Without Kakuzu and Hidan wandering around in this life, Asuma's tragedy was naturally avoided.
This can be seen as Orochimaru repaying a favor, and the Akatsuki also avoided losing two key members.
After the battle at the Tenchi Bridge, Naruto continued to train in the nature transformation of Chakra with Jiraisui and Kakashi.
Orochimaru was also busy. After leaving the Tenchi Bridge, the group returned to the Land of Gold, but instead of the original Absolute Ice Mountain Range, they moved to another base near the Land of Earth.
After learning about Sasuke's current training progress, Orochimaru devised a new training plan for him.
"Don't rush into Senjutsu Mode. It'll be much more effective to train after your body has fully adapted to Hashirama Cells!"
Upon hearing this, Sasuke instinctively fell into deep thought. Over the past few years, he had grown accustomed to Orochimaru's tailor-made approach.
Although he was already quite capable, he still intended to continue following Orochimaru's orders until he received Orochimaru's approval.
"How big is the gap between me and Itachi now?"
Orochimaru fell into a brief moment of thought after hearing this, and only after a long while did he meet his burning gaze.
"Your overall strength is already about the same as his, but..."
Faced with the expectant look in Sasuke Sharingan, Orochimaru decided to tell the truth.
"Itachi has already awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, while yours is only at the Three Tomoe. He has already awakened the Susanoo of the Uchiha Clan!"
In the Original Work, Itachi didn't use Susanoo until the very end, and his Susanoo was in its complete form, with not only bones and flesh but also Susanoo armor.
If it weren't for the battle against Orochimaru's Eight-Headed Serpent, he probably wouldn't have revealed this move.
No wonder that battle was called the Battle of the Pacific; Itachi really held back a lot.
After being doused with cold water, Sasuke's emotions immediately returned to calm.
"Mangekyō Sharingan! Susanoo!"
As if recalling some unpleasant memory, a shadow crossed Sasuke's eyes.
The evolution of the Sharingan requires intense emotional stimulation, and awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan requires enduring immense pain.
This power derived from kinship and clan angered him.
"Don't be impatient. Your control over Fire Release Chakra is already superb. If you can fuse them together, you'll have a much better chance of defeating Itachi!"
Upon hearing this, Sasuke's eyes lit up again. It was unlikely that he could improve his Taijutsu Ninjutsu, and Dōjutsu in a short period of time.
However, if the lightning and fire attributes could be fused, it would probably create another powerful trump card.
"Attribute fusion? A new Kekkei Genkai?"
Sasuke looked at Orochimaru with some confusion. Although he had read many books, he still hadn't come across any specific details on this topic.
In his memory, besides the five elemental Ninjutsu, there were also Magnet Release, Transparent Escape, Lava Release, Dust Release, and the Daimyo Wood Release, etc.
These people seem to have mastered these abilities from the moment they appear, but that's not actually the case.
"Kekkei Genkai the Ninja World are divided into innate and acquired. Most of them cannot be mastered later in life, but if you have the basic conditions, you can obtain them through hard work!"
Orochimaru explained the specifics of Kekkei Genkai to him, such as how Rasa's Magnet Release was acquired later in life, and how Naruto's Rasenshuriken later incorporated various attributes, resulting in new variations.
He's simply accelerating Sasuke's mastery of this aspect.
"Kekkei Genkai, there are Kekkei Tōta, such as Ōnoki's Dust Release; above Kekkei Tōta, there is Kekkei Mōra, which is beyond your current reach!"
Just kidding, even his original self couldn't master the Kekkei Mōra, and even the future Six Paths Sasuke couldn't master it.
Sasuke listened intently to the secrets of the Ninja World. Knowing these things in advance was meant to broaden his horizons; he had a long road ahead of him.
"Those things are still far away for you. What you need to do now is try to fuse the lightning and fire attributes. If it can produce new changes, then that will be your own Ninjutsu!"
He was referring to Blaze Release, which he could use once he awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. He could use it in the future, such as Blaze Release: Fire Thunder God, combined with Susanoo's Amaterasu: Flame Control, or attached to a weapon.
Seeing that Sasuke's expression did not change, Orochimaru tossed him a scroll, some of which contained information about Izanagi and Izanami Ninjutsu, and others about the Eight Branches Technique.
"That's all I can teach you. The rest of the journey is up to you! The future belongs to you young people!"
After saying this, Orochimaru slowly stood up. There is no banquet that does not end. He has already done more than enough.
Seeing his hesitant expression, Orochimaru shook his head again.
"If you want to know more, go ask Itachi yourself! Since he's unwilling to tell you, I won't bother!"
After a pause, Orochimaru finally said:
"Our master-disciple relationship ends here after today. Don't say you're my disciple when you go out in the future!"
After saying that, Orochimaru patted him on the shoulder, then turned and walked towards the entrance to the basement. Sasuke looked at the somewhat lonely figure with complicated eyes, not knowing what to say for a moment.
Looking back Didi the past three years, although Orochimaru was harsh on him and showed a strong aggression towards his Sharingan, he never really laid a hand on him.
Am I overthinking it?
Clutching the scroll tightly, watching the disappearing figure, perhaps moved by Orochimaru's sacrifices, or perhaps believing in Orochimaru's selfless teaching, he finally couldn't help but ask:
Where can I find you?
"We will meet again when the time comes, and that day will come soon!"
Orochimaru said without turning his head, and his figure completely disappeared from Sasuke's sight.
This is the best way to end things; otherwise, if a scene of master and disciple killing each other were to actually unfold, it would be a real reversal of the natural order.
He can do it himself; there's no need to pass on this fine tradition. Whether Boruto will pick it up in the future is none of his business.
Sensing that Orochimaru's Chakra had completely disappeared, a slight ripple of emotions that had been buried deep within her heart resurfaced, but this was something that outsiders could not know!
"The boring time is finally over, it's time to get things done!"
Emerging from the basement, Orochimaru felt little sorrow at parting from his master and disciple; they would meet again soon anyway, so there was no need for it.
Despite guiding him for so long, in the end he wouldn't even call me "teacher."
Thinking of this, Orochimaru couldn't help but shake his head again. The last time he did something so thankless was at the Senju camp in Konoha.
"Go to Konoha and deliver this letter to Tsunade!"
Orochimaru handed a letter to Kabuto, who was guarding the entrance to the basement, and then patted him on the shoulder in return.
Kabuto, having received the order, didn't think much of it, but then he heard Orochimaru say:
"You've done a good job these past few years, I've seen it all, but you should also think more about yourself!"
Kabuto was very excited to receive praise from Orochimaru, but he was also a little confused as to why Orochimaru would say those words.
"It is my duty to serve the adults, and I will definitely work even harder!"
Orochimaru waved his hand, signaling him to go out and do his business. After he finished, he also left, as he had received the latest assignment from his main body.
"Six-Tails Utakata! You appeared just in time!"