In the Forest of Death, Orochimaru and Kabuto were still standing in place, lost in the memories provided by Uchiha Sasuke.
"Some are my true memories…"
"Some are illusions I imposed within them…"
"Between truth and lies…"
"Can you two distinguish them?"
Uchiha Sasuke stood on a large tree, arms crossed, casually observing Orochimaru and Kabuto who were entrapped in the memory illusion.
"I've spent a long time exaggerating the capabilities of Akihara Kagura within the illusion, using his name to deceive Orochimaru and Kabuto, making them believe that I awakened the Indra Chakra within me and that my power came from my own illusions…"
"In this way…"
"They should not doubt the source of my power…"
"Whether it concerns the future direction of the world or the secrets of this world, all can be explained by the awakening of Indra's Chakra within me…"
"In the future, I can also make Orochimaru and Kabuto believe that I'm always trapped in my own illusion, insisting on finding a way out of this world…"
"Orochimaru and Kabuto are the smartest scientists in the ninja world. Their intellect will be essential if I am to leave this world."
Uchiha Sasuke had long made his plans. He had already started to prepare excuses for his future irrational actions: "Whatever extreme actions I take to leave this world in the future, they will not find it strange…"
Honestly, Uchiha Sasuke found it difficult to lie. However, it was easy for an Uchiha to use illusions to deceive others. The most brilliant part was that Sasuke's memory illusion had a crucial point.
In reality, Akihara Kagura chose not to seize the chakra of everyone in the ninja world but instead gave up ruling it, which was somewhat inconsistent with his usual behavior.
Both Orochimaru and Kabuto would likely think that the true memories Sasuke showed them were all fake, all evolved from an illusion world…
Conveniently, those memories also included the ultimate illusions, Infinite Tsukuyomi and Limited Tsukuyomi, each capable of creating a fictional world.
"However…"
Uchiha Sasuke thought of something more pressing, and his heart sank: "Is the world without Akihara Kagura really such a cruel and hopeless reality?"
Were all the clan members in this world…
Really all killed by Uchiha Itachi? Did this world's Uchiha Itachi, like the one in the real world, kill everyone to let his brother survive, or was it for so-called power?
While Sasuke was pondering, Orochimaru and Kabuto finally emerged from the memory illusion, their expressions noticeably different.
"..."
Orochimaru's expression was a bit perplexed, with a peculiar smile on his lips, as if he had understood everything about Uchiha Sasuke.
One had to admit…
Uchiha Sasuke's identity was somewhat shocking.
The mere fact that he was the reincarnation of Indra, the elder son of the Sage of Six Paths, had already greatly surprised Orochimaru, who had also learned many secrets because of this.
"..."
Kabuto's expression was somewhat strange. He adjusted his glasses, seemingly still immersed in Sasuke's memories.
Because…
He saw a happy version of himself.
"Now you believe me, don't you?"
Uchiha Sasuke stepped forward, spreading his arms: "I've experienced the real world. Have you seen the terror of that man named Akihara Kagura?"
"..."
Kabuto remembered the future he saw from Sasuke's perspective, where he and Dean Yakushi Nono were in the orphanage.
Kabuto removed his glasses, hiding the moisture in his eyes, and spoke his thoughts: "It was such a beautiful world, like a dream…"
"..."
Orochimaru's expression turned odd, with a wicked smile on his lips, as if mocking: "Sasuke-kun, does Akihara Kagura really exist?"
"That was all I personally experienced and truly existed."
Uchiha Sasuke spread his palms, hoping the two would recognize the reality: "If I don't see Akihara Kagura in this world, I'll need your help to find a way to return to that world…"
"But…"
"Sasuke-kun."
Orochimaru squinted his eyes, proposing a hypothesis.
"A terrifying person whose will cannot be shaken by anyone…"
"A terrifying enemy that no one can defeat, not even the legendary Sage of Six Paths or the Progenitor of Chakra, nor all the chakra gathered over a thousand years in the ninja world, could only destroy one of his Clones…"
"Such a fearsome person…"
"Would lightly let go of everyone in the ninja world…"
"Why did that man named Akihara Kagura abandon everything in the end?"
To be honest, the ending of this story was a bit too unbelievable.
The conclusion of Uchiha Sasuke's memory was too fictitious, revealing a flaw that made Orochimaru feel it was no longer a memory but an illusion cast by Uchiha Sasuke.
Conveniently…
That illusion world mentioned the Infinite Tsukuyomi and Limited Tsukuyomi illusions, both capable of creating similar world transformations.
Honestly…
Orochimaru found it hard to distinguish.
However, the ending of the story seemed too flawed.
If Orochimaru were Akihara Kagura, if anyone in the ninja world were Akihara Kagura, they would not let the ninja world go but would certainly seize all the chakra.
"Who knows what that guy was thinking…"
Uchiha Sasuke raised his eyebrows, speaking slowly: "Maybe his power was so great that he looked down on that bit of chakra…"
"Such arrogance is typical of the Uchiha…"
Orochimaru chuckled softly, seemingly implying something.
"Sasuke-kun…"
"I want to know something else…"
"Four years ago, during that night of massacre…"
Orochimaru stared closely at Uchiha Sasuke, following the guidance of the omnipotent Akihara Kagura in the illusion and brought up the truth he revealed.
"To what extent has your Sharingan evolved?"
"Single tomoe Sharingan."
Uchiha Sasuke did not lie, even touching his eye sockets: "That night, I opened the Sharingan for the first time…"
This was also…
Something Uchiha Sasuke could not understand.
However, someone once told him that this was because his Sharingan was too powerful, hence only a single tomoe Sharingan was opened, rather than gaining more power.
"..."
Orochimaru found the memory even less credible.
Was this kid joking?
All his family and clan were killed by his own brother, and with his evident talent, Uchiha Sasuke only opened the single tomoe Sharingan that night?
This kid…
How much power did he actually gain that night?
Did he fall into such a powerful illusion that he didn't want to wake up?
Orochimaru's thoughts inclined towards the idea that Uchiha Sasuke was trapped in his own illusion.
Because the traumatic event of the massacre four years ago deeply shocked Uchiha Sasuke, awakening the Indra Chakra, the reincarnation of the Sage of Six Paths' elder son within him.
The power of Indra's Chakra plunged Uchiha Sasuke into his own illusion, making him believe he had experienced a fictional world and gained powerful abilities from it, with the illusory power feeding back into his real soul through the yin attribute chakra…
After all, the memory did feature an illusion that allowed entry into a false world.
Even the surviving Uchiha in Sasuke's illusion gained immense strength through the Limited Tsukuyomi illusion of the fictional character Akihara Kagura.
All evidence indicated…
This kid Uchiha Sasuke was trapped in his own illusion.
However, this kid believed he had experienced a real world and wanted to return to that false world, driven to madness by the power he gained…
Orochimaru did not doubt that Uchiha Sasuke was lying.
After all…
The black-haired boy seemed like a madman unable to accept reality. A twelve-year-old boy couldn't possibly intentionally give others the impression that he was a madman, right?
"Alright."
"Now let's discuss the important matter…"
"How can I return to that world?"
Uchiha Sasuke's expression was very serious, as if he was discussing something important: "Do I have to live until the point where I came into this false world?"
"Perhaps there's another way."
Orochimaru squinted his eyes and made another suggestion: "But I need a vast amount of financial support. Sasuke-kun will need to cooperate with me to carry out another plan first..."
"Hehehe..."
Orochimaru's lips curved as he slyly introduced his proposal: "We need to find an opportunity soon to get rid of that old man who hinders us. He's been watching everything in Konoha, making it difficult for us to act without his surveillance..."
After all...
Killing the Third Hokage...
is one of Orochimaru's main goals in coming to Konoha!
Orochimaru wants to kill his teacher, the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, to prove that he is on the right path and to help his ally, Shimura Danzo, regain power and provide more funding for his experiments.
After the Uchiha massacre, Shimura Danzo was stripped of his position as the Hokage's advisor and his root organization by Sarutobi Hiruzen, forcing him to operate in the shadows and reducing his support for Orochimaru...
Now...
Orochimaru also needs to help Danzo reclaim power!
However...
There is now an additional important reason!
If Danzo regains power, he can arrest or pressure Uchiha Sasuke from within Konoha, giving Orochimaru the opportunity to take Sasuke's body!
Of course.
The plan to kill the Third Hokage cannot bypass Uchiha Sasuke.
Sasuke is too strong and would definitely interfere with the plan!
"..."
Sasuke tapped his fingers on his arm.
Neither the Third Hokage's handling of the Uchiha clan's relations with Konoha nor Danzo's orchestration of the Uchiha massacre left a favorable impression on the mature Sasuke.
Honestly...
Not interfering...
is already a sign of Sasuke's fairness.
After all, his enemy isn't Sarutobi Hiruzen, but another higher-ups member of Konoha.
"You set the plan."
"I can guarantee not to interfere."
Sasuke raised his eyebrows and casually continued: "Just as the Third Hokage remained passive during the Uchiha massacre..."
"But..."
"I also want something in return!"
Sasuke's voice turned cold as he said, "After your plan succeeds, I want to replace Danzo as the head of root! When you mentioned Kabuto-senpai and Dean Nono, Danzo was still in Konoha, wasn't he?"
"..."
Orochimaru felt this kid was too greedy.
He wants to replace Danzo as the head of Root without doing anything?
Where would that leave Danzo?
If Danzo becomes Hokage, it's fine, but if his proposal to become Hokage is rejected, Sasuke taking over root would force Danzo to retire just after his comeback.
"Root has already been disbanded."
Orochimaru had to remind Sasuke.
"If the Third Hokage dies..."
Sasuke looked at Orochimaru, coldly deciding Danzo's fate: "Danzo won't stay silent. He'll quickly re-emerge, and I'll enter root as his subordinate to succeed him as the leader of root..."
"Maybe..."
"Becoming the head of the root is my chance to leave this world..."
"If we have time..."
Sasuke stared intently at Orochimaru and softly said, "Maybe we can even arrange for Danzo and the Third Hokage's funerals together, so they won't be lonely on their way..."
There was one more thing...
Sasuke didn't say...
According to the traditions of root, Danzo should become the sacrifice for the Edo Tensei of the Third Hokage, allowing the Third Hokage to witness his own funeral...
"..."
Orochimaru thought Sasuke was a lunatic, wanting to send Danzo to join Sarutobi Hiruzen so straightforwardly!
A twelve-year-old kid...
Already daring to challenge the hierarchy!
"Perhaps it's better to discuss this later..."
Yakushi Kabuto raised his finger and softly said: "I've sensed an examiner entering the Forest of Death, perhaps they've discovered Orochimaru-sama's infiltration..."
"I'll go meet Naruto and the others."
Sasuke glanced deeply at Orochimaru, coldly reminding him: "If you get caught by Konoha's examiners, remember to tell them you lost to me in the Forest of Death, so everyone knows how strong I am..."
"This way..."
"When Danzo comes back, he'll definitely want me to root..."
"..."
Orochimaru realized this kid had some brains.
If he wasn't plotting against his ally Danzo, Orochimaru might have been a bit happier...
"Don't worry, Orochimaru."
"As long as I become the head of the root..."
Sasuke extended his hand, mimicking Akihara Kagura's gesture, and promised Orochimaru: "The funding I'll give you will be more than what Danzo provided, as long as you help me find a way to return to that world..."
"..."
Orochimaru remained silent.
For him, it wasn't just about funding, but also that Danzo's return to power could help him deal with Sasuke!
What he wanted...
was a perfect and powerful body!
Konoha's examiners were searching the Forest of Death, and Orochimaru didn't have time to talk with Sasuke further. He had to leave quickly.
After Orochimaru left, Yakushi Kabuto looked at Sasuke, adjusted his glasses, and softly said: "Sasuke-kun should understand that Orochimaru-sama's resistance to genjutsu is very low now. He can't distinguish between illusions and reality..."
Over the years, Orochimaru had undergone at least two soul transfers, leaving his soul extremely fragile and unable to resist powerful genjutsu users.
Of course.
Kabuto wasn't much better.
Being an ordinary person, Kabuto could only work harder than others, but he still couldn't distinguish some powerful genjutsu from reality.
However...
Kabuto had his own methods.
The white-haired young man adjusted his glasses, his eyes becoming very serious and focused, as if trying to judge reality from Sasuke's actions.
"Sasuke-kun."
"Is that world real?"
"That world, beautiful like a dream, is it Sasuke-kun's genjutsu or Sasuke-kun's memory?"
"..."
Sasuke frowned slightly.
Had he been discovered?
Or was Kabuto also mesmerized by the beauty of that world?
"Forget it."
"It doesn't matter anymore."
Kabuto turned his head without waiting for Sasuke's answer, a relaxed smile appearing on his face: "The answer isn't important to me anymore..."
Because...
He had finally found the meaning of his life.
Whether that world was real or not, whether it was an illusion or a memory, Kabuto had already made up his mind to return to the Konoha orphanage.
"Sasuke-kun."
"You want to kill Danzo, don't you?"
"But dealing with Danzo isn't easy..."
Kabuto glanced at Sasuke, casually mentioning something to repay Sasuke's guidance: "It's said that Orochimaru-sama once studied Hashirama cells and used them to create an arm for Danzo..."
"Oh?"
Sasuke squinted his eyes.
It seemed that this world's Danzo...
also possessed unimaginable power!
Because Hashirama cells are often associated with another powerful force!
Wood Release!
In the real world, Akihara Kagura had no opponents in the ninja world just by using the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai!
Of course.
Wood Release isn't invincible.
The truly invincible one is Akihara Kagura.
However, Sasuke couldn't ignore Wood Release.
The difference in power between Wood Release users is extreme, even more so than the difference between the Nine-Tails and ninja dogs…