Konoha: Starting with a sign-in for Hashirama cells

No matter how damaged the body is, it can use an external body as a substitute, shedding itself like a molting process, becoming brand new and restored to its original state.

What's most infuriating is that this move consumes very little energy, only for Orochimaru.

If someone else were to use it, the energy consumption would be ridiculously high.

"Naruto-kun, I'm sorry, although you are stronger than me now, the scales of victory have been tipping in my favor from the very beginning." Orochimaru smiled and clasped his hands together.

"Spirit Transformation Technique, a technique that attacks and kills the soul, has nothing to do with the body or chakra. You can't see it, and you can't defend against it. The battle is over."

Kato Dan and Nawaki's consciousnesses were erased; it turned out the talisman had been implanted in their bodies long ago.

Nawaki used kunai to ambush Tsunade, causing her to bleed even more and further provoking her, causing her to completely lose her reason and will to fight.

This is necessary to prevent Tsunade from causing trouble with sealing techniques.

At the same time, Kato Dan's soul left his body.

Since it has no physical form, the soul is unaffected by gravity and air resistance, and its speed is incredibly fast. In the blink of an eye, it arrives in front of Naruto.

Naruto couldn't sense the soul, let alone the danger, so the idea of ​​escaping was meaningless.

However, his body has an unusually keen sense of danger, which results in Naruto inexplicably jumping to the side.

"!?" Orochimaru.

They considered it a coincidence and continued to control Kato Dan's attacks.

Then Naruto appeared, performing a bizarre and inexplicable dance while rushing towards them at an extremely fast speed.

"You can sense the soul!"

Naruto's response was a small Tailed Beast Ball.

This time it was even more ruthless. He used the Nine-Tails' chakra to create a hand, pried open Orochimaru's mouth, stuffed the Tailed Beast Ball inside, and then closed his mouth again.

Protected by the Nine-Tails' chakra, Naruto didn't need to retreat; he simply waited for the explosion at close range.

Boom!

"He's not dead yet? He's pulverized to pieces!" Naruto used his Chakra Sensing Technique to sense Orochimaru's life force and chakra reaction.

When they arrived at Kabuto's side, the life force and chakra response were much weaker than before.

"We need to find a suitable reincarnation vessel quickly. The rejection reaction is getting stronger and stronger. This body won't last much longer," Orochimaru said hoarsely.

"The loss of my soul in both legs is still having some impact on me. I need to break that sealing technique as soon as possible and restore my soul."

"Also, I need survivors of the Uzumaki clan for research."

"I need to find a way to capture a tailed beast. I also want to study the power of tailed beasts."

"Lord Orochimaru, the most urgent matter is..." Before Kabuto could finish speaking, Orochimaru, who had transformed into a small white snake, burrowed into his mouth, establishing a dual connection between his body and chakra.

They escaped this place through reverse spiritual communication at Ryūchi-dō.

Immediately following was a small Tailed Beast Ball, which arrived with a bang.

Chapter 90 The Unexpected Engagement

Orochimaru left decisively, leaving Naruto with a problem.

His consciousness was erased, and he used a spiritification technique to attack Kato Dan single-mindedly.

Those resurrected through the Impure World Reincarnation technique possess immortality and unlimited chakra.

As long as Orochimaru, the user, does not deactivate or change the attack command, Kato Dan will continue to attack Naruto until he is killed.

Kato Dan, whose soul is separated from his body, cannot be destroyed or sealed away; it is of no use.

For Naruto, who doesn't yet have Truth-Seeking Balls, this situation is practically unsolvable.

"It seems there's no other way but to wait for Orochimaru to undo the Impure World Reincarnation," Naruto thought to himself.

With a blood-soaked body on her shoulder, Tsunade, suffering from hemophobia and trembling, rushed to find Jiraiya.

Tsunade was handed over to Shizune for treatment, and Jiraiya was also tasked with sealing Nawaki, who was chasing Tsunade.

While dodging Kato Dan's soul attacks using his passive instincts, Naruto explained the situation to Jiraiya.

He didn't mention anything about passive instincts, only that he could sense the soul.

Jiraiya's expression was solemn: "How this Impure World Reincarnation works is unknown. It's impossible to determine whether it will stop attacking after losing you as its target, or continue attacking indiscriminately."

"If it is the latter, it would be nothing short of a disaster, even for me. I cannot sense the soul, I cannot escape it, and my only fate is death."

"By the way, let's test it with a rope tree."

First, have Shizune escort Tsunade out of sight and hide her. Then, Jiraiya should unseal Nawaki.

Seeing the lifeless look in Nawaki's eyes as he glanced around before falling silent and remaining still, Jiraiya's eyes lit up.

"Losing the designated target means ceasing the attack. Naruto, go to Mount Myōboku and stay there until the Impure World Reincarnation is lifted."

Knowing about the existence of soul attacks, Naruto couldn't relax and always felt a sense of crisis. This mindset prevented him from triggering his passive instincts.

Once the illusion of self-deception and forgetting the sense of crisis wears off, he will be in danger.

The timing must be precise. During the window of opportunity when the illusion is about to end, one must unleash a burst of speed to prevent Kato Dan from catching up, and then activate the illusion again to deceive oneself.

Only in this way can safety be guaranteed.

Safety can be ensured, but it's such a hassle and seriously affects one's life.

With no other options, Naruto had no choice but to head to Mount Myōboku. Before leaving, he brought a large amount of food, preparing to stay there for an extended period.

Unexpectedly, less than half an hour later, news came from Jiraiya that the Impure World Reincarnation had been lifted and he could go back.

When Naruto returned from Mount Myōboku, he saw Tsunade kneeling in front of two unfamiliar corpses, her face still wet with tears, lost in thought.

Jiraiya waved from outside the door.

Seeing this, Naruto tiptoed out and closed the door behind him.

"The Spirit Transformation Technique is truly amazing. Even after the Impure World Reincarnation is dispelled, it can still linger for a while." Still feeling the effects of the drug, Jiraiya, looking weak and exhausted, leaned against the wall as he walked, speaking softly.

"Hopefully, her encouragement and guidance can cure her hemophobia."

"If that's really the case, that would be great," Shizune whispered.

"The reason why Lady Tsunade left the village was because of hemophobia. As a medical ninja, being unable to see blood is no different from being useless."

"Without hemophobia, Lady Tsunade would definitely go back, whether she becomes Hokage or not."

Naruto didn't interrupt; he was pondering how to get the Yin Seal and the Hundred Healings Technique from Tsunade, both of which are S-rank ninjutsu.

It was 4:17 PM.

Tsunade walked out of the room, went into the bathroom to tidy herself up, and then, looking radiant and full of energy, called out to the three people and the pig: "Let's go back to the village."

"Lady Tsunade..." Shizune looked over expectantly.

"So? What's your decision?" Jiraiya asked.

"Until a suitable candidate becomes available to succeed the Sixth Hokage, I will do my best as the Fifth Hokage," Tsunade said with a smile.

~~~

It has been twenty-four days since the day I left Konoha.

After being away for more than half a month, I returned to Konoha.

Upon seeing the gates of Konoha in the distance, Naruto couldn't wait to speed up.

"Hey! You haven't registered yet! Come back!" The ninja guarding the gate was taken aback and hurriedly said.

"The people behind me will help me register," Naruto said without turning his head, already running far away.

When Naruto returned home, he expected it to be dirty and require cleaning, but he was surprised to find that the house was spotless.

There's a sticky note in the most conspicuous spot on the wall.

"Brother-in-law, how much longer until you come back?"

The next thing he saw was a blank stare.

Naruto rubbed his face.

Hinata didn't have time, and it probably wasn't Hanabi either. It's highly likely that the branch family maids were the main force, with Hanabi helping out as a side job.

Hyuga family.

Dojo.

Carrying gifts for Hinata and Hanabi, Naruto followed behind the branch family maids as they arrived, his mind filled with questions.

"Please come in." The maid from the branch family opened the door and nodded in greeting.

Naruto swallowed hard and stepped inside.

Behind him, the maid from the branch family closed the door and quietly left.

The huge dojo only had four people in total, including him: Hinata, her father, and her grandfather.

“Naruto Uzumaki,” Hiashi said.

"Yes." Naruto nodded.

"Do you like Hinata?" Hiashi asked.

Hinata lowered her head, her face flushed, and started fidgeting with her fingers.

"I like it," Naruto said.

"Is it okay if we get engaged now and then get married when we turn eighteen?" Hiashi asked.

"Huh! Now?" Naruto was taken aback. "May I ask, what is the reason for this consideration?"

"We'll know after you and Hinata get engaged," Hiashi said.

"I see." Naruto glanced at Hinata, then looked at Hiashi, and said thoughtfully, "I understand. We'll do as you say. I have no questions."

“Considering your sensitive status, I don’t want Hinata to stand out or attract too much attention right now,” Hiashi said.

"Just offer us a toast together with Hinata."

Everything was readily available; it seems they had prepared in advance.