The New Hokage and Their Separate Training

Uchiha Mu did not answer Orochimaru. He turned his gaze to Jiraiya and Tsunade, his tone softening slightly. "Get some rest first. Leave this place to me."

Then, he looked at Naruto on the ground and gave a light wave of his hand. A gentle stream of chakra flowed into Naruto's body, healing his wounds.

Naruto instantly felt much lighter. Slowly, he struggled to his feet.

Next, Uchiha Mu looked at Orochimaru again, his gaze turning cold in an instant. He uttered only one word: "Scram."

That single word carried the pressure to destroy heaven and earth.

Orochimaru felt his entire body loosen as the suffocating sense of suppression vanished instantly. He did not dare linger for even a moment. Not even bothering to take his subordinate, Kabuto Yakushi, with him, he turned into a black shadow and fled in disgrace.

He knew full well that he was no match for Uchiha Mu. If he stayed, he would only be completely destroyed.

After dealing with Orochimaru, Uchiha Mu turned his gaze to Tsunade, his tone calm. "Come back to Konoha with me and take over as the Fifth Hokage. This is your responsibility, and the duty you must bear."

This time, Tsunade showed no hesitation or resistance.

She looked at the overwhelmingly powerful man before her, then at the wounded Jiraiya and Naruto. She nodded gently. "All right. I'll return with you. I'll become Hokage and protect Konoha."

At last, she completely let go of the obsession in her heart and understood her responsibility—only by protecting Konoha and those around her could she live up to Nawaki and Dan Katō's sacrifices, and truly let go of the pain of the past.

She even found herself developing an unusual feeling toward this man she had met for the first time.

Uchiha Mu nodded. With a flash, he appeared beside Tsunade, gently pulled her along, and the two vanished from where they stood, heading toward Konoha.

Jiraiya watched their disappearing figures, then looked at Naruto beside him. A relieved smile appeared on his face. "Looks like Konoha is saved."

Naruto nodded as well, determination rekindling in his eyes:

"Master Jiraiya, let's go back too. Sasuke is injured as well. Granny Tsunade will definitely heal him."

Then, Jiraiya supported Naruto as they slowly made their way toward Konoha.

Elsewhere, the fleeing Orochimaru returned to his secret base. His face was still pale, his eyes full of unwillingness and fear.

He knew that as long as Uchiha Mu existed, he would never be able to fulfill his ambitions,

Yet he did not give up. Instead, he studied Living Corpse Reincarnation and methods of breaking seals with even greater madness.

He secretly swore in his heart that one day, he would take revenge on Uchiha Mu, defeat him, and dominate the ninja world.

Meanwhile, Uchiha Mu brought Tsunade back to Konoha. The news quickly spread throughout the village, and every ninja was invigorated.

They knew that Konoha finally had a true leader, and the strength to withstand every crisis.

After returning to Konoha, Tsunade wasted no time. She immediately began restoring order, repairing the damaged buildings, and treating the injured ninja.

At the same time, she fulfilled her promise by improving the medical system and training a large number of medical ninja, bringing Konoha's medical standards to a whole new level.

However, although Sasuke's injuries had healed, the Cursed Seal of Heaven planted by Orochimaru was not so easily removed.

Sasuke had long felt that ordinary step-by-step training had reached its limit. He desperately wanted to grow stronger, and the desire for revenge grew ever more intense in his heart.

One day, Sasuke finally made up his mind to leave Konoha.

When Naruto learned of it, he chased after him like a madman all the way to the Valley of the End.

"Sasuke, are you going to betray Konoha?" Naruto roared, his eyes filled with disbelief.

Sasuke did not speak. He merely activated the Cursed Seal of Heaven and the Three-Tomoe Sharingan in silence. His cold gaze had already given Naruto the answer.

Naruto's heart sank instantly as Nine-Tails chakra erupted around him,

Golden chakra covered his entire body as he spoke resolutely:

"If you insist on fighting, then I'll fight you! I'll make you wake up—revenge isn't the only way forward!"

The moment his words fell, Naruto attacked first. With a flash, he charged toward Sasuke, his fist wrapped in dense Nine-Tails chakra as it smashed toward him with tremendous force.

Sasuke's eyes turned cold, but he showed no fear. The Cursed Seal of Heaven activated at full power as his hands rapidly formed seals. "Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!"

Countless tiny fireballs spewed from his mouth, densely filling every route Naruto could take.

Naruto's gaze sharpened. He pushed off the ground and swiftly dodged, forming seals with both hands at the same time:

"Water Style: Water Shock Wave!"

A torrent of water burst forth, extinguishing the fireballs as it continued rushing toward Sasuke.

Sasuke remained completely calm. His Sharingan spun rapidly, precisely predicting the water's trajectory,

He sidestepped it, then flashed forward and appeared before Naruto in an instant. Chakra gathered in his hand as he fiercely struck Naruto in the chest.

Naruto could not react in time. The palm strike hit him, blasting him away. He crashed heavily onto the ground and spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Naruto!" There was not a trace of pity in Sasuke's eyes. Instead, he grew even more frenzied. He flashed forward again, intending to press his advantage.

Gritting his teeth, Naruto climbed up from the ground and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his gaze becoming even more resolute:

"Sasuke, wake up! If you keep going like this, you'll only sink deeper and deeper!"

He attacked again, unleashing Nine-Tails chakra at full force. A golden Rasengan formed in his hands. "Rasengan!"

The Rasengan spun rapidly, carrying violent power as it blasted toward Sasuke.

Sasuke's eyes turned cold. His Sharingan precisely caught the Rasengan's trajectory as his hands formed seals. "Fire Style: Great Fire Annihilation!"

A massive flame instantly gathered and collided violently with the Rasengan.

"Boom!"

With a deafening explosion, a violent shockwave of energy swept across the battlefield. A massive crater was blasted into the ground as rubble flew and dust filled the air.

Both were thrown away by the shockwave and crashed heavily onto the ground, covered in wounds and breathing unsteadily.

Naruto struggled to his feet. Though injured all over, he still refused to give up. Looking at Sasuke, he shouted, "Sasuke, stop being so stubborn! We can grow stronger together and face everything together!"

Sasuke looked at him and slowly shook his head, his voice hoarse but resolute. "You don't understand. I have to become stronger. For that, I can pay any price."

After saying that, he turned around without looking at Naruto again. He merely gave Uchiha Mu, standing above the valley, a slight nod before walking resolutely toward the outskirts of Konoha without the slightest attachment.

He was going to find Orochimaru. Only Orochimaru's power could make him stronger quickly, allowing him to defeat Itachi and complete his revenge sooner.

Uchiha Mu saw all of this, his expression calm, with no intention of stepping in to stop him.

He understood that everyone's path to growth was different. Sasuke's obsession ran too deep; only Sasuke himself could resolve it. His path was one he could only walk himself.

Excessive interference would only make Sasuke fall into an even deeper obsession and ultimately lead him toward destruction.

Perhaps only by letting him experience setbacks and seek the power he desired himself could he truly understand what real strength was, and what was worth protecting.

Watching Sasuke's departing back, Uchiha Mu let out a soft sigh. A complicated emotion flashed in his eyes—regret, heartache, but above all, acceptance.

He stood there quietly, watching Sasuke's figure gradually disappear beyond the entrance to Konoha.

Naruto, watching Sasuke leave, stiffened all over and roared, "Sasuke!"