008 New Hokage, A Snake 

Whoosh!

In the forest, a swirling vortex suddenly appeared in front of Sasuke and his group, who were resting. Though the timing was a bit off, the masked Obito still emerged before them.

He greeted them in a low voice, "Yo, Sasuke…"

Sasuke, Karin, and Suigetsu immediately stood up.

Karin frowned. "His chakra appeared out of nowhere… how is that possible?"

Suigetsu muttered, "What a surprise..."

Sasuke remained calm. "How did you find us?"

Obito replied calmly, "Don't underestimate me. I have my ways."

Unlike the Flying Thunder God Technique, Obito's Kamui can leave a space-time mark using his eye, it's more convenient and can't be erased, except with Yin-Yang Release.

Sasuke said coldly, "Why are you even here? Taka already left Akatsuki. We're done with you."

Obito's tone darkened. "I warned you that betraying Akatsuki means death. You broke our agreement."

Sasuke frowned. "What agreement?"

Obito answered, "The one about capturing the Tailed Beasts."

Karin added, "Didn't we already capture the Eight Tails for you?"

Obito replied, "That was just a clone… which means you failed."

"!?" Sasuke, Karin, and Suigetsu were all shocked.

Obito looked at them with disappointment. "You were completely fooled by the Eight Tails… Honestly, I expected more from you."

Sasuke recalled the battle at Valley of Lightning: I used my Sharingan… he didn't have time to use a clone.

Then a detail came to mind when he cut off the Eight Tails' tail with his Chidori Sharp Spear, the tail had sunk into the river.

Could it have been... back then!?

Suigetsu scowled. "Even so, what do you want from us? We're not part of Akatsuki anymore!"

Obito replied calmly, "I'm not here about the Eight Tails anymore. I just want you to complete a new task."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "And if I refuse?"

Obito said, almost to himself, "I came here to stop you from going back to Konoha..."

Sasuke raised his hand. "Then it looks like we'll settle this by force!"

He charged forward with a Chidori thrust

 Zap!

but it passed right through Obito's body.

"!" Sasuke was startled. 

Again… just like with Deidara. My attack didn't land. Is this his ability?

Obito glanced to the side. "I've heard about your goal… but it's useless now."

Sasuke turned sharply. "What are you talking about?"

Obito said, "Konoha no longer exists."

"!?" Sasuke, Karin, and Suigetsu were shocked.

Karin asked, "What do you mean by that?"

Rustle 

Just then, Zetsu emerged from the ground beside Obito.

Karin stepped back warily. "Who's that?"

Obito answered calmly, "Don't worry. He's with me."

He looked at White Zetsu and asked, "So, who's the new Hokage?"

Zetsu said, "It's that guy… Danzo."

Obito nodded. "Just as I expected."

Sasuke frowned. "Danzo… became Hokage?"

Obito replied, "Yes. He was one of Konoha's elder, one of the ones who forced your brother to leave. Now he's the Sixth Hokage."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "What happened in Konoha?"

Obito glanced behind Sasuke. "Where's your teammate… Jūgo?"

Suigetsu answered, "He went to fetch water. It's taking a while…"

Karin adjusted her glasses, her expression serious but her thoughts were chaotic:

These two are so annoying… Hurry up and fire them, Sasuke. Then let's run away together, hehehe~~~

Suigetsu shrugged. "You're the one who said you were thirsty. Just drink some of my water. Jūgo went to get it for you."

Karin's forehead twitched, veins bulging. "Why would I drink from a guy like you? What if I turn into an idiot after?!"

And what if that affects the future baby I'll have with Sasuke? Hehehe~~~

Suigetsu muttered, "You're already kind of dumb, so I doubt it'd make a difference…"

"You jerk—!!"

Boom!

Karin punched Suigetsu's head, splashing it into water, then kicked him hard. Suigetsu howled in pain.

Sasuke let out a sigh. "Enough, Suigetsu, Karin."

"…"

Watching the whole scene unfold, Obito stood silently, clearly speechless.

Obito refocused and said, "Forget it. If he's not here, he's not here. It won't change what we're discussing next."

He paused. "Konoha was destroyed by my subordinate, Pein. Sasuke, you and Pein were too obvious. In the end, the Five Kage had to step in."

Sasuke's expression darkened. "The Five Kage..."

Obito nodded. "The Five Kage Summit is about to be held..."

Zetsu added, "Let me explain the rest."

…..

The news of Naruto's defection from Konoha and the death of his comrades quickly spread back to the village, causing an uproar. 

Before this, Root had spread rumors that Pain's attack on Konoha was a plan orchestrated by Naruto to gain the villagers' trust. But after being uncovered by Danzo, Naruto had fled the village overnight.

At first, people were skeptical. After all, Naruto had spent over ten years earning the villagers' trust through his actions. 

But when the bodies of Hyuga Tokuma and the scroll left by Anko were found, the truth became undeniable.

People gathered in front of a makeshift tent for a high-level meeting, anxiously awaiting news. 

Once the truth from the scroll was confirmed, public opinion quickly turned.

"Sure enough, Nine Tails is Nine Tails..."

"Naruto... this cancer hid too deep!"

"We were all deceived by him!!"

"Damn Naruto, he deserves to die..."

Tap, tap, tap 

the sound of crutches echoed through the silence as everyone fell quiet.

Danzo stepped forward and spoke calmly, "Konoha has always been merciless toward rebellious ninjas. It is only because of the Fifth Hokage's leniency that this situation has arisen..."

"But I, Shimura Danzo, will restore order and give Konoha the explanation it deserves!"

After a brief silence, a cheer erupted: "We swear to support Danzo-sama leadership to the death!"

No one noticed the subtle smile of success that appeared under Danzo's Hokage hat.

…..

Meanwhile, in a cave, Naruto and Konan prepared for their task.

Konan asked, "Are you ready?"

Naruto nodded, "Yes, let's begin."

Konan lifted Anko carefully, still in disbelief. "I can't believe this is possible."

Naruto explained, "The curse seal developed by Orochimaru contains an independent consciousness. As long as the curse seal remains, he can never truly die. But to awaken him, I need the blueprint, which is in Jūgo's body."

Naruto moved closer and placed his left hand on the curse seal on the back of Anko's neck.

With a flick of his hand, Naruto absorbed the power of the curse seal from Jūgo and transferred it into Anko's seal.

Suddenly, a white snake slithered out from the seal, and Orochimaru's unmistakable figure emerged.

Anko collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

Naruto and Konan stepped back in unison.

Orochimaru slowly rose from the sticky ground, looked up at the blond boy before him, and said in a hoarse, almost seductive voice, "Heh, this truly surprises me. I never imagined it would be you, Naruto, who would bring me back."

.

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TO BE CONTINUED