Kazahana City, Central Square.
The enthusiastic cheers rolled in like a tsunami, wave after wave, refusing to subside for a long time.
Standing in the crowd, Sakura Haruno held a manuscript of materials given to her by Orochimaru in her arms.
She raised her head, looking at the figure revered by thousands on the big screen, and then glanced at the smiling faces around her.
Her originally wavering heart finally settled at this moment, and she completely made up her mind.
"Is this... the path chosen by Naruto-kun?"
Sakura muttered to herself, feeling that she understood a little.
Although his methods were somewhat cruel and his path was filled with thorns, looking at these people who had survived because of him—
The confusion in her eyes gradually dissipated, replaced by an unprecedented determination.
"If light cannot save everything—"
"In order to stand by that person's side and no longer be a burden who only knows how to cry, I am willing to step into this darkness."
On the other side, at the edge of the crowd.
"The sun—"
Kakashi lowered his forehead protector, covering his complex Sharingan, and smiled bitterly in his heart.
The sun could indeed bring warmth and vitality.
But if one got too close, those overbearing flames would mercilessly scorch and incinerate all dissidents.
"Naruto has completely embarked on a path I cannot understand."
Kakashi looked at that retreating figure and muttered inwardly.
"Is this a blessing for the ninja world, or the beginning of a disaster?"
He sighed; the sky of this ninja world was truly changing.
"Did you see that, Haku?"
Zabuza, who had come to attend the celebration, grinned, revealing a cryptic smile.
"This is true rule."
"There is no need for cruel Blood Mist policies like the Mizukage's."
"Just give these pigs a little sweetness, and they will put the ropes around their necks themselves while shouting 'long live'."
"Lord Naruto is gentle."
Haku smiled, his eyes clear.
"He gave these people the dignity to survive."
Meanwhile.
In the secret laboratory.
There were no flowers or applause here, only the cold hum of running machinery and sickening body parts suspended inside glass jars.
"The light of the northern realm— Heh heh heh—"
Orochimaru's hoarse laughter echoed in the laboratory, his golden slitted pupils full of playfulness.
"Naruto-kun, your speech is getting more and more inflammatory; even I was almost moved to tears."
"We are merely taking what we need from each other."
"Since they need faith and hope, I shall become their faith and hope."
Naruto took off the trench coat that symbolized his leadership, tossed it aside casually, and his expression returned to a cold, stern look.
Under the pale light, Orochimaru carefully held a cylindrical glass container.
The bottom of the container was covered with a layer of slowly crawling white flesh—these were activated White Zetsu cells.
Embedded on that pale piece of flesh was a crimson eyeball.
The eyeball had complex Mangekyo patterns, but it looked dull and turbid, as if it could collapse at any moment.
"This is what you wanted, Naruto-kun."
Orochimaru gazed eagerly at the work in his hand and explained.
"This was created through forcefully cloning and artificially ripening Shisui's Sharingan, combined with the vitality of White Zetsu cells—"
"We failed a full six hundred times and consumed a massive amount of resources before finally obtaining these three finished products."
"Even so, they are still extremely unstable defective products."
Orochimaru handed the container to Naruto.
"They are extremely fragile, almost unable to leave this special culture dish."
"Let alone transplanting them into a human body, even if they are removed from the nutrient solution for five minutes, they will die immediately."
"More importantly, their optic nerve circuits are very fragile."
"Once the Dojutsu is activated, a massive amount of chakra will instantly burn down the eyeball's structure."
"In other words—this is an extremely expensive, disposable spiritual bomb."
Naruto looked at the eyeball, but a look of satisfaction appeared on his face.
"This is enough."
A mass-produced Uchiha army was not urgent for now; right now, he only needed a key that could pry open the hearts of the strong.
"As long as it can change the will of a Kage-level powerhouse, the previous investment was worth it."
As for the chains—
Yugito Nii's mediocre aptitude was not worthy of occupying a precious spot among them.
Naruto took the heavy culture dish and turned to walk deeper into the laboratory.
There, on a special operating table, Yugito Nii was tightly immobilized by chakra restraints.
Although she had undergone simple treatment, she was still in a deep coma.
Her brows were tightly furrowed, as if she was experiencing a painful battle even in her dreams.
"Wake up."
Naruto formed hand seals with one hand, and a stimulating chakra rushed into Yugito's brain region, forcibly awakening her consciousness.
At the same time, his other hand opened the container and pulled out the crimson eyeball.
The Hōgyoku on his chest emitted a faint, deep-blue light, providing terrifying chakra support for the upcoming Dojutsu.
"Ugh—"
Yugito opened her eyes, her body instinctively attempting to move, only to find herself tightly restricted.
Just as she was about to curse angrily, Naruto's cold voice drilled into her ears.
"Look at me."
Subconsciously, her gaze met the crimson eyeball in Naruto's hand.
Kotoamatsukami!
A faint green light that could not be captured by the naked eye instantly pierced into Yugito's mental defenses.
The eyeball in Naruto's hand trembled crazily, as if all its vitality had been overdrawn.
Afterward, it turned grayish-white and shriveled at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Finally, with a soft "pop" sound, it exploded into a pool of rotten flesh, completely scrapped.
This treasure, built up with a massive amount of resources, had thus turned into a pile of garbage.
But the effect was remarkable.
On the operating table, Yugito's eyes, which were originally filled with murderous intent, anger, and struggle, instantly turned blank.
Her brain was experiencing a storm.
Memories were reorganized, logic was rewritten, and beliefs were reshaped.
A few seconds later.
Her vacant eyes refocused, transforming into an absolute determination.
In her rewritten cognition: the decadent ninja world was bound to be destroyed.
For the tranquility and peace of the world, obeying the plans of the lord in front of her was the only way out.
This belief was so deeply ingrained that it felt like her innate mission.
"How do you feel?"
Naruto casually tossed the discarded container full of blood aside to Kabuto Yakushi, and he took out a handkerchief to wipe his hands.
Yugito blinked, feeling the unshakable belief in her brain.
She no longer struggled.
This proud Two-Tails Jinchuriki lowered her head with difficulty against the restraints, her voice weak yet extremely respectful.
"Everything... for the greater good."
She raised her head, her eyes fanatical.
"I understand, Lord Naruto."
"I will return to Kumogakure, lurk beside the Raikage, and await your call."
Seeing this scene, Orochimaru couldn't help but let out a sigh of exclamation.
Even with this degraded version of a disposable item, combined with Naruto's Hōgyoku, it could still achieve such a heaven-defying effect—
"Very good."
Naruto pushed up his glasses, looking at the perfect masterpiece before him.
"Kabuto, help her deal with her wounds."
"Make it look more realistic, as if she desperately broke out after experiencing a cruel battle."
Naruto turned and left, but his voice still echoed in the room.
"And then—let her 'escape' back."
"Now is not the time to go to all-out war with Kumogakure."