Seeing Naruto bring up the topic, Orochimaru knew he couldn't avoid it.
Even though Naruto said he wasn't referring to him, Orochimaru still felt compelled to express his stance.
"Kabuto was once my subordinate. He was diligent and exceptionally talented in both medical ninjutsu and regular ninjutsu. After my death, he inherited many of my experimental results. As for how far he has developed now… I can't say for certain."
Naruto smiled faintly and said, "Uncle Snake, he's already surpassed you—he's become a dragon."
"What!!!" Orochimaru's eyes widened in disbelief. "Naruto, how do you know that?"
Naruto crossed his arms over his chest. Drawing from the memories of his past life and his superficial interactions with Kabuto, he could easily deduce it.
He looked directly at Orochimaru. "After fighting him, I saw that Kabuto has already evolved—he's transformed from a snake into a dragon. He's achieved Perfect Sage Mode. Just like me—except I trained under the Great Toad Sage at Mount Myōboku, and he's the Snake Sage from Ryūchi Cave."
Orochimaru was momentarily stunned, then gave a small smile, even feeling a bit gratified.
He truly hadn't expected Kabuto to actually train in Ryūchi Cave and master Sage Mode.
Back then, he had yearned for that power. But his body was too frail to withstand the natural energy.
For a moment, Orochimaru felt emotional. He never thought Kabuto would be the one to truly inherit his legacy.
Then, seemingly having made a decision, Orochimaru looked at Naruto and said, "Naruto, let me handle Kabuto. After all, I trained him myself. I should be the one to bring this to an end."
Naruto's smile returned. "Uncle Snake, I understand what you're thinking. But no. You're no longer in your prime battle form—you're not one of the Legendary Sannin anymore. Against Kabuto now, you'd be no match for him. I've got someone better suited for the job."
With that, Naruto looked toward Itachi and Shisui. "Every technique has a weakness. Even Impure World Reincarnation can be broken—its undead army is powerful, but if the summoner is eliminated, the jutsu collapses."
Itachi nodded in agreement.
He had always believed that no technique was invincible. Every jutsu had flaws—what mattered was the ability to analyze and discover them.
However, most people became overwhelmed by the terrifying display of ninjutsu and failed to keep their wits about them, missing the critical weaknesses.
Why was the Uchiha Clan so powerful? Yes, the Sharingan could perceive enemy attacks and decipher jutsu—but more than that, it gave its users immense confidence. That belief in their vision often allowed them to pierce through the facade of any ninjutsu.
Naruto continued, "Itachi, Shisui—Kabuto is your target. I leave him to you two. Analyze his jutsu and find a way to defeat him."
The two nodded in acknowledgment.
In the previous timeline, Itachi and his younger brother Sasuke had subdued Kabuto together. This time, with his older brother Shisui by his side, Naruto was confident it would be even easier.
"Well, I have a request," Orochimaru said, looking around at everyone.
The group turned their attention to him as he continued.
"Kabuto has lived a difficult life. He was an orphan from a young age. To protect his orphanage, he joined Konoha, became a spy, and infiltrated enemy villages. Throughout his life, he struggled to define his identity. He constantly sought external strength, hoping it would help him understand himself, to fill the void within him."
Orochimaru paused for a moment, then spoke with a rare hint of sentimentality.
"For others, becoming stronger is often about proving themselves to others. But for Kabuto… strength was about proving he existed at all. That's why I ask—Itachi, Shisui—if possible, don't kill him. Bring him back alive. I want to give him one last chance to rediscover who he truly is."
Kisame stood silently, listening. Kabuto's story resonated with him.
He, too, had once been a loyal shinobi of Kirigakure—ordered to murder his own comrades. So what did that make him? A ninja? A traitor? A weapon?
In a world so deeply hypocritical, who could say what the true self even was?
It was during that time of confusion that Obito appeared, offering to help him build a world without lies.
Shisui sighed. "He's yet another victim of the village's politics."
Itachi nodded. "I'll be careful."
Naruto also approved. In his past life, Kabuto had been saved by Itachi and, later—with Naruto's help—had gone on to run the orphanage, living peacefully alongside the brother he grew up with.
Seeing that Naruto, Itachi, and Shisui had all agreed, Orochimaru smiled sincerely. "Thank you."
In truth, Orochimaru's desire to face Kabuto had come from selfish motives—one final attempt to save him.
Naruto nodded in satisfaction. "Good. That takes care of the second major threat. Now, the third—Obito has already captured seven of the nine tailed beasts. The remaining ones are Uncle Killer Bee and me. We'll handle that part—no need to worry."
Just then, Orochimaru's expression changed slightly. He turned to Naruto. "You've forgotten someone, haven't you?"
Naruto met Orochimaru's gaze. He immediately knew who he was referring to.
"Yeah… that guy is definitely trouble. But I'm confident I can win against him."
Itachi looked at Naruto's expression and asked anxiously, "Naruto, is this about Sasuke?"
Naruto nodded.
Itachi thought for a moment. "Shisui has been revived thanks to you. Then how about this—I'll go with him and find Sasuke. If Sasuke refuses to come back, I'll have Shisui use Kotoamatsukami to bring him back."
Shisui, understanding how much Sasuke meant to Itachi, nodded. "For your sake, I'll help you bring him back."
Naruto raised his hand, stopping them. "No. I'm afraid it won't be that easy to approach Sasuke now."
Itachi frowned. "Why not?"
Naruto explained, "I'm not entirely sure what Obito's up to, but I can guess. He's likely grooming Sasuke to awaken the Rinnegan—probably to use it against me. You see, the Rinnegan originally belonged to Uchiha Madara, who transplanted it into Nagato. But now, Nagato and I each have one. Obito won't give up on the Rinnegan or the power of the tailed beasts. That's why he's using Sasuke."
Itachi was stunned. "Sasuke can awaken the Rinnegan?"
Naruto nodded. "Yes. Because he and I are both reincarnations of the Sage of Six Paths' sons—Indra and Asura."
Shisui was equally shocked. "What... what is going on here?"
Kisame gave a dry laugh. "Sounds like we're stepping into something seriously dangerous."
Killer Bee and Konan didn't look surprised—they had already heard this from Naruto before.
Seeing their expressions, Naruto began explaining more, sharing crucial information. After a long silence, Itachi was overwhelmed.
So that was why Naruto always said he and Sasuke were like brothers.
They truly were brothers—connected across lifetimes by the will of the Sage of Six Paths.
In this life, Itachi was merely Sasuke's older brother.
Naruto looked at Itachi and said seriously, "I need Sasuke's power. His Rinnegan awakening is part of my plan. He will fight by my side one day. That's why I won't force him with jutsu. I want to win him over myself."
What Naruto didn't say aloud was the deeper reason.
When he was resurrected, the Sage of Six Paths had spoken to him and said farewell—saying it would be the last time. Which meant… the Sage might never appear again.
And if that were the case, then where would he and Sasuke get the power of Yin and Yang?
In the previous life, Sasuke had only awakened the Rinnegan after receiving the Sage's Yin power.
So, to be safe, Naruto needed Obito to guide Sasuke toward awakening it—just as Madara had once done on his own.
Obito, as Madara's successor, had the knowledge and means to replicate the process.
This was precisely why Naruto had prioritized bringing Nagato under his control.
He had to plan for everything—even a world without divine intervention.
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