The moment Sasuke heard that Orochimaru was the only one who could become his teacher, his fists clenched tightly.
Gritting his teeth, he asked,
"Is there really no one else?"
"There was one more—the Second Hokage. Unfortunately, he's no longer with us."
The Second Hokage's research on the Sharingan was no weaker than Orochimaru's—in some ways, it even surpassed him. He had uncovered the principle behind the Mangekyō Sharingan's evolution, something not just anyone could do. If he were the one guiding Sasuke, there would be no problem at all.
Unfortunately… that guy was currently in the Shinigami's belly, playing cards with Minato and the Nine-Tails.
"What are my chances of dying?" Sasuke asked.
"No more than ten percent."
You're the reincarnation of Indra—what are you afraid of?
Your cheap old man, who's been dead for who knows how many years but still watches the ninja world, definitely wouldn't just sit back and do nothing. He might even send you a "gift" ahead of time.
Hearing that answer, Sasuke let out a breath of relief.
"Alright. I'll go!"
"No problem. First, though, I'll have to inform your father. After all, if I'm taking you away, I should at least let him know."
Kiyosuke got up and left the house with Sasuke to find Uchiha Fugaku.
Fugaku was slightly surprised at their arrival. He led them into the guest room, where Mikoto served tea.
"I wonder, Kiyosuke-sama," she asked, "what brings you to our home today?"
Ever since Kiyosuke had started taking on students, he had rarely come by for meals, likely because he had been busy with missions.
"This time, it's about Sasuke."
"Sasuke?"
The couple looked at their son.
Sasuke knelt properly before them, back straight, and said seriously,
"Father, Mother—I want to go train!"
"With Kiyosuke-sama?" Fugaku asked.
If Sasuke were to become Kiyosuke's disciple, his future would be limitless. This thought made Fugaku extremely pleased.
"Sort of. To be precise… with my teacher."
Kiyosuke smiled faintly.
Fugaku froze for a moment before realizing what that meant.
"Your teacher… you don't mean…"
"That's right. Orochimaru."
"No! I don't agree!" Mikoto, who usually followed her husband's lead, immediately refused.
"Absolutely not! Have you forgotten what Orochimaru tried to do to Sasuke? Kiyosuke-sama, he has… ill intentions toward him."
"'Ill intentions' sounds a bit strange, Madam. But right now, only Orochimaru can fully unlock Sasuke's potential. This child, along with Naruto, will one day become a hero who saves the ninja world. They both bear a mission."
What?
Our son is that incredible?!
Are you lying?
That was what both Fugaku and Mikoto were thinking.
What?
I'm that amazing?!
Are you lying?
That was what Sasuke was thinking.
Kiyosuke, despite not being a mind reader, could clearly see what they were thinking.
"I'm telling the truth. This came from the White Snake Sage of Ryūchi Cave."
"White Snake… Sage?"
As the head of the Uchiha clan, Fugaku knew some hidden secrets—he was aware of the Three Great Sage Regions.
"Yes. Sages can see into fate. The White Snake Sage saw Sasuke's future. The Great Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku saw Naruto's. That's why Jiraiya-sama took Naruto away for training."
"As expected of my son!" Fugaku coughed lightly. Although proud, he still worried for his son's safety.
"Isn't there anyone else? Orochimaru is…"
"Dangerous? No—Sasuke will actually be safest by his side. Don't worry about that. I can't train him myself—if I used my training methods, he'd be dead. I'm not good at teaching people. I can only mimic how Orochimaru trained me. With Hinata and the others, I just had to teach them basics and taijutsu—they also have clan techniques to fall back on. Sasuke doesn't.
"As Indra's reincarnation, he needs a training plan tailored to him. If I tried, I'd probably work him to death. So… better not."
"This…"
The couple hesitated.
Sasuke spoke up.
"Father, Mother—I want to catch up to Itachi, bring him back home. To do that, I have to get stronger. Please, let me go!"
He bowed deeply before his parents, solemn and resolute.
"Sasuke…" Fugaku glanced at Kiyosuke, wondering if he should tell Sasuke the truth about his brother being an undercover operative. Kiyosuke shook his head.
A ninja's professionalism made Fugaku hold his tongue. Seeing his son's determination, he asked,
"Have you really decided, Sasuke?"
"Yes, Father." Sasuke stood, meeting his father's gaze.
In his son's eyes, Fugaku saw unwavering resolve and fearlessness.
He knew—once a member of the Uchiha made up their mind, not even ten oxen could drag them back.
The clan was full of stubborn perfectionists.
Realizing this, Fugaku said,
"In that case, I won't stop you. Just be careful."
"Yes! I'll come back alive!"
"Don't treat my teacher like some monster. He may be twisted, but he has his principles. He values Sasuke highly—he won't do anything to him for at least two years. After that, I'll bring him back." Kiyosuke promised.
By then… the plan could be carried out.
"I'll leave everything to you, Kiyosuke-sama."
"Alright. I'll let you have the rest of the day with your family. Tomorrow morning, leave Konoha with me. I'll report to Tsunade-sama in the meantime."
Normally, when a ninja left Konoha, it was for a mission. For any other reason, they had to report it—otherwise, it could be seen as desertion. Of course, someone of Kiyosuke's strength didn't have to, but Sasuke did.
The official story would be that he was leaving to train.
That day, the family spent their time together.
...
The next morning, at Konoha's gates, Sasuke stood with his pack, saying goodbye to his parents. Mikoto wiped away tears, reluctant to let her son go. Fugaku, on the other hand, was more composed—he believed Sasuke would return, because Kiyosuke had promised it.
"In two years, I'll bring him back. Don't worry—Orochimaru-sensei may be twisted, but he can be trusted in certain ways."
Sasuke's safety was never in question. When Jiraiya took on an apprentice, Orochimaru took on an heir—who was really in more danger was debatable.
"I'll leave him in your hands, Kiyosuke-sama."
"Mm. Let's go."
After saying farewell to his parents, Sasuke followed Kiyosuke out of Konoha. On the road, he asked,
"Kiyosuke-sama, where will we find Orochimaru?"
"In the Land of Rice Fields—the Hidden Sound Village. That's his main base. Even if we don't find him there, we can still contact him."
...
I recommend checking out my new fanfic about the Dying System (Getting Killed Makes You Stronger)!