The old man smiled with satisfaction.
"You're truly gifted. To think you've already mastered a forbidden jutsu like the Impure World Reincarnation… your future is limitless!"
After listening to Naruto's complaints about Kirigakure, Kabuto Yakushi remained speechless. Even so, he couldn't help but admire Naruto's overwhelming talent.
Who would believe it? A boy this young had already mastered the three forbidden techniques: Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu, Flying Thunder God, and Impure World Reincarnation—all in such a short span of time.
The sealed scroll was infamous for containing some of the most difficult ninjutsu ever recorded. Most couldn't even begin to decipher them, let alone learn them. Yet Naruto, standing before Kabuto and issuing him orders, had clearly done exactly that.
The villagers had already witnessed his Multi Shadow Clones and Flying Thunder God. But the Impure World Reincarnation? That one, it seemed, Naruto had deliberately kept hidden.
"Not bad," Naruto grinned. "You've got good perception. Impure World Reincarnation is just… so-so."
He laughed to himself. Others thought his genius was unmatched—but none knew he had a system backing him.
Kabuto pushed up his glasses. "The outside world believes you can only use shadow clones. When you eventually reveal your full strength, unifying the shinobi world will be no difficult task." He paused, his tone reverent. "You… are far beyond Orochimaru."
"But, my lord," Kabuto added cautiously, "Impure World Reincarnation requires a living sacrifice. How are we supposed to find the offerings? Even with a corpse, it won't work without them. Should we target wandering shinobi? Ninjas from other villages are not so easily captured."
Naruto waved his hand carelessly.
"Don't worry. I've already modified the technique—no sacrifice is needed anymore. Just get me the corpses. By the way, how far has Orochimaru progressed?"
Kabuto immediately straightened.
"Orochimaru has obtained the cells of Konoha's Hokage. But his current strength is limited—the revived shinobi only retain about one-third of their original power, and the jutsu itself is unstable. He's still improving it, but progress has been slow."
Naruto nodded knowingly. That lined up with what he remembered.
In the Fourth Great War, Kabuto had unveiled an upgraded version of the Impure World Reincarnation—but even then, it was thanks to Naruto's own system. This boy Kabuto… he was practically omnipotent. A graverobber, scholar, medic, teacher, and administrator—he could do it all. Truly, a jack of all trades.
"Alright then. It's late, I should head back." Naruto reminded him, "Take your time with the grave digging. No need to rush. Remember—your life comes first."
At present, Naruto already had access to Hashirama and Madara's cells. Whether they robbed graves in secret or right in the open, who would dare complain? Who would challenge him?
Fight against True Thousand Hands, or a Perfect Susanoo, or the very Sage Art masters themselves? Let them try.
Kabuto's task was set: the work of graverobbing had officially been subcontracted. All Naruto had to do was wait for results.
Kabuto was the perfect man for the job—more reliable than even Robin Hood himself. He had worked in silence for years, digging up corpses without leaving a trace, moving undetected. He'd been a spy in Konoha all this time, and no one had ever uncovered him.
For someone with such stealth, digging graves was child's play.
...
The next morning.
Naruto rose early. After last night's planning session, his thoughts were clear. Beyond digging up his father's grave to trigger the system's reward, he also had to prepare for the future.
That included talking with his future wife. After all, love is most beautiful when it flows both ways.
So, after washing up, he ran through the streets of Konoha and headed toward the Hyūga compound.
He knew where she would be. His destined, well-endowed bride trained her Gentle Fist every day. Afterward, she would either sneak glances at him or retreat home. Her life ran on a straight line.
And sure enough, when Naruto perched on the sturdy branches of a nearby tree, he saw Hinata practicing diligently in the woods, sweat glistening on her brow. Though the Hyūga had their own training grounds, Hinata often slipped away here. Alone, she could train without criticism—and when finished, she could peek at Naruto from afar, lost in thought.
Today, however, the roles were reversed.
Naruto was the one peeking.
"Who's there?"
Hinata froze mid-stance, suddenly aware of eyes watching her. Activating her Byakugan, she leapt forward, fist striking toward the figure hiding behind the tree trunk—Naruto himself!
Before Hinata could even restrain herself, the force of her Gentle Fist strike was already unleashed. The Byakugan could pierce through anything—organs, meridians, even tree trunks. At this distance, there was no way Naruto's presence could be hidden from her.
The moment Hinata realized it was Naruto she had struck at, panic flooded her heart. She desperately tried to withdraw her palm, but it was too late. She had been practicing Taijutsu at full strength, and the explosive speed of her strike left no room for hesitation.
Her chest tightened with dread—if this palm actually hit him, she'd wound the boy she loved most. At the very last second, Naruto leapt back, dodging her strike with ease.
Hinata's relief came crashing over her like a tidal wave.
The principles of the Gentle Fist were precise, almost like Wing Chun's inch punch—every follow-up step and point of impact was already calculated at the moment of release.
But against Naruto, her beloved, how could she ever continue? She had nearly twisted her own movements just to prevent the strike from landing. Even if she dislocated her waist, she would never allow herself to harm him!
"Ah… N-Naruto-kun… you… w-why are you here…?"
Her voice trembled. Her porcelain face flushed crimson, blooming into the deep red of a ripe tomato. Embarrassment overwhelmed her delicate features until she looked fragile enough to break with a touch.
Her heart raced. Was she dreaming? Why had her beloved suddenly appeared in front of her like this? She wanted to pinch herself to confirm, yet she was terrified—if this was a dream, she might wake up and he would vanish.
Naruto scratched the back of his head and grinned. "Haha, Hinata, you're amazing! You even sensed me hiding behind that tree. You've gotten really strong!" He gave her a thumbs-up, his smile bright and genuine.
Hinata nearly collapsed on the spot. This was the first time—aside from when Naruto had saved her as a child—that they had actually spoken face-to-face. And now he was praising her?
Her mind whirled in chaos.
I almost hit him… what if I'd hurt him? Oh no… I'm ruined! What will Naruto-kun think of me now? But wait—he praised me? He really praised me! Ahhh, what do I do? My head feels dizzy… my body feels light… I was praised by Naruto-kun!!!
Her vision blurred, her thoughts a whirlwind of joy and panic.
Woo… Naruto-kun… I… I…
...
TN:
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