To obtain Nine-Tails Mode, one must completely tame the Nine-Tails' chakra — fully mastering it and making it one's own.
But Karin had just confronted her own heart.
And right now, she wasn't living according to it.
There were only two ways to change this situation.
First: Follow her heart and go to the Land of Grass to take revenge.
Second: Completely let go of her hatred for the Land of Grass and change her heart.
Naruto's choice, of course, was the first one.
It was simpler — and it meant Karin wouldn't have to suffer through emotional turmoil.
Just as Naruto was about to leave with her, a voice suddenly called out from a distance.
"Hey! You two!"
"Who are you? When did you come here?"
Naruto turned and saw several ninja wearing the forehead protectors of Cloud Village.
This was Turtle Island, a territory controlled by the Hidden Cloud.
Naruto and Karin had arrived uninvited, and the noise they made must have alerted the guards.
Karin, still thinking about the Land of Grass and the Land of Snow, looked nervous when she saw the Cloud ninja. "Naruto, what should we do?" she asked worriedly.
"Don't worry." Naruto raised his hand, creating a Shadow Clone beside him. "Play with them," he instructed.
The clone smirked and walked toward the Cloud ninja.
Meanwhile, Naruto teleported away with Flying Thunder God Technique, taking Karin with him.
Moments later, a loud explosion echoed from above Turtle Island.
Karin was kind by nature, though her past had hardened her somewhat. Even so, she wasn't the type to approve of killing.
Naruto noticed her hesitation and explained calmly, "They're Cloud ninja — they don't count as people."
"Oh, I see~" Karin said softly, as if understanding.
It seemed Naruto had some deep grudge against Cloud Village.
Karin realized — she still didn't know everything about him.
The Land of Grass.
As a small ninja village, it wasn't very crowded.
Everyone entering or leaving had to be registered.
Two figures appeared at the gate and were stopped by the guard.
"You two, stop right there! Registration is required before entry!"
"State your purpose — whether you're here to issue a mission or for something else!"
Naruto halted and looked at the man, holding Karin's hand.
The guard waved impatiently.
Seeing Naruto's calm silence, his eyes shifted to Karin — and widened.
"Ah! It's you, you ungrateful little brat!" he shouted, pointing at her.
"You traitorous ninja! How dare you show your face here again?!"
"The village raised and trained you, and this is how you repay us?"
"I'm reporting you right now! Just wait— you'll learn what happens to—"
Thunk!
A sharp sound cut him off mid-sentence.
Naruto withdrew his Adamantine Sealing Chains from the man's skull, his voice flat: "Let's go."
Karin lowered her head, fists trembling.
She had always harbored hatred for this village, but she had buried it deep for years — too afraid to face it.
Now, her suppressed emotions finally burst out.
Her breathing grew rapid, anger shaking her body.
The guard's death caused chaos. Other ninja near the gate rushed to the scene.
But they were weak — far too weak.
To Naruto, they were barely even ninja, more like civilians who'd learned to mold chakra poorly.
No matter how many came, they were all slaughtered in moments.
Before long, dozens of Grass ninja lay dead at the entrance.
Naruto took Karin's hand and walked calmly into the village.
Soon, word spread throughout the Land of Grass.
The ninja village had been attacked — its entire force annihilated.
Civilians fled in panic, the scene descending into chaos.
The Daimyo of the Land of Grass sent samurai to maintain order, but to little effect.
Other small villages, long-time rivals of the Grass Village, took the chance to strike.
Without its ninja, the Land of Grass was doomed.
But none of this had anything to do with Naruto.
At sea.
A ship was sailing toward the Land of Snow.
This time, Naruto didn't use the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Instead, he chose to travel by boat with Karin — to experience a slower, different kind of life.
That night.
Inside their cabin, the gentle rocking of the ship echoed outside, accompanied by the endless sound of the sea.
Inside, beneath a warm blanket, Naruto held the sleeping Karin close, his thoughts drifting to the future.
First, he needed to find a way to increase Karin's strength.
Then, they'd settle down in the Land of Snow.
He also wanted to study whether the illusion from the real waterfall could somehow be used for combat.
If he could master it, he might be able to use it against any opponent with less chakra than him.
No— even against someone stronger, it might work.
After all, as the saying goes: "Darkness makes one ten times stronger."
The reflections born from the waterfall illusion were filled with darkness — unless that person had none to begin with.
And to recreate such an illusion, he'd likely need to master natural energy — also known as Sage Mode.
Naruto didn't plan to learn it through traditional training.
That was far too troublesome.
Instead, he opened his System interface and stared at his nearly stagnant combat power, lost in thought.
He realized he'd been slacking off lately — his self-control had weakened.
After all, this was the first time, in both his past and current life, that he had experienced something so… blissful.
And with Karin being so obedient, agreeing to all his requests…
Plus, both of them were from the Uzumaki Clan, blessed with immense stamina…
Things tended to get carried away.
Naruto looked away from the stats screen and said mentally, "System, start simulation."
This time, his goal was Sage Mode.
He wanted to see if he could refresh the right panel.
[Ding~ The host consumes one simulation chance. Creating character…]
[Random surnames drawn: Yamashita, Yamanaka, Yamakawa…]
Naruto's mouth twitched.
All mountain-related names.
Only Yamanaka was even remotely famous.
"Did I forget to burn incense or something?" he muttered.
Fortunately, Naruto was prepared. He decided to skip this simulation and try again next time — after burning incense.
The result was a mediocre panel, earning an equally mediocre review.
Final score: 3.
He gained Level 3 Physical Enhancement and a Yamanaka Clan Selection Card.
Though unimpressive, he decided to use it anyway.
"System, select the Yamanaka Clan's secret technique."
[Ding~ Host has used Yamanaka Selection Card. Secret Technique acquired: Mind Transfer Series…]
Knowledge about the Yamanaka Clan's mind techniques flooded his head.
Eager to test it, Naruto decided to try it out — though cautiously, unsure about potential side effects.
He wouldn't dare test it on Karin, of course.
Instead, he activated Kagura's Mind Eye, located a crew member on the ship, and cast Mind Transfer Jutsu.
Moments later, his consciousness entered the man's body.
And then — Naruto immediately panicked and canceled the jutsu.
Because the man was… exercising.
When Naruto's mind returned to his body, he heard a loud scream echoing through the ship.
"Ahhh! Honey, what's wrong?! Honey, say something!"
"Help! My husband's broken!"
Naruto's face flushed bright red as he recalled the all-too-real experience.
He whispered apologetically,
"…I'm sorry, big sis."
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