Under the towering, shattered cliff, a massive skeletal dragon lay dormant, its colossal remains stretching out like the remnants of an ancient deity. Beneath its ribcage, hidden from the world, was a dark cavern where the scent of damp stone and blood lingered in the air.
Footsteps echoed down the long, cold corridor. The sound of wooden sandals tapping against the rocky floor signaled the arrival of a visitor. A masked figure in a dark cloak emerged from the shadows, stepping into the chamber where Sasuke Uchiha sat motionless, his eyes still concealed beneath thick bandages.
Beside him, Karin hovered protectively, her eyes flickering with concern as she observed his every movement.
"So?" The masked man's voice carried a note of curiosity. "Have you fully adapted to them yet?"
Sasuke turned his head slowly, the faintest smirk tugging at his lips. "I can feel them syncing with me completely. My brother's eyes… they've unlocked a vision I couldn't grasp before. I can see everything so clearly now."
Obito—still clad in his swirling mask—chuckled. "Good. The White Zetsu forces are assembled and await your command."
Sasuke let out a quiet laugh, dark and knowing. "You're being awfully generous. Why support me so much?"
Crossing his arms over his chest, Obito replied, "Because your goals align with mine. You want revenge. I want chaos. It's that simple. If our objectives overlap, why wouldn't I lend a hand?"
Sasuke pushed himself up from the stone slab, his fingers drifting toward the bandages wrapped around his eyes. "Since you're here… I might as well test them now."
Obito raised a brow beneath his mask. "Already? You just finished the transplant. That was fast."
The air crackled. In an instant, a massive skeletal structure burst forth, filling the chamber with a crushing presence. Sasuke's Susanoo materialized in a near-instant, its power so intense that the cavern walls trembled. Chunks of rock crumbled from the ceiling, dust spiraling through the dimly lit space.
White Zetsu, stationed nearby to observe Sasuke's recovery, stepped forward in alarm. "What the hell—?!"
Within the ribcage of the colossal spectral warrior, Karin trembled. She could feel it—the sheer, overwhelming force of Sasuke's chakra. It was stronger than before, deeper, more consuming.
A flash of movement. A long, jagged blade of violet chakra slashed through the air, cleaving through one of the White Zetsu clones. In the next instant, black flames erupted from the gash, consuming its form entirely.
"Ahh! Sasuke, stop!" The clone screeched as it burned to nothingness, the acrid scent of charred flesh filling the cavern.
Above, the entire structure groaned as the stone supports gave way. The walls split open, collapsing under the weight of Sasuke's unchecked power. Obito watched impassively as the destruction unfolded, then exhaled slowly.
"Sasuke. That's enough."
Sasuke lifted a hand and unwrapped his bandages, revealing his newly awakened Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan. The pattern within his irises gleamed ominously.
"These eyes…" Sasuke murmured. "My brother gave them to me. And now, they show me the truth of the darkness ahead."
Obito's gaze lingered on Sasuke's transformed eyes, an amused yet approving glint in his lone visible eye. "So, the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan is truly yours now. No wonder your Susanoo is already complete."
Sasuke clenched his fist, his Susanoo responding immediately. "Let's take this outside. I need to push it further."
With a single swing of his chakra-forged blade, Sasuke sliced through the ceiling. Light poured in as the cavern collapsed entirely, the ancient skeleton above crumbling under the force. The earth rumbled violently as debris scattered in all directions.
Obito emerged from the wreckage, brushing off the dust. "You never do things quietly, do you?"
Sasuke's response was immediate—an arrow loosed from his spectral bow. It pierced through Obito's form, though the masked man remained unphased, his body flickering momentarily before stabilizing.
"I have no interest in fighting you," Obito said coolly. "If you really want to test yourself, then I suggest you turn your attention to Konoha. There, you'll find a worthy challenge."
Sasuke smirked, lowering his hand. "That's the plan."
Karin stepped forward, removing her backpack. From within, she produced a freshly folded set of Uchiha robes, along with Sasuke's blade. She held them out silently.
Obito watched the exchange and exhaled. "So you were waiting for me. You've been ready all along."
As he donned his clan's attire and secured his weapon at his side, Sasuke's voice was calm but firm. "Where is Danzo? And what of Naruto?"
Obito's expression darkened slightly. "Danzo has resurfaced—he's heading back to Konoha. As for Naruto… he's become far more dangerous. He's mastered the Nine-Tails' chakra and obtained the Rinnegan. Even with your new power, you might not be able to—"
A slow, confident smile curled Sasuke's lips. "Good. I was starting to worry he wouldn't be able to keep up."
Obito, for the first time in a while, found himself genuinely amused. "Then let's get moving. I'll show you the deployment of our forces."
Sasuke dismissed his Susanoo, the ethereal construct fading into nothingness. He turned, walking ahead, while Karin trailed close behind.
Elsewhere, in the dense forests bordering the Land of Iron, Jugo and Suigetsu moved cautiously through the undergrowth.
Since the chaos at the Five Kage Summit, the two had barely managed to escape. Suigetsu had retrieved his Lightning Blade, while Jugo had absorbed residual energy from fallen samurai, allowing them to recover enough strength to keep moving.
"Think Sasuke and Karin are still alive?" Jugo asked, his voice edged with worry.
Suigetsu sighed. "Listen, man. If the two of them are together, then trust me, they're fine."
Jugo frowned. "Why do you say that?"
Suigetsu smirked. "Because Karin sticks to Sasuke like a damn leech. If she's with him, she's probably drooling over him right now. And let's be real—us showing up would just kill the mood."
Jugo blinked, expression blank. "…So what now?"
"Easy," Suigetsu said, stretching his arms. "We keep moving. Maybe stop by Orochimaru's old hideouts. Who knows? We might find something useful. And besides—" his grin widened— "I still need a proper sword."
Meanwhile, within the depths of Amegakure, in an abandoned laboratory, Orochimaru observed the scroll in his hands with keen interest.
"My, my, Naruto-kun," he mused. "You truly never cease to surprise me."
Naruto stood before him, arms crossed, his cloak shifting slightly with his movement. "So? Will you do it?"
Orochimaru's golden eyes glimmered with intrigue. "Oh, I'll do more than that. I'll cultivate First Hokage cells specifically tailored to you. A perfect fusion."
Naruto smirked, reaching into his coat. He pulled out a sealed container—inside, an arm riddled with Sharingan eyes.
"Here. Danzo's arm. Research it. When everything's ready, we move."
Orochimaru accepted it, lips curving into a wicked smile. "And you trust me with something so precious?"
Naruto turned to leave, the wind catching his cloak as he walked out alongside Killer Bee. "I trust your curiosity more. You wouldn't run away from something this interesting."
Orochimaru's laughter echoed in the dimly lit lab. "Oh, Naruto-kun… you truly are fascinating."
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