Two years after the Fourth Great Ninja War, Sasuke Uchiha wandered tirelessly across the shinobi world, a lone figure walking a path of atonement. Clad in his weathered brown cape, he was unrecognizable to most, a ghost of his former self. The weight of his past sins and the lives he'd harmed kept him moving forward, one step at a time, seeking redemption in solitude.
During this time, Sasuke had immersed himself in countless tasks and investigations, focusing on uncovering threats that could harm Konoha and the shinobi world. Bandits, rogue ninjas, and remnants of those who had thrived in chaos—Sasuke ensured they were dealt with swiftly and effectively. Each mission wasn't just an act of redemption; it was his way of trying to make the world a safer place, leaving behind as much good as he could.
Through countless battles and quiet reflections under foreign skies, Sasuke had fought not only enemies but also the turmoil within himself. Yet, after years of wandering and contemplation, he had finally achieved something unexpected—inner peace.
Standing at the crossroads of his journey, the thought of Konoha now lingered in his mind. The village he had once sworn to destroy now felt like a distant but welcoming beacon.
Sasuke's : [I've roamed long enough, seen enough... It might finally be time to go home.]
Yet, the resolve to return wasn't unshakable. His journey had always been about more than atonement. The whispers of unrest in the shadows had become a part of his existence. It was who he had become—a protector, even if most never saw or knew him as one.
A messenger hawk descended gracefully, landing on Sasuke's outstretched right arm. Its sharp eyes met his briefly before it extended its leg, presenting the small scroll tied securely there. Sasuke untied the message with practiced ease, his lone eye scanning the contents.
It was a message from Lord 6th, Kakashi.
" --- A large group of organized bandits has taken refuge in the deep mountains of the Land of Iron. Their growing influence threatens nearby settlements.--- The Land of Iron asked for support. --- "
Sasuke crumpled the scroll softly in his palm and gazed into the distance.
"This'll be the last task... before home," he muttered to himself, the faint trace of a smirk curling his lips.
—–—
Arrival in the Land of Iron
As Sasuke approached, the towering Three Wolves Mountains came into view, marking the Land of Iron. The weather grew colder with each step, and the landscape transformed into a pristine, snow-covered expanse.
As he arrived at the entrance, a samurai guard stopped him, his sharp eyes studying Sasuke intently. "State your business," the guard said, his tone firm but not hostile.
"I have an appointment with the commandant," Sasuke replied, his voice calm yet authoritative.
After a brief pause, the guard nodded and motioned for him to follow.
The corridors of the stronghold were cold and silent, their stone walls bearing the weight of a rich, battle-scarred history. The guard eventually led Sasuke to Mifune's office and knocked lightly before opening the door.
Mifune, seated at his desk, looked up with a steady gaze. Sasuke stepped inside and offered a respectful bow.
"Mifune-dono," Sasuke began, his voice calm and steady. "Lord Sixth assigned me a task, about the bandit, so I've come to fulfill it. At the same time…" He paused, his gaze firm but sincere. "I'd like to deeply apologize for the wrongs I committed here in the past. Back then, I was blinded by anger and consumed by revenge."
Mifune observed him closely. Gone was the crazy young man who had disrupted the Five Kage Summit. The Sasuke before him exuded a sense of purpose and restraint, devoid of malice.
[This man has changed. His spirit carries something different now—a sense of honor, perhaps.]
After a thoughtful silence, Mifune spoke. "Your path is now your own. If that path aligns with justice, there is no need to dwell on what was. Only the present and the future matter now."
Only then Sasuke rise his head to stand.
A moment of quiet understanding passed between them before Sasuke gave a slight nod of gratitude.
"So, let's get down to business"
Mifune unrolled a large, detailed map of the region and placed it on the table between them.
"These are the roads leading into the mountains where the bandits have made their base," Mifune explained, tracing a route with his finger. "So far, no one has been hurt. We've managed to warn travelers to avoid the area, but their presence is a threat nonetheless. They must be dealt with."
Sasuke nodded, his sharp eyes scanning the map briefly. "Understood. I'll handle it now."
—–—
Into the Mountains
The Land of Iron's mountain paths were treacherous. The wind howled fiercely, whipping snow into Sasuke's face, making it hard to see more than a few feet ahead. His cape flapped violently, but he trudged forward, unaffected by the biting cold.
The altitude was high, and the air thin, but none of it fazed him. After hours of walking, he arrived at the mouth of a cave nestled between jagged rocks.
"They're hiding inside," he murmured to himself, stepping into the cave without hesitation.
Sasuke entered cautiously, his senses on high alert. He scanned the area, the sharp, familiar feeling of chakra signatures drifting to him like whispers on the wind.
Twenty. Presence… twenty signatures.
The interior was warmer than expected, though still damp and stale. The temperature was a stark contrast to the biting cold outside. Sasuke advanced stealth and cautiously until he reached a wide chamber deep within. In the dim torchlight, he saw the bandit group assembled—hardened men, clearly strong enough to overwhelm travelers.
"They're more skilled than I expected," Sasuke muttered under his breath. "Still… not enough to pose a challenge."
Without giving them a chance to react, Sasuke moved. His blade flashed, and precise bursts of chakra neutralized the bandits. Within moments, all of them were incapacitated, knocked unconscious but unharmed.
Standing amidst the fallen men, he sheathed his sword. "That should do it. The samurai can handle the rest."
—–—
There's something strange deep in the cave
Sasuke turned to leave but froze.
"Hm? What's that?"
A subtle sensation crawled along the edges of his senses—a strange, almost otherworldly pulse. It was faint at first, but the further he reached out with his senses, the stronger it grew. He realized the cave didn't end where the bandits had been hiding.
"There's more," he muttered. "I'd better check."
Sasuke proceeded further into the cave, delving deeper through the winding, unlit tunnels. The strange sensation intensified with each step, tugging at him like an invisible force. Hours seemed to pass, though he had no way of measuring time. The further he went, the warmer it became, as if the icy mountain he had left behind had disappeared altogether.
The passage finally widened into a cavernous chamber, where the air felt distorted, heavy, unnatural. At the center was a phenomenon unlike anything he had ever seen—a tear in space itself, shifting and writhing.
"What is this…?" Sasuke whispered, narrowing his Rinnegan to examine the strange phenomenon. It looked like the very fabric of reality had been crushed inward, spiraling in chaotic motion—a dimensional fissure.
The moment his Rinnegan fixated on the rift, it reacted violently. A brilliant flash of light erupted from the fissure, and his Rinnegan surged uncontrollably.
The energy emanating from the rift overwhelmed him. "What—?!"
Before he could do anything, his consciousness slipped, and he collapsed.