Two Pillars

Early the next day.

Uzumaki Naruto received some unsettling news.

Jiraiya would take him away from Konoha for a year-long training journey.

Upon hearing this news, Naruto surprisingly remained calm.

He thought to himself, "As expected, just like he said, the Yondaime Hokage and Jiraiya reached a compromise."

However, he couldn't help but feel somewhat disappointed.

Deep down, he still had strong feelings for Konoha.

But unfortunately, Konoha didn't trust him enough.

"I understand," Naruto said calmly.

This time, he even stopped pretending to be carefree and foolish like before.

It was truly amazing.

He thought his personality was naturally optimistic.

But he didn't expect that after losing the influence of that power, his mind quickly cooled down, becoming rational and capable of thinking.

Although it had only been about a day since the plan to destroy Konoha, Naruto had already deeply experienced the rejection from the village.

This rejection stemmed from their fear of the Nine-Tails and Naruto, as well as their extreme guilt towards him.

Most of the villagers felt guilty because they had trampled on the child who should have been a hero, the Yondaime Hokage's son.

But humans have always been good at evading responsibility.

They had thought about apologizing and making amends, but their pitiful pride held them back.

Naruto's past actions flashed through his mind.

The mischievous Naruto who troubled everyone.

The Naruto who wouldn't retaliate even when cursed and attacked.

And... The Naruto who would possess the power to destroy Konoha in the future, defeat the Yondaime Hokage, and kill numerous shinobi.

Hatred, fear, anger, guilt, and various emotions intertwined.

They left people speechless in the face of Naruto, and ultimately, they chose indifference.

As Naruto walked through the streets again, he didn't hear any hateful words.

There was only bone-chilling coldness.

The streets operated as usual, and the villagers lived their lives in an orderly manner.

But in their lives, there was no place for Naruto to fit in.

His situation seemed even worse.

Naruto took a deep breath and headed towards the location he had agreed to meet Kakashi and the others, preparing to bid farewell.

When he arrived at the training ground, Naruto saw a worried Sasuke and Sakura, and he felt a warm flow in his heart.

At least compared to that other Naruto, he wasn't alone!!

Little did he know, the Naruto within him let out a mocking laugh.

In terms of social skills, the two Narutos were completely in different dimensions.

"Naruto, are you okay?" Sakura, changing her violent demeanor, stepped forward with concern.

"I'm fine, don't worry, I'm good," Naruto smiled.

His gaze then fell on Kakashi.

Although this man still had his usual dead-fish eyes, Naruto could see the sadness in those lifeless eyes.

One after another, his dear friends were leaving him, and he even killed a comrade with his own hands once again. The impact was enormous.

"Everyone, I'm leaving," Naruto sighed, feeling somewhat helpless.

"Leaving?! Why do you have to leave?"

"Did the villagers say something to you again? Damn it!" Sakura blurted out, her face filled with indignation.

Once upon a time, she had despised Naruto, but now she firmly stood by his side.

"Konoha..." Sasuke couldn't conceal his disappointment.

Everything Naruto had said earlier was vivid in his mind, and now Sasuke harbored immense doubts about Konoha.

"Is that so? Are you really leaving?" Kakashi, unsurprised, adjusted the headband covering his other eye.

"Yes, along with Jiraiya," Naruto replied calmly.

"Goodbye, everyone. If we ever meet again."

Naruto's emotions were also very low.

He himself didn't even know if he would be able to return to Konoha.

Where was his home?

The Naruto who observed everything from within suddenly had a very interesting idea and joked:

"Uzumaki Naruto, are you interested in making a deal, a deal where you won't lose?"

"What kind of deal?"

"I will give you the opportunity to awaken the Kekkei Genkai in you later, and all you have to do is shake hands with Sasuke."

"Why? What is your purpose?"

"You have Jiraiya's teachings, and becoming a super S-rank ninja in the future is absolutely not a problem for you. But Sasuke is different. Now, he is being watched by Konoha, and considering he doesn't have any resources, there's a high possibility he'll join Root and be brainwashed."

"In my world, Sasuke and I have a good relationship, so naturally, I want to help him. I'm sure you don't want to see Sasuke being brainwashed into a killing machine either."

Upon hearing Naruto's words, Uzumaki Naruto's eyes flickered.

Was Naruto a good person?

Certainly not!!

But the danger Sasuke faced was an undeniable fact.

From the moment Naruto guided Sasuke to doubt Konoha, there had been a grudge between Konoha and Sasuke.

The higher-ups in Konoha, who had always been wary of the Uchiha clan, would not wait for Sasuke to grow up. They would definitely find ways to control him.

If Naruto became Sasuke's friend.

Perhaps Sasuke would completely follow the path of opposition to Konoha.

But that was still better than being brainwashed or dying.

Moreover...

Even if that day truly arrived.

Naruto would stop Sasuke!!!

Uzumaki Naruto thought about many things.

In the end, he agreed.

"Goodbye, Sasuke." He took a step forward and embraced Sasuke, despite his resistance.

Sasuke's mouth twitched slightly, his usual tsundere demeanor vanished, replaced by a mix of anger and shyness.

"Damn it, what's with the hugging? Disgusting." He pushed Naruto away, huffed, and turned his head, a blush rising on his fair neck.

"Well then, everyone, goodbye." Naruto bid farewell with reluctance and turned to leave.

As they watched Naruto's receding figure, everyone's hearts were filled with sadness.

Just then, Sasuke, who had been hanging his head, suddenly had a vacant look in his eyes, his thoughts being drawn into a mysterious space.

"Drip." Suddenly, the sound of water dripping on the floor echoed in his ears. Sasuke opened his eyes and found himself in a cold and damp place.

He looked around, confused, and saw a dim and chilly basement.

"Where am I?" Sasuke was puzzled.

He had just said goodbye to Naruto, and the next moment, he found himself in an unfamiliar space.

"Is this a genjutsu?" His eyes turned cold.

Sasuke's chakra surged, and even his Sharingan was activated, but he didn't detect anything abnormal.

Is it a genjutsu that I can't break through?

Sasuke's face showed a hint of fear, but sitting around waiting for his fate was not his style.

So he moved forward.

Guided by the dim light, he felt his way forward, the cold air making him hug himself.

Soon, he reached an iron door.

Sealing tags were pasted on it.

Through the dim light, a figure appeared.

Wearing a white robe, with golden hair shining like sunlight, a perpetually confident and gentle smile, and a pair of eyes hidden behind glasses, impossible to read.

Naruto!!!

"It's you!!!" At the sight of Naruto, Sasuke's entire body tensed up, and a hint of fear flickered in his eyes.

Naruto, the terrifying presence who single-handedly crushed all of Konoha. Not even Sasuke's self-immolation could harm Naruto.

What's even more terrifying is Naruto's Kekkei Genkai.

Not only can he control the five senses, but he can also modify life and death!

A ninja's life is already short, and any seemingly simple mission carries the risk of death.

If Sasuke could possess that kind of power, it would not only guarantee his own safety but also potentially revive others.

His gaze towards Naruto suddenly became fervent.

"I've been waiting for you, Uchiha Sasuke," Naruto sat cross-legged on the ground, smiling gently.

"Waiting for me? What is your purpose?" Sasuke asked coldly.

"No particular purpose, I just think your situation in Konoha is pitiful, so I wanted to help you a little," Naruto replied.

"Help me? I don't think someone who wants to destroy Konoha would be interested in helping me."

"You can choose not to believe me. Either way, I won't suffer any losses," Naruto shrugged nonchalantly.

"Hmph." Remembering Naruto's dominating power during the Chunin Exams, Sasuke turned his head, avoiding eye contact with Naruto. His face turned slightly red as he awkwardly said, "Can you... Can you help me become stronger?"

His tone was harsh.

Not like a plea, but rather a twisted command.

"Oh?" Naruto's face carried a playful smile.

Indeed, regardless of the world, Sasuke's tsundere nature was engraved in his bones.

"Please, guide me in my training!" With the groundwork laid before, Sasuke mustered up his courage, bowed deeply to Naruto.

"Thud." His head hit the railing, and he winced in pain, holding his head.

This ridiculous scene was somewhat reminiscent of another Sasuke.

"Sure, then you'll be my student. Give me a bow," Naruto readily agreed.

"Okay, Sensei... bow?" Sasuke raised an eyebrow, then firmly refused with a hint of anger, "Impossible!!! The honor of the Uchiha cannot be insulted."

"Then go ahead, without the determination, how can you become stronger?"

Sasuke stood hesitantly in place, but in the end, he reluctantly bent his knees.

Halfway through the kneel, Naruto stopped him.

"That's enough. Just call me Sensei."

"Sensei," Sasuke said with lowered eyebrows and a submissive tone.

"Hmm," Naruto responded with his arms crossed, feeling gloomy.

"Well then, Sensei, please teach me ninjutsu," Sasuke eagerly requested.

"Ninjutsu? You want to run before you even learn to walk?" Naruto shook his head disdainfully.

"I'll give you your first assignment now: defect from Konoha and find Orochimaru!"

Saying that, Naruto thought to himself, "Orochimaru helped me fend off Jiraiya and didn't get anything in return. This is my chance."

Inside the Otogakure, Orochimaru was conducting his experiments with a blank expression, but his hand trembled.

The experiment had failed.

He maintained a calm expression, but anger brewed in his eyes.

The surrounding researchers dared not speak.

For the past few days, Orochimaru's temper had been extremely volatile.

It was said that he had been played by someone in Konoha.

"Parallel world plots are just a minor side story. There will be surprises in the future."