Konoha Hospital.
"Sakura, you wouldn't believe it. The mine erupted and almost swallowed everyone. Luckily, I, Naruto Uzumaki, was there. With one Rasengan, I sent that guy Hyde flying and saved everyone!"
As Naruto spouted his exaggerated tale, Sasuke merely let out a cold snort, standing by the window with his arms crossed.
Seeing that Naruto and Sasuke were unharmed, Sakura breathed a sigh of relief, but still looked unconvinced. "What's the connection between the mine eruption and you knocking Hyde flying, Naruto?"
"Uh... well, that's just how it was!" Naruto scratched his head, then secretly glanced at Sasuke and whispered, "Let me tell you, I saved Sasuke's life this time. See? He didn't even deny what I said."
Sasuke's cheek twitched. Saving him likely referred to Naruto's delusional thought that Lin Yu might attack them too.
When would this idiot ever give him a moment's peace!
Sakura was speechless. Sasuke clearly had no intention of engaging with him. Oh well, she'd just take half of Naruto's words with a grain of salt.
*Clack!*
The door to the room creaked open, and Kakashi walked in, looking exhausted. Seeing the three of them in good spirits, he felt a wave of relief. He then scratched his head and said lazily, "Well, well, you all seem to have quite a bit of energy. Looks like there's no serious problem."
"Kakashi-sensei!"
Upon seeing Kakashi, Naruto immediately started complaining loudly, "Kakashi-sensei, where on earth were you? Sakura almost didn't make it back last night."
"That was indeed my dereliction of duty."
Kakashi had faint dark circles under his eyes. Could he really tell Naruto that he had spent the entire night drinking and eating barbecue with his old friends until dawn?
He hadn't slept much at all. Obito had even crashed at his place.
Seeing all three looking at him with a touch of resentment, Kakashi raised his hands in surrender. "Alright, I was wrong. You can ask for whatever you want."
"We want to have a picnic!" Naruto eagerly raised his hand first.
Sakura smiled. "I'm fine with anything. It would be even better if we could find a few more people to join."
Sasuke snorted and didn't reply. If his brother had been his team leader, he would have been there last night!
Kakashi: My apologies, your brother was also sleeping at Shisui's place last night!
Kakashi's head began to ache. Although it wasn't wartime, every team had their missions. Finding some genin of the same year to gather for a meal was proving quite difficult.
"Well, I'll reluctantly go and try to coordinate things for you!"
"Hooray!" Naruto was bursting with excitement. He was already contemplating how much of Minato's secret savings he could pilfer to buy snacks.
Kakashi sighed. Guy and Asuma had also been heavily drunk last night. Team 10 and Team 3 shouldn't be a problem. What about Team 8?
Perhaps he could ask Lin Yu-sensei.
With his decision made, Kakashi set a time with Naruto and the others for a picnic by the upper reaches of the Naka River the following afternoon, and then Shunshin'd out of the room.
"Sasuke, Sakura, see you tomorrow!"
Naruto also sped out of Konoha Hospital. He had to get home and find all his dad, Minato's, secret savings before his dad got off work.
...
"How is it? Is it of research value?"
Inside the Eternal Base, Lin Yu and Orochimaru were studying a small piece of Gureru crystal. Although it was small, the energy it contained was immense.
"A very rare crystal. The chakra within it possesses astonishing vitality, similar to the Wood Style of Hashirama Senju. Incredible."
Orochimaru's face wore a look of intense interest. There was still such a crystal in the ninja world that he had never seen before. Perhaps this life-force-infused chakra could be used to clone and cultivate Sharingan eyes.
Combined with the cells of the Otsutsuki clan, there might even be a slight possibility of cultivating Rinnegan eyes.
Orochimaru had once asked Uchiha Madara how the Rinnegan was awakened, but the man seemed reluctant to say, only mentioning "Yin and Yang in harmony, obtain the power of all creation."
Orochimaru had already figured out the reason: the chakra of Indra and Asura had to merge to awaken the Rinnegan. But Indra and Asura were merely the sons of the Sage of Six Paths, and the Sage of Six Paths was also of Otsutsuki blood. It should be faster to cultivate Mangekyo Sharingan by using clones with Otsutsuki cells.
It seemed he was missing something. It likely required a vast amount of chakra. Uchiha Madara only awakened the Rinnegan in his final years, and it was known that he had possessed Hashirama's cells for quite some time.
"So, can this thing be used as a battery for communication tools?"
Lin Yu's face was filled with longing. If Gureru stone could be used as a battery, wouldn't that be a phone that never runs out of power? A true otaku's artifact!
"..."
Sometimes Orochimaru genuinely wished he could split Lin Yu's head open and study what his brain stem cells were made of. Such a rare crystal used as a battery? Why didn't he suggest using it as a light bulb!
"Perhaps it could also be used as a household power core. Then we wouldn't have to pay electricity bills!"
*Puff!*
Orochimaru hadn't passed out yet, but Kabuto, who was recording data, coughed out his drink. He then adjusted his glasses and calmly said, "According to the data, this small piece of crystal, if used as an energy core, would be enough to power Konoha Village for two and a half years."
"Then hurry up and make it happen!" Lin Yu waved his hand grandly. Wealth was within his grasp!
Orochimaru's eye twitched. He couldn't take it anymore. He was a scientist, not an electrical appliance expert!
*Bang!*
Lin Yu stared in confusion at the now closed laboratory door. You dare to shut me out, Orochimaru? You've got some nerve!
Actually, it wasn't entirely Lin Yu's fault. For Lin Yu, the Rinnegan no longer held as much awe. Setting aside Kaguya, the white karma marks on Naruto and Sasuke alone far surpassed the power of the Rinnegan.
Moreover, not everyone could wield a pair of Rinnegan eyes. Currently, only Nagato could bear them.
As for Obito and the others, Lin Yu hoped they would awaken the Rinnegan through their own efforts. He happened to have the APTX4869 serum, which could extend their lifespan. As for the conditions for awakening the Rinnegan, that was no longer an issue!
He wondered what Hashirama Senju would be like with Rinnegan eyes. He'd probably be able to crush Uchiha Madara.
With a sense of anticipation, Lin Yu opened a spatial portal and vanished from the base.
...
In Konoha Village, at Lin Yu's doorstep, Kakashi was about to approach Lin Yu to inquire about Team 8 and ask if he was free.
Obito was still staying at his place. He didn't want to go on a picnic with a bunch of brats. Wasn't it more enjoyable to stay home and discuss picture books with Obito?
"Yo, isn't that Kakashi? Long time no see."
"Huh? Jiraiya-sama, you're back in the village?"
Jiraiya flipped over the wall and said heartily, "Just got back. I had some business with that kid Lin Yu, but it seems he's not home."
"Jiraiya-sama, what happened to you..." Seeing Jiraiya's disheveled state, Kakashi couldn't help but ask.
"I wanted to go inside and take a look, but I didn't expect that Lin Yu brat to have even set a barrier on his own home. He's truly cautious to the extreme!"
Jiraiya patted the dust off his clothes. There was white paint on his face, indicating he had taken quite a tumble.
"Kakashi, what business do you have?"
"I came to invite Lin Yu-sensei to a gathering. Naruto and the others really hope Lin Yu-sensei can join."
"A gathering?"
Jiraiya's eyes lit up as he thought of something, and he immediately clapped his hands. "Leave this to me! I'll treat everyone. Eat as much as you want!"
Kakashi hesitated slightly. "That might not be appropriate. A lot of people might be there."
Jiraiya smiled confidently. "No problem, eat as much as you want. We might even be able to bring back some special gifts!"
"Special gifts?"
Kakashi glanced at the scroll behind Jiraiya, and a bad premonition entered his mind: Could it be!