"Fourth Hokage, don't mislead the youngsters here!"
Senju Tobirama glanced at the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, feeling that this somewhat erratic Fourth Hokage was misleading the youngsters, which made him a bit unbearable: "The Flying Thunder God Mark is just a symbol, what's truly important is first finding a coordinate for space-time teleportation..."
Senju Tobirama looked at Uchiha Sasuke, who seemed to be pondering, and started scolding: "Evil little Uchiha brat, what are you standing there dawdling for? First, come learn from me how to find your own space-time coordinate!"
"I understand!"
Uchiha Sasuke gritted his teeth, feeling a bit tingling on his scalp.
One night passed.
Uchiha Sasuke eventually acknowledged Senju Tobirama's teaching abilities.
Although Uchiha Sasuke felt that Senju Tobirama somewhat conflicted with him, compared to Namikaze Minato, who looked trustworthy, Senju Tobirama's skill level was much higher. At least, as long as Sasuke endured, he felt he could comprehend Tobirama's teachings...
As for Naruto's father...
He doesn't seem very good at teaching others.
But Naruto's father is really good at comforting people...
Whenever Uchiha Sasuke was scolded harshly by Senju Tobirama and felt like he would never master the Flying Thunder God Jutsu, Namikaze Minato would step up to comfort him, just like a gentle father comforting his child...
The next day.
In the morning.
Uchiha Sasuke had already begun to grasp the steps to condense the Flying Thunder God Mark. He encountered the same predicament as Kakashi but, possessing more space-time talent than his Instructor Jonin, he easily discovered the presence of the space-time coordinate.
The next step for Uchiha Sasuke was to try to transform his Flying Thunder God Mark into a fan mark of the Uchiha Clan, which greatly dissatisfied Senju Tobirama.
"As expected, an inherently evil little Uchiha brat! I thought you would, at least, leave a mark symbolizing Konoha like that Kagura kid!"
"Second Hokage!"
Uchiha Sasuke didn't care much, being extremely dissatisfied with Senju Tobirama's attitude towards the Uchiha: "Isn't the Uchiha a part of Konoha?!"
"..."
Senju Tobirama was momentarily speechless.
"During the daytime, you can leave."
Karin came to check on Uchiha Sasuke's learning progress, escorting him out of the Root Base, gently warning: "Not a whisper of the Root Base's secret is ever allowed to be disclosed outside…"
"I understand."
Uchiha Sasuke knew very well why secrecy was necessary.
Regardless of whether it's the four deceased Hokages in the Root Base or the survivors of the Uchiha Clan, no outsider can know of them, these secrets must remain in his heart at all times.
However...
It's truly a torment.
Because when Uchiha Sasuke performs tasks with Naruto Uzumaki, Haruno Sakura during the day, looking at the carefree Naruto Uzumaki, he suddenly felt a bit sorry for him.
This guy...
His parents sacrificed themselves at birth...
Hasn't seen his father to this day, has he?
"What's wrong, Sasuke?"
Naruto Uzumaki noticed Sasuke's somewhat sympathetic gaze.
"No, it's nothing."
Uchiha Sasuke shook his head.
No one should know about the Root Base.
Inside the Root Base.
A group of Hokage was still discussing Uchiha Sasuke.
Though Senju Tobirama found Uchiha Sasuke deeply irritating, he had to admit Uchiha Sasuke possesses a great innate space-time talent for learning the Flying Thunder God Jutsu...
Another summer has arrived.
Thirteen-year-old Uchiha Sasuke, through diligent training, had even mastered the Flying Thunder God Jutsu better than his teacher, Kakashi Hatake, and was taken by Karin to meet Akihara Kagura.
"Your mission."
Akihara Kagura glanced at Uchiha Sasuke and spoke gently: "Leave Konoha, become a traitorous ninja from the village, go to Orochimaru and monitor his every move for the village..."
"!!!"
Uchiha Sasuke raised his head in disbelief.
"Do you have any objections to Root's mission?"
Akihara Kagura looked at him, a hint of curiosity in his expression, as if he didn't understand why Sasuke was shocked by this task.
"No..."
Uchiha Sasuke was still somewhat at a loss, for the first time recognizing the terrifying aspect of a Root mission: "If I become a traitor..."
"The village will seek you out."
Akihara Kagura casually stated the consequences of becoming a traitor, then added: "But don't worry, your information will be kept here, and once you complete your mission and return to Konoha, you'll become an official member of Root."
"And my place in Team 7..."
Uchiha Sasuke gritted his teeth, somewhat yearning for the happiness in Team 7.
Because of Akihara Kagura, Sasuke received powerful support in Konoha, making him feel that his revenge was within reach, reluctant to leave the village and Team 7.
"Reluctant to leave Team 7?"
Akihara Kagura looked at the conflicted young Sasuke with interest.
"No!"
Sasuke quickly lowered his head, speaking resolutely: "I will carry out the mission, defect from the village, go to Orochimaru and monitor him..."
"Orochimaru is my ally."
Akihara Kagura said this with an inexplicable feeling but continued: "I want you to go to Orochimaru partly to monitor the alliance between us and partly for you to learn and hone your skills there..."
"Isn't Orochimaru..."
Sasuke raised his head, looking at Akihara Kagura behind the desk, unable to believe his ears: "Isn't he a traitorous ninja of the village..."
Akihara Kagura shook his head, continuing: "You're about to become a traitorous ninja too. There are differences between traitors... and this is the dark side of Root."
"Yes, I understand!"
Again, Sasuke lowered his head.
Though he didn't yet know the situation with Orochimaru, he, as a traitor, was merely leaving Konoha to undertake an S-level undercover mission...
Is this the darkness of Root?
Root members are forever buried underground, unseen in daylight; were it not for chance, he would never have known what kind of people Root Ninjas are...
"People have to grow."
Akihara Kagura gazing at the kneeling young Sasuke, reminiscent of his own youth: "Everyone has a path they must walk, and depending on the darkness of Root, draw the power to kill Uchiha Itachi. Sasuke, are you sure this is what you want?"
"Yes!"
"Then go."
Akihara Kagura waved his hand, speaking softly: "I'll have someone pass the news to Orochimaru; he's always been interested in your body. Soon, someone will come for you, and study well with him; he'll teach you how to kill Uchiha Itachi..."
"Yes!"
Sasuke lowered his head heavily, hesitantly asking: "I'll handle Team 7's matters in this time, but the reason for my defection..."
"For power."
Akihara Kagura looked at Uchiha Sasuke, providing him with a reason: "Kakashi has always worried that you'd be consumed by vengeance in pursuit of stronger power. Let it be for the power Orochimaru gives you that you defect from Konoha!"
"Yes..."
Sasuke hung his head, clenching his jaws, suppressing his emotions: "I'll go back and say farewell to them..."
"Do not disclose Root's secrets."
Akihara Kagura looked at the slightly shaking Sasuke and sighed softly: "Sasuke, the first time you handle a Root task surpasses Uchiha Itachi's, because within you resides something even more precious than him... humanity."