Ch. 161Sasuke's Heart! Severing Bonds
Kakashi reported a possible meeting between Sasori and his spy at Tenchi Bridge, and Tsunade assigned Kakashi's team to investigate. Shinki used the Flying Thunder God Mark hidden on a letter to find Sasuke, interrupting Sasuke as he was about to burn it and leaving their reunion awkward.
- Kakashi told Tsunade that Sasori had revealed a possible meeting with his spy at Tenchi Bridge, and Tsunade ordered Kakashi to lead a team there.
- Shinki decided he could locate Orochimaru by teleporting to Sasuke using the Flying Thunder God Mark on a letter he had sent three years earlier.
- Naruto asked to go with Shinki, but Shinki refused and teleported away alone.
- Sasuke recalled that Orochimaru had chosen him as a substitute body because he could not get Shinki, and resolved to surpass Shinki and kill Orochimaru.
- As Sasuke tried to burn Shinki's unopened letter, the tube shattered and Shinki appeared on top of him, briefly catching his clothes on Sasuke's flame.
- Shinki greeted Sasuke, who struggled to respond after realizing their reunion made his vow to sever his bonds with Konoha difficult to maintain.