Naruto: Sasuke Uchiha Returns from Soul Society

"By absorbing this natural energy into the body and fusing it with one's own chakra, one can obtain power beyond the ordinary. This technique is called 'Sage Art'."

"In distant legends, there are three 'sacred sites' unknown to the world: Mount Myōboku, Ryūchi Cave, and Shikkotsu Forest. Only there can one learn the most authentic Sage Arts."

Orochimaru changed the subject, a hint of regret flashing in his snake-like eyes.

"However, the practice of immortal arts is extremely dangerous. The practitioner must achieve a perfect balance between 'spiritual energy,' 'physical energy,' and 'natural energy.'"

"If the spell fails and the erosion of natural energy cannot be controlled, the caster will be completely assimilated with nature and die forever."

He pointed to Jugo, who was still roaring, "Like him, although he has a special constitution that can resonate with natural energy, he cannot control it and will instead have his reason devoured by this power, turning him into a beast that only knows how to kill."

"..."

Sasuke listened quietly, his mind rapidly processing this new information.

"But, Sasuke-kun."

Orochimaru's confident smile returned. "There are always some geniuses who can find shortcuts to bypass these risks, allowing even a mortal to glimpse the realm of 'sages'."

He slowly raised his hand and pointed to the shadows. "Kimimaro, come out and let him see."

"Yes, Lord Orochimaru."

A calm voice rang out, and the white-haired boy silently emerged from the shadows, walked to Orochimaru's side, and nodded slightly to Sasuke.

Sasuke's gaze fell on Kimimaro's exposed chest, where three black tomoe marks emanated an ominous aura from his collarbone.

"The so-called cursed seal..."

"It's a product I created by extracting the special enzyme from this man named Jugo that allows him to absorb natural energy, and then combining it with my own chakra..."

Orochimaru's voice was filled with admiration for his creation.

"A 'gift' that allows the chosen one to forcefully resonate with the energy of nature."

"Of course, as a replica, it is not perfect. Each use will erode the caster's mind, making them more bloodthirsty and violent."

Sasuke listened quietly, taking in Orochimaru's every move.

However, when he heard the words "combine with my own chakra," his eyes clearly flickered with desire.

Not right.

The aura emanating from the cursed seal on Kimimaro's body...

Sasuke's brows furrowed tightly.

He clearly sensed an extremely familiar aura from Kimimaro's cursed seal, an aura filled with coldness and possessiveness.

That is......

Orochimaru's soul aura.

"I see," a look of understanding flashed in Sasuke's eyes.

He slowly raised his head, looked directly at the man who was still gloating over his "masterpiece," and spoke calmly.

Why develop something like this?

"Hmm?" Orochimaru's smile faltered slightly.

"The power of the magic seems quite impressive."

Sasuke's voice was calm, yet it precisely struck Orochimaru's most vulnerable spot, "But the reason you developed this inferior substitute..."

"Is it because with your talent, you simply can't learn real immortal arts?"

The air seemed to freeze for a moment.

When Kabuto Yakushi, who was standing behind Orochimaru, heard these words, his body stiffened almost imperceptibly, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes behind his glasses.

Orochimaru's smile gradually faded.

He stared at the boy before him in silence for a long time before letting out a hoarse chuckle.

"hehe......"

"Sasuke-kun, your words are truly..."

He stuck out his long tongue and licked the corner of his mouth, "As unpleasant to hear as ever."

"Just telling the truth," Sasuke replied calmly.

After he finished speaking, his gaze fell on Orochimaru's brand-new body, which had just been reincarnated.

It was a very young body, full of vigorous vitality, but Sasuke's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

Not right.

In his perception, although Orochimaru's soul had successfully taken over this new "vessel," the "texture" of his soul was much weaker than when they fought in the Forest of Death.

The feeling is like a once-condensed flame that, after leaping onto a new wick, still shines brightly, but its core becomes thin and scattered.

Is it just my imagination?

Or is it that... this "art of immortality" itself has some kind of flaw that depletes the essence of the soul?

"Sasuke-kun, what are you looking at?"

Orochimaru seemed to notice his gaze and asked with interest.

Sasuke didn't answer, but silently kept this discovery in his heart.

"Then, Sasuke-kun."

Orochimaru's gentle smile returned. "Shall we continue our previous topic?"

He pointed to Jugo, who was still bound by the Six Staffs of Light Prison but had returned to his normal appearance, his pupils gleaming with an alluring light.

"Would you be interested in learning some magic techniques?"

"I admit that I am not able to master magic perfectly, which is the area that I have been unable to reach in my entire life."

He readily admitted his shortcomings, then quickly changed the subject.

“But, Sasuke, you are different.”

"The Uchiha clan is born with powerful spiritual and physical energy, making them the best candidates to learn Sage Mode, not to mention you also have those unique eyes."

"If you are willing, I can give you all the theories I know about cultivating immortal arts, as well as the contract scroll leading to Ryuchi Cave. With your talent, learning true immortal arts will be no difficult task."

Faced with this gift, Sasuke simply nodded slightly, agreeing with his words.

"The Uchiha's talent is indeed remarkable."

This answer caused Orochimaru's smile to falter slightly.

Sasuke didn't give him any more chances to continue his persuasion, and calmly said, "But now, there are more important things to do."

"Oh?"

"Tell me, where is Itachi Uchiha?"

"besides......"

Sasuke's eyes sharpened. "Where did he go after leaving Konoha? And what did he do?"

Orochimaru looked at the stubborn boy in front of him and finally sighed helplessly.

"Alright alright."

He shrugged, slowly walked to the stone seat next to him and sat down, gesturing for Sasuke to sit opposite him as well. "Since you're in such a hurry, Sasuke-kun, as your ally, I naturally can't be stingy with information."

"As for information about Itachi, I do know some very interesting things."

He looked at Sasuke with a meaningful smile on his face. "After all, I was once a member of that 'organization' too."

"An organization?" Sasuke's eyes narrowed.

"That's right, a mercenary organization composed of S-rank rogue ninjas."

Orochimaru's voice was low, "They don't have many members, but each one is a monster capable of destroying a small country."

He paused, then uttered the name.

Its name is 'Xiao'.

"Akatsuki..." Sasuke murmured the name in his heart.

"Their ultimate goal seems to be to collect all the tailed beasts."

"As for what they intend to do with collecting the Tailed Beasts, that's beyond my knowledge as a 'former member'."

His gaze swept over Sasuke subtly as he added, "However, one thing is certain: Itachi's joining Akatsuki was not simply for the sake of power."

"He seems to be monitoring something."

Orochimaru's voice was full of just the right amount of confusion and guidance.

“I worked with him for a time, and that man is far more unfathomable than you can imagine.”

“I tried to physically assault him, but I failed.”

A flicker of fear flashed in Orochimaru's snake-like eyes. "After that, I left Akatsuki."

"It was around that time that I began to yearn for those eyes."

After he finished speaking, his gaze once again fell intensely on Sasuke.

Sasuke listened quietly, rapidly processing all the information in his mind.

Tailed Beasts... Akatsuki... Surveillance...

It seems that Itachi's choice back then was more complicated than he had imagined.

"So, where are they now?" Sasuke's voice was deep.

Orochimaru's tone became playful as he uttered the name of that country.

"The Land of Rain."

"The Land of Rain..." Sasuke murmured to himself.

"Then, Sasuke-kun."

Orochimaru's voice pulled him back from his brief reverie, "Now that you have the information you wanted, are you planning to set off for that country immediately?"

Sasuke looked up upon hearing this and glanced at Orochimaru speechlessly.