When Uzumaki Naruto returned to Team 7, he noticed someone new standing beside Sasuke and Sakura.
The stranger wore a purple uniform and glasses. Smiling, he took the initiative to greet Naruto.
"Hello, Naruto. I'm Yakushi Kabuto, your senior."
"…Oh."
Naruto glanced at him but showed no interest in talking. Something about Kabuto's fake smile reminded him of Orochimaru. That cold, calculated grin. It was an unsettling feeling he couldn't shake off.
There was something insincere—almost sinister—about the guy.
Still, it didn't matter.
If this guy dares to make any suspicious move or shows even the slightest killing intent, I'll eliminate him on the spot!
Now that he knew the tragic fate of the Uzumaki clan, he no longer had any hesitation in his heart.
"Hey, Sasuke. Come here for a moment."
Naruto's voice broke through the tension as he waved Sasuke over.
Sasuke looked up, confused. He glanced in the direction Naruto indicated—a small grove not far away.
A forest? What's he trying to do?
Sasuke hesitated, but after a moment's thought, he silently followed Naruto into the woods. Despite his suspicions, he sensed Naruto wouldn't call him out for something trivial.
Sakura blinked in surprise.
If Naruto was going to sneak off with someone, shouldn't it be me? Why Sasuke?
But she held back her curiosity. She trusted Naruto wouldn't do anything dangerous without good reason.
As for Kabuto, who was still standing nearby, he noticed that Naruto had completely ignored him. His smile twitched slightly as his hands clenched into fists.
"Hmph… I'm doing all of this for Lord Orochimaru," he muttered to himself, eyes narrowing. "Enduring humiliation like this… It's all for his grand plan!"
Meanwhile, in the depths of the forest, Naruto finally stopped walking and turned to face Sasuke.
After confirming they were alone, he spoke bluntly.
"Sasuke, do you want to gain power?"
"…What?"
Sasuke's brain froze.
What kind of question was that?
Of course he wanted power! He craved it! But—he would never beg Naruto for it!
No matter how strong Naruto had become recently… he still refused to acknowledge him as a superior.
Seeing Sasuke remain silent, Naruto continued without hesitation.
"If I remember correctly, your Uchiha clan… they were wiped out, weren't they?"
"…Why are you suddenly talking about that?"
Sasuke narrowed his eyes. Everyone in the village knew about the Uchiha massacre. It was one of Konoha's darkest tragedies. Why was Naruto bringing it up now?
Was he mocking him?
No… something about Naruto's tone was different. Calm. Reflective. Sincere.
"I'm a descendant of the Uzumaki clan," Naruto said quietly. "Just like the Uchiha, we once had a glorious era. But after we allied with Konoha, everything changed."
"What do you mean?"
"One day, without warning, our entire country was destroyed. Only a few survivors remained. And each of us has suffered under the hatred and fear of the shinobi world ever since."
"…Your entire country was destroyed?"
Sasuke's eyes widened. He could barely comprehend it.
Even if the Uchiha clan had been slaughtered, they were still just a part of Konoha—a single family. But Naruto had lost an entire nation?
What kind of pain must that be?
Seeing Sasuke's expression, Naruto knew he was finally getting through to him.
"Sasuke," he said slowly, "do you want to join me in taking revenge against Konoha… and against the entire ninja world?"
"..."
Sasuke fell silent.
He didn't fully understand the truth behind the Uchiha massacre. All he knew was that his older brother, Itachi, had slaughtered their entire clan.
Itachi—who had always been kind, gentle, and trustworthy.
The older brother he had once idolized more than anyone else.
But one night, everything changed.
The kind brother turned into a cold-blooded killer.
Why?
Even after all this time, Sasuke couldn't make sense of it. But now, after hearing Naruto's words, a terrifying thought crept into his mind—
Could Konoha have been involved in the Uchiha massacre too?
Sasuke turned toward Naruto, eyes filled with doubt and fury. "Are you saying… the village had something to do with it?"
Naruto didn't respond directly. He shook his head.
"I don't have definitive proof. But I believe that both the Uchiha and Uzumaki clans were betrayed by Konoha. And I won't sit back and let them get away with it."
He took a step forward, eyes intense.
"So what will it be, Sasuke? Will you join me and become part of the new Uzumaki Nation? Or will I have to kill you right here?"
There was no hesitation in Naruto's tone. No bluff.
Sasuke knew he meant it.
This wasn't a childish threat—Naruto was dead serious.
This guy… he really has the resolve to fight against the whole ninja world?
If Naruto could even think about doing something so insane… then maybe he had already surpassed the limits of a regular shinobi.
Sasuke's breath caught in his throat.
"And what if I regret it later?" he asked, testing him.
Naruto gave a small smirk.
"I can tell. You're just like me—a natural-born avenger."
Sasuke fell silent once more.
He could feel it.
The sincerity in Naruto's words.
The rage behind his calm voice.
And… the overwhelming strength hidden behind that grin.
He didn't know what future awaited him. But if this path could give him the power to find the truth—to make Konoha pay—then he would walk it, no matter how dark it became.
"…Fine."
"Good," Naruto said with a satisfied smile. "From now on, we're comrades."
For the first time in a long while, Naruto felt something warm in his heart.
Sasuke wasn't someone who broke promises easily.
He believed that when the time came, Sasuke would rise and stand by his side.
---
When Naruto and Sasuke emerged from the forest, Sakura breathed a sigh of relief.
Naruto's usual smile had returned, and Sasuke didn't look injured.
Whew… Thank goodness they didn't do anything weird in there!
---
Meanwhile, in the chat group beyond the world…
Orochimaru: "Congratulations to Hiruzen-sensei on his double blessing!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi: "…"
Tobirama Senju: "Tch. I always said this Uchiha brat would turn on Konoha eventually. Don't take it personally, Hiruzen."
Uchiha Madara: "At last! A worthy successor from the Uchiha clan. Take a closer look—doesn't Sasuke resemble my dear brother Izuna? No wonder I like him so much!"
Uchiha Izuna: "Onii-chan…"
Tobirama Senju: "Well, well. Izuna, long time no see. I didn't expect to run into you here."
Uchiha Izuna: "I've been here the whole time, but it's hard to get a word in when everyone's arguing."
Fourth Raikage: "Wait… didn't Tobirama kill Izuna in battle? Why are they talking like old friends?"
Everyone in the group went silent at the Raikage's question.
They had all heard some version of this story:
Tobirama used his newly developed Flying Thunder God Technique to fatally wound Uchiha Izuna. Izuna, before dying, gave his eyes to Madara—allowing his brother to awaken the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.
After that, Madara challenged Tobirama several times, only to be stopped by Hashirama.
The Uchiha and Senju clans eventually allied to create the Hidden Leaf Village. Madara never had his chance for revenge.
Tobirama, ever cautious of the Uchiha's ambitions, kept a close eye on them, especially since he believed his older brother was too soft-hearted.
Izuna: "No need to make a fuss. If I died at Tobirama's hands, it only proves I was too weak."
Madara: "Izuna…"
Izuna: "Onii-chan… it's good to see you again."
Hashirama Senju: "Izuna's such a good kid! He's nothing like Madara at all. You know what? Why don't you be my little brother instead!"
Madara: "WHAT DID YOU SAY, YOU DAMNED SENJU HASHIRAMA?!"
Hashirama: "Kidding! Just kidding! You're so protective of your brother, Madara. It's kinda cute."
Izuna: "He's always been gentle, even if he doesn't show it."
Ohnoki: "???"
First Tsuchikage: "???"
First Raikage: "???"
First Kazekage: "???"
First Mizukage: "???"
---
To be continued…