Sasuke's Choice

After resting for Issui night, the group continued their journey the next day. With Akamaru's keen sense of smell and Neji's Byakugan, finding Sakon was very easy.

Under Neji's Byakugan observation, Sakon and the others also rested for a night before continuing their journey. If Sakon and the others hadn't rested, Issui and the others wouldn't have either. After all, they had traveled all night, Issui would have had to chase them for a long time to catch up. By then, they would probably have already left the Land of Land of Fire, and it would be much harder to find them then.

"Wow, they're fast! They've caught up, and there's more than one person..."

Kidomaru stopped and looked behind him, saying...

"Is that so? Let's settle this battle here. I'm afraid we won't be able to go back this time, and the mission won't be completed either. This is the first time we've encountered something like this. Even Kimimaro couldn't last long. Konoha really has a lot of strong fighters." Sakon also stopped.

"Oh, you've caught up."

Issui and the others arrived in front of Sakon and Kidomaru.

"Sasuke is in that barrel, isn't he?" Shikamaru said, looking at the barrel behind Kidomaru.

"Spider Bind!"

Kidomaru put down the wooden barrel and sprayed a large amount of spider webs at Ikshui and the Issui. Only Issui and Shizune managed to dodge, while the others were all entangled in the spider webs and unable to move.

"It's a spider web mixed with Chakra, right? We can cut it by gathering Chakra in our hands. Neji, get away quickly and save them. Shizune, you deal with the one spitting the spider web, and I'll take care of the rest," Issui instructed.

Neji also discovered the secret of the spider web, cut the web off his body, and then rescued Shikamaru and the others.

"Lightning Release - Four-Pillar Bind Technique!"

Sakon was about to make a move, four enormous stone pillars rose from the ground around him, surrounding him. Oh no! A large amount of lightning flashed between the pillars and struck Sakon.

"Ah..."

Sakon quickly activated his Cursed Seal State Two and then hurriedly left.

"Tch, this is the moment I've been waiting for! Water Release: Water Dragon Whip!"

A large amount of water condensed in front of Issui, and then shot out a barrage of water whips that struck Sakon, who was trying to escape his Lightning Release.

Under the blows of the water whip, Sakon and Kin quickly separated, attempting to take the opportunity to attack Issui from both sides.

"Fire Style: Great Dragon Fire Technique!"

Two enormous fire dragons spewed from Issui gate, attacking Sakon and Ukon.

"Smack..."

Two charred corpses were knocked to the ground.

"The Hand Seals are forming so fast, they're almost invisible to the naked eye."

Shikamaru looked at the Issui battle with surprise and said.

"What?"

Kidomaru, who was fighting Shizune, looked at Sakon and Ukon lying unconscious on the ground and his eyes narrowed. So fast! That guy was the strongest among us besides Kimimaro, how could this be?

What are you looking at?

Shizune 'Chakra Scalpel, which she had gathered in her hand, struck Kidomaru's arm directly.

Kidomaru discovered that the arm that this woman had touched seemed to be ruined; the muscles had been severed.

"Ninja Technique— Poison Mist!"

Shizune sprayed a large amount of poisonous gas from her mouth, and in an instant, the Poison Mist enveloped Kidomaru.

"Cough..."

Kidomaru released the area affected by the Poison Mist. He tried desperately to stop breathing, but still inhaled Poison Mist. He felt his consciousness fading, but he bit his tongue to force himself back to consciousness...

"It's no use. Just inhaling a little bit will kill you."

Shizune released the Chakra Scalpel and spoke slowly.

"You..."

As soon as Shizune finished speaking, Kidomaru's consciousness gave way and he collapsed.

"Orochimaru's subordinates are all just people with special abilities; they fight based on those abilities. Their strength hovers around the Jonin, so they should be easy to deal with, except for that guy named Kimimaro. These people are just Orochimaru's discarded pawns."

Issui threw the three corpses together and told someone to take them back later. They were somewhat useful; handing them over to the Intelligence Division should yield some information.

"Thump... Pfft..."

The wooden barrel on the ground suddenly shattered, revealing Sasuke's figure. Sasuke, who had just emerged, was in the Curse Mark Stage Two state, his whole body was dark. Gradually, the Cursed Seal state was suppressed, revealing Sasuke's fair skin.

"Sasuke..."

Naruto looked at Sasuke, who had appeared before everyone, and exclaimed in surprise.

"Ha ha..."

Sasuke ignored Naruto's shouts, excitedly looking at his hands. Such power! It seems leaving the village was definitely the right decision; this place only hindered my growth.

"Sasuke, what are you doing? Come back with us, Sakura is waiting for you," Naruto said, running up to Sasuke.

"Go back? Pfft? You must be kidding me. Okay, move aside, I'm leaving..."

Sasuke said coldly.

"Why did you leave everyone? I know it was wrong of me to attack you, I apologize. Come back with me, everyone, Sakura, Kakashi-sensei are all waiting for you. We still have a mission to do together, you absolutely can't believe Orochimaru's lies."

Naruto looked anxiously at Sasuke, wondering if he...

"Get out of my way, or I'll kill you!"

Sasuke unleashed a terrifying killing intent, his eyes fixed on the front, not on Naruto.

"Sasuke, what are you saying? I don't understand!"

Naruto could hardly believe his Sasuke. Where had the Sasuke he knew gone?

"Sasuke Uchiha, are you planning to defect from the village and become a rogue ninja like your brother? What did Orochimaru promise you that you would do this? And wasn't Naruto your comrade? Why did you kill him?" Shizune said, frowning. Had this guy's mind already been influenced by Orochimaru?

With Issui appeared before Sasuke using the Body Flicker Technique, and said calmly, "From the moment I saw you, I knew we shared the same fate. I knew this day would come, because you crave power, don't you? You can no longer bear your ordinariness, and as Naruto gradually unleashes power beyond your reach, that yearning grows stronger and stronger. What difference does it make between darkness and light? Tell me, your choice, Uchiha — Sasuke."

"You've grown stronger and stronger, beyond my comprehension. If you were to try and stop me, it's true, even Orochimaru himself couldn't take me away. But now that you possess power beyond the ordinary, you've gradually come to understand the fate of this world, haven't you? You know I can't abandon this path, even if it's darkness. As long as I can defeat my brother, even becoming Orochimaru's puppet doesn't matter. This is my choice. And your... answer?"

Sasuke looked at the boy his own age in front of him and could no longer imagine how strong he was, but he should understand him, even if he was trapped in darkness.

"I understand. I won't intervene. I can't control the others. Indeed, this village can't help you grow quickly. Only through numerous life-or-death battles and near-death experiences will you gradually mature. I've been through the same thing. In the past few years, I've experienced two death-defying battles. The first time, my opponents were incredibly powerful, and each time I almost lost my life. But after defeating others, I'll become stronger. Finally, here's a piece of advice: even in the darkest heart, leave a small place where warmth can shine. Only then will you understand true strength. Look, I fought your brother Uchiha Itachi, last time. Here's his information; I hope it's useful to you. I hope you'll be stronger than me next time we meet."

Issui handed Sasuke a scroll, patted him on the shoulder, and walked past him without even looking at his face.

"Is that so? Naruto, I'm leaving. You'd better not chase after me."

Sasuke took the scroll from Issui's hand and quickly disappeared into the jungle, vanishing from everyone's sight. "Thank you this time, Issui Kanna. I believe when we meet again, you'll witness my power. By then, I should have the strength to rival my brother. Leaving behind a place where warmth can illuminate my path? Tch, did you think I'd be completely plunged into darkness? Worried about me? Tch, I just wanted to gain immense power. I haven't forgotten anything, have I? Heh, so you understand me best. Naruto, Sakura, I haven't forgotten you. I just have things I have to do."

"Is this really okay? Letting him go?"

Shizune was getting angry. The only person who could stop him here was Issui, that freak, but they let him go after chatting for a while. Who does he think he is? Damn it, everyone's hard work in chasing him has been ruined by you.

With Issui walked up to Shizune and brought his mouth close to her ear.

"What are you doing?" Shizune was embarrassed by Issui's actions, and two red clouds appeared on her face.

"You're questioning my decision, aren't you? You've probably already seen it, haven't you? The hatred in his eyes, the darkness shrouding his heart—he's already gone down this path. Unless I kill him or Imprisonment him forever, even if I catch him this time, he'll still escape next time. Do you understand?"

Issui quickly whispered in Shizune's ear and walked past her.

"Even so, we can't let him go. You... Hmph, you escaped quickly, but I won't let you get away so easily. I'll make sure Lady Tsunade punishes you."

Shizune watched as Issui disappeared from the spot, her anger burning. "They really don't respect me at all! Although I'm not as powerful or as prestigious Lady Tsunade, I'm still a senior. Can't you show some respect?"

"This is troublesome. Let's keep chasing them. Even though some people have left, there still needs to be some results."

Shikamaru scratched his head, looking in the direction where Issui had left, and said...

"Sasuke, I will bring you back, even if it means breaking your arms and legs."

Naruto ignored the conversation between Issui and Sasuke and continued chasing after Sasuke.

"Let's go, everyone..."

Seeing Naruto's figure disappear, Shikamaru had no choice but to chase after him with the others.