After learning the whereabouts of the Senju orphan, Kabuto Yakushi and Sasuke Uchiha left the village. Before departing, Kabuto even instructed the villagers on how to maintain their water source.
On a mountain path, Sasuke spoke his thoughts aloud:
"The Senju orphan, Senju Jishin, was the son of the First Hokage, right? Someone like that, dying of illness…"
Kabuto adjusted his glasses and replied:
"Medical ninjutsu was originally developed for emergency treatment of battlefield injuries. Its effects on diseases were not significant. However, Lady Tsunade elevated medical ninjutsu to a new level. Even internal diseases can be treated surgically, but only in the early stages.
If the disease spreads throughout the body, even someone of Lady Tsunade's caliber would be powerless to save them.
I suspect Senju Jishin succumbed to such an incurable illness. It's a disaster even the strongest cannot overcome."
Sasuke thought of Itachi.
He had learned from Obito that Itachi also suffered from a terminal illness. Later, Kabuto gave him a precise answer:
Itachi had viral cardiomyopathy.
It was still within the realm of what medical ninjutsu could address. If he had received Tsunade's full treatment, there might have been hope for recovery.
But Itachi had long resolved to die in his battle against Sasuke, choosing to prolong his life with medication instead.
Sasuke: "Kabuto, you've used Edo Tensei to resurrect so many people. Did you resurrect Itachi?"
Kabuto: "Sasuke-kun, you've finally asked the question."
At this point, Kabuto could only admit:
"Yes, I resurrected Itachi with Edo Tensei. But he has already broken free of my control. It happened during the time Naruto came looking for you and I told you to take refuge."
Sasuke (narrowing his eyes): "So, you're saying that Itachi is currently alive in his Edo Tensei body?"
Kabuto: "That should be correct. Someone as burdened as Itachi couldn't possibly let go of his attachments and escape the Edo Tensei body."
Sasuke's gaze flickered:
"When I was killed by Might Guy, what method did you use to bring me back?"
Kabuto instantly saw through Sasuke's intentions and turned to him:
"You're thinking of resurrecting Itachi, aren't you?"
Sasuke clenched his fists:
"If it's possible, I want to try!"
Kabuto withdrew his gaze and said solemnly:
"That would require Itachi's body, which should be in Obito's possession. You'd also need the Rinnegan. With Nagato gone, and the latest intel suggesting that Madara has also been resurrected, the only person capable of using that resurrection technique is Naruto. But I believe that if you ask him, Naruto would likely agree."
Sasuke (firmly): "No! I will not ask Naruto! I'll retrieve Itachi's body from Obito, and as for the Rinnegan, I'll find a way to obtain it myself!"
Kabuto: "Forgive me for saying this, Sasuke-kun, but I doubt Itachi would be happy with your decision."
Sasuke: "I admit that. But I'm not Itachi. We pursue different things. I won't follow the path he laid out for me. You can call me childish if you want, but I will do it!"
Kabuto smiled gently:
"No, Sasuke-kun, I'm genuinely happy for you. Therefore, I will spare no effort to help you achieve this goal."
Suddenly, both Kabuto and Sasuke halted.
The air grew tense.
Kabuto adjusted his glasses, the lenses reflecting a white glare, as his peripheral vision caught movement in the shadows of the trees:
"It seems we've been targeted."
Swish!! With a sinister grin, Kabuto formed hand seals.
Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!
Crack! Crack!
A violent gust swept through, accompanied by screams as blood soaked the ground.
Sasuke (mockingly): "Kabuto, didn't you say using force was unwise? That one should be an intellectual?"
Kabuto: "The strong can whimsically save lives, and just as whimsically take them. Only the strong hold the ultimate right to interpret their actions."
Kabuto casually approached, pulling off the mask of the fallen enemy.
Kabuto: "An Anbu from Sunagakure, all the way here in the Land of Water?"
Sasuke: "Gaara of the Sand Waterfall, huh? He's got his eyes on us."
Kabuto (analyzing): "No, under normal circumstances, cross-border pursuits like this would involve notifying Kirigakure. Extending his reach this far must be a personal decision. I don't have much history with him, so the only motive I can think of…"
Sasuke (narrowing his eyes): "Naruto. He's after me!"
Kabuto: "Unlikely." He raised his hand, his concealed left eye gleaming ominously.
"It seems someone can't resist aiming for the left eye of Kagami Uchiha."
Sasuke silently clenched his fists.
Kabuto looked into the distance, noticing footprints that didn't belong to the fallen Anbu.
"There was another person here just now. They fled in such a hurry they didn't even cover their tracks."
Sasuke (coldly): "I'll kill them."
Kabuto: "No need. What's meant to come will come. For now, the priority is securing that Senju orphan. They are the key to awakening your Rinnegan. As for this left eye, I don't value it much."
Zii!
Kabuto's left eye transformed into a Mangekyō Sharingan, focusing on the Sunagakure Anbu's corpse.
"Disappear!"
Kotodama Command!
Gurgle, gurgle!
The corpse rapidly decayed and dissolved, leaving no trace of its existence.
Zii!
The Mangekyō faded back into a three-tomoe Sharingan.
"A Sharingan that can't be deactivated is a burden. Perhaps, at the right time, it could serve as a bargaining chip with Naruto."
Kabuto: "Let's keep moving, Sasuke-kun."
Meanwhile, in Kumogakure (Hidden Cloud Village), after the defeat at the Plain of Ten Thousand Ravines, the Raikage was more determined than ever to strengthen himself. After arranging village affairs, he set out for Hell Valley to train.
During this time, the Raikage had done a lot of thinking.
"My biggest weakness right now is genjutsu, especially the visual genjutsu of the Uchiha. If I can find a way to overcome visual genjutsu, why should I fear the Sharingan or even the Rinnegan?"
But how to overcome it?
The Raikage had considered destroying his own eyes to eliminate the weakness entirely, but this idea was strongly opposed by Dodai and the other Jonin.
Thus, the Raikage had a sudden inspiration: he would emulate Killer Bee and wear sunglasses!
This time, his trip to Hell Valley had two purposes: further refining his Lightning Release Chakra Mode and training his ability to sense opponents' movements without relying on sight.
"Hmph, once my training is complete, I'll make Naruto Uzumaki pay for his blood debt!"
The Raikage, full of ambition, rode in a carriage pulled by his guards.
After traveling for a day and a night, they finally arrived at the location of Hell Valley.
When they stopped, the Raikage pulled back the curtain and removed his sunglasses to look around.
"We're not there yet. Why did you stop?"
"Raikage-sama, we've arrived."
"What nonsense! This place is completely empty!"
"No, we're certain. We've traveled this route countless times. This is definitely the spot!"
The Raikage exploded in anger.
"WHERE IS HELL VALLEY?! WHERE DID MY HELL VALLEY GO?!"
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