Unexpected words erged from an unexpected person’s mouth.
Kakashi and the Anbu stared incredulously at the dark-haired boy.
"You're working with Orochimaru?" Kakashi bent his knees, stepping forward to shield the group. "Since when?"
No wonder...
He had always questioned how Sasuke knew so many secret techniques.
Initially, he assud they were Uchiha clan secrets.
But now, it seed they were Orochimaru's doing.
"He is my prey," Sasuke repeated emphatically. "Konoha, stand down."
"Are you betraying the village?" The Anbu captain finally spoke, his voice cold and sharp. "Orochimaru just killed the Third Hokage!"
Sasuke’s expression remained stoic, silent.
If Orochimaru could provide information on Itachi, then surely Konoha—an organization with far greater resources—could too.
Yet Konoha had given him nothing.
The answer was clear: Konoha didn’t want him to know.
And if he considered it more cynically, perhaps Konoha intended to use this as leverage, holding Itachi's information over him like a leash, to control and manipulate him.
These tactics were far too familiar.
Sasuke had used them himself on potential prisoners in the Nest of Maggots—individuals who held value but posed a risk. Such thods were exceedingly effective.
However, there was one critical condition for this type of manipulation: power.
If you couldn’t suppress the target with strength, attempting to control them with leverage would only backfire, leading to chaos.
Clearly, Konoha lacked the power to suppress Sasuke.
Such tricks wouldn’t work on him.
Especially since he had 'other paths to take.'
He drew his blade and held it horizontally, saying nothing. His intent was unmistakable.
"Orochimaru was injured in his battle with the Third Hokage," the Anbu captain announced. "The mission paraters have changed. New orders: kill on sight—" ɌἈℕΟ฿ЕŚ
Kakashi interrupted, "Capture Sasuke Uchiha alive."
This wasn’t just about personal feelings.
The Uchiha clan was vital to Konoha’s future.
And Sasuke might hold information related to Orochimaru.
The mont Kakashi finished speaking, one Anbu operative vanished, reappearing in an instant to strike silently.
Sasuke crouched and twisted backward, dodging the blow. He grabbed the attacker’s wrist, pulling them off balance before slamming them down. With his other hand, he thrust his blade, stabbing and twisting it in one fluid motion.
Blood sprayed.
Kakashi’s expression turned serious.
The Anbu captain was stunned.
That operative was a Special Jonin—taken down in less than a single exchange?
"I said, Orochimaru is my prey." Sasuke casually discarded the fallen Anbu operative. The crimson of his three-tomoe Sharingan seed to rge with the blood around him. "Stand down now."
"If you follow ..."
"No matter who you are, I will not show rcy."
His gaze swept over the group, pausing montarily on Kakashi’s covered Sharingan before he turned and vanished.
"Should we pursue?" The Anbu captain glanced at Kakashi.
The earlier command had made it clear: for this operation, Kakashi was the leader.
"No," Kakashi replied, shaking his head. "Return to the main battlefield. Support the front lines."
"The Sand ninja haven’t been dealt with yet."
The others nodded and moved out.
Kakashi couldn’t resist taking one last glance in the direction Sasuke had gone.
He couldn’t make sense of it.
Orochimaru was a rogue ninja.
Sasuke was Konoha’s brightest star...
Why?
anwhile, the Sand ninja continued to suffer defeat after defeat. Already fatigued and demoralized from prolonged combat, the loss of their Kazekage had left them with no hope of victory.
This was why Kakashi and his team had been confident enough to pursue Sasuke.
But the war had co at a steep cost.
The entire village had been dragged into the vortex of conflict.
…
Outside Konoha Village
Orochimaru continued to flee, his Five Sound Ninja slowing their pace slightly.
“Don’t stop,” Orochimaru said coldly, suppressing the pain coursing through him. “Konoha’s forces will pursue us.”
“The ninja from the Sand Village can’t hold off all of Konoha’s forces.”
The Five Sound Ninja nodded and pushed forward without pause.
But after just a few steps, Orochimaru twisted his head sharply, gritting his teeth.
“Soone’s following us!”
“They’re fast…”
One of the group, a man with six arms, stopped in his tracks. His abilities made him the most suitable to cover their retreat. His techniques had been critical in ensuring their escape from Konoha.
Forming hand signs, he prepared to launch a web from his mouth.
But in an instant—
Five beams of light shot through the air, silent yet swift and deadly.
The spiderweb extended but failed to block the attack. It adhered to one of the beams and was dragged backward, flying toward the six-ard man.
The beams struck with precision, pinning his head, primary arms, and legs to a tree.
His remaining pair of arms flailed desperately, but he couldn’t remove the beams. Though small, they felt impossibly heavy, as if rooted deep in his flesh and bone.
His techniques were useless.
The beams contained a sealing power that froze the chakra within his body, leaving it stagnant and nearly impossible to mobilize.
Konoha had sealing experts of this caliber?
Two mbers of the Five Sound Ninja hesitated, pulling back to assist.
“You take Orochimaru-sama and go. We’ll hold them off…”
The pair volunteered.
But Orochimaru rely chuckled coldly.
“There’s no need. The one who’s coming… isn’t an enemy.”
He turned his head toward the source of the attack.
“Isn’t that right, Sasuke-kun?”
From behind the treetops, a figure stepped out, speaking calmly:
“Whether I’m an enemy depends on your attitude, Orochimaru.”
It was Sasuke Uchiha.
The reactions among the Five Sound Ninja varied—so were shocked, others gritted their teeth in frustration, and one or two even seed relieved.
“What kind of attitude are you expecting from ?” Orochimaru asked in a low voice. “Sasuke-kun, I thought I made myself very clear in the Forest of Death.”
Sasuke, hands in his pockets, replied evenly:
“But what I really want—”
“You should already know that.”
“Itachi Uchiha.”
“I want to know everything you know about him. Every piece of information.”
Orochimaru chuckled darkly.
“Information about Itachi?”
“That’s a very valuable commodity.”
Sasuke narrowed his eyes.
“Is it more valuable than your life?”
Orochimaru smiled faintly, glancing back toward Konoha.
“The reason Konoha’s ninja didn’t pursue us further… is because of your intervention, isn’t it, Sasuke-kun?”
“I’m grateful for that.”
“As a gesture of thanks, I could share a little piece of information with you.”
Sasuke interrupted, his tone icy:
“I want 'everything'.”
“Don’t be so impatient, Sasuke-kun,” Orochimaru said, lowering his gaze to his useless arms, his voice faint and enigmatic. “Information about Itachi… carries a very steep price.”
Sasuke cut him off again:
“I don’t know what ga you think you’re playing, but listen carefully, Orochimaru.”
“You need to understand sothing.”
“The stakes here are not just the favor I did by stopping Konoha’s ANBU from catching up to you.”
“They also include 'your life'.”
He paused, his Sharingan activating. The three spinning tomoe exuded a chilling, oppressive aura.
“Do you really think, in your current state, that you—and these… weaklings—can stand against ?”
Orochimaru smirked but did not respond.
“Don’t underestimate them, Sasuke-kun,” he said with a sly grin.
“After all…”
“Anyone I choose as my personal guard may not rival your genius, but they are far from weak.”
Sasuke responded in a low voice:
“What about this?”
The tomoe in his Sharingan began to spin faster, rging into a new pattern—a crimson six-pointed star that filled his entire eye.
'Mangekyō Sharingan.'
Orochimaru’s composure finally cracked. His eyes widened in disbelief.
“You’ve awakened the Mangekyō?!”
Sasuke remained silent.
Orochimaru took a deep breath, struggling to process the revelation.
Sasuke’s talent was terrifying. At only twelve years old, he had achieved what most Uchiha never could.
Not even Itachi had awakened the Mangekyō at this age.
Dangerous.
Terrifyingly dangerous.
Orochimaru hesitated, his mind racing.
This boy—no, this 'young man'—might already be beyond his ability to control.
Cooperate with him?
Or…
His guards were valuable assets, cultivated with great effort. But compared to his own survival, they were expendable.
“You’re considering escape, aren’t you?” Sasuke interrupted, his voice calm and cutting.
“Counting on these lackeys to buy you ti?”
Orochimaru didn’t answer, nor did he lift his head.
“You think I can’t kill you?” Sasuke continued. “I see it, you know. What you’re hiding.”
Orochimaru’s head snapped up.
“See what?”
“The Shinigami.” Sasuke’s tone remained steady. “The one the Third Hokage summoned. The Shinigami that claid the souls of the First and Second Hokage—and severed the souls from your arms.”
Orochimaru’s eyes widened further, his pupils contracting.
He can see it?
If he can describe it in such detail, it must be true.
Could the Mangekyō Sharingan really see into the realm of the soul?
“I can do the sa to you,” Sasuke said, his right hand moving to grip the hilt of his blade.
“If you don’t answer now, I’ll simply take your soul and force the answers out of you.”
Orochimaru believed him.
He had experienced the terror of Itachi’s Sharingan firsthand. Its illusions had overwheld him in a single instant.
And if ordinary genjutsu could target the mind, was it really so far-fetched for the Mangekyō to attack the soul?
“Unbelievable,” Orochimaru muttered. “Sasuke-kun, you don’t negotiate, do you?”
How ridiculous.
He had assud that a twelve-year-old Uchiha would be a lamb to slaughter.
Just monts ago, he had been scheming to claim Sasuke’s body for his own.
Now it was clear.
'He' was the lamb.
In the Forest of Death, Orochimaru hadn’t revealed his full strength, but Sasuke had hidden far more.
Sasuke sneered.
“When did I ever say this was a negotiation?”
“I’ll get what I want—by whatever ans necessary.”
“Don’t forget that, Orochimaru.”
Orochimaru sighed, shaking his head.
“This place is too dangerous. Shall we move elsewhere first?”
Sasuke nodded, agreeing without hesitation.
...
Land of Rice Fields, Sound Village Underground Base
After tending to his injured hands, Orochimaru sat across from Sasuke. "I kept you waiting, Sasuke-kun," he said with a faint smile.
"These injuries aren't easy to deal with."
Sasuke remained silent, tapping his fingers against the table.
Seeing his impatience, Orochimaru continued, “Since you’re in such a hurry, I’ll get straight to the point.”
“Itachi Uchiha is currently part of an organization called ‘Akatsuki.’”
“Their base is in the Land of Rain, but their operations span a wide range of territories.”
Sasuke narrowed his eyes.
“Contacting them is quite simple.” Orochimaru leaned forward. “After all, they’re a rcenary group. Just go to a bounty station, commission a mission under their na, and they’ll respond.”
“Your goal is to find them, isn’t it?”
Orochimaru paused for a mont before adding, “As for Itachi Uchiha...”
“Since you’ve awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, you should already be aware of its power.”
“Itachi is incredibly strong. He’s a master of genjutsu, though with those eyes, that won’t be too difficult for you to counter.”
Sasuke asked calmly, “How does my strength compare to his?”
“I’m not sure.” Orochimaru shook his head. “Itachi’s abilities are a poor match for mine, and you haven’t fought seriously yet.”
“But...” Orochimaru’s eyes glinted with greed as he leaned closer. “Do you want to beco stronger?”
“Gaining more strength might improve your chances against him.”
He licked his lips, his gaze burning with intensity. “Would you like to try, Sasuke-kun?”
“No training involved?” Sasuke asked, raising a brow.
“Exactly.” Orochimaru nodded. After a brief pause, he added, “Sasuke-kun, have you heard of Sage Mode?”
Sasuke shook his head.
“It’s a very powerful ability,” Orochimaru explained with a smile. “Surely, you’ve heard of Jiraiya?”
Sasuke nodded. Of course, he knew the na—one of the Legendary Sannin, held in high regard in Konoha.
“He’s proficient in Sage Mode,” Orochimaru continued. “Without it, he’s no match for . But once he uses it, he can surpass .”
“What I’m offering you is sothing related to Sage Mode. With a special ‘curse mark’ that stores natural energy, you won’t need to train to use Sage-like power.”
“This is a power even Itachi doesn’t possess.”
The words “even Itachi doesn’t possess” made Sasuke’s heart skip a beat.
He had grown strong—far stronger than before. With the Mangekyō Sharingan and the powers of a Shinigami, he should already surpass Itachi.
But the idea of becoming even stronger was tempting. Especially if it required no training...
It ant no waiting.
“What do you want from in return?” Sasuke asked, tilting his head slightly.
Nothing ca without a price.
“There’s sothing I want to ask you,” Orochimaru began, his gaze lingering on Sasuke’s eyes.
Though his desire for Sasuke’s body hadn’t entirely faded, he knew his chances of taking it were slim, especially after their last encounter.
Sasuke nodded for him to continue.
“Can you heal my hands?” Orochimaru asked, his tone a mix of desperation and hope.
“I’m not sure, but I can try,” Sasuke replied.
Orochimaru nodded. “Please.”
Sasuke stood and moved beside him.
Kaidō is a rare form of Kido, mainly practiced by mbers of the 4th Division. I only know so basics—it’s useful for solo missions where self-healing is often necessary.
Still, injuries like severed limbs were severe, even for a Shinigami. And Orochimaru’s physical body added another layer of complexity.
Sasuke wasn’t confident his low-level healing techniques would work.
He recited an incantation as green energy enveloped his hands and extended over Orochimaru’s arms.
The tension in Orochimaru’s face began to ease as the pain subsided.
The chronic, excruciating agony he had endured started to fade.
It was effective.
But Sasuke soon pulled his hands away. “I can’t restore your hands.”
Orochimaru froze, disappointnt flashing across his face.
“But I’ve healed the damage to your soul,” Sasuke continued. “At least the pain will no longer bother you.”
Orochimaru looked down at his hands. “Even with the Mangekyō Sharingan, it’s impossible to fix them completely?”
“You’ll need to retrieve them yourself,” Sasuke said flatly.
Orochimaru’s mont of reflection was interrupted by Sasuke’s impatient tone. “Let’s proceed with the curse mark, as you ntioned.”
“Wait, Sasuke-kun,” Orochimaru called out.
Sasuke frowned. “What is it now?”
“Let’s make another deal,” Orochimaru said, licking his lips. “After you kill Itachi, could you give his Sharingan?”
“Keep dreaming,” Sasuke interrupted coldly. “Don’t even think about coveting the Sharingan of the Uchiha Clan.”
“Do you want to die, Orochimaru?”
Orochimaru paused before tilting his head with a faint smirk. “You won’t need those eyes, will you?”
Sasuke’s glare silenced him.
“Fine, if not his eyes, then how about those techniques you’ve been using?” Orochimaru asked slyly. “They’re different from normal ninjutsu—word-based incantations instead of hand seals?”
Sasuke sneered. “You’re observant. Do you want them?”
“And what could you possibly offer in return?”
Orochimaru grinned. “More information about the Akatsuki.”
“Itachi is a key mber of that organization. If you intend to kill him, you’ll inevitably cross paths with them.”
“They’re filled with powerful individuals—not weaker than .”
Sasuke replied coolly, “If they’re all like you, it doesn’t sound like anything worth worrying about.”
Orochimaru froze for a mont before bursting into laughter. “Underestimating , Sasuke-kun?”
“Itachi’s Sharingan counters . Others won’t be so easy.”
After a mont of thought, Sasuke nodded. “Fine.”
Kidō was already his, and sharing it posed no real loss. It was a profitable deal with no downside.
Orochimaru retrieved a scroll he had prepared earlier, and Sasuke wrote down so basic techniques on the spot.
The deal was done, and it was ti for the next step. Orochimaru perford the ritual to implant the curse mark on Sasuke.
For ordinary people, this process was a deadly trial. But for soone of Sasuke’s caliber, the curse mark’s invasive energy posed no significant threat. The implantation went smoothly.
…
At the sa ti, in Konoha Village—inside the Ninja Academy shelter:
“What did you just say? Sasuke beca a rogue ninja?” Naruto exclaid, his eyes wide with disbelief, his voice echoing dramatically.
Kakashi raised a hand, sighing helplessly. “Keep your voice down. This isn’t sothing everyone needs to know.”
“I ca to you two because, during your ti at the academy, you were the closest to Sasuke. I need to know if there was anything suspicious about him—anything out of the ordinary.”
Sakura’s eyes widened, and it took her a mont after Kakashi finished speaking to snap out of her daze.
It had been a long ti since she’d heard anything about Sasuke.
Ever since they’d failed the survival test...
It was as if Sasuke had vanished from the face of the earth.
She had even gone to the old Uchiha district to search for him, but she never found him.
And now, the first news she hears about Sasuke is this:
Sasuke had not only beco a ninja but had joined the ‘Anbu.’
And now, he had allegedly defected from Konoha to associate with the very man who killed the Third Hokage.
But...
Sakura imdiately shook her head, her response firm. “No, Sasuke-kun was always normal. There was nothing out of the ordinary about him.”
Even if there had been sothing unusual, she wouldn’t have hesitated to deny it.
Naruto folded his arms, furrowing his brow in thought. “Weird things? Yeah, lots of them.”
“Like how we’re the sa age, but he’s insanely strong—strong enough to be on par with you, Kakashi-sensei.”
“Or how he’s always got that sour face but still attracts all the girls.”
“And how, even though he’s as much of a loner as , people always gave him food while I got nothing.”
Kakashi sighed, covering his face with his hand. “Naruto, those aren’t the kinds of things I’m asking about.”
“Did he ever et with soone not affiliated with the village?”
“Or ask about things no student should know?”
Naruto raised his eyebrows and shook his head. “Nope, none of that.”
“Sasuke’s a total loner. After school, he just went ho and never ca out to play.”
“I never saw him do anything like what you’re talking about.”
Kakashi nodded.
Nothing, huh?
So Sasuke hadn’t made contact with Orochimaru while he was still at the academy?
Or had he? Perhaps Sasuke had been in touch with Orochimaru all along but had covered his tracks so flawlessly that no evidence remained.
Getting useful information out of academy students was proving difficult.
“That’s all for now,” Kakashi said, waving them off as he prepared to leave.
“Wait, Kakashi-sensei!” Sakura and Naruto called out simultaneously.
“What is it?” Kakashi paused mid-step.
If it had just been Sakura, he might have ignored her.
But Naruto... Naruto was worth a mont of his ti.
“Did Sasuke really betray the village?” Naruto asked earnestly.
Kakashi nodded.
“Why would he do that? He already beca a ninja—and a really strong one too,” Naruto muttered, his voice tinged with confusion and frustration. He didn’t understand the term ‘Anbu,’ nor did he know what their duties entailed.
But it sounded secretive—and powerful.
Sasuke had it all, didn’t he?
If it were him...
Naruto knew he’d never leave Konoha if he achieved sothing so great. That would finally earn him recognition from the village.
Kakashi shook his head. “I’m not sure. Maybe it has sothing to do with ‘that man.’”
Naruto tilted his head. “That man?”
“Is it the one Sasuke ntioned before?” Sakura asked, her mory kicking in.
Kakashi smiled faintly, patting Naruto on the head. “Why ask about it?”
“I’m going to beco a ninja!” Naruto declared, his fists clenched with determination. “And I’m going to bring Sasuke back.”
“I’ll ask him myself why he did this!”
There was anger in Naruto’s heart.
Sasuke had so easily obtained sothing he longed for, only to throw it away as if it were nothing.
It was infuriating.
How could he be so ungrateful?
Kakashi froze for a mont, looking at Naruto. “You’re determined to bring Sasuke back?”
“Of course!” Naruto turned to Sakura beside him. “Sakura-chan must feel the sa way, right?”
Sakura nodded. “Yes.”
Kakashi patted Naruto’s head again. “Then work hard. Sasuke’s very strong now. If you don’t push yourself, you won’t be able to catch up to him.”
He paused for a mont.
Naruto nodded firmly, his heart set ablaze with resolve.
He began imagining the future...
If he brought Sasuke back, he’d surely beco a hero in the eyes of the village.
Sakura would be overjoyed, and maybe she’d finally go out with him—or even more.
And Sasuke, that arrogant jerk...
He’d finally be able to punch him square in the face.
…
Land of Rice Fields, Underground Base
Sasuke stepped out of the underground chamber, now clad in a traditional kimono. His ninja garb was gone, replaced by a katana sheathed diagonally across his back.
“Congratulations, Sasuke-kun,” Orochimaru greeted him at the entrance, a sly smile playing on his lips. “Care to test your new abilities?”
Sasuke glanced at him. “Will you be my opponent?”
“Of course not. I’ve prepared sothing for you,” Orochimaru replied, turning his head to motion toward another underground training ground.
Sasuke smirked faintly and nodded.
...
Konoha
Two figures appeared atop the village walls—one standing, the other half-sitting.
“What a pathetic sight,” said the man with a catfish-like face, clicking his tongue and shaking his head. “Even the Hokage is dead. This ti, Konoha has suffered heavy losses.”
The other man remained silent.
“The Sand Village unleashed their tailed beast right in the middle of Konoha,” the catfish-faced man continued. “Almost half the village has been destroyed.”
“But still…”
“What are we doing here?”
It was only then that Itachi Uchiha responded. “We’re here to check on the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki. If the opportunity presents itself, we’ll take him.”
The catfish-faced man glanced at him.
“Only if the leader agrees,” Itachi added, shaking his head slightly.
The man made a sound of acknowledgnt and then fell silent.
“Let’s go,” Itachi said, motioning with his hand as he led the way into the village.
The two made minimal attempts at disguise, wearing straw hats to obscure their faces. However, such asures proved ineffective. They still encountered resistance from Konoha ninja at the village gates, engaging in battle. After killing three Konoha ninjas, they slowly withdrew.
...
Outside Konoha
“What a fascinating piece of news,” the catfish-faced man said, his eyes glinting with excitent. “Your little brother has betrayed Konoha as well.”
“Just like you.”
Itachi’s expression darkened. “Is that so?”
“Konoha couldn’t keep him. It seems he’s reached a certain level of strength.”
“Shall we look for him?” the catfish-faced man asked with a sly grin, leaning closer.
Itachi nodded. “Find him. Let’s see if those eyes of his are ripe for harvest.”
...
At the Land of Fire’s Border, in an Underground Bounty Exchange
Sasuke raised his hand, placing a stack of silver notes on the counter. “I want to issue a bounty.”
“Target: Sasuke Uchiha.”
“And I want soone from the Akatsuki to take the mission.”
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