Chapter 126: Reunion

The gates of Otogakure loomed before them, a grim maw leading into the mountain's heart. The Sound-nin guards, having recognized Ren, bowed deeply as he and his team approached.

"Lord Ren," the captain intoned, his voice echoing with a mixture of respect and apprehension.

Ren gave a curt nod. "Are we cleared to enter?"

"Of course, my lord. Lord Orochimaru's standing orders grant you unrestricted access." The guard stepped aside, and the heavy gates groaned open.

Ren led his team into the cavernous village. The atmosphere was as oppressive as he remembered—damp, dimly lit, and humming with the faint, discordant energy of hidden experiments. As they walked the main thoroughfare, passing Sound-nin averted their eyes or offered quick, respectful bows. Many did a double-take, mistaking him for Sasuke before realizing their error.

*Strange,* Ren thought, his eyes scanning the shadowy alcoves. *The news of our return should have reached Orochimaru by now. Why hasn't he sent Kabuto, or even appeared himself?*

A growing suspicion took root in his mind. He stopped a passing chuunin with a sharp gesture. "You. Where is Orochimaru?"

The ninja flinched under Ren's gaze. "L-Lord Orochimaru, he... he departed the village yesterday with Lord Kabuto. That is all I know, my lord!"

Ren released him, his frown deepening. *Orochimaru is gone? According to the timeline, after Gaara's capture, the next major event is the confrontation at the Tenchi Bridge... Could it be happening now?*

"Hey, Boss," Suigetsu whispered, a note of relief in his voice. "If the snake's not home, maybe we should just turn around. No point sticking around this dump."

Karin immediately seized the opportunity. "What's the matter, Suigetsu? Still terrified of him? I thought you were supposed to be one of the brave Seven Swordsmen."

"Who's terrified?!" Suigetsu shot back, but before he could continue, he caught the icy glance Ren sent his way. He immediately fell silent, the memory of past disciplinary illusions enough to quell his tongue.

Ren ignored their bickering. "We're staying. To my old quarters. Now." He turned and walked with renewed purpose, his team falling in behind him.

***

Elsewhere in the village, the guard who had run ahead finally reached his destination: a secluded chamber deep within the residential sector. He stopped before a heavy door, took a steadying breath, and called out with forced reverence.

"Lord Sasuke! Your brother, Lord Ren, has returned to the village!" For original chapters go to novᴇlfire.net

Silence.

The guard waited, then tried again, louder. "Lord Sasuke! Lord Chen is back! Will you not greet him?"

This time, a response came—not a voice, but an aura. A wave of pure, chilling killing intent washed through the door, so potent it felt like a physical weight. The guard gasped, his knees buckling as he collapsed to the floor, trembling uncontrollably. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

The door slid open slowly. Sasuke Uchiha stood framed in the doorway. Three years had sculpted him into a more formidable version of his former self. He was taller, his shoulders broader. He wore a simple dark kimono, a thick rope belt securing a sleek chokutō at his hip. His face was a mask of cold indifference, but his eyes—those infamous Sharingan—glowed with a crimson light, the three tomoe spinning slowly. The killing intent radiated from him in almost visible waves.

"S-S-Sir... I... Lord Chen... he's here..." the guard stammered, paralyzed by fear.

"Did you disturb me," Sasuke's voice was a low, dangerous monotone, "for something so trivial?"

The guard could only whimper, realizing his miscalculation. He had expected joy, or at least interest. Not this... this icy hostility.

Suddenly, Sasuke's head tilted slightly. His killing intent receded as he focused his senses past the cowering guard, down the corridor. His brow furrowed.

A familiar, teasing voice echoed down the hall. "Yo! Sasuke! Long time no see. Looks like you haven't been slacking off either."

The guard scrambled backward as Ren and the rest of Hebi came into view. Suigetsu wore his typical grin, Karin adjusted her glasses with a sniff, and Jūgo offered a small, gentle smile that seemed utterly out of place.

"L-Lord Chen!" the guard stammered, bowing profusely before scrambling to his feet and fleeing without a backward glance.

Ren ignored him, his gaze fixed on his brother. "Really, we come all the way back and you can't even be bothered to meet us at the gate? We had to track you down ourselves." Suigetsu continued, sauntering forward.

He was cut off as Sasuke's glare shifted to him, the killing intent refocusing like a laser. Suigetsu's grin vanished, and he took an involuntary step back, the pressure overwhelming.

"It's you, Suigetsu," Sasuke said, his voice dripping with contempt. "I see your irritating personality remains unchanged."

Suigetsu merely scowled, wisely choosing not to retort. The power gap between them was now palpably clear.

Ren finally spoke, a faint, appreciative smirk on his lips as he assessed his brother. "Your progress is notable. Elite Jounin level, easily. And with the Mangekyō as your trump card... you're bordering on Kage-level potential."

Sasuke met his brother's gaze, his own expression unreadable. He offered no thanks, no greeting. Just a single, sharp sound that conveyed a universe of meaning.

"Hn."

The reunion was complete. The brothers stood face to face, one having traveled the world, the other having honed himself in the snake's lair. The air crackled with unspoken challenges and a shared, dark purpose.

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