Another two months had passed.
During these two months, after saying goodbye to his parents, Sasuke's mood had brightened a little.
But only a little.
Because he knew that his older brother was still locked in Konoha's dungeon, suffering endless torment.
Sasuke had not gone to visit him.
He didn't know what to say to that man.
Should he question why he killed their parents? Or thank him for sparing his life?
'Forget it.'
Every time Sasuke thought about this, his mind became a tangled mess, and he ultimately gave up.
So, every time he walked down the street, Sasuke was pondering his own future.
He could no longer find a reason to stay in this world.
His parents were dead, his clan was dead, his brother had become both enemy and benefactor, and the way the villagers looked at him had become subtle.
And whenever he recalled the Infinite Tsukuyomi Plan that Itachi had mentioned to him, he increasingly felt that this plan was feasible.
Just as Obito said in the original work… what's wrong with a world of dreams? Reality is too cruel.
When Obito said things like that, it sounded more like self-indulgent whining, because his motive, no matter how you put it, was simply that his goddess had died.
But now Sasuke truly had the right to say this, because he felt that no matter which path he took, it was a dead end. Even after learning the truth behind the Uchiha Massacre, the way the villagers of Konoha looked at him was strange.
Apart from Naruto and Sakura, few people were willing to get close to him.
While the former Konoha rookies like Kiba, Shino, Hinata, and others would greet him if they met, but that was all.
That deliberate distance was more painful than outright rejection.
Just as Sasuke was aimlessly wandering the streets of Konoha again—
"Hey, kid!"
A sharp voice came from behind.
Sasuke stopped and looked back.
There stood the Four Gay Bros, led by the Teddy Devil, lined up in a row. Their four muscular, devilish forms scared people away.
Teddy Devil raised his thumb, pointing towards the Ninja World Government on the mountain behind him, and said bluntly:
"Boss wants you."
Sasuke frowned slightly.
He didn't particularly want to see Makoto.
After all, he was the one who had taken his father's and brother's eyes.
Moreover, talking to Makoto always made Sasuke feel like he was being completely seen through.
But he obediently followed the Four Gay Bros.
Later.
In the reception hall of the Ninja World Government.
Sasuke and Makoto talked for several hours.
No one knew exactly what they discussed.
They only knew that when Sasuke came out, the expression on his face was lighter than when he had gone in, as if he had been relieved of some burden.
After this, Sasuke officially returned to his Ninja duties and began carrying out missions.
Naruto and Sakura were overjoyed, believing that Sasuke had finally 'returned'.
Naruto was so excited he cried, grabbing Sasuke's hand and saying "Our Team 7 is finally revived," only to be pushed away by a disgusted-looking Sasuke.
Sakura smiled like a flower beside them, hoping that these days would never end.
However, this joy did not last long.
Soon after, Jiraiya found Naruto.
"Naruto, come train with me."
Jiraiya's tone was serious for once, lacking his usual joking demeanor.
"You will face increasingly stronger enemies in the future. With your current strength, you will constantly be in danger."
Naruto paused, then frowned.
To be honest, he was reluctant.
Sasuke had just returned to normal, and now he had to leave. He really couldn't bear it.
"Pervy Sage, can't we wait a while?"
Naruto scratched his head, trying to negotiate.
"Can I go after Sasuke has completely settled down?"
Jiraiya's mouth twitched.
He looked at Naruto's reluctant face, wondering whether he should play the 'I was your father's teacher' card.
Just as Jiraiya was hesitating, he was interrupted by a panicked voice.
"Naruto! Something terrible happened!"
Sakura, pale-faced, ran over in a fluster.
"Sasuke has been taken away by a monster!"
At these words, both Naruto and Jiraiya were startled.
Jiraiya grabbed Sakura by the shoulder and asked in a deep voice, "Calm down! What happened?"
Sakura took a deep breath, forced herself to calm down, and recounted what had happened.
It turned out that she and Sasuke were on their way to report the completion of their mission as usual.
On the road, a strange figure, half black and half white, wrapped in venus flytrap leaves, had suddenly emerged from the ground and said to Sasuke: "If you want to complete the Infinite Tsukuyomi, come with me."
Then Sasuke had left with him.
Sakura tried desperately to stop him, but Sasuke put her to sleep with a Genjutsu.
When she woke up, Sasuke was gone.
"Half black, half white, venus flytrap..."
Hearing this description, Jiraiya immediately guessed the person's identity.
'The Akatsuki's reconnaissance expert… Zetsu.'
Without a word, Naruto started to rush out.
"I'm going after him!"
"Stop!"
Jiraiya grabbed the back of Naruto's collar, lifting him back like a kitten.
"Do you even know which direction he went?"
Naruto's expression changed from excited to bewildered.
Sakura also lowered her head, biting her lip, unable to speak.
Just then, the Hyuga sisters, Hinata and Hanabi, happened to pass by.
Seeing Naruto and Sakura looking so anxious, Hinata stopped and asked softly, "Naruto-kun, Sakura... what's wrong?"
Naruto's eyes lit up when he saw Hinata's pure white eyes.
'The Hyuga Clan's Byakugan!'
'I remembered it could see very far!'
"Hinata! Can you use your Byakugan to see where Sasuke went?"
Naruto rushed up, clasped his hands together, and looked at her pleadingly.
Beside him, Jiraiya rolled his eyes.
'This kid is getting desperate... Even for an elite of the Hyuga main family, the Byakugan's maximum range is about ten kilometers. Sakura had been unconscious for a while... Sasuke was long gone.'
Naruto ignored Jiraiya's silent criticism and continued to look at Hinata pleadingly.
After hearing their explanation, Hinata was also very surprised, not expecting Sasuke to leave.
"Sasuke-kun..."
Hinata covered her mouth, her eyes full of disbelief.
Beside her, Hanabi was much calmer. She added flatly, without expression:
"Isn't this just defecting? Should we report it to the Hokage?"
At these words, Naruto and Sakura nearly jumped out of their skin.
"It's not defecting! He was just tricked!"
"Yeah, yeah! Sasuke was seduced by that weirdo! He didn't go willingly!"
The two waved their hands frantically, as if denying some terrible accusation.
Hanabi tilted her head, looked at them for a moment, then thought and said:
"That Ishigami Yu under Makoto-nii, I've heard Hancock-sensei mention his eyesight is also amazing. Why don't you go ask him?"
"Exactly!"
Naruto and Sakura latched onto the idea like a lifeline, their eyes lighting up.
Without further delay, Naruto and Sakura hurried to the Ninja World Government.
Backyard of the Ninja World Government.
Makoto sat in a rocking chair, legs crossed.
Yu stood beside him, expressionless, hands in his pockets.
"Makoto! Please help!"
Naruto rushed in as soon as he arrived, nearly getting stopped by the Four Gay Bros at the door.
Makoto raised a hand, signaling to let him through.
"What's up?"
Naruto recounted what had happened, speaking rapidly, as if in a hurry.
After hearing it, Makoto signaled to Yu.
Yu nodded and walked to the window.
The remaining two members of Team 7 held their breath, watching Yu's back.
After about ten seconds, Yu said, "Northwest direction, about fifty-three kilometers."
Naruto and Sakura looked at each other, their eyes filled with shock.
'Fifty-three kilometers?!'
After all, Jiraiya had just said the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan had a maximum range of ten kilometers, so they're shocked to find that Yu could see for fifty-three kilometers.