His aged face was etched with responsibility and a sense of duty.

"Become Hokage."

"Konoha Village needs your strength now more than ever."

He paused, his gaze becoming deep.

"At the same time, we also need the power of that Rubik's Cube kid. He possesses the power to protect the village."

The third generation's voice deepened, carrying a warmth that seemed to understand the human heart:

“I can feel it, Jiraiya. That child… from the bottom of his heart, he sees you as a father figure. This bond is the strongest bridge between him and Konoha, and it is also the key to our understanding and acceptance of him.”

He looked directly into Jiraiya's wavering eyes and offered his most compelling reason:

"Only you, Jiraiya! Only when you sit in the position of Hokage, trust him, rely on him, and stand shoulder to shoulder with him to protect this land... can everyone in the village, including those who have doubts, truly and unreservedly trust the Cube! Your identity is the strongest endorsement for this trust, and the cornerstone to eliminate all potential suspicions and anxieties!"

The Third Hokage's words were like a heavy hammer, shattering the dam of resistance in Jiraiya's heart. It wasn't for power, nor for constraints, but for the boy he regarded as his own son, for protecting the village, for this hard-won bond... Becoming Hokage seemed to be an inescapable responsibility for him.

Jiraiya's Adam's apple bobbed, his eyes a complex mix of helplessness, heaviness, and an indescribable determination. He nodded slowly and solemnly.

"I see."

A deep voice rang out, carrying a resolute air of finality.

Silence fell in the room again. Tsunade looked at Jiraiya's profile as he finally agreed, her lips pressed tightly together, and said nothing more.

She knew that this was no longer just a position, but a heavy promise concerning the future stability of Konoha, bound by the bond of teacher-student relationship.

The afterglow of the setting sun shone through the window, casting long shadows of the three men, as if foreshadowing the beginning of a new era, at the cost of the freedom of the heroes of yesteryear.

Author's Note (Please stop calling it fluff, okay?)

I posted the group number in the discussion thread before, but I think no one saw it, so I'm posting it in the chapter this time. I even added an extra chapter for this, so please don't complain.

Join group 1006500219 (Obito)

Chapter 57 Sasuke: Can your first child take the Uchiha surname?

Chapter 57 Sasuke: Can your first child take the Uchiha surname?

The days that followed seemed to have been brought to a state of calm. Cube's life trajectory regularly traced triangles between his training, Momono's little house, and Naruto's cottage.

He diligently accumulated "ninja fragments" to improve his strength.

It's worth mentioning that Karin seems to have caught Tsunade's eye and has been formally accepted as her disciple.

The Rubik's Cube recalled the little girl he had picked up years ago, who had now become his "junior sister." This sudden change in seniority made him feel a little amused and slightly awkward.

Momono's identity was officially confirmed; the Third Hokage not only officially acknowledged her Senju clan bloodline, but also entrusted her with full responsibility for the vast legacy left by the "Root" organization (including its hidden resources and intelligence network), bestowing upon her significant duties.

Drawing on her years of experience within the organization, she assembled and led a brand-new training team for the Dark Side. This was practically equivalent to becoming one of the Dark Side's "chief instructors."

The true meaning behind Konoha's generous acceptance and heavy reliance on them is clear to everyone.

As for that old pervert Jiraiya… Cube noticed he'd rarely seen him lately, wondering what he was up to. He figured he'd try his luck at the bathhouse another day, maybe he could catch that resident Pokémon.

However, what Rubik's Cube was most concerned about was Sasuke's change. Ever since his encounter with Itachi, Sasuke seemed to have transformed into a training machine, relentlessly pushing himself to the limit.

The flames of revenge burning in his eyes hadn't died down; instead, they burned even more fiercely. The Rubik's Cube could sense that Sasuke was gradually understanding a cruel truth:

Staying in the comfortable environment of Konoha, he would never gain the power to take revenge. For the sake of power, he had to make a choice, a choice from which there was no turning back.

That day, Sasuke arranged to meet Rubik's Cube at the training ground where they had first met. The afterglow of the setting sun cast a desolate golden hue over the barren ground.

Rubik's Cube had expected Sasuke to ask him for advice on how to become stronger, or to confide in him about his inner struggles. However, when Sasuke silently pulled a neatly folded, age-marked piece of parchment from his pocket, Rubik's Cube was stunned.

Sasuke handed the paper over directly.

He instinctively caught the Rubik's Cube, unfolded it, and found it was a land deed concerning the Uchiha clan! It clearly marked the ownership of the land that had now become a bustling residential area.

Rubik's Cube's pupils contracted slightly, and he abruptly looked up at Sasuke, his face filled with shock:

"This……"

He hadn't expected this turn of events at all, and instinctively took a half-step back, his tone carrying an exaggerated wariness:

"Hey, Sasuke, I'm a married man! You...you shouldn't do this! Isn't Naruto enough for you to mess with?"

He tried to lighten the overly heavy opening with his usual banter.

Sasuke's lips twitched violently, and a vein seemed to throb on his temple.

"...Idiot! You're overthinking it!"

He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his swayed emotions, his gaze sharp and resolute once more. He composed himself, his voice low yet exceptionally clear:

"This is the Uchiha clan's last and most important legacy. Legally, that land still belongs to the Uchiha. Although it's now a residential area, the monthly rent is still quite substantial."

He paused, his gaze fixed intently on the Rubik's Cube.

"I... want to give it to you. It's the only thing I can offer you that I feel is worthy of entrusting to you."

The air seemed to freeze. The setting sun cast deep shadows on Sasuke's resolute face. The playful expression on Rubik's Cube's face vanished instantly, replaced by an unprecedented solemnity.

He understood; Sasuke hadn't come seeking advice, he had come to say goodbye.

He has made that cruel choice.

Rubik's Cube clutched the heavy land deed, the edge of the paper digging into his palm. He looked at Sasuke and spoke slowly, his voice calm yet cutting to the heart of the matter:

"You...are you going to Orochimaru's place?"

Sasuke's body stiffened abruptly, as if struck by an invisible arrow. He remained silent for a few seconds, and finally, with great difficulty and with a very slight movement, he nodded.

A brief silence fell between them, broken only by the mournful sound of the wind whistling through the desolate training ground. Finally, it was Rubik's Cube who broke the heavy silence; his voice was calm, yet possessed a penetrating insight that seemed to see through everything:

"Have you figured out how to say goodbye to Naruto and the others?"

He understood the boy before him; the Uchiha clan's unique stubbornness, deeply ingrained in his bones, was as unshakeable as a rock.

He knew that no one's words could change Sasuke's predetermined path.

Sasuke slowly shook his head, his black hair tracing a cold, hard arc in the setting sun, his voice low and resolute:

“I won’t tell them. They… can’t possibly understand, and they would never allow me to go to Orochimaru.”

He raised his head, his dark eyes burning with a desperate will.

"This is my own choice. Only by completely severing all ties can I gain the power to take revenge!"

"Then why did you ask me out?"

Rubik's Cube raised an eyebrow, his tone carrying a hint of inquiry.

"Aren't you afraid I'll force you to stay?"

The Rubik's Cube's crimson Sharingan rotated slightly, and an invisible pressure quietly spread.

Sasuke shook his head again, his expression unusually resolute:

“You are different from them.”

He stared directly into the Rubik's Cube's eyes, which seemed to see right through people's hearts.

"Although we haven't spent much time together... I can sense it. You won't stop me."

He paused, his voice carrying a heavy tone, almost like entrusting someone's orphan.

"And before I leave, I must ask you for a favor."

His gaze fell on the parchment in the Rubik's Cube's hand.

"This land deed... is my 'commission fee'."

Rubik's Cube lowered his head, looking once more at the contract in his hand that carried the legacy of the Uchiha clan. Even he, seeing the astronomical figure marked on it, couldn't help but feel a slight tremor in his fingertips. Truly worthy of being a great clan... the weight of this legacy moved even him.

He raised his head again, his gaze fixed intently on Sasuke, his voice low and solemn:

"What do you want me to do? Is it worth giving up something so important?"

He knew perfectly well that this was not just a piece of property; it was Sasuke entrusting him with the last remaining roots and hope of the Uchiha clan!

Without the slightest hesitation, Sasuke spoke decisively, each word like a brand, clearly etched into the twilight air:

"I hope... that at least one of your future children, even just one, will be able to inherit the name of 'Uchiha'!"

He took a deep breath, as if using all his strength, and continued, his voice trembling slightly:

“I know the Uchiha clan has wronged you! I have no right, and I will never shamelessly force you to bear the responsibility of the ‘Uchiha’ surname.”

His eyes became incredibly determined, even carrying a hint of almost humble pleading:

"But if... if I die on the path of revenge, someone must continue the bloodline and glory of the Uchiha clan!"

He abruptly lowered his head, his back bending at nearly a ninety-degree angle, a gesture of desperate determination, and bowed deeply towards the Rubik's Cube:

"The pride and heritage of the Uchiha clan must not be severed."

"This is my only request right now! Please!"

The setting sun cast a long, long shadow of Sasuke bowing, projecting it onto the desolate ground like a silent, heavy mark.

Chapter 58 Sasuke defected

Chapter 58 Sasuke defected

The Rubik's Cube remained silent for a long time, its gaze fixed intently on the bowing boy before it. The setting sun bathed the two in a heavy golden light. Finally, it slowly raised its left hand, a complex sealing incantation flashing in its palm. An ancient scroll appeared out of thin air in its hand.

He stepped forward and placed the scroll steadily in Sasuke's lowered hand, which was not yet straightened.

"I acknowledge your will."

The Rubik's Cube's sound was deep and powerful, carrying an undeniable weight.

"Take it."

Sasuke straightened up, holding the scroll that still retained a trace of his body heat, his eyes questioning.

"Inside here..."

The Rubik's Cube continued, its tone calm yet containing important information.

"It records Orochimaru's most secret ninjutsu techniques and his most fatal weakness. It's not useless; you can use it."

He brandished the heavy land deed in his hand, his eyes becoming solemn and profound:

"As for this... I'll keep it for you for now. I'll wait for you to come back and take it back myself."

His tone carried an unquestionable certainty, as if he were stating a future that was bound to come true.

"Don't throw around the word 'death' so easily. What if Naruto hears you say that..."

A faint, slightly helpless smile appeared on Rubik's Cube's lips.

"He'll be furious and give you a good beating."

The moment Sasuke heard the name "Naruto," his originally dim and resolute eyes trembled slightly, and a very complex emotion flashed through them, only to be covered by an even deeper coldness.

He nodded silently, agreeing with what Rubik's Cube had said.

"besides,"

The Rubik's Cube's tone took on a subtle, almost imperceptible chill.

"Orochimaru was severely injured by me before; his soul was badly damaged. He won't be able to get a new body for at least three or four years. So, in his body..."

The Rubik's Cube looked into Sasuke's eyes and said, word by word.

"You can exploit all his value without any scruples, and cultivate like crazy to become stronger. In order to obtain your body with its infinite potential, he will definitely treat you like his own father and give you whatever you want."

Before he could finish speaking, the Rubik's Cube suddenly moved with lightning speed! It ripped open Sasuke's shirt, revealing the boy's firm, fair abdomen. Sasuke froze, completely caught off guard.

"do not move!"

With a low shout, Rubik's Cube instantly condensed azure and pure chakra at its fingertips, carrying the mysterious runes unique to sealing techniques, and swiftly inscribed a complex jutsu on Sasuke's lower abdomen! The whole process was as fast as lightning.

The engraving was complete. The Rubik's Cube released its grip, ignoring the mixture of surprise, discomfort, and a hint of resentment on Sasuke's face, and its tone returned to its usual lighthearted, slightly teasing tone:

"When you encounter a danger you can't handle, or feel like you've reached a dead end..."

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