---
Naruto chuckled and said, "Isn't this just my desire for the truth?"
Orochimaru sighed and replied, "Although the Living Corpse Reincarnation Technique is impressive, it has two major flaws. First, using it requires a fresh body every few years. You might've noticed I've always been searching for a suitable vessel—Uchiha Itachi and Sasuke were among the ideal candidates I once pursued.
Secondly, the cooldown period for the Reanimation Jutsu—Impure World Reincarnation—is far too long. After using it once, it takes years before it can be performed again. That's why I often rely on Body Replacement Techniques during battle to escape critical situations."
Hearing this, Naruto nodded slightly. This corpse transfer method indeed had its merits and complications.
Orochimaru looked at Naruto with a playful smile. "So? Are you interested?"
Naruto returned a grin. "Just curious. After all, more preparation means more paths forward."
Just as he turned to leave, Naruto felt one of his Flying Thunder God seals being activated rapidly. His expression shifted slightly. "Excuse me, Uncle Snake."
Orochimaru gave a slight nod, and Naruto vanished with a flicker, using the Hiraishin no Jutsu.
---
In Konohagakure, Naruto landed silently on the rooftop of the Hyūga estate, puzzled as to why Hinata had summoned him with such urgency. Confused, Naruto transformed into a member of the Hyūga clan using the Transformation Jutsu, leapt down, and walked into the main hall unnoticed.
"Hinata, think about the Hyūga clan! Your father, Hiashi-sama, is also under pressure."
At the center of the hall, Hyūga Hiashi remained silent, caught in deep thought.
Hinata replied coldly, "I've already said it—I will never marry anyone other than Naruto. Not in this lifetime!"
"You—!"
The Hyūga elders stood in outrage. To them, Naruto was now a rogue shinobi—having captured Killer Bee, the jinchūriki of the Eight-Tails—thus infuriating the Raikage of Kumogakure beyond reason.
The Raikage had even personally appealed to the Daimyō of the Land of Lightning and sent a formal diplomatic ultimatum to Konohagakure.
Either Naruto returns Killer Bee to Kumogakure, or he marries the Hyūga clan's heiress, forming an alliance through political marriage. Otherwise, the Hidden Cloud would not support any reformation of the Allied Shinobi Forces and might even declare war against the Leaf.
Though Konoha's diplomatic team tried to reason with the Raikage—stressing that the Akatsuki Organization remained the real threat—Raikage refused to yield. His obsession with recovering his younger brother had consumed him.
The Hyūga elder continued, "Hinata, I've watched you grow up. I never wanted you to marry outside the village, but circumstances have changed. This isn't the same Konoha as before. A major battle just occurred!
Akatsuki remains a threat. Even if they suffered losses, we can't guarantee they won't retaliate.
We claim to have allied with other villages, but what if those alliances crumble? If Akatsuki and Kumogakure unite, Konoha could be reduced to ruins, and countless lives will be lost!"
Hinata wiped her tears and declared, "No. If that happens, Naruto will protect us. No one in this world can defeat my Naruto. I believe in him!"
The elder sighed. "If Naruto were still in the village, I wouldn't object. But he's labeled a missing-nin now. We don't know his true intentions. Can we really entrust the fate of the clan to someone like that?"
Hyūga Neji stepped forward. "Naruto hasn't changed. He's still the same shinobi who fought to protect Konoha. Remember—Akatsuki's recent attack was an attempt to break Naruto's will by destroying his home!
If Naruto didn't care about Konoha, he wouldn't have fought back. He wouldn't have made enemies of the Akatsuki.
And if they truly could capture Naruto, they wouldn't have needed to resort to such destruction. That proves even Akatsuki can't defeat him!"
Hinata's heart swelled with gratitude at her cousin's support.
The clan elder glared at Neji and snapped, "This is a matter for the main house. Branch house members should know their place!"
Neji's expression darkened, his fists clenched as the curse mark on his forehead pulsed faintly.
Hiashi coughed, signaling silence. "Enough. This decision shouldn't be rushed. We should consult the Hokage before making any final judgments."
The elder frowned. "But—"
Hinata anxiously glanced toward the door. Why hasn't he arrived yet?
At that moment, Naruto snorted quietly and walked out from the shadows. "For the most powerful clan in Konoha, you've become cowards. Using your women to maintain peace? How disgraceful."
The room erupted.
"How dare you speak like this to the Hyūga!"
"This violates the clan's code!"
"Such arrogance!"
Naruto dismissed their fury with a wave. With a flick of his hand, he dispelled his Transformation Jutsu and unsealed the chakra suppression on his cloak. Clad in the black-and-white garb of the mysterious Heavenly Organization, he now stood in the Hyūga meeting hall in his true form.
The room fell into stunned silence.
"That's... Naruto!"
"And those eyes—Rinnegan?!"
"It's him! He's the one who helped repel the enemy!"
"But his chakra isn't golden—"
"Idiot! That golden form was Kyuubi's cloak. This is his real body!"
Naruto scanned the crowd. Many of these people had fought beside his shadow clones during the Fourth Shinobi World War. It was Naruto's instruction that helped uncover how Zetsu could deceive even the Byakugan.
He nodded to them, and they instinctively responded, remembering the bond forged in battle.
"Naruto-kun!"
Hinata ran to him, throwing herself into his arms. Naruto held her close, burying his face in her hair and whispering, "It's okay now. I'm here."
Hyūga Neji coughed and stepped forward awkwardly. "Naruto."
Naruto smirked. "Oi, brother-in-law. That speech earlier was solid!"
Neji turned red. "You idiot! Baka! I haven't even agreed to give you my cousin's hand, and you're already calling me brother-in-law?"
Naruto waved it off. "It's only a matter of time."
Hinata blushed deeply, her heart overflowing. Now that Naruto was here, all her fear melted away. He was her god, her protector.
Suddenly, the elder slammed his cane against the floor. "You yellow-haired brat! How dare you rampage in the Hyūga compound!"
Naruto's Rinnegan flared. A dense, oppressive killing intent filled the air.
Everyone present who had once witnessed his strength trembled. They remembered the sight of him flattening entire battlefields with a single Rasenshuriken or summoning the powers of the Sage of Six Paths.
Some Hyūga clan members began inching toward the door. "I wasn't here today," one of them whispered to a comrade.
"I didn't see anything. Let's go before something explodes…"
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