Naruto: Sasuke's return

[Chapter Size: 1100 Words.]

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The candles were rekindled in the dark lair, and Orochimaru became Sasuke's most solid ally, just as he had desired.

"The most urgent task is to retrieve my hands from the belly of the Shinigami."

Having witnessed Orochimaru breaking the Shiki Fūjin, Sasuke was well aware of the entire process.

He then voiced his doubts. "If I remember correctly, you just performed the Reanimation Jutsu a few days ago. So how do you plan to escape the sacrificial ceremony that would make you an offering to the Shinigami?"

A mysterious smile appeared on Orochimaru's lips. "I am no longer the same person I was back then. I have my own methods. When Kabuto wakes up, we will set out."

Hearing this, Sasuke felt somewhat relieved, but he glanced at Kabuto Yakushi, who had yet to wake up, his eyes flickering with uncertainty.

Kabuto was an unstable factor. Even if Orochimaru told him the truth, Kabuto lacked personal experience to confirm it, making it impossible to predict his actions.

Regarding this, Orochimaru's opinion was clear. "All this boy Kabuto needs is a place to belong. He doesn't care about fate as long as he remains by my side. However, the gap between what he believed and the reality is too shocking. It won't be easy for him to accept this in a short period of time..."

"Moreover, this child was trained as a spy from a young age. He grew up in an environment of deception and betrayal, using these tactics to survive. Yet, he despises them from the depths of his heart, especially the lies and betrayals of those close to him..."

"Therefore, to gain his cooperation willingly, we must be completely honest with him and let him confirm the truth with his own eyes. That way, we can prevent him from taking extreme measures again. What do you think, Sasuke-kun?"

Sasuke recalled Kabuto's life in his past timeline and pondered Orochimaru's words carefully. In the end, he reached the same conclusion.

"Alright, let's do it…"

Kabuto's consciousness stirred.

"I remember... Sasuke used a genjutsu on me, and then I blacked out. Ah, no! Lord Orochimaru!"

"You're awake, Kabuto." asked Orochimaru.

"Ah... that voice, Lord Orochimaru!"

Following the sound, Kabuto saw Orochimaru seated right in front of him. But what shocked him even more was Sasuke, who had just resisted Orochimaru not long ago, now sitting there calmly, even drinking tea.

"What… happened?! Could Sasuke have submitted to Lord Orochimaru? No matter what, the fact remained, I lost my composure in front of Orochimaru."

He immediately prostrated himself on the ground, confessing, "Lord Orochimaru, I apologize! I lost my composure and was taken down by Sasuke without any preparation!"

Orochimaru responded calmly. "Look up... Kabuto."

Faced with those deep, snake-like eyes, Kabuto felt an unsettling nervousness. "Lord Orochimaru..."

Orochimaru spoke in a low voice. "Kabuto, you may find what I'm about to say unbelievable, but I grant you the right to question me."

Kabuto hurriedly shook his head. "Lord Orochimaru!! Please don't say such things!! Your words are absolute and authoritative to me!!"

"Listen to what I have to say before jumping to conclusions..." Orochimaru interrupted.

After hearing Orochimaru's story, Kabuto stood there, stunned.

"Sasuke-kun... came back from the future? And the future Lord Orochimaru is the driving force behind all of this?!"

What shocked Kabuto wasn't just the fantastical nature of the story, but also, that after hearing it, he actually began to doubt the very Lord Orochimaru he had always believed in.

"No, no, this is impossible. This is absurd, Lord Orochimaru! I... I..."

Kabuto's reaction was exactly what Orochimaru had expected. He turned to Sasuke.

"Sasuke-kun, why don't you use a genjutsu? It's more direct and convenient."

Sasuke set down his teacup and said, "Kabuto, look into my eyes!"

Kabuto met the gaze of the Mangekyō Sharingan.

Genjutsu: Sharingan!

"Thud!"

Kabuto collapsed to the ground, sweat dripping from his forehead.

"I... I can't believe it. This is... the future? The real future?"

Orochimaru patiently coaxed him. "Kabuto, first, accept reality, not the reality of the future, but the reality that you are now doubting me. Only then can you free yourself from this unease..."

"Ah... Hah… Hah…"

Kabuto took deep breaths, trying to calm himself. Finally, his trembling pupils steadied.

Orochimaru continued, "Kabuto, your doubts stem from the fact that you lost consciousness and missed the interaction between Sasuke and me. Deep down, you can't dismiss the possibility that I may have been placed under Sasuke's genjutsu or otherwise influenced, correct?"

Kabuto Yakushi nodded honestly. "Yes… That is exactly what worries me. Forgive me for being disrespectful, but all your ninjutsu were sealed by the Third Hokage. Under such circumstances, it is possible that you could lose to Sasuke-kun. Therefore, I must be certain of the foundation on which you firmly believe in this future."

Orochimaru replied, "That foundation is the knowledge and memories I inherited from my future self…"

Kabuto gathered his courage and looked Orochimaru in the eye. "Lord Orochimaru, forgive my insolence, but can you prove it?"

A knowing smirk crossed Orochimaru's lips. Everything he had led up to was for this very moment.

"Once I retrieve my hands' souls, I will prove it to you. Until then, I will respect your decision, whether you choose to stay or leave."

Kabuto responded firmly. "If what you say is true, then I will do my utmost to follow you and Sasuke-kun!"

Orochimaru turned to the side and teased, "Sasuke-kun."

Sasuke stood up calmly. "Let's go. We know the way…"

…

Five days later, atop a high mountain in the Land of Fire, they could see the Hokage Rock from a distance.

The one with the most complex emotions was Sasuke.

"After forty years, I have been reborn and returned to my homeland. So this is what they mean by 'the closer you are to home, the more hesitant you become.'" thought Sasuke.

The Mask of Death, linked to the Shiki Fūjin, was hidden deep within Konoha, in the Nanamandō of the Uzumaki clan. To reach it, they would have to pass through Konoha.

In his past life, he visited during the Fourth Great Ninja War, when Konoha's forces were fully engaged, allowing him to come and go as if it were an empty land.

But now, Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage, was in power, and the village was on high alert. Retrieving the mask would not be easy.

The one who understood Sasuke's feelings best was Orochimaru. He asked gently, "Sasuke-kun, do you need me to do anything for you?"

This time, Sasuke politely refused.

"No, We must face what needs to be faced."

"Whoosh!"

The mountain wind howled, his white robe fluttering as Sasuke, as swift as lightning, darted toward his hometown, Konoha.

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