"So, our target list just got two new names."
As Naruto spoke, a faint but unmistakable killing intent glimmered in his eyes.
"The one who killed Shisui and that rogue Uchiha. They're the true masterminds behind the fall of the Uchiha clan, the ones responsible for Uncle Fugaku and Aunt Mikoto's deaths."
Hearing Naruto's calm yet venomous tone, Sasuke felt his pulse quicken. His mind, which had been clouded by confusion for days, suddenly cleared as if struck by lightning. His hands clenched tightly, knuckles cracking audibly.
"You're right," Sasuke growled through gritted teeth. "They're the real culprits. The ones who pushed my brother down that path."
Naruto nodded, his gaze steady. "As for Itachi how you handle him is your decision. Whatever you choose, I'll stand by you."
Sasuke took a deep breath, his expression torn. Itachi… though he claimed he killed the clan to protect Konoha, to protect him he had still slaughtered their parents, their kin, their entire bloodline.
How was he supposed to forgive that? How could he accept the loss, the ghosts that still haunted his every dream?
"I need time to think," Sasuke murmured at last, his voice low.
Naruto didn't press further. Instead, his tone grew heavier. "There's something else you need to know something connected to the night of the Nine-Tails' attack… and my parents' deaths."
Sasuke's eyes flicked toward him, alert. "You mean the rumor that the Nine-Tails was controlled by a Sharingan user?"
"Exactly." Naruto's gaze hardened. "To control a tailed beast like the Nine-Tails, you'd need a Mangekyō Sharingan. Nothing less would work."
Sasuke nodded slowly. "I once tried to use my three-tomoe Sharingan on Shukaku. It didn't work. The chakra of a tailed beast is too massive. A regular Sharingan can't hold them."
"Right. Which means the one who controlled the Nine-Tails that night was a Mangekyō wielder," Naruto said quietly. "And I've discovered something even darker my parents' deaths were linked to a certain rogue Uchiha."
For a moment, the room fell silent.
"You don't mean…" Sasuke's voice trailed off.
Naruto's eyes burned like molten gold. "I'm saying the same Uchiha who helped Itachi slaughter your clan the one who hides in the shadows is also the one who controlled the Nine-Tails that night. He killed my parents, destroyed my home, and tried to annihilate Konoha."
Sasuke's breath caught.
"He bears an unimaginable hatred toward the village," Naruto continued. "After the Nine-Tails attack, he turned his hatred toward your clan. He knew that destroying the Uchiha would cripple Konoha's strength. That's why he helped Itachi wipe them out."
Naruto's hands trembled slightly as he spoke not from fear, but from the weight of anger he'd carried for years.
"He infiltrated the secret base where my mother gave birth, killed Lady Biwako and the Anbu guards, and forced my father into battle. My father barely had time to reinforce the seal before the Nine-Tails broke free. Because of him… my parents died."
The air around Naruto seemed to pulse with fury. Sasuke could almost feel it the suffocating hatred, the rage that had been simmering in silence for so long.
"That man," Naruto said coldly, "is the one who orchestrated everything the fall of the Uchiha, the death of my parents, and the chaos that nearly destroyed our village."
Sasuke's face darkened. His fists clenched until his nails dug into his palms.
"If that bastard stood in front of me right now," Sasuke said, voice trembling with fury, "I'd tear him apart."
Naruto's lips curved slightly. "Guess we really are brothers. We even share the same enemy."
That earned a small, bitter laugh from Sasuke. But then, something Naruto said earlier clicked in his mind.
"Wait did you just call me 'little brother'?" Sasuke demanded suddenly.
Naruto blinked. "Yeah, I did."
Sasuke crossed his arms with mock arrogance. "I was born first, you know. You should be calling me big brother."
Naruto glared. "Strength decides seniority, not birthdays! When you surpass me, then I'll call you that."
Sasuke smirked. "Oh? Guess I'll just have to make you say it someday."
In the next instant, Naruto lunged, tackling Sasuke to the floor. The two wrestled like boys again, laughter and frustration blending as they rolled across the ground. Naruto's fingers ruffled Sasuke's hair mercilessly, while Sasuke tried to choke him with an arm lock.
"Say it!" Sasuke barked.
"Never!" Naruto shouted back, grinning despite himself.
For a moment, the weight of vengeance and sorrow lifted. The two of them, bound by grief and rage, still managed to find laughter.
When the scuffle finally ended, they sat side by side, both sporting wild, messy hair.
Naruto poured himself a cup of tea and took a sip before speaking again, his tone calm but serious. "The Third Hokage told us what he knew about the Uchiha massacre. But that doesn't mean he knew everything. He only saw one part of the truth."
Sasuke nodded silently.
"To uncover the full story, we have to investigate ourselves," Naruto continued. "Every lead, every name. Shisui's killer, that rogue Uchiha they hold the answers. And Itachi might know more than he ever told anyone."
"Then I'll see for myself," Sasuke said firmly. "I'll read his memories if I have to."
Naruto gave a small nod. "Good. But remember before we chase ghosts, we need strength. Real strength. Without it, all we'll find is regret."
He leaned back, eyes thoughtful. "If we were weak, the Hokage wouldn't have told us the truth at all. He would've kept it from us, afraid we couldn't handle it."
Sasuke rose to his feet, determination blazing in his eyes. "Then I'll return to Mount Myoboku and finish mastering Sage Mode. Once I've perfected it, I'll face Itachi myself and I'll uncover everything."
Naruto smiled faintly. "That's the spirit."
Sasuke didn't waste another moment. Within hours, he was gone back to the mountains where time moved differently, where power came at a price.
Meanwhile, Naruto had another goal in mind.
He found Tsunade in her office, buried beneath a mountain of paperwork.
"You want access to the Wood Release scrolls?" she asked, raising a brow.
Naruto nodded. "Yeah. I plan to learn it."
Tsunade froze, eyes wide. "Hold on are you telling me you've already awakened Wood Release?"
Naruto's grin widened, a spark of pride lighting his face. "You could say that."
Tsunade stared at him for a long moment, her expression caught between disbelief and awe.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Already hooked by this cosmic shinobi journey? Share what drew you in your words and reviews keep the flames of youth burning bright. And every 300 Power Stones will unlock a bonus chapter, pushing Naruto's path to the stars even faster!
Naruto's dream has only just begun, and the Unbound Evolution of his destiny is far from over. Stay with Naruto: Set a Goal, Conquer the Universe and reach beyond the horizon together!
[email protected]/_tey
Change @ to a