The arrival of Sasuke in Konohagakure sent ripples both inside and outside the village.
In Konoha, those who knew him personally—like Sakura and Kakashi—were deeply shaken. The surprise was not only emotional but also strategic: Sasuke had returned at a crucial moment.
But outside the village, far from sunlight, deep within an underground laboratory devoid of morality or humanity, the atmosphere was radically different. In that main chamber—cold, damp, lined with jars containing preserved limbs and organs floating in amber liquids—the lights flickered, and the corridors seemed to whisper forgotten secrets. There, among tubes and vats filled with failed experiments, stood Kabuto, the Red Monk, and Obito, still bearing the identity of "Madara."
The Red Monk was seething with barely contained fury. His cloak crackled like burning embers with every movement. The shadows in the room stirred as if sharing in his rage, and the spiritual pressure radiating from him made the air almost unbreathable. His expression was twisted by human emotions he believed long extinguished. Hinata. That cursed anomaly again… Her presence continued to sabotage plans that should have been flawless. Everything pointed to Konoha's forces moving too effectively.
"Madara… what's the likelihood you can use Kotoamatsukami again?" he asked, his voice restrained but dangerous.
Obito remained silent for a few seconds, lowering his head as if weighed down. His fingers trembled slightly before he replied:
"The lesser version is available now. The greater one… still needs time."
"I need a precise assessment. What's the difference between the two?" pressed the Red Monk.
Obito looked up. His eyes gleamed with that cold madness that sometimes escaped his mask of sanity. But the darkness in his soul, subtly manipulated by the Red Monk's deft influence, made him pliable. He could not help but reveal the secret he would never have uttered otherwise.
"The lesser version implants a suggestion that the target interprets as their own thought—something they see as the best possible course of action. It's subtle, effective, but limited. The greater version, however… defines an 'absolute truth.' The mind, the memories, even the personality are reshaped so that this truth becomes unquestionable. The result is a mystery even to the user. But using it seals the eye temporarily. In my case, thanks to Hashirama's flesh and my Uchiha lineage, the recovery time is reduced—but I still need about a year before I can use it again. The lesser version, on the other hand, I can now use… continuously and without consequence."
The Red Monk narrowed his eyes. It wasn't enough. The pieces still weren't aligned.
"Too long. We'll have to improvise. You and Kabuto will go after the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki. Pain will move on Konoha in pursuit of the Nine-Tails. He should bring along a few Edo Tensei. Kakuzu and Hidan will prove useful. Chaos is the best disguise."
Kabuto, who had remained silent, looked up from some red-ink-stained documents.
"A simultaneous operation. It seems appropriate. If we wait longer, not only will their defenses grow stronger… but we'll risk losing the opportunity to obtain both Bijū."
Obito simply nodded. "I'll inform Pain. It's time to initiate the next phase."
The Red Monk turned to Kabuto, his cloak fluttering as if something alive resided within.
"And the experiment I tasked you with? Have you gathered the special samples?"
Kabuto adjusted his glasses and spoke with meticulous precision:
"Using the genetic material Orochimaru left behind, combined with what I've collected personally, we now have a viable foundation. I can execute the alternative plan. But… if we want to enhance the Zetsus, I'll need the specimen you mentioned."
The Red Monk didn't answer immediately. His gaze locked on one of the cultivation tanks, where a half-formed humanoid figure floated. The shadows seemed to whisper in his ear.
"You'll have it… if everything else fails. But I hope we won't need to go that far."
In that laboratory devoid of ethics or conscience, three monsters prepared the storm that would shake the shinobi world.
<<<< o >>>>
The message was clear and urgent: Orochimaru had discovered certain irregularities in Otogakure and required the immediate return of his team. In the Uchiha compound—what remained of it after years of abandonment and tragedy—the atmosphere was solemn, yet not heavy. The cracked stones, the silent hallways, and the breeze sweeping through the desolate grounds gave the place an air of quiet farewell.
Karin was quickly packing in a side room, while Suigetsu seized the moment to approach Sasuke. "Sasuke… can we talk alone for a second?"
They walked a few steps between fallen columns, far enough to be out of earshot from the others. Meanwhile, Jūgo timidly approached Oni, who stood in silence, gazing at the gray skies over Konoha. "I want to thank you… truly… Your meditation techniques have helped me more than I can say. I haven't lost control even once since I started practicing them. I'll always be in your debt."
Oni turned her masked face toward him with a gentle smile. "Jūgo, you don't need to thank me. You were always close to nature. I just helped you take that first step... Now you can walk toward it without fear."
Jūgo blushed deeply, lowering his gaze. "You… how did you know?"
She let out a soft, serene laugh. "A woman knows."
The truth was, he had hidden it well—but to her, his emotions were as visible as sunlight reflected on water. "She's never even considered the possibility. You'll have to be direct, speak clearly so that she even contemplates it… but if you do, I think things will go well for both of you."
Jūgo nodded, still flushed. "Thank you… I'll keep your advice in mind."
Meanwhile, Suigetsu raised a fist in front of Sasuke. "I know things got a little off-track from the whole revenge mission for now… but if someday you feel like settling old scores—and I know you will—you better let us know. I'll be seriously offended if you don't count on us, you hear me?"
Sasuke smiled calmly, a rare expression on his face. "You can count on it… Though the next group will be called Taka. You'll definitely be part of it." And Sasuke bumped his fist against Suigetsu's.
Suigetsu let out a loud, sincere laugh.
Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "Don't tell me Oni predicted that name too."
Lowering his fist, Suigetsu replied, "No, but she probably could've. With your obsession with snakes and hawks… it was just a matter of time. And speaking of Oni… if you haven't made a move by the time we meet again, I will."
"Whatever you say…" Sasuke replied, with a faint smirk.
When they reached Konoha's main gate, the wooden doors stood open, and the wind gently blew through the group's cloaks. For a moment, they all looked at each other in silence… and smiled. It was a fitting end for Hebi.
As they walked away, Sasuke remained standing beside Oni. His voice was a low murmur.
"I spoke with him… It wasn't easy. But I understand why you did what you did. This is something I should've said a long time ago… Thank you. I don't have the words."
Oni said nothing, but Sasuke noticed the tips of her ears turning red. He knew she had felt the depth of what he was trying to express.
But before she could respond, a female voice interrupted the moment.
"Sasuke-kun!"
A pink-haired young woman came running, carrying a box of food and a warm smile.
"Sakura…" Sasuke said, surprised to see her. But when he turned back… Oni was already gone.