"Sasuke, welcome to the Akatsuki."
Obito's eye crinkled in satisfaction as his plan bore fruit. Though Deidara had perished in the confrontation, he had managed to bring in someone far more powerful—Sasuke Uchiha.
It was a net gain, no matter how he looked at it.
Sasuke gave a slight nod. "For now, I'll maintain distance. I can't risk Konoha discovering our connection."
"Of course," Obito replied calmly. "But you should stay alert to Konoha's movements. Use these to contact me."
Obito raised his hand, and four White Zetsu emerged from the earth, bowing respectfully toward Sasuke.
"The aura of these White Zetsu blends seamlessly with plant life. Even skilled sensory ninja will have trouble detecting them."
Sasuke narrowed his eyes at the creatures. Contact? No… They're here to monitor me.
Still, he didn't react outwardly. "Understood. I'll also pass along any Akatsuki-related information I uncover."
Obito gave him a final look. "Good. I'll leave it to you."
Then his body sank into the ground and vanished.
Sasuke's eyes remained sharp as he confirmed Obito's chakra had completely disappeared.
Obito… I'll let you live for now. But once I deal with Itachi, you're next.
He turned to the four White Zetsu.
"Follow me," he ordered coldly.
"Yes, Sasuke-sama!" they responded in unison, vanishing into the forest alongside him.
After some distance, Sasuke spoke without looking back. "Tell me—how much do you know about that masked man?"
The Zetsu exchanged vacant glances.
"We were created by Master Uchiha Madara through Yin-Yang Release," one replied. "But we know little of his current plans. If you need answers, it's best to ask him directly."
Sasuke didn't respond.
Then—he struck.
In a flash, he seized one White Zetsu by the neck, slamming the others to the ground with swift, brutal force. A dark curse mark appeared on his palm as he pressed it to each of their chests.
"Sasuke-sama… what are you doing?!"
But they were too weak to resist. Their bodies convulsed as the curse marks sank in, spreading rapidly.
Sasuke gave a faint smirk. "Relax. I've just left a little gift. You belong to me now."
The seals burned bright, consuming their minds.
Within seconds, the three collapsed Zetsu regained focus, now staring at Sasuke with utter reverence. Their loyalty had shifted completely.
Sasuke turned back to the final Zetsu he held in his grip.
"You're betraying Lord Madara?" it rasped.
"Betrayal?" Sasuke scoffed. "I was never with him to begin with. And soon, I'll kill him with my own hands."
With that, he activated the Zhou Yaluo Technique, drawing the Hashirama cells and Wood Style chakra from the White Zetsu into his own body.
He opened his eyes slowly, chakra surging with new strength.
"So… these are Hashirama's cells? Hmph. Not bad."
While these cells were of low grade, they still held value.
The true prize was the Wood Style bloodline—something Sasuke could now experiment with. Combined with his awakening Sage Body, his chakra was becoming purer and more powerful by the day.
The Senju power inside him was only a stepping stone.
He glanced at the remaining Zetsu.
"Go underground. Stay hidden."
"Yes, Sasuke-sama!"
After that, Sasuke used the Flying Thunder God Technique and reappeared near Kakashi.
"Sasuke, you're okay! Where did you go?" Kakashi asked seriously, concerned about the earlier encounter.
"Nowhere special," Sasuke said casually. "Let's head back."
"The Akatsuki member...?"
"Don't worry. I understand his intentions clearly."
Sasuke gave a calm smile, and Kakashi finally relaxed.
He knew how dangerous Sasuke could be if swayed to Akatsuki's side. Konoha might not survive such a betrayal. But now, it seemed Sasuke was still on their side.
With that, Sasuke teleported the group back to Konoha.
"Tch. Space-time jutsu really is convenient," Kakashi muttered in admiration.
"It helps that Sasuke's chakra reserves are massive," Yamato added, clearly impressed. "Not just anyone can use Flying Thunder God like that."
The three soon parted ways, and Sasuke made his way to the Hokage's office.
In front of Tsunade, he gave his report.
"You're saying… that Akatsuki member tried to recruit you?" Tsunade frowned. "And he claimed to be Uchiha Madara?!"
Sasuke nodded. "I pretended to agree so I could get closer to them."
"Hmph… That might actually work," Tsunade said, rubbing her chin thoughtfully.
Then she smiled faintly. "You really are incredible, Sasuke. Deidara this time, Hidan and Kakuzu last time… that's three Akatsuki members taken out by you alone."
"Still, if this 'Madara' is planning something, we need to be prepared," she added.
"I agree," Sasuke said. "Tsunade, come with me. There's something I want to give you."
Without another word, he teleported Tsunade to his secret base.
"What's with the mystery?" she teased, looking around.
"Well, first—take off your clothes."
Tsunade froze. "W-What?"
Her face flushed as her mind jumped to conclusions. "Sasuke, you'd better not be thinking—"
"Hey! Not that," Sasuke said, rolling his eyes. "Don't be so pervy all the time."
Tsunade glared at him, flustered. "You're the one who said it!"
"You remember my fight with Orochimaru, right?"
Tsunade nodded, recalling the battle vividly. Sasuke had unleashed a terrifying golden power and destroyed Orochimaru's Yamata no Orochi form in two moves.
"That technique wasn't Sage Mode," Sasuke explained. "It was something else—something more. A connection to the power of nature, but refined in a different way."
Tsunade blinked. "Wait, it's not Sage Mode?"
"No. But it's easier to learn. I call it the Celestial Body Pattern."
Her eyes lit up. He's going to teach me this technique?!
Overwhelmed with emotion, she suddenly hugged him and gave him a kiss.
"Ahem! Let's focus," Sasuke coughed.
The two sat cross-legged, and Sasuke guided his mental energy into Tsunade's body. Together, they began carving the pattern, starting from her forehead.
A day passed.
When Tsunade finally opened her eyes, golden lines shimmered across her body, pulsing with divine energy.
"This… this power…" She was stunned. The strength flowing through her was overwhelming—ten times greater than before, maybe more.
"Thank you, Sasuke."
She embraced him again, speaking softly.
As Hokage, she had always carried the burden of protecting Konoha. But now, for the first time, she felt worthy of the title.