73 The Death of a Snake Part 1

Ishizu POV

I contacted Sasuke through his summons that I would come to him and he should wait in his hideout where I would pick him up.

Yamato introduced himself and a new, or old, team formed.

It was a new Team 7 comprising Naruto, Sakura, Sai, and Yamato. I make a wood clone to stay in the village and left to the place Sasuke told me to arrive.

Time passed, and I stood in the location. I had my disguise on as I saw Sasuke approaching me. I greeted him with a nod.

"We haven't seen each other for some time. You should have grown stronger. I hope this won't let you think you can take over the world," I joked.

Sasuke had a small smile on his face. The seal really helped. Sasuke was much calmer and showed emotions. As much as Uchiha's did.

"I did not have much time to train under the Snake Sage as Orochimaru was monitoring me closely, but do you think it is time for me to leave him?" Sasuke asked me.

"Not only leave. You will kill him."

"Are you sure?"

I nodded in confirmation.

"After you kill him, you'll have enough time to train more in the cave. During that I will search for Itachi and tell you where your brother is. I promised you the power and your confrontation with him."

That was also one thing that changed. Sasuke still hated Itachi for what he did, but instead of just killing him to avenge his clan, the Uchiha wanted answers for Itachi's doing and Ishizu told him he will get some.

"So how am I going to kill him? I wanted to wait until Orochimaru could no longer be in his body and would be at his weakest," explained Sasuke.

I smiled because I had the perfect plan.

"Oh, you won't be fighting him alone. Naruto is coming too. There will be a confrontation between him and Orochimaru in a few days. If we see an opening, we will kill him. I know you want to see him again. You are best friends, but Itachi comes first."

Sasuke nodded, and I started to prepare myself for the Snake. For a slippery snake to be captured, one has to make a giant room with no escape.

It was time to skin a snake.

A few days later.

Sasuke and I were hiding in a tree, masked by my Sage Mode. The meeting between Yamato and Kabuto was the same when Kabuto attacked the fake Sasori since he was loyal to Orochimaru.

Orochimaru appeared and mocked the 3 to come out. I mentally snored.

'Look how you are gloating because you sensed them while I am here with Sasuke.'

I looked at Sasuke.

"I will make a big wooden cage together with my Fuinjutsu so you and Naruto will have your fun with Orochimaru without him being able to escape. I will watch and as your teacher will evaluate how strong you've become. Show me what you've learned."

General POV

Naruto did not go berserk by the taunts but still punched Orochimaru away. Ishizu used this moment to appear behind Kabuto, leaning against the latter's back.

"I am sorry to say, but I will not anyone interrupt the upcoming fight between the 3."

Ishizu kicked Kabuto away before doing hand signs.

"Dragon->Dog->Monkey->Tiger->Tiger-Monkey->Snake: Wood Style Fuinjutsu: Wood Jail."

Out of the earth, a massive amount of wood appeared. It soared into the sky before collapsing on the other side created massive wood cube.

The area it covered was a few kilometers, but there was enough free space in between to let the sun inside to make the area visible.

Everyone was shocked to see another figure appear here with them.

"You are the one who was at the extraction of the Kazekage," exclaimed Sakura, remembering Ishizu before he left to fight with Naruto.

"How are you able to use such refined Wood Style?" Yamato asked, shocked seeing somebody else using it besides him with so much power.

Ishizu rested his back against the wood.

"You are not the only one who can use it. While you are an experiment, I have it naturally," Ishizu gave him a lie.

Ishizu POV

I turned to Kabuto, grinning under the mask.

"I would suggest that you run. Orochimaru may be able to defend against Naruto but he won't do that if the Uzumaki has help."

Kabuto smiled at me with that annoying smile.

"What do you mean? Nobody can defeat Orochimaru-sama."

I could only chuckle at the delusion of a win for that snake.

"My poor, poor Kabuto," I began my monologue.

"I mean that Sasuke Uchiha was never under Orochimaru's thumb. Without me, your godlike master would have never gotten Sasuke in the first place. It was me who helped Sasuke infiltrate your hideouts to suck out enough information. I always knew where you were. The curse mark was also rendered useless by me. Everything I did until this very moment was for this moment. The Snake will die and nothing will stop this process."

"Does that mean that Sasuke never wanted to leave?" asked Sakura in confusion.

I nodded at her question.

"That's partly correct. Originally, Sasuke had to go to Orochimaru or he would have died. I helped him lessen the corruption of the curse mark he received. His reason for staying with Orochimaru was to grow stronger and fulfill his dream. Now that Orochimaru is useless, he can die."

"That means he will come back, right?" asked Sakura in hope.

"I am sure he will if he wants. That is, after he gets his revenge on his brother. Until then, I will protect him. I suggest you watch the fight. Breaking this Fuinjutsu is useless, so just enjoy the show from every possible point of view."

I walked calmly to Naruto, who must have realized I was here. Naruto experienced both of Yamato's and mine Wood Style, and it was clear mine was superior.

"It is time to kill you, Orochimaru."

Naruto turned around.

"So it is you. Why are you here?"

"I told you, Naruto, that the next time we meet will not be as enemies. I have brought you a friend that will help you fight against the Snake."

It amused Orochimaru to see people trying to kill him. Many have tried, and those were now dead. He wasn't a sannin for nothing.

"Oh, do you really think you are enough to kill me?" mocked Orochimaru.

I turned to Orochimaru. I wanted him to see my grin on my face so badly but I couldn't show my face.

"You have no idea how long I have waited for this moment. This is the place you die, Orochimaru. Don't think I didn't come here prepared. Do you not see the wood cube surrounding you? The curse mark you gave Anko was lifted, and I undid Sasuke's so if you die here, you die permanently. No more slipping away like the cockroach you are. Maybe at another time, you would have made an outstanding teacher for Sasuke, but your usefulness here is over. Long ago, students surpassed their teacher by killing them and the same will happen to you."

General POV

This is when Orochimaru saw Sasuke appearing behind me and calmly walking towards Naruto.

"What is the meaning of this Sasuke?"

Sasuke stood next to Naruto.

"So you are really here, huh?" Naruto raised an eyebrow, seeing his old friend standing side by side.

Sasuke gave his friend a nod.

"Good to see you again, Naruto."

"Are you going to come back after that?" Naruto narrowed his eyes.

Sasuke shook his head. "No, I still have one thing to do?"

"Do you still want to kill your brother?" asked Naruto, having heard about his revenge.

"No. I want to know the truth behind that day. Ishizu-sensei told me that Itachi was too soft to kill. He would not have the strength to kill the children and my parents. It was only later that I realized that our parents let themselves be killed."

Being left of this conversation, Orochimaru took out his blade and attacked.

"Are you done? The Snake is coming," Ishizu pointed at the S-Rank shinobi, who was rushing at them with the intent to kill.

Orochimaru saw that he was in a difficult situation and decided to kill them quickly.

"So you have betrayed me, Sasuke?"

Orochimaru was pissed. He wanted the Uchiha's body and he would do everything to get the famous Sharingan eyes. Sasuke took out his own sword and clashed with Orochimaru's Kusanagi.

"You have been fooled for a long time, Orochimaru. Since the beginning, I was never on your side. I knew that you wanted my body, but I would never give it to you for revenge on my brother." From behind Sasuke, Naruto stuck a Rasengan in Orochimaru's gut, but the snake dodged.

"Naruto, Sasuke, show that Snake what the power of nature is all about," Ishizu told the two.

Naruto turned to Sasuke in shock.

"You know Sage Mode?"

Sasuke shook his head. "I am far from mastering it. I did not have enough time to complete it, but I will show you what I can do."

That's when Ishizu placed his hand on Sasuke's shoulder.

"As your teacher, I will give you a helping hand."

Ishizu used his own nature energy to help Sasuke go into a perfect Sage Mode. It would only last for 5 minutes, but it was enough to kill that disgusting snake.