Naruto : Cruel Rebirth

While Sasuke and his group were resting, a rotating vortex suddenly appeared. Though the timing was slightly different, the masked Obito still appeared before Sasuke! 

In a low voice, Obito greeted him, 

"Yo, Sasuke..." 

Sasuke, Karin, and Suigetsu all stood up at once! 

Karin frowned, 

"That guy's chakra just appeared out of nowhere. How could this be?" 

Suigetsu lazily remarked, 

"Oh, what bad luck!" 

Sasuke, coldly answered

"How did you know I was here?" 

Obito replied nonchalantly, 

"Don't underestimate me. I have my own abilities~." 

Kamui's space-time jutsu works similarly to the Flying Raijin's mark, but Kamui's mark can be left with the eyes, making it more convenient. Both marks are indelible (except by Yin-Yang Release). 

Sasuke coldly said, 

"Why are you showing up here now? The Hawk has already separated from Akatsuki, and we're no longer involved with you!" 

Obito responded with a serious tone, 

"I told you, betraying Akatsuki only leads to death. You've broken the agreement we made!" 

Sasuke frowned, 

"What are you talking about?" 

Obito replied, 

"The matter of capturing the Tailed Beasts." 

Karin asked, 

"Didn't we already catch the Eight-Tails for you?" 

Obito replied, 

"That was just a decoy. What I'm saying is, you failed." 

"!?" 

Sasuke and the others were shocked. 

Obito continued, 

"You've been completely played by the Eight-Tails... Honestly, I'm extremely disappointed in you." 

Sasuke remembered the battle at the Cloud Thunder Valley: "I confirmed with my Sharingan, there was no chance for him to use any clones..."

Then, a small detail came to his mind. The moment he used the Chidori Sharp Spear to cut off the Eight-Tails' tail, it sank into the river!

Could it be... that was when it happened?

Suigetsu said firmly, "Even so, what do you expect us to do? We have no more ties to you! Daimyo-sama." 

Obito replied, "No, I just hope you can finish what Akatsuki assigned you. That said, forget about the Eight-Tails. There's something else I need you to do today."

Sasuke asked, "What if I refuse?"

Obito spoke as if to himself, "I came here to find you because I don't want you going to Konohagakure anymore…"

"Looks like I'll have to take a more forceful approach!"

Sasuke activated Chidori and charged... but it passed right through Obito!

"!"

Sasuke was shocked, remembering the situation with Deidara: "My attack passed right through again, just like last time. Is that his ability?"

Obito glanced sideways: "I've heard of your goals, but unfortunately, they will be in vain…"

Sasuke turned around, asking, "What do you mean?"

Obito replied, "Konohagakure has disappeared…"

Sasuke and the others were stunned.

Karin asked, "What happened?"

Rustling sounds filled the air as a white Zetsu appeared from the ground beside Obito.

Karin watched warily, "What's that?"

"Don't worry, he's my ally," Obito said, glancing at White Zetsu. "Who became Hokage?"

Zetsu answered, "That guy, Danzo."

Obito said, "It's just as I thought..."

Sasuke frowned. "Danzo... became Hokage?"

Obito explained, "Yes, he's one of the Konoha higher-ups who forced your brother out. He's now the new Hokage of Konohagakure."

Sasuke finally asked, "What happened to Konohagakure?"

Obito glanced at Sasuke's companions behind him. "What about your subordinate, Jugo?"

Suigetsu replied, "That guy went to fetch water. It's taking a while, though..."

Karin adjusted her glasses, "Everyone's such a handful!" Her expression was serious, but inside, she was thinking, *Sasuke, hurry up and fire them. Run off with me, haha...*

Suigetsu shrugged, "It's not like you can't drink my water if you're thirsty. Jugo went to get water just for you~."

Karin clenched her fist and her veins bulged on her forehead. "Who'd want to drink your stupid water? What if I end up becoming as dumb as you!?"

Her inner thoughts were full of fantasies: *And then we can have kids, hehe...*

Suigetsu remarked, "You're already not that smart, so it wouldn't make much of a difference..."

"Idiot~~~!!" 

*Thud!!* Karin punched Suigetsu in the head, knocking him down and kicking him as he screamed in pain.

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

Watching the scene unfold, Obito looked annoyed and said, "Forget it, it's fine. It won't affect what we need to discuss next... Konohagakure was destroyed by my subordinate, Pain. Sasuke, you and Pain were too bold, and now the Five Kage are moving against you!"

Sasuke's gaze darkened. "The Five Kage..."

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

Zetsu spoke up, "Let me explain what happens next~!"

The news that Naruto had defected from Konohagakure and killed his fellow villagers spread through the village like wildfire, thanks to the Root organization. 

Previously, Root had spread rumors that Pain, the leader of Akatsuki, had attacked Konohagakure in collusion with Naruto, a staged event meant to gain the villagers' trust. However, after Danzo saw through the plot, Naruto had fled the village overnight. 

At first, people were skeptical of the rumors, as Naruto had spent over a decade earning the villagers' trust through his actions. 

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

The people of Konohagakure gathered in front of a makeshift tent where high-ranking officials were meeting, waiting for news. 

Once it was confirmed that the content of the scroll was true, public opinion completely flipped…! 

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

"This demon, Naruto, has been hiding too well!" 

"We've all been deceived!!" 

"That damn Naruto should be executed!" 

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

Danzo walked in, his voice steady: 

"Konohagakure has always been ruthless with traitors. It is only because of the Fifth Hokage's leniency that we've ended up in this situation…" 

"But I will bring this situation under control and give the villagers of Konohagakure an explanation!" 

After a brief silence, an explosive cheer erupted: 

"We swear to support Danzo-sama's leadership to the death!" 

No one noticed the sly smile curling at the corner of Danzo's mouth under his Hokage hat. 

--- 

In the cave where Naruto and Konan were hiding. 

Konan: "Are you ready to start?" 

Naruto: "Yeah, let's begin." 

Konan lifted Mitarashi Anko: "I still can't believe this is really possible." 

Naruto: "The cursed seal that Orochimaru developed is essentially a separate consciousness. As long as the cursed seal exists, he can never die... But to awaken him, we need the blueprint for the seal. I already have it, from Jugo." 

Naruto stepped forward and placed his left hand on the cursed seal on Anko's neck. 

*Whoosh!* The chakra absorbed from Jugo's cursed seal flowed into it. 

Naruto's hand slowly lifted, and then… 

*Rustle rustle rustle!* A white snake emerged from the cursed seal on Anko's neck, its mouth opening as Orochimaru's magnificent form appeared. 

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

"..."

Naruto and Konan both took a step back.

From the pool of viscous fluid, Orochimaru rose, his slit-like pupils fixed on the blond-haired boy before him. In a husky yet seductive voice, he chuckled, "Heh heh heh, what a surprise. I never would have dreamed that the one to bring me back to the world… would be you, Naruto."