Candlelight rekindled in the gloomy lair, and Orochimaru successfully became Sasuke's staunchest ally.
"The most pressing matter is to retrieve my hands from the Shinigami's belly."
As a witness to Orochimaru's previous unsealing of the Reaper Death Seal, Sasuke was well aware of the entire process.
Thus, he raised a doubt: "If I remember correctly, you just completed the Impure World Reincarnation a few days ago, right? Then how will you escape the sacrificial ritual of becoming the Shinigami's offering?"
A mysterious smile appeared on Orochimaru's lips: "I am no longer the person I was back then, so I have my own methods. Let's depart once Kabuto wakes up."
With that, Sasuke felt relieved. However… he looked at the still unconscious Yakushi Kabuto, his eyes flickering.
Kabuto was an unstable factor. Even if Orochimaru told him the truth, Kabuto, after all, lacked the personal experience, so it was uncertain what he would do.
Regarding this, Orochimaru's view was: "This child, Kabuto, only needs a place to belong. He doesn't care about the destination, as long as he is by my side. But this gap is too impactful; it won't be easy for him to accept it in a short time…"
"Furthermore, this child was trained as a spy from a young age, growing up in an environment of lies and betrayal, using it as a means of survival, yet deep down, he resents these things, especially lies and betrayal from those close to him…"
"Therefore, to make him willingly assist us, we must tell him the truth without reservation, and then let him confirm it with his own eyes. Only then can we prevent him from going to extremes again. What do you think, Sasuke-kun?"
Sasuke recalled Kabuto's past life and repeatedly pondered Orochimaru's words. Finally, he came to the same conclusion.
"Indeed, let's do it this way…"
Kabuto woke up.
I remember Sasuke used a Genjutsu on me, and then I fell. Oh, no!! Lord Orochimaru…
"You're awake, Kabuto."
Ah… that voice, Lord Orochimaru!
Following the sound, Orochimaru was sitting perfectly fine in front of him. But what surprised Kabuto was… Sasuke, who had just tried to resist Orochimaru, was also sitting peacefully not far away… even sipping tea!
What… what on earth happened?! Could it be that Sasuke has already been subdued by Lord Orochimaru?
No matter what… my impropriety in front of Orochimaru is an undeniable fact!
He prostrated himself on the ground, repenting: "Lord Orochimaru, I apologize. I lost my composure and was caught off guard and knocked down by Sasuke!!!"
Orochimaru calmly said: "Raise your head… Kabuto."
Meeting those deep vertical pupils, Kabuto was full of trepidation: "Lord Orochimaru…"
Orochimaru said in a low voice: "Kabuto, what I'm about to say might be hard for you to believe, but I give you the right to question me…"
Kabuto eagerly said: "Lord Orochimaru!! Please don't say such things!! Your words mean absolute authority to me!!"
Orochimaru: "Listen to me first before you draw conclusions…"
After listening to Orochimaru's narration, Kabuto was completely stunned in place.
Sasuke-kun, came back from the future? And the future Lord Orochimaru was the instigator of this matter!?
What shocked Kabuto was not only this fantastical tale, but also… that after hearing such a thing, he actually, deep down, questioned Lord Orochimaru, whom he worshipped!
"No, no, impossible, this is too absurd, Lord Orochimaru, I, I…"
Kabuto's reaction was completely within Orochimaru's expectations. He glanced sideways.
"Sasuke-kun, use your Genjutsu. That would be more intuitive and convenient…"
Sasuke put down his teacup and said: "Kabuto, look into my eyes!"
Kabuto met the gaze of the Mangekyo!
—Genjutsu: Sharingan!
Thump…!
Kabuto collapsed to the ground, cold sweat streaming: "Unbelievable, this is… the future? The true future?"
Orochimaru patiently guided him: "Kabuto, first accept reality—not the reality of the future, but accept the reality that you questioned me. Only then can you free yourself from this anxiety…"
"Ah, huff, huff…"
Kabuto gasped for air, trying to calm himself down. Finally… his almost trembling pupils returned to normal.
So that's how it is. Even if I believe in Lord Orochimaru so much, I will still question him. But the source of this questioning is…
Orochimaru continued: "Kabuto, your questioning of me comes from the fact that you missed the interaction between Sasuke and me while you were unconscious. Deep down, you can't help but wonder if I might have been misled by Sasuke, or affected by Genjutsu, right?"
Yakushi Kabuto admitted: "Yes… that's exactly what I'm worried about. Forgive my disrespect, but you had all your Ninjutsu sealed by the Third Hokage. In such a situation, the possibility of losing to Sasuke-kun is not zero. So, I must confirm what the basis is for you to firmly believe in the existence of such a future!"
Orochimaru said: "The basis is that I received the inheritance of knowledge and memories from my future self…"
Kabuto mustered his courage and looked directly at Orochimaru: "Lord Orochimaru, forgive my disrespect, can you… prove this?"
A knowing smile appeared on Orochimaru's lips. All the previous preparations were to elicit this question from Kabuto.
"Once I retrieve the souls of my hands, I can certainly prove it to you. By then, I will respect your choice to stay or leave."
Kabuto declared firmly: "If what you say is truly not false, then I will certainly do my best to follow you… and Sasuke-kun!"
Orochimaru looked to the side: "Sasuke-kun, Kabuto said so~."
Sasuke calmly stood up: "Let's go. We know the way…"
…
Five days later, on a high mountain in the Land of Fire, one could overlook the scenery of Hokage Rock from the summit.
Sasuke's emotions were the most complex.
Forty years later… reborn, he returned to his hometown once again.
This was truly the feeling of being more timid the closer one gets to home.
The Shinigami mask for the Reaper Death Seal is located in the Uzumaki Clan's Mask Temple at the end of Konoha Village, so to achieve their goal, they couldn't avoid Konoha.
When he visited in his previous life, it was during the Fourth Shinobi World War. At that time, Konoha's forces were all out, and entering and exiting Konoha was like entering an unguarded territory.
But now… with the Fifth Hokage Tsunade in office, Konoha Village was heavily guarded. Obtaining that mask would inevitably require some effort.
And the one who could best understand Sasuke's feelings was Orochimaru. He thoughtfully asked: "Sasuke-kun, do you need me to do it?"
This time, Sasuke politely declined Orochimaru's offer.
"No, what must be faced, must always be faced…"
Swish!
The mountain wind was biting, and his white clothes flapped. Sasuke's figure was as swift as lightning, speeding towards the besieged city of his hometown…