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Naruto Uzumaki used the Flying Thunder God Technique to escort Mei Terumi, the Mizukage, back to Kirigakure.
At the village gates, the two bid farewell.
Mei expressed her gratitude sincerely, "Lord Naruto, I truly thank you for your assistance this time. Without you, Kirigakure would have faced a devastating catastrophe!"
Naruto replied humbly, "Lady Mizukage, I also gained valuable knowledge from your village's secret technique scrolls. It's a mutually beneficial exchange; no need for thanks."
Mei smiled. "Scrolls are just inanimate objects. Only by putting them to good use can they truly fulfill their purpose. I don't know why you left Konoha, nor do I care about how other villages perceive you. From now on, Kirigakure wishes to establish a lasting partnership with Amegakure. You are always welcome to visit us, Lord Naruto."
As she spoke, Mei extended her hand in friendship.
Behind his mask, Naruto smiled. Coming to Kirigakure initially with semi-predatory intentions, he had not only obtained what he sought but also established friendly relations. The outcome couldn't have been better.
Naruto extended his hand and shook Mei's firmly. "I, Naruto Uzumaki, on behalf of Akatsuki, am willing to establish friendly relations with Kirigakure and Lady Mei Terumi."
Naruto chose to represent Akatsuki rather than Amegakure because his authority in Amegakure was still tied to the legacy of Pain. He had yet to become the legitimate leader of the village in the true sense.
However, Mei didn't mind this detail.
Having witnessed Naruto's overwhelming strength and knowing he harbored no hostility toward Kirigakure, she, as a Kage, had no reason not to seek an alliance.
"Then, I bid you farewell, Lady Mizukage."
Whoosh! Naruto turned and vanished in a flash of the Flying Thunder God's light.
Phew. Mei watched him disappear, her smile fading.
Behind her, the village awaited her return, with countless problems needing her attention.
The deaths of Chojuro and Ao, along with the loss of many elite ANBU members, were a heavy blow to Kirigakure.
Back in Amegakure, Naruto knew he couldn't rest even for a moment. His prominence made him a constant target.
Determined, he sought out Orochimaru.
"Orochimaru, I want to acquire Wood Release."
Orochimaru's snake-like eyes gleamed. "Oh? Naruto-kun, you've finally decided on this?"
Naruto asked, "Is it possible?"
Orochimaru gave a sly smile. "It's easier than you think. But I have a suggestion—would you like to hear it?"
"Let's hear it," Naruto replied, ready to listen.
Orochimaru explained, "First, you should awaken the full potential of your Uzumaki Clan bloodline. That way, whether it's Hashirama's cells or any other cells, you'll be able to integrate them perfectly."
He continued, "The cells of the First Hokage are notoriously invasive. Most people who've transplanted his cells end up with Hashirama's face appearing on their bodies!"
Naruto raised a brow. "Huh? But Captain Yamato doesn't have that issue, does he?"
Orochimaru chuckled. "That's because his cells were diluted dozens of times, reducing their side effects. But the trade-off is that his power is also significantly weaker."
Naruto nodded. "I see."
Orochimaru elaborated, "When someone who transplants Hashirama's cells grows a grotesque face on their body, it's a sign of their failure to fully control the cells. It's not just incomplete power—it's a ticking time bomb."
"I understand now," Naruto said, his gaze thoughtful. "That's why I need to fully unlock the power of the Uzumaki Clan first."
Naruto was well aware that he only carried half of the Uzumaki bloodline.
While his chakra reserves were vast, without relying on the Nine-Tails, he couldn't compare to the First Hokage.
Orochimaru continued, "The Uzumaki Clan is unique. Outsiders can transplant Senju cells to gain part of the Senju's power, but Uzumaki cells rarely show any changes when transplanted into outsiders. At most, they gain a slight boost in recovery abilities."
"This is one of the reasons why the Uzumaki village, Uzu no Kuni, was targeted. No one sought to steal their cells; they sought to capture the people themselves. And if they couldn't have them, they destroyed them."
Naruto's expression darkened. It was indeed a grim history. Even his mother, Kushina Uzumaki, had been targeted by Kumogakure despite being under Konoha's protection.
Orochimaru added, "But through my research on Karin, a descendant of the Uzumaki Clan, I discovered another trait of the Uzumaki bloodline: within the clan, it is possible to perform transplants to awaken dormant bloodline potential."
"Naruto-kun, with your half-Uzumaki bloodline, you meet the conditions for this."
Naruto murmured, "But whose cells should I use? Karin's? Or someone else's?"
Orochimaru smirked. "The most perfect Uzumaki bloodline belonged to the First Hokage's wife, Mito Uzumaki. She was also the first Nine-Tails Jinchūriki. If we could obtain her cells and combine them with your reincarnation as Asura, you would undoubtedly awaken the most complete Uzumaki power."
"At that point, whether it's Hashirama's cells or any others, you'd be able to use them effortlessly."
Naruto looked deeply at Orochimaru. "So, you're saying you have Mito's cells, don't you?"
Orochimaru smiled slyly. "Not yet. But I know where Lady Mito was buried after her passing. It's a location only I know—no one else, not even Kabuto, is aware of it."
Naruto nodded with a faint smile. "Alright. I'll leave this matter to you, Orochimaru."
"Leave it to me," Orochimaru said with a grin before leaving the village.
That night, Naruto received an invitation from the Kazekage, Gaara.
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