Chapter 27: A New Path
Only someone from the Uchiha clan could truly understand the horror of that night. Back then, Sasuke was just a child. Looking at his brother's retreating back, his feelings were a tangled mess—so much expectation had turned into so much hate.
But seeing Danzo's arm, covered in Sharingan eyes, was the final straw. His intuition screamed that the story he'd been told was a lie. Uchiha Itachi had been in the Anbu. The two men with Danzo wore similar gear. Anyone could see the connection.
Could it be... his brother was acting on orders from this man? Was the Uchiha clan's destruction... Konoha's doing?
His eyes burned red. He fell to his knees, overwhelmed by the pain. Naruto rushed to his side, but seeing Sasuke's scarlet eyes, he flinched.
"Hey... are you okay?"
A bitter, broken smile twisted Sasuke's face. "How could I be okay? My whole family was wiped out... by Konoha. What else is left for me?"
Naruto didn't understand, but he knew something was terribly wrong. "Let's get out of here. It's too dangerous."
Sasuke looked up at the sky, fighting back tears. Memories of his parents, his brother's departure, the slaughter of his clan—they all flashed before his eyes. A thousand thoughts condensed into one.
"You're right," he said, his voice hollow. "I should leave."
He ignored Naruto completely, turning and running at full speed. He didn't look back. In that moment, a new, terrible understanding dawned on him. My brother was framed. All these years... I misunderstood you. We, the Uchiha brothers, will destroy this damned Konoha!
Naruto could only watch, confused and helpless, before deciding he had to leave, too.
With Orochimaru's arms sealed away, the Impure World Reincarnation technique broke. The First and Second Hokage exchanged a final look with the others before their bodies crumbled into dust and vanished.
Danzo felt a surge of triumph. The man who had always been in his way was dying before his eyes. What could be more satisfying?
But a man in his position had to keep up appearances. He spoke to the dying Third Hokage with fake concern. "Don't worry. I will clean up this mess. Even after you're gone, Konoha will have me. You can rest easy."
The Third Hokage clung to his last breath. A lesser man would have died of rage right then. He wanted to speak, but no words came out.
Facing a handless Orochimaru, Danzo was brimming with confidence. A ninja without hands was no threat.
Orochimaru knew it was over. If he stayed, he'd be killed, especially by the man with the arm full of stolen eyes. He turned and fled without a second thought.
Danzo wouldn't let him escape so easily. He pursued, launching Wind Style blades. Just then, Kabuto arrived to help his master, but seeing Danzo and the Sharingan-covered arm, he was shocked. He simply joined the escape. The chase was on.
But Danzo wasn't worried. He knew cornered animals fight back. He would wear Orochimaru down, let him exhaust himself, then finish him easily.
He didn't expect an ambush. As they chased into a narrow pass, Fū Yamanaka suddenly yelled, "Lord Danzo! Look out!"
A massive explosion erupted, engulfing Danzo in flames. Thick smoke blinded his pursuers. "My Lord! Are you alright?!" his subordinates cried out.
Then, Danzo's figure appeared behind them. One of the Sharingan on his arm had closed forever. He looked at the two, his face dark. "I'm fine. But no one speaks of what happened here. Understood?"
Such a shameful moment could never become public, especially now, when he was so close to becoming Hokage.
The two quickly bowed their heads. "Our lips are sealed."
Danzo nodded, furious. Who planted all those explosive tags? The blast was meant to kill. It was a dead end for anyone chasing.
Ahead, Orochimaru heard the explosion and stared at Kabuto in surprise.
But Kabuto's confused look said he hadn't done it. Whoever was responsible, they had just saved their lives.
They fled Konoha, running through the forest for over half an hour. Seeing no pursuers, they finally stopped to catch their breath.
Orochimaru spat out bitter words. "That damned old man... sealing my hands with his life... I'll return to Konoha one day. I swear it."
Suddenly, a mocking voice came from the trees above. "The man with no hands still boasts?"
"Who's there?!" Orochimaru's nerves were shot. He reacted violently.
Sasuke dropped down from a branch. The cold hatred in his eyes surprised them both. They had seen this boy before, but he was different now. His gaze held nothing but pure loathing.
"If I hadn't helped you escape, you'd be dead by now."
Orochimaru understood. So it was Sasuke who set the trap. When he left earlier, he must have known Orochimaru would need a way out.
In Sasuke's new plan to destroy Konoha, Orochimaru was a necessary piece. The man was disgusting, but their goal was the same.
Remembering the man with the arm full of Sharingan, Orochimaru understood completely. Konoha really is a rotten place. A twisted smile spread across his face. "So... do you want to work with me? We can settle our own score later."
Sasuke gave a slow, understanding nod.
And so, a new alliance was formed. The figures of Sasuke, Orochimaru, and Kabuto disappeared together into the dark forest.