Now that he had reached Snake Aunt's Research Institute and would see Sasuke soon, Naruto was no longer in a hurry.
He had spent so long managing the Land of Waves, then secluded himself for two years of intensive training.
Throughout those two years, he had not slacked off for a single day.
After emerging, he had encountered Root ninja, the Land of Wind Envoy, and Itachi.
Finally, he had worked hard with Sasori to develop heavy defensive weaponry for the Land of Waves.
Once everything was arranged, he had rushed straight from the Land of Waves to the Land of Fields.
Naruto had not enjoyed a proper day of rest in all that time.
Now, in the company of someone who truly understood him, he naturally felt utterly at ease.
Even a thousand cups were too few when drinking with a kindred spirit.
The two drank as they discussed the secrets of immortality.
Their conversation ranged from the mysteries of life to those of the universe, and even Naruto's future plans.
Before they knew it, dawn had broken.
During their conversation, Naruto was rather surprised to learn that Kabuto Yakushi had left Snake Aunt.
After asking about it, Naruto understood what had happened.
The Snake Aunt before him was no longer the obsessive fanatic who had wanted to study every ninjutsu in the world.
Now, every gesture she made carried the air of a recluse.
Naruto had only seen that quality in female Daoist cultivators in his previous life.
"Did you know when Kabuto Yakushi left?"
Naruto looked at Snake Aunt as he asked.
"He never said anything, but I discovered his secret during several of our research sessions. I neither pursued it nor took it to heart. People on different paths cannot work together."
Snake Aunt sighed as