Following Kakashi might not be the best path forward.
Sasuke had watched as Kakashi struggled against Zabuza. If even someone as skilled as Kakashi had a hard time against a rogue ninja, how could Sasuke expect to grow strong enough to defeat Uchiha Itachi under his guidance?
Of course, that wasn't the only reason he was making this choice.
Revenge was important, but he wasn't willing to throw away his future for it. He needed to become stronger—but not at the cost of everything else.
"I'm willing to go to your world," Sasuke declared, taking a deep breath. His gaze was firm as he spoke to Menma. "I hope you can help me train and become stronger."
There was another reason behind his decision.
Back in the Land of Waves, when he had been impaled by Haku's Ice Senbon and left on the brink of death, it was Menma who had saved him.
That act had earned Sasuke's trust—at least to some extent.
"Sasuke!"
Naruto's eyes widened in shock. "Damn it! You're really leaving?!"
He clenched his fists and took a step forward, his emotions surging. Even if he had to fight Sasuke, he wanted to stop him from making what he saw as a terrible decision.
Swish—
Before Naruto could move, golden chains shot out from Menma's hands, wrapping tightly around him and restraining his movements.
"We're respecting Sasuke's wishes and letting him make his own decision," Menma said calmly. "I hope you can do the same."
"Damn it, you bastard! Let me go!" Naruto growled, struggling against the chains with all his might.
"...Forget it, Naruto," Kakashi said grimly.
Naruto turned to him, his frustration evident. "Why?! Why are you just letting him go?!"
"Look at his eyes," Kakashi said quietly.
Naruto blinked. "What about them?"
"They've changed," Menma observed, nodding approvingly at Sasuke. "From having a single tomoe in one eye and a pair in the other, his Sharingan has now advanced to two tomoe in both. Is this the result of emotional turmoil? The pain of separation pushing him forward?"
Sharingan was often called the "eye of the soul." Sasuke's sudden advancement was proof of his inner conflict.
"I don't know what your true motives are," Kakashi admitted, his voice low, "but if Sasuke is going to your world, I hope you treat him well."
His life had been one failure after another.
He had lost his father, his teammates, his sensei.
And now, he was losing his student too.
But he was powerless to stop it.
"You don't have to worry," Kakashi from the other world assured him. "Because of Sasuke's counterpart in our world and our own experiences, His Majesty has already instructed us to treat him with kindness."
Menma smirked. "There's still time to reconsider, Sasuke. One of our companions is arriving soon. If you choose to come with us, there's even a small gift waiting for you."
Sasuke hesitated for a moment but quickly reaffirmed his decision. "I've made up my mind."
Meanwhile, in the Ruins of Loulan
At the border of the Land of Wind, the ruins of the ancient Kingdom of Loulan were once again illuminated by the power of the Dragon Vein.
A figure stepped through the swirling vortex of energy, crossing from another world into this one.
He was a young man with short hair and a somewhat goofy expression. His dark blue attire bore the emblem of the Uchiha Clan—a red and white fan, the symbol of their once-great lineage.
"Hello, First Hokage-senpai!"
Uchiha Obito grinned as he greeted the clone of Hashirama Senju stationed at the Dragon Vein. "I'm Uchiha Obito. Under His Majesty's orders, I've come to this world to meet you."
He placed his hands on his hips, exhaling dramatically.
"I wonder how Kakashi and the others are doing," he muttered.
Hmph!They should have sent me in first. I would have handled everything perfectly!
"Kakashi and his group are currently in the Land of Waves," Hashirama's clone informed him. Then, activating the Flying Thunder God seal marked on his arm, he added, "I'll notify them now."
Swish!
In an instant, a golden flash appeared before them—Menma had arrived.
"Still as fast as ever, huh?" Obito chuckled. "Guess it makes sense. You are Lord Minato's son."
"But when it comes to controlling space-time abilities, I'm still better," he added smugly.
"Obito-senpai," Menma greeted him respectfully before turning to Hashirama's clone. "Any issues here?"
"None," Hashirama's clone reassured him. "Ever since the advance team arrived, no one has approached the Dragon Vein."
Menma nodded. "That's good to hear. Then let's go—Kakashi from this world is waiting."
"Oh?" Obito's eyes lit up with curiosity. "So there's a Kakashi here, huh?"
This should be interesting.
Land of Waves – Cardo's Manor
Swish!
A golden flash filled the room as Menma and Obito appeared.
Kakashi and the others had been waiting, wondering who this mysterious companion of theirs would be.
"You… you are…"
Kakashi's visible eye widened in shock as he stared at Obito.
"Obito… you're alive?"
Obito's expression immediately darkened.
"Hey! What the hell, Kakashi?!" he snapped. "I just got here, and you're already assuming I'm dead?!"
"No, I—" Kakashi stammered, struggling to process what he was seeing.
This Obito wasn't the one he knew.
But he looked so much like his childhood friend.
Kakashi from the other world smirked. "So, in this world, Obito died early, huh? Maybe even before the Uchiha Clan was wiped out?"
Obito's expression shifted from confusion to shock.
Wait a minute…
"I died here?!" he repeated in disbelief.
And…
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN THE UCHIHA CLAN WAS WIPED OUT?!"
His voice rang through the room, his disbelief turning into something deeper—something dangerously close to anger.
Everyone fell silent, their expressions solemn.
This Obito had just learned a hard truth about this world's past.
To Be Continued…
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