"Sasuke, are you saying that it was Danzo and the others who ordered the destruction of the Uchiha clan?!"
Tsunade frowned, her expression darkening.
This revelation was truly unexpected.
However, if the Uchiha clan had been planning a coup, it wasn't surprising that Danzo would have taken such measures. He was the embodiment of Konoha's darkness—someone willing to do whatever it took to maintain the village's stability.
"That's right," Sasuke confirmed, his voice cold. "Killing Danzo and the others is just the beginning. I will find Uchiha Itachi and those manipulating things from the shadows."
His Sharingan gleamed with an icy determination.
"I will make them pay in blood!"
Tsunade studied him carefully. "And what do you plan to do? Do you need my help?"
As Hokage, she had immense authority within Konoha. If she lent Sasuke her power, it could make a significant difference.
"For now, no," Sasuke replied firmly. "I want to handle this on my own. My first step is to take control of Orochimaru's forces and use them to track down Itachi and the Akatsuki."
Tsunade's eyes narrowed. "Orochimaru's forces?"
Sasuke nodded. "According to my investigation in Kirigakure, the real mastermind behind the Akatsuki is also an Uchiha."
"What?!" Tsunade's shock was evident.
"You and your brother are supposed to be the last Uchiha. Where did this hidden Uchiha come from? And controlling the Fourth Mizukage with genjutsu... that's no small feat."
Sasuke remained calm. "It doesn't matter where he came from. What matters is stopping him."
Tsunade exhaled slowly, assessing Sasuke's confidence. Even Orochimaru had fallen to him—his strength was undeniable.
"Well, you've just taken over as the Fifth Hokage. You have enough on your plate," Sasuke said before turning to leave.
Before she could react, he suddenly pulled her into a brief embrace.
Then, without another word, he disappeared into the night, leaving Tsunade standing there, flustered, as the cool evening breeze brushed against her skin.
Later that afternoon, Tsunade turned her attention to Rock Lee's condition.
His injuries were severe—perhaps even worse than expected.
She looked at Might Guy with a serious expression. "Prepare yourself. This surgery will either restore him completely… or end his shinobi career forever."
Might Guy met her gaze with unwavering determination.
"Lee and I have talked it over. We'll take the gamble!"
"Then let's begin," Tsunade said.
With a solemn nod, Guy and Lee placed their faith in her hands.
---
A dark underground stronghold.
Yakushi Kabuto walked cautiously behind Sasuke, his voice measured.
"Lord Sasuke, this stronghold was where Orochimaru conducted his curse seal experiments."
"Curse seal experiments?" Sasuke frowned slightly.
Kabuto adjusted his glasses. "Yes. Not everyone can withstand the curse seal. Many die in agony after receiving it. Those who survive often lose control and go berserk."
Sasuke listened, intrigued.
The curse seal was similar to Sage Mode—it relied on absorbing natural energy. But if one lacked control, it could destroy them from within. Even those who mastered it suffered long-term consequences.
Before long, they reached the heart of the stronghold.
Caged prisoners—failed experiments—lay scattered in iron cells. Their eyes burned with hatred and madness.
"Hahaha! Blood! I need more blood!"
"Kill me! The pain… it won't stop!"
"Another fresh one? Hahaha! Let me taste you!"
Some screamed, others raved, and a few convulsed violently. Occasionally, one would lose control, triggering their second transformation—only to explode in a burst of blood and flesh.
Sasuke's expression remained indifferent.
"They've become nothing more than beasts," he muttered.
Suddenly, Kabuto called out.
"Jugo, come out and greet Lord Sasuke!"
A muscular young man with short hair emerged. His eyes were wary.
"Kabuto, who is this?" Jugo asked, his voice tense.
"This is Uchiha Sasuke," Kabuto replied. "He is Orochimaru's successor."
Jugo's eyes widened.
"What?"
His muscles tensed as he instinctively took a step back.
"Are you betraying Lord Orochimaru?" he demanded.
Sasuke smirked. "Betray? Orochimaru is dead. I killed him myself."
Jugo's pupils shrank.
Before he could react, Sasuke's Sharingan flared.
A moment later, Jugo found himself trapped in an illusory nightmare—a dark void where he witnessed Orochimaru's agonizing demise at Sasuke's hands.
The vision ended.
Jugo gasped, sweat dripping down his face.
"Now, you understand your choices," Sasuke said calmly. "Serve me, or die here."
Jugo stared at him, still shaken.
Then, after a long pause, he dropped to one knee.
"...I surrender."
Sasuke nodded in satisfaction.
"Good. Kabuto, gather all of Orochimaru's research on the curse seal. We're going to refine it."
---
Two days later.
A dark water prison.
Inside, a figure stirred.
The water barrier trembled as a blade of blue-violet lightning cut through it.
Suigetsu's eyes snapped open.
"What the—?"
He quickly used his Hydrification Technique to slip through the gap, emerging from his confinement.
"I'm free! Finally!" he exclaimed.
Then, he turned—and froze.
A young man with dark hair and piercing eyes stood before him.
"What? The guy who freed me is just a kid?" Suigetsu muttered, unimpressed. "Well, thanks, I guess. Who are you?"
"Uchiha Sasuke," Sasuke replied. "And from now on, you'll follow me."
Suigetsu scoffed. "Hah! Good one. Now let's get out of here before Orochimaru—"
He paused.
"Wait… where is Orochimaru?"
"He's dead," Sasuke said simply. "I killed him."
Suigetsu blinked. Then laughed.
"Yeah, right. Orochimaru? Dead? You're joking—"
Sasuke activated his Sharingan, casting a genjutsu.
The moment Suigetsu saw the vision of Orochimaru's demise, a shiver ran down his spine.
He swallowed hard.
This kid… was terrifying.
"So? What's your answer?" Sasuke asked.
Suigetsu hesitated—then smirked.
"Fine. But on one condition—help me find the Kubikiribōchō."
Sasuke's lips curled into a knowing smile.
"Easy."
With a flash of lightning, he grabbed Suigetsu—and in the next instant, they vanished.
Kirigakure
The mist-shrouded village of Kirigakure.
Suigetsu looked around, eyes wide.
"Wait a second… this is—"
Before he could finish, a familiar voice called out.
"Suigetsu?"
He turned to see Terumi Mei, now dressed in Mizukage robes.
"Huh?! Mizukage?!" Suigetsu's jaw dropped.
"A lot has changed since you've been gone," Terumi Mei said with a smile. "The era of the Blood Mist is over."
Suigetsu fell silent, his thoughts drifting to his brother.
"Brother… your dream finally came true."
Terumi Mei handed him a scroll. With a flick of chakra, the Kubikiribōchō emerged.
Suigetsu's eyes gleamed.
"Take it," she said.
Grinning, Suigetsu grabbed the blade.
Sasuke watched, satisfied.
With another skilled warrior by his side, his plans were falling into place.
The hunt for Itachi—and the truth—was just beginning.