Sasuke's Heart! Severing Bonds

In the Hokage's Office, everyone left after reporting on the mission.

Only Kakashi and Tsunade remained in the Office.

Just then, Kakashi said, "Lord Hokage, I have something else to report."

"Actually, during his fight with us, Scorpion inadvertently revealed a piece of information."

"Based on this information, I guess he will meet with his spy Ninja planted under Orochimaru at the Tenchi Bridge in Kusagakure a few days later."

Tsunade frowned upon hearing this.

Orochimaru is extremely cunning; his Hideout are scattered all over the world, and he moves around every few days.

The information provided by Kakashi helped them find the hiding place of Orochimaru, the missing-nin!

"Could it be that Sasori deliberately spread the news to lure the Konoha Ninja over?" Tsunade asked.

Kakashi nodded. "It's not impossible... but..."

Tsunade understood Kakashi's meaning and continued, "It's worth a try, isn't it?"

Kakashi nodded.

Tsunade stood up and stood in front of the huge floor-to-ceiling window in the Hokage's Office, arms crossed, a thoughtful expression on her face.

After about half a minute, she turned to Kakashi and said, "In that case, you shall lead the team."

"Since the exact time of Scorpion's meeting with the spy is unknown, you may have to keep watch for quite some time."

Kakashi hesitated. "What about the other candidates for the mission...?"

Tsunade smiled and said, "Naturally, it's a few people from your team."

"But if this really is a conspiracy, wouldn't it be too dangerous to bring Shinki and Naruto along?" Kakashi said after a moment of silence, not expecting Tsunade to make this decision.

"Actually, you were worried about me before, but Shinki dispelled my concerns with his strength."

Tsunade smiled, a bright and cheerful smile.

She was proud of her student.

Kakashi nodded, seemingly lost in thought.

A super-powerful Wood Release Ninja, if the Shinki wanted to, could probably already raze Konoha to the ground.

But the real fear is that the unknown Akatsuki might use some strange Formations or techniques.

Soon, the mission notification reached Shinki had just returned home and hadn't even had a chance to rest for a while.

After seeing the description of what was in the mission notification, Shinki's expression turned strange.

The Hokage wanted his team to investigate this matter, ultimately because he wanted to find Orochimaru's hiding place.

However, there is a better way to find Orochimaru's hiding place in Shinki.

Three years ago, when Sasuke's Defection, Shinki delivered a letter to him using Carrier Hawk.

The letter depicts the Flying Thunder God Mark from the Shinki!

Therefore, the Shinki can teleport to Sasuke's side anytime, anywhere using the Flying Thunder God Technique.

After three years, Sasuke has most likely infiltrated Orochimaru's core organization and migrated with Orochimaru...

Finding Sasuke is the same as finding Orochimaru!

With this in mind, Shinki donned his armor, intending to use the Flying Thunder God Body Flicker Technique there and take a look.

Naruto, Naruto sleepily beside him, saw Shinki's actions and several big question marks appeared above his head, "What are you doing? Has the Fourth Shinobi World War started?! (‧_‧?)"

"What?! The Fourth Shinobi World War has begun...!"

Shinki remained silent, then explained, "Do you remember the letter I wrote back to Sasuke three years ago? I planned to use the Flying Thunder God Formula to Body Flicker Technique to Sasuke's side and check on him."

"Because I haven't been there in years, I'm worried about what might have happened there, so I'm taking precautions in advance..."

Naruto became excited upon hearing this.

When it comes to finding Sasuke, he's wide awake!

"I want to go with you!"

Shinki held up a finger and shook it. "Didn't I tell you already? I'm not sure about his situation, so I'll go by myself."

Naruto wanted to say something more.

The next moment, Shinki's body vanished!

Naruto: (°ー°)

In one of Orochimaru's underground Hideout.

Just as Shinki had predicted, after three years, Sasuke had almost become a core member of Orochimaru's organization.

Everyone in Orochimaru's organization regarded him as Orochimaru's right-hand man!

More importantly, Sasuke is Orochimaru's next body for his Living Corpse Reincarnation!

In a dimly lit room in the underground Hideout, Sasuke lay on his bed, watching the flickering candlelight on the wall.

"Orochimaru, that guy, has mastered so many high-tech methods, yet he didn't even bother to install a Chakra lamp in his Hideout..."

After saying that, Sasuke sighed softly.

He turned over and pulled a letterbox from his pouch.

This was sent to him by Shinki three years ago.

Because of the various changes that had occurred over the past three years, as well as the changes in his own state of mind, Sasuke had never opened the letter.

Emotions are a shackle on strength!

As an Avenger, he must constantly grow stronger and sever all ties with Konoha!

Therefore, he didn't want to hear his Yuhi comrades' words, as they would affect his determination to become stronger!

Sasuke looked at the small mailbox, his eyes flickering.

He had grown considerably over the past three years and realized that Orochimaru had recruited him because he coveted his body and wanted the Uchiha Clan's eyes...

He also learned this from a few brief conversations with Orochimaru's subordinates not long ago.

I am not the best choice for Orochimaru's body; the Shinki is.

As for himself, he was merely a substitute for Orochimaru, who couldn't obtain the Shinki.

How could the proud Sasuke tolerate this!

And then I think of Orochimaru, and the burning look in his eyes every time he mentions the Shinki...

I'm even angrier now!

He didn't want to be Orochimaru's body!!

I'm even less willing to be someone else's second-best substitute!!

So.

After learning about this, he developed a dislike for Shinki and resolved to find a time to kill Orochimaru...

"Shinki, you're a genius, but I will definitely surpass you!"

Sasuke's eyes were resolute!

Immediately, Sasuke used Fire Style to conjure a small flame at his fingertips, intending to say goodbye to the past completely.

"Three years have passed; the contents of the letter are no longer important to me."

However, just as the flame touched the bottom of the letter tube, Sasuke sensed something was wrong!

The next moment!

The little mailbox was reduced to pieces!

Shinki's body appeared out of thin air!

Because Sasuke was half-lying on the bed at that moment, Shinki appeared right on Sasuke's stomach!

Sasuke:ヽ( ຶ▮ ຶ)ﾉ!!

Shinki: (⊙o⊙)

Immediately afterwards, Shinki felt something was wrong below him!

It seems... a little hot!

He looked down and saw that the flames had already scorched the hem of his clothes!

"Wipe!!"

After extinguishing the flames with a slap, the Shinki sprang off Sasuke's body like a spring and sat down on the edge of the bed.

Sasuke stared at the Shinki like a block of wood from beginning to end.

A few seconds later, he realized what was happening and pointed stiffly at Shinki's incredibly handsome profile.

"You..."

Shinki greeted him with a smile, "Long time no see, Sasuke. (๑╹ヮ╹๑)ﾉ"

Sasuke: "Hmm... long time no see..."

(ꈍᴗꈍ)

Fate is cruel!

It turns out that back then, Shinki, out of concern for his own safety, drew the Flying Thunder God Mark on the letter!

If I had known, I would have opened it and burned it sooner!

Now that we've met, how can he possibly say something like "Severing Bonds"...?