Naruto: Sasuke Uchiha Returns from Soul Society

The Fourth Kazekage was killed and replaced by Orochimaru without anyone knowing.

Their prized elite troops suffered heavy losses in Konoha, with numerous casualties.

The power vacuum caused by the lack of successors and the huge deficit in combat strength plunged the entire Sunagakure village into unprecedented chaos and panic.

The highly respected Elder Chiyo had no choice but to return to the fold and barely keep the sinking sandboat afloat. But no one knew how long this ship could hold out on the turbulent seas of the ninja world.

However, that plan destroyed their years-long alliance with Konoha, and the label of traitor caused Sunagakure's diplomatic standing among the Five Great Nations to plummet.

As a result, the number of mission requests has decreased sharply, and the village's economic pillar is on the verge of collapse.

On the surface, the village continues to maintain its usual order, with patrolling ninjas guarding every corner of the village.

But beneath that order lies a deeper level of fear.

On the streets, most of the once bustling shops are now closed, and the villagers' faces have lost their former composure, filled with uncertainty about the future and worry about the possibility of war returning.

On the towering sand walls, several Sand Ninja on lookout duty were vigilantly watching the distance.

"I was saying, so much time has passed, and there doesn't seem to be any movement from Konoha."

A slightly younger Sand Ninja finally couldn't hold back any longer and broke the silence, trying to ease the oppressive atmosphere with conversation, "There shouldn't be a war, right?"

"What do you know!" a more senior Jonin beside him hissed, his eyes scanning the distant sea of ​​sand warily. "The quieter it is, the more it means a storm is brewing."

"Have you forgotten the information that came from the Land of Fire a few days ago?"

"The two advisor elders who died in Konoha?" the young Sand Ninja asked instinctively.

"They are their elders after all. Who knows if Konoha will frame us for this?" The old Jonin sighed, his voice full of worry. "The Kazekage is dead, and Gaara..."

"Alas, the village is in such a state that it can't withstand any more disruptions."

Gaara is the Jinchūriki of the One-Tailed Beast from Sunagakure.

But everyone knew that Gaara had no sense of belonging to Sunagakure; he was just a monster feared and rejected by everyone.

Just as the group was talking, the old ninja's pupils suddenly contracted, his gaze fixed on the end of the sand sea.

Above the sea of ​​sand, dyed golden red by the setting sun, three tiny dots are rapidly growing larger.

"Something's wrong!" he shouted sternly. "All personnel on high alert!"

The alarm sounded instantly, and the surrounding Sand Ninja gripped their kunai tightly.

As the distance closed, the outlines of the three figures gradually became clearer.

The leader was a young man dressed in a black robe with two swords at his waist.

"Halt! This is Sunagakure! Stop immediately and identify yourselves!" The Sunagakure captain on the city wall shouted, his voice carrying far and wide amplified by chakra.

However, the three figures did not stop in the slightest.

"Final warning! Take another step forward, and we will consider it an intrusion and kill you without mercy!"

The Sand Ninja Captain issued his final ultimatum, and the ninjas beside him gripped their kunai, ready to attack.

They didn't finish their sentence.

The black-haired youth who was in the lead suddenly drew his sword half an inch, and a surge of immense power erupted from his body.

"Uh......"

On the city wall, the expressions on the faces of the Sand Ninja who had been filled with murderous intent instantly froze.

It felt like someone was choking them.

But then, that force materialized into a tangible weight, pressing down heavily on each of them.

"Thump..."

"Thump..."

A series of muffled thuds.

The Sand Ninja's legs buckled, and they uncontrollably knelt on the ground. Then, an invisible force pressed them down, pinning them firmly to the rough sand wall and imprinting their shapes on it.

The bones rubbed together, making a "creaking" sound.

"W-What happened?"

Kabuto Yakushi spoke with difficulty, as he was extremely close to Sasuke and felt the greatest pressure.

Under such heavy pressure, he even had difficulty raising his head, his eyes filled with horror.

"It's Sasuke's technique."

Orochimaru's voice was also somewhat disjointed. He looked at the boy in front of him who, with just the release of his aura, rendered the defenses of an entire village ineffective. His snake-like eyes grew even more fanatical.

Sasuke calmly strode forward and headed straight for the village entrance.

As he went deeper, the overwhelming aura that could crush one's soul gradually subsided.

On the city wall, the few Sand Ninja who had survived the ordeal collapsed to the ground, panting heavily, their eyes filled with primal fear as they looked at the black-clad figure.

The moment I stepped into Sunagakure, a desolate and oppressive atmosphere enveloped me.

On both sides of the street, most of the shops had their doors and windows closed. Even those that were open were mostly deserted, with the owners leaning listlessly behind the counter.

"hehe......"

Orochimaru followed beside Sasuke, looking around at the desolate scene, and let out a cryptic chuckle, "When I came here last time, it was much more lively than it is now."

"The ninjas on the street all had a look of eager anticipation for victory on their faces, and they looked very happy."

Sasuke didn't reply, his Sharingan silently scanning the prying eyes hidden in the dark corners of the alley.

Just then, an elderly voice came from the end of the main road ahead.

"If it weren't for you, you venomous snake..."

An old woman, dressed in the robes of a Sunagakure elder and with a withered figure, slowly emerged from the shadows, leaning on a cane.

Behind her followed a dozen or so Sand Village elites with grim expressions.

"How could our Sunagakure have fallen to such a state as we are today!"

Chiyo's voice was filled with hatred as she stared intently at Orochimaru, as if she wanted to devour him alive.

"Isn't this Elder Chiyo?"

When Orochimaru saw the newcomer, his fake smile became even brighter. "Long time no see. You're still as energetic as ever."

Stop putting on airs!

Chiyo slammed her cane heavily on the ground with a dull thud. "Orochimaru! You impersonated the Kazekage and instigated the village to attack Konoha, causing us Sunagakure to lose all our elite troops and suffer a complete loss of face!"

She stepped forward, and a powerful aura, beyond her years, emanated from her petite frame.

"You actually dare to set foot here today! Do you really think Sunagakure is all invincible?!"

However, Orochimaru simply chuckled and shook his head.

"Elder Chiyo, you seem to have made a mistake."

He turned his head to the side, his golden snake eyes filled with mockery. "I have never bewitched anyone."

"What do you mean?!"

What I mean is...

Orochimaru spread his hands, his posture both elegant and vicious, "If it weren't for the fact that your hearts are also filled with greed for the riches of Konoha."

"If you weren't also yearning for a 'victory' to wash away the shame of years ago..."

He watched as Chiyo's face turned incredibly ugly in an instant, and the corners of his mouth curved into a more pleased smile.

"How could my words, as a fake Wind Shadow, possibly be so effective?"

"The administrative model of Sunagakure is not one where the Kazekage has absolute authority."

Kabuto, who had been silent all along, calmly pushed up his glasses and added, "Any major decision that could affect the future of the village must be voted on jointly by the elders and the Jonin team."

"in other words......"

Kabuto's gaze swept over the various Sand Village ninjas behind Chiyo, his voice calm.

"The attack on Konoha was not a decision made by Lord Orochimaru alone."

"It is the shared will of your Sunagakure village, from top to bottom."

"It's just that you lost the bet."

These merciless words were like a resounding slap across the face of every Sand Village ninja present.

"You..." Chiyo's body trembled slightly with anger.

But she couldn't refute it.

Because what Orochimaru and the others said was true.

It was Sunagakure itself that chose this path to destruction.

Orochimaru was nothing more than a demon who handed over a knife at the most opportune moment.

“Speak, Orochimaru.” Chiyo tapped her cane on the sand, her voice hoarse. “What do you want from all this trouble you’ve come here? There’s nothing left in Sunagakure for a viper like you to covet.”

These words were full of implied expulsion, and also carried a trace of undisguised sorrow.

"Hehe..." Orochimaru let out a hoarse chuckle upon hearing this.

"Elder Chiyo, you're really getting old; your memory is getting worse too."

His gaze passed over Chiyo's shoulder and landed deep within the village. "You haven't forgotten that your Sunagakure still has a tailed beast, have you?"

Behind Chiyo, a suppressed gasp and commotion instantly erupted.

"It's that guy again..."

"I knew that monster would bring disaster to the village sooner or later!"

"Damn it, I should have killed him long ago..."

Whispers spread through the crowd, each word filled with fear and disgust.

"—Shut up, all of you!"

Chiyo whirled around, her roar drowning out all the other whispers, her eyes blazing with fury. "What nonsense are you spouting?! Gaara is the Kazekage's son, a comrade of the village!"