Land of Snow Port.
The long blare of a steam whistle pierced through the swirling snowstorm as a merchant ship bound for the Land of Fire prepared to set sail.
Beside the bustling crowd, a silver-haired figure appeared out of place.
Carrying a simple pack, Kakashi stood by the pier, looking at this metropolis that had risen from nothing in just a few months, complex emotions flashing in his eyes.
"Are you leaving, Kakashi-sensei?"
A calm voice sounded from behind him.
Hearing this voice, Kakashi was not surprised.
In this country, nothing could escape his eyes.
Kakashi did not turn around, merely staring out at the sea with a sigh.
"Yeah. If I don't leave now, I'm afraid I really won't want to leave."
"Everyone here has hope in their eyes—no scheming, no constant threat of sacrifice... To be honest, this is the world I once dreamed of."
Naruto walked up to his side and stood shoulder to shoulder with him, looking out at the busy port as well.
"If so, why leave?"
Naruto turned his head, his tone sincere.
"That ship named Konoha is already about to sink."
"A corrupt system, incompetent high-ups, principles long since decayed..."
"Stay, Kakashi-sensei."
"Whether as the Minister of Education or the Director of the Ninjutsu Development Bureau, there is a position suitable for you here."
"We can... end that old era together."
Facing an invitation tempting enough to sway anyone, Kakashi remained silent for a moment.
In the end, he shook his head.
"A very tempting proposal, Naruto."
"However... I am a ninja of the old era."
Kakashi turned to look at Naruto, the usual laziness in his eyes replaced by a moving resolve.
"My roots are still attached to that rotting tree."
"Obito, Rin, Sensei... their names are all engraved on Konoha's Memorial Stone."
"If I leave too, who will watch over that village for them?"
"Even if it's about to collapse, I have to go back and watch over it... or crumble along with it."
This was Kakashi Hatake.
Although he saw through the darkness, he still chose to embrace the last remaining sliver of light.
Naruto looked at him quietly.
A moment later, Naruto pushed up his glasses, a faint smile curving his lips.
"That is... truly a pity."
"However, I respect your choice."
Saying so, Naruto pulled out a small storage scroll and tossed it over casually.
"Catch."
Kakashi caught it reflexively.
"What is this?"
"A parting gift."
Naruto spoke calmly.
"These are three specially formulated enhancement serums, along with matching instructions for use."
Seeing Kakashi's astonished expression, Naruto turned around and waved a hand behind him.
"Don't misunderstand; I just don't want to see my former teacher die at the hands of small fry for some ridiculous reason."
"Next time we meet, we might be enemies."
"I hope you can... live a bit longer until then."
Kakashi gripped the scroll in his hand, watching the figure walk away into the wind and snow.
After a long while, he murmured softly.
"Same to you, Naruto."
"Don't lose to anyone."
"I also want to see... your new world."
Having seen off Kakashi, Naruto didn't linger long and went straight back to the base.
As soon as he stepped inside, Haku respectfully handed over an encrypted intelligence scroll.
"Lord Naruto, this is urgent intelligence just sent back by Kidōmaru."
Haku reported in a soft voice.
"At the border between Iwagakure and Kusagakure, near Mount Sumeru, traces of the suspected rogue ninja Hiruko have been discovered."
"Hiruko?"
Naruto took the intelligence.
He had some recollection of this name, back when he requested the intelligence department to search the entire ninja world for valuable news.
Traces of Hiruko were one of the main targets, as he seemed to be a ninja from the same era as the Sannin.
"Hehehe... truly a nostalgic name."
From the shadows, Orochimaru stepped out, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
"That guy is quite a capable researcher."
"To compensate for his own lack of talent, he developed a forbidden jutsu called the Chimera Technique, and was eventually wanted by the Third Hokage as a rogue ninja."
"Chimera?"
Naruto looked at Orochimaru.
"A secret technique capable of devouring and integrating ninjas or summoned beasts."
"I searched for him for a long time back then, but couldn't find a single trace."
Orochimaru licked his lips and explained to Naruto.
"Theoretically, this jutsu can break limits, allowing an ordinary person to possess a Bloodline Limit—and even more than one."
Hearing this, a sharp gleam flashed in Naruto's eyes.
Break limits? Fuse bloodlines?
This touched directly upon a current blind spot in their research.
Although the Hōgyoku and Gene Lock could elevate the level of life, how to perfectly fuse multiple high-quality genes into a single individual was something the current research team was still figuring out.
"If we obtain this jutsu, or capture this person—"
Orochimaru spread his hands, excitement showing in his eyes.
"Perhaps we can solve the issue of Bloodline Limit transplantation."
"As for how many types can be fused, or how to solve rejection? We can only find out after bringing him back."
Naruto nodded slightly.
"Transferring Bloodline Limits, or even possessing multiple Bloodline Limits... sounds like it has great potential."
A concept formed in his mind.
"If we combine the defense of Shikotsumyaku, the perception of the Sharingan, and the burst of Jugo... all fused into a body enhanced by the Gene Lock—"
That would no longer be an ordinary warrior.
Naruto stood up, a trace of resolve flashing in his eyes.
"If successful, we can create the envisioned 'Super Warrior Primarch'."
"Prepare yourselves."
Naruto looked at Haku, then glanced at Sai, who was standing by in the shadows.
"Haku, Sai, you two come with me."
"This time, I will personally lead the team to capture Hiruko."
"Eh?"
Haku, Sai, and Orochimaru were all stunned for a moment, somewhat puzzled.
"Naruto-kun, you are going personally?"
Orochimaru was somewhat confused.
"Forgive my bluntness, but although Hiruko mastered a forbidden technique..."
"For prey of this level, Kimimaro or anyone else could bring him back. Why must you personally act?"
Currently, Naruto was the master of the Northern Territory and the core of this entire power.
Personally setting out for a mere Hiruko seemed like an overreaction in Orochimaru's eyes.
"Hiruko is just incidental."
Naruto did not elaborate.
"My trip out this time is mainly to search for something else."
High in the sky.
The biting cold wind howled as several giant ink birds carried the three of them, rapidly sweeping past the cloud layers.
Sai vigilantly observed their surroundings up ahead.
Sitting on the bird's back, Naruto pulled out a worn-out compass.
[Captain Jack's Compass]
This item, which had rarely been used since it was drawn, was now lying quietly in the palm of his hand.
This compass, pointing toward the heart's deepest desire, was the main objective of Naruto's trip.
It pointed unswervingly toward the southwest.
Haku, beside him, noticed Naruto's action and asked curiously.
"Are we looking for something?"
Naruto looked at the needle and slowly shook his head, a playful smile touching his lips.
"To be honest, I don't know what it is either."
"I'm just asking fate to see what surprise it has prepared for me."
He raised his head and looked in the direction pointed by the needle, lost in thought.
That direction crossed the ocean and the Land of Earth, surprisingly overlapping with Hiruko's general location.
"Is it on the way?"
Naruto put away the compass and stood up, letting the wild wind whip against his clothes.
"Interesting."
"Then let's handle Hiruko first and obtain the Chimera Technique."
"And then—"
Gazing out over the distant mountains and rivers, Naruto spoke.
"Following this direction, let me go see what the thing I desire most in my heart... actually is."