Chapter 14

As Kakashi and Sasuke had returned, Sasuke returned to his solo training, focusing on getting better at his fuinjutsu as he would need to deal with the curse mark soon.

With his Sharingan, and access to Naruto, a strange genius to that art he was a step ahead of most, but he doubted he was at a level of Orochimaru, not anywhere close however he would work on it even while the seal was on him. This time he wouldn't be seen as a runaway as he would meticulously plan out the involvement. He couldn't rule out Orochimaru's abilities.

In a place where he could day at any moment, Orochimaru's techniques that allowed him to save his life, including being able to 'Molt' himself would be too useful.

As the week went past, the bridge got closer and closer to completion until it was finally the day for Gato's 'Betrayal'

Instead of the whole battle, everyone simply waited, and sure enough here marched Gato with a small army of thugs, as he got closer he seemed to get confused, no one was hurt, no one was out of breath.

Hell, the black-haired kid was talking to Haku, playing cards while Kakashi and Zabuza spoke, a tension between them.

The fat merchant laughed. ''No matter! I can just kill all of you myself! Get them!!"

They all looked up, most of the ninjas looking confused as the thugs began to draw their weapons and rush forward. Standing up Sasuke brushed his hands off before he began to flash through hand seals, as he finished he took a deep breath in before he blew flames. Massive gout of flames came from his mouth, consuming the hoard of thugs, the fire even spreading as more of them got caught on fire.

Some dropped instantly, others screamed, some tried to jump off the bridge while others dropped to the ground and tried to roll the fire out.

A spark of lightning from Sasuke's feet and he was through the crowd, using a kunai he removed Gato's head from his body without hesitation. Sealing it into a scroll while the rest of the body dropped, a quick rifle through the pockets led to nothing but a few thousand Ryo, the rest would be back at the villa in his many safes.

After the flames died down, Naruto and Sakura went through with Haku, mercy killing those still alive.

As Sasuke walked up to Kakashi and Zabuza, Sasuke handed off the scroll to Kakashi who spoke. "Was he really that stupid? So much for a smart merchant."

Zabuza chuckled, shaking his head. ''Maybe if I was already at an inch of my life, and couldn't use my ar-...."

The entire group seemed to hesitate, a shiver running through them. It felt like something changed, but they weren't sure exactly what it was just yet.

Sasuke noticed it however, turning to look up to the sky, he could feel someone watching him. He suspected something like this might happen, but now he was sure he was being watched more closely, it felt like the world stuttered, as if a glitch happened.

Was the will of the world an actual thing? Either way, he'd continue to absolutely fuck it over until it was unrecognizable. If he has his way, the entirety of the Fourth Ninja War will never come to be, and it will allow him and others time to increase their power steadily in preparation for the Otsutsuki.

Turning back the bodies got cleaned up, the bridge had been finished, named the 'Bridge of Hope' instead of the Naruto bridge as he never needed to use talk-no-jutsu. Which Sasuke was coming to enjoy as it was a break from what usually happens, able to see an entirely different outcome.

After the bridge's completion, they began to head back to the village, able to move at a ninja's pace was much faster than their trip to the Land of Waves, they were also carrying trade requests to Konoha, while the others jumped through tree's. Sasuke was sat upon one of his falcons while it flew, continuing his seal studying.

Both Haku and Zabuza would meet Sasuke at the east wall where he would get them through a secret underground entrance the Uchiha had made when they were forced to move to the outskirts, in preparation for the rebellion as well as a possible retreat if it ever came down to it.

"Hey Sasuke, are you up for some Ramen when we get back?" It was Naruto who spoke of course, looking up from the scroll he was reading. "Can't, have some things to do once we return, tomorrow though we can."

Sasuke looked back down to his scroll only to stop as he heard Naruto. ''It's my treat!"

Sasuke slowly looked up to Naruto with a brow raised. ''Shouldn't you be using the money you get to focus on maintaining your equipment, replenishing supplies, making sure you have food for the week, a new set of clothing with less orange, maybe even a few new jutsu scrolls?"

"HEY! Leave my orange out of this, it's my favorite color!... Damnit you make a good point, nevermind.''

"I'll pay, my costs are reduced this time since I didn't need to use many of my tools, I also have the information money that will be coming in."

"YAHOO! Should we see if we can invite anyone else?!"

There was a slam as Sakura reached over and struck Naruto's head with force. ''NARUTO! You can't expect Sasuke to just pay for everyone who ends up coming!"

Sasuke thought about correcting her, since he very well could as long as Naruto didn't get to invite the whole village or something. But left them to their chatter as he returned to his scroll.

A few hours later they were standing before the Hokage, Kakashi making a scene about a long, and loud yawn.

Naruto was holding a large bag of money in his hands, his mouth hinged open. Sakura had fainted.

Sasuke was, impressed but he had seen far more money in one place

Also, something Sasuke forgot. A rank mission? Paid really well, and due to just how much they did in this mission, they got 250k, each. Kakashi had left his funds to them since he didn't need them, and because he really didn't do much on this mission.

Sasuke looked up as he heard a lot of sniffling. Coming face to face with a Naruto shedding an excessive amount of tears, snot running out both his nostrils. ''I-I-Its on me this time.'' He broke into louder sobs before he dropped the bag of money and tried to lunge at Sasuke for a hug.

Swiftly met with a kick to the face, grinding his shoe into the ground to wipe the snot onto the floor. Not even seeming to care they were in the Hokage's office, in the presence of the Hokage himself.

The old man laughed as he conversed with Kakashi and Naruto, but after a while, Sasuke was finally released, he let Haku and Zabuza in, now under disguises. He gave them their own house in the Uchiha compound, far enough away from any point in civilization he wouldn't need to worry about a Hyuga's wondering eye. He told them to stick to the interconnecting tunnels, saying there were dangerous eyes in the village that they weren't ready to deal with just yet.

It was just as Sasuke lay down and was starting to pass out did something interesting happened. Instead of a dream, he entered into a world with darkness surrounding him, water around his laying form.

"Seems I need to talk to you, far earlier than I originally planned..."