technique did not show any of those bizarre "burning furry" traits. That proved they were normal enough, not like the toxic aberrations from the Limited Tsukuyomi world.
"Many thanks to you, my lady, for sparing us. We…"
One had just begun to pledge loyalty when Two shot him a glare, cutting him off.
Right.
He realized it now. This was not the beginning anymore. Their original leader, Hiruko, had already joined the other side.
Which meant Hiruko still had value.
If they pledged loyalty now, it might look like betrayal. What if Hiruko were given the authority to deal with them freely and decided to have the three of them executed?
But if they did not pledge loyalty, what if the others assumed they were diehard loyalists to Hiruko, living and uncontrollable, unstable elements that had to be eliminated?
Stuck between a rock and a hard place.
"These three subordinates of yours will be taken in by Amegakure. No objections?"
Orochimaru glanced over at the situation, then turned to Hiruko.
"No objections."
Hiruko's mouth twitched.
Even if he objected, would it matter?
Besides, he truly had no particular attachment anymore.
Ever since dying once, when he looked back at his former self, it was as if he were viewing that person from a different perspective.
He could calmly reflect on how pathetic he had been.
Just three subordinates. What was the point of keeping them?
"Good."
Orochimaru nodded, then looked at Shiromo. "Shall we have them study that? Their abilities are related to summoned beasts. They should have some aptitude in that area."
"Good idea."
Shiromo agreed.
As mentioned before, their individual strength was not exactly poor. It was more that they had taken an unnecessarily long detour.
Instead of learning Hidden Shadow Snake Hands, they had gone to great lengths to fuse with summoned beasts.
It was like Konohamaru learning the Rasengan by first using the Sexy Technique transformation before going 'poof' and 'smack.'
However, the three shared one characteristic: all were connected to summoned beasts.
It had been analyzed before that the Summoning Technique was also a kind of space-time ninjutsu, though its requirements for space-time aptitude were far lower than true space-time techniques.
The more proficient someone was at summoning, the greater their potential aptitude for space-time ninjutsu.
These three could be trained in the Flying Thunder God Formation and paired with Fū as a teleportation squad.
That way, they would not have to rely on Senju Tobirama for every little thing.
After all, Tobirama needed to focus his energy on tackling scientific research problems alongside Orochimaru.
Besides Fū's Flying Thunder God squad, Orochimaru had also classified the Sound Four into the teleportation unit category.
The more such squads, the better.
The Sound Four…
Tayuya could use Summoning: Doki.
Kidōmaru could use Summoning: Rain of Spiders.
Sakon and Ukon could use Summoning: Rashōmon.
Jirōbō could use Summoning: Earth Prison Golem.
Their innate aptitude was certainly superior to the four subordinates of the Fourth Hokage.
But that superiority was only relative. Compared to true space-time ninjutsu users, they were still far behind. Mastery would require immense effort and time.
Fortunately, who were the Sound Four?
They were the four who had clawed their way up from countless others in Orochimaru's ranks before any "redemption."
They would not settle into comfort.
After Orochimaru left the Otogakure Village with Yakushi Kabuto, the four had been deeply uneasy.
Orochimaru had left them no instructions at all, making them think they were being abandoned.
Luckily, new missions arrived.
Assist Sasuke in his training, and train together in the Flying Thunder God Formation.
In addition, Orochimaru had a new idea.
If the Four Violet Flames Formation were used simultaneously with the Flying Thunder God Formation, the originally small-scale, almost single-person teleportation could be expanded into large-scale teleportation.
As for how to achieve it?
The theory had been provided. It was up to the Sound Four to master it.
——
Mount Myōboku.
Naruto's speed and proficiency in mastering Sage Mode left the two sages dumbfounded. They repeatedly praised him as a genius in this regard, surpassing even Minato.
"Naruto boy, I didn't expect you to graduate so quickly. Let's go see the Great Toad Sage once more. If there are no issues, stay tonight for a grand feast, and tomorrow you can return to Konoha."
Sage Shima hopped up and patted Naruto on the shoulder.
"Uh, is another grand feast really necessary?"
Naruto's delighted smile instantly stiffened.
Because he had mastered Sage Mode so quickly, he had not endured many of Mount Myōboku's insect banquets. Later on, he mostly ate instant noodles that Sage Shima brought back.
But once "grand feast" was mentioned, did he really need to ask what that meant on Mount Myōboku?
"Don't worry. I know you're picky. I won't make you eat plump bugs. I've prepared some of the most famous dishes from Konoha right now, including your favorite ramen. Just wait to eat well and drink well."
Sage Shima waved her hand.
"Eh? Really? Granny Toad, you've finally come to your senses!"
Naruto's eyes lit up.
If that was the case, he would gladly stay for a proper meal before leaving.
An hour later.
Shima and Fukasaku stood inside the great hall.
Naruto sat cross-legged nearby, already dozing off.
Snore!
That was not Naruto snoring.
It was the Great Toad Sage.
They had arrived at an unfortunate time. The Great Toad Sage was asleep.
Though to be fair, he was asleep ninety-nine percent of the time.
"No, we can't keep waiting like this. Who knows when this big toad will wake up?"
Naruto was growing impatient.
At this rate, it would be dark soon.
What about his feast?
Even if the feast were canceled, that would be one thing. But if this dragged on for days, Wouldn't that delay him from rescuing Sasuke… and Pervy Sage? Oh, right. And that mother he had never met.
"Shadow Clone."
Naruto continued pretending to doze while secretly forming a cross-shaped hand seal, creating a shadow clone that quietly slipped away.
The clone crept behind the Great Toad Sage, cracking his knuckles.
"I've been practicing wind nature transformation these past few days. Might as well test it out."
The clone muttered to himself.
Although Naruto had taken a shortcut to master Sage Mode, his offensive methods were limited to Sage Art: Massive Rasengan, basically, bigger and stronger.
He still could not use the Rasenshuriken.
In the original story, wind nature transformation had been taught by Asuma.
Now Asuma is long dead. Only the Third Hokage had taught him for a short while.
But the Third had been busy handling administrative duties, and later was taken to Amegakure.
There had been no time for detailed instruction.
Naruto had to figure it out on his own based on the fundamentals taught by the Third.
Fortunately, as the "Professor," the Third had laid down comprehensive foundations, even better than Asuma's teaching in the original timeline.
Naruto's grasp was decent.
"Wind Style: One Thousand Years of Death~"
The shadow clone Naruto suddenly launched a vicious strike at the sleeping Great Toad Sage.
(End of this chapter)