Joining

After wrapping up the discussion about the Uchiha Clan, Jiraiya wanted to talk with Shisui Uchiha about the Shinobi World, so he asked, "Shisui, what do you think about the Shinobi World?"

"Although there aren't any major wars going on right now, and things seem peaceful on the surface, it's only because the Third Shinobi World War ended just a few years ago and all the villages are still recovering. Once they've recovered, they'll fight again to seize land and resources." After thinking it over briefly, Shisui answered seriously.

Jiraiya nodded. "That's only one reason for the wars in the Shinobi World. Another is that people have different ideals. The Shinobi World is small, with only so much land, but it's also large, with too many forces in it. There are so many shinobi villages, large and small, and each has inherited a different will. Those differing wills lead to different ideals, and that's another factor behind the unrest."

"On top of that, there's no power in the Shinobi World capable of keeping everyone in check. That allows some shinobi to act without restraint, slaughtering civilians on a massive scale. This further intensifies the conflict between shinobi and civilians."

Shisui nodded quickly. "Then what do you mean, Lord Jiraiya?"

"I plan to establish an organization dedicated to achieving peace in the Shinobi World. I'd like to invite you to join." Jiraiya gazed seriously at Shisui's one remaining eye.

They had decided this together. Minato hadn't been revived yet, and even after he was, he would have other things to do. There was no need to mention Kushina; her temperament alone made her unsuitable to lead. As for Naruto, he was too young to command anyone's respect. That left Jiraiya as the only choice for leader. He was not only powerful, but also highly respected throughout the Shinobi World.

With great strength and a strong reputation, it would be easier to recruit shinobi who shared their ideals, and to ensure that those who joined would follow orders. If an organization's leader was weaker than the strongest members under him, the organization would soon exist in name only.

After hearing Jiraiya's invitation, Shisui lowered his head and thought it over seriously for a moment. Then he looked up at Jiraiya with determination. "Thank you for thinking so highly of me, Lord Jiraiya. I'm willing to join the organization."

"Hahaha! Just like Naruto said, you're a shinobi who truly hopes for peace in the Shinobi World," Jiraiya said with a laugh.

Shisui glanced at Naruto, who was beside him, then asked, "Lord Jiraiya, where will the organization be based? And how many people have you recruited so far?"

At that, Jiraiya pointed at himself and Naruto.

Shisui understood, then stared at him in bewilderment. "Do you mean that there are only three of us in the organization, including me?"

Jiraiya shook his head. "There are two more people, and a fox. I'll introduce you to them later. As for the organization's headquarters, finding it is our next mission."

Shisui didn't ask anything else. He believed that under Lord Jiraiya's leadership, the organization's banner would one day fly throughout the Shinobi World, and true peace would come at last.

With the serious business out of the way, Naruto could finally get a word in. The three of them sat together and chatted all morning.

They rested at the hotel for another two days. By then, Shisui had recovered, though his right eye socket was empty. Seeing this, Naruto bought him a black eyepatch—the kind that covered just one eye.

After breakfast and packing their belongings, they set off for the Land of Fields.

They weren't very far from the Land of Fields. At a normal pace, without rushing, it would take about a week to get there.

They also didn't know the exact location of Orochimaru's laboratory. Once they reached the Land of Fields, they would have to use the slow method of expanding their sensory range and search their way forward. Fortunately, the Land of Fields wasn't very large, so it wouldn't take too much effort.

As they traveled, Naruto had Jiraiya pass the Myriad Spirit Longevity Art on to Shisui. He didn't give him any of the other techniques, because it wasn't the right time yet.

Naruto and Jiraiya kept busy on the road, splitting spiritual energy as they walked. At night, they practiced their respective techniques.

Whenever he had a spare moment, Jiraiya read the Encyclopedia of Artifact Refining. He had already built up a substantial amount of theoretical knowledge about artifact refining in his mind. All he needed was for the organization's headquarters to be established before he could try making something.

On the second day of their journey, Naruto heard Kurama call to him in his mind. "Naruto, I want to go outside for a stroll. I haven't felt the sun in a long time."

Naruto naturally didn't refuse, and agreed at once. A Jinchūriki would die if their Tailed Beast left their body. Naruto and Kurama both knew that, so unless they found a way for Kurama to come out without harming Naruto, Kurama wouldn't leave.

After Naruto agreed, golden spiritual energy flowed out from the spot on his lower abdomen where the seal had once been. Though it was called spiritual energy, it was viscous as water. It quickly gathered on the ground, taking the shape of a fox. Inside the Sealing Space, Kurama lay down.

Outside, the fox made of spiritual energy gradually took on Kurama's appearance—though not the musclebound version. He was only about thirty centimeters long, but nine tails still swayed behind him. As the last bit of spiritual energy flowed into him, the miniature Kurama sitting on the ground opened his eyes.

This was the solution Kurama had come up with. He could attach his consciousness to his spiritual energy. First, he would merge his consciousness with the energy and let it seep out of Naruto's body. Then he would shape himself however he wanted outside, while his real body slept inside Naruto.

He wanted to come out not only because he hadn't seen the outside world in so long. More importantly, he couldn't stand those two idiots in the Sealing Space anymore. They were both spirits, so they couldn't do anything indecent, but they were so lovey-dovey with each other as if no one else were around that Kurama had long since had enough.

Jiraiya and Shisui both saw Kurama come out. For the past few days, Jiraiya had gone to the Sealing Space almost every night to chat with Minato and discuss how to carry out their plans, so he had gradually gotten to know Kurama as well.

Shisui had never met Kurama. When Kurama opened his eyes, Naruto introduced him. "Shisui, this is my partner, Kurama."

At Naruto's introduction, Shisui realized that this must be the Nine-Tails inside Naruto. But why didn't he look anything like the Nine-Tails described in the stories he'd heard? Weren't Tailed Beasts supposed to be enormous? Wasn't a sweep of their tails supposed to shake the earth? It was no wonder he had those questions. This chibi version of the Nine-Tails was just too adorable.

But he didn't ask. He might be an honest man, but that didn't mean he wasn't clever. Instead, he smiled and greeted Kurama.

Kurama didn't have a good impression of the Uchiha Clan, but he knew that Shisui had been recruited by Naruto and Jiraiya, so he returned the greeting.

The three of them and the fox continued on their way. Kurama didn't walk on his own; he perched on Naruto's head, looking this way and that and chatting with the others from time to time. He brought a little fun to their otherwise monotonous journey.

A week later, the three of them and the fox arrived at the border of the Land of Fields. They stopped there, as it was already evening.

They decided to rest for the night. After a week on the road, everyone was tired except Kurama, who was still full of energy.

Jiraiya summoned Gamatatsu and took out the supplies they needed for camping. The three of them put up their tents and assembled a simple stove. Before long, the campsite was all set up. After lighting a fire and eating a simple meal, the three of them and the fox sat around the campfire.

On the first day of their journey, Naruto had told Shisui that their mission was to find Orochimaru.

At the time, they had been on the road, so Shisui hadn't asked much. He'd never met Orochimaru and knew almost nothing about him.

Now that they were sitting down, Shisui turned to Jiraiya. "Lord Jiraiya, could you tell me about Orochimaru?"

Jiraiya recalled what he knew and began telling them about Orochimaru.

Orochimaru was one of Hiruzen Sarutobi's direct disciples. When Orochimaru was young, Hiruzen had praised him as "a talented youth, a genius seen only once in decades."

But after watching his parents and companions die one by one, Orochimaru—who had once been kind by nature—came to understand how fragile life was. He also loved research, so he began studying immortality and techniques for resurrecting the dead.

In order to collect various ninjutsu, he began experimenting with Hashirama Cells, a project Konoha had long since forbidden. He kidnapped Genin, Chunin, Anbu, and sixty infants from villages around Konoha. He extracted genetic material from the First's corpse, then injected it into the infants' bodies for human experimentation. Their bodies rejected it violently, and they died one after another... Just as Orochimaru was about to dispose of the bodies, his other experiments were exposed, so he eventually left Konoha...

As Jiraiya spoke, Orochimaru's image gradually took shape in Shisui's mind. In the end, Shisui couldn't help but sigh. "He was a genius, and a madman."

Naruto already knew all about Orochimaru, so he didn't say anything. He simply sat quietly, continuously splitting spiritual energy in his hands.

After Jiraiya finished explaining what he knew about Orochimaru, the three of them realized it was already late. They climbed into their tent and lay down in their own sleeping bags.

Shisui had used the Myriad Spirit Longevity Art a few days earlier to heal all his injuries, so practicing it now would do him no good. Naruto and Jiraiya didn't plan to cultivate that night either. Although cultivation could replace sleep, they hadn't practiced long enough to get used to it.

Before long, all three of them had fallen asleep...