After pondering for a moment, Naruto asked Shisui whether he had awakened the Wood Release (Mokuton) kekkei genkai. Shisui shook his head slightly.
That made Naruto a little disappointed. The Uzumaki Curse Seal was a product of combining Ryūchi Cave senjutsu with White Zetsu cells. With Shisui's physical condition, if even he couldn't awaken Wood Release, then the chances for other ninja were probably even lower.
Still… looking at it from another angle, that wasn't entirely bad.
Although Wood Release was an extremely powerful kekkei genkai, the mortality rate during transplantation was ridiculously high. It simply wasn't suitable for large-scale use.
Thinking of this, Naruto's mind drifted to White Zetsu again.
These parasitic, plant-like beings inherited traits from the God Tree. Not only could they supply chakra to a host, but even severe injuries—like missing limbs—could be repaired through transplantation. Compared to the Curse Seal, that was clearly a more advanced and stable option.
As expected, once you start researching chakra technology deeply, it inevitably leads back to the God Tree and the Ōtsutsuki.
Shaking off his wandering thoughts, Naruto led the others to the training ground. They needed more real combat data to evaluate the effects of the Curse Seal and refine future experiments.
After gathering the data, Shisui asked in surprise,
"Can the Curse Seal be implanted more than once?"
Naruto chuckled.
"Of course. The final form of the Curse Seal is basically senjutsu. Think of it like the Sharingan evolving into the Mangekyō Sharingan. Senjutsu and the Sharingan can complement each other."
With that explanation, Shisui immediately understood—and was also a bit shocked.
He had originally thought the Curse Seal only boosted physical ability and allowed limited use of natural energy. He didn't expect it could also enhance the Sharingan.
More importantly… Naruto was willing to use this technology on the Uchiha.
That alone meant something.
It meant the Uchiha were no longer outsiders—they were truly part of the village.
After letting Shisui continue training to get used to the Curse Seal, Naruto turned to Uzumaki Ashina and said with a smile,
"Old man, you've helped me a lot this time. Those new technical talents haven't caused you too much trouble, right?"
"Not really," Ashina replied, stroking his beard. "Though they are very interested in my current state. A few of them even want to study it."
"The Impure World Reincarnation is special," Naruto said seriously. "But don't let them mess with it. The Pure Land isn't something ordinary people should poke at. Even the sages of the holy lands treat it as taboo."
"Hmph, I'm not an idiot. Of course I know that."
Ashina paused, then frowned slightly.
"However, there is something important you need to deal with…"
Naruto's expression turned serious.
"What is it?"
Ashina glanced toward Uzushiogakure and said meaningfully,
"Don't you think there are too many Uchiha in the village… and too few Uzumaki? That's not good for the village's future."
"Uchiha don't have the strength to seize power—"
Naruto started analyzing instinctively, but suddenly paused, his expression turning strange.
"…Old man, are you trying to push me into marriage?"
Ashina smiled calmly.
"You're young, yes—but having an heir early isn't a bad thing."
At the mention of marriage, Karin hurried over, eyes sparkling.
"Menma-sama doesn't have a family? I thought you were already in your thirties with a bunch of kids!"
Naruto's mouth twitched.
He calmly told her his actual age.
The result?
Karin froze on the spot.
She had assumed Naruto was at least in his twenties—maybe even his thirties. But he turned out to be younger than her, not even graduated from the Ninja Academy… and yet he had already founded a country and a village, and could intimidate Kusagakure with a single sentence.
Her brain completely short-circuited.
At the same time, a dangerous thought popped into her head—
If we're about the same age… doesn't that mean I have a chance?
But wait… as a clan member, would I be judged? What would people think…?
Meanwhile, Naruto had absolutely no idea that Karin had already mentally planned half a relationship.
Even if he knew, he probably wouldn't care much.
After all, with someone as outstanding as him, it would be weird if girls weren't a little confused.
After leaving the lab area, the Nine-Tails, Kurama, suddenly spoke up:
"Hey, Naruto. That girl you rescued? She's definitely into you. I can smell it—total fangirl."
Naruto chuckled.
"Kurama, you actually understand love? And here I thought you were forever single."
Kurama snorted.
"Tailed Beasts don't have genders, idiot. But I've seen plenty—Hashirama and Mito, Minato and Kushina. I've got more experience than you, kid."
"Oh really?" Naruto smirked. "Then tell me—who named the Rasengan?"
Naruto crossed his arms, thinking.
Minato created it… but knowing his naming sense, there's no way he called it something that simple.
So that leaves… Jiraiya? Kushina?
Seeing Naruto struggle, Kurama grinned smugly.
"It was your mother. Kushina named it. Minato's naming sense was worse than yours."
Naruto paused.
"…I feel like you're roasting someone here."
He sighed helplessly.
"And you were beaten up by that same Rasengan, yet you're still bragging about it."
"Yeah, yeah," Kurama shot back. "But at least I've got experience. You? You've got girls liking you, but no idea what to do. Meanwhile, not a single female fox is interested in me—except that annoying tanuki, Shukaku."
Naruto smirked.
"So basically… you're single and your only 'fan' is Shukaku."
Kurama's face darkened.
Without another word, he turned and disappeared back into the cage.
After Kurama vanished, Naruto returned to reality. He walked to the highest point of Uzushiogakure and looked toward the Land of Fire across the sea.
Far in the distance… it felt like he could almost see Konoha.
There were many people there he hated.
But there were also people who had once mattered to him.
And those days at the Ninja Academy… were among the few peaceful moments he ever had.
They were… nostalgic.
One day, he would return to Konoha.
But not as the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki.
He would return openly—
As the leader of Uzushiogakure.
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