The words on the pages seemed to jump out of the book's confines as Sasuke read on, he was enthralled in this storytelling as it explained so much to him.
He now understood how the link between the Uzumaki and Shinigami came to be, but the fact that their search for the Hand Of God did not give them any information made Sasuke feel rather uncertain.
'Even if I knew about White Zetsu beforehand, it still feels strange that I found that hideout but the Uzumaki couldn't...'
Sasuke stopped these thoughts from disturbing his reading and kept sifting through the contents of the book, which after the note from a former Uzumaki were identical to the book before the change.
As he flipped through past the pages containing the 3rd seal he found a map.
On it, he saw a detailed outline of Uzushiogakure and its surrounding lands, furthermore situated in the northeast of Uzushiogakure is a strange mark.
Upon reading the note at the bottom of the page he understood that this was a repository of sorts and was also where they had sealed the original book.
'Now at least I have a clear goal now when I investigate Uzushiogakure later.'
Sasuke closed the book, happy with what he had gained from this.
It didn't take long for both Karin and Sasuke to bid each other good night as they headed to their respective bedrooms.
As he lay in bed, Sasuke found himself lost in his thoughts as he attempted to find answers to the questions floating about in his head.
'So is the Shinigami the God which this organisation serves...?'
This conjecture was all Sasuke could make with the knowledge he currently possessed, though that left more questions regarding it.
How did the Shinigami come to be?
What is its goal?
Why can only I and Karin read this book?
As he lay in bed with his arm resting on his forehead, Sasuke felt a familiar sense of exhaustion.
'Every time I find some sort of clue, a dozen more questions accompany it...'
Sasuke truly does wonder if he can ever get to the bottom of this neverending chain of questions as he prepares to carry out his nightly meditation in his soul form.
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The next day Sasuke and Karin were sitting beside each other at a table in his tea store after they had finished their morning exercise with Guy and Lee.
"So...
Who are we waiting for?"
Karin asked Sasuke, with curiosity flashing in her eyes that hid behind her glasses.
"Just some friends. I'll introduce you to them, I'll be going on a mission soon and if you need help just remember that you can just ask them."
Sasuke responded as his eyes soon locked onto a certain trio who were making their way over to them.
"Yo," Shikamaru gave Sasuke a wave as he greeted him.
"Hey," Choji mumbled a greeting as he promptly began to munch on his crisps.
"Sasuke! It's been a while." Naruto on the other hand was much more energetic than the two beside him and was almost jumping about.
"It's been a while."
Sasuke had a smile on his face as he looked at these familiar faces, he then realised that he hadn't introduced Karin to them yet or vice versa.
"Guys this is Karin, try to help her out if you can.
Karin, the one with spiky hair is Shikamaru Nara.
The one that's eating is Choji Akimichi.
And the blonde kid in the orange outfit is Naruto Uzumaki"
Whilst Karin tilted her head upon hearing Naruto's surname, she still tried to smile and wave.
However, a strange look was directed at Sasuke from the other three pairs of eyes.
"We haven't seen you in like a month and when we manage to see you, you're hanging out with a girl. Interesting..."
Shikamaru raised an eyebrow as he exchanged glances with the other two, realising that a new opportunity had presented itself.
"Yeah, come on Sasuke. Spill the beans. What's going on between you two." Naruto had his eyes flicker between Sasuke and Karin as his smile began to widen- he realised that this may be the only opportunity he would have in a while to tease Sasuke.
"Stop your wild thinking, I just saved her from some trouble and she didn't have anywhere to go so she'll be staying with me. That's it."
Sasuke rolled his eyes at the antics of the three of them.
"Oh...
So you didn't do that with a possibly nefarious intention in mind."
Shikamaru had the corners of his lips curve into a smile as he squinted at Sasuke, hoping to see him get flustered.
"Yeah, come on Sasuke. It all makes sense now. Is this why you always ignore Ino and Sakura?
You were waiting all this time to introduce Karin to everyone..."
Choji paused his eating and poked at Sasuke along with Shikamaru.
Though to their disappointment Sasuke wasn't exactly fazed by their words, the same couldn't be said about Karin who had her face in her hands as she attempted to pretend she wasn't there.
"Haha, very funny.
I don't suppose you three know why you're here?
Admittedly part of it was to introduce to Karin, but there is another reason..."
Before the three of them realised anything they found themselves at a training ground.
"What a drag...
Tell me again, what possessed me to agree to this?"
Shikamaru dazedly stared at the sky as he began to regret his decision.
"Here I was, excited to finally skip school and you drag me to train."
Naruto looked depressed at the thought of training again, especially when he thought he was going to be relaxing today.
"Oh, please. I'm here trying to help you get stronger."
As he finished his words, a puff of smoke surrounded them as three more Sasuke appeared before everyone.
"Woah! Is this the Clone Jutsu? But why do they seem so real?"
Naruto was looking at the clones around him, hoping to learn something from looking at them.
"No. They are Shadow Clones, they have a physical presence unlike normal clones and have other special properties which you will get to know soon.
I'll be leaving each of you with a Shadow Clone, they will begin training you in a specific area."
Before they could say anything, Sasuke vanished with Karin- leaving the three of them to stare dejectedly at the clones in front of them.
"Do you think this is his revenge for teasing him?" Choji looked at the two beside him as he asked.
"Definitely..." x2
The two responded, certain that this was just open revenge from Sasuke.
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Shadow Clone #1 stared at Shikamaru in front of him and began to ask him some questions.
"I can't exactly teach you too much as you will be mainly relying on your clan techniques, but I do have some ideas regarding them.
I've noticed that you don't move around much when performing the Shadow Imitation Jutsu, is that because you can't?"
"I guess I could move, but I don't think that's necessary. It seems like a pain..."
Shikamaru thought about it for a second as he answered.
"You think it's unnecessary because you believe that you will have teammates to help you, right?
I mean you are not wrong, but I do think that you should try to boost your combat ability too.
First of all, I will make sure you're adept at moving around whilst casting that Jutsu.
Secondly, have you ever tried to use the shadows as a medium for movement?"
Upon hearing Sasuke's words, Shikamaru held his chin in his hand as he thought about the second point.
"A medium...?
How come I've never thought about that?"
Soon Shikamaru found himself trying to chase after the shadow clone as he tried to use the Shadow Imitation technique on it.
"See. This what happens if you aren't mobile enough, you can't always rely on your teammates to help you out."
The shadow clone waltzed about the training ground whilst simultaneously lecturing Shikamaru who rolled his eyes in response.
Though Shikamaru didn't exactly feel enthused by the idea of training, he understood the good intentions of Sasuke and tried his best during his training.
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Shadow Clone #2 stood before Choji with his arms crossed as he questioned the Akimichi in front of him.
"Have you ever tried to use the Expansion Jutsu for defence?"
However, the words of the clone confused Choji as his clan Jutsu mainly focused on offence and was rarely used for defence.
"What do you mean?" Choji asked.
"There are two main areas for what I'm trying to get at.
You can use the Jutsu as a means to protect your teammates, something you already do to an extent but should try to practise.
Then you should also use the Jutsu as a means of absorbing attacks.
Let's say I throw a punch at your stomach, could you not use the expansion Jutsu to expand the area around your vital organs?
I mean you're still getting punched, but you won't be severely injured."
Nevertheless, his words concerned Choji greatly.
"Hold on.
Are you trying to turn me into a meatshield?"
"Huh? What? No!
Come on Choji. We've known each other for how many years?
Why would I ever do such a thing?
This is for your good.
Trust me..."
The clone's words soon turned into a whisper as he met the narrowed gaze of Choji in front of him.
"*Cough*
Anyways.
Should we begin practising this now?"
It didn't take long for Choji to understand he had been deceived as he tried to run away from the clone that was chasing him and trying to throw punches at him.
"You're not going to be learning anything if you keep running."
However, all the shadow clone got from Choji was a middle finger in return as Choji returned to running around the training ground whilst using the Expansion Jutsu to block the shadow clone's attacks.
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Shadow clone #3 was talking to Naruto on the other side of the training ground.
"For now you won't be learning any offensive Jutsu.
I'll be teaching you the Shadow Clone Jutsu.
Hopefully, you will be able to make clones like me soon."
"Really! Can I make clones soon?"
Naruto was excited to hear this as he had been struggling with the clone Jutsu at the academy.
He soon followed the clone's instructions to make a shadow clone.
As he made the hand signs, soon a single shadow clone appeared beside Naruto.
"I did it?!
On my first try?"
Naruto almost felt like shouting in joy, he managed to do something that he wasn't able to do for so many years.
"Don't get too happy.
This is just the beginning.
The Shadow Clone Jutsu can also be used for training."
Sasuke's clone soon shut down Naruto's exhilaration as he mentioned this was merely the beginning.
"What do you mean it can help with training?"
Naruto asked, warily staring at the menacing grin that stretched across the face of the clone.
"Don't worry...
I'll just teach you some Taijutsu for now.
Though once you possess good enough Taijutsu we can begin with training you with some basic Ninjutsu."
It didn't take long for screams to echo from the training ground, as Naruto sparred against Sasuke's clone alongside his own shadow clones.
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Whilst the three were suffering against Sasuke's shadow clones he was with Karin back at Uchiha compound training ground as they repeated their training from yesterday.
Soon the days passed as the five of them kept training like this and the time for Sasuke's first actual mission had arrived.