A Fool's Folly?
The episode with Danzō's lingering spirit concluded. Orochimaru and Sasuke walked together toward their quarters.
On the road, they naturally discussed the subject of the Root traitor, the man who'd taken Kagami's eyes— Kāśyapa Senju.
Sasuke spoke first. "Kāśyapa Senju. Son of Hashirama. Born in the era just after the Warring States period. If he's still alive, his age would be around the Tsuchikage Ōnoki's. What kind of man was he?"
Orochimaru's gaze grew distant, remembering. "In my childhood memories… Kāśyapa was a taciturn man. Poor at expressing himself. He never even revealed his true feelings to his own daughter, Tsunade."
"Tsunade's fiery temper… she probably inherited that from her mother."
"After the Second Hokage fell, Sarutobi-sensei became the new Hokage. Danzō began forming Root, gathering those with… a 'propensity for darkness'. Kāśyapa—the First Hokage's son, yet utterly uninterested in inheriting his father's legacy—was the obvious choice. Danzō gave him a position of importance."
"That was probably the only time Danzō misjudged someone. He never expected Kāśyapa would openly betray him. Take Kagami's eyes… and defect from the village."
Sasuke's brow furrowed. "I've never heard of this. It's not in Konoha's records."
Orochimaru smiled thinly. "Well. He was the First Hokage's child, after all. Best to avoid… awkward questions."
"You think he lacked Danzō's ambition, then?"
"Presumably. Otherwise, after all these years… wouldn't we have heard something? He's likely living under an assumed name. Somewhere quiet. Unremarkable."
"How difficult will it be to obtain Kagami's eyes?"
Orochimaru's smile widened. "For me? Once I know the target exists… all I need are the trails he left behind. I will find him. You needn't trouble yourself with this, Sasuke-kun."
Sasuke gave a slight nod. "Good."
His plate was already full. Naruto's situation. Nagato's situation. Preparing for the coming Seventh War.
He had no energy left to hunt for a pair of decades-old eyes.
They returned to their quarters. Suigetsu and Jūgo sat on the tatami.
Suigetsu looked… nervous. "Orochimaru-sama! About me, uh, joining the Akatsuki—it was completely against my will! I was at the northern outpost, faithfully carrying out the mission you assigned me! But the Akatsuki just… attacked! The situation was—you have no idea! Nine deaths, one life spared—that barely describes it!"
He glanced furtively at Orochimaru's expression. Orochimaru showed no immediate anger. Suigetsu launched into a passionate performance.
"After I was captured, I wanted to die to prove my loyalty!! But then I thought—if I die, how can I continue serving the great Orochimaru-sama I respect so much?! So I swallowed my pride! Infiltrated the enemy! All so that one day, I could return to your side!!!"
"Heaven heard my prayers! It let me find my way back to you! Truly, heaven does not abandon those with determination!!!"
At the emotional climax, Suigetsu's tears flowed like a broken dam. Pooled on the tatami.
Sasuke sipped his tea, not looking up. "Suigetsu. Reel in your Water Release. This floor isn't waterproof."
Jūgo looked over then. "You are… Uchiha Sasuke. Correct?"
Sasuke nodded.
Jūgo's expression was flat. "That dream you made us have. What was it? Did we… know each other before?"
Sluuuurp—!
The water on the tatami reversed its flow. Streamed back into Suigetsu's eye sockets. He stared at Sasuke, suddenly sharp.
"Hey! I'm asking you!"
Sasuke set down his cup. "Suigetsu. You answer me first. After having that dream… what do you think?"
Facing Sasuke, Suigetsu showed none of the reverence he'd feigned for Orochimaru. "If I hadn't had that dream? Waking up, the first thing I'd do is cut you down. But because of that dream… I'll settle for blasting you with a Water Gun."
Sasuke didn't get angry. He just gave a faint smile. Lifted his tea again.
"Then my effort wasn't wasted…"
Suigetsu pressed. "Hey! You still haven't said—was the stuff in that dream real or not?!"
Sasuke's voice was calm. "Real or fake… in the end, from now on, you two will just—"
A hand settled on Sasuke's shoulder.
Orochimaru. A slight tilt of his head. A word in private.
Sasuke's eyes narrowed. He set the teacup down.
They walked into the moonlit forest.
Sasuke spoke first, anticipating it. "You have other plans for those two."
Orochimaru nodded. "They joined the Akatsuki. Gained actual experience hunting tailed beasts. Severing that connection now… would be a waste."
Sasuke fell silent.
Orochimaru continued. "I know. To you, Sasuke-kun, they are old comrades. Placing old comrades in danger… it doesn't sit well with you."
Sasuke's voice was low. "Under normal circumstances, maybe. But they've been back with me, separated from the Akatsuki, for nearly half a year. Sending them back now… is throwing them straight into the fire."
"True. But sending them back at this moment… at least guarantees their short-term survival."
"How so?"
"The Akatsuki has suffered severe losses. And I am certain… their hunt for the Eight-Tails failed. The reason, I think Sasuke-kun can deduce."
Sasuke's gaze sharpened. Of course. Obito reclaiming Kakashi's left eye—that never happened in the previous life. But Obito did it… Was it just because he feared I knew too much, that I could potentially release Nagato through Kakashi's eye?
Probably… there were more external factors.
The Sixth War just ended. If the Eight-Tails hunt had succeeded… Obito should be busy sealing it right now.
More importantly—Killer B's abilities. That man… even faced with Momoshiki, he managed to leave a tail behind and escape unscathed.
"I see. Obito can't count on Nagato and Konan anymore. The Akatsuki's active members… just Obito, Zetsu, and Kisame now. Almost identical to when they recruited Hebi."
Orochimaru nodded. "Exactly. But if we wait any longer… it won't work either. Once Obito re-transplants that left eye, completes his dual Kamui… his power will leap qualitatively. He likely won't have any use for Suigetsu and Jūgo then…"
Sasuke understood. "So you want to send them back now. Have them participate in the Eight-Tails hunt."
"Precisely."
Hunt the Eight-Tails…
Sasuke's expression was deep, pensive. "The revival of the Ten-Tails… is also the day I must become an Ōtsutsuki. Staying on the sidelines forever, using others to do the dirty work, keeping my own hands clean… that's too despicable. I'd despise myself."
"But… assisting the Akatsuki in hunting the Eight-Tails is not the primary objective."
Orochimaru's tone shifted.
—"By returning to Obito's side, Suigetsu and Jūgo will have a chance to re-enter the Kamui dimension. Their true mission… is to rescue Nagato. And to retrieve your father's eyes—Uchiha Fugaku's 'Mangekyō Sharingan'. To pave the way for you, Sasuke-kun… to awaken the Eternal Mangekyō once more."
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