A few minutes later, Naruto emerged from the shop, satisfied.
This purchase left his frog-shaped wallet lighter, but he felt it was worth every coin.
At least it was a better investment than the money he'd spent on the Pervy Sage's suggestion to visit the brothel district and "play" with the older ladies.
As for the small medicinal pills, Naruto hadn't planned on consuming them yet.
In his view, these 'Sage Mode-enhancing pills' should be saved for critical moments.
He'd use them when he needed to enter Sage Mode fast, but for now, the slower activation time wasn't a significant issue.
As for the "Bottle-kun" he'd bought, that was inconsequential.
After all, it wasn't a consumable item.
As long as he used it carefully and avoided damaging it, he could use it for a long time.
Naruto's current method for quick Sage Mode involved using the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.
He'd create a large number of Shadow Clones, have them masturbate, then disperse them.
This would leave his main body in a post nut clarity, free of distractions, allowing him to enter Sage Mode!
Some might wonder: if he only bought one "Bottle-kun," what about all the Shadow Clones?
But that's not how the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique works.
This technique creates tangible duplicates of everything, including any items the original possesses.
If Shadow Clones could only replicate the ninja themselves, then every clone would appear naked.
Therefore, Naruto only needed to hold Bottle-kun, and he could have all his Shadow Clones use a tangible version of it at the same time.
This was also the principle behind the Third Hokage's Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique.
...
While the people of Konoha believed Naruto was still training Sage Mode on Mount Myōboku, he had finished his shopping and appeared in the Land of Rice Fields.
"Those four are the same guys who trapped the Third Hokage before—they're Orochimaru's subordinates!"
Outside a base, Naruto discovered the Sound Four practicing the Flying Thunder God Formation Technique in the wilderness.
Just as Naruto was about to approach and ask for Sasuke's whereabouts, a figure descended from the sky, landing in front of him and blocking his path.
"They're completing a mission for Orochimaru-san. Don't approach or interfere."
Kimimaro blocked Naruto's way with a cold stare.
After Kaguya Kimimaro and Ringo Ameuri were cured, Orochimaru had sent him back to Otogakure.
From Orochimaru's perspective, Kimimaro was a capable fighter.
The problem was, what Orochimaru lacked most in the Hidden Rain Village wasn't fighting power.
Everyone has their own talents. Kimimaro served no purpose in Hidden Rain Village. At most, he could only carry out standard missions.
Even a more specialized role, like teaching at a ninja academy, was beyond his reach.
After all, Kimimaro's entire strength lay in his Shikotsumyaku.
Apart from that, his sole purpose for staying there was to be studied.
However, the current research hadn't progressed in that direction yet, so Kimimaro was sent back to Otogakure to maintain public order, assist in protecting Sasuke, and support the training of the Sound Four.
Sasuke, a newcomer, was outshining him, while the Sound Four, whose status was inferior to his, had found their roles.
Yet here he was, reduced to being a mere bodyguard.
Any ordinary ninja subjected to such treatment might harbor resentment.
But not Kimimaro.
He would reflect on his own flaws, blaming himself for lacking the ability to be of greater service to Orochimaru.
At the same time, he would protect Sasuke and the Sound Four. Because safeguarding them meant protecting what Orochimaru needed—this was his sole value!
"Tell me where Sasuke is! I need to take him back to Konoha!"
Naruto eyed the towering figure before him, the man several heads taller than he was.
"No."
Kimimaro sized up Naruto.
He recognized him: the Nine-Tailed Jinchūriki of Konoha, one of the essential ingredients Orochimaru-sama needed to cultivate Uchiha Sasuke.
He couldn't die.
But neither could he let him take Sasuke away.
"Damn it! Don't talk about Sasuke like he's your property!" Naruto roared, his fist flying out in a punch.
"????"
Kimimaro was bewildered.
What was this about? All he'd said was "no." How had Naruto jumped to the conclusion that they considered Sasuke their property?
But since the attack had been thrown, he countered.
Bang!
Naruto was sent flying, crashing into a nearby tree.
Naruto's standard Taijutsu was.... bad.
"Damn it, he's too strong. It looks like I have to use that..."
Naruto wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and reached for his weapon pouch on his back.
'What's that?'
Kimimaro's expression tensed.
His opponent had been knocked down with a single strike, and looked kinda weak, but Kimimaro never underestimated anyone.
Uzumaki Naruto, as the Nine-Tailed Jinchūriki, possessed a power that, if unleashed, he couldn't withstand.
Moreover, he knew from Orochimaru that Naruto was one of the materials needed to awaken Sasuke because of his unique nature: the reincarnation of the Sage of the Six Paths' son's chakra!
Now that Naruto was about to use his trump card, Kimimaro had to be cautious.
'What the hell is that?'
Kimimaro's gaze locked onto the object Naruto pulled out.
It was...
"?"
Kimimaro fell into confusion again.
If he remembered correctly, that was some obscene ninja tool.
Supposedly, it was a specialty item supplied by the Hidden Rain Village to Konoha at the request of Jiraiya, one of the Three Great Sannin, who was equally renowned as Orochimaru.
'What's the Nine-Tailed Jinchūriki doing with this?'
'Is he trying to make one last grand gesture before dying? Or does this thing have some other use?'
While Kimimaro was still bewildered, Naruto wasn't confused at all.
He gripped his ninja tool and used the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.
"Figures it wouldn't be that simple!"
Seeing hundreds of Shadow Clones materialize in the forest, Kimimaro snapped out of his daze, cursing himself for getting distracted.
Even if he activated his Cursed Seal and used the Sawarabi no Mai, he might not be able to take down all these clones.
How could his opponent's chakra reserves be so vast?
"Everyone, time's running out! Attack now!" Naruto shouted to his clones.
'Attack? So they're about to launch an assault!'
Kimimaro crossed his arms, bracing for the onslaught.
But then...
He watched as over a thousand Shadow Clones used their 'ninja tools' and start beating their meat, all while chanting, "Sasuke! Give Sasuke back to me!"
This scene startled Kimimaro.
He hadn't expected the bond between the Nine-Tailed Jinchūriki and Uchiha Sasuke to rival his own attachment to Orochimaru-sama!
"I'm sorry, but even if I can understand your feelings, I must protect my own values."
Without hesitation, Kimimaro activated the Cursed Seal's second state!