Let's Go Walk This World in Person!

After they parted, Sasuke had been deep in thought over what Jimo had told him...

"Naruto... wanting my acknowledgment..."

Just as he was lost in thought, a steel wire coiled around him...

"Kakashi... what are you—"

"To keep you from running off, so I can properly lecture you..."

Kakashi said calmly.

"Give up your revenge... Because of my past work, I've seen plenty of people who wear revenge on their sleeve like you do... None of them ended well..."

"All you'll do is make yourself suffer more. Even after you get your revenge, you'll only feel empty."

"You don't understand a thing! Stop pretending to be wise and lecturing me!"

At this point, Sasuke had completely cast Jimo's words aside.

"Otherwise, how about I kill everyone important to you right now? Then you'll know how foolish your words are!"

Kakashi looked calmly at Sasuke, silent for a long moment.

"That's not a bad idea... But I don't have anyone important anymore..."

Kakashi suddenly broke into a smile.

"Because they've all been killed already!"

Kakashi told Sasuke that the era he grew up in was far more chaotic than the present.

"We've both been unlucky, but we're also both lucky! Because now, haven't we both found important comrades?"

Kakashi released Sasuke.

"It's because of loss that you understand the value of what you gain! Just like Jimo said before! True strength isn't about how many people your power can hurt—it's about how many people you can protect with that power!"

"Chidori is a technique I taught you because I saw that you already had that power called protection in your heart! It wasn't meant for you to hurt your teammates or take revenge... You know best where it should be used..."

Kakashi vanished before Sasuke, leaving him to think alone.

That night, four figures appeared before Sasuke.

"I'm in a bad mood... I don't know who you are, but don't bother me!"

"Look at this kid! He's trying to get tough with us!"

Sakon chuckled.

After a brief scuffle, Sasuke was beaten without a chance to fight back.

"Come with us! Playing these childish ninja games in this childish village won't make you stronger! Follow Lord Orochimaru—he'll give you the power you seek."

Sasuke saw that cold look in their eyes.

"Orochimaru... Orochimaru again!"

Sasuke remembered what Jimo had said—Orochimaru was an extremely dangerous man.

"He's getting close to you, probably for the Sharingan!"

Jimo's words echoed in Sasuke's mind.

"Trying to take my comrade? Did you ask your captain's permission?"

A voice came from behind the four.

"When did he get behind us?!"

The four turned in panic.

"Idiots! I'm in front!"

Jimo punched each of the four, sending them flying...

"I'm in a really bad mood today! So you'd better scram before I decide to kill you. I don't want your disgusting blood staining the Fifth Hokage's inauguration ceremony!"

Jimo's eyes flickered red, and an invisible aura rose from his body.

"Then go ahead and try!"

Tayuya cursed.

"Try it, then!"

A sound came from Tayuya's mouth.

"Hey hey... Can Tayuya even make a noise like that...?" the others muttered.

"You—you bastard!"

Tayuya clutched her rear and cursed.

"Say one more word! And I'll spank you again—until it's swollen!"

Jimo held a tree branch in his hand, standing protectively in front of Sasuke with effortless grace.

"Retreat!"

The Sound Four, knowing they were no match for him, vanished into the night.

The two arrived atop Hokage Rock, gazing down at Konoha lit by countless lanterns.

"Sasuke, you shouldn't have said those things to Kakashi..."

Jimo told Sasuke the story of Kakashi.

Including how his father had failed a mission to save a comrade, only for that same comrade to turn around and revile him... and how the White Fang of Konoha fell because of it.

And how his best friend died before his eyes, entrusting him with the Sharingan! And how he himself had killed his own partner with Chidori.

"What are you thinking?"

Seeing Sasuke silent for a long time, Jimo asked.

"I can guarantee you—your brother slaughtering the entire clan... it wasn't his own will..."

Sasuke was stunned.

"You think he didn't kill you because you were too weak? Then why did he leave only you alive? With your brother's ability, you could have died countless times already..."

Hearing Jimo's words, Sasuke began to ponder what had happened before.

"If you want to go find Orochimaru, then go. I won't stop you!"

Jimo said flatly.

"Some people, you have to see for yourself to realize this world isn't what you imagined! The Uchiha massacre wasn't a coincidence! There were people pulling strings behind the scenes!"

Looking at Sasuke's clear but naive eyes, Jimo continued.

"In Konoha, there are invisible enemies too... If you want to leave... that's fine! At least you'll be safe until Orochimaru recovers!"

"Why are you telling me all this?"

"What nonsense! We're teammates in the same squad!"

Jimo's smile was as bright as sunshine.

"But one thing! Remember this! Never fall into darkness. No matter what truth you find... don't think about taking revenge on the village. Otherwise, I'll be the first to kill you!"

Jimo's expression and tone suddenly turned serious.

"Thanks!"

Sasuke's expression suddenly relaxed a lot. He knew that since Jimo had been promoted to chunin, he could access many documents. With his connections to the Fifth Hokage and others, looking up some less important classified files probably wouldn't be hard...

"Don't lay a hand on Naruto! If he chases after you... just knock him out. He almost died at the hands of Orochimaru and the others trying to bring back the Fifth Hokage..."

After saying this, Jimo vanished before Sasuke's eyes, leaving only a faint voice drifting back!

"The Uchiha massacre—I'll look into it for you. But the truth is often cruel! Stay safe! Watch out for Kabuto Yakushi and Orochimaru!"

At midnight, Sasuke packed his bags.

Standing at the window, he looked at Team 7's photo. After hesitating for a long time, he still didn't take it with him.

Walking onto Central Street, he saw Sakura standing in the middle of the road.

"It's late. Why aren't you asleep? What are you doing here?"

Sasuke asked coldly. The moment he decided to leave, he had to bury all his emotions deep inside.

"Because to leave the village, you have to pass through here... If something's wrong, why won't you tell us!"

Sakura's eyes brimmed with tears.

"Do I have to tell you everything?"

After a brief confession, Sasuke flashed behind Sakura, struck her with a chop to the neck, knocked her out, and laid her on a bench.

"Sakura... thanks... but I have a reason I must find out the truth!"

A few minutes later, a figure came to the bench and picked up Sakura.

"Tsk tsk! If it weren't for Sakura liking you... you'd really deserve to stay single forever. Knocking a girl unconscious and leaving her on a bench like that—so irresponsible!"

Jimo gently carried Sakura back to the Medical Corps and handed her over to Shizune, who was preparing documents, to look after.

"Are you sure Sasuke won't fall to the darkness?"

Tsunade frowned, staring at the black dot in the distance that was Sasuke.

"Relax. If he dares to betray Konoha, I'll kill him myself... That incident back then—I'm afraid it really was the work of Konoha's dark side. Even the Third Hokage's death this time probably can't escape that connection..."

Tsunade looked at the personnel file in her hands.

Her gaze stopped on a spiky-haired figure wrapped in bandages.