Naruto: Passerby and Returnee

Chapter 96 The Influence of the Cursed Seal

The underground cavern was dark and damp, with only a beam of light falling along the intertwined tree roots into its center, illuminating the wooden statue with its eyes closed. Suddenly, the space beneath the statue twisted at a single point, and a figure emerged from that point, standing steadily on the tree roots.

"Obito, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki's strength has exceeded expectations. Aren't we going to intervene?" A jet-black head emerged from the shadows, but it had no normal facial features, only a yellow circle attached to a jet-black liquid that could be deformed at will. This thing, which clearly shouldn't have any vocal organs, actually emitted a hoarse, rough human voice.

"I told you not to call me by that name." The orange swirling mask turned around, a hint of displeasure showing in its only red pupil. "The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki has already been replaced once. Another attack will alert Konoha. The current Akatsuki is not ready to be enemies of the ninja world."

"It's good that you know what's going on, but don't let carelessness cause the plan to fail."

"Hmph, you don't need to say more, I will definitely complete the plan."

"Project Eye of the Moon".

He woke up to an unfamiliar ceiling and the dreaded smell of disinfectant. He had slept so soundly, both physically and mentally, that thankfully Kurama was there to fill in at his information center, preventing any mishaps. However, as soon as he habitually released his senses, Sasuke's chakra state immediately sent him sprawling off the bed.

For the first time, he felt this body was so difficult to control. It took him five steps to cross a single bed, and three seconds to pull back Sasuke's blanket. Even after seeing the clear mark on Sasuke's neck, his mind was still blank. Those three comma-like marks marked the beginning of Orochimaru's takeover of Sasuke. He could clearly sense a portion of Orochimaru's chakra from the cursed seals. They cleverly concealed themselves under the cover of natural energy, making them virtually undetectable without careful observation.

Damn it! He tried so hard to separate Sasuke and Orochimaru, why did the broken seal still apply?! Can't this perverted sage be a little more reliable?!

In Naruto's memory, it was this seal that amplified Sasuke's thirst for power, becoming the catalyst for Sasuke's decision to defect. He had indeed considered that letting Orochimaru raise the child wouldn't be a problem, but as this possibility drew closer, his inner anxiety told him that he didn't actually want to let go of Sasuke's hand. If Sasuke chose that path again… what should he do? Fight another battle at the Valley of the End? Or simply kill Orochimaru—after all, with Anko-sensei around, he wouldn't die…

"Naruto? You're awake!" The surprised voice stopped Naruto's rationality from sliding into the abyss. He mechanically raised his head and saw Sakura, who had cut her long hair, walking in quickly in a small white coat. "Why did you get out of bed? Master said it would take you another week to slowly recover your physical functions. Go back to bed now!"

Seeing the image of Sakura that almost perfectly matched his memory of her, Naruto was momentarily dazed, and then one of his hands was hoisted onto Sakura's shoulder. After the initial impulse subsided, he realized that he was in pain all over his body, and his legs suddenly felt weak. If Sakura hadn't supported him, he might have fallen to the ground.

Naruto was a reasonably cooperative patient; he obediently lay down, but his eyes kept glancing at the bed next to him, which made Sakura sigh.

Before Naruto could ask, Sakura explained, "Sasuke was struck by Orochimaru's cursed seal and was unconscious for half a day. But he didn't want to leave because you weren't awake, so he decided to have you hospitalized for observation as well. Master said that the cursed seal is corrosive, and she has tried to suppress its power with sealing techniques, but she still can't eradicate it. The sealing technique was just applied when Sasuke fainted again, so Master brought him here to rest."

Sasuke has already woken up?

"How long have I been in a coma?"

"It's been two days. You're just in time to wake up. It's not good to keep giving him IV fluids all the time. Eat something before you go back to sleep." Sakura, who had been interning at the hospital for quite some time, skillfully performed a test on Naruto's five senses. She quickly went out to prepare a nutritious meal for him and then hurriedly left.

Sakura is really different from before. In her previous life, she would probably still be by Sasuke's bedside at this time. Now, however, she is helping out at the hospital, running all over the floor all morning before she has a chance to come and rest here.

The friends who weren't on missions gradually came to visit them at the hospital, their bedsides piled high with all sorts of gifts. Sasuke remained taciturn, but during Naruto's recovery, he rarely left the ward, often sitting by Naruto's bedside, lost in thought.

Naruto had no idea what Sasuke was thinking. Emotional perception couldn't reveal a person's thoughts, and no matter how he tried to probe, Sasuke wouldn't reveal a single detail, making him much harder to understand than when they were children. It was as if he had grown up overnight, had his own little secrets, and his intense emotions had gradually decreased, making him quite calm most of the time.

While things seemed peaceful and serene at the hospital, the power struggle at the higher levels was like a raging storm.

This is the second time the Cursed Seal of Heaven has appeared. The previous victim, Anko, was able to live a peaceful life because she was truly unremarkable and received the Third Hokage's protection. Sasuke, however, is the last surviving member of the Uchiha clan, has awakened the Sharingan, and is one of only three Chunin to advance in this generation. It can be said that his surname signifies a boundless future.

But now, everything has changed because of the cursed seal.

In the Konoha Crush plan, Orochimaru's covetousness of Sasuke's body was completely undisguised. Now, he's even imprinted a cursed seal on him. No one knows if this thing has mutated after more than a decade, or if it might possess even more dangerous abilities. Therefore, Sasuke has also been classified as a dangerous asset by the higher-ups. Naruto and Kurama get along well and are single-mindedly focused on becoming Hokage, so there's almost no risk of him going out of control. In this case, the Sharingan's safety net isn't as important; if all else fails, Kakashi can try it. If Itachi Uchiha hadn't still been alive, their true colors would have been even more terrifying.

"We all know that Orochimaru's research has succeeded. If Sasuke falls into his hands, it will only be a disaster. Sasuke is no longer suitable to leave the village. We should protect him properly and make sure the cursed seal is safe before thinking about anything else." Danzo said shamelessly, "I suggest handing him over to Root. I will train him to become the sharpest blade in Konoha."

Mitomon Homura nodded in agreement, saying, "'Root' has nurtured countless talents for Konoha; this is indeed a good method."

"Princess Tsunade, let's do it this way. Sasuke's condition is no longer suitable for him to stay by the side of a Jinchuriki. What if..."

Before Koharu could finish speaking, several cracks suddenly appeared on the round table in front of her, the source of which was Tsunade's clenched fist.

Tsunade raised her head with a bright smile and said, "What were you all saying just now? I didn't hear you. Would you like to repeat it?"