Naruto: Sasuke's return

[Chapter Size: 1500 Words.]

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In the Small House on Blue Island, Sasuke placed a cup of hot tea in front of Karin.

"Don't be afraid. You're safe now."

"Thank you." Karin held the cup, and as the warmth touched her hands, she instantly seemed fragile and small.

Tears welled up in her eyes. She let go of the cup and, in front of Orochimaru and Kabuto, couldn't help but throw her arms around Sasuke.

"Waah, waah, waah! I was so scared..."

"Hey, don't be like that..." Sasuke was visibly embarrassed.

Karin tightened her grip. "Sasuke, I swear I'll never leave you again!"

Sasuke thought to himself: "Strange, she shouldn't recognize me at this moment, right?"

Sasuke did his best to calm Karin down, and after some effort, she finally stopped crying.

Wiping a faint lipstick mark from his face, he spoke seriously, "Tell me what happened."

Karin picked up her cup again and, still trembling, recounted the terrifying events of the previous night.

"Before the enemy reached the northern fortress, I sensed his powerful chakra. I immediately warned Suigetsu and told him to take Jūgo and escape. But Suigetsu was hesitant, he wanted to flee on his own."

"I knew how important Jūgo was as an experimental subject to Lord Orochimaru, so I threatened Suigetsu. I told him that if Jūgo died, even if we managed to escape the enemy, we wouldn't escape punishment. Only then did Suigetsu reluctantly take Jūgo and flee."

"We split up. The explosive demon came after me, while the masked man with the explosive demon pursued Suigetsu and Jūgo. Later, I could no longer sense Suigetsu and Jūgo's chakra, they had been killed by the masked man. I was terrified and thought I was doomed. So, I ran into the forest and hid my chakra. You all know what happened after that..."

Kabuto adjusted his glasses. "They didn't die in the explosion? Then perhaps..."

Orochimaru and Sasuke exchanged glances and nodded.

Orochimaru spoke, "Kabuto, we have backups of Suigetsu and Jūgo's life forces. Bring them here so we can confirm!"

Kabuto nodded. "I see, Edo Tensei? Then I'll bring a living sacrifice as well."

Orochimaru smirked. "No need for a living sacrifice."

Kabuto was taken aback but didn't question it further.

Half an hour later, Kabuto returned with the preserved life forces of Suigetsu and Jūgo.

The four of them stepped outside.

Karin looked up at the deep blue moonlight above her and felt her emotions surge.

"It's so beautiful, It feels so good to be alive. I really want to stay here with Sasuke forever..."

Kabuto placed Suigetsu and Jūgo's life forces on the ground and stepped back.

With a whoosh, Orochimaru's long hair swayed as he entered the Forbidden Jutsu Release Mode of the Reaper Death Seal.

Karin was shocked, "What is this stance?! Orochimaru's chakra feels completely different from before! What happened to him after he failed his attack on Konoha and disappeared?!"

Orochimaru tossed out a "rosary", the weapon of the Reaper itself, binding the life forces of the two men.

"This rosary can summon souls back using the life force of the deceased..."

"Chi-chi-chi!"

Suigetsu and Jūgo's life forces burned to ashes, but their souls did not appear.

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes. "The summoning failed? Then that means Suigetsu and Jūgo are still alive."

Hearing this, everyone let out a sigh of relief.

Sasuke's expression turned serious. "That leaves only one possibility, Obito must have sucked Suigetsu and Jūgo into his time-space dimension."

Retrieving the rosary, Orochimaru deactivated the Reaper Death Seal. "Exactly. There's nothing we can do for them at this stage. Whether they survive depends on their ability to adapt. Fortunately, they aren't blindly loyal to me. So, if they betray me to save themselves, they won't die in vain..."

Karin's mind raced. Not just his chakra, Orochimaru's entire demeanor has changed. Before, he would never tolerate betrayal. But now, not only has he ignored my failure, he even hopes that Suigetsu and Jūgo betray him and survive?

Sasuke felt relieved knowing Suigetsu and Jūgo were still alive. He rubbed his eyes, trying to ease the strain he had endured for so long.

"My eyes feel a bit uncomfortable. I'm going to rest for a while."

"Sasuke..." Karin hesitated, wanting to follow him, but she was wary of Orochimaru. It was only when she saw the approving smile on his face that she finally went after Sasuke.

Meanwhile, Orochimaru turned to Kabuto. "To prevent another incident like what happened at the northern base, Kabuto, aside from your intelligence network, I want all of our bases and non-essential personnel dissolved."

Kabuto couldn't hide his reluctance. "But it took so long to establish them. What a waste."

Orochimaru gazed into the distance. "They've already served their purpose. Now, we need to move forward with minimal burdens."

Kabuto sighed but nodded. "Understood. I'll handle it immediately."

Orochimaru smirked. "Good. There's something else we need to do along the way. I've already chosen Sasuke's next opponent for the second match..."

Kabuto adjusted his glasses. "So soon? Doesn't that depend on how much of the White Curse Mark Sasuke has absorbed?"

Orochimaru shook his head. "No matter how much he has absorbed, it won't affect his next battle. Besides, given the current situation, now is the perfect time to target them..."

Kabuto's expression turned serious. "The two people you're referring to are?"

Orochimaru's grin widened. "Yes. There's a duo in Akatsuki known as the immortals, Hidan and Kakuzu."

"Kakuzu is the financial backbone of Akatsuki, controlling wealth that rivals that of an entire nation. The advanced equipment I need for the Otsutsuki Project requires a vast amount of funding. Meanwhile, Hidan is a devout follower of the Evil God, one of the Four Earth Gods, on par with the Shinigami. He is also a crucial piece for my other project, the Four Divine Pillars Experiment. Rather than leaving him out there, it's safer to secure him now..."

Understanding the weight of the mission, Kabuto straightened up, feeling the immense responsibility placed on him.

"Understood, Lord Orochimaru. I'll make sure everything goes smoothly!"

…

Inside a cave filled with stalactites, the members of Akatsuki gathered once again.

Kakuzu grumbled, clearly annoyed. "Hey, hey. Haven't we been having too many meetings lately? Don't we have actual work to do?"

"Waah, waah, waah..."

Tobi threw himself onto Deidara, sobbing uncontrollably. Beside him lay Deidara's severed hand, its mouth-like tongue twisted awkwardly.

"Deidara-senpai, I failed to protect you! You died such a tragic death!!"

Pain's voice cut through the commotion. "Tobi, stop crying and tell me what happened."

Tobi wailed, "Deidara-senpai successfully bombed the northern fortress, but after that, he encountered the ruthless Uchiha Sasuke! He summoned a terrifying giant of chakra! He fired a black arrow! Deidara was caught off guard and couldn't dodge in time! The great bird he was riding was blown to bits!! I risked my life to retrieve Deidara-senpai's body. Wuwuwuwu! Even though Deidara-senpai is strict, he's still a great senior!!"

"Ugh, damn it! My right hand. I can't feel anything! Where is that bastard, Uchiha Sasuke?!"

At that moment, Deidara, who was supposed to be dead, suddenly opened his eyes and sat up.

Tobi gasped in horror, clutching his mask. "Deidara-senpai has returned from the dead!!! HELP!!!"

Pain remained calm. "Relax, Tobi. Deidara is not dead."

Tobi tilted his head. "Oh, So he's still alive, but now he's disabled!"

Pain nodded. "Deidara, it was Tobi who saved you."

Deidara finally regained full awareness. "Tch, that bastard Sasuke. Next time, I'll make sure he doesn't get away! Itachi, your little brother is really something. But let's make a deal, I've reserved his life for myself!"

"…"

Itachi's Sharingan gleamed in the shadows, but he remained silent.

Pain turned to Deidara. "You were injured this time. You should rest for now. Kakuzu, go patch up his arm."

Kakuzu groaned. "This is going to be a waste of time. Do you have any idea how much money I'll lose from this? Who's going to compensate me?"

Deidara scoffed. "Hmph! Let's settle the debt with Uchiha Sasuke's head. Kakuzu, I'll personally rip it off and give it to you!"

Kakuzu crossed his arms. "Fine. But if you fail, I'll take your head instead."

Tobi tilted his head. "Speaking of which, Deidara-senpai's head isn't worth that much money, is it?"

Deidara snapped. "Hey, Tobi! Don't think you can be disrespectful just because you got lucky saving my life! Leader, you should discipline him properly!"

Pain shot a sideways glance. "Tobi, always respect your superiors."

Tobi immediately stood at attention. "Yes, sir! I'll carry on Sasori-senpai's legacy and reunite him with Deidara-senpai as soon as possible!"

Deidara: "Oi! You little!!!"

Pain ignored their antics and continued. "Tobi, you played a crucial role in protecting Deidara. From this moment on, you will inherit Sasori of the Red Sand position and officially become a full-fledged member of Akatsuki."

Tobi jumped with joy. "Long live Akatsuki! Long live Akatsuki!"

Kisame couldn't hold back his laughter. "Hahaha, Where did you even find this guy?!"

Pain scanned the group with a serious expression. "That's enough. For now, everyone should keep a low profile. I don't want another gathering until the Tailed Beast Hunt in three years."

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