Naruto: Linked to Kaguya, Corrupting the Ninja World

Ever since he started training on his own, Sasuke had spent a lot of time thinking. He knew progress would be slow without guidance.

Yet, his limited experience left him clueless about how to improve himself.

Especially at the Academy, whenever he overheard classmates from other clans casually discussing which secret techniques they'd learned, Sasuke always felt anxious.

He feared being caught by others, but even more so, he dreaded becoming like a headless chicken—trying his hardest yet failing to make meaningful progress.

Even Itachi Uchiha once required Shisui's help and guidance during his training.

What did Sasuke have now? No one else but himself.

"Are you strong?" Sasuke asked.

If this person could make him stronger—even if there was an ulterior motive—he wouldn't mind going with him. But did this stranger truly possess such ability?

"Sasuke, do you know what's most terrifying for a person? It's having no value."

"No value means nobody is willing to spare you even a glance—just as the Konoha ninja see you now, or as Itachi Uchiha does."

"They don't care whether you live or die—because you're not capable of influencing anyone at all. With your current strength, you pose a threat to no one."

Orochimaru smiled as he spoke these cruel words.

Hearing Itachi's name again made Sasuke emotionally stirred.

He clenched his teeth, his breathing quickened. He opened his crimson Sharingan eyes wide, glaring intensely at Orochimaru.

"Oh?" Orochimaru said with noticeable interest, "You've awakened the Sharingan already at your age. Impressive."

As he spoke, he released his killing intent.

Though nothing visibly changed around them, Sasuke suddenly felt icy winds howling, and the surrounding air grew bitterly cold.

It seemed as though he saw an ocean of corpses and pools of blood—a scene far more horrifying than the one Itachi Uchiha had shown him during the Uchiha massacre.

Cold sweat unconsciously broke out on Sasuke's face, his legs trembled slightly, and his entire body stiffened in horror.

Orochimaru simply gazed at him coldly.

"You say I'm worthless, then why are you here looking for me!?" Summoning all his strength, Sasuke shouted furiously.

Orochimaru chuckled lightly, retracting his killing intent.

"To me, you're just a specimen marked with the name 'Uchiha.' Whether you're a simple stone or a precious jade..."

He gave a faint shake of his head and left the thought unfinished.

"Are you strong? Stronger than Itachi Uchiha? Stronger than the Hokage?" Sasuke was soaked in sweat, as if he'd just stepped out of a shower.

Only after Orochimaru's killing aura dissipated did he let out a long sigh of relief.

"Not everyone in this world is like them, Sasuke. You'll understand someday," Orochimaru said calmly.

"So that means," seizing what he perceived as a loophole in the other's words, Sasuke loudly mocked, "you aren't as strong as them?"

Orochimaru didn't show any anger at his words. Remaining composed, he continued, "I can offer you the power for revenge. Leave Konoha tonight, and someone will be waiting for you beyond the village gates."

"If even this can't be handled, then there's no point in..."

Before he could finish his words, Orochimaru's entire body suddenly turned into smoke.

"So it was just a Shadow Clone..." Sasuke murmured to himself.

"Leaving the village..." His expression became somewhat troubled—not because he had strong attachments here, but because he worried about being caught halfway.

Remaining there for a long moment, Sasuke let out a sigh and turned toward home.

At the very least, this stranger had planted a sliver of hope in him.

Would staying in the village any longer lead to another chance?

If someone really cared, wouldn't they have at least reached out?

As the sky gradually darkened, Danzo Shimura looked up at the night sky. Standing not far from him were Jiraiya and Naruto.

"You really expect me to go through with this? Those people are ones I've personally cultivated for years—doing this would make my position in Konoha even more difficult."

With his back toward Jiraiya and Naruto, Danzo spoke with clear reluctance.

"Do you think Tsunade would let you keep all those secret subordinates? She'll take everything from you anyway," Jiraiya replied.

Danzo clearly resented his tone.

"Jiraiya, you have the nerve to talk? When Hiruzen was first captured, you didn't try to rescue him. Now everyone's accepted the fake's identity, and only now do you try fixing things..."

Helplessly, Jiraiya responded, "Now isn't the time to argue about this."

"Tsunade-sama's really got her priorities straight—making a beauty like her pull an all-nighter guarding cells," one of the ninja on guard duty at Konoha's prison teased Yugao.

"You're talking crap—are you trying to get a few nights behind bars yourself?" Yugao coldly replied, clearly displeased by this unfamiliar ninja's inappropriate tone.

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Perhaps having met all sorts of people before, even after Yugao expressed her displeasure, this ninja still tried smiling and making small talk with her.

Right as he was about to speak again, a blood-covered ninja rushed over shouting, "Someone's broken in—we've lost several comrades already, and a group of prisoners has been released..."

The previously flippant ninja immediately grew serious, and Yugao's expression also turned grim.

Out of all times… why now...

While other guards ran outside to investigate, Yugao moved in the opposite direction—heading deep into the prison where Hiruzen Sarutobi was held.

Following their plan, Root Division ninja created chaos outside while Jiraiya safely entered the prison, easily locating Hiruzen's cell.

He kicked down the prison cell door.

"Hiruzen-sensei, wake up."

Softly calling out to Hiruzen, who leaned against the wall with eyes closed, seemingly meditating.

Hiruzen slowly opened his eyes.

"Sensei, I'm getting you out of here," Jiraiya said.

"Leave?" Emotion surged within Hiruzen. "Why should I leave? This is Konoha—it's MY Konoha!"

"Shh!"

Jiraiya raised a hand for silence. "Master, speak softly."

"Elder Jiraiya, since he doesn't want to leave, why force him?"

Yugao approached slowly, appearing before the two.

Streetlights cast long shadows as Sasuke hurried along the road leading out of Konoha, his traveling pack slung over one shoulder.

It struck him as odd that he hadn't encountered many ninjas along the way.

When he reached the outskirts, he turned back for one last glance at Konoha.

I guess there really wasn't anything worth missing. Whether he should feel regret or relief—he couldn't tell...

"Sasuke-kun, here!"

A boy with silvery hair waved eagerly at him.

Seeing the headband on the boy's forehead, Sasuke's heart skipped a beat and he stopped in his tracks.

"Sasuke-kun, don't misunderstand," Kabuto Yakushi said, removing the headband and offering a gentle smile. "I'm simply the one sent by Lord Orochimaru to welcome you," he added quickly, noticing the wariness in Sasuke's eyes.

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