《Naruto: Sasuke's return》 Chapter 1 [Chapter Size: 1300 Words.] --------------------------------------- Year 101 of Konoha, on a Distant Planet from the Ninja World. The man¡¯s golden-purple eyes gazed at the thin face before him, dimly illuminated by candlelight. He could vaguely see the young man who had once been full of vigor and vitality. The candle flickered, and the man¡¯s low, hoarse voice broke the silence: "Sasuke-kun, you don¡¯t have much time left..." Lying in the hospital bed, Sasuke was so emaciated that he resembled a specter. His frail body was entangled in tubes connected to various medical devices, barely keeping him alive. His eyes, which would never open again, remained closed as he let out a faint sigh and smiled. "I never thought I¡¯d spend my final moments with you, Orochimaru..." Orochimaru¡¯s voice, usually calm and composed, carried an indescribable weight. "There¡¯s nothing we can do about it. After all, aside from you and me, everyone else perished in that battle..." The candle flickered violently, and Sasuke¡¯s thoughts drifted back to the past, flashing through his mind like a kaleidoscope. During the Fourth Great Ninja War, he and Naruto fought together to seal Kaguya. However, after their final battle in the Valley of the End, Sasuke was ultimately defeated. It was then that he opened his heart and vowed to become the guardian of Naruto¡¯s path. But the threat of the ¨­tsutsuki Clan did not end with Kaguya¡¯s seal. Fifteen years after the war, he and Naruto joined forces once again to defeat Momoshiki and Kinshiki, while Boruto, the reincarnation of Jiraiya, and Naruto worked together to take down Urashiki. However, in the battle against ¨­tsutsuki Isshiki, both he and Naruto paid an unbearable price. After that fight, Sasuke lost his Rinnegan, and Naruto lost Kurama, officially forcing them into the background. Fortunately, the next generation, represented by Boruto and Kawaki, rose to the challenge. A scientist named Amado, a former member of Kara, revealed the terrifying secrets of the ¨­tsutsuki Clan. Among them, ¨­tsutsuki Setsuna, who had consumed dozens of Chakra Fruits, had mastered divine techniques beyond the realms of ninjutsu and senjutsu, becoming the closest being to a true "god." Using only the extracted genes from the remains of an ancient ¨­tsutsuki, Amado created terrifying artificial humans, most notably Eida and Daemon (as revealed in Chapter 75 of the Boruto manga). At the time, Sasuke and Naruto were shaken by the revelation of Setsuna''s existence, but they found relief in the belief that he was either dead or had ascended to a higher dimension, no longer posing a threat to their world. But the truth was far more terrifying. Setsuna was still alive. He had merely discarded his physical form, entering a deep slumber to prepare for his final evolution into a god. And when Setsuna awakened, he used an ability called "Clairvoyance" to perceive the existence of the Ninja World, and launched an all-out assault on the planet where it resided. Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Thus began the war to protect the Ninja World. Or rather, it wasn''t a war. It was a massacre. Sasuke¡¯s closest friends, his beloved, his daughter, his most cherished disciple, and the very world he had devoted his life to protecting, all were annihilated by Setsuna¡¯s overwhelming power. Sasuke should have died with them. But clinging to the last shred of hope, he used his right eye, inherited from his late brother, to activate Izanami. Though he escaped, he suffered near-irreparable injuries. In his most critical moment, another survivor, Orochimaru, found him and carried his broken body aboard a spaceship left behind by Kara, fleeing the devastated planet. Setsuna knew of this but did not pursue them. Or perhaps, he simply didn''t care. Instead, he planted the Divine Tree on the remains of the Ninja World, absorbing all its life energy to cultivate yet another Chakra Fruit. With this fruit, Setsuna completed his final evolution, ascending as the supreme ¨­tsutsuki God. Then, he departed for a higher dimension, leaving behind nothing but a dead planet and two tormented survivors. Sasuke¡¯s mind returned to the present. With a trembling arm, he ripped the tubes from his body and struggled to sit up. On his deathbed, he made his final request. "Orochimaru, I want to see my homeland... one last time." Orochimaru nodded and smiled. He possessed numerous cloned Sharingan from Shin Uchiha. With his advanced medical techniques, he could restore Sasuke¡¯s sight at any time. But Sasuke had spent years avoiding it, avoiding his enemies¡¯ power and even his own heart. The transplant was completed swiftly. With Orochimaru¡¯s help, Sasuke stepped outside. As he gazed at the starry sky, his eyes instinctively searched for his homeland, only to find it had become nothing more than a dead, crater-ridden husk. The once brilliant azure planet was now a lifeless, hollowed-out ruin. A painful thought crossed his mind: "If not for that catastrophe, Naruto and I would have already retired, wouldn''t we?" "Sarada would have taken up the mantle of Hokage, Boruto would have inherited his ninja way, and the two families would have finally become one, living in peace, surrounded by their children and grandchildren." But in the end, there are no "what ifs." Reality was cruel. All he could do now was stand in the vastness of space, gazing at his lost homeland, tormented by the regret of failing to stop a godlike enemy. Two silent tears slid down his cheeks. Orochimaru, watching him, spoke gently. "You still refuse to give up, Sasuke-kun?" Sasuke clenched his withered right fist. "Of course, I refuse. How could I accept this? But what can I do, even if I don''t accept it? The mere thought of defeating someone like Setsuna is pure arrogance. How could the will of a few decades stand against the accumulation of thousands of years of evolution?" A bitter smile crossed his lips. "I''ve thought about it countless times... and in the end, I came to a conclusion I absolutely despise, only an ¨­tsutsuki can defeat an ¨­tsutsuki." Orochimaru lowered his gaze in thought. "Perhaps this isn¡¯t the best time to say this... but excluding the ¨­tsutsuki factor, your growth since the Fourth Great War has been somewhat premature. If you hadn¡¯t received the Sage of Six Paths¡¯ gift at sixteen, you might have grown even stronger." Sasuke turned to face him. Orochimaru continued, his voice measured. "Through my repeated studies on the evolution of the Uchiha¡¯s ocular powers, I¡¯ve come to a realization. Every Dojutsu requires a transition. During your Eternal Mangeky¨­ Sharingan phase, you should have nurtured an entirely new ocular technique. But before it could awaken, you were granted the Rinnegan too soon. The sudden surge in power was remarkable, but in the long run, it placed a ceiling on your potential." "Furthermore, Madara, who was also Indra¡¯s reincarnation, unlocked the Rinnegan in both eyes by transplanting Hashirama¡¯s cells. You should have been able to do the same... yet you only received a fraction of Hashirama-sama¡¯s chakra." "The fusion of Senju and Uchiha gives rise to the Six Paths¡¯ power, and the Six Paths¡¯ lineage traces back to the ¨­tsutsuki. We''ve recovered the remains of the Sage of Six Paths and compared his genes to the pure-blooded ¨­tsutsuki... but even he lacked a certain genetic fragment, one connected to the Ten-Tails and Hamura¡­¡± "And with my current technology, I can complete the missing genetic fragment based on the Six Paths and recreate the power of the ¨­tsutsuki. In other words, as long as Sasuke-kun attains the Six Paths, I can transform him into a true ¨­tsutsuki..." Hearing Orochimaru¡¯s words, Sasuke lowered his head with a heavy heart and let out a long sigh.
---- you can read more 60 advance chapter on my patreon: pat reon.com/DylanBriak Chapter 2 [Chapter Size: 1200 Words.] --------------------------------------- "And with my current technology, I can complete the missing genetic fragment based on the Six Paths and recreate the power of the ¨­tsutsuki. In other words, as long as Sasuke-kun attains the Six Paths, I can transform him into a true ¨­tsutsuki..." Hearing Orochimaru¡¯s words, Sasuke lowered his head with a heavy heart and let out a long sigh. "Hope has appeared at such a strange time... only to leave behind more regrets. The people I wanted to protect have long been sleeping beneath the earth." But Orochimaru¡¯s next words made Sasuke¡¯s weary eyes suddenly shine. "Sasuke-kun¡­ if I could make this possible, would you be willing to do it all over again?" Sasuke stared at Orochimaru with the eyes that no longer belonged to him. Though he already had a suspicion, he still asked, as if seeking confirmation: "Do it all over again? What do you mean?" Orochimaru smiled. "I mean going back to the past." "You¡­ can actually do something like that?" asked Sasuke. "Come with me." Back in his laboratory, Orochimaru retrieved a wooden box, sealed away for many years, and carefully removed the sealing mark. Inside, there was a strangely shaped turtle! Even after all these years, Sasuke recognized it at a glance. "Karasuki!?" Years ago, ¨­tsutsuki Urashiki carried this treasure with him. As long as it was provided with enough chakra, it allowed free travel through time! Urashiki, knowing he could not defeat Naruto and Sasuke, had used it to return to the past, attempting to extract the Nine-Tails from young Naruto. Sasuke and Boruto, realizing his scheme, pursued him through time and, alongside Naruto and Jiraiya of the past, managed to defeat Urashiki. After Urashiki''s defeat, Sasuke and Boruto used Karasuki¡¯s power to return to their era. However, possessing a consciousness of its own, Karasuki chose to wander through time and space alone,band was never heard from again. Unexpectedly this relic had fallen into Orochimaru¡¯s hands. Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "Where did you get this?" Orochimaru chuckled. "It¡¯s a long story. When I learned about the existence of the ¨­tsutsuki, I had a feeling the Ninja World would eventually face this catastrophe. Unfortunately, Naruto-kun was quite strict with me at the time. So after acquiring this treasure, I had no choice but to hide it..." Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. Sasuke frowned. "You plan to use Karasuki¡¯s power to send us back? But Karasuki¡¯s time travel only transfers us as we are now, meaning there would be two of me at the same time. I''m old¡ªif I return to the past, all I can do is entrust the future to my younger self. But wouldn¡¯t that be useless?" Orochimaru gave a knowing smile. "Oh? And why wouldn¡¯t it work?¡± Sasuke turned away, hiding his aged face from Orochimaru¡¯s gaze. A long sigh escaped him. "I can¡¯t reclaim what was taken from me. What could I possibly accomplish in my current state?" Orochimaru chuckled. "That may be true~, but I must say, it¡¯s quite amusing to see Sasuke embarrassed after all these years." Sasuke turned back, his expression serious. "Then... you already have a solution, don¡¯t you?" Orochimaru nodded solemnly. "Yes. There is another way to use Karasuki, one that allows only the soul to return to the past. In essence, you would be reborn into your younger self¡¯s body at this very moment. However..." Sasuke¡¯s gaze sharpened. "How?" Orochimaru continued, his voice measured. "There are two limitations. First, the user cannot choose when they will reincarnate. Second, only one person can be transported. Once activated, Karasuki will be destroyed..." Sasuke¡¯s expression grew heavy. He understood the weight of those words. His soul would be reborn in an unknown moment, but that was secondary. The real consequence, he would be saying goodbye to Orochimaru forever. The man who was once his mortal enemy, his mentor, and for the past ten years, his only companion. A bond like that could not be put into words. Orochimaru raised his hand, revealing a sphere of white light. "Sasuke-kun, this is a chakra construct containing all of my knowledge, memories, and emotions. Consider it my gift to my past self. It will reside within your soul. When you return to the past and meet my younger self, challenge him. Defeat him, and give him this light. He will understand everything, inherit all my research, and become your ally." Sasuke didn¡¯t immediately reach for it. Orochimaru smiled. "Don¡¯t be like that, Sasuke-kun. You have someone to protect again, don¡¯t you?" Sasuke hesitated. "And what about you? After I leave, you¡¯ll truly be alone." Orochimaru''s expression was tranquil. "I have the truth beside me. I will not be lonely." Sasuke still didn¡¯t take the light. He was no longer the selfish boy he once was. "This journey is dangerous. Setsuna is so powerful that even if I reincarnate as an ¨­tsutsuki, I have no confidence that I can change the future..." Orochimaru smirked. "Then if you do manage to succeed, remember to come back and tell me about it. Give me something to look forward to in my lonely existence. How about that?" Finally, Sasuke closed his eyes and exhaled deeply. "Then it''s decided." He reached out, grasping the sphere of light. It dissolved in his hand, merging with his soul. A gust of wind swept through the room as Orochimaru¡¯s long, flowing hair fluttered. Chakra surged into Karasuki. A blinding golden light flared within Karasuki¡¯s eyes. A divine radiance descended from the heavens, engulfing Sasuke¡¯s soul, pulling it from his aged body, and sending it into an unknown past. As his consciousness faded, Sasuke whispered his final words. "Orochimaru... you¡¯ve carried this burden for so many years. Please, wait for my good news." Orochimaru smiled softly, watching as Sasuke¡¯s soul vanished into the vortex of time and space. A gust of wind swept through the empty room. Then "crack!" The golden light disappeared. Karasuki¡¯s power was depleted. Its shell cracked. Then "crack!" Lines of fractures spread across Orochimaru¡¯s body. "Sasuke-kun¡­ I never told you the full cost of this technique.¡± "The price for activating it is the destruction of both the caster and the sanctuary. That means... I am destined never to hear your good news." "So please, accept my final wish, and move forward." A faint laugh escaped him. "Heh¡­ in the end¡­ you became the person I once despised the most. But¡­ that¡¯s not so bad, is it?" Orochimaru¡¯s body crumbled into ash. The White Snake, at last, returned to dust. The tale of Orochimaru, not a hero, but greater than a hero, ended along with the world he once knew. But from the end of the world, a soul, traveling through time and space, returned to its younger body. As his eyes opened he saw something shocking. ---- you can read more 60 advance chapter on my patreon: pat reon.com/DylanBriak Chapter 3 [Chapter Size: 1100 Words.] --------------------------------------- Sasuke lowered his head, lost in a trance. In his dazed vision, the blurred face so close to him gradually became clear as his thoughts and reality intertwined. It was an extremely familiar and gentle face to the reborn Sasuke! Naruto lay quietly on his back in the water, his body covered in bruises, and his orange clothes stained with dirt. Sasuke, in pursuit of power to avenge Itachi, he deserted the village and joined Orochimaru. Naruto relentlessly chased after him, leading to a battle at the Valley of the End! After the clash of their beliefs, Naruto fell! "This really is a rebirth, an impartial one that goes back forty years." "Looking back, the first person I saw, it was still you, Naruto¡­¡± Sasuke smiled, then laughed until tears streamed down his face. He had wished, more than once, to see his best friend again. He originally thought it was a luxury beyond his reach, but now, his best friend was right in front of him, alive! He reached out and touched his best friend''s face, thinking about the bonds he had once lost, the ones he lacked the power to save, yet somehow, they had survived until now. The gods had shown him mercy, allowing him to start over. He cursed in front of his best friend''s face. "I swear... I will never let that future happen again!!!" Deep within his soul, the emotions of love and separation, repressed for decades, were far more powerful than the mere pain of witnessing a loved one''s death! A special chakra surged, affecting his optic nerve! The three hidden magatamas appeared, spinning before his eyes as they completed their transformation into a hexagram! Forty years in the past, Sasuke had been reborn, awakening his Mangeky¨­ Sharingan the moment he returned! The rain continued to fall, causing ripples to form endlessly on the water¡¯s surface. Returning from the joy of rebirth and seeing his best friend again, Sasuke stood up. With his mission in mind, he now faced his first choice. Would he return to Konoha with Naruto and take things slowly, or would he become a rogue ninja once again and seek out Orochimaru? Although reluctant to part ways with Naruto, he quickly made his decision! "Orochimaru is the key to changing the future. Setsuna will awaken in thirty years. I must use those thirty years to bridge a gap spanning thousands of years in the foundation. From now on, every second counts!" This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. "It seems I''m destined to become a rogue ninja once more..." Naruto''s ninja way was a gospel for times of peace, and until now, Sasuke had never denied that! But the facts had proven that Naruto¡¯s path alone could not save the Ninja World from the threat of the Otsutsuki god! Sasuke looked at his best friend¡¯s sleeping, peaceful face and once again tied the forehead protector symbolizing a rogue ninja around his chest. However, unlike before, this time he took Naruto¡¯s hands and gently placed them flat against the metal plate. Then, he leaped from the water to the top of Hashirama Senju¡¯s statue, glancing back at his best friend. He knew, from the moment he chose to defect from Konoha again, the battle at the Valley of the End was destined to be reenacted! But this time, the faith and purpose in his eyes were completely different. "Naruto, this time, this time will be different. Wait for me..." Sasuke departed resolutely. ¡­ Four Days Later ¨C Orochimaru¡¯s Hideout. He had changed into a pure white kimono, dark blue pants, and wrapped a purple rope belt around his waist. Just like before, he arrived before Orochimaru, guided by Kabuto. A meeting that, in his past life, had taken place four days later, but after forty long years, it had finally happened again. Four days ago, during their farewell under the distant starry sky, Orochimaru''s intellectual voice and appearance were still fresh in Sasuke¡¯s mind. Yet at this moment, under the dim candlelight, Orochimaru¡¯s sinister face made Sasuke feel as if he were in another world. Sasuke knew very well that the Orochimaru standing before him was merely using his thirst for vengeance against Itachi, seeking to turn him into a vessel for reincarnation. This was not the Orochimaru whom he had come to respect as a mentor and almost as family! His goal now was to defeat Orochimaru and implant the chakra light orb containing the future Orochimaru¡¯s knowledge, memories, and emotions into his body! During the invasion of Konoha, the Third Hokage had used the Shiki F¨±jin to seal Orochimaru¡¯s soul within both his hands, rendering him incapable of using ninjutsu. However, just a few days ago, he had successfully reincarnated using an experimental subject! Orochimaru greeted him with a smile. "Sasuke-kun, I¡¯ve been waiting for you for a long time." "..." Sasuke lowered his head, saying nothing. Nearby, Kabuto adjusted his glasses and said, "Look up and let Lord Orochimaru see you." Slowly, Sasuke lifted his head, meeting Orochimaru¡¯s gaze, and in that instant, something from deep within Sasuke''s soul sent a chilling sense of wrongness through Orochimaru¡¯s entire body, making his hair stand on end! "Huh!?" Orochimaru¡¯s pupils suddenly shrank. "Sasuke-kun¡¯s eyes, they are completely different from before!!!¡± How could he have known, that within the young body standing before him resided a soul whose power had once rivaled that of the Six Paths himself? Though Orochimaru did not understand the specifics, his instincts screamed that this Sasuke was extremely dangerous!!! "Kabuto¡­! Get away!!" "What...!?" Before Kabuto could react, a massive, dark purple monster emerged from the depths, grabbing him fiercely with a massive hand! "Genjutsu?! But this chakra. What is happening?" "Thud!" Kabuto¡¯s knees buckled, and he collapsed to the ground! "Chirr!" Sasuke¡¯s eyes transformed into the Mangeky¨­ Sharingan! Orochimaru immediately understood. "I see, those eyes. It seems you''ve killed Naruto and gained the same eyes as Itachi. This is beyond my expectations..." "Chirr!" The power of the Cursed Seal on the back of Sasuke¡¯s neck was unleashed, lightning crackling in his palm as he launched a sudden attack on Orochimaru! "Whoosh!" Even with his hands disabled, Orochimaru was still fast. With just a glance at Kabuto, he disappeared from his seat in an instant! "Boom!" As the walls cracked, the two burst into the open air! At that moment, Sasuke had already activated the second stage of his Cursed Seal. His entire body darkened to a shade of grayish-black, and bat-like wings sprouted from his back as he hovered in the air! ---- you can read more 60 advance chapter on my patreon: pat reon.com/DylanBriak Chapter 4 [Chapter Size: 1000 Words.] --------------------------------------- Orochimaru stood in the cold wind, his long hair billowing, his body surrounded by giant serpents. Looking up at the sky, he said, "Sasuke-kun, your growth in such a short period of time is truly beyond my expectations. But what intrigues me is that you seek even greater power through me. Aren''t you planning to take revenge on Itachi?" Sasuke responded by flapping his wings and descending! Orochimaru sneered. "As expected, you''re still naive!" Sasuke dove, extending his right hand, coating it in Chidori! Sasuke had once been left-handed, but after losing his left arm in battle against Naruto, he spent the following decades relying solely on his right. Now, after his rebirth, he was naturally more accustomed to using his right hand! "Crack!" As he charged forward, lightning suddenly extended without warning. With a sharp crackling sound, it pierced Orochimaru, catching him completely off guard! Orochimaru coughed up blood, his slit-like pupils widening in shock. "He only just learned Chidori during the Chunin Exams. How did he master such an advanced shape transformation in such a short time?!" Perhaps the body was limited by chakra and muscle strength, but the knowledge of ninjutsu was stored in the soul. It was only a matter of time! "Ahhh!!" Orochimaru used his signature Body Shedding Technique, opening his mouth to spit out a new version of himself! The reborn Orochimaru transformed his legs into a massive snake tail and swiftly slithered away! Sasuke relentlessly pursued him, chasing him all the way to a mountain wall. Orochimaru turned back, only to collapse to the ground. Formation of Ten Thousand Snakes! "Whoosh!" Countless strange serpents erupted from his mouth, writhing as they spewed forth razor-sharp Kusanagi blades. Snakes stacked upon snakes, swords stacked upon swords, striking toward the sky with terrifying force! Sasuke was seen flicking his sleeves midair. Chidori Senbon! "Crackle!" If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. Thousands of piercing bolts of lightning rained down, drowning the swarm of serpents. With a follow-up Great Dragon Fire Technique, the writhing mass was reduced to ashes! "BOOM!!!" Explosive flames were scattered by the swelling body of a white serpent, and even the mountain wall behind it crumbled under the weight of the battle! "SASUKE!!!" As the flames and dust settled, a monstrous, eight-headed, snake-like entity emerged. Sasuke''s gaze sharpened. "So soon, you''re already using the Eight-Headed Serpent Technique?" "Chirr!" At that moment, the hexagram in Sasuke¡¯s left eye locked onto the massive serpent. Amaterasu! "Whoosh!!" Black flames instantly ignited the colossal snake¡¯s body! He writhed in agony, consumed by the unquenchable black fire. "Tustle, rustle, rustle!" However, from the middle snake¡¯s head, a slimy, pale form emerged, Orochimaru, cackling wildly. "Hehehe, unfortunately for you, Amaterasu is completely ineffective against an immortal like me..." "Swish, swish, swish." As soon as he finished speaking, he quickly shed its burning skin! After witnessing Sasuke¡¯s rapid growth, Orochimaru became even more convinced of his potential. He still wanted to win Sasuke over. "So, Sasuke-kun, with your current abilities, you still cannot kill me! You''ve grown stronger, yes, but you¡¯re still not as powerful as Itachi. However, if you stay by my side, within two years, no, within a single year, I will give you the power to surpass him!" At that moment, Sasuke¡¯s right hand, hidden behind his back, revealed the white light orb that Orochimaru had given him during their farewell. Chidori¡¯s lightning enveloped it. Sasuke feigned politeness. "Really now, if you can withstand my next move, I might consider it." Orochimaru smirked. "You¡¯re such a stubborn child. Very well, come at me!¡± Sasuke flapped his wings and soared upward, then plunged down, driving his Chidori straight into Orochimaru¡¯s chest! Orochimaru sneered. "A Chidori? Sasuke, you should know better than to underestimate me..." "Zap!!" But, at the very moment the lightning pierced his chest, Orochimaru¡¯s expression froze! "Y-you... What did you do...?¡± Sasuke gazed into his eyes, his voice calm. "Orochimaru, you''re still young at this moment. The arrogance that comes with your immortality has made you fall into my trap so easily..." Then, his expression softened slightly. "But that¡¯s fine..." "Chirr!" The white light orb, hidden within the Chidori, fused into Orochimaru¡¯s soul! A flood of knowledge, memories, and emotions from the Orochimaru of the future surged into his mind! "Th-this... What is this?!" "BOOM!!" The colossal Yamata no Orochi collapsed with a deafening crash, and Orochimaru fell into the ruins, surrounded by black flames. "Chirr!" The curse mark receded, and Sasuke landed in front of him. He knew Orochimaru would need time to process the overwhelming information. Over the next few minutes, Orochimaru experienced, in advance, the decades of his own future. He saw the fate that awaited him, a fate entirely orchestrated by Kabuto Yakushi. The turning point had come sooner than expected, perhaps even earlier than fate itself had planned. Though he could not yet fully connect to the spiritual height of his future self, the supreme truth had already shaken him. The narrow worldview he once held shattered, allowing his very personality to transform. "So¡­ this is how it is..." When Orochimaru rose from the ruins, his eyes were completely different. For the first time, Uchiha Sasuke, abandoning his former defiance, knelt solemnly before Orochimaru. "Orochimaru, please. I want to change the future. Help me become, an Otsutsuki!" Orochimaru took a step forward and helped Sasuke to his feet, a gentle smile appearing on his face. "Sasuke-kun¡­ Using this method is far too difficult for you. I am the one who will guide you in the future!¡± ---- you can read more 60 advance chapter on my patreon: pat reon.com/DylanBriak Chapter 5 [Chapter Size: 1100 Words.] --------------------------------------- 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 F¨±jin, 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." The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. 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 Mangeky¨­ 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 F¨±jin, was hidden deep within Konoha, in the Nanamand¨­ 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. ---- you can read more 60 advance chapter on my patreon: pat reon.com/DylanBriak Chapter 6 [Chapter Size: 1300 Words.] --------------------------------------- Familiar with Konoha''s secret barrier codes, Sasuke stealthily returned to the village without effort. Using transformation techniques to conceal his true form, he calmly walked towards the Uzumaki Clan''s shrine, located at the far end of the village. Familiar air, familiar streets, familiar people, yet Sasuke felt out of place. "This strange feeling. Has it really been that long?" He pondered the question. "No. Back then, my mind was consumed by vengeance. I didn¡¯t care about my surroundings. When I finally came to my senses and truly reintegrated into the village, it was no longer the same as before. That¡¯s why everything before me feels so unfamiliar." To put it bluntly, the defection of the ninja known as Uchiha Sasuke was barely a topic of discussion for most people in this village. He only remained in the memories of the few who truly cared about him. "If it weren¡¯t for Naruto and Sakura, I would have been forgotten by the village long ago¡­" Sasuke smiled nostalgically as he walked through a long alley in the village center. Sitting on a bench, a pink-haired girl cried with her face buried in her hands. He paused. That girl was his wife from his past life, Haruno Sakura. Through her sorrowful sobs, Sakura spoke to Kakashi, who sat beside her. ¡°Sensei¡­ If I hadn¡¯t begged Naruto to bring Sasuke back, none of this would have happened. My stubbornness is what caused everyone to get hurt!¡± Kakashi reassured her, ¡°This isn¡¯t your fault, Sakura. You only did what any comrade should do. As for Sasuke, his situation was the result of many long-standing conflicts, something no single person could have changed. But I believe that one day, he will return to us¡­¡± Her tear-filled eyes searched his face. ¡°Really? Kakashi-sensei?¡± Sasuke remained composed. "Dwelling on the past will only hinder progress." "This time, I have been reborn with the awareness that failure means death." "I never even considered starting a new family. No, it¡¯s not that I haven¡¯t thought about it. I simply don¡¯t dare." "If the mountains and rivers were to vanish, what place could I even call home?" "We still have a long road ahead of us, Sakura¡­ Will you be able to keep up this time?" Burying his emotions deep within, Sasuke swiftly passed behind the bench, continuing toward his destination. Sakura, lost in her grief, noticed nothing. But Kakashi, whose senses were razor-sharp, caught a familiar scent. "Hmm? That presence¡­ Could it be¡­?" Silently, he followed. At the far end of Konoha, the Uzumaki Clan shrine was covered in dust and cobwebs, abandoned for years. Sasuke stood before the wall of masks. Relying on the memories of his past life, he located the Shiki F¨±jin mask known as Hannya among the dazzling array of relics. At some point, Kakashi had leaned against the railing of the old doorway, a book in one hand, the other resting in his pocket. With a sideways glance, he spoke. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you at least greet your teacher before sneaking back into the village?¡± If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. "Kakashi..." Sasuke wasn¡¯t surprised by his presence. Carefully, he reached for the mask, lifted it, and placed it behind his head. Then, turning to face him, he released his transformation technique. "So it really is you, Sasuke." Kakashi flipped a page of his book, his voice calm yet serious. ¡°You managed to infiltrate the village undetected, which means you must have had Orochimaru¡¯s help. Where is he now? What¡¯s the purpose of your infiltration? Does it have something to do with that mask? What¡¯s its secret? Tell me the truth.¡± Sasuke responded evenly, ¡°Kakashi, I don¡¯t want to fight you¡­¡± Kakashi chuckled. ¡°Fight me? My dear student, I think you¡¯re overestimating yourself. Naruto might be strong, but do you really think you could be my opponent?¡± Sasuke¡¯s voice remained firm. ¡°I¡¯m serious, Kakashi.¡± "Oh?" Kakashi¡¯s expression hardened. "Such confidence. Could it mean Orochimaru is nearby?" Closing his book, he tucked it under his arm, adjusted his forehead protector, and activated his Sharingan, fully alert to his surroundings. Sasuke: ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Orochimaru didn¡¯t sneak in with me¡­¡± After verifying, Kakashi found no trace of Orochimaru. Sasuke¡¯s confidence didn¡¯t seem like a bluff. He truly felt different from before. But Kakashi still couldn¡¯t believe that Sasuke, the boy who had only learned Chidori two months ago, would dare act so recklessly in front of him. Kakashi spoke coldly. ¡°Sasuke, as your teacher, I can¡¯t allow you to return to someone as dangerous as Orochimaru. So, even if I have to break your arms and legs, I¡¯ll make sure you stay!¡± "Crack!" The moment he finished speaking, a bright blue lightning bolt erupted from Kakashi¡¯s right hand. His left eye locked onto Sasuke¡¯s body as he thrust his Raikiri forward! "Boom!!" The wall of masks collapsed as Raikiri was forcefully blocked! Kakashi¡¯s eyes widened as he stared at the massive purple skeletal figure that had intercepted his attack. "What kind of jutsu is this!?" At that moment, Kakashi noticed something chilling. Behind the translucent ribs of the purple skeleton, Sasuke¡¯s eyes were no longer adorned with the standard three tomoe. Instead, they formed a hexagram pattern! Kakashi, who had once faced Itachi in battle, was immediately shocked. "These eyes¡­ Could it be the Mangeky¨­ Sharingan? You awakened the same eyes as Itachi!?" "Chirp!" Their gazes met for an instant, and Sasuke¡¯s eyes flashed ominously. Genjutsu: Sharingan! "This is bad!" Kakashi realized the trap but was already caught. Before he could react, the massive hand of Susanoo seized him! "Aghhh!" A mere squeeze on his fist sent waves of excruciating pain through his body, nearly knocking him unconscious. The course of history would not change without reason. Allowing Kakashi to approach him was nothing more than throwing a stone into still waters. If this could stir even the slightest ripple in Naruto¡¯s growth, then it would be worth it. Otsutsuki Setsuna could never be defeated alone. Sasuke knew this better than anyone. At the very least, Naruto had to grow strong enough to stand on his own. It wouldn¡¯t be easy, but Sasuke could give him a push in the right direction. Sooner or later, Orochimaru¡¯s research would be applied to Naruto or other promising individuals. Of course, Naruto wouldn¡¯t accept that right now. But Sasuke had his own plans. "Naruto will get stronger to bring me back. Let him hold on to that false purpose, let him push himself to close the gap, no matter how small." For the next three years, Naruto would train under Jiraiya. If Kakashi reported that Sasuke had unlocked the power of his eyes, Jiraiya would adjust Naruto¡¯s training accordingly. "At the very least, after three years, the gap won¡¯t be so wide that it leads to despair." "For now, this is my plan." Sasuke looked down at the defeated Kakashi. "Kakashi, tell Naruto, if he really wants to stop me, he¡¯d better be prepared. Half-hearted efforts won¡¯t be enough!" "Urgh!" Wracked with pain, Kakashi¡¯s vision blurred, and the Raikiri in his hand flickered out. The commotion had also alerted nearby Konoha patrol ninjas! "Whoosh!" The Susanoo vanished, and Sasuke swiftly retrieved the mask required for summoning the Shinigami before retreating. ¡­ Back at the Mountain. Orochimaru observed Sasuke with mild amusement. ¡°Sasuke-kun, you took a while¡­¡± Sasuke responded casually, ¡°I ran into some familiar faces. But now, we need a different place for your next performance.¡± The Shikigami was supposed to be summoned at the Uchiha Naka Shrine, but that location was no longer suitable. Orochimaru turned his gaze toward the Valley of the End. ¡°I know just the place¡­¡± "Whoosh!" Sasuke turned, allowing the wind to carry him forward. Then, with a smirk, he mimicked Orochimaru¡¯s signature phrase. "Let¡¯s go before this gust of wind dies down." Orochimaru chuckled. ¡°Oh, I won¡¯t let this wind stop.¡± Yakushi Kabuto hesitated. ¡°And where exactly is this wind supposed to take us? Where are we going?¡± ---- you can read more 60 advance chapter on my patreon: pat reon.com/DylanBriak Chapter 7 [Chapter Size: 1300 Words.] --------------------------------------- Sasuke, Orochimaru, and Kabuto, three figures moving through the shadows, arrived at an abandoned underground facility, hidden beyond the Valley of the End. Orochimaru spoke, his voice laced with intrigue. ¡°After the battle at the Valley of the End, the Second Hokage secretly constructed this underground facility without informing the First Hokage. Its sole purpose was to conceal Madara¡¯s body. But after Madara escaped using Izanagi, this place was abandoned. It¡¯s the perfect site for our ritual.¡± Sasuke handed the mask to Kabuto and instructed him. ¡°You¡¯ve seen the procedure in my genjutsu.¡± Kabuto hesitated, gripping the mask tightly. ¡°Lord Orochimaru, I still don¡¯t trust Sasuke. Please, let me be the Shinigami¡¯s sacrifice instead. If you fail, you¡¯ll remain unharmed. If you succeed, you¡¯ll reclaim your soul, just as you desire. The only price to pay is my life!¡± Orochimaru¡¯s expression turned serious. ¡°Kabuto, your loyalty is commendable, but this ritual was not initiated by me personally. You¡¯ll understand why soon enough.¡± Kabuto remained firm. ¡°I know you possess knowledge from a future version of yourself, knowledge that doesn¡¯t exist in this era. But how can you be sure that your future self is ¡®real¡¯? What if this is a deception crafted by Sasuke-kun? Or worse, what if Sasuke-kun himself is under the control of some unknown entity? Can you completely rule out that possibility?¡± His caution was extreme, but when it came to Orochimaru¡¯s safety, Kabuto had to be thorough. In fact, if necessary, he was even prepared to destroy the mask. At the very least, that would prevent Orochimaru from taking an unnecessary risk. Orochimaru, ever the cunning strategist, didn¡¯t dismiss Kabuto¡¯s doubts. Instead, he smirked. ¡°Even so, my curiosity compels me to seek the truth for myself. Even if it costs me my life, I am willing.¡± Kabuto insisted once more. ¡°In that case¡­ allow me to satisfy Lord Orochimaru¡¯s curiosity with my life!¡± Orochimaru offered no further explanation. Instead, with an uncharacteristically warm smile, he spoke words that struck deep into Kabuto¡¯s heart. "Let me put it another way. Kabuto, your life is far more precious to me than the answer itself. Do you understand?" Kabuto¡¯s eyes welled up with tears. ¡°Lord Orochimaru¡­ I¡­ how could I possibly be worthy of such words?¡± Orochimaru simply smiled. ¡°Now, will you assist me?¡± Kabuto removed his glasses, wiped his tears, and cleared the fog from his lenses. Placing them back on his nose, he took a deep breath, then stepped forward solemnly. "If you fail, I will follow you to the underworld!" With unwavering resolve, he personally placed the mask on Orochimaru, beginning the ritual to summon the Shinigami. Just as before, Orochimaru channeled all the chakra within his body. "BOOM!!" A violent white storm erupted as the Shinigami manifested behind Orochimaru. Kabuto gasped. ¡°T-This is the Shinigami!!!¡± Orochimaru remained unfazed. ¡°Let¡¯s begin, Kabuto.¡± Kabuto clenched his teeth and handed Orochimaru a kunai. He guided Orochimaru¡¯s arm, helping him drive the blade into his own abdomen. At the same time, the Shinigami mirrored the motion, its spectral blade slicing into its own stomach. The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Orochimaru explained, ¡°Unlike before, this time, I only need to release my hands from the Shinigami¡¯s stomach. A small opening, just large enough to allow the passage of my soul, is all that¡¯s required.¡± Kabuto¡¯s eyes widened in realization. ¡°So¡­ it¡¯s a minimally invasive method?¡± "Whoosh!" From the small wound in the Shinigami¡¯s abdomen, a faint glow emerged. Orochimaru¡¯s severed soul, long trapped within the spectral entity, flowed out like streams of light, surging back into his arms. His soul was whole once more. Sasuke clenched his fists, his gaze lowered. ¡°The size of the wound is irrelevant. The price for undoing the Shiki F¨±jin is the soul of the practitioner. Orochimaru once escaped by using Living Corpse Reincarnation, but this time, that technique is no longer an option. In other words, the real highlight is about to begin.¡± ¡°Heh¡­ Hehehehe¡­¡± A sinister chuckle echoed. The Shinigami, its grotesque visage twisted in amusement, reached forward, its hand phasing through the rosary as it prepared to claim Orochimaru¡¯s soul! Orochimaru: ¡°Kabuto, fall back, now!¡± Kabuto leaped to Sasuke¡¯s side, his expression tense. But Orochimaru only grinned, raising his hands into a sequence of never-before-seen hand seals. Forbidden Jutsu: Soul Concealment Technique Whoosh! The Shinigami¡¯s soul-consuming grasp stopped mid-air. For the first time, a look of confusion flickered across its monstrous face. Kabuto was stunned. ¡°L-Lord Orochimaru¡­ what did you just do!?¡± Orochimaru smirked. ¡°The Soul Concealment Technique is a jutsu that allows me to hide my soul from detection. Since the Shinigami cannot locate my soul, it cannot take it as a sacrifice.¡± Sasuke narrowed his eyes. ¡°Now, if you remove the mask and dispel the Shinigami, everything will be resolved, right?¡± Orochimaru¡¯s lips curled into a sinister smile. ¡°That would be acceptable, but it wouldn¡¯t satisfy me.¡± "Whoosh!" His long hair whipped through the air as he continued forming intricate hand seals. Sasuke¡¯s expression sharpened. ¡°What else are you planning!?¡± Orochimaru¡¯s eyes gleamed. ¡°Hiding my soul wasn¡¯t to avoid the Shinigami¡¯s sacrifice. It was to set the stage for what comes next!¡± Sasuke¡¯s realization hit like a thunderclap. ¡°Wait, don¡¯t tell me!!¡± Orochimaru¡¯s final hand seal dropped. ¡°Yes. This is a sealing jutsu designed specifically to imprison the Shinigami. Behold, Six Coffin Seal of the Reaper!¡± A tremendous suction force erupted from Orochimaru¡¯s body! "CRACK!" "CRACK!" The mask on his face began to fracture. The Shinigami, sensing the impending doom, struggled to sever its connection to the ritual. But it was too late. Its spectral form twisted and howled as it was drawn, slowly but inevitably, into Orochimaru¡¯s body! "L-Lord Orochimaru¡­!" Kabuto was utterly dumbfounded. Sasuke, having seen much of the world, wasn¡¯t as shaken, but what he sensed unsettled him. "By my knowledge, Orochimaru¡¯s research should never have reached this point¡­" "I lost my will to fight and wandered aimlessly for ten years, yet he continued pushing forward in silence, all so that I could challenge the gods once more?" Before them, Orochimaru¡¯s form changed dramatically. Symmetrical horns protruded from his head. Ethereal white feathers adorned his body, flickering between reality and illusion. Ancient black seals pulsed on his skin. An old rosary hung around his neck, a blade at his waist, and a mystical bell-like weapon in his grasp. His form resembled a Jinch¨±riki, yet his chakra was entirely different. "CRACK!" The mask shattered completely. Orochimaru¡¯s once-golden snake-like eyes had turned deep gray. A swastika-shaped mark sat upon his forehead. "Without a doubt, this is the Jinch¨±riki of the Shinigami.¡± Orochimaru spoke in a deep, powerful voice: ¡°In this state, I can access all the power of the Shinigami, including the powers of the four Hokages within the Shinigami¡¯s body. Kabuto, are you now willing to trust Sasuke-kun?¡± Having witnessed such a miracle with his own eyes, how could Kabuto still harbor doubts? He adjusted his glasses and bowed respectfully. ¡°From now on, I am willing to use everything I have, alongside Lord Orochimaru, to help Sasuke achieve his goal!¡± Sasuke stepped forward, offering a hand to help Kabuto up. ¡°It will be my pleasure.¡± Orochimaru, with a mysterious smile, replied: ¡°Sasuke-kun, I will help you take the first step toward becoming an Otsutsuki. This is one of the primary reasons I took control of the Shinigami.¡± He then grasped the magical weapon with his right hand, extended his left arm, and from under the sleeves of his haori, a ghostly white snake emerged, biting Sasuke''s neck. "I want to transfer all of Hashirama Senju''s chakra to you. Given that your body is only thirteen years old, it¡¯s impossible for you to handle this power all at once. Therefore¡­¡± Orochimaru smiled with a hint of malice. ¡°There is no better way than to rely on the ¡®cursed seal¡¯¡± As Hashirama Senju¡¯s chakra flowed, the black cursed seal gradually transformed into a pure white seal. ---- you can read more 60 advance chapter on my patreon: pat reon.com/DylanBriak Chapter 8 [Chapter Size: 1200 Words.] --------------------------------------- After Hashirama Senju''s chakra was transferred, the cursed seal on Sasuke''s neck turned completely white. The White Cursed Seal, Sasuke could no longer feel the "consciousness" contained in the seal, and he had his own thoughts on the matter. The technique known as the Cursed Seal is similar to the "wedge" used by the Otsutsuki for reincarnation in later generations. The wedges are divided into "black wedge" and "white wedge." The first contains the consciousness of the Otsutsuki, while the latter is simply used to bestow power. During the Boruto era, Isshiki used the "Black Wedge" and the "White Wedge" on Kawaki and Code, respectively. So Sasuke concluded that the White Cursed Seal was developed by Orochimaru using the principle of the White Wedge? In this way, he could fully entrust the power of Hashirama Senju to himself! Sasuke immediately tried to release the White Cursed Seal! White lines spread from the curse. After covering his left arm, the curse extended slightly to his left chest and back. "Hmm..." He couldn''t release it further, and the left half of his body, covered by the seal, hurt so much that he almost lost consciousness! "Has Hashirama Senju''s chakra become such a heavy burden on me now? The pain I felt when I first used Susanoo wasn''t even half as bad as this. Just the partial state of the cursed seal hurts this much. After this, I don''t know..." Orochimaru said, "Don''t compare this to the experience of using the Black Cursed Seal in the past. The Black and White Cursed Seals are not just a change in color, the fundamental principle of the technique has also changed. The Black Cursed Seal has always been an external source of power, while the White Cursed Seal is a power carrier, storing power you can''t temporarily withstand. This power will eventually become part of you." "By releasing the White Cursed Seal, your body will gradually absorb Hashirama Senju''s power from the seal, and your cells and chakra will be transformed into Senju Hashirama¡¯s." "Therefore, what you need to do now, Sasuke-kun, is to maintain the cursed seal in your daily life. You should be able to understand the reason yourself." Sasuke reflected, "It''s like the ''weight training'' Taijutsu practitioners do, right?¡± Orochimaru nodded, "Yes, the premise of absorption is adaptation. It will be difficult at first, but once your body adapts, the progress of absorption will increase exponentially. However, your body is very young right now, and Hashirama Senju''s power is immense. It will take at least three years for you to fully absorb the White Cursed Seal!" Sasuke''s eyes darkened, "Three years. It will take three whole years just to obtain Hashirama Senju''s power?" The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. It would take thirty years to overcome the difference of thousands of years between him and Setsuna. Even though everything is hard at first, three years is a long time! Orochimaru said, "Then we must take some extraordinary measures to accelerate the progress." Sasuke asked, "Extraordinary measures?" Orochimaru explained, "Nothing promotes the growth of strength better than fighting, especially a fierce battle. Facing an overwhelming enemy pushes both the body and mind into a critical state, which can better stimulate potential!" "Indeed!" Sasuke agreed deeply. The reason why he and Naruto were able to surpass Madara and Hashirama''s achievements at sixteen wasn''t just due to their own abilities. More importantly, they experienced extremely fierce battles with powerful opponents in a very short time! Orochimaru said, "Therefore, I have a ''Ten-Battle Plan.'' If all goes well, the original three-year progress can be shortened to one year. One year is also the minimum time limit. If it¡¯s faster, it will cause irreversible damage to your body and limit your future achievements." Sasuke said, "Tell me about it!" Orochimaru: "In the first two months, you must keep the White Cursed Seal released at all times in your daily life, to adapt to this power and absorb a bit of Hashirama Senju¡¯s chakra. Then, starting from the third month, you will need to undergo a ''fierce battle'' every month. Ten months, well, it coincides with the time a baby spends in its mother¡¯s womb. After ten battles, you will complete your transformation!¡± Sasuke listened attentively, thought for a moment, and said, "I understand. So, have you thought of an opponent for me in the tenth battle?" Orochimaru smiled and said, "Not really. Fixed opponents have no reference value. I will choose opponents for you flexibly, based on your growth after each battle¡­" Sasuke''s eyes darkened, "So, in the first two months. I won''t be able to do anything after all?" Orochimaru said bluntly, "Sasuke-kun, I understand your eagerness to become stronger after your resurrection, but everything in excess is harmful. If you''re too anxious for quick results, it will have a negative effect. Just wait for two months!" Sasuke felt the left side of his body stiffen with pain from the curse. "Indeed. Now I can barely move, let alone fight. Two months is still acceptable. I might as well use these two months to adjust my mindset!" "Thankfully, i''m not fighting alone." thought Sasuke. "Orochimaru, let''s do what you say!" "Call!" Orochimaru left the Death God manifestation mode and returned to his original appearance, looking a bit tired. Sasuke asked with concern, "By the way, the power of the Death God must be a huge burden on you, right?" Orochimaru replied, "Of course. Fortunately, unlike the Ten-Tails, the pressure of the Death God''s power is mostly borne by the mind. If I didn''t have the protection of my future self, I really wouldn''t be able to bear it." "But even so, five minutes is the limit for maintaining the Death God''s release state." ¡­ When the three left the underground base, it was already late at night. Standing in the cutting cold wind, Orochimaru considered their next move: "We first need to settle ourselves. The mission we''re undertaking this time can''t afford any mistakes. The old base is no longer usable. We need to find a place that won¡¯t be discovered and can serve as a stable, long-term base." Sasuke looked up at the cold moon in the sky: "I know a place. It''s an island located in the outer sea of the Ninja Kingdom, near the Land of Water. Due to a special magnetic field, ships get lost as they approach, so it¡¯s never been discovered. It''s a ghost island that doesn¡¯t appear on any maps and is isolated from the world. Once, I accidentally got there using the time and space ability of the Rinnegan, and then I discovered a way to reach it..." "By the way, I named that island ''Blue Island'' because the moon seen from there is light blue." Orochimaru nodded, "Alright, let¡¯s choose Blue Island as our base. But before that, we need to go somewhere else. After all, there¡¯s a ''good eye'' that needs to be in our hands..." Yakushi Kabuto adjusted his glasses, his eyes dark: "Master Orochimaru, are you referring to Shin''s eyes?¡± ---- you can read more 60 advance chapter on my patreon: pat reon.com/DylanBriak