Knowing the Konoha Village barrier's secret code, Sasuke effortlessly snuck back into the Village, using a Transformation Jutsu to conceal his true form, and casually strolled towards the Whirlpool Clan's Mask Storage Temple at the Village's edge.
Familiar air, familiar streets, familiar crowds, yet Sasuke felt out of place!
Was this feeling of unfamiliarity because too much time had passed?
Sasuke pondered the answer.
No, at this time, my mind was full of revenge, I didn't care about my surroundings at all. When I came to my senses and truly integrated, the Village was no longer as it is now. That's why I feel unfamiliar with everything before me...
To be frank, the defection of the Ninja named Uchiha Sasuke was not even a topic of conversation after meals for most people living in this Village. He only lived in the hearts of the very few who truly cared about him...
"If it hadn't been for Naruto and Sakura back then, I probably would have been forgotten by the Village long ago..."
Sasuke smiled nostalgically, passing through a long alley in the center of the Village. On a bench that came into view, a pink-haired girl was crying, covering her face.
Sasuke stopped... That girl was his wife in his previous life, Sakura Haruno.
Sakura tearfully complained to Kakashi, who was by her side: "Kakashi-sensei, if I hadn't asked Naruto to bring Sasuke back, it wouldn't have turned out like this. It's my willfulness that caused everyone to get hurt!"
Kakashi-sensei patiently comforted her: "It's not your fault, Sakura. You just did what a comrade should do. As for Sasuke, it's the result of many accumulated contradictions, something beyond human power to change. I believe that one day in the future, he will return to us..."
Sakura's eyes were teary: "Really? Kakashi-sensei?"
Sasuke's expression was calm and unruffled.
Indulging in past emotions would only hinder his progress!
Sasuke's rebirth this time was with the resolve of succeeding or dying trying!
Rebuilding a family... He hadn't even thought about it! It wasn't that he didn't want to think about it, but that he didn't dare to!
How can one have a home if the land is not restored?
It seems we both still have a long way to go, Sakura... This time, can you still keep up with me?
Burying his past emotions deep in his heart, Sasuke quickly walked past the bench and headed towards his destination!
Sakura, immersed in her sadness, didn't notice anything, but Kakashi, with his excellent sense of smell, caught a familiar scent: "Hmm? That kid, could it be...?"
He quietly followed.
At the end of Konoha Village, the Whirlpool Clan's Mask Storage Temple, neglected for years, was covered in dust and cobwebs.
Sasuke stood before the mask wall, following his past life's memory, and from the dazzling array of masks, found the Reaper Death Seal mask, named 'Hannya Noh Mask'.
Kakashi, at some point, was leaning against the old doorframe, holding a book in one hand and his other hand in his pocket, glancing over with his peripheral vision: "Sneaking back into the Village, shouldn't you greet me, your teacher?"
"Kakashi, huh..."
Sasuke wasn't surprised by Kakashi's appearance. He stood on tiptoe to take down the mask, unhurriedly tucking it behind his head, then turned around and dispelled his Transformation Jutsu.
"Sasuke, it really is you." Kakashi turned a page of his book and said in a deep voice: "The fact that you can infiltrate the Village undetected proves that Orochimaru must have assisted you. Where is he now? What is the purpose of your infiltration? Is it related to that mask you specifically came here to retrieve? What's the secret behind that mask? Tell me everything!"
Sasuke calmly said: "Kakashi, I don't want to fight you..."
Kakashi couldn't help but smile: "Fight me? My dear student, you are perhaps a bit overconfident. Naruto, fine, but you don't actually think you're at this level to be my opponent, do you?"
Sasuke said lightly: "I'm serious, Kakashi..."
"Hmm?"
Kakashi's expression instantly became serious.
This confidence, could Orochimaru be nearby?
He closed his book, put it away, adjusted his forehead protector, activated his Sharingan, and vigilantly scanned his surroundings.
Sasuke: "Don't worry, Orochimaru didn't infiltrate with me..."
After confirming, Kakashi didn't find Orochimaru.
Sasuke's confidence didn't seem like a bluff; he really seemed different from before...
But Kakashi still didn't believe that Sasuke, who had only learned Chidori two months ago, could cause trouble in front of him!
Kakashi said coldly: "Sasuke, as your teacher, I cannot allow you to fall back into the hands of a dangerous individual like Orochimaru. So, even if I have to break your arms and legs, I will forcibly keep you here!"
Crackling!
As his words fell, a brilliant blue lightning erupted in Kakashi's right hand. His left eye locked onto Sasuke's figure, and the Chidori thrust forward...!!!
Boom...!!!
The mask wall collapsed, and the Chidori was forcefully blocked!!
Kakashi looked at the... purple Susanoo that blocked the Chidori's advance, astonished: "What kind of Jutsu is this...!?"
At this moment... he saw Sasuke's eyes, enveloped by the purple Susanoo, were not the usual three-tomoe, but a six-pointed star pattern!!
Kakashi, who had once fought Itachi, immediately realized!
"Those eyes... Could it be the Mangekyo Sharingan? You've awakened the same eyes as Itachi!?"
Zing!
The moment their gazes met, Sasuke's pupils swirled!
--Genjutsu: Sharingan!
"Oh no...!!!"
Kakashi, realizing something was wrong, tried to pull away, but he was already caught by the Genjutsu, and then Susanoo's fist clenched around him!
"Ah ah ah ah ah..."
A gentle squeeze of the fist, and the pain of his entire body almost falling apart made Kakashi nearly faint!
The axis of history would not turn for no reason. He allowed Kakashi to approach him precisely to throw a stone into the calm water!
If this... could slightly affect Naruto's growth, that would be good.
Ōtsutsuki Yaume was an existence that could not be defeated alone; Sasuke knew this full well!
At the very least, Naruto must eventually grow to be on par with him. That would probably be very difficult, but at least a push from the side, and Orochimaru's techniques in the future, would sooner or later be applied to Naruto, or other moldable talents!
But for now, Naruto certainly wouldn't obediently accept it!
For this, Sasuke also had his own plans.
Naruto would grow stronger to bring him back. Let him pursue this false goal for now, and strive to approach his power... even if it's just a little!
Over the next three years, Naruto would train with Jiraiya.
If Kakashi told Jiraiya that he had awakened the power of these eyes, wouldn't Naruto's training plan also be adjusted accordingly?
Then at least... after three years, the gap wouldn't be so despairing, right?
At this stage, that was Sasuke's plan!
"Kakashi, tell Naruto, if he still wants to stop me, he needs to come with sufficient resolve. Don't come to me half-heartedly!!!"
"Ugh ah ah ah..."
In intense pain, Kakashi's gaze blurred, and the Chidori dissipated from his hand!
The commotion here... also alarmed the Konoha Ninja patrolling nearby!
Whoosh!
Susanoo dissipated, and Sasuke, carrying the mask Orochimaru needed to challenge the Shinigami again, retreated successfully.
... ...
Back on the mountain.
Orochimaru said meaningfully: "Sasuke-kun, that took a bit long..."
Sasuke said lightly: "I briefly caught up with an acquaintance, but this time we'll have to find a different place to watch your performance..."
The place where the Reaper Death Seal was previously released was in the Uchiha's Nanga Shrine, but it was clearly not suitable now.
Orochimaru looked towards the Valley of the End: "I know, there's a secret place..."
Splash!
Sasuke turned to face the wind, imitating Orochimaru's catchphrase: "Let's go, before this wind stops..."
Orochimaru calmly: "I won't let this wind stop..."
Yakushi Kabuto was bewildered: "Where will this wind blow...? And where should I go...?"