Just as Pain prepared to unleash another devastating attack, Sasuke let out a guttural scream, his voice filled with agony. His cursed mark transformation began to destabilize, and Pain paused, noticing something unusual happening to Sasuke. From within Sasuke's body, snakes—dozens of them—began to slither out, writhing and growing in number. The air around Sasuke twisted with dark chakra, and his once-controlled power seemed to spiral into chaos.

Sasuke's eyes widened in horror as he felt an overwhelming force inside him, something he thought he had suppressed. Pain, keeping his distance, observed with growing curiosity, unsure of the phenomenon unraveling before him.

Suddenly, one of the giant snakes emerging from Sasuke's body opened its mouth wide, and from its maw came a familiar, sinister laughter. Orochimaru, the long-dead menace, was reawakened. He stepped out of the snake, his body regenerating as if brought back to life through Sasuke's cursed mark.

Orochimaru cackled maniacally as he straightened himself, his serpentine eyes gleaming with malicious glee. "Sasuke… you fool," Orochimaru sneered. "You thought you could use the full power of the cursed mark without facing the consequences? Now I am reborn!"

Sasuke, clutching his head in pain, gritted his teeth, trying to force Orochimaru back. "No… I defeated you! I—"

But Orochimaru cut him off, stepping closer to his former pupil, his voice dripping with amusement. "Your body was only a temporary vessel, but now I have my chance to return, thanks to your greed for power."

Pain watched the chaotic scene unfold, his Rinnegan flickering between Sasuke and Orochimaru. "What is this?" Pain muttered, confused by the sudden appearance of the legendary Sannin. This was not part of his plan, nor was it an expected turn of events. Orochimaru's rebirth had thrown the battle into disarray.

Orochimaru, fully aware of Pain's presence, turned his gaze toward the Akatsuki leader. "Ah, Pain. So, you're still parading around with your god complex. How amusing," Orochimaru hissed, his tongue flicking out. "But you're in my way now. This boy's body belongs to me."

Sasuke, regaining some control, growled through the pain, his Mangekyo Sharingan still active. "I won't let you take over… Orochimaru!" he yelled, fighting to keep the cursed mark in check as he struggled to maintain dominance over his own body.

Orochimaru, however, was not so easily stopped. The snakes surrounding them grew in size, slithering around Sasuke and Pain, threatening to overwhelm the battlefield. Sasuke knew that if he didn't take back control soon, Orochimaru would fully seize his body.

In the far distance, away from the chaos of the battlefield, the Leaf Village's medical teams and Jonin worked tirelessly to heal the injured. Hinata, using her Byakugan, kept a close eye on the battle unfolding between Sasuke's team and Pain. As she observed, her face paled, and her voice trembled as she reported what she was seeing to the others around her.

"Sasuke… he's struggling. His cursed mark… it's active," Hinata said, her voice barely above a whisper. "And… Orochimaru… Orochimaru is back."

The shock was instant. The Jonin around her froze, exchanging glances filled with disbelief. Orochimaru—who they thought had been dealt with by Sasuke long ago—was now reappearing, taking advantage of Sasuke's cursed mark. This wasn't just a battle between Sasuke and Pain anymore; it had become far more dangerous and unpredictable.

Kakashi's absence was felt deeply in this moment, and Shizune, who had been attending to the injured, looked up in horror. "This is worse than we thought. If Orochimaru has reemerged, we could be looking at a disaster far worse than just Pain."

Sakura, hearing Hinata's words, clenched her fists tightly. Her eyes darted toward the horizon where the battle raged on, and her heart pounded in her chest. Sasuke, her former teammate and friend, was suffering. Despite everything that had happened between them, despite his choices, a part of her still wanted to help him. She took a step forward, determination in her eyes.

"I'm going in. I need to help him," Sakura said, her voice resolute.

But just as she was about to leap into action, Tsunade's hand shot out, gripping Sakura's arm tightly. "No, Sakura," Tsunade commanded firmly. "You cannot go in there."

"But, Lady Tsunade—!"

Tsunade's eyes, hardened by years of battle and loss, softened only for a moment as she looked at Sakura. "If you go in there, you'll be caught in the middle of their fight. You will die, Sakura. Orochimaru, Sasuke, Pain—they're on a level you cannot reach right now."

Sakura's eyes widened, her body trembling in frustration. She wanted to argue, to scream that she could help, that she couldn't just stand by and watch. But she knew Tsunade was right. Going into that battle would be suicide.

The Jonin surrounding them muttered amongst themselves, some nodding in agreement with Tsunade's words. They had all seen how terrifyingly powerful Pain was, and now with Orochimaru thrown into the mix, the stakes had escalated far beyond their expectations.

Hinata, still observing with her Byakugan, suddenly gasped. "It's getting worse. Sasuke's chakra is unstable… it's like he's losing control. Orochimaru's influence is growing."

Shizune stepped forward, her voice urgent. "We need to fall back and protect the village. If Orochimaru and Pain clash at full power, the destruction will reach us soon."

Tsunade nodded grimly. "We prepare for the worst. Evacuate the injured and set up a defensive perimeter. No one is to engage unless absolutely necessary."

Sakura bit her lip, tears welling up in her eyes as she turned her back to the battlefield. She had to trust that Sasuke would find a way to survive, just as he always had. For now, all they could do was brace themselves for whatever chaos would follow.

Itachi finally arrived at the outskirts of the Leaf Village, his breath steady but his heart heavy with the sight that greeted him. The village—the home he had once sworn to protect in secret—lay in ruins. Buildings reduced to rubble, smoke rising from countless fires, and bodies strewn across the battlefield. Only the stoic faces of the Hokage monuments remained, standing as silent witnesses to the destruction.

As he moved closer, his sharp Sharingan eyes scanned the chaos, and amidst the wreckage and devastation, something caught his attention. His younger brother, Sasuke, was in the middle of it all. Itachi's eyes widened in disbelief as he saw his brother screaming, writhing in agony. Snakes—countless, twisted, dark snakes—were emerging from Sasuke's body, a familiar and haunting sight that sent a chill down Itachi's spine.

Orochimaru.

Itachi's mind raced. How was Orochimaru here? He had assumed Sasuke had already dealt with the rogue sannin long ago. Yet there Orochimaru stood, laughing maniacally as he was being reborn from Sasuke's cursed mark, his presence a dark stain on the battlefield.

But that wasn't all. Not far from them, the figure of Pain, one of the most dangerous enemies the world had ever faced, was unleashing his fury. His Paths were attacking Sasuke's team, who were barely holding on. Suigetsu was parrying blows from the Animal Path's giant summons, Karin was trying to stay out of harm's way, and Jugo was still in his cursed form, fighting with everything he had to protect Sasuke.

Itachi's hands clenched into fists at his sides. Sasuke had returned to the Leaf Village, but why? Why now? And why had he allowed Orochimaru's influence to resurface? There was no time to dwell on questions; the situation was dire.

Itachi landed gracefully in the midst of the chaos, his presence immediately shifting the balance of the battle. Without wasting a moment, he activated his Mangekyo Sharingan and unleashed Amaterasu, the inextinguishable black flames, directly upon Pain's giant summons. The multi-headed dog, the giant drilled beak bird, the rhino, and the centipede were all consumed by the flames, writhing and collapsing under the unbearable heat.

Sasuke's team—Karin, Jugo, and Suigetsu—watched in stunned silence. The overwhelming power of the black flames combined with Itachi's controlled movements left them in awe. They had seen Sasuke use the same flames before, but Itachi's mastery was on another level entirely.

"Is that… Itachi?" Karin whispered, almost in disbelief.

Jugo nodded, his cursed mark still active. "Looks like Sasuke's brother just saved us."

Suigetsu, who was normally full of snarky remarks, remained silent, watching as Itachi systematically dismantled the threat before them.

Itachi then turned his attention to Orochimaru, who had been laughing maniacally at Sasuke's suffering just moments before. But now, Orochimaru's expression shifted to one of horror as he saw the fully formed Susanoo take shape around Itachi—its skeletal form quickly solidifying into an imposing, armored warrior.

Orochimaru, realizing what was coming, sneered in frustration. "No… No! No!" he hissed. His serpentine eyes flicked toward the Totsuka Blade—

With a swift motion, Itachi's Susanoo brought down the ethereal blade. Orochimaru's laughter turned into a shriek of rage and fear. "Curse you, Itachi!" Orochimaru yelled as the Totsuka Blade pierced through him, sealing him away once more into the endless genjutsu of the sword. His body twisted and contorted before being pulled into the blade's gourd, disappearing from the physical realm.

Sasuke, still struggling with the remnants of his cursed mark, gasped as he saw Orochimaru's form vanish before his eyes. He had felt the pull of Orochimaru's power within him just moments ago, but now it was gone. His body relaxed slightly, though pain still wracked him from the aftereffects of his transformation.

"Brother…" Sasuke muttered, his voice weak, a mixture of relief and confusion on his face.

But Itachi didn't turn to him just yet. His attention was still focused on Pain, who stood unflinching despite the loss of his summons and the overwhelming power that Itachi had just displayed. The Deva Path's expression remained cold, but there was a glint of recognition in his Rinnegan eyes as he regarded Itachi.

As Karin worked quickly to heal Sasuke's wounds, Sasuke slowly got back on his feet, his eyes filled with determination. He walked toward Itachi, still feeling the weight of the battle and the revelations he had uncovered. The intense atmosphere between the brothers grew heavier as Sasuke finally spoke.

"I know the truth about the Uchiha massacre," Sasuke said, his voice low but filled with emotion. "I know everything, Itachi. Danzo's files… they showed me what really happened."

Itachi's eyes narrowed, but his expression remained calm. "How did you come across this information?"

Sasuke explained, "I was here, in the Leaf Village, stealing scrolls for my own purposes when I discovered Danzo's secret files. I wanted revenge on the Leaf for what they did to our clan." He clenched his fists as the anger of his past desires boiled up within him. "I wanted to destroy everything… but now, I see a different path."

Itachi studied his younger brother carefully. "If you sought revenge against the Leaf, why are you here defending it now?" he asked, his voice measured, though a flicker of something—perhaps hope or curiosity—played beneath the surface.

Sasuke took a deep breath. "I still want to see this village suffer for its sins, but not by Pain's hands. If I allow Pain to destroy everything, there will be nothing left to rebuild. I will defeat him, and when I do, I will take control of the Leaf. I will rebuild this village in my own image—one where mistakes like the Uchiha massacre will never happen again."

Itachi's expression softened, though his gaze remained intense. He understood his brother's pain, the scars left behind by the lies and manipulation of the village elders. "Sasuke… I'm sorry," Itachi whispered, his voice filled with remorse for the choices he had made that led his brother down this dark path. "Everything I did… I did for you. But it seems I only pushed you further into darkness."

Sasuke's face tightened, but there was no anger in his eyes, just resolve. "It doesn't matter anymore, Itachi. The past is done. But if you're still willing to fight by my side, we can end this now."

Itachi looked at Sasuke, proud yet sorrowful. "Forgive me, Sasuke," he said softly. "For everything."

Sasuke, however, was focused on the present. He nodded to his older brother. "We'll talk about that later. Right now, we fight."

The two brothers, now united against a common enemy, turned their attention back to Pain, who was still standing amidst the chaos, observing them with his cold Rinnegan gaze. Despite his calm demeanor, Pain could sense the shift in the battle. With both Uchiha brothers now aligned, he knew this would be no ordinary fight.

The Deva Path Pain raised his hand, preparing for another powerful attack, but Itachi and Sasuke moved in unison. Itachi's Susanoo activated once more, protecting them from Pain's next Shinra Tensei, while Sasuke charged forward with his Chidori, aiming to strike one of the remaining paths.

In the distance, amidst the chaos of the battlefield, Hinata stood with her Byakugan activated, her gaze fixed on the two Uchiha brothers fighting side by side. She turned to the others, her voice steady despite the turmoil around them. "That man in the same robes… he's fighting alongside Sasuke."

Tsunade's eyes widened in disbelief as she followed Hinata's line of sight. The realization hit her hard. "Itachi…? But why would a member of the Akatsuki attack their own? This doesn't make sense."

Hinata, still observing the brothers, replied, "It looks like they're working together now. Maybe Itachi has reconciled with Sasuke after everything that's happened."

Sakura stood nearby, a whirlwind of emotions swirling within her. She felt a mix of fear and relief as she watched Sasuke and Itachi fighting against Pain. "I can't believe it," she murmured. "Sasuke… he's fighting for the village after all."

Tsunade, her mind racing, considered the implications of this unexpected alliance. "If Itachi is truly on our side, this could change everything," she said, her voice tinged with cautious hope. "But we need to understand his intentions. His past actions were driven by a twisted sense of duty."

Sakura felt a surge of determination at the thought. "If Sasuke and Itachi are together, then maybe we can finally turn the tide against Pain. They have the power to end this."

As they continued to watch, the sight of the two brothers fighting in sync filled them with a renewed sense of hope. Sasuke, empowered by Itachi's presence, unleashed a torrent of Chidori while Itachi deftly countered with his Amaterasu, creating a powerful combination that forced Pain on the defensive.

Sasuke stood at the forefront of the battlefield, his Susanoo enveloping him in an ethereal glow. Behind him, his team watched intently, their expressions a mix of admiration and anticipation. The swirling energy of Susanoo crackled with power, reflecting Sasuke's determination.

"It's time," Sasuke said, his voice steady. "We'll push forward together."

Itachi glanced at him, a proud smile crossing his face. "I'm impressed, Sasuke. You've managed to keep up with me. Your training has paid off."

Sasuke smirked, the confidence shining in his eyes. "I've had a lot of motivation to improve." He took a breath, focusing his chakra. "Let's synchronize our visual prowess. We need to overwhelm Pain."

Itachi nodded, the seriousness returning to his demeanor. They had fought together countless times in the past, and now was no different. Together, they prepared their most powerful techniques.

As Sasuke conjured a massive arrow made of Amaterasu, its flames danced menacingly in the air. "Now!" he shouted, launching the arrow toward Pain.

At the same moment, Itachi unleashed his Yasaka Beads, sending them flying through the air with precision. The beads spiraled around the arrow, creating a deadly combination that surged toward Pain like a fiery storm.

The explosion that followed was tremendous. The combined jutsu struck Pain with incredible force, the impact sending shockwaves through the battlefield. Debris flew in all directions, and the ground shook beneath them as flames and smoke engulfed the area where Pain stood.

Sasuke and Itachi stood firm, their Susanoo and chakra shielding them from the blast. As the dust began to settle, they spotted Pain, but the impact of their attack had left him reeling, though he was not yet defeated.

"Now's our chance!" Sasuke yelled to his team. "Let's finish this!"

Sasuke stood tall, his body crackling with chakra as he gathered the immense energy needed for his ultimate jutsu. Dark clouds gathered ominously above the battlefield, swirling with electric energy, casting a shadow over the chaos that had engulfed the Leaf Village. His teammates watched in awe, the air thick with anticipation and dread.

"Everyone, stay back!" Sasuke commanded, his voice sharp and authoritative. "This jutsu is too powerful; I don't want anyone getting caught in the crossfire!"

In the distance, villagers who had taken refuge in the safety of buildings peered out, their faces a mixture of fear and wonder. The sky roared as thunder crackled and lit up the area, illuminating the destruction wrought by Pain's attack. Sasuke felt the weight of the situation pressing down on him—he had to end this, for the village, for his brother, and for everyone who had suffered.

"Itachi," Sasuke called out, his eyes focused on the swirling storm above. "This jutsu was originally meant to be used against you, but now it's going to be used for the sake of the village!"

Itachi nodded, understanding the gravity of what Sasuke was about to unleash. "I trust you, Sasuke. We'll end this together."

With a powerful wave of his hand, Sasuke channeled the energy he had summoned, directing it downwards with fierce determination. "KIRIN!" he yelled, his voice echoing through the battlefield.

The thunder dragon roared to life, its massive form shimmering with electricity as it descended from the stormy clouds. It tore through the sky, a fearsome force of nature, illuminating the ground with blinding light. As it barreled toward Pain, the ground shook beneath its might, and the air crackled with the intensity of its power.

Pain's remaining bodies quickly regrouped, sensing the imminent threat. He focused all his remaining strength on trying to defend against this overwhelming force. "You think you can defeat me with this?" he shouted defiantly, but even he could feel the dread as the dragon loomed closer.

The thunder dragon roared as it struck downward, lightning coursing through its body, aiming directly at Pain. The explosion that followed was cataclysmic. A brilliant flash lit up the battlefield as the dragon collided with Pain, sending shockwaves rippling outward. Buildings shook, debris was thrown into the air, and a deafening roar echoed throughout the village.

Sasuke stood firm, his Susanoo flickering slightly from the residual energy of the jutsu. He watched as the dust settled, and the aftermath of his attack began to reveal itself. The battlefield was awash in smoke and the smell of scorched earth.

"It's done…" he murmured, his heart racing. Had he truly defeated Pain? He felt a surge of relief but couldn't let his guard down yet. He needed to be sure.

As the smoke cleared, Pain staggered, the immense energy of Sasuke's Kirin jutsu having taken its toll. The remaining paths of Pain struggled to stand, the power of the attack leaving them severely weakened.

As the smoke began to clear, Sasuke suddenly felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him. The immense power he had summoned for the Kirin took its toll, and he lost his balance, collapsing to his knees. Just as he was about to fall face-first to the ground, Itachi was there to catch him, his grip steady and reassuring.

"Don't worry, Sasuke. I'm here," Itachi said, his voice calm and supportive. The sight of his older brother, whom he had long idolized and mourned, reignited a flicker of strength within Sasuke.

Sasuke's team rushed to his side, concern etched on their faces. "That thunder dragon was insane!" Suigetsu exclaimed, trying to catch his breath. "I thought we were done for when it came crashing down!"

Karin quickly knelt beside Sasuke, her hands glowing with healing chakra. "Just hold on, Sasuke. I'll fix you up!" she said, focusing intently on channeling her energy into him. The warmth spread through him, easing the exhaustion and pain he felt.

As he regained some strength, Sasuke looked up at Itachi, his brow furrowed with concern. "What do you plan to do now?" he asked, his voice slightly hoarse but steady.

Itachi paused, contemplating the question. He looked at the chaos around them, the remnants of battle and the lives lost. "If you truly plan to take charge of the village," he began, his tone serious, "I want to help you. I will serve as your right-hand man. This time, I will be the brother you deserve."

Sasuke felt a surge of emotions at Itachi's words, his heart swelling with a mix of gratitude and resolve. A smirk slowly crept across his face, an expression he hadn't worn in what felt like ages. "I can't believe I'm actually hearing this," he said, resting his head against Karin's lap, seeking comfort and support. "For once, I won't have to bear this burden alone."

"Rest up, Sasuke," Itachi said, gently patting his brother's shoulder. "I'll make sure no other danger approaches."

Karin, glancing nervously at the battlefield, added, "We'll handle things from here. Just focus on getting better."

As Sasuke closed his eyes, letting the healing chakra work its magic, he felt a strange sense of peace wash over him. He had his brother back, and together, they would reclaim their village. He could hear the voices of his team rallying behind him, their determination palpable. The battle wasn't over yet, but with Itachi by his side, Sasuke knew they could face whatever came next.

As the dust began to settle and the echoes of battle faded, Tsunade stood amidst the debris of the Leaf Village, her heart racing. The sounds of victory rang out as the last of Pain's bodies fell, and she could feel the weight of relief washing over her.

One of the ANBU agents approached her, a hint of disbelief in their voice. "Lady Tsunade, the battle is over. Itachi and Sasuke have successfully defeated Pain."

Tsunade's expression softened. "Is that so?" She allowed herself a small smile, proud of the brothers for what they had achieved. "What about the rest of the Akatsuki?"

"They're still a threat," the ANBU replied, "but for now, we should focus on the aftermath. Should we restrain them?"

"No," Tsunade said firmly, shaking her head. "They are heroes of the village now. We'll give them the respect they deserve."

As Tsunade spoke, the crowd began to gather around Sasuke and Itachi, who were still recovering from their immense battle. Sakura, Hinata, and the other academy students rushed forward, their faces alight with admiration and relief.

"You were amazing, Sasuke!" Sakura exclaimed, her voice ringing with pride. "You really showed them how strong you are!"

"Yeah! You totally took down Pain!" one of the younger ninja added, awe evident in their eyes.

"He's definitely stronger than us," another chimed in, nodding vigorously.

Sasuke smiled faintly, his fatigue lingering, but he felt warmth in their praise. It was a stark contrast to the isolation he had experienced in the past. But then he noticed where he was resting—his head was on Karin's lap. A pang of jealousy flickered within Sakura, but she pushed it down, reminding herself that this wasn't the moment for such feelings. This was about the village and their victory.

The villagers, overwhelmed with gratitude, began to chant their names. "Sasuke! Itachi! Heroes! Heroes!" The energy grew, and before Sasuke could comprehend what was happening, the villagers surged forward, lifting him and Itachi into the air.

"Throw them! They're our heroes!" someone shouted, and the crowd erupted in excitement. They tossed Sasuke and Itachi high above their heads, laughter and cheers echoing through the village.

Sasuke felt a mix of exhilaration and disbelief as he soared above the crowd, the faces of his friends and villagers beaming up at him. Itachi, beside him, wore a rare smile, his usual stoic demeanor softened by the moment.

As they landed back on the ground, the crowd surrounded them, their voices a chorus of appreciation. "Thank you! Thank you for saving us!"

Sasuke exchanged a glance with Itachi, who nodded in understanding. In that moment, they both realized that this was a turning point—not just for the village, but for their relationship as brothers. Together, they would rebuild not only the village but also the bonds that had been broken long ago.