Konoha: Unable to learn ninjutsu, they had to develop their own.

"That's what I came here for."

Chiba got closer and told Kakashi about Orochimaru's death.

Kakashi paused, then said incredulously, "Orochimaru, he's just dead like that?"

"Otherwise what? The Second Hokage did have ideas for combining the Impure World Reincarnation with the Spirit Transformation Technique, but unfortunately, all the techniques he created were forbidden."

"..."

Kakashi felt an indescribable sense of despair.

Ever since he was ordered to intercept Orochimaru when he was a child, only to be completely defeated by Orochimaru, he had always thought Orochimaru was extremely powerful. But in the last year or two...

Orochimaru's invincible myth was gradually shattered.

Finally, that guy fell victim to his own actions.

How ridiculous.

Kakashi chuckled and said, "As expected, the souls of the dead cannot be fooled at will. It makes perfect sense that the First Hokage defined it as a forbidden technique."

"Let's go, I'll take you to see Sasuke."

Kakashi took Chiba to the hospital.

Once outside the ward, Sasuke had already packed his bags, and patients were being hurriedly carried into the ward.

Kakashi wasn't surprised.

With the surrender of Sunagakure, some of their wounded ninjas also need Konoha's help, putting Konoha under immense medical pressure.

Chiba glanced at it.

The hospital and wards were filled with Konoha ninjas, while Sunagakure ninjas were mostly lying on the streets outside.

The squad leader from the Hanfang team was so busy he wished he could create clones of himself.

"Teachers, you?"

Sasuke looked up and was taken aback when he saw the two of them walking towards him together.

This is……

What are you doing?

“I saw what happened in the Death Forest. Let’s go outside and talk. There are some things we should sit down and discuss.”

Chiba said.

Sasuke was silent for a moment, then nodded: "Okay."

Kakashi wanted to interject, but after thinking about it, he shook his head and sighed inwardly without saying a word.

Perhaps he is not suited to say it.

"I'll go pick up Naruto and take him out for a meal."

"Alright."

Chiba nodded.

but.

Given Naruto's injuries, he must have recovered long ago. The only possibility is...

Just now, he went out and got into another fight, just like Sasuke.

Tsk.

Chiba walked towards the door.

Sasuke followed him out of the hospital and to a secluded spot on the side.

Chiba spoke first: "You're debating whether or not to go to Orochimaru's side, right?"

"..."

Sasuke made his stance clear through silence.

"Do you feel that squad mode isn't right for you?"

"No."

Sasuke broke the silence, opening his mouth several times but not speaking. Finally, he said in a low voice, "It just doesn't feel fast enough."

"Can friendship be addictive?"

"Ah."

Sasuke looked back in the direction of the hospital.

Naruto and Sakura.

From initially disapproving of each other to now having everyone willing to fight for each other, he keeps the team's growth and bonds in his heart.

but.

He is an avenger.

Such a growth rate...

Perhaps in the near future, he won't even be a match for Naruto, let alone deal with Itachi Uchiha.

“I’ve recently learned about the Uchiha clan and know some things about you. To be honest, it will be very difficult for you to defeat Uchiha Itachi.”

"..."

Sasuke clenched his fists, his gaze sharp.

“Strength is inseparable from battles and fights. Apart from a few, very few ninjas in peacetime can rival those in wartime.”

Chiba doesn't intend to go along with things the way he wants.

He must first make Sasuke understand the gap between himself and Itachi; otherwise, no matter how good the training or improvement, it will be meaningless to Sasuke.

This guy's intermittent arrogance is truly baffling.

and so.

First strike, then offer guidance.

After taking several deep breaths, Sasuke slowly exhaled, suppressing his anger, and said, "Yes! I admit that there is a big gap between us now, but, but, but... Damn it! Why did Orochimaru die!"

"The cursed seal can't help you, and neither can Orochimaru."

"Then what should I do? Should I just give up on revenge?! Damn it, I'm too weak, otherwise..."

Sasuke started to go crazy.

Chiba watched from the side, and only after he calmed down did he say, "So your method of defeating Itachi was to rely on that kind of external force that harms yourself? Itachi is a true genius; your kind of power can't kill him."

"Do you have any idea?"

Have you heard of the Hidden Leaf Village's Anbu?

"The Dark Guard?!"

Sasuke's eyes widened.

Of course I have!

"The missions of the Dark Guard are more difficult, and there will be more battles and fights. If you had the opportunity to receive Dark Guard training, would you be willing to join?"

"I'm willing to do anything to become stronger!"

"I'm just giving you a chance; whether you can join or not is up to you."

Chiba smiled and said, "Sasuke, only by being strong and independent can you possibly defeat a formidable opponent."

"I see!"

Sasuke Uchiha's eyes narrowed.

He didn't know how strong Yagyu Chiba was, but there was nothing wrong with what the other party said.

Staying in the team would gradually erode his fighting spirit through friendship, making it impossible for him to defeat Uchiha Itachi. Joining the Anbu, however, would offer him a sliver of hope.

Chapter 179 Jiraiya: We're just temporary Hokage?

"what do I need to do?"

Sasuke looked intently at Chiba.

He didn't believe in gifts without a price. Even if the other party was Kakashi's disciple, it was impossible for them to be so considerate in everything.

Chiba pondered for a moment after hearing this.

The Uchiha clan's eyes are indeed powerful, and Sasuke is the reincarnation of Indra's chakra.

He trained Sasuke simply to have an extra ally in the future battle; he had no other ulterior motives. But Sasuke had already put it that way...

Chiba pondered for a moment and said, "Your joining the Anbu means you have to serve the village, but there are some secret techniques that belong to me, and you will need to exchange them for some knowledge."

"Very reasonable."

Sasuke nodded slightly.

If Danzo dies, and Chiba has any intentions in that regard, Root might very well be passed on to this child.

"Practice well."

Chiba did not mistreat him.

"..."

He had heard of the institute's rules.

Although the Dark Division is a bunch of useless people, it depends on who they're compared to.

The fact that Danzo didn't die earlier might have been part of this scheme.

……

Sasuke nodded, his tone full of enthusiasm.