Kakashi, tell Naruto for me...

Knowing the codes for Konoha's barrier, Sasuke slipped back into the village effortlessly. He concealed his identity with the Transformation Technique and strolled leisurely toward the Uzumaki Clan's Mask Hall at the far end of the village.

The air, the streets, the crowds were all familiar, yet Sasuke felt utterly out of place!

This sense of unfamiliarity... had too much time passed?

Sasuke pondered the answer.

No. At this point in my life, revenge was all I could think about. I paid no attention to anything around me. By the time I came to my senses and truly became part of the village, it no longer looked like this. That must be why everything before me feels so unfamiliar...

To put it bluntly, the defection of a ninja named Sasuke Uchiha had not even qualified as idle gossip for most people living in this village. He lived on only in the hearts of the handful who truly cared about him...

"If it hadn't been for Naruto and Sakura back then, the village probably would have forgotten me long ago..."

Sasuke smiled wistfully as he passed through a long alley in the village center. On a bench ahead, a pink-haired girl sat crying into her hands.

Sasuke stopped... That girl was his wife from his previous life, Sakura Haruno.

Sakura tearfully confided in Kakashi beside her. "Kakashi-sensei, if I hadn't asked Naruto to bring Sasuke back, none of this would have happened. Everyone got hurt because I was selfish!"

Kakashi gently comforted her. "This isn't your fault, Sakura. You only did what a teammate should. As for Sasuke, this was the result of many conflicts building up until they erupted. No one could have changed it. Have faith that someday, he'll come back to us..."

Sakura looked at him through her tears. "Really? Kakashi-sensei?"

Sasuke's expression remained calm and unreadable.

Dwelling on past affections would only hinder his progress!

This time, Sasuke had returned to life resolved to succeed or die trying!

Starting a family again... He had never even considered it! Not because he didn't want to, but because he didn't dare!

How could there be a home when the world itself was lost?

It looks like we both still have a long road ahead, Sakura... Will you be able to keep up with me this time?

Burying his old feelings deep in his heart, Sasuke hurried past the back of the bench and continued toward his destination!

Lost in her grief, Sakura noticed nothing. Kakashi, however, with his keen sense of smell, caught a familiar scent. Hm? That kid, could he be...

He quietly followed.

At the far end of Konoha, the Uzumaki Clan's Mask Hall was covered in dust and cobwebs after years of neglect.

Standing before the wall of masks, Sasuke followed the memories of his previous life and found the Reaper Death Seal mask known as the Hannya Mask among the vast assortment.

At some point, Kakashi had leaned against the old doorframe, a book in one hand and the other tucked into his pocket. He glanced over. "Sneaking back into the village without saying hello to your teacher?"

"Kakashi..."

Sasuke was not surprised by Kakashi's appearance. He rose onto his toes to take down the mask, calmly fastened it behind his head, then turned around and released the Transformation Technique.

"Sasuke. So it really is you." Kakashi turned a page and said gravely, "If you managed to slip into the village unnoticed, Orochimaru must have helped you. Where is he now? Why did you sneak in? It has something to do with that mask you came all this way to take, doesn't it? What's special about it? Tell me the truth."

Sasuke said calmly, "Kakashi, I don't want to fight you..."

Kakashi couldn't help chuckling. "Fight me? My dear student, you're getting ahead of yourself. Naruto is one thing, but surely you don't think you can take me on at your level?"

Sasuke remained unruffled. "I'm serious, Kakashi..."

"Hm?"

Kakashi's expression abruptly hardened.

Such confidence. Could Orochimaru be nearby?

He closed his book, tucked it inside his clothes, and adjusted his forehead protector to uncover his Sharingan, keeping a vigilant watch on his surroundings.

Sasuke said, "Relax. Orochimaru didn't come into the village with me..."

After checking, Kakashi found no sign of Orochimaru.

Sasuke's confidence did not seem like a bluff. He really did seem different from before...

But Kakashi still did not believe that Sasuke, who had only learned Chidori two months ago, could defy him!

Kakashi said coldly, "Sasuke, as your teacher, I can't let you return to someone as dangerous as Orochimaru. Even if I have to break your arms and legs, I'll keep you here!"

Crackle!

As his words fell, brilliant blue lightning erupted in Kakashi's right hand. His left eye locked onto Sasuke, and he lunged forward with Lightning Blade...!!

Boom...!!!

The wall of masks collapsed, and Lightning Blade was forcefully stopped!!

Kakashi stared at the purple skeletal frame blocking his Lightning Blade in shock. "What jutsu is this...!?"

Then... he saw Sasuke's eyes beneath the purple skeleton. Instead of the usual three tomoe, they bore a six-pointed star pattern!!

Having fought Itachi once before, Kakashi immediately realized what it was!

"Those eyes... could they be the Mangekyō Sharingan? You've awakened the same eyes as Itachi!?"

Buzz!

The instant their gazes met, a gleam shifted through Sasuke's eyes!

Genjutsu: Sharingan!

"No...!!!"

Realizing the danger, Kakashi tried to pull away, but the genjutsu had already immobilized him. Then Susanoo's skeletal hand closed around him!

"Aaaaaaah..."

A gentle squeeze of the skeletal hand sent pain through Kakashi as though his entire body were about to come apart, nearly making him faint!

The wheels of history would not turn without cause. He had allowed Kakashi to approach precisely so he could cast a stone beneath the still surface!

If this could influence Naruto's growth even a little, that would be good.

Sasuke knew full well that Ōtsutsuki Yae was someone he could not defeat alone!

At the very least, Naruto would ultimately have to grow strong enough to stand shoulder to shoulder with him. That would probably be difficult, but he could at least give him a push. Sooner or later, Orochimaru's future techniques would have to be applied to Naruto or other promising talents!

But right now, Naruto certainly would not accept that willingly!

Sasuke had his own plans for that as well.

Naruto would grow stronger to bring him back. For now, he could let Naruto cling to that false goal and strive to approach his strength... even if only a little!

For the next three years, Naruto would train under Jiraiya.

If Kakashi told Jiraiya that Sasuke had already awakened the power of these eyes, surely Jiraiya would adjust Naruto's training plan accordingly?

Then, at least... in three years, the gap would not be so wide as to inspire despair, would it?

For now, that was Sasuke's plan!

"Kakashi, tell Naruto that if he still wants to stop me, he'd better come fully prepared. He must never come to me with halfhearted resolve!!!"

"Urrghhh..."

Amid the agonizing pain, Kakashi's gaze grew unfocused, and the Lightning Blade dissipated in his hand!

The commotion here... also alerted the Konoha ninja patrolling nearby!

Whoosh!

Susanoo dissipated, and Sasuke made his escape with the mask Orochimaru needed to challenge the Shinigami once again, his task complete.

Back on the mountain.

Orochimaru spoke with a meaningful look. "Sasuke-kun, you took a little longer than expected..."

Sasuke replied casually, "I caught up with an old acquaintance for a bit. But we'll have to find somewhere else to watch your performance this time..."

Previously, the Reaper Death Seal had been undone at the Uchiha's Naka Shrine, but that location was clearly unsuitable now.

Orochimaru glanced toward the Valley of the End. "I know a secluded spot..."

Whoosh!

Sasuke turned into the wind, imitating Orochimaru's catchphrase. "Let's go, before this wind dies down..."

Orochimaru replied calmly, "I won't let this wind die down..."

Kabuto Yakushi was uncertain. "Where will this wind blow... and where should I go?"