"Once a team starts drifting apart, holding it together becomes difficult."
At Konoha Hospital, Kakashi leaned against the trunk of the large tree outside Sasuke's ward and released a weary sigh.
On the opposite side of the tree, Jiraiya stood with his back against the trunk.
"Why did you teach Naruto something as dangerous as the Rasengan?" Kakashi continued. "That technique is still too dangerous for him. If that final clash had gone slightly differently, Sasuke might have been killed."
"Heh. You're hardly in a position to criticize me."
Jiraiya showed no intention of accepting the blame.
"Chidori is every bit as dangerous as the Rasengan. What I didn't expect was for the last Uchiha to use that technique against his own teammate before using it against an enemy."
Kakashi's expression stiffened.
He had no response to that.
This time, Sasuke had indeed been the first to use Chidori.
"Do those two have some kind of deep grudge against each other?" Jiraiya asked.
"It's difficult to explain."
Kakashi gazed through the hospital window.
"Their relationship is similar to the one you once had with Orochimaru. To Naruto, Sasuke is both a friend and a rival. But to Sasuke, Naruto's rapid growth has become a source of tremendous pressure."
Jiraiya's eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
"Is it because of his revenge? Did Itachi's appearance make him impatient?"
"That's probably part of it."
Jiraiya released a quiet sigh.
"Then we'll have to guide them properly before they make a choice they can't take back."
"Yeah."
Kakashi nodded and glanced toward the hospital ward, where Sasuke lay on the bed with an empty look in his eyes.
"I'll speak with Sasuke. I'll leave Naruto to you."
…
At that moment, Naruto was training with Might Guy at one of Konoha's training grounds.
Jiraiya found him there and watched him complete another set of push-ups.
"Naruto, have you decided what you want to do next?"
"What I want to do next?"
Naruto continued his push-ups without slowing down.
"You mean my next stage of training? I want to learn your toad techniques. Can you teach me?"
"Considering your talent and current strength, broadening the range of techniques available to you would be a wise choice."
Jiraiya thought about it for a moment before continuing.
"However, if you want to learn the toads' techniques, you'll need to spend some time living among them at Mount Myōboku and earn their acceptance. I'll also need to speak with the Great Toad Sage first."
"The Great Toad Sage?" Naruto asked, pretending to be curious. "Is he the one in charge of Mount Myōboku?"
"You can think of it that way."
Jiraiya raised his hands and began forming seals.
"I'll explain everything properly after I return. For now, I'm heading to Mount Myōboku. Wait here until I get back."
With a burst of white smoke, Jiraiya disappeared.
Naruto stopped doing push-ups and lowered himself onto the ground.
He folded his arms beneath his head and calmly considered his options.
The Great Toad Sage would most likely allow him to enter Mount Myōboku. If events followed the original course, Naruto would probably be given the opportunity to learn Mount Myōboku's senjutsu as well.
He definitely needed to learn Sage Mode.
Even if it could only be maintained for a short time at first, the increase in power it provided was far too valuable to ignore.
Ryūchi Cave was another matter.
To learn the senjutsu of Ryūchi Cave, the White Snake Sage would have to bite him and inject natural energy directly into his body.
There was no telling what hidden risks or lasting consequences that process might carry.
It would be safer to let his female avatar learn Ryūchi Cave's senjutsu instead. Even if something went wrong, Naruto's main body wouldn't be placed in danger.
Apart from Mount Myōboku and Ryūchi Cave, there might also be a form of senjutsu hidden within Shikkotsu Forest.
However, if Naruto wanted to enter Shikkotsu Forest, he would first need Tsunade's permission. He also had no idea what conditions or risks might accompany its Sage Arts.
After considering everything carefully, Naruto reached a decision.
He would learn the toad techniques and Mount Myōboku's senjutsu first.
Only after completing that training would he seriously consider defecting from Konoha.
"Sorry, Sasuke."
Naruto stared up at the sky.
"Looks like I won't be leaving with you this time."
…
Meanwhile, the Sasuke Naruto had just been thinking about had already left his hospital ward.
He stood alone beneath the large tree outside the hospital, leaning against its trunk with an absent look in his eyes.
Kakashi had found him earlier and spoken to him about revenge, companionship, and the emptiness that awaited anyone who abandoned everything in pursuit of hatred.
His words had left Sasuke deeply conflicted.
On one side was the revenge that had consumed him for years.
Itachi's face, his words, and the night of the Uchiha massacre continued to flash through Sasuke's mind.
On the other side were the bonds he had formed with Naruto, Sakura, and Kakashi.
Was the choice truly so difficult?
For Sasuke, it was.
Even after Kakashi departed, Sasuke remained beneath the tree, silently weighing both paths.
Suddenly, four strangely dressed shinobi emerged from the surrounding shadows and encircled him.
Sasuke's gaze sharpened.
"Who are you?"
He hadn't expected anyone to infiltrate Konoha simply to confront him.
The four introduced themselves one after another.
"Kidōmaru of the Sound Four."
"Sakon."
"Jirōbō."
"Tayuya."
The moment their introductions ended, all four attacked.
Sasuke immediately fought back, but he was facing four experienced shinobi at once.
Before long, he was overwhelmed and knocked to the ground.
"You'll never become stronger in this worthless village," Sakon told him coldly. "Meaningless contests with your companions will only cause you to stagnate."
"Come with us," Tayuya said. "Orochimaru-sama will grant you the strength you desire."
"Orochimaru?!"
The moment Sasuke heard that name, Orochimaru's terrifying face appeared in his mind.
The Cursed Seal of Heaven on his neck began to burn.
Black markings spread across his skin, rapidly covering his body.
"Graaah!"
Sasuke surged back to his feet and attacked the Sound Four again.
Bang!
Before he could land a single blow, he was kicked back to the ground.
Sasuke looked up sharply.
Similar markings had appeared across Sakon's body.
"It seems you still can't control your Cursed Seal," Sakon said. "If you remain in its released state for too long, the seal will gradually consume your body and mind. Once it devours you completely, you'll lose your sense of self."
He looked down at Sasuke with contempt.
"Your seal is still only in its first state. That's why the erosion progresses more slowly."
Tayuya stepped forward.
"The price we paid for the power of our Cursed Seals was eternal servitude to Orochimaru-sama. We no longer possess anything resembling freedom."
Her expression turned cold.
"But power always demands sacrifice."
"Have you forgotten your ambition?" she continued. "Are you planning to remain sheltered within this village for the rest of your life, wasting your time playing at friendship?"
"Have you forgotten Uchiha Itachi?"
Sasuke's eyes widened.
"This village is nothing more than a prison for you," Tayuya declared. "Break the bonds holding you here. Only then will you obtain the power you seek."
After delivering their message, the Sound Four disappeared, leaving Sasuke alone beneath the tree.
Memories of the night of the Uchiha massacre flooded his mind.
His parents.
His clan.
Itachi.
Then came Naruto, Kakashi, and Sakura.
The other friends he had made within the village followed them, along with countless memories of the time they had spent together.
Eventually, all those memories faded.
Only two images remained.
The first was Itachi's cold Sharingan staring down at him.
The second was Naruto's triumphant smile after defeating him.
"Damn it!"
Sasuke clenched his fists so tightly that his fingernails dug into his palms.
"Naruto was able to grow that quickly because he trained under Jiraiya—one of the Legendary Sannin!"
His teeth ground together as his right hand unconsciously touched the Cursed Seal on his neck.
"If I obtain Orochimaru's power, then I can surpass Naruto."
A desperate, twisted expression appeared on his face.
"And I'll finally have enough power to kill Itachi!"
…
Ten minutes later, Sasuke arrived at a quiet path near the edge of Konoha.
It was a road that had witnessed more than one painful farewell.
With a traveling pack slung over his shoulder, Sasuke had come there almost without realizing it.
However, Sakura seemed to have sensed what he intended to do.
She was already waiting for him.
Naruto had arrived as well, silently leaning against the trunk of a nearby tree with his arms folded.
Sasuke kept his gaze fixed ahead.
He walked past Sakura without saying a word and didn't even glance at Naruto.
"Sasuke-kun…"
Sakura called out softly.
Tears were already gathering in the corners of her eyes.
"I told you before that I'm different from you," Sasuke said, stopping without looking back. "The path I walk and the path you walk were never meant to overlap."
His hand tightened around the strap of his traveling pack.
"The four of us traveled together for a while, but in the end, I found my true path again."
His voice became colder.
"The path of revenge. That is what I live for."
Tears streamed down Sakura's cheeks.
"But Sasuke-kun, I love you!"
Her voice trembled as years of carefully hidden feelings poured out all at once.
"If you stay, I'll do anything for you! I promise I'll make you happy!"
Sakura gathered every bit of courage she possessed and pleaded with him.
"So please… don't go!"
Sasuke showed no sign that her words had reached him.
He lifted his foot and continued walking.
At that moment, his resolve became absolute.
I'll abandon everything I have and walk the path of revenge.
Even if I have to offer my soul to a demon.
"Do you remember what I told you before graduation?"
Naruto's voice came from beside him.
Sasuke stopped.
Naruto unfolded his arms and approached him with a faint smile. As Sasuke passed, Naruto placed one hand on his shoulder.
"If you ever need help, come find me. Whether it's taking revenge or killing Orochimaru, I'll help you."
Sasuke remained silent for a moment.
"Thank you."
He glanced toward Naruto from the corner of his eye.
"But one day, I'll defeat you with my own hands."
"Heh."
Naruto withdrew his hand and turned away.
"You'll never manage it."
With that, Naruto began walking back toward the village.
Neither Sasuke nor Sakura noticed the Flying Raijin formula Naruto had secretly placed on Sasuke's shoulder when he touched him.