Valentine's Day: Zuo Ming 1: Birth of Resentment

Act I

Cherry blossoms drifted down gently, accompanied by harmonious music. Naruto, dressed in a crisp white suit, held Hinata's hand as he greeted their friends.

Every important figure from the Five Great Nations had come to attend the wedding of the newlyweds, and all the ninja had gathered together in celebration. It felt as if this were a grand festival belonging to the entire ninja world.

Sasuke (in a cold tone): "Have you truly decided? About marrying Hinata?"

Naruto: "I have."

He then looked at Hinata beside him with deep affection: "I love her."

Sasuke gave an awkward smile: "Is that so..."

Without leaving a single word of blessing, Sasuke departed from the wedding venue. Naruto watched Sasuke leave, a bitter feeling stirring in his heart.

Act II

The underground base was incredibly eerie; it was one of the few secret bases Orochimaru had kept. Today, an uninvited guest had arrived.

Orochimaru: "Well now, what are you doing here? Want to see if I'm cooking up any forbidden jutsu?"

Sasuke: "Exactly. I have been under orders from Konoha to monitor you; don't think I'm unaware of your little schemes."

Orochimaru smiled and said: "I'm curious, just what do you think I'm researching?"

Sasuke: "The Time Machine."

Orochimaru's smile faded, replaced by hostility: "As expected of Sasuke-kun. No matter where I am or what I'm researching, you always manage to sniff it out."

Sasuke: "Rest assured, I'm not here to cause you trouble. I want to borrow your Time Machine."

Orochimaru breathed a sigh of relief: "You already stand at the pinnacle of the ninja world. Is there really anything left for someone like you that would require the use of a Time Machine?"

Sasuke: "That is none of your concern."

Orochimaru's ghostly smile reappeared: "Heh heh... Sasuke-kun is as cold as ever. Very well, consider it a bribe; I will let you use the Time Machine."

Act III

The ground was covered in various characters, arranged in a precise circular pattern. The circle had a radius of at least fifty meters—it was massive.

Orochimaru was satisfied: "How is it, Sasuke? This is a new jutsu I've developed. It can send you back to the past for one day."

Sasuke responded with caution: "Have you tested this jutsu of yours?"

Orochimaru did not speak. Sasuke understood what he meant; the jutsu was still in the development stage, and no one knew what would happen once it was activated.

Once completed, such a jutsu would affect the very foundations of this world. Sasuke understood this well. Naturally, after this time, Sasuke was prepared to destroy the jutsu entirely.

However, there were things Sasuke simply had to do.

Orochimaru: "Stand in the center of the circle."

Sasuke complied.

Orochimaru: "So, Sasuke-kun, to what point in time do you wish to go?"

Sasuke: "The year you killed the Third Hokage."

Orochimaru smiled: "Then I shall begin."

Orochimaru formed hand seals, numbering over four hundred. With his Sharingan, Sasuke saw the natural energy of the surroundings gathering toward Orochimaru, then flowing through his hands into the formation on the ground.

This natural energy had not been diluted by human chakra; it was not the Sage Chakra of Sage Mode, but the purest, raw natural energy. These energies gathered continuously, their sheer volume staggering to behold.

Orochimaru: "If I form one more seal, this jutsu will be complete, and you will return to the past. I will confirm one last time: do you truly wish to go back?"

Sasuke: "Do it."

Orochimaru formed the final seal with his hands. A flash of white light erupted, and Sasuke vanished.