Konoha's Genius is a bit Ordinary?

At this moment, "Orochi-Kabuto" examined his new body with golden eyes, then looked over at Guren and approached her.

"Lord Orochimaru," Guren said, clutching her stomach, trying to rise and bow, but in the end, she couldn't stand.

Such was the damage of the Rasengan, a technique that inflicted more severe personal injury than even Chidori.

Of course, this was partly because Chidori isn't only focused on damage output; it emphasizes enhanced movement and powerful penetration.

Often, where the Rasengan struggles to break defenses, Chidori can penetrate with ease.

However, when the Rasengan breaks through and hits an enemy directly, the internal damage it causes far exceeds the single-point penetration of Chidori.

This was why Guren was so gravely injured—she had taken a Rasengan enhanced with the Nine-Tails' chakra directly to her stomach.

If not for the crystals she hurriedly formed with her Crystal Release as a shield and the outer crystallization on her body, most of her internal organs might have been completely pulverized, killing her instantly.

Even so, Guren was in agony, with her organs severely damaged.

"Orochi-Kabuto" crouched down, placed his hand on her stomach, and a green healing light appeared on his hand.

It was… a medical jutsu, and a highly advanced one!

Guren's eyes widened in shock. After her injuries were slightly relieved under "Orochi-Kabuto's" treatment, she mustered the strength to push him away and questioned him loudly.

"Who exactly are you—Lord Orochimaru or Kabuto?!"

As far as Guren knew, Lord Orochimaru was not skilled in such advanced medical jutsu!

"Hehe, Guren, there's no need to be so wary," came Orochimaru's voice from "Orochi-Kabuto's" mouth.

At this, Guren relaxed slightly, but then she heard Orochimaru continue.

"But even I didn't expect you to make this choice, Kabuto."

Guren was puzzled. Why did Lord Orochimaru sound as if he were asking Kabuto a question? Kabuto should already be gone…

Then, she heard a voice that shook her to her core.

"Apologies, Lord Orochimaru. I had no other choice," Kabuto's voice emerged from "Orochi-Kabuto's" mouth.

"Hehe, I understand," Orochimaru replied, though he had no choice but to accept it. Even he was unsure of the exact nature of his and Kabuto's current state.

Orochimaru would need to return to one of his hideouts to research their new condition. Were they two souls in one body, or…?

Could this state even be reversed? He had no desire to share a body with anyone.

This situation was very different from his Living Corpse Reincarnation technique. This inseparable fusion of selves was distinctly unpleasant.

"Let's go, Guren," Orochimaru said.

"Y-yes!" Guren, still confused and uncertain, followed Orochimaru, though it seemed clear that this was indeed Lord Orochimaru.

As they walked, Orochimaru pondered not the issue of his body with Kabuto but his future plans.

Even with Kabuto's fusion, he could still feel weakness within his cells—a consequence of the Rasenshuriken's cellular-level attack, which Orochimaru hadn't anticipated.

A slight frown crossed Orochimaru's face as a peculiar thought struck him. His opponent had acted with such familiarity toward him and even developed a jutsu tailored to his weakness. Could it be just a coincidence…?

Setting aside the suspicion, Orochimaru knew he'd need some time to recover and study his new body. After that…

How could he plunge the shinobi world into chaos?

Disrupting Konoha directly was no longer an option. Orochimaru recalled everything, a chill gleaming in his gaze as the name of the one who had repeatedly thwarted his plans resurfaced in his mind.

Natsuro Shindōkawa!

To disturb the shinobi world most effectively, he knew it was best to target the village at the pinnacle—just as when the First Hokage and Madara Uchiha passed away, Konoha's dominance had been questioned, and the other villages had lost their fear.

If the First Hokage had still been alive, which village would dare to challenge Konoha?

Now, it was the same situation. As the victor of the Third Shinobi War and the acknowledged strongest village, Konoha's "fall" would undoubtedly incite Hidden Cloud's aggression. A clash between these two villages would drag the remaining, smaller villages into conflict.

Since his plan to destabilize Konoha had failed, he'd need to devise a new strategy to disrupt the shinobi world. But where should he start?

The Hidden Stone Village? Or the Hidden Mist?

Lost in thought, Orochi-Kabuto and Guren's figures gradually vanished into the forest.

....

Natsuro knew nothing of the events between Orochimaru and Kabuto. If he did, he'd likely be shocked by his own achievements.

At this moment, Natsuro assumed Orochimaru and Kabuto had sustained some injuries and simply fled.

Currently, Natsuro and his group had returned to an inn, sitting together.

"Natsuro, why do you have the summoning contract for Ryuchi Cave? As far as I know, that contract should be in Orochimaru's possession," Jiraiya finally asked, taking advantage of the setting to voice his confusion.

After all, to Jiraiya, it seemed unbelievable. Would Orochimaru hand over his summoning scroll to Natsuro? Impossible!

Even if he did, Orochimaru would have known that Natsuro had signed the contract with Ryuchi Cave, and he would have been prepared for it. The outcome of the recent fight might have turned out differently.

"I received it at Mount Myoboku. Not only Ryuchi Cave, but I also have the summoning contract for Shikkotsu Forest," Natsuro replied, glancing at the small slug on Tsunade's shoulder.

"Yes, I can confirm that what Natsuro-sama said is true," Katsuyu said in a gentle voice.

Both Jiraiya and Tsunade were stunned, looking at Natsuro with a new sense of awe. He had signed contracts with all three of the great summoning realms.

Did he carry some sort of mission or destiny? Otherwise, how could one person sign contracts with all three holy lands?

Filled with questions, Jiraiya chose not to pursue the matter further. Anything more would likely involve secrets, and even as Natsuro's teacher, there were limits to what he could ask.

Naruto looked at the two shocked Sannin and then at the suddenly quiet room.

He didn't fully understand the significance of what they had just discussed, but since everyone was silent, could he speak up?

"Natsuro, Natsuro!" Naruto called out loudly.

"Hmm? What's up?" Natsuro looked at him curiously.

"Natsuro, I want to learn that move too! It was so cool, so powerful!" Naruto exclaimed, eyes shining as he recalled the spectacle of the Rasenshuriken.

"Hey, that's not something you can learn right now," Jiraiya interjected, exasperated.

"You mean Wind Release: Rasenshuriken, right? Sure, you can learn it," Natsuro replied without hesitation. Since Naruto was the one who originally developed it, it was natural for him to pass it on.

"Awesome! You're the best, Natsuro! Unlike Pervy Sage!" Naruto jumped up, shouting happily.

"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?" Jiraiya protested, frowning as he considered the Rasenshuriken's name, thinking the shuriken-like spin was fitting.

"Earlier, I had to beg Pervy Sage multiple times just to teach me the Rasengan, and it's nowhere near as powerful as the Rasenshuriken," Naruto bluntly replied, comparing the two without sparing Jiraiya's feelings.

"Hmph! Brat! That jutsu isn't something you can handle right now! It's an advanced version of the Rasengan! Have you even mastered that yet?" Jiraiya yelled, a vein popping on his forehead.

"Huh? Really?" Naruto blinked, scratching his head as he looked at Natsuro.

Natsuro nodded. "The Rasenshuriken is indeed a higher-level jutsu that combines the Rasengan with Wind Release nature transformation, so you'll need to master the Rasengan first and then learn Wind Release nature transformation before you can try it."

"Huh?" Naruto scratched his head and asked, "What's Wind Release nature transformation?"

At that, Tsunade, who was drinking nearby, couldn't help but laugh and said, "You can't even use the Rasengan yet or understand basic nature transformation, and you want to learn that jutsu? I think you'd better just go to bed!"

"Who says? I already know the Rasengan!" Naruto glared at Tsunade.

"Oh? Lying isn't a good habit," Tsunade said, sipping her drink. She hadn't noticed Naruto using the Rasengan with the Nine-Tails' chakra earlier, as her attention had been focused on Orochimaru.

"You! I'm not lying, you old lady!" Naruto, now both doubted and accused of lying, got angry.

At the word "old lady," a vein popped on Tsunade's forehead.

So, both Naruto and Tsunade stormed outside. Naruto was determined to prove he could use the Rasengan and make her apologize, while Tsunade was ready to give this kid, who kept calling her "old lady," a harsher lesson this time!

Shizune, looking left and right, hurriedly followed after them.

As Naruto was about to leave, Natsuro thought for a moment and said, "Naruto, remember this: if one person can't do it alone, two can work together."

Naruto paused, not fully understanding, but nodded anyway.

Natsuro believed Naruto wasn't lying, but Naruto hadn't fully learned the Rasengan before their recent battle. So, had he used it during the fight?

Natsuro recalled the Nine-Tails' chakra covering Naruto throughout the battle. With the Nine-Tails' power, he might have pulled it off, even with one hand.

However, since this wasn't a life-or-death situation, Naruto was unlikely to use the Nine-Tails' chakra now, which was why he offered the reminder.

Of course, Natsuro still believed that the Shadow Clone was just an aid, and Naruto would eventually need to master the Rasengan without it. He'd also reminded Naruto to continue working on his Wind Armor.

But it would take time, one step at a time, as Naruto's single-minded focus required lots of practice to move forward.

Now, only Natsuro and Jiraiya, who Natsuro had asked to stay behind, were left in the inn.

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Currently on Chapter 215 - A Strange Orochimaru!?