Naruto: Sasuke Uchiha Returns from Soul Society

“I will completely erase all the boundaries that cause ‘division’ and ‘opposition’ from this land, and then I will establish a unique and absolute order.”

"This is what I'm pursuing."

"..."

The entire dark room fell into a deathly silence.

Orochimaru stared blankly at the boy in front of him, a look of wild joy on his face.

He thought that his pursuit of immortality and exploration of forbidden techniques were the boldest rebellion against the ninja world.

But unexpectedly, this twelve-year-old boy had such a vision...

grand.

"Well said..."

Orochimaru's body trembled slightly with excitement, and he let out a sigh of admiration as if he had found a kindred spirit.

"You're right!"

Orochimaru's voice rose, "The First Hokage distributed the Tailed Beasts to the various villages like property, seemingly maintaining a balance, but in reality, he only sowed the seeds of conflict."

His thoughts seemed to drift back to that era of war and turmoil, his snake-like eyes filled with disgust for the limitations of life.

"So-called peace is nothing more than a respite for the losers to lick their wounds and for the victors to gather strength between the two Shinobi World Wars!"

"I have personally witnessed how, during the Second Shinobi World War, those lives that should have shone even brighter died like ants while trying to protect those few border lines drawn on the map."

"My teacher, who was hailed as a 'hero of forbearance,' has also grown old and weak under the erosion of time."

Life is so fragile, so fleeting...

"But the 'techniques' and 'truths' contained in this world are endless!"

He looked at Sasuke, his fervor tinged with a touch of the obsession of a seeker of truth.

"The reason I pursue immortality is because I cannot bear the thought that my finite body will become a shackle on my pursuit of all truth!"

"I need eternity to exhaust all the arts in the world, to witness all the changes in this world, and to find the meaning of life!"

"And you..."

Orochimaru's breathing slowed down. "Sasuke-kun, you saw the answer at the finish line from the very beginning."

"Please let me witness the moment when you completely reshape this corrupt world."

After listening to Orochimaru's long speech, Sasuke glanced at him coldly and remained silent, though his heart was far from calm.

He originally thought that Orochimaru's so-called "immortality" was nothing more than the purest fear of death, a cowardly and filthy way of prolonging life by constantly stealing the bodies of others in order to escape the end of life.

But what I just said...

That lament about the brevity of life and the infinity of truth, that regret at not being able to exhaust all the "techniques" in the world, is a seeker's unwilling roar for the boundless truth within the finite life.

Although still twisted and repulsive, Sasuke had to admit that he had underestimated the man's capacity from the very beginning.

"So......"

Sasuke finally spoke slowly, breaking the silence, "What are you prepared to give up so that you can witness that moment with your own eyes?"

This question gradually calmed Orochimaru's slightly distorted face.

"Everything."

Orochimaru's voice was soft, yet carried an undeniable solemnity: "Anything that can help you achieve this grand ambition, I can provide to you without reservation."

He slowly raised his arms, which were as stiff as withered wood, and gave a self-deprecating laugh.

"All the forbidden techniques I've collected in my life, and even the information and abilities of all the members of the Akatsuki organization..."

"I can provide it to you anytime you need it."

"I also want to see with my own eyes what a magnificent sight the 'new world' you have created will be."

Sasuke listened quietly, and after a long while, he nodded slightly.

"Prepare what you're going to give me."

After saying that, he didn't pause again. His figure swayed slightly and then disappeared silently into the darkness at the end of the passage.

The passageway returned to its deathly silence.

"Lord Orochimaru..."

Kabuto quickly stepped forward and supported Orochimaru's slightly unsteady body, his eyes behind his glasses filled with confusion and worry.

"Excuse my bluntness... why are you betting everything on him?"

Kabuto looked at Orochimaru's withered hands and said in a low voice, "With your wisdom and talent, even if you are in a predicament now, you will always find a way to solve it."

Why place our hopes on the Uchiha clan, whose existence is fraught with uncertainty?

Orochimaru did not answer immediately. He slowly turned around, walked to the empty darkness, and watched Sasuke's departing figure.

After a long while, he finally let out a soft chuckle.

"Dou, do you know how a windmill turns?"

"Huh?" Dou was taken aback.

"In the past, I always wanted to transform myself into the wind."

Orochimaru's voice was very soft, as if he were talking to himself, "I ran with all my might, stirring up the air currents, trying to use my own strength to move that heavy and stubborn windmill."

But now...

Orochimaru slowly opened his eyes, his snake-like pupils gleaming with pleasure.

"I experienced the joy of waiting for the wind to come."

"I no longer need to run; I can just stand here quietly and wait for the storm that is powerful enough to sweep across the world to come."

"Then, watch the windmills spinning rapidly in the storm until they break apart... What a magnificent sight that would be."

Kabuto remained silent; he probably understood the meaning behind Orochimaru's words.

“But the wind direction is unpredictable, Lord Orochimaru.” Kabuto’s brow furrowed deeply. “What if Sasuke fails, or changes his mind halfway through…”

"Heh, change?"

Orochimaru seemed to have heard something interesting and couldn't help but chuckle.

"Life is always full of regrets, Dou."

He slowly leaned back in his chair, his voice full of understanding: "Anything that seems perfect and flawless will always have cracks in some unknown place."

"My plan to pursue immortality is like this, Sarutobi-sensei's so-called 'Will of Fire' is like this, and so is this seemingly indestructible ninja world."

He turned his head to the side, his eyes calm: "Don't you understand?"

"If Sasuke succeeds..."

Orochimaru's voice was filled with longing: "I will have the honor of witnessing a new world like never before seen, and witnessing the birth of all 'truth'."

"But what if he fails..."

He grinned, revealing a wicked smile.

"His 'failure' itself, along with all his secrets, will become my perfect material."

"No matter which way the wind blows, my 'research' will not stop."

Orochimaru slowly closed his eyes, the smile on his lips growing even deeper.

"not to mention......"

"I have no doubt that he will succeed, because I see in him something I have long lost and will never have."

Chapter 126: I'm about to be drained dry by Yoruichi (7K)

Country of Fields.

The continuous rain finally stopped for a moment, and the air was damp, carrying a slightly earthy smell.

Sasuke emerged from a hidden cave and stood alone in the desolate valley, looking up at the gray sky.

Orochimaru's information was slowly building up in Sasuke's mind. He had already received Orochimaru's promise, but Sasuke knew that it was nothing more than an alliance built on mutual exploitation.

To achieve one's ultimate goal, one must ultimately rely on one's own strength; what one is currently doing is far from sufficient.

His gaze quickly fell on the "Indra" at his waist. To fully unleash its power, he needed to undergo deeper training.

He remembered Kisuke Urahara's invention, the Tenshintai that could forcibly materialize Zanpakuto.

However, last time in the basement of the Urahara store, Indra refused to be materialized as a divine being because he was "throwing a tantrum".

This time, having witnessed the future and having realized my own resolve to "sever ties with the world," am I ready to gain its approval?

He didn't know, and he was even a little unsure.

But this is a step we must try.

He needs Yoruichi, or rather, he needs the help of the Transcendental Body.

"..."

Sasuke took a deep breath, clearing his mind of all distractions, then slowly squatted down, raised his right hand, and gently traced his index finger across his left palm.

"The art of spirit communication."

A deep voice echoed through the valley.

However, this time the feeling was completely different from before, and the expected scene of the blood-red array spreading did not appear.

Instead, an irresistible and terrifying suction force erupted from the point where his palm touched the ground.

"Um?!"

Sasuke's pupils contracted sharply. He could clearly feel the spiritual energy and chakra within his body being frantically drawn away by the earth beneath his feet, like a flood bursting its banks.

"What's going on?!"

He tried to forcefully interrupt the spell, but the suction force was like a greedy vortex, tightly gripping his soul, making it impossible for him to break free.

Compared to the easy summoning in Soul Society before, this summoning was as difficult as wrestling with the entire world.