Sasuke's actions startled everyone present. Upon hearing his words, Naruto and Sakura were incredibly shocked.
"Sasuke, come back!"
"Sasuke, don't do anything foolish!"
In contrast to their reactions, Kakashi remained calm. He knew that if nothing unexpected happened, the person in the palanquin should be Ryū. Ryū wouldn't harm Sasuke.
As Kakashi anticipated, Ryū did not harm Sasuke. He used telepathy to convey his message to Kakashi's father, who then relayed it to Sasuke.
Upon receiving Ryū's message, Kakashi's father immediately spoke to Sasuke.
"Uchiha Sasuke, Lord Hades has heard your request and has agreed to it."
"Really?" Sasuke was overjoyed. "When... when can my father and mother be revived?"
Seeing Sasuke's impatience, Kakashi's father smiled and shook his head.
"There are far too many deceased in this world. Not everyone can be revived. It depends on their or their family's value. Although Lord Hades agreed to revive your parents, it doesn't mean you don't have to give anything in return."
"What do I have to give? Money, my life, or something else?" Sasuke frowned.
"None of those," Kakashi's father shook his head again. "Material things attract mortals but mean nothing to gods."
Sasuke needed clarification. "Then what does Lord Hades want?"
"He wants your life's purpose."
Seeing Sasuke's puzzled expression, Kakashi's father explained as Ryū instructed.
"Simply put, you must set a life goal that impresses Lord Hades and achieve it. Then he will grant your wish."
Ryū hoped this would guide Sasuke onto the right path. Even if Sasuke set a modest goal, Ryū would fulfil his wish.
However, after pondering for about two minutes, Sasuke spoke with hatred.
"My life's goal... is to become stronger and... kill that man!"
Ryū knew Sasuke meant Uchiha Itachi. Hearing Sasuke's words, Ryū sighed inwardly.
"Itachi went too far. It seems the Uchiha brothers are destined to a path of love and hatred. Very well, I'll let them follow it."
With a resigned shake, Ryū used telepathy to contact Kakashi's father again.
Receiving Ryū's message, Kakashi's father looked at Sasuke with a complex expression.
"Lord Hades agrees to your goal. Once you kill that man... your brother, your wish will be granted. Lord Hades has one more message: what you see isn't always the truth. Be careful."
With that, Kakashi's father gestured, and the ninja carrying the palanquin and the flower cart began moving again.
Since the bridge wasn't finished, they didn't head towards it but walked straight into the sea. However, instead of sinking, they walked on water towards the Land of Waves.
Seeing this, Naruto's eyes widened in fear.
"They can walk on water, Sakura. They must be ghosts..."
Before he could finish, Sakura smacked his head.
"Ghosts, my foot! Walking on water is something most ninja can do. Didn't you notice they are all ninja?"
"Ninja?"
Naruto, who had been focused on seeing them as ghosts, froze upon hearing Sakura's words.
Seeing Naruto's dazed look, Sakura rolled her eyes.
"Only an idiot like you would believe in ghosts. Sasuke wouldn't... wait, Sasuke?"
Sakura realised Sasuke was still kneeling, muttering to himself.
"I must become stronger and kill him... kill that man... then everything will go back to the way it was..."
Seeing Sasuke seemingly obsessed, Sakura looked worriedly at Kakashi.
"Kakashi-sensei, Sasuke..."
"Don't worry, he'll be fine," Kakashi smiled, patting her shoulder. "Give him some time."
"Oh, okay," Sakura nodded reluctantly, trusting Kakashi.
As Kakashi predicted, Sasuke stood up and approached him after a few minutes.
"I want to become stronger. What should I do?"
Seeing Sasuke's determined look, Kakashi raised an eyebrow and spoke slowly.
"To become stronger, start with the basics. I'll teach you to climb trees."
Kakashi led them to a large tree, made a hand sign, and instructed.
"Focus your chakra into your feet, then start climbing. Don't use too much chakra, but keep it steady, like this."
Kakashi walked up the tree trunk, defying gravity, and hung upside down from a branch.
"For now, just try climbing as high as you can without using your hands. Begin!"
"Yes, Kakashi-sensei!"
Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura began their tree-climbing training.
Meanwhile, Ryū returned to the ninja village at the centre of the Land of Waves. After dismounting from the palanquin in the eastern residential area, he called Haku over urgently.
"Haku, tell me the truth. Are you a boy or a girl?"
Haku, surprised by the question, blushed before answering.
"Lord Ryū, I'm actually... a boy."
At that moment, Ryū felt something inside him shatter.