Sasuke hovered in the sky, exuding a godlike aura, his power overwhelming.
Tsunade and Shizune stared in stunned silence.
"He… he killed Orochimaru with just one strike?" Tsunade murmured, disbelief flashing across her face before shifting to joy.
Sasuke descended gracefully, landing before them with a confident smirk. "See? I told you—I could handle Orochimaru on my own."
Tsunade exhaled, shaking her head with a chuckle. "I have to admit, I didn't expect this outcome… but you won the bet. I acknowledge my defeat. You can make three requests."
For a brief moment, her face turned slightly red as she realized how that might sound, but before she could say anything more, Sasuke's expression turned serious.
"By the way, I almost forgot… there's still a little rat scurrying around."
He turned his gaze sharply.
Not far away, Kabuto trembled, his forehead damp with cold sweat.
"L-Lord Orochimaru… is dead?!" He couldn't comprehend what he had just witnessed. Sasuke's Kamui had torn through the battlefield, his blade splitting reality itself.
Terrifying.
"I have to escape—before he notices me!" Kabuto thought, his mind racing as he prepared an Earth Style jutsu.
But before he could even weave a seal, Sasuke flickered in front of him.
"Kabuto," Sasuke said with a smirk. "Where do you think you're going?"
Kabuto's legs buckled beneath him, and he collapsed to the ground.
Sasuke stepped forward, placing a hand on Kabuto's shoulder, leaving behind a Flying Thunder God seal.
"Don't even think about running. With this mark, I can appear beside you at any moment," Sasuke warned. "If you weren't still useful, I'd have killed you already."
Kabuto gulped, his body trembling. "I-I understand! Please, don't kill me!"
"You know where all of Orochimaru's bases are, don't you?" Sasuke's voice was cold.
Kabuto nodded frantically. "Yes! I do!"
Without hesitation, Sasuke formed a single-hand seal, sending a burst of Chidori Senbon into Kabuto's chakra points, temporarily sealing his abilities.
"Just a precaution," Sasuke muttered.
Tsunade and Shizune finally approached. Shizune cast a wary glance at Sasuke, unable to hide her unease.
Was this really the same young man from Konoha?
His power was overwhelming, his ruthlessness undeniable.
"Tsunade, what should we do with him?" Shizune asked.
Tsunade frowned. "Kabuto is skilled in medical ninjutsu. He could be useful… but he's also slippery."
Sasuke smirked. "Don't worry. He won't escape my grasp."
Indeed, as long as he bore Sasuke's Flying Thunder God mark, Kabuto would forever live under his shadow.
"Alright, take us to Orochimaru's stronghold. Let's see if there's anything worth salvaging," Sasuke ordered.
Kabuto hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yes… Sasuke-sama."
Tsunade shot Sasuke a skeptical look. "You're really keeping him?"
"Why not? Orochimaru spent years building his network. It would be a waste to let it go unused." Sasuke shrugged. "I'll take over everything he left behind."
Tsunade sighed. "Fine, do what you want."
She suddenly seemed to recall something, and her expression turned slightly awkward. "So… about your requests…"
Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by 'excessive requests,' exactly?" he asked with a smirk.
Tsunade crossed her arms, huffing. "Hmph! You know exactly what I mean!"
Sasuke laughed. "Relax. My first request is simple—return to Konoha and become the Fifth Hokage."
Tsunade blinked, then smiled softly. "Alright."
There was no hesitation. Deep down, she had always wanted to protect the village her grandfather built. But the deaths of Nawaki and Dan, and her disillusionment with Hiruzen's leadership, had driven her away.
Now, thanks to Sasuke, she was ready.
"That's great, Tsunade-sama!" Shizune beamed, clearly relieved.
"Then let's get ready to head back," Sasuke said.
"What about Orochimaru's strongholds?" Tsunade asked.
Sasuke smirked. "We have Kabuto for that."
He turned to the trembling man. "Mark every base on a map and head there first. I'll catch up when needed."
Kabuto swallowed hard and nodded before rushing off.
"Alright, time to go home." Sasuke reached for Tsunade's hand.
With a flicker, they vanished.
Konoha – Hokage Office
Inside the Hokage Conference Hall, Konoha's elite had gathered.
Tsunade stepped forward, her presence commanding.
Kakashi, arms crossed, glanced at Sasuke. "You never stop surprising us."
Many had expected Tsunade to refuse the role of Hokage, just as Jiraiya had. But Sasuke had not only convinced her to return—he had secured her as Hokage.
Nara Shikaku surveyed the room. "If there are no objections, we will officially declare Tsunade as the Fifth Hokage."
Yamanaka Inoichi spoke first. "With Tsunade-sama's strength and reputation, there's no doubt she's the best choice."
The others quickly voiced their agreement.
"Then we'll inform the Fire Daimyō immediately," Shikaku concluded.
After the Meeting…
Sasuke stood with Kakashi in the hallway.
"Kakashi, you said Uchiha Itachi came back recently?" Sasuke asked, his voice dangerously calm.
Kakashi nodded. "Yeah. He and Kisame from the Hidden Mist infiltrated Konoha. Guy and I fought them off, but they escaped."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "Their goal was Naruto."
"Jiraiya-sama confirmed it," Kakashi said. "He's taken Naruto out of the village for safety."
Sasuke clenched his fist. So, the Akatsuki are already making their move?
Before he could dwell on it, a loud voice interrupted them.
"Kakashi! Where's Tsunade-sama?!" Might Guy stormed in, his eyes blazing with emotion.
"Kakashi! Sasuke! Thank you! If it weren't for you, we wouldn't have been able to bring her back!"
Sasuke quirked an eyebrow. "Oh? Why so emotional?"
Guy's eyes glistened. "Because of you, my apprentice Rock Lee has a chance to be saved!"
He turned to Tsunade, who had just arrived. "Tsunade-sama! Please, save my student!"
Tsunade smiled. "I'll check on him at the hospital soon."
Guy clenched his fists, tears brimming in his eyes. "Thank you!"
He suddenly grabbed Kakashi in a tight hug.
Kakashi groaned. "Guy, stop rubbing your snot on me…"
Guy then lunged at Sasuke.
Sasuke dodged instantly, his expression deadpan. "Not happening."
Tsunade chuckled. "Kakashi, take him to the hospital before he breaks something."
Kakashi sighed. "Yeah, yeah."
As they left, Tsunade turned to Sasuke. "You really are something, huh?"
Sasuke smirked. "Without Danzo and the elders interfering, your role as Hokage should be much easier."
Tsunade suddenly froze.
"You… Danzo's death… was it you?" she asked sharply.
Sasuke's smirk faded.
"He was one of the masterminds behind the Uchiha Massacre," Sasuke said coldly. "I couldn't let him live."
Tsunade's eyes darkened. "Tell me everything."
As Sasuke began recounting the truth behind the massacre, Tsunade's expression shifted from shock to realization.
Konoha's past was far darker than she had imagined.