In the Hokage's office, after the group finished reporting the details of their mission, everyone left.
Only Kakashi and Tsunade remained.
At that moment, Kakashi spoke up:
"Hokage-sama, there's one more thing I need to report."
"During our battle with Sasori, he accidentally let slip a piece of information."
"Based on what he revealed, I suspect that in a few days, he plans to meet with the spy he planted under Orochimaru at the Tenchi Bridge in Kusagakure."
Tsunade's brows furrowed.
Orochimaru was extremely cunning, his hideouts scattered all over the world, relocating every few days.
The intel Kakashi provided could be their best chance to locate the missing-nin's hideout!
"Could Sasori have leaked that information on purpose, just to lure Konoha shinobi into a trap?" Tsunade asked.
Kakashi nodded slightly. "That's possible… but…"
Tsunade understood what he meant and finished his thought:
"It's still worth the risk, right?"
Kakashi nodded.
Tsunade rose from her seat and walked over to the tall window of the Hokage's office, arms folded, deep in thought.
After about half a minute, she turned back to Kakashi.
"In that case, I'll have you lead the team."
"Since we don't know the exact time Sasori and the spy will meet, you might have to stay in position and keep watch for quite a while."
Kakashi hesitated.
"And the rest of the squad members for this mission…?"
Tsunade smiled.
"Naturally, your own team."
"But if this turns out to be a trap, taking Shinju and Naruto along… won't that be too dangerous?" Kakashi frowned, surprised by her decision.
Tsunade shook her head slightly.
"I used to worry about that too, but Shinju's strength has long since put my doubts to rest."
She smiled brightly, proud of her disciple.
Kakashi nodded, thoughtful.
A shinobi who'd mastered Wood Release at Shinju's level… if he wanted to, he could probably flatten the entire village already.
But what concerned him was the unknown techniques the Akatsuki might use — strange jutsu and dangerous formations.
Soon, a mission order arrived in Shinju's hands — just as he'd gotten home and was about to lie down.
Reading the details on the mission notice, Shinju's expression turned… odd.
The Hokage wanted his squad to investigate the matter, but ultimately, this was about tracking down Orochimaru's hideout.
And Shinju had… a much better way to find it.
Three years ago, when Sasuke defected, Shinju had sent him a letter via messenger hawk.
On that letter, he'd drawn his Flying Thunder God seal.
Which meant Shinju could teleport to Sasuke's location at any time, instantly.
After three years, Sasuke had most likely become part of Orochimaru's core inner circle, following him whenever he relocated…
Find Sasuke, and you find Orochimaru.
Thinking of this, Shinju put on his armor, preparing to teleport to Sasuke's location directly.
Beside him, Naruto yawned, still half-asleep. When he saw Shinju suiting up, several large question marks practically popped up above his head.
"Oi, what are you doing? Did the Fourth Great Ninja War just start or something? (‧_‧?)"
"What do you mean, Fourth Great Ninja War…"
Shinju sighed.
"Remember the letter I sent Sasuke three years ago? I'm planning to use the Flying Thunder God seal I drew on it to teleport straight to him."
"Since I haven't checked in on that side in years, I'm preparing for the possibility something's changed over there."
Hearing that, Naruto's drowsiness vanished instantly.
Mention Sasuke, and suddenly he was wide awake.
"Then I'm coming with you!"
Shinju wagged his finger.
"Nope. I already told you — we don't know the situation over there. I'll go alone first."
Naruto opened his mouth to protest.
The next moment, Shinju's body vanished!
Naruto: (°ー°〃)
...
In one of Orochimaru's underground hideouts.
Just as Shinju suspected, after three years, Sasuke had practically become part of Orochimaru's core inner circle.
To the rest of Orochimaru's followers, he was his right-hand man.
More importantly, Sasuke was also Orochimaru's next vessel for Living Corpse Reincarnation.
In a dimly lit room within the hideout, Sasuke lay on his bed, watching the candlelight flicker on the wall.
"Orochimaru has all this advanced technology, and he still hasn't thought about putting chakra lamps in the base…"
He let out a soft sigh.
Turning over, Sasuke pulled a small scroll case from his pouch.
It was the one Shinju had sent him three years ago.
Because of all the changes in his life and his shifting state of mind, Sasuke had never opened it.
Emotions… were shackles to strength.
As someone who lived for revenge, he had to grow stronger, cutting off all bonds with Konoha.
He didn't want to read the words of his old comrades — they would only weaken his resolve.
Sasuke stared at the small scroll tube, his gaze flickering.
Over the past three years, he had grown a lot. He also understood now that the reason Orochimaru had let him join wasn't out of goodwill — Orochimaru coveted his body, and more specifically, the Uchiha eyes.
And not long ago, Sasuke had overheard a conversation between Orochimaru's subordinates.
He wasn't even Orochimaru's first choice. Shinju was.
He was just a fallback — a substitute because Orochimaru couldn't have Shinju.
For someone as proud as Sasuke… how could he tolerate that?!
He remembered Orochimaru's gaze whenever Shinju's name came up — burning with desire.
That made Sasuke even angrier.
He didn't want to be Orochimaru's vessel!
And he refused to be anyone's second choice!
So.
After learning the truth, resentment began brewing in Sasuke's heart, and he resolved to one day cut Orochimaru down.
"Shinju… you're a genius. But I'll surpass you. I swear it!"
Sasuke's eyes were resolute.
He conjured a small flame at his fingertip with a Fire technique, intending to finally say goodbye to his past.
"Three years… whatever you wrote in here doesn't matter anymore."
But just as the tiny flame touched the bottom of the scroll tube, Sasuke sensed something unusual!
In the next instant—
The scroll burst into fragments!
And Shinju's body suddenly appeared out of thin air!
Because Sasuke had been half-lying on the bed, Shinju materialized right on top of his stomach!
Sasuke: ヽ( ຶ▮ ຶ)ﾉ!!!
Shinju: (⊙o⊙)
Then Shinju felt something was off beneath him.
It felt… hot.
He glanced down — the little flame had already set his clothes on fire!
"Shit!!"
He smacked the flame out with his hand, then bounced off Sasuke's stomach like a spring and landed by the side of the bed.
Sasuke just stared at him blankly the entire time, frozen like a statue.
After a few seconds, he finally processed what had just happened, stiffly pointing a trembling finger at Shinju's absurdly handsome face.
"You…"
Shinju just smiled and greeted him casually.
"Long time no see, Sasuke. (๑╹ヮ╹๑)ﾉ"
Sasuke: "L… long time no see…"
(ꈍᴗꈍ)
What cruel irony!
Back then, Shinju had drawn the Flying Thunder God seal on the letter to keep himself safe.
If only Sasuke had opened it earlier and burned it…
Now that they'd met face to face, how was he supposed to talk about "cutting all bonds"…