Orochimaru

Shion was initially delighted to see Uzumaki Hane appear, but she was surprised that Uzumaki Hane wanted to leave. Shion was naturally reluctant, but seeing Uzumaki Hane's determined expression, she knew she couldn't change Uzumaki Hane's decision. In the end, she suggested that she go to the crater with Uzumaki Hane.

Taruho said seriously, "Lady Shion, this is absolutely unacceptable. I disagree."

Shion said, "Why not? If I go with them, Uzumaki Hane can protect me."

Taruho said, "Now that the Moryo have been eliminated, Lady Shion, no one will come to assassinate you. With so many things to do here, how can you leave?"

Shion pouted and said, "I'm going over there."

Uzumaki Hane reached out and stroked Shion's long hair, saying, "Shion, didn't you promise your mother you would be a good priestess of the Land of Demons? How can you leave so easily? Besides, you can come to see me anytime."

Shion knew it was impossible for her to go with them, so seeing Uzumaki Hane's words, she said, "Then it's a promise."

Uzumaki Hane smiled slightly and said, "We have a promise."

Uzumaki Hane bid farewell to Shion and left the priestess's palace. She arrived at the Sealing Shrine, Sealing Shrine had undergone a major transformation. A house had been built on the open space outside the original cave, and many trees had been transplanted around it, finally bringing some greenery to the barren mountaintop.

Uzumaki Hane walked into the house and murmured, "This will be my house from now on."

The house wasn't luxurious; it only had three rooms and a training ground. The rooms were furnished with simple furniture, just enough for Uzumaki Hane to practice. Uzumaki Hane observed for a while before leaving the house.

Arriving at the original volcanic crater cave, the entrance had been blocked by a previous volcanic eruption, so Uzumaki Hane had the craftsmen rebuild a passage. The passage was about twenty meters long, and Uzumaki Hane quickly reached its end. Ahead was a stone platform about five meters wide, specially built by the craftsmen. Uzumaki Hane walked to the platform and saw molten lava flowing slowly. The intense heat could melt a person instantly, but Uzumaki Hane felt nothing. Uzumaki Hane then walked to the right side of the platform, where there was a stone staircase leading down to within half a meter of the lava. Uzumaki Hane descended the staircase and stepped into the lava.

As Uzumaki Hane the stone steps into the lava, his entire body had already turned into molten lava. Once inside the lava, he began to absorb the flames within it.

In the blink of an eye, the afternoon had passed. The crater was different now than before; because of lava eruptions, the top of the crater was open, and you could see that it was already dark outside.

Looking up from the crater, Uzumaki Hane could see the moon hanging high in the sky, surrounded by stars—a truly tranquil night. Feeling a pang of emotion, Uzumaki Hane placed his hand on the stone steps, using the momentum to leap up and onto the platform, then left the crater through the passage.

Feeling hungry, Uzumaki Hane grabbed a pheasant, prepared it, and took it into the crater. She sat on the stone steps and started barbecuing it.

After finishing her meal, Uzumaki Hane took a rare break and went to the rooftop, where she lay down and gazed at the starry sky.

The stars in the Uzumaki Hane sky seemed to form human figures: Yamano Koromo Hyuga Tanaka, Naruto, Tsunade, Teacher Tsunade, and Might Guy Mitarashi Anko...

One by one, figures appeared, Uzumaki Hane realized that he seemed to miss the village. He had noticed this when he last saw Might Guy and Rock Lee Uzumaki Hane. He started to miss Iori, Tanaka, and Teacher Tsunade...

It had been a long time since he had returned, but his strength was still insufficient; he needed to become stronger. Uzumaki Hane hardened his resolve, suppressed his longing, jumped off the roof, and continued his training.

Uzumaki Hane entered the training ground, picked up the weights left behind by Might Guy, strapped them to her body, and began doing push-ups. She didn't stop until she was completely exhausted. Afterward, Uzumaki Hane restored her strength by absorbing flames.

It was late at night when Uzumaki Hane returned to the training ground, sat cross-legged in the center, and began strengthening his body. Controlling the magma within his body, he made it flow around after four cycles. Then, Uzumaki Hane collapsed and fell asleep.

Meanwhile, at Orochimaru's secret base, Suzuki followed behind Kabuto, walking down a long corridor.

After receiving Danzo's orders, Suzuki followed the pre-existing code and spent many days searching before finally finding Orochimaru's true base.

Because of his missing arms and the fact that Sasuke's departure from the village was blocked, Orochimaru, just like in the original story, couldn't wait for Sasuke's arrival before his body gave out. He had to barely manage to switch bodies. Afterwards, because the Otogakure was exposed, he took Sasuke and the others and left.

Kabuto led Suzuki into a stone chamber, where Orochimaru was sitting on a stone chair, with someone standing behind him.

Suzuki respectfully said, "Lord Orochimaru." Suzuki was well aware of Orochimaru's power, so he only glanced at him before quickly shifting his gaze to the person behind the stone chair.

Suddenly, three Tomoe appeared in the other person's eyes— the Three-Tomoe Sharingan. Suzuki knew something was wrong and hurriedly looked away, but it was too late. He felt a blur before his eyes, and the surrounding scenery rapidly changed. Suzuki knew he had been trapped in Genjutsu and was about to break free when the scenery returned to normal. Suzuki was back in the stone chamber. Although it was only for a moment, Suzuki felt that his clothes were already soaked through.

Is that Sasuke? His strength has increased so much in such a short time. Suzuki pondered to himself. Danzo sent Suzuki here for two Danzo. One was to join forces with Orochimaru to deal with Uzumaki Hane Yu. The main purpose was to find out about Orochimaru's injuries and Sasuke's situation. If Orochimaru's plan succeeded, it would probably have a great impact on Danzo's plan, which was something he could not tolerate.

Suzuki, though outwardly unchanged, took out a scroll from his robes and said, "This was entrusted to me by Lord Danzo. Lord Danzo hopes you can deal with someone, Konoha ninja Uzumaki Hane."

When Orochimaru heard the name Uzumaki Hane, a strange look flashed across his face, but it disappeared in an instant, unnoticed by anyone present.

Kabuto said, "Uzumaki Hane, the ninja who stopped Kimimaro, the Fifth Hokage Tsunade's apprentice?" Kabuto also remembered Uzumaki Hane Yu. When Sasuke left the village, he tricked Kimimaro into going and bringing Sasuke back, but unexpectedly, Gaara and Uzumaki Hane. Although Kimimaro was already terminally ill at that time and eventually died from exhaustion, Kabuto still did some research on how they managed to push Kimimaro to that point.

Suzuki said, "That's right, he's the Fifth Hokage Tsunade's student."