Naruto: Reborn in His Younger Self

Sasuke walked into his room, his eyes landing on Karin. He said coldly, "Bring me a change of clothes."

Hearing this, Karin obediently grabbed a clean set of Sasuke's clothes. She had been staying here ever since she left Konohagakure with him. Sasuke rarely spoke to her, and she had no contact with anyone else.

To prevent her from wandering, Sasuke had chained her ankle to the wall—just long enough for her to move around the room.

Karin handed over the clothes with lifeless eyes and muttered, "Sasuke, here."

Sasuke stared at her for a few seconds, then unsheathed his chokutō and sliced through the iron chain binding her foot. Sparks flew from the severed link. Karin stared at him in confusion.

"Sasuke, what's going on?"

Expressionless, Sasuke said, "We're leaving. Follow me."

Karin was overjoyed—finally, she could get out of this suffocating room. For a moment, her deadpan expression vanished, replaced by childlike glee. Even though being with Sasuke brought her happiness, this place had felt like a prison. She hadn't breathed fresh air in what felt like forever.

Sasuke led her outside to a waterfall. Beneath it, he pulled off his cloak and jumped directly into the crashing waters, letting them wash over his body.

On the shore, Karin took in a deep breath, practically gasping at the clean, crisp air. The sunlight fell warmly on her shoulders, and for the first time in what felt like forever, she smiled with genuine joy.

"Ahh! It's been so long since I've felt fresh air... or bathed in such warm sunlight!"

She closed her eyes in bliss. When she turned her head, her gaze locked onto Sasuke, who was under the waterfall, white shirt clinging to his form.

"Wow… Sasuke-kun!"

Her eyes lit up with admiration, and her lips curled into a hungry grin.

"Hehehe, Sasuke! I haven't bathed in days either! I'm coming in!"

With an excited shout, Karin dove into the water and swam straight toward him, like a predator drawn to its prey.

Sasuke's brows furrowed. Just as Karin leapt from the water to cling to him, he vanished and reappeared onshore. Karin missed and splashed back into the river, surfacing with a pout.

"Ohh, Sasuke-kun, how could you? I just wanted to scrub your back!"

Sasuke shook the water from his hair. Droplets scattered in the sunlight, glittering midair. Karin was momentarily stunned by the sight.

"He's so handsome… Truly the man I love. Damn, he's perfect!"

She wiped a trail of drool from her chin, her expression wild with infatuation. She wanted nothing more than to cling to Sasuke's body and never let go.

Activating his Rinnegan, Sasuke unleashed Shinra Tensei—a burst of repulsive force that blasted the water droplets from his body without touching them. Then, he picked up his clean clothes and dressed efficiently.

After getting ready, Sasuke glanced at the dazed Karin floating in the water and said flatly, "Hurry up and wash. We're heading out for a new mission."

Without waiting for a reply, he turned and walked back toward the base.

—

Inside the base.

Obito appeared before Kabuto.

"How did the task I assigned you go?"

Kabuto smiled slyly. "When you and Sasuke were sealing the Tailed Beasts, I found an opportunity and captured him."

As he finished, a large white snake slithered out of the shadows. It opened its jaws and regurgitated a human form covered in wet slime—restrained, unconscious, and breathing.

Obito's eye narrowed. It was Yamato.

But he quickly noticed something more disturbing: wrapped around Yamato's neck was a thin, living snake, its fangs constantly biting into his flesh. With his Sharingan, Obito immediately understood the mechanism.

The snake wasn't biting him randomly—it was injecting a unique serum infused with chakra. This toxin disrupted Yamato's ability to mold chakra, completely neutralizing him. He couldn't move a muscle.

Yamato, a Wood Release user, relied on Hashirama Senju's cells. The fact that the toxin could suppress even those meant Kabuto had developed something terrifying.

Obito looked up coldly. "Kabuto, you've been researching that snake for quite some time, haven't you?"

Kabuto's grin widened. "Indeed. It's an enhanced creation based on Lord Orochimaru's research. The venom specifically inhibits the activity of Hashirama's cells, making Wood Release impossible to use. A single bite renders them dormant."

Obito's eye gleamed with suspicion. "You know what kind of material makes up White Zetsu. You're not thinking of using this on me, are you?"

Kabuto saw through Obito's wariness and felt a surge of satisfaction. He's afraid of me now.

"Of course not," Kabuto replied with a mocking smile. "We're allies. You're the commander of the war effort, and it does me no good to harm you. With the strength of your White Zetsu army, I'd rather help you enhance them, not sabotage our cause. Trust me—as a comrade."

Obito snorted. "You'd better keep it that way."

Kabuto's eyes narrowed. "How is Sasuke?"

Obito replied, "He's stable. The seven Tailed Beasts have been sealed into their new Jinchūriki vessels, and Sasuke remains under control. The next phase is extraction."

Kabuto's smile thinned. "Obito, let me remind you—Sasuke isn't someone you can control forever. You saw how he acted after awakening the Rinnegan. He's not the type to be obedient, and once he realizes how strong he is…"

Kabuto leaned in, voice lowered, "If he breaks free from your leash, with that level of power, the war might turn against us."

He looked meaningfully at Obito, waiting for his reaction.

Obito's gaze didn't waver. "I'm well aware. Don't worry—I've already prepared a contingency plan. He won't escape me."

Kabuto's lips curled into a satisfied smile. "Then I'm reassured."

Just then, a rustling echoed through the room as Black Zetsu emerged from the ground.

Obito turned to him. "What's the news?"

Black Zetsu nodded. "The Allied Shinobi Forces have regrouped in Kumogakure. They've split into five divisions, around eighty thousand strong, and are on the move."

Obito nodded silently. Kabuto licked the corner of his mouth with anticipation.

Another rustle—White Zetsu arrived.

"Naruto's making a move," he reported. "The civilians of Amegakure are evacuating en masse."

Obito raised an eyebrow. So… Naruto is finally leaving Amegakure. But where is he going? To join the Allied Forces? Or come straight for us?

White Zetsu added, "Also, three masked individuals left Amegakure. Their chakra couldn't be traced. I lost them."

Obito's frown deepened. White Zetsu had countless clones across the land—losing track of three people meant they were skilled. Masked, hidden chakra… Could it be Naruto? Was he imitating Obito's old tactics?

Doubt flickered across Obito's mind.

Kabuto looked at him and asked, "Should I make the first move?"

Obito was silent for a few seconds before nodding.

"Do it."

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