"Boom!"
As soon as Naruto reached the border of the Land of Waterfalls, a look of realization dawned on his face.
'No wonder the grasslands of the Land of Grass were so lush… it was all thanks to the Land of Waterfalls.'
In front of him were five enormous waterfalls, their flowing waters converging into a river that stretched toward the Land of Grass.
In the original work, Kishimoto didn't delve deeply into the Land of Waterfalls. He only mentioned that the country was abundant with waterfalls, a natural defense allowing its people to advance and retreat strategically, enabling them to survive between the Land of Earth and the Land of Fire.
Naruto hadn't thought much about it before, but seeing so many waterfalls made him realize just how naturally advantaged this place was.
It was simply astonishing… There were five waterfalls right before him… how many more must there be throughout the entire Land of Waterfalls?
Unable to contain his curiosity, Naruto flew higher into the sky. From his vantage point, he saw waterfalls nearly every few hundred meters, their arrangement resembling tiered rice paddies… but magnified many times over.
"Wow, this is incredible."
Naruto couldn't help but marvel at the wonder of nature. Even he felt a sense of reverence toward such awe-inspiring sights.
It was truly magnificent!
Landing on the ground, Naruto waved his hand and said, "We've officially arrived in the Land of Waterfalls. The natural barriers here make it unsuitable for prolonged stays, but since we're here, let's not waste the opportunity. How about a little game?"
'Here it comes!'
Kisame had been waiting for this moment for a long time. Last night, he suppressed his inner restlessness and tried hard to fall asleep in order to maintain sufficient energy to face the test that might come at any time.
In Kisame's opinion, Naruto couldn't possibly assess his subordinates with just a single trial. As long as circumstances allowed, there would surely be more challenges.
Finally, the moment arrived. Kisame eagerly supported the idea with both hands raised.
Itachi, on the other hand, said nothing. But his clenched fists and activated Sharingan showed that he was fully prepared.
Yesterday, he had come in second place. Normally, it wouldn't bother him, but this was Naruto's assessment… a test that could affect their future standings. For the sake of his brother, the Uchiha Clan, and himself, he had to secure the top position this time.
This time, he couldn't afford to lose!
"Good, I like the enthusiasm!"
Naruto had been using his Observation Haki the entire time, sensing the emotional shifts in the group. Kisame and Itachi had the most notable changes, while Kakuzu remained relatively calm, though his emotions were more nuanced… a mix of nostalgia, regret, and resolution.
After thinking about it for a while, Naruto suddenly understood.
In the past, Kakuzu failed to assassinate Hashirama and was wrongfully accused by Takigakure, prompting him to steal the Earth Grudge Fear and defect from the village.
Therefore, Kakuzu's mixed emotions made perfect sense.
After thinking for a while, Naruto said thoughtfully: "Kakuzu, don't dwell on the past."
"How do you know about the past?" Kakuzu frowned.
Just as Kisame was about to explain, he was stopped by Itachi.
Naruto gestured, "It's fine. Let Kisame explain."
Kisame nodded and said, "Kakuzu, you might not know this, but Naruto-kun possesses the Mangekyo Sharingan. His eyes can see a person's past, present, and future."
"How is this possible!?"
Kakuzu was stunned. He couldn't believe such a power existed. Even if it was a unique Dojutsu of the Mangekyo Sharingan, it sounded far too overpowered.
"I've learned a few things from watching your past," Naruto said as he walked toward the unconscious Hidan.
Before Kakuzu could process what Naruto meant, he watched in confusion as Naruto drew a kunai and swiftly decapitated Hidan.
"Wha…?"
Kisame was completely dumbfounded, and felt a chill running down the back of his neck.
Naruto calmly explained, "I've seen Hidan's past. He's cursed with immortality… he can't die."
As he said that, Naruto raised his hand.
In his palm, two black threads emerged, threading through the severed neck, starting the stitching process. In no time, Hidan's head was reattached to his body.
Such an injury would take Hidan only a few days to fully recover.
This action was also a precaution done by Naruto. If he ever lost a limb in the future, he could sew himself back together.
While Naruto had no inclination toward self-harm, Hidan was the perfect practice subject.
Moreover, this was to prove a point to Kakuzu.
As expected, when Kakuzu saw Naruto use the black threads of Earth Grudge Fear to stitch Hidan's head, he was dumbfounded.
Yes, he had doubted Naruto's Sharingan ability moments ago, but now, he believed it.
There was no other way to explain it. Earth Grudge Fear was Kakuzu's unique technique, yet Naruto could use it. The only logical explanation was that Naruto had seen his past and learned it from him. Otherwise, how could this be possible?
Could it be that Naruto was a genius who independently developed Earth Grudge Fear?
Compared to that far-fetched idea, Kakuzu found it much more believable that Naruto could see the past and future.
Reflecting further, Kakuzu realized that during their first meeting, Naruto had spoken directly about money. At the time, he hadn't thought much of it, but now it was clear… Naruto had planned it all, knowing Kakuzu's obsession with money and leveraging it against him.
The more he thought about it, the more shocked Kakuzu became.
"Naruto-kun, it seems I underestimated you."
Kakuzu said with a meaningful look. Then, he asked with some confusion, "But if you already know all this, why ask me to let go of the past? Do you really think those people deserve forgiveness?"
Naruto pondered for a moment and replied, "Being wronged is undoubtedly painful, but think about it. Takigakure was actually pretty kind to you. If you hadn't stolen Earth Grudge Fear back then, would you have survived until now? Besides, those who condemned you back then must have long since died, while you continue using their research to achieve a form of immortality. In a way, you've taken what they could never have. Doesn't that mean you've already won? Shouldn't that be enough for you to let go of your past grudges?"
After a moment of silence, Kakuzu nodded slightly, "Indeed..."
After hearing Naruto's words, Kakuzu felt a burden lift from his heart.
Thinking of those people who had been forced to face death after losing Earth Grudge Fear, Kakuzu even found it amusing.
Indeed, from the moment he had stolen Earth Grudge Fear and became Missing-nin, he had already exacted his revenge.
And besides, why would he need to hold a grudge against the dead?
"Thank you, Naruto-kun. Your words are more enlightening than a decade of study!"
Kakuzu bowed deeply, full of gratitude.
Naruto was very satisfied when he noticed the change in Kakuzu's emotions through his Observation Haki.
He always felt a sense of accomplishment when giving counseling to his subordinates.
"Alright, if there's nothing else, I'll explain the game rules. Since everyone's had a long day of travel, this game will be simple. After my countdown, everyone will rush toward the waterfall ahead. The order in which you reach the top will determine your ranking."
Naruto clenched his fist and then struck Hidan on the head, "You're already awaken when I cut off your head earlier, so stop pretending to be asleep. You're participating too. And one more thing: whoever comes in last will face a severe punishment!"
Hidan abruptly sat up and sneered, "Why should I listen to you?"
Before Naruto could speak, Kisame said with a smile, "Hidan-sama, it's good that you don't want to listen. Then just stay where you are and protest properly. I fully support your decision!"
Everyone present was powerful, and Kisame had worried about the possibility of coming in last and facing the punishment. But with Hidan's refusal to participate, Kisame no longer had to worry about such a fate. He could now compete with peace of mind.
The thought of Hidan's inevitable failure made Kisame stifle a laugh.
Not only him, but even the indifferent Itachi and Kakuzu, who was Hidan's teammate, struggled to contain their smirks.
They were all secretly grateful that there was an idiot like Hidan to support them.
However, to their surprise, Hidan suddenly...