39: Question – How Does Sasuke Plan to Find Out the Truth About the Genocide?

[Zabuza and Haku were released, with the Beheading Sword left behind as collateral to ensure Zabuza's return.]

[Sasuke, however, wasn't particularly fond of the Beheading Sword.]

[It was big and heavy, with no advantages aside from its ability to absorb blood to regenerate. It didn't suit his fighting style.]

[Haku carried Zabuza away, planning to head to the underground black market once Zabuza recovered from his injuries.]

[Meanwhile, Team 7 had to remain in the Land of Waves for an extended period.]

[For Sasuke, returning to Konoha wasn't something he was eager to do anytime soon.]

[After all, this was his first time outside of Konoha!]

[When he was in Konoha, Sasuke always felt trapped under the weight of a massive conspiracy, constantly surrounded by darkness. It was suffocating.]

[But after leaving, he felt a sense of freedom.]

[Naruto had been further motivated by the previous events.]

[Sasuke easily handled Zabuza, but Naruto had struggled to break through the ice mirrors created by Haku's Ice Release.]

[Determined to grow stronger, Naruto began training day and night, using Shadow Clones to speed up his mastery of the Rasengan.]

[Sakura, on the other hand, continued her practice with Yang Release, laying the groundwork for learning medical ninjutsu.]

[As for Sasuke, his Shadow Clones were helping him push forward with his research into the "strange power" technique.]

[He could feel that he was close to mastering it.]

[But Sasuke had another pressing concern on his mind since leaving Konoha:]

[The truth behind the Uchiha genocide.]

[Back when he was in the Ninja Academy, Sasuke read numerous books, improving his knowledge and critical thinking. But none of the books contained any relevant information about the Uchiha massacre.]

[All he had now were suspicions]

[Sasuke suspected that the Third Hokage knew the truth, and since the Uchiha clan's land had been taken over by the Sarutobi clan, the Third Hokage might have been involved.]

[But these were only guesses—he needed proof.]

[Sasuke had been eager to leave Konoha for a long time, believing that once outside, he could access new avenues of investigation.]

---

[Ding!]

[A sudden sound echoed throughout the world.]

Everyone perked up.

The prize quiz had returned!

.....

[Question: How will Uchiha Sasuke uncover the truth about the Uchiha genocide?]

A: He'll get clues from the underground black market.

B: He'll meet Uchiha Itachi and learn the truth from him.

C: He'll meet Orochimaru and be told the truth.

D: He'll get clues from Hatake Kakashi.

E: He'll be contacted by Shimura Danzo and be told the truth.

...

All at once, the ninja world buzzed with excitement.

It wasn't just the prize quiz that had everyone on edge—the question itself touched on a topic of intense curiosity: the truth behind the Uchiha genocide.

After all, the Uchiha massacre was one of the greatest mysteries in the ninja world, rivaled only by the Nine-Tails attack and the death of the Fourth Hokage.

Orochimaru: "I choose C! I choose myself!"

Orochimaru was quick to answer.

He believed it was entirely plausible. During the Chūnin exams, he would seek out Uchiha Sasuke to test his talent, and what better way to tempt Sasuke than by offering him the truth about his clan's slaughter?

Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Orochimaru! You bastard!"

The Third Hokage glared at Orochimaru with deep resentment.

If the Sasuke from this parallel world learned the truth, his talent would make him a major threat to Konoha!

Orochimaru: "Hehe, Sarutobi-sensei, this situation is of your own making."

Uchiha Sasuke: "Who is Shimura Danzo?"

Sasuke furrowed his brow, confused by the unfamiliar name.

Hatake Kakashi: "Danzo is Konoha's Hokage assistant. He's second only to the Third Hokage and wields considerable power in Konoha."

Sasuke thought for a moment.

Uchiha Sasuke: "I choose E!"

Sasuke leaned toward this option.

If Itachi had wanted to tell him the truth, why would he have disappeared in the first place?

Shimura Danzo: "The old man chooses B!"

Danzo made his choice confidently.

Although Uchiha Itachi had promised secrecy, Danzo never fully trusted him. There was always a chance that Itachi could reveal the truth to Sasuke.

Onoki: "I choose A! Zabuza is heading to the black market to get money, right? Uchiha Sasuke might use this as a way to access the underground black market and find some clues there."

Naruto: "I... I choose D!"

It was Naruto's turn.

Hatake Kakashi: "...Naruto, are you just guessing randomly?"

Uzumaki Naruto: "Huh? Doesn't Kakashi-sensei know the truth about the Uchiha genocide?!"

Hatake Kakashi Rolls eyes.

How would I know such things?

---

[The gold-framed screen lit up, and the scene began to play.]

[Sasuke approached Kakashi, expressing his desire to investigate the underground black market.]

[Kakashi sternly warned him of the dangers.]

[The underground black market is filled with rogue ninjas from all over the world. There are no rules there. If they see you, they might rob and kill you for a bounty.]

[Even with Sasuke's power, there's no guarantee he would be safe.]

[After some thought, Sasuke decided to send a Shadow Clone instead.]

[Kakashi sighed in relief and explained how Sasuke could locate the underground black market.]

[At a public restroom in the Land of Waves.]

[Sasuke entered and followed Kakashi's instructions, tapping on a specific spot on the wall. After a moment, a hidden door opened, revealing a dark room inside.]

[Sasuke, with an expressionless face, stepped in.]

[This was only a Shadow Clone, and he had transformed his appearance to avoid giving away any information.]

[The Shadow Clone's appearance had long, spiky hair hanging loose behind him and wore a tiger-striped mask.]