*Swish!*

In the forest.

As Sasuke and his team were resting, a swirling vortex suddenly appeared before them. Despite the slight difference in timing, Tobi, wearing his mask, descended in front of Sasuke!

He greeted in a low voice, "Yo, Sasuke..."

Sasuke, Karin, and Suigetsu all stood up simultaneously!

Karin frowned, "That guy's chakra appeared out of nowhere. How is this possible?"

Suigetsu, nonchalant, "Oh dear, what bad timing!"

Sasuke, coldly, "How did you know I was here?"

Tobi, calmly, "Don't underestimate me. I have my ways."

The space-time movement of Kamui, similar to the Flying Thunder God technique, leaves a mark. Unlike the Flying Thunder God mark, Kamui's mark can be left with the eyes, making it more convenient. Both marks are indelible, except by Yin-Yang Release.

Sasuke, coldly, "Why are you showing up in front of us now? We've already left Akatsuki. We have nothing to do with you anymore!"

Tobi, in a deep voice, "I told you, betraying Akatsuki only leads to death. You broke our previous agreement!"

Sasuke frowned, "What do you mean?"

Tobi, "The matter of capturing the Tailed Beasts."

Karin, "Didn't we already capture the Eight-Tails for you?"

Tobi, "That was just a clone. In other words, you failed..."

"!?!" Sasuke and his team were simultaneously shocked.

Tobi, "You were completely fooled by the Eight-Tails... Honestly, I'm deeply disappointed in you."

Sasuke recalled the battle at the Valley of Clouds and Lightning: I confirmed with my Sharingan that he didn't have a chance to use a clone...

He suddenly remembered a detail: the moment he cut off the Eight-Tails' tail with Chidori Sharp Spear, the tail sank into the river!

Could it be... at that moment!!

Suigetsu, defiantly, "Even so, what do you want us to do? We have no ties anymore!"

Tobi, "No, I just hope you can finish what Akatsuki entrusted to you. That being said, forget about the Eight-Tails. Today, there's another task for you."

Sasuke, "What if I refuse?"

Tobi, nonchalantly, "I came here to stop you from going to Konoha..."

"Looks like I'll have to use force!"

Sasuke activated Chidori and charged... but it passed through Tobi!

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"!" Sasuke was startled, recalling the situation with Deidara: My attack went through him again, just like last time. Is this his ability?

Tobi, slightly turning his head, "I've heard about your goal. Unfortunately, it will come to nothing..."

Sasuke, turning, "What do you mean?"

Tobi, "Konoha Village has already been destroyed..."

"!?!" Sasuke and his team were shocked again.

Karin, "What's going on?"

At that moment, Zetsu emerged from the ground beside Tobi.

Karin, on guard, "Who is that..."

"Don't worry, he's my companion." Tobi looked down and asked White Zetsu, "Who became the Hokage?"

Zetsu replied, "It's that guy, Danzo."

Tobi, "Just as I expected..."

Sasuke frowned, "Danzo became Hokage..."

Tobi, "Yes, one of the Konoha higher-ups who drove your brother away. He is now the new Hokage."

Sasuke finally asked, "What happened to Konoha?"

Tobi looked at the two behind Sasuke, "Where is your subordinate, Jugo?"

Suigetsu, "That guy went to fetch water. Speaking of which, it's taking a while..."

Karin adjusted her glasses, "One by one, they're all troublesome guys!" She looked serious but thought to herself: Sasuke, hurry up and get rid of them and elope with me, hehe...

Suigetsu shrugged, "Isn't it because of you, Karin? If you're thirsty, just drink the water from my body. Jugo went to fetch water for you~."

Karin clenched her fists, veins bulging on her forehead, "Who wants to drink water from a fool like you? What if I become a fool too after drinking it!!"

She thought to herself: And our future children, hehe...

Suigetsu retorted, "You're already not very smart. A little more won't make a difference..."

"You jerk~~~!!"

*Thud!!* Karin punched Suigetsu's head, turning it into water, then kicked him repeatedly, making him scream in pain...

Sasuke sighed helplessly, "Stop it, Suigetsu, Karin."

"..." Watching this farce, Tobi was speechless. He returned to the main topic, "Enough, it doesn't matter if he's not here. It won't affect our discussion... Konoha was destroyed by my subordinate, Pain. Sasuke, you and Pain were too conspicuous, finally prompting the Five Kage to take action!"

Sasuke's eyes darkened, "The Five Kage..."

Tobi, "The Five Kage Summit is about to be held..."

Zetsu spoke up, "I'll explain the rest~!"

...

The news of Naruto defecting from Konoha and attacking his comrades spread through the Root organization, causing an uproar.

Previously, Root had spread rumors that the leader of Akatsuki, Pain, attacked Konoha in collusion with Naruto, staging a play to gain the villagers' trust. But after being exposed by Danzo, Naruto fled the village overnight.

Initially, people were skeptical of these rumors, as Naruto had spent over a decade earning their trust through his actions.

But the bodies of Tokuma Hyuga and the others, along with the scroll left by Anko, were undeniable evidence.

The villagers of Konoha gathered in front of the temporary tent set up for high-level discussions, waiting for news.

Once it was confirmed that the contents of the scroll were true, public opinion completely reversed...!

"Indeed, the Nine-Tails is still the Nine-Tails..."

"Naruto hid his true nature too well!"

"We were all deceived by him!!"

"Damn Naruto, he should be executed...!!"

*Tap! Tap! Tap!* The sound of a cane echoed, and the crowd fell silent.

Danzo approached, speaking steadily, "Konoha has always been ruthless towards traitors. It was only due to the Fifth Hokage's leniency that things escalated to this point..."

"But I, Danzo Shimura, will quell this situation and give everyone in Konoha an explanation!"

After a brief silence, the crowd erupted in cheers, "We swear to support Lord Danzo's leadership to the death!"

No one noticed the sinister smile under Danzo's Hokage hat.

...

In the cave where Naruto and Konan were.

Konan, "Are you ready to begin?"

Naruto, "Yes, let's start."

Konan lifted Anko, "I still can't believe this can be done."

Naruto, "The essence of Orochimaru's curse mark is an independent consciousness. As long as the curse mark exists, he will never die... But to awaken him, we need the original curse mark, which I obtained from Jugo."

Naruto stepped forward and placed his left hand on the curse mark on Anko's neck!

*Swish!* The sage energy absorbed from Jugo's curse mark flowed into it.

Naruto's hand slowly lifted, and *rustle, rustle, rustle*... a white snake emerged from Anko's curse mark, its mouth opening to reveal Orochimaru's elegant figure.

*Thud!* Anko fell to the ground, still unconscious...

"..." Naruto and Konan stepped back together.

Orochimaru stood up from the sticky ground, his vertical pupils gazing at the blond boy before him. His hoarse yet seductive voice echoed, "Hehehe, what a surprise. I never dreamed that the one to bring me back would be you... Naruto."