Author's Note:
Hey everyone! I hope you're having a Happy New Year! We finally made it to 2021 so let's make it a great year! If you have any New Year's resolutions, I'd love to hear them! I, for one, am planning a complete makeover with a new tattoo coming soon!
Anyway, I want to also make a point about detail in this story. There are also a few details that are going to be completely different but that's nothing new. Just remember that this is to make MY story make sense. If this causes any confusion, please let me know. Thanks again, guys!
"Uncomfortableness is meant to change you, but you decide how,"
-Badbutt94
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Chapter 69: Revival
Normal P.O.V.
The group continues onward through the early morning in silence. The trio knows that the side mission they are currently on isn't one to be taken lightly. After all, they will be reviving one of the most notorious villains in the world before facing the two toughest enemies of their careers. It doesn't help that they are basically finishing the rest of the already nonexistent Uchiha Clan. However, these are just the struggles of three Taka members. Their leader on the other hand had his own anxieties.
Sasuke Uchiha: the youngest and soon to be the last Uchiha, the infamous omega mate of Konoha's next Hokage, Itachi's younger brother, the late Orochimaru's finest pupil, and the notorious Missing S ranked ninja turned good. These anxieties are what keep Sasuke up at night. But that is not the focus of this mission. No, the reason Sasuke needs to complete this side mission and receive his former sensei is to get the answers he is looking for.
Regret over Itachi's death, past, and the actions of Konoha's former leaders digs its claws deep into the young omega's subconscious. Is the village that he's fighting for even worth it? The way they treated his mate in their younger years, forced his hero: his older brother, into a secret life after making him a murderer, treated him as some prodigy but then turned their backs on him. As he looks in the mirror, too often he turns away with the inability to face what he's become.
Naruto has such high expectations for him. The blond alpha is excited to create a bright future with him while constantly trying to help him heal from himself and his past. The pressure of being someone that powerful mate is almost unbearable sometimes. Right now, there are plenty of people who are only accepting of him because of Naruto, nothing more. They smile in their faces while out in public but try to jump and beat him in back alleys. He has come to terms with his resolve to fight for their home for Naruto's sake. However, there are still a lot of demons that Sasuke needs to put to bed before he can officially commit to the Hidden Leaf.
Why did they make Itachi into a double spy? Why did they force him into a life of murder, crime, and exile? Why did they take both his childhood and innocence when they gave Sasuke nothing but special treatment? Why was his brother not recognized as a hero instead? Why was Sasuke lied to all his life? Why did Itachi have to decide how he needed to live his life? How and why did Itachi know what was best for him? Was his clan correct in trying to take over the village? Should have their plan succeed? Why does everyone try to manipulate him? Why do people think they can use other methods to try and control him and his actions? Was that all he is: a puppet, a child who can't make his own decisions, so unimportant that no one found it necessary to explain any truths to him? Sasuke Uchiha is nothing of what people try to make him into. That is why this mission is so important. Having these questions and secret hatred for the same village he vowed to protect makes him wary of his own actions. Subconsciously, Sasuke knows he cannot blindly fight for a side without being 100% certain that he is making the correct decision. And with the Fourth Shinobi War happening today, Sasuke is running out of time to find his answers. That is why he needs to succeed in this mission. The only undeciding factor is the man he's about to revive.
Finally, after hours of traveling, the group stops at the location of the hideout where Sasuke defeated Orochimaru. Cautiously, they travel through the underground tunnels until they reach the room where Kabuto's decayed corpse remains.
"Ew, Kabuto's corpse is still here? I'm both shocked and disgusted," Suigetsu says.
"Well, what do you expect? It's not like we called a cleanup crew before leaving, dumbass," Karin sighs.
"Both of you be quiet. I need to focus," Sasuke commands, effectively quieting the couple.
"Sasuke, are you ready?" Jugo asks, causing their leader to nod.
"Wait a minute! Hold on! Sasuke are you sure about this? I mean, can you really rely on that snake to help you? What if he doesn't and you have to reseal him inside of yourself? Will any of this be worth it?"
Sasuke takes a deep breath after moving to the side on a random set of boulders, "If you want me to be honest, I… don't have an answer…"
"Sasuke-Kun…" Karin says with sadness in her voice.
"You three may not know this, but there is a lot of pressure on me to continue to be perfect. I agreed to fight for the Hidden Leaf, but I cannot do it blindly. There are too many emptied questions about my brother, clan, and past that I need answers to. If not, I don't think I can fight to my fullest ability for the village that caused me and my clan too much pain,"
The three just look at Sasuke in silence and shock until Suigetsu speaks, "Shit man. Why is everything with you so angsty? If you need this that bad, then I guess it's fine. But don't expect me to get in trouble for your actions. I already get harassed enough by both that Anko bitch and your Hokage,"
"Well, you don't have to worry about me, Sasuke-Kun. I will always be by your side,"
"As will I, Sasuke. Your will is that of Kimimaro's will," Jugo says.
Sasuke nods at them, "Alright, let's search this place for Orochimaru's scroll,"
"Um, Sasuke-Kun if I may be so bold, what exactly is this scroll we're looking for?" Karin asks.
"It's a revival scroll. We all know that the snake dabbled in creating various reconstruction forbidden jutsus. During the Chunin Exams, before I defected from the Hidden Leaf, Orochimaru attacked our village where he fought and killed his former sensei, the Third Hokage. While under his care, Orochimaru divulged that he used the reanimated corpses of the First and Second Hokages. Even though he couldn't defeat all three, the Third Hokage used the last of his strength to take away Orochimaru's arms and dispelled the Reanimation Jutsu. Since then, Orochimaru worked to create another Reanimation Jutsu with the cells he stole from the Hidden Leaf before escaping. That new scroll is what we're looking for. And knowing him, it's hidden in a secret room. Search the entire place, tap the walls and floors, and try not to fall for any traps he might still have activated,"
The group separates to look for the desired scroll. Looking to the gray sky, Sasuke assumes that Tsunade must be ready to lead everyone towards the battlefield. His thoughts travel to his sleeping mate he left behind. His heart suddenly becomes heavy with regret. Was Suigetsu right in his words, is any of this worth it? Will Orochimaru turn his back on him? Will he have to fight and seal him again? To Sasuke, it doesn't matter since he was prepared for that situation. What the raven feline isn't ready for is the disappointed look his mate will undoubtedly give him once he finds out. He only hopes that he'll be long done with Orochimaru by then.
"Sasuke-Kun! I think I found it!" Karin cheers.
Sasuke walks over to her and takes the scroll from her. "This is it. Are you guys ready?"
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Back in Konoha, about two hours after Sasuke left, Naruto awakens before his alarm goes off. Yawning, Naruto sits up and stretches his tired muscles. After hearing the satisfying sound of his bones popping into place, he looks at the other side of the bed to see that Sasuke is missing. Usually, Naruto wouldn't be worried about his mate missing from their bed, but that was because Sasuke was still within their apartment. However, since his mate is missing from their apartment too, irritation settles within him.
"Come on, Sasuke. Don't do this to me today. We don't have time for this," Naruto enters Sage Mode to search for his missing mate within the village. When he doesn't sense him anywhere, a frustrated growl can be heard in the room, "I swear to the gods I'm going to kill him for this,"
Throwing the covers off him, Naruto quickly washes up, gets dressed, and heads towards the Hokage tower.
As he walks through the streets, the village's horn blares into the gray, windy morning. Tired and nervous shinobis and villagers exit their homes to gather around the Hokage Tower. Trying to avoid them, Naruto enters through a secret entrance and meets Kakashi, Sakura, Shikamaru, Shizune, Lady Tsunade, and Jiraiya at the top.
"Granny~"
"Citizens and shinobi of the Hidden Leaf! I stand before you with encouragement and faith! Today, we will be joining with the other Four Nations in the fight against Madara and Obito Uchiha! I know that most of you are afraid! I too share your fears! These are two of the toughest opponents you will ever face in your shinobi career! I will also be honest in saying that some of you will not make it out alive! But do not let that get the better of you! You are all proud members of the Hidden Leaf Village founded by my grandfather! We will honor him and all the other Hokages before me!
We will fight as one out there and WE WILL WIN! We will show these two idiots that they should have never underestimated us! Konoha shinobi! I ask that you stand with the other Kages, their nations, and myself in this hard fight! We will do everything in our power to defeat them with everything we have! I promise you, citizens of Konoha, we will bring honor to our forefathers, families, and ourselves as we fight this war together! We will stand strong! We will not falter! We will be victorious! WE WILL NEVER FALL!" Tsunade finishes with her fist in the air, basking in the cheers of her people.
As people turn to their loved ones with tears and smiles, she looks onward with a racing heart and hope. Now it is time she deals with her next obstacle, her frustrated grandson.
"Granny~"
"I know," she sighs without looking at him.
"What do you mean you know? Did he come to you before me?" Naruto says while giving a warning growl.
"Yes. He told me yesterday morning after you left what he wanted to do,"
"And what exactly is he doing?"
"He's looking for answers. That is all I can tell you," she sighs while nervously gripping the bars and continue looking down at her people.
"Just fucking great. Now I must go hunt him down again and drag him to the battlefield. Unfucking believable!"
"Naruto~"
"Save it, Sakura. I don't have time for anyone's shit right now. I have a missing Sasuke to find," he growls as he turns to leave.
"At least let me come with you. You can't go searching for him alone," she says.
"No. You all are needed on that battlefield. Don't worry about me. I'll find him and we'll be on that battlefield in no time. Just… try not to get hurt before I get there. I… can't lose any of you either,"
"Naruto, do you even know where you're going?" Tsunade calls out, finally turning to face him.
"Of course, I do. I'll be back. And don't worry, I won't tell him you blew his secret or sent me,"
"You don't have to. He already knows you're coming. Just please… be careful…" she hugs herself.
"I always am,"
As he leaves from the rooftop, Naruto leaves behind his worried friends and family and a heavy air filled with tension. No one speaks, more so because no one knows what to say. However, the uncertainty surrounding the power couple in Konoha keeps them on their toes. All they can do at this point is to pray.
Putting her hands together, Tsunade does just that, "Gods above, please to my prayer. Watch over all of us during this war. Please do not allow for too many to lose their lives today. And please, watch over my boys. Please, bring them to me and allow all of us to return home together. This is all I ask from you,"
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Back at the hideout, Taka readies themselves for the late Sannin's arrival. As Sasuke leans down and places the scroll on the floor, Suigetsu gives his final remarks.
"Hold on a second, Sasuke. Can I just make one more final plea?" Sasuke turns his attention to his shark companion with irritation clear on his face, "Maybe we should forget all of this and just head to the battlefield instead? I mean come on; this is Orochimaru we're talking about here! One of the great Sannins! Once you tell him about the war, he's going to want to be a part of it and try to use this to his advantage!"
"Are you trying to say that Sasuke-Kun isn't strong enough to defeat and seal Lord Orochimaru again?! You've got some nerve, peasant," Karin glares.
"I'm not doubting his skill. I mean Sasuke it pretty much killing perfection personified. However, let's not forget one of the factors that Sasuke was able to defeat Orochimaru was because the guy could barely use his arms. When he's revived, Orochimaru will be twice as strong. Do you all really think that we can take the freak and then go fight in a war immediately after? Am I the only sane one here?"
"Are you finished?" Sasuke glares.
"Did you not hear a single word I said?"
"I heard you. But if you're that unwilling to be apart of this, leave. But you better be on that battlefield by the time I get there, or I'll come to kill you myself. My final order as leader of Taka is for all of you to participate in this war. After that, I could care less what any of you do," Sasuke says as he turns back to examine the scroll.
"Tsk. Annoying as always. Fine, I'll stay, but don't anyone say I didn't warn you guys,"
"Sasuke, it says here that you can't just revive someone. Looks like you need some cells," Jugo says, ignoring Suigetsu's grumbling.
"Hn. Of course. We need to find some. Karin, when you fond the scroll were there any cells with it?"
"Yes, Sasuke-Kun. I'll get them right away,"
She runs to get the jar of cells before handing them over to Sasuke. He takes the jar and twists it open. Reaching in, he grabs a handful of cells and places them on top of his Cursed Mark. After they mold to his body, Sasuke performs the seal's release. Once the seal breaks, he extends his arm as long as it can go while a large white snake emerges from his shoulder.
Everyone holds their breaths as Orochimaru emerges from the snake's mouth. Unbothered by the fact that he's covered in saliva, Orochimaru continues to climb out of the snake's mouth until he's completely out. While on his hands and knees, Orochimaru tries to shake off as much of the snake's saliva as possible before standing up and stretching his body out.
"I must say, Sasuke. As much as I enjoyed being inside of your body, it is much nicer to be back on the surface," Orochimaru smirks.
"Orochimaru, I didn't bring you back for you. I have some questions that you need to help me answer and you will, or I will reseal you inside of me,"
"Little Sasuke, still the feisty kitten. I see much hasn't changed since our last encounter. But don't worry, I know exactly what you want. I've been watching from inside of your body after all. Don't worry, I will help you with your questions. However, I would suggest dealing with our intruder first, don't you think so Sasuke-Kun,"
Everyone, except Sasuke, looks around in confusion. Unlike the members of his group, the raven-haired feline already felt the angry presence of their intruder. Take a deep breath and swallowing his spit, Sasuke slowly turns around to see his mate approaching them with burning red eyes and clenching fists and jaw.
"Ah, look how much you've grown… Naruto-Kun,"
"I won't say the same for you… Orochimaru…" the blond says before stopping to look at his calm mate, "Ready to tell me what the fuck is going on, Sasuke?" Nervousness runs rampant through the raven's body. His fists continue to subconsciously open and close. His throat becomes dry, but this face remains calm as he stands in the presence of both his revived sensei and his angry mate, "Well Sasuke… I'm waiting…"
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To Be Continued…
