Chapter 297: Naruto Arrives at Otogakure
A few minutes later.
Naruto walked out of the shop with a satisfied expression.
This round of spending had flattened his little frog wallet, but Naruto felt the money had been well spent.
At the very least, it was more worthwhile than spending money when the Pervy Sage dragged him to play with the big sisters in the red-light district.
As for the little pills, Naruto did not plan to take them yet.
In his view, things like this, which were similar to soldier pills, should be saved until the most critical moment.
When the time came that he truly needed to enter Sage Mode quickly, then it wouldn't be too late to use them.
For now, although entering the "state" had become a little slower for him, it wasn't a big deal.
As for the "Bottle-kun" Naruto bought, that didn't matter.
After all, it wasn't a consumable item. As long as he was careful while using it and didn't break it, it could be used continuously.
Naruto's current method for quickly entering Sage Mode was this—He used the Multi Shadow Clone Technique to create a large number of shadow clones. Then the shadow clones would "take off" after which he would dispel them. The original body would enter a calm state of empty thoughts, and then he would enter Sage Mode.
Some people might think: if he only bought one "Bottle-kun" what about the shadow clones?
But that wasn't actually a problem.
The Multi Shadow Clone Technique replicates everything as a physical entity.
If it could only copy the ninja themselves, then every shadow clone should appear without clothes.
Therefore, as long as Naruto held the "Bottle-kun" all of his shadow clones would also simultaneously use their own physically replicated "Bottle-kun."
This was also the same principle behind the Third Hokage's "Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique."
While everyone in Konoha believed Naruto was still training Sage Mode at Mount Myoboku, Naruto had already finished shopping and appeared within the territory of the Land of Rice Fields.
"Those four guys are the ones who trapped Grandpa Third before. Orochimaru's subordinates!"
Outside a certain base, Naruto spotted the Sound Four practicing the Four Violet Flames Flying Thunder Formation technique out in the open.
Naruto was just about to step forward and ask them about Sasuke's location when suddenly a figure dropped from the sky and landed in front of him, blocking his path.
"They are carrying out a mission assigned by Orochimaru-sama. Interference is prohibited."
Kimimaro stood in front of Naruto with a cold expression.
After Kaguya Kimimaro and Ringo Ameyuri were healed together, he was sent back to Otogakure by Orochimaru.
For Orochimaru, Kimimaro was undoubtedly a capable combat asset.
But the problem was that in Amegakure, what Orochimaru lacked the least was combat strength.
Everyone had their own talents.
Kimimaro clearly had no real role in Amegakure.
At most, he could carry out some related missions for the village.
For anything slightly more specialized, such as becoming a teacher at the ninja academy, he couldn't do it.
After all, Kimimaro's entire strength lay in his Shikotsumyaku.
Aside from that, the only other role he had if he stayed there was to be "researched."
But that line of research had not yet reached that direction. So Kimimaro was sent back, responsible for maintaining security in Otogakure and assisting in protecting Sasuke and the training of the Sound Four.
Sasuke, a newcomer, was now placed above him. The Sound Four, whose status had previously been lower than his, now also had their own roles.
Only he himself had been reduced to acting as a bodyguard.
If an ordinary ninja were treated like this, they might develop resentment.
But Kimimaro would not.
He would only reflect on himself and blame himself, believing it was because his own abilities were insufficient that he could not be of greater help to Orochimaru-sama.
At the same time, he would firmly protect Sasuke and the Sound Four.
Because protecting them meant protecting the things Orochimaru-sama needed. That was his only value.
——
"Tell me where Sasuke is! I'm taking him back to Konoha!"
Naruto looked warily at the tall man standing several heads taller than him.
"No."
Kimimaro examined Naruto.
He had already recognized him. The Nine-Tails' jinchūriki from Konoha.
He was also one of the essential "materials" Orochimaru had cultivated for Uchiha Sasuke.
He must not die.
But he definitely could not be allowed to take Sasuke away.
"Damn it! Don't talk about Sasuke like he's something that belongs to you!!!"
Naruto immediately became furious and threw a punch.
"?"
Kimimaro was momentarily confused.
What was that supposed to mean?
He had only said "no."
How had the other party imagined that into Sasuke being their possession?
But since the other side had already attacked, he naturally had to respond.
Bang!
Naruto was sent flying instantly and crashed into a tree.
Before the legendary "Healthy Itachi" appeared, "Healthy Kimimaro" had once occupied a similar place in discussions.
And the one standing before Naruto now was precisely a healthy Kimimaro.
Naruto's taijutsu in his normal state could basically be described as completely ineffective.
"Damn it… he's so strong. Looks like I'll have to use that…"
Naruto wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and reached toward the ninja tool pouch behind him.
That?
Kimimaro's expression instantly tightened.
Naruto had been knocked down with a single blow, making him seem weak, but Kimimaro had never underestimated him.
Uzumaki Naruto. Just the identity of the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki alone meant that once his power erupted, it would not be something Kimimaro could withstand.
Moreover, he had heard from Orochimaru-sama that the reason Naruto was one of the "materials" for Sasuke's awakening was because of his own special nature, the reincarnation of the chakra of the Sage of Six Paths' biological son.
Now that the other side was about to pull out a trump card, he had to be cautious.
What exactly was it?
Kimimaro stared intently at the object Naruto had taken out.
That was…
"?"
Kimimaro fell into confusion once again.
If he remembered correctly, that thing seemed to be a rather indecent ninja tool.
It was said to be one of the specialty items supplied to Konoha by Amegakure at the request of Jiraiya, one of the Three Legendary Sannin who stood alongside Orochimaru-sama.
What was the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki taking that out for?
Did he want to "take off" once before dying?
Or did it have some other use?
While Kimimaro was still confused, Naruto showed no hesitation at all. Holding the ninja tool in his hand, he used the Multi Shadow Clone Technique.
"As expected, it's not that simple!"
Seeing hundreds upon thousands of shadow clones appear in the forest, Kimimaro came back to his senses and cursed himself for letting his mind wander.
With this many shadow clones, even if he entered the Cursed Seal state and used the Dance of the Seedling Fern, he might not be able to wipe them all out.
Just how terrifying was this guy's chakra reserves?
"Everyone, time is tight. Move quickly!"
Naruto shouted toward the shadow clones.
Move quickly?
So the attack was about to begin!
Kimimaro crossed his arms in front of his chest, preparing to respond.
And then…
He watched as the opponent's thousand shadow clones used that ninja tool and began performing some completely incomprehensible actions.
They even muttered things like "Sasuke, give Sasuke back to me!" while doing it.
That scene genuinely startled Kimimaro.
He had never expected that the bond between the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki and Uchiha Sasuke was no less than his own feelings toward Orochimaru-sama.
"I'm sorry. Even if I can understand your feelings, I still have to protect my own value."
Without hesitation, Kimimaro entered the Cursed Seal Level Two state.
(End of this chapter)