Entrustment

Naruto stood silently, his gaze fixed on Sasuke's back, where despair and helplessness mingled. A deep ache rose in his heart, impossible to put into words.

The feeling flowed naturally, just as it had once when he'd felt it for Fushiguro Megumi.

In Naruto's heart, Sasuke was no longer just a companion. He was a junior whom Naruto felt he needed to guide and protect.

"I have a way to help you," Naruto said in a low voice, his tone warm. But he set a condition, too. "You have to promise me that you won't go looking for Itachi Uchiha until you're strong enough."

Sasuke's body trembled slightly as he knelt on the ground, sobbing. But when he heard Naruto's words, he abruptly stopped, as if some force had seized hold of him.

He sprang to his feet and turned around, his eyes shining with a mixture of disbelief and hope as he stared at Naruto. "As long as... as long as you can help me get stronger, Naruto, I... I'll do whatever you say!"

Naruto couldn't just stand by and watch Sasuke go to his death. The only thing he could do was help Sasuke grow stronger.

However, having been reborn as Naruto from Gojo Satoru, he wasn't familiar with this world's system of ninjutsu.

He knew that his current knowledge and experience alone weren't nearly enough to help Sasuke.

Even he needed a mentor like Jiraiya to guide him.

There was little he could do. He could only teach Sasuke some combat fundamentals and ways of thinking about battle. As for Naruto's Jujutsu, teaching it would be pointless without the Six Eyes.

Naruto had already chosen a mentor for Sasuke: Orochimaru.

Although Orochimaru was devious and even a little chilling, Naruto found him very interesting. And Orochimaru had entered into a Binding Vow with Naruto, pledging his loyalty, so there was no need to worry about Sasuke's safety.

Night cloaked the earth like dark ink, shrouding every action in mystery.

Taking advantage of the darkness, Naruto floated lightly through the air, like the brightest star in the night sky, yet utterly silent.

He carefully sensed everything around him. Once he confirmed that Jiraiya wasn't nearby, he took Sasuke with him without hesitation. The two of them shot off into the distance like meteors streaking across the night sky.

With the high-speed movement granted by the Jujutsu technique "Azure," Naruto seemed to cross the boundaries of space and time. In just a moment, they had reached Orochimaru's hidden lair, a base deep underground near Otogakure.

When Naruto and Sasuke landed at the entrance to Orochimaru's base, a chill, eerie aura washed over them, making their blood run cold.

Just then, a figure slowly emerged from the darkness. It was Yakushi Kabuto, who greeted Naruto with an almost obsequious air.

Sasuke's eyes flashed with surprise at the sight of Yakushi Kabuto.

But that was only the beginning. Guided by Yakushi Kabuto, they ventured deeper into Orochimaru's domain.

When that familiar yet fearsome figure came into view, Sasuke was stunned. Wasn't that Orochimaru, who had once invaded Konoha?

For a moment, Sasuke was filled with tension and unease. He stared fixedly at Orochimaru.

When Orochimaru's cold, fathomless eyes settled on Naruto and Sasuke, the corners of his mouth curled into a smile that seemed to carry hidden meaning.

"Naruto-kun, you've finally come. I've missed you so much," Orochimaru said, his voice low and magnetic, as if every word held an unspoken meaning.

Naruto's lips curled into an amused smile. "You mean you've been hoping I'd die," he teased.

Orochimaru chuckled. "Of course not. I'm yours now. Why would I want you dead?"

At those words, questions sprouted in Sasuke's mind like weeds. He stared at Orochimaru, then at Naruto, trying to find an answer in their expressions.

Naruto seemed to notice Sasuke's confusion. He patted Sasuke on the shoulder and explained, "Orochimaru is working under me now. Don't worry." His voice was gentle but firm, reassuring Sasuke.

Then Naruto continued, "Now, you have two choices: go back, or stay here and train under Orochimaru."

Sasuke's eyes gleamed with a longing for strength. "Can he make me stronger?"

At that, Orochimaru's lips curled into a sinister smile. Looking at Naruto, he said teasingly, "Naruto-kun, you've certainly found me a nice job."

Naruto looked at Orochimaru, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. "He absolutely can." His reply was brief and forceful, full of confidence.

Sasuke's eyes gleamed again, and he immediately asked, "Can he make me stronger than Itachi Uchiha?"

Orochimaru laughed sinisterly. His eyes betrayed both hatred and fear of Itachi Uchiha, but above all, anticipation for Sasuke. "Of course he can!"