This story is created from my memories of Legend of the Uchiha Shinobi and Avatar which was created by Keyblade Master of Light on this website before they discontinued and deleted it. I have no idea if they are now Keyblade Master of Darkness or not, but if they are, this story still does not exist in their profile.

This chapter is important in setting up the two main characters; however, nothing about Korra would be different at this time. As such, the first half of this chapter, covering from Korra's final Firebending tests to leaving the South Pole, is unchanged. I could not simply leave it out since I recall Sasuke and Korra both being important to this story. As such, the first chapter should reflect that. The second half will cover what changes on Sasuke's end to see him to the Elemental Nations.

Elemental Nations: Compound, Day...

A seventeen-year-old girl wearing red armor unleashed two kicks which sent out fire towards a man who was wearing the same red armor. He raised his hands to defend himself; however, the power behind the blast sent the man flying, and he crashed into the ground.

This was followed by two more men, wearing the same armor, shooting their own fire at the girl. She is seemingly engulfed in flames, but the girl dissipates them by moving her hands in a circular motion. She then gets into her fighting stance again as one of the men charges.

He shoots three jets of flames, but the girl dodges the first fire blast, gets rid of the second flame with a grunt, and dodges the third. She then rushed forward as the man jumped and sent two fire arcs in the girl's direction. She tumbled underneath the flames to avoid them.

The girl then sent out more flames which the man attempted to dodge; however, he lost his balance and fell to the ground. As he attempted to stand, the girl came between the two remaining men and unleashed powerful blasts of fire.

They're scrambling bought her time to launch a stronger blast of fire at the man in front of her sending him flying into a nearby triangular roof of a small building near the training ground. He was unconscious.

While all of this happened, five people were watching. One of them was an elderly woman in blue and white clothing, three of them were guys in darker blue and white robes, and the last was a man in a red robe.

"She's strong." The old woman stated impressed.

"She lacks restraint." One of the men in blue robes corrected.

Just then, the last man charged at the girl and showered her with a fire stream. She smiled confidently while running toward the man, straight into the fire blast. She parted it before pushing the man's arms apart, making him stop his bending.

The girl then used him to propel herself into the air and kicked an arc of fire in his direction. Once she landed, the girl showered him with a follow up, powerful stream of fire. The man attempted to block but got thrown backwards in defeat.

"Woohoo!" The girl ran up to the five while taking her helmet off. "Hey, why all the doom and gloom, people? We should be celebrating! Three elements down, one to go!"

"You're getting ahead of yourself, as usual Korra." The man in red stated. "We haven't decided if you passed your Firebending test yet."

"Ever since you were a little girl, you've excelled at the physical side of bending, yet you've completely ignored the spiritual side." The first man in blue stated. "The Avatar must master both."

Korra gained a bored look and bowed her head slightly. "I haven't ignored it, it just doesn't come as easy to me. That's why I should start training with Tenzin immediately. He's Mister Spiritual."

"Do you think she's ready, Master Katara?" The White Lotus Leader asked.

"Yes." Katara smiled. "If anyone can teach her what she needs to learn, it's Tenzin."

"Very well, Korra. It's time for you to begin your Airbending training." The White Lotus Leader declared.

"YES! Finally!" Korra soon realized the elders were watching her with dismayed looks, so she turned serious. "I mean, thank you all for believing in me."

Korra then smiled and walked away; however, she was unable to contain her joy resulting in the girl running off.

She immediately went to visit a curled up polar bear-dog. "Naga, you should've seen it. I kicked some Firebdender butt, and I passed!" Naga wagged her tail and met Korra who cuddled her by the head. "Tenzin will be here in a few days."

Korra scratched Naga's head and laughed as her animal companion gleefully licked her face. Once they were done celebrating, Korra mounted her companion, and they rode up to the gate of the compound. A White Lotus sentry looked down at her.

"Just taking Naga for a stroll." Korra declared, yet the guard looks unsure until she crossed her arms. "Don't worry. We're not going far."

The guard complied as he walked back to open the gates. Once open, Korra spurred her companion out the gate.

Days Later, Evening…

A flying bison with six legs flies a man, pregnant woman, two girls, and a young boy towards the compound.

"Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet? It looks like we're there. I know it, this looks familiar! Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Oh, please tell me we're there!" One of the young girls spoke quickly.

The man who is directing the bison to land sighs in relief and annoyance.

"Yes Ikki, as I've been telling you for the last fifteen minutes, we are finally here." Once the bison lands, the two girls ride air scooters down the bison while the man gets off and Katara approaches. "Hello, Mother. I can't tell you how happy I am to see you." The boy was pulling his ears. "Please help me."

Katara laughed as the man bowed allowing her to get the boy off his shoulders.

"Unhand me, strange woman!" The young boy declared while frantically waving his arms.

"That's your grandmother, Meelo." The man reminded.

Meelo nimbly pushed off Katara's arm and somersaulted above her head to land behind her.

He then dashed off making the elder Waterbender smile. "It's so good to see all of you."

The other girl goes up to Katara. "Gran-Gran, I've been reading about your old adventures, and I've been dying to ask, what happened to Zuko's mom?"

"Well Jinora, it's an incredible tale…" Katara began.

"Gran-Gran, you look old." She was cut off by Ikki jumping between them. "How old are you, and why is it so cold in the South Pole? Can we make a campfire, huddle around it, and tell scary stories. Then, can we make snowmen before you make them move with Waterbending. You could make them chase us. Wouldn't that be fun? Huh? Wouldn't it?"

As Ikki talked, asking far too many questions, Jinora gave a look of disappointment. The man, known as Tenzin, sees a woman slowly sliding down the bison's tail, so he immediately walked over to catch her hands.

"Pema, let me help you." Tenzin declared, helper her down. 'Careful now."

"Stop doting on me." Pema retracted her hand. "I'm not helpless." She rested her hands on her swollen belly. "I'm just pregnant."

Katara walked over and gave Pema a hug. "The baby's strong. I see another Airbender in your future."

"All I want is one child like me, a nice NON-bender who doesn't blast wind in my face every five seconds." Pema stated a little upset.

"Mommy, look!" Meelo called out before covering himself in snow and blasting it off himself using his Airbending. "I'm a Snowbender!"

Pema was dismayed as she now had snow on her head. "Were Tenzin and his siblings THIS crazy when they were kids?"

"Kya and Bumi certainly were, but Tenzin has always been…rather serious." Katara informed.

"Mother, please." Tenzin then noticed Korra standing a few meters behind his mother, waiting with her hands behind her back. "Korra." He approached the young Avatar and put his arms around her shoulder. "Look at you, so big and strong. You've grown into quite the young Avatar."

"Master Tenzin, I'm SO glad you're here." Korra declared excitedly. "I can't wait to get started."

"Yes…well…" Tenzin sighed.

"You're going to have to tell her sooner or later." Pema said.

"Tell me what?" Korra asked worriedly.

"You're not staying, are you?" Katara asked sadly.

"I'm afraid not." Tenzin sighed. "We're only visiting for the night before returning to Republic City tomorrow."

"But…no, you're supposed to move here." Korra was upset. "You're supposed to teach me."

"I'm sorry, but your Airbending training must wait." Tenzin informed, to the Avatar's dismay.

Night…

Korra was at the table with the three Lotus members and Tenzin. "So, how long until you're ready to teach me Airbending? A week? A month?"

"It could be much longer." Tenzin answered.

"I don't understand." Korra voiced. "Why are you making me wait?"

"I have a responsibility to Republic City." Tenzin answered. "I am one of its leaders, and

the situation there is very unstable right now."

"But, you also have a responsibility to teach me." Korra reasoned. "Believe me, I'd be happy to find another Airbending master, but you're the only one. We're stuck with each other."

"I wish there was another way." Tenzin responded.

"Wait, there is!" Korra had an idea. "If you can't stay here, I'll go to Republic City with

You. It's perfect."

"Absolutely not!" The White Lotus leader banged his hand on the table, making the contents shake. "The city is far too dangerous. Avatar Aang tasked us with keeping you safe while you mastered the four elements."

"I get that, but I don't think keeping me locked up in this compound like a prisoner is what he had in mind." Korra replied.

"I know this is difficult to accept, but it's not the right time for you to come to the city." Tenzin attempted to calm the situation.

"Whatever." Korra declared dismissively.

She then got up and left, slamming the door behind her.

Morning…

Tenzin, Pema, Jinora, Ikki, and Meelo were sitting on their sky bison with the latter four waving goodbye to Katara.

"Goodbye, Gran Gran!" Ikki declared.

"Oogi, yip-yip!" Tenzin ordered as he tugged the reigns and the bison pushed off to fly.

Katara started to shed a tear but wiped it away. On the rim of a nearby cliff, Korra sat with Naga and watched as Oogi flew past them. Her expression suddenly turns from sad to determined.

Night…

Korra entered Naga's stable making the polar-dog look up at her. The Avatar went about taking Naga's saddle and started putting it on her back before tightening the straps.

"Nice night for an escape, isn't it?" Katara asked, startling the Avatar.

"I have to leave." Korra declared. "I must find my own path as the Avatar."

"I know you do." Katara smiles and Korra gives her a grateful look. "Aang's time has passed. My brother and many of my friends are gone. It's time for you and your generation to take over the

responsibility of keeping peace and balance in the world." She placed her hand on Korra's shoulder. "I think you're going to be a great Avatar."

Korra hugged Katara. "Thank you."

The Waterbender hugged her back. "Goodbye, Korra."

Southern Water Tribe

Korra had Naga dig a tunnel out of the compound. Once they were out, she had the polar dog dash off towards the Southern Water Tribe. More specifically, to the home of her parents where she told them everything before hugging them.

"Mom, Dad. I'll miss you." Korra declared.

"We love you so much." Korra's mother returned.

Korra then ran over and climbed atop Naga. She spared one last look at her parents before ultimately having her companion dash off once more. They'd ultimately find themselves stowing away on a ship, for days, bound for Republic City.

Shinobi Nations: Valley of the End, Day...

Within the Valley of the End, an intense battle was occurring between two boys, Naruto and Sasuke. Neither of them gave the other an inch, and they are at the lower level of the valley where water is flowing. They were staring each other down while breathing heavily.

"You were serious…" Naruto stated in disbelief.

"Yeah, dead serious." Sasuke declared. "I intend to bury you where you stand."

"Just what is wrong with you, Sasuke!?" Naruto yelled. "Don't you see me as a friend anymore? I mean, neither of us ever said anything, but I always thought of us…as friends."

"You know what they say?" Sasuke suddenly questioned. "When two Shinobi are powerful enough, they can read each other's thoughts through exchanging fists. You were always an idiot, Naruto. Tell me, do you know my thoughts? Can you tell what's on my mind!?"

Sasuke charged Naruto and delivered an uppercut sending him into the water.

"That's it. There's no mistaking it." Naruto was sinking. "You're dead serious. You mean to kill me; however, I don't know why. No matter the reason…" His eyes start to turn crimson, his pupils turn to slits, his whiskers become more pronounced, and his teeth become fangs. "…I can't stand to see you get taken by someone like Orochimaru!"

Just when Sasuke thought it was over, there was a quake and Naruto rose out of the water covered in crimson Chakra which formed the shape of a fox around his body.

"This Chakra is intense, and Naruto seems different!" Sasuke was shocked. "What are you!?"

"I'm your FRIEND!" Naruto charged Sasuke. "That's why you're NOT going to the likes of Orochimaru!"

The blond started attacking Sasuke. Despite him trying to dodge, it ultimately ended with the Uchiha taking a hit that sent him skipping across the surface of the water. He managed to catch himself atop a log that now bobbed in the water.

"My Sharingan evolved to three tomoe, yet I can barely track his movements!" Sasuke stood straight. "Why go this far for me!?"

"This is the first bond I've ever had." Naruto responded.

"Bond?" Sasuke scoffed. "If that's how it is…" His body turned pale, his hair grew longer and turned light grey, and wing-like shapes appeared on his back. "…then I'll sever that bond!"

Naruto used his demonic Chakra to strike at Sasuke and send him against a rock wall; however, the Uchiha blocked with one of his wings. He then managed to push the blond back.

"You're strong Naruto, yet I don't feel like I'll lose!" Sasuke declared confidently. "Let's end this…This battle, and all the battles up until now!"

"Fine…" Naruto declared.

He created a Rasengan covered in his crimson Chakra while Sasuke started charging his Chidori which was empowered by his curse mark. After their respective attacks were charged, they started charging each other.

"NARUTOOOOOOOO!"

"SASUKEEEEEEEEEE!"

They clashed with their respective Jutsu.

"CHIDORI!"

"RASENGAN!"

There was a massive explosion.

Naruto was filled with sorrow. "I want things to be how they were…"

"There's no going back." Sasuke was determined. "I WILL achieve my goal!"

The explosion sent both boys into free fall, unconscious. Naruto landed on a cliff while Sasuke hit the water, his body quickly flushed out into the river by the turbulent waters their clash generated. Dark clouds soon rolled in, and it began to downpour.

Some Time Later…

Kakashi and one of his summons, Pakkun, arrived to find Naruto's unconscious body.

"We were too late." Kakashi lamented. "I'm sorry we didn't make it in time, Naruto. Knowing you, you must have put up quite a fight."

"I'm trying to find Sasuke, but the rain has washed away his scent." Pakkun informed.

Kakashi looked down and found a Konoha headband, he knew it had to be Sasuke's, with a straight mark through the center. "His headband." He sighed as his gaze turned to the skies above, which were just as turbulent as the water nearby. "He must have gone to Orochimaru."

Land of Fire

A tall, thin young man, with pale golden eyes and brown hair reaching to his shoulders, was walking along the river through the rain. He wore a long, light blue kimono, adorned with an emblem of three bubbles on the back, and a pair of grey pants with an orange sash.

The kimono hung loose, exposing his chest, a bamboo jug, and a pipe. Eventually, he came across someone washed up on the edge of the river. It was an unconscious boy who bore a torn-up symbol of the Uchiha on the back of his shirt. He checked the boy over and found a pulse.

"Last I'd heard, back before I left Kirigakure, the Uchiha were reportedly wiped out by one of their own." The young man crouched by the boy's side. "This boy kind of looks like who should be the last of them; however, this one is much too young to be that person.

Given his current state, I'm inclined to believe this isn't any form of Shinobi trick at play. Could this somehow be a survivor of that massacre, or someone dumb enough to wear that symbol? He doesn't seem to bear anything denoting himself as part of Konoha."

Even if this boy was from Konoha, the lack of a headband was a constant factor. Given this young man had left his own village, years ago at this point, he was hardly able to judge another for potentially doing the same.

"Hey, wake up." The young man decided he should try to rouse the boy. "Are you alright?"

Sasuke started to open his eyes, and while his vision was a bit blurry, he managed to see the man. "Where am I? Who are you?"

"Are we skipping the part where you say, "thank you" and introduce yourself?" The man asked.

"I won't ask again!" Sasuke jumped back from the man and took out a kunai which he pointed at him. "Who are you!?"

"How ungrateful." The man sighed. "I'm no enemy unless you wish to make me one. I found you unconscious in the stream and decided to make sure you were alive." He shook his head. "Since it seems like you must know my name first, I'm Utakata."

"Utakata?" Sasuke asked.

"Correct." Utakata nodded. "Now, would you tell me your name?"

"All I know is that I'm Sasuke Uchiha." Sasuke introduced.

Utakata raised an eyebrow. "All you know?"

"It's all I remember from before you found me now." Sasuke responded.

"He must have amnesia." Utakata reasoned.

This certainly complicated things. This kid was an Uchiha yet had no memories. That meant Utakata had no assurances that directing him back to Konoha would be in his best interest. Being a Rogue Shinobi himself, it wasn't like he could wander on up to ask them.

As things stood, this kid could have been on a mission that went south, escaped whatever Konoha was putting him through, or wasn't part of Konoha in the first place. There was a lot of unknowns, and he didn't like the thought of leaving some memoryless kid like this.

"Why don't I help you?" Utakata offered.

"I don't need or want your help!" Sasuke snapped.

For a moment, Utakata contemplated taking this response at face value since he had enjoyed his solitude. His conscience won out since he knew someone without any memories was likely not to make it far on their own.

"How will you remember anything if no one helps you?" Utakata asked. "Do you expect to remember on your own?"

"I can try and remember myself!" Sasuke retorted.

"You're a stubborn one." Utakata sighed as he took Sasuke's arm. "Let's go."

"What are you doing!?" Sasuke struggled against his grip as this guy dragged him along. "Let go of me!"

Utakata paid him no mind as he dragged this Uchiha into the forest. Eventually, the two of them arrived at a giant tree with an open hole in the trunk.

"Here we are." Utakata declared. "This is my temporary base for this week, and you can stay with me if you like."

"No thanks." Sasuke started to walk off. "I'll be going."

"How will you go anywhere if you can't remember where you were from?" Utakata asked.

"Fine, I'll stay for one night only." Sasuke relented.

"Then, enter and make yourself at home." Utakata walked in. "I'm getting food ready."

Sasuke followed the older man. Inside there were seats made of logs, a log table, various supplies, and a bed.

"I take it you're a traveler?" Sasuke asked.

"You could say that." Utakata reasoned.

"How old are you?" Sasuke asked.

"Not important." Utakata answered.

"Whatever. Where are you from?"

"Again, not important."

"Hn, fine."

"Now, I'm going to get dinner started." Utakata stated, walking away from him.

"What am I doing here?" Sasuke was left with his thoughts. "Why can't I remember anything? What was I doing before? None of this makes sense!" He then felt a sharp pain in his head making him grunt. "Dammit! My head! What the hell!?"

"Are you okay?" Utakata asked, coming back to him.

"My head is hurting!" Sasuke grunted.

"You must have a nasty headache." Utakata noted. "I think I have a remedy for that."

He left for a second.

"Why is this guy helping me?" Sasuke contemplated. "I try to push him away, yet he keeps insisting on being nice."

"It seems we have a change in plans." Utakata returned. "It looks like I must leave sooner than I thought."

"Why is that?" Sasuke asked.

"I was meant to meet somebody who would take me to another country in a week; however, he just sent his hawk." Utakata informed. "An urgent situation has cropped up. If I still want to depart this country with him, we must leave now."

"Have fun." Sasuke retorted.

"Don't you want to come with?" Utakata asked. "Who knows, maybe there is a good chance you'll get your memory back with me."

In the end, Utakata couldn't force Sasuke to come with, but he hoped the boy would agree.

Sasuke thought it over before sighing. "Hn, fine."

They went about packing everything.

"My destination is the shore." Utakata informed as they left the tree. "We'll have to travel far through the forest until we find it."

"Let's just get this over with." Sasuke retorted.

"Impatient, I see." Utakata shook his head. "Alright, let's make haste."

Konoha

Kakashi arrived back at Konoha with Naruto's body slung over his back and hurried his way over to the hospital.

"Kakashi Sensei!" Sakura approached him. "You're back, and you brought…" She noticed her blond teammate's current state. "Naruto? Is he okay!?"

"Naruto will be fine." Kakashi assured her. "He is tough, after all."

"Uh, where's Sasuke?" Sakura asked tentatively.

"I'm sorry Sakura, but we couldn't find him." Kakashi informed. "My guess is that he's gone to Orochimaru."

That made Sakura fall to her knees as tears came to her eyes. "SASUKE!"

Kakashi unfortunately had to dash off. He wanted to do more for his female student; however, Naruto needed to be tended to. Despite what he said, the blond was in a rougher shape physically than she was emotionally.

Land of Fire

Sasuke and Utakata continued their way through the forest.

"Who are we meeting at this shore?" Sasuke asked.

"I suppose you could call him a friend." Utakata informed.

"Why exactly are we going to meet him sooner than you intended?" Sasuke asked.

"While I am curious about that, and will ask about it, it doesn't ultimately matter to me." Utakata stated. "I've been ready to leave this country for quite some time."

"How long until we reach him?" Sasuke asked.

"We should arrive soon." Utakata responded.

Shore: Evening…

The pair arrived at a large shore with sand and ocean as far as the eye could see. There was a young man with a solid physique, jade-green eyes, and brown hair. He wore green and tan attire that seemed easy to move in.

"There you are, Yun." Utakata stated.

"Utakata, you received my message." Yun was relieved. "I was thinking I might have to leave without you." He then looked at Sasuke. "Who's this?"

"Sasuke Uchiha." Utakata informed. "I found him in a stream unconscious, and he

seems to have lost his memory."

"He's coming with, I take it?" Yun asked.

"Yes." Utakata stated.

Where are we going?" Sasuke asked.

"We're using this boat to take us to the South Pole." Yun answered.

"Why would we go there?" Sasuke asked.

"Utakata wants to get out of the country and doesn't really care where he goes." Yun stated. "As for me, this is personal."

"How long will take us to this South Pole?" Sasuke asked.

"Months, considering the South Pole is on the other side of the world." Yun answered. "Now, we must really be off."

"Right, come along Sasuke." Utakata stated.

"Whatever." Sasuke stated unimpressed. "Not like I have any better options."

The three of them clambered onto the boat and officially left the Shinobi Nations.

Ocean: Night…

Yun helmed the ship through the ocean while Sasuke and Utakata sat back.

Sasuke looked at Yun. "So, why did you have to leave early?"

"Believe it or not, I tend to receive visions of the future." Yun responded. "The change in plans resulted from one of a girl who will be in trouble if she does not receive help. She controls three of the four elements and will be the target of a masked man who seeks to destroy her."

"If I recall, from the materials you provided of this foreign country, what you've said makes this girl the Avatar." Utakata reasoned.

"That's right." Yun responded.

"He has visions of this 'Avatar' being in trouble?" Sasuke contemplated. "What does that mean?"

"Sasuke, you should go inside and get some rest." Utakata voiced. "I don't know what happened, but it's clearly been a long day for you."

Sasuke stood. "Fine."

"Hey, I wasn't expecting you to come, but take a look through any of the wardrobes you find inside, at your leisure." Yun voiced. "You might get lucky with the various outfits and find something you can wear."

"Anything would be better than that destroyed shirt." Utakata added.

"Hn." Sasuke responded as he walked inside.

He did stop at the first wardrobe, within the first room he entered, and found an outfit that seemed like it was roughly his size. It was a simple black shirt with matching pants. He changed into that before laying on the nearby bed. As Sasuke slept, his head started to hurt.

Sasuke's Dream

A younger Sasuke stood in a field with an older boy who wore some headband bearing a symbol.

"Big brother! Big brother!" Young Sasuke spoke excitedly.

"What do you need, Sasuke?" The boy asked.

"You promised you'd see my Shuriken Jutsu today!" Young Sasuke exclaimed.

"Oh, that." The boy realized. "I'm sorry, but I have an important mission…"

"You're such a liar!" Young Sasuke cut off with a pout.

"Sorry Sasuke." The boy sighed and poked his forehead. "Maybe next time."

Ocean: Early Morning…

"Who was that man?" Sasuke's eyes snapped open as he was shaking. "Why do I feel such rage when thinking about him?"

On the deck, Utakata looked to the sky and noticed dark clouds in the distance. "A storm is coming."

"Yeah." Yun nodded. "Looks like we might be in for rough waters any time today."

Later…

Yun continued to helm the ship; however, the ever-encroaching storm proceeded to make rather large waves that were becoming difficult to navigate.

"The weather seems to be getting worse." Utakata commented.

"That's not going to stop me from sailing." Yun returned, determined.

Not even a moment after he said that, thunder roared in the dark grey sky, lightning flashes in the distance, and it starts to rain heavily.

"This is what I feared." Utakata stated.

Sasuke had managed to fall back asleep for a while, with no strange dreams of seemingly his past this time, when the roaring thunder awoke him. He rushed out of the room and ran up to the deck, only to see what the others already were.

"This is not good." Sasuke noted. "You realize we won't survive, right?"

"Don't think negatively." Yun voiced. "I'm sure we'll make it."

Unfortunately, the weather continued to worsen. The rain became more intense, the waves were more aggressive, and more lightning flashed across the sky accompanied by roaring thunder that boomed all around them.

"At this rate, we'll be dead before reaching the South Pole." Utakata stated.

"Looks like I have no choice." Yun declared. "I'll need to transport us out of here."

"You told me you weren't a ninja the day we met." Utakata stated. "To my knowledge, bending can't transport us that far. Especially not Earthbending out here in the middle of the ocean."

"What I'm about to do doesn't really tie into either of those things." Yun retorted. "Just trust me, I'm getting us to the Elemental Nations."

Yun's right palm glowed with some form of bright green energy before he suddenly slammed it onto the deck of the ship. This energy spread until it was underneath all three of them, and they ended up falling within it. The boat, now vacant, was destroyed by the storm.

From what I recall, the person who found Sasuke and the one helming the boat were OC characters in the original story. Here, I have Utakata from Naruto, who got focus within his filler arc, while Yun is a character from the Avatar Kyoshi books. How the latter is here will be explained later while the former, I feel, would have left the Shinobi Nations if such an option were avalible to him. If you look at canon Naruto, it doesn't really allude to anything beyond the continent were canon occurs.

When it comes to filler/movies, we see that other land exists... at least within the context of filler. Within the context of this story, another land does exist, so Utakata is bailing. As for why he's not currently being tracked by the Mist effectively. At this point, it's over three years before we'd see him within his filler. While we do learn that the Tracker-Nin are still a thing at this time, I'd like to think they aren't as well put together as they are after Mei takes up the position of Mizukage.

Essentially, at this time, it's easier for Utakata to give the Tracker-Nin the slip, and he's utilized this time to make a friend that can see him out of the nation. Given his status as a Rouge Shinobi, and the fact that I feel he wouldn't abandon some amnesiac kid, Sasuke gets his ticket to the Elemental Nations. Beyond this, I picked a character people can know to give Sasuke a Sensei. From what I recall, he didn't have anyone in the Elemental Nations to teach him as a Shinobi in the prior story.