Naruto: Unlocking Kaido Template

After securing the Raikage's promise, Zixu didn't linger. With four more villages to visit, he couldn't afford to waste time. His next destination was Konohagakure, and he planned to practice his newly acquired Earth Grudge Fear (Jiongu) on the way.

Still, Zixu had his reservations about this technique. While it could indeed create clones, the writhing tentacles were grotesque.

"System, do I really have to learn this jutsu? Can't you just help me separate the clone?" Zixu clung to a sliver of hope. If possible, he wanted to avoid using such an unsightly technique.

[500 points have been deducted. The host can now create clones independently. System services are available if needed...]

"Damn, so all it takes is points to make you this accommodating?" Zixu scoffed. The system had never been so helpful back when he was in debt—it seemed points really made the difference.

"Alright, let's split off that guy Rosinante on the way. That'll give the village another fighter."

Zixu's plan was simple and effective. With the system's assistance, he had no trouble grasping the Earth Grudge Fear, even if he didn't like the aesthetics. The system handled the technical aspects of separating his clone, leaving him free to focus on the journey ahead.

---

Meanwhile, in Ozishiogakure...

Orochimaru, or rather Princess Orochimaru, leaned back against the research chair, arching her back to stretch her chest muscles to the limit. With a satisfied sigh, she straightened up and turned her attention to the strange fruit on the table before her.

"Fascinating... A power that doesn't belong to the chakra system. It can transform the human body entirely... intriguing. It reminds me of the Pacifista technology." Orochimaru's golden eyes gleamed with fascination.

With a languid motion, she swept her long, jet-black hair over her shoulder. A massive silver snake slithered out from behind her, carrying a scroll in its mouth. She plucked it from the creature's fangs and unrolled it.

"Kakuzu was killed?" She scanned the report carefully. "According to the plan, he should have been... in Kumogakure. Which means..."

Tying her hair into a loose ponytail, Orochimaru turned on the monitor. Her gaze lingered on the screen, watching footage of Gaara casually slurping ramen.

"He's gotten stronger. I can't let him continue growing unchecked..." she muttered, her eyes narrowing slightly.

---

Elsewhere, Karin was en route to Konoha.

Though technically wanted for her involvement with Zixu, she wasn't too concerned. Thanks to her frequent dealings with other villages, she could still move freely despite the standing bounty on her head.

Her current mission was to trade for medical supplies, but it also doubled as an opportunity to gather intelligence for Zixu.

Wearing a black cloak, Karin moved nimbly through the dense forest, deftly stepping over dead branches. Her red eyes, sharp and cunning behind her glasses, scanned the surroundings with alertness.

"Hehehe... Aburame Hatsuizumi and Hyuga Chinano probably didn't expect me to take this route," Karin snickered to herself. She could already imagine Chinano, entirely focused on her training, and Hatsuizumi, lost in his usual daze. The thought made her grin mischievously.

THWACK!

"Ow..." Karin winced as she smacked her head against a low-hanging branch. A red mark bloomed on her forehead. Scowling, she refocused on her surroundings.

As she neared Konoha, she was surprised by the changes. The once-plain outskirts were now lined with new buildings. The forest still stood, but large sections of open land had been developed.

She spotted deer wandering through the nearby woods and listened to the faint calls of birds, giving the area a tranquil, idyllic vibe.

However, her appreciation was quickly interrupted when she spotted a peach-colored signboard in the distance, adorned with elegant calligraphy:

"Red Romance."

"This... this is..." Karin froze. Her glasses slipped slightly down her nose as her cheeks flushed scarlet.

What the hell was Konoha doing with... that kind of establishment?

Her immature face burned with embarrassment, but her curiosity kept her rooted in place.

"Wait... why would they prioritize developing entertainment districts like Red Romance?" She stared at the innocuous-looking building, quickly realizing what it was. Absolutely that.

Despite the raging embarrassment in her chest, Karin swallowed her complaints and pressed on.

As she approached Konoha, she noted the increased security. The wooden platforms that once encircled the village were still there, but now the patrols were more frequent. Clearly, the village had learned from past invasions.

Using Kagura Shingan (Kagura Mind's Eye), Karin detected the strengthened sealing barrier surrounding the village. It was far more formidable than during the Chunin Exams, now capable of preventing the summoning of massive creatures like the Multi-Headed Snake.

Still, she wasn't worried. She intended to enter Konoha through official channels. Her medical status gave her free passage—most villages welcomed doctors without question.

After successfully entering Konoha, Karin exhaled in relief. She wandered through the familiar streets, quietly observing the changes.

To her surprise, Konoha hadn't transformed as much as she expected. The technological advancements that Zixu and Orochimaru had introduced to their village were still far beyond what Konoha had achieved.

Despite her disappointment, she knew it made sense. Traditional ninja villages were bound by outdated customs. While Konoha's progress was steady, it was also slow and conservative.

The most noticeable change, apart from the growth of Red Romance and casinos, was how little had actually changed.

"Konoha... has it really been progressing all these years?" Karin muttered, puzzled.

Though Konoha's development was relatively fast for a shinobi village, the changes were not as dramatic as she expected. Other villages had briefly dabbled in technology, but when their carefully crafted machines were incinerated by a single Katon (Fire Release) jutsu, they quickly abandoned the idea.

Stability, not speed, became the priority.

"Dammit! I lost again! Without that bastard covering me, I would've won big!"

A woman staggered out of the izakaya across the street. Her cheeks were flushed with alcohol, and she clutched a half-empty bottle of sake.

What drew Karin's attention, however, was not the woman's drunken state—it was her astounding figure.

Karin's jaw nearly dropped. The woman's curves were downright legendary. It was as if the gossip Zixu often spouted had materialized right in front of her.

"No way... people that huge actually exist?!" Karin's face turned beet red, her eyes wide in disbelief.

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