"What? Isn't he just letting himself go?" Sasuke was soaking in the hot spring with his eyes closed, while Naruto, on the other side, grumbled in discontent. Naruto had spent every last bit of his money just so he could join the others and figure out what was going on with Sasuke!
"Even so, we still haven't figured out why he turned out like this," Shikamaru said, watching Sasuke enjoy the hot spring with a puzzled expression.
It was really strange. Why had Sasuke, who had always pushed himself relentlessly in his training, turned into this?
"My chips are gone. I'm going to get more!" While Shikamaru was still thinking, Choji tossed the empty bag aside and headed off.
"Idiot!"
Naruto couldn't help cursing at Choji. Wasn't he making it painfully obvious?
"If... Never mind!" Sasuke suddenly thought of the woman painting on the hillside. He got up and left the hot spring.
After getting dressed and leaving the men's bath, Sasuke spotted Ino and Sakura at the entrance, trying to sneak a peek. He was caught completely off guard. Were the two of them really that eager to see him?
"Nice color!" Sasuke casually complimented them while Ino and Sakura stood there at a loss, then left the hot spring resort.
"Ah..." As soon as Sasuke was gone, Ino was the first to react. She hurriedly made her escape. Sasuke had actually seen her... It was so embarrassing.
"What color?" Sakura asked, belatedly watching Ino run off. She shook her head in confusion, then seemed to realize something and ran off just as frantically.
After leaving the hot spring, Sasuke went to a barbecue restaurant. His body had enjoyed the hot spring, so his mouth deserved a treat too!
After eating his fill, Sasuke slowly headed toward the Uchiha Clan's district.
Just as Sasuke neared the Uchiha Clan's territory, an Anbu suddenly appeared in front of him.
"Lord Hokage wants to speak with you," the Anbu told Sasuke, then began sizing him up.
"Sure." Once he realized the man had been sent by that old fox, Sarutobi Hiruzen, Sasuke relaxed. After all, it would be easy for Root to disguise one of its members as an Anbu Captain.
Of course, Sasuke was relieved because it wasn't time to deal with Danzo yet. He still wanted to stay in Konoha for a while.
"Let's go!"
Seeing that Sasuke had agreed, the Anbu led the way. The meeting certainly wouldn't be in the Hokage's office. Sarutobi Hiruzen thought the matter was rather unsavory, and if the people in the office overheard, it would tarnish his glorious image.
The Anbu led Sasuke into a wooded area, where a pavilion stood. The Third Hiruzen Sarutobi was sitting there, quietly waiting for Sasuke to arrive.
"Sir, Uchiha Sasuke is here," the Anbu said respectfully to Hiruzen after bringing Sasuke over.
"That's enough, Kinoe. You may leave." Hiruzen waved the Anbu away after hearing his report.
Kinoe? Tenzo Yamato? The guy who could use Wood Release? The First had conquered the world with Wood Release, and Yamato used it for landscaping? What a familiar face!
Hearing Hiruzen call the Anbu by that name, Sasuke's expression turned peculiar. He hadn't expected the man who had just left to be one of his future targets! After all, Yamato was the only person who had survived being implanted with Hashirama Cells!
"Uchiha Sasuke, it's been a long time! How have you been? Is there anything you need help with?" After the Anbu left, Hiruzen looked at Sasuke, dressed like a playboy, and asked with a beaming smile.
"It has been a long time, Lord Hokage. Things are going pretty well!" Sasuke smiled back at the hypocritical Hiruzen. After all, he had gained so much General Proficiency from the Anbu, so of course things were going well.
"That's good." Hiruzen smiled calmly at Sasuke's answer.
"Lord Hokage, what did you want to see me about?" Faced with such an old fox, Sasuke got straight to the point. He didn't want to talk much with this bad-breathed old man.
"Sasuke, Konoha's development has hit a bottleneck. Would you be willing to do your part for the village?"
Hiruzen looked at Sasuke warmly as he asked. In his heart, though, he was already laughing.
From what I've observed over the past four years, you've already been brainwashed by the Will of Fire. I'll gladly take the Uchiha land for myself!
Hiruzen's question left Sasuke completely dumbfounded. What the hell—was he still after the Uchiha territory? What a sinister, cunning old fox!
"But I'm just a student. How can I help Konoha?" Sasuke asked curiously, studying Hiruzen's somewhat odd expression.
"Look, the Uchiha Clan has only you left, but you occupy all that land. Isn't that a waste...?"
Hiruzen had barely begun speaking when Sasuke understood. Sure enough, he was after the Uchiha Clan's land. You old Third.
"If Konoha could develop all that Uchiha land, the village would become even stronger!"
Seeing Sasuke hesitate, Hiruzen started to persuade him. This was a chance for the Sarutobi Clan to flourish, and he absolutely couldn't let it go.
As for why he didn't simply seize it by force—did Hiruzen think Uchiha Itachi was just for show? If Itachi came to Konoha and caused trouble, wouldn't Hiruzen's glorious image be ruined? It was better to sweet-talk Sasuke.
"But..."
Faced with Hiruzen's bluntness, Sasuke was stunned. He had never seen anyone so shameless, tying his own ambitions to the good of Konoha.
"If you're willing to give up the Uchiha territory, I can give you an S-rank jutsu scroll! Then you can grow stronger and avenge the Uchiha Clan!"
Seeing Sasuke hesitate, Hiruzen unhesitatingly placed several scrolls on the table. He had come prepared this time.
"S-rank?"
Sasuke looked surprised by Hiruzen's generosity. Had the old man changed? What was going on?
"Exactly, S-rank!"
Thinking Sasuke had been intimidated, Hiruzen smiled almost imperceptibly. There was no way Uchiha Sasuke could possess an S-rank jutsu right now. The Uchiha's high-level jutsu were still stored in the Sarutobi Clan's warehouse!
"But..."
Sasuke had made up his mind, but pretended to hesitate...
Nice colors, Ino and Sakura. The Third came prepared.
Before you continue