Chapter 56: Standing Alone

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Naruto assisted Orochimaru in setting up the recovered experimental equipment.

"Although it's somewhat rudimentary, I finally have my own laboratory here in Amegakure," Orochimaru remarked with a sly grin.

Standing in front of the experimental base, Orochimaru, dressed in pristine white robes, stood shoulder to shoulder with Naruto.

"Naruto-kun, during my absence, Bright Akatsuki has already made its mark in the ninja world," Orochimaru said, his tone laced with intrigue.

"As a debut battle, it was passable," Naruto replied nonchalantly, his peripheral vision catching sight of the dark red ring with the kanji for "Sky" on Orochimaru's left pinky finger.

That was the ring of "Akatsuki's Sky," Orochimaru's former codename.

After leaving Akatsuki, Orochimaru had preserved both the ring and the severed hand Itachi had taken from him in one of his laboratories. This time, Orochimaru had retrieved the ring during his journey, symbolizing his resolve to officially join Bright Akatsuki.

---

Back in the tower's meeting room, Naruto took his seat and directly asked, "Orochimaru, do you have any of Itachi's biological material?"

Orochimaru's eyes lit up with interest. "I do. I've been closely observing Itachi's growth since his youth, and I managed to collect some samples without him noticing. Why, Naruto-kun? What are you planning?"

Naruto's gaze darkened beneath his mask. "I want to attempt his Edo Tensei."

Orochimaru chuckled. "That's not difficult, but I'll need a living sacrifice."

"Wait here."

Naruto stood up and disappeared, only to return moments later with a man whose eyes were lifeless and hollow.

Whether in the past, present, or future, Naruto would never harm innocent people. This man was a remnant of Hanzō's faction, caught while attempting to infiltrate the village during Naruto's Lightning Release training. Naruto had spared him precisely for this moment.

"How considerate," Orochimaru said with a twisted smile. Rising from his seat, he drew a ritual circle on the ground. He placed Itachi's biological material and the living sacrifice within the circle, his long, flowing hair swaying as if caught in an invisible breeze.

"Forbidden Jutsu: Edo Tensei!"

But nothing happened.

Orochimaru frowned, lowering his hands slowly. "There are two possibilities: either Itachi is still alive, or he's already been reanimated through Edo Tensei."

Naruto wasn't surprised. "So it's true. Kabuto has already made his move."

Orochimaru's expression darkened. "Kabuto, is it? I see."

Naruto rested his chin on the back of his hand, his gaze deep as he stared out at the rain-soaked landscape beyond the tower.

"Itachi once planted a crow inside me, a crow that carried Shisui's left eye with the Kotoamatsukami ability. Itachi inscribed a genjutsu into that eye, one designed to protect Konoha. The trigger condition was seeing Itachi's eyes.

"This technique was meant for Sasuke. Itachi anticipated that Sasuke, in seeking revenge on Konoha, would transplant his eyes to gain eternal light. To stop Sasuke, I would inevitably clash with him.

"In my previous life, I knew nothing about this. When I encountered Itachi after he was reanimated, I accidentally triggered the technique, which allowed Itachi to break free from Kabuto's control."

Naruto's thoughts turned to Sasuke. "Unlike our encounter in the Land of Iron, Sasuke should have already transplanted Itachi's eyes by now.

"When I face Sasuke again and our eyes meet, the crow inside me will respond, and Kotoamatsukami will activate on Sasuke."

Naruto clenched his fist.

"But Sasuke is someone I refuse to control with genjutsu, no matter what. I want to remove this obstacle as soon as possible."

He sighed inwardly. "But it seems the road ahead is still fraught with challenges. No matter. Bright Akatsuki's plans are massive and won't be executed overnight. I'll find another way when the time comes."

Orochimaru observed Naruto's contemplative expression and thought to himself, "Naruto-kun's thoughts are truly unfathomable. But for him to be so troubled, it must involve Sasuke. The entanglement between these two forces is something I find deeply intriguing as well."

Naruto's voice pulled Orochimaru from his musings. "Let's put Itachi's matter aside for now."

Rustle, rustle, rustle.

Konan wrapped the living sacrifice in paper and carried it away.

Orochimaru carefully stored Itachi's biological material once more.

Naruto then pushed a wooden box toward Orochimaru.

Thump, thump, thump!

The box shook incessantly.

Orochimaru opened it to reveal Hidan's severed head, his eyes wide with fury, glaring at the face before him as if he wanted to bite it.

Naruto said, "Orochimaru, can you create a new body for him? One that retains his original abilities?"

Hidan snarled, "I'll kill you all!"

Orochimaru smiled. "That's simple. Although his body is reduced to a head, his soul is intact. I've long studied the Death Controlling Possessed Blood technique. That curse touches upon the realm of the soul; the body is merely a medium for its execution."

Hidan shouted, "I hate the soil and the darkness! Get me out of here!"

Naruto said, "Then I'll leave it to you. How long will it take?"

Hidan screamed, "Kakuzu! Where are you, Kakuzu?!"

Orochimaru pondered for a moment. "About half a month."

Hidan wailed, "Damn it! I can't feel my body anymore!"

Naruto nodded. "Good. He'll be a valuable asset for us."

Hidan growled, "Don't let me stand again, or I'll turn you all into sacrifices for Lord Jashin!"

Naruto frowned. "He's so noisy."

Orochimaru chuckled. "I agree."

Konan's cold gaze shifted to Naruto. "It's been over half a month since you last used that technique, hasn't it?"

"Oh, is that so? I almost forgot," Naruto replied.

He removed his mask.

Zzz… The tomoe in his right eye transformed into the Mangekyō Sharingan.

Naruto lifted Hidan's head from the box.

Hidan snarled, "What are you looking at, you spiky-haired brat?!"

Zzz!

Naruto's right eye glowed with power.

"Kotoamatsukami!"

"Hidan, you may continue to worship your Lord Jashin, but first, you must obey me. Understood?"

Hidan's expression instantly turned fanatical. "If it's for Lord Naruto, I'd even offer Lord Jashin's head as a sacrifice!"

Zzz!

The Mangekyō Sharingan reverted to its three-tomoe form as Naruto replaced his mask. "Cooperate with Orochimaru and don't cause him any trouble."

Orochimaru took the now-quiet Hidan's head with a smile. "I'll get to work, Naruto-kun."

Naruto nodded. "Go ahead."

Orochimaru left the room.

Konan spoke up. "During your training, I've completed the formation of the intelligence division. Would you like to inspect it?"

Naruto's eyes lit up. "Oh? Then what are we waiting for? Lead the way."

---

In a cold and solemn plaza adorned with statues, over a hundred Rain ninja, their faces hidden behind masks and their bodies clad in armor, knelt on one knee in the rain.

Konan explained, "A total of 108 members, all elite shinobi who have survived the harshest conditions."

Beneath his mask, Naruto's Rinnegan scanned the crowd. Among them were men and women, young and old, all of them at least at the jonin level.

Naruto was deeply moved.

For a small nation and village like Amegakure, this was nearly all of their strength. Konan had entrusted him with everything, holding nothing back.

Because of this, Naruto felt an even greater responsibility for their lives.

"Let's see what you're capable of."

Whoosh! His cloak billowed as Naruto strode forward, the explosive Lightning Release chakra forming a cloak of Purple Lightning around him.

"All of you, come at me at once!"