One night passed, and no one knew what Sasuke and Naruto talked about that night.
By dawn, the two returned together to the capital of the Land of Snow and met with Yami.
"Have you thought it through?"
Yami looked at Sasuke and asked.
"Yami-sensei, will Konoha accept the Uchiha again?"
Sasuke seemed to have matured overnight, asking in a deep voice, "I'm not talking about living like Yuichi, where even the name has to be changed, but being treated like other shinobi, like before."
"Of course."
Yami didn't hesitate and answered firmly, "The reason I've kept everyone hidden until now was just to surprise Uchiha Itachi. What status the Uchiha gain in Konoha going forward depends on your own performance."
"What if I want to become Hokage?"
"What?!"
Naruto stared at Sasuke in shock, looking completely betrayed. "That's not what you said last night, Sasuke!"
Sasuke ignored him and continued looking at Yami. "The village owes the Uchiha a Hokage."
"That was the old village."
Yami was more subtle this time. "In the future, Konoha will unify the ninja world. Even if it's still called Konoha, its core will have changed. Your future status in Konoha will depend on your strength and contributions."
"Unify the ninja world…"
Sasuke's pupils dilated, visibly stunned.
This was the very thought he had come up with last night, one he hadn't even shared with Naruto.
He believed Yami was right. The downfall of the Uchiha was also a failure of the shinobi village system.
So he wanted to eliminate all the existing villages and create a better political system to prevent such tragedies from ever happening again.
He didn't expect Yami to share this vision.
Sasuke was at a loss for words and dropped to one knee in front of Yami.
"Yami-sensei, thank you."
"Do you still intend to take revenge on Uchiha Itachi?" Yami asked curiously.
If Sasuke had changed his mind, then he'd need to recast the whole brothers-killing-each-other drama. Shisui would take the role of older brother, and Itachi would become the younger.
"I will kill him."
Sasuke replied calmly, "No matter the reason, Itachi killed my father and mother. As their son, I must kill him. He also killed far too many Uchiha. As the future head of the Uchiha clan, I must take responsibility."
"So… Uchiha Itachi must die. And it must be by my hands."
"That would also be a form of release for him."
"What about my old man?"
Sasuke went silent.
Naruto looked at him nervously, worried Sasuke would blurt something reckless and anger Yami.
"After I kill Uchiha Itachi, I'll challenge you. If I win, I'll kill Danzō. If I lose… you can kill me. But please, don't involve the rest of the Uchiha."
"Yami-sensei, you're not like that evil Senju Tobirama who feared the threats of weak people, right?"
Sasuke decided to be honest, ending his statement with a bit of provocation.
Yami chuckled. "Finally, you're being honest. That alone makes this past year of training you worth it."
"If you told me you had completely let go of your hatred, I'd be disappointed."
"So, will you agree?" Sasuke looked up and met Yami's eyes.
"Why wouldn't I?" Yami rested his chin on his hand, looking amused. "Not only will I agree, I'll continue to train you. You can challenge me anytime. If you win, you can deal with me and the old man however you want."
"But if you lose, don't entertain any funny ideas. Just do your job properly."
"You mean it?" Sasuke asked, surprised.
He wouldn't make a move on Yami, but if given the chance to kill Danzō, he'd do it with the same satisfaction as killing Itachi.
"It's a deal!"
"Hey, what about me!" Naruto interrupted anxiously. "Yami-nii, don't play favorites! I also want to become strong and be Hokage!"
"Go back and practice your pole-dancing Harem Technique."
After expressing his stance, Sasuke returned to Land of Snow to improve his relationship with his clansmen.
Yami left a Shadow Clone to help Naruto train his Wind Release Nature Transformation, preparing for the Rasenshuriken.
A week passed in a flash.
Sasuke returned again, and after meeting Yami, he made a slightly awkward request.
"Yami-sensei, can I stay in the Land of Snow a little longer?"
It was only natural he wanted more time with his clansmen after finding them again, and Sasuke didn't expect Yami to refuse.
But his next request was pushing it.
"I want Shisui to stay and guide my training."
Sasuke clearly wanted the best of both worlds—his clan and a sparring partner. After speaking, he looked at Yami expectantly.
Yami thought for a moment, then shook his head, disappointing Sasuke.
"Shisui has to come with me. He's doing all the dirty work in Anbu right now. But I can leave you a new teacher."
Sasuke was momentarily disappointed, but quickly perked up.
All the teachers Yami had arranged for him were excellent—from Yuichi in the beginning to Maruboshi Kosuke, Kakashi, and then Shisui.
Every one of them was top-tier in Konoha and greatly beneficial to him.
"Come with me."
Yami left the palace and led Sasuke to a snow-covered mountain outside the city. Then, he formed a seal and used the Summoning Technique.
To Sasuke's shock, a coffin emerged from the ground. The coffin door creaked open, and a white-haired man in Sengoku-era armor stepped out.
Sasuke immediately recognized him. His eyes filled with hatred and his fists clenched tight.
The Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama!
Looking around at the snowy landscape, Senju Tobirama seemed momentarily dazed.
What just happened?
"Yami, what are you doing?"
Sasuke then noticed Tobirama's eyes—this was… Impure World Reincarnation?
After the Konoha Crush, the Impure World Reincarnation technique became infamous throughout the shinobi world. But this version looked different—aside from his lifeless eyes, Tobirama showed almost no signs of decay.
"Put your research aside for now."
"I have a more important task for you."
Senju Tobirama's expression turned serious at those words.
Then he noticed Sasuke standing behind Yami. His expression shifted from serious to grim.
This face…
Makes me want to perform a Flying Thunder God Slash on sight!
Sasuke also gave Tobirama no courtesy.
The people he hated most now were Itachi, who did the killing, the fake 'Uchiha Madara' behind the Nine Tails Rebellion, and Senju Tobirama.
If not for Tobirama's precedent of targeting the Uchiha, things would never have reached the point of a coup. He was the root of all evil.
"Uchiha kid, born evil… what's with that look in your eyes?!"
Senju Tobirama grew more irritated as he looked at Sasuke's face, his fingers twitching.
Boom!
An immense pressure instantly descended.
As a hero of the Sengoku era, the man who built the Konoha system and filled 80% of the Scroll of Seals, Tobirama's aura was no joke.
In that moment, Sasuke felt like even the slightest movement would get him killed.
Damn you Tobirama…
Bullying the weak with power!
"Enough. Both of you, stop staring and wasting my time."
Yami spoke, breaking Tobirama's pressure. "Second, I want you to be Sasuke's teacher and help him get stronger."
"What?!"
The two of them looked at Yami in unison, stunned.
Sasuke felt like Yami wanted to kill him using Tobirama. Being around him was like jumping into a pit of wolves.
Tobirama wasn't happy either.
Why did Yami always give him such uncomfortable assignments?
No—why did Sasuke, who looked like Uchiha Izuna, also look so annoyed?
One decision had both sides disgusted.
Typical of Danzō's grandson… always scheming.
"Sensei, do you regret it?" Sasuke asked directly, his eyes clearly implying: If you want to kill me, just do it. Don't make it so complicated.
Senju Tobirama sneered. "Yami, I have nothing to teach an Uchiha."
Yami's face darkened. "Do you have a problem with my arrangement?"
"Sasuke, if you're not going to kill Itachi, then off yourself early and stop bothering me."
"And you, Second, are you really going to judge someone just by their face?"
"Yes, I admit Sasuke may look like Izuna. His personality is arrogant and irritating like that guy… and he also has an annoying brother."
Senju Tobirama's expression relaxed slightly. Sasuke, on the other hand, looked like he wanted to die.
Just say it already. I'm begging you.
"But—"
Yami pointed at Sasuke. "He's not Izuna. He's Uchiha Sasuke, and he's my student."
"He's a legitimate Hokage disciple. So what's wrong with teaching him? If you won't, I'll summon Uchiha Madara himself and have him teach him."
"Don't!"
Tobirama's face changed instantly.
Even if it were Izuna, he'd rather teach him himself than deal with Madara again.
"Fine. I'll teach the kid."
Tobirama folded his arms and snorted. "He's just an Uchiha."
"No one understands the Sharingan or the Uchiha better than me."
Sasuke almost refuted him, but seeing Yami's look, he restrained himself.
He didn't know that what Tobirama said was true. Sometimes, it's your enemy who understands you best.
To fight the Uchiha, Tobirama had studied the Sharingan more than almost anyone else.
Other than Madara, no one surpassed him.
"Don't just teach him about the Uchiha. Teach him your techniques too."
Yami added, "Like the Darkness Style. And Flying Thunder God."
"Are you sure?"
Tobirama frowned. "Letting an Uchiha learn Flying Thunder God could be a huge problem. Not to mention, talent in time-space ninjutsu isn't common."
"I trust my judgment."
Yami looked at Sasuke, who was visibly shocked. "He likely has talent in time-space ninjutsu. Learning Flying Thunder God won't be an issue."
"Your concern is unnecessary. If Sasuke ever betrays me, I'll kill him myself."
After obtaining the Six Magatama Rinnegan, Sasuke awakened Heavenly Hand Power, proving his talent in time-space techniques. Yami had no concerns.
Sasuke also fully believed in Yami's previous promise and sighed internally.
Even Flying Thunder God… If only Danzō didn't exist, he wouldn't have to worry so much.
"You two go get acquainted. I won't bother you any longer."
After securing Tobirama's promise, Yami vanished in a flash.
Atop the snowy peak, Senju Tobirama gave a wicked grin.
"Izuna… no, Sasuke, let's see what you're made of."
(To be continued.)