Sasuke's Defection

"Justice and evil? But what does that have to do with mutual understanding and hatred?" Shizune asked.

"One day, evil will clash with justice. Evil will always be stronger than justice at first, but when everyone understands each other, the power of justice will be invincible. After defeating evil, righteous people will recognize each other, form bonds, and a brand new world will be revealed to everyone. This is my dream: to eliminate evil with the power of justice and achieve peace and understanding. This is also my path as a ninja," Issui said with boundless ambition.

"I feel you're right, but who is justice and who is evil? Where do we go to defeat evil?" Shizune felt that Issui was like a hero fighting dragons in a fantasy knight novel.

"It's not the right time yet. Evil is slowly emerging. I'll reveal some top-secret information I've gathered. Listen carefully; even Lady Tsunade doesn't know this. Jiraiya-senpai is also gathering information about them," Issui said mysteriously.

"Top secret message?" Shizune asked doubtfully.

"You know about Uchiha Itachi's defection, right?" Issui asked.

"I know, and I also heard that he came back a while ago, but you defeated him and he escaped." Shizune said. Are you trying to promote how you defeated Uchiha Itachi? I won't fall for that. I won't be easily impressed by your heroic deeds.

"He's currently in an organization called Akatsuki. It has nine members, each a top-tier S-rank rogue ninja from their respective countries. Orochimaru was also a member. From what I know, their leader is a man named Pain, who possesses the legendary Rinnegan of the Sage of Six Paths. He claims to be a god and knows all the suffering in the world. We only know four specific members: besides Pain, there's Kakuzu, a rogue missing-nin from Pain who fought the First Hokage in his youth but was defeated and fled; Uchiha Itachi, missing-nin from Konoha; and Kisame Hoshigaki, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist of the Kirigakure. I haven't fought the others, so I don't know much about them. Each of them has the power to destroy a small ninja village," Issui said.

"Akatsuki? Rinnegan?" Shizune felt increasingly certain that she had uncovered some earth-shattering conspiracy.

"This organization formed by Pain has been operating in various countries, secretly gathering intelligence, then instigating hatred between them, and being hired by each country to engage in combat. In short, they are a group of saboteurs. I don't believe that their methods of weakening the strength of various countries are without purpose," Issui added.

"Shouldn't we take measures to prevent this? We should tell the Lord Hokage to notify all countries to prepare for defense," Shizune said.

"It's not as simple as you think. Countries don't trust each other these days. How can you expect others to believe you? Just this little bit of information won't work. That's human nature. No one will believe you until the very end. Only when evil comes will everyone unite. Because right now, on the surface, it's a time of peace. If you tell other countries that someone is invading, they'll be the first to defend themselves," Issui said.

"What should we do then?" Shizune asked, frowning.

"There's nothing we can do but accept it, build up our strength, and wait for that time to come," Issui said.

"We should tell Lady Tsunade," Shizune said.

"She probably already knows, but she just hasn't said it. When Uchiha Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki came to Konoha to capture Naruto, the village should have already had information about them. This kind of thing can only be suppressed for now, and we just need to be careful," Issui said calmly.

"Alright, everyone, let's eat. It's getting late," Bai interjected. These kinds of vague and uncertain matters are unpredictable; no matter how much research you do, you'll never reach a conclusion.

"Okay, let's eat. I'll keep watch for the first half of the night, and you guys keep watch for the second half. Don't worry too much about this. Konoha isn't a village that can be easily defeated, because there are many excellent ninjas here." Yishui took out Issui ball from his backpack and started eating.

A few days later...

"Sigh, this is exhausting. We've run all over the Fire Kingdom. It's been so troublesome, even more tiring than doing an S-rank mission. Let's rest for a bit, then head back to the village. We're probably quite far from the village by now."

Issui, Hinata, and Haku were resting under a tree. Over the past few days, they had traveled around the entire border of the Land of Fire and had not encountered any powerful enemies, only a few wandering ninjas who did not flinch.

"Someone's here?" Bai suddenly said seriously.

"There are four of them, their auras are around Jonin," Shizune said.

"Go take a look. Lady Tsunade wouldn't send four Jonin -level ninjas on a mission all at once. Besides, their movements are very chaotic, and they keep stopping to set up traps. Wait a moment, I'll use my Byakugan take a look. Eye of Heaven: White!" Issui sneered.

"Who is it?" Shizune asked.

"Tch, they're Orochimaru's henchmen. Let's go, let's catch up and wipe them out. They're in such a hurry, they probably stole something from the village." Issui said, and in a flash, he left the spot.

Shizune and Bai exchanged a glance and quickly followed.

"Stop! We've run into trouble. They've arrived so quickly," Sakon said.

"Alone..." Tayuya said.

"No, three people, they're here, so fast..." Kidomaru said.

With Issui, he appeared beside the four and said, "Yo, we meet again, everyone. How do you plan to escape this time? Orochimaru is really crippled. He actually let you guys come here. Tch, is that Sasuke Uchiha in the bucket? You've been tempted."

"You flies can't escape, just surrender." Shizune and Shiro appeared behind them.

"This is a huge problem. We might be in serious trouble. We never expected that the person tracking us was him. What should we do?" Tayuya said.

"Go all out! Don't hold back, or you'll lose your life," Sakon said.

The four looked at each other, nodded solemnly, and all activated their Curse Mark Stage Two state, their auras gradually intensifying.

"Shizune, you deal with that fat pig. Bai, you deal with that woman. I don't usually lay a hand on women, and I also dislike fat guys. Leave the other two to me," Issui said calmly.

"You really think you can stop us all?" Sakon said angrily. Although Issui was very strong, he couldn't underestimate them like that.

"Of course, you have no value in my eyes. I might be slightly interested in Kimimaro, though," Issui said calmly.

"Impeach..."

A bone emerged from Issui's stomach, but Issui instantly turned into white smoke and disappeared— Shadow Clone!

"You're strong. Be my opponent. Sakon and Kidomaru, take Sasuke first. Tayuya and Jirobo, stay and fight those two women," Kimimaro said calmly.

"You... how did you get here?" Sakon whispered, clearly terrified of the person before him—no, more like fear—the former leader of the Five, Kaguya Kimimaro!

"Lord Orochimaru was very worried about this mission, and sent me here immediately after you set off," Kimimaro said calmly.

Sakon asked in confusion, "Your body isn't...?"

Kimimaro said expressionlessly, "I'm relying on my mental strength to make this one last contribution for Lord Orochimaru. Hurry up and take Sasuke to the base; don't delay Lord Orochimaru's reincarnation."

"Alright, let's go, Kidomaru." Sakon nodded. Tch, what's with the tough attitude of someone about to die? Once you're dead, I'll be the strongest. I've been fed up with you for a long time.

Issui slowly emerged from behind a tree and said, "Alas, what a pity. As the last member of the Kaguya Clan, she will die by my hand today. Do you see that girl? She is the last member of the Yuki Clan. Your fates are truly similar."

Kimimaro gave Haku a deep look. Those were the same eyes as mine—eyes that existed and fought for someone important, eyes that existed as a tool for someone important. No, they were different. Her eyes held hope, expectation, happiness... Why?

"Like you, she was rejected because of her powerful bloodline, unable to find a sense of self, living a lonely and helpless life. But later, she was taken in by a man who used her as his tool. But there is one thing that makes her different from you," Issui said.

"Where?" Kimimaro, frowning.

"People live in search of something to rely on, but those who possess emotions are truly alive, not merely existing as tools, but existing because of bonds," Issui murmured. Would Kimimaro understand?

"Bond? What is that thing? It proves that my existence can only exist if I become Lord Orochimaru's vessel." Kimimaro asked doubtfully.

"The bonds formed by companions and friends bind people throughout their lives, tightly connecting them, leaving an indelible mark that remains even after death. At first, I also felt that as long as I was useful to others, it didn't matter if I existed as a tool or a puppet. But that way, I couldn't experience the feeling of happiness. Only when one is no longer a tool or a puppet, but an important companion or friend, can one truly experience the wonderful thing called happiness," Haku said to Kimimaro. In him, she saw her former self.

"Happiness? What does happiness feel like?" Kimimaro looked at Shiro hopefully, hoping she could give him a satisfactory answer.

"When you find a true comrade or friend who cherishes you, you'll understand it. You can't gain anything by merely treating someone as a tool. Did Lord Orochimaru truly consider you a comrade? If so, he wouldn't have sent you to your death, knowing it was a battle you couldn't survive, yet still fighting with your life on the line. And after you die, he'll gradually forget you; your presence in this world will disappear. From now on, you'll be fighting alone. But when you have comrades, their strength will support you in the fight. Even if they pass away, there will be a place in their hearts where they will remember you forever. That's happiness." Bai said quietly, looking tenderly at Issui. "He is my happiness."