A Sage's Pursuit of Power

With a loud thud, Naruto's fist connected squarely with Minato's face.

Even though Naruto had vaguely suspected the truth, when the moment of revelation finally came, he didn't hesitate to land a punch on Minato.

"You idiot! You idiot! Why? Why…!"

Naruto yelled as he charged toward Minato again, but instead of throwing another punch, he leaped into his father's arms.

"Why, Dad? Why did you abandon me?! Why didn't you tell me sooner?! Why?!"

To most people, Naruto always appeared cheerful and strong, while Sasuke always seemed cold and resolute. They seemed like they would never break.

But as their teacher, Aoba knew better than anyone else how easy it was to shatter these two. Beneath their tough exteriors lay sensitive and fragile hearts.

They only masked their vulnerability with a facade of strength. The world saw only what they allowed it to see, and only a select few ever glimpsed their true selves.

Minato instinctively wrapped his arms around Naruto. He had prepared so many words to say, but in this moment, he couldn't utter anything except, "I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry… I'm sorry…"

Aoba had originally thought their reunion would happen much later, in a more pivotal moment. But he underestimated Minato's emotional nature. Living so close to Naruto yet unable to acknowledge him had been unbearable.

In the end, Minato chose to reveal the truth. Knowing Aoba saw Naruto as a hidden trump card, Minato opted for a private reconciliation.

After a long while, Naruto finally stopped crying.

"Dad, tell me about Mom," he said softly.

Meanwhile, in the laboratory, Aoba had successfully entered Sasuke's mental world.

"Sensei?" Sasuke's voice came from behind.

"Sasuke."

"Sensei, what's happening to me? What's wrong with me?"

"The Curse Mark is reacting violently and attacking you. Don't worry; it's not a serious issue. We can seal it again anytime."

"No, that's not what I mean," Sasuke said, shaking his head. "I feel… stronger. My chakra feels different, much more powerful."

Aoba frowned slightly.

"That's because the Curse Mark infuses your chakra with elements of natural energy. It makes your chakra closer to Sage Chakra, which is why you feel the difference."

"I see. Like your Sage Mode, right? Does that mean I now have the same kind of power as you?"

Aoba began to sense something unusual about Sasuke. The Curse Mark's influence seemed deeper than he had anticipated.

Perhaps the overt signs of its corruption had only just surfaced, while its underlying effects had been slowly growing all along.

"Yes, it's the same kind of power, but it's incomplete. In fact, I allowed Orochimaru to place the Curse Mark on you because I wanted you to experiment with controlling natural energy through it."

"Is that so? But the Curse Mark must be dangerous, right? Weren't you worried I might fail, Sensei?"

"I've prepared plenty of contingencies. There's no need to worry. Sasuke, don't let this power control you.

Learn to tame it, master it. Power only becomes truly yours when it submits to your will."

"But if I suppress it, won't the power fade away? I don't want to lose this strength, Sensei. Please help me."

In the mental space, half of Sasuke's body had already been consumed by the Curse Mark. He seemed to be trying his best to resist, but the Curse Mark's influence was far stronger than expected.

The Curse Mark began creeping across the rest of his body, spreading to the uncorrupted side.

Yet Aoba's expression grew oddly calm. He didn't step in to help, nor did he continue speaking. He simply watched Sasuke with a peculiar look on his face.

"Help me, Sensei…" Sasuke's voice grew fainter until it vanished entirely, but Aoba still made no move.

The mental world fell into an eerie silence. Then, out of nowhere, Orochimaru's signature laughter echoed through the space.

"Hahaha, Aoba-kun, nothing escapes you, does it? I thought my disguise was flawless. Can you tell me where I slipped up? I've put quite a bit of effort into this moment."

It had been a long time since Orochimaru last appeared before Aoba. Their previous meeting seemed like a lifetime ago, and to encounter him now, in such an unusual setting, was unexpected.

"There wasn't any clear flaw," Aoba replied calmly. "But I know one immutable fact: Sasuke cannot be overtaken by you. Therefore, I knew you couldn't possibly be the real Sasuke."

"Ah, I see. It seems Aoba-kun truly knows some extraordinary things," Orochimaru said, his voice laced with intrigue.

Internally, Aoba was equally surprised. Orochimaru's words hinted that he had uncovered certain truths, ones Aoba hadn't expected him to grasp.

Orochimaru brought his hands together in a seal, and the surrounding mental space became encased in a unique chakra formed by the Curse Mark. Within Sasuke's consciousness, Orochimaru carved out a small, isolated subspace.

"Now then," Orochimaru continued, "I believe we can talk openly here, away from prying ears. Tell me, Aoba-kun, is Sasuke the person I suspect him to be?"

"What do you mean?" Aoba maintained his composure, feigning ignorance.

"Hehehe, ever the cautious one, aren't you? I told you, this space is secure. We can speak freely. What I mean is... Sasuke, is he a descendant of the legendary Sage of Six Paths?"

Orochimaru had indeed delved deeply into his investigations during their time apart. While his understanding wasn't entirely accurate, it was clear he was closing in on the truth.

Aoba pondered for a moment and decided to throw him a bone. In his eyes, Orochimaru had always been a useful tool.

From the Kusanagi Sword to sealing techniques, from Edo Tensei to the reversal of the Reaper Death Seal... Orochimaru had provided invaluable resources. If he was already probing the edges of this knowledge, Aoba figured it wouldn't hurt to guide him further. Who knows what other surprises Orochimaru might bring?

"Yes," Aoba admitted, "Sasuke is indeed a descendant of the Sage of Six Paths."

"So," Orochimaru speculated, his golden eyes gleaming with excitement, "your cultivation of them, of Sasuke and Naruto is in line with some directive left behind by the Sage of Six Paths?"

"No," Aoba countered with a smirk. "Quite the opposite!"

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Currently on Chapter 248 - Chibaku Tensei! (Planetary Devastation)