"Zizizizi!"
Naruto felt warm currents flowing through every fiber of his body, surging into his limbs and bones. Each cell was immersed in bliss, as if they were singing with joy. The sensation was indescribable, far more comfortable than soaking in a hot spring.
How could one put it into words?
It felt like ascension!
Naruto even had the illusion of floating away, a sensation so divine that words failed to capture it.
[Immortality: Hidan's unique ability. No matter what injuries are inflicted, the user cannot die. However, if the head is severed from the body, while still alive, the user cannot move. Without Kakuzu's assistance, Hidan cannot reattach severed limbs. Pain perception remains normal. Although it does not grant regeneration or the ability to reattach limbs, the user has enhanced recovery. Combined with immortality, life-threatening wounds, such as cuts or burns, will heal completely within days, leaving no scars.]
After reading the entire description, Naruto grasped the key point.
Hidan couldn't reattach his own limbs and he needed Kakuzu's help.
To be precise, Kakuzu's Earth Grudge Fear – Stitching.
And that ability… was the very one Naruto had been complaining about just moments ago.
'It's all coming together!'
'The system didn't just set him up for a reversal. This was a masterful combo attack! From immortality to stitching, the synergy was flawless!'
'System-sama, I was wrong. Truly, I underestimated you.'
Naruto mentally bowed in reverence.
'You're the GOAT! Forever the best!'
'Love you, muah~'
If praises could adequately express his gratitude, Naruto would have written the system an entire anthology.
The fact that Naruto could be like this also proved how wonderful his mood was at the moment.
This is pure bliss! Absolute euphoria!
From the moment Naruto transmigrated, one of his ultimate dreams was eternal life.
With immortality in his arsenal now, this was just the beginning.
Naruto even believed that if he found the right locations to sign in, he could unlock abilities for eternal youth, agelessness, and even true immortality… breaking free from the cycle of reincarnation itself.
To live the life of a true immortal!
"Naruto-kun, are you okay?"
Naruto's odd behavior had drawn the attention of everyone in the restaurant. Itachi glanced at him with concern.
"Oh, it's nothing. I just thought of something really exciting."
Naruto replied, waving dismissively. Unable to suppress his joy, he added with a wide grin, "Sorry for disturbing everyone's meal. How about this… I'll cover the bill for everyone! Eat and drink as much as you want!"
This was a thing Naruto learned from his previous life… people would celebrate their success by sharing their fortune.
But he remembered that he had given all his money to Kakuzu, and now he was penniless.
Naruto's gaze slid to Kisame, and with a sly smile, he gestured for him to step forward.
Kisame understood immediately and handed over his wallet with a resigned sigh.
Naruto took the wallet without even looking at it and tossed it straight to the owner.
The owner opened it and was stunned, "No, no, this is way too much. It's more than enough to cover the entire restaurant."
After pulling out a few large bills, the boss attempted to return the rest to Naruto.
But before he could get far, the lady boss snatched the wallet from his hands.
The lady boss swayed her elegant hips and strutted toward Naruto with a playful charm, "Thank you, my lord, for your generosity. Please visit us often."
As she said this, she placed the wallet back into Naruto's hand.
Naruto felt a light, teasing scratch against his palm, which left his heart tingling.
Her playful wink made her intentions all too clear to him.
Unfortunately for her, Naruto had to leave the village that afternoon and didn't know when he'd return. Otherwise, he might've had a 'proper discussion' with the lady boss.
Of course, as an upright gentleman, Naruto would never entertain any impure thoughts!
If the lady boss dared to tease him, he'd have to return the favor. And since she kept winking at him, she probably had some kind of eye condition… surely, she needed 'clinical treatment'.
Helping her out would simply be his way of repaying unkindness with virtue.
Just imagining this act of selflessness made Naruto feel like his pure heart could move the world.
As he indulged in his self-satisfaction, cheers erupted in the restaurant.
"Thank you for treating us, sir!"
"Such a generous and dashing young man!"
"A toast to you, sir!"
"…"
Everyone ate and drank for free, so they naturally had to compliment Naruto.
These words were just icing on the cake for Naruto, but they also made him feel good.
Although underage drinking was prohibited, as a dedicated 'eating enthusiast', Naruto devoured five entire bowls of rice before he finally left the restaurant, thoroughly satisfied.
When Naruto, Kisame, and Itachi arrived at their prearranged meeting spot, Kakuzu was already waiting, carrying an unconscious Hidan over his shoulder. From his expression, it was clear he'd been waiting a while.
After all, when it came to money, Kakuzu was always eager.
"Naruto-kun, you're finallyhere." Seeing Naruto, Kakuzu quickly greeted him.
Naruto nodded slightly and said, "Now that everyone's here, let's head out."
As they exited the village, the sky was clear and sunny. On such a day, Nagato couldn't use his Rain Tiger at Will Technique to monitor the village.
Without hesitation, Naruto stepped forward, and a surge of air lifted him off the ground as he began to fly.
The technique he used was none other than the Sky Dance Technique.
Seeing this, Kakuzu, who saw this move for the first time, was slightly shocked: "Naruto-kun, what are you doing?"
Although flying is rare, it does not mean that it does not exist. What really surprised him was that Naruto flew without emitting any Chakra, which completely defied logic.
"I heard that it's not suitable to exercise half an hour after a meal because it's easy to get stomach pain and shortness of breath. Flying is the right way to go." Naruto explained.
"As long as Naruto-kun feels comfortable." Kakuzu replied, suppressing his curiosity.
Having lived so long, Kakuzu knew when to probe and when to hold back. He assumed Naruto was deliberately feigning ignorance. Even so, it would not be worth it for him to ask further questions and arouse Naruto's disgust.
What Kakuzu couldn't imagine, though, was that Naruto wasn't pretending at all.
His answer was entirely sincere, and he hadn't even considered Kakuzu's deeper implications.
Their destination this time was Zabuza's former hideout, the secret underground base outside the Land of Waves.
But this time, Naruto can't just fly in a straight line.
The Land of Rain lay west of the Land of Fire, while the Land of Waves was to the east, so a straight path would cut directly through the Land of Fire.
As one of the major nations, the Land of Fire was far too troublesome to deal with. If their presence were discovered, it could lead to unnecessary complications.
Thus, Naruto had carefully planned their route in advance.
They would first travel north through the Land of Grass, then eastward through the Land of Waterfalls, the Land of Iron, and the Land of Sound (formerly the Land of Rice Fields), before heading south through the Land of Hot Water to finally reach the Land of Waves.
Though it was a longer route, it minimized risks and provided additional opportunities along the way.
For example, he could visit small countries and sign in at various locations. While the rewards might not be as grand as those in major nations, every little bit helped.
Moreover, once they reached the Land of Sound, he could swing by Otogakure to retrieve the antidote for the Destructive Blood Rot Pill from Orochimaru, which is an absolute priority.
And in the Land of Hot Water, they might uncover something worthwhile in Yugakure, since it is Hidan's former hometown. Who knew? Perhaps it would present the opportunity to completely bring Hidan into his fold.
In any case, Naruto viewed this cross-border mission as no big deal.
To him, it was nothing more than a company retreat for Akatsuki's second-in-command and its members. A casual multi-country tour...