Chapter 135: A Strategic Retreat

Naruto stood frozen, Sasuke's nihilistic words echoing in his mind, rendering him speechless. The hope that had fueled his three-year search had been extinguished, replaced by a cold, hollow feeling.

"Dammit, Ren!" Naruto finally found his voice, turning his anger and desperation toward the other Uchiha brother. "He's your brother! How can you just stand there and watch him throw himself into the abyss? Why aren't you stopping him?"

Ren's response was a dismissive, cold smirk. "Hn. His path is his own. It is of no concern to me."

"How... how can you be so heartless? He's your family!"

"Have you finished?" Ren's voice sharpened, his eyes narrowing with menace. "You should worry about yourself. I showed you mercy once. I believe I warned you that further interference would be met with annihilation. Consider this your final warning." His gaze swept over the defeated members of Team Seven with utter contempt.

"You—" Naruto began, but was cut off as Yamato, having forced his paralyzed body to move, staggered to his feet and placed a restraining hand on Naruto's shoulder.

"That's enough, Naruto," Yamato said, his voice strained with pain but firm. He looked at Ren, his expression resolute. "Uchiha Ren. Like Orochimaru, you are a rogue ninja who has betrayed Konoha. No matter the cost, I will see you both brought to justice."

Ren let out a low, mocking laugh. "No matter the cost? I'd like to see you try. What exactly do you plan to do in your current state?"

"Enough of Konoha..." Sasuke's voice, dripping with venom, cut through the exchange. He drove his Kusanagi sword into the ground and brought his hands together in a rapid sequence of seals. A massive, swirling sphere of blue chakra began to coalesce above his palm, its power making the air hum. "I'll end this now!"

"That chakra...!" Yamato's eyes widened in alarm. "Everyone, get back!" He prepared a counter-seal, but knew he would be too slow.

However, before Sasuke could release the technique, a pale, snake-like hand shot out and clamped around his wrist. The chaotic chakra sphere flickered and died.

"That's enough, Sasuke-kun," a familiar, rasping voice said.

Everyone turned to see Orochimaru standing beside Sasuke, a thin, calculating smile on his face.

"Orochimaru!" Naruto snarled, his hatred for the man who had corrupted his friend boiling over.

Sasuke glared at the interruption. "Release me. You have no right to stop me."

"Think strategically, Sasuke," Orochimaru hissed, his grip tightening. "The Akatsuki are on the move. Let Konoha's dogs clean up a few of them for us. Every member they eliminate is one less obstacle for you when you finally face Itachi. Their interference now serves our purpose."

Sasuke scoffed at the flimsy excuse. His desire for revenge against Itachi had been complicated by the truth he now suspected, and his true enemy was shifting toward Konoha itself—a fact Orochimaru was unaware of. But after a tense moment, he allowed the chakra to dissipate and lowered his hand.

Orochimaru then turned his attention to Ren. "Ren-kun, this base is compromised. We must evacuate. Will you be joining us?"

"Very well," Ren agreed smoothly. "I did return to find you, after all. But before we go..." His eyes, cold and focused, locked onto Sai, who was still recovering from Sasuke's lightning attack.

Sai flinched under the intensity of that gaze. Yamato immediately stepped in front of his subordinate, his hands still poised in a defensive seal. "What is your business with him?" Yamato demanded.

"Boss," Suigetsu whispered, catching the shift in Ren's demeanor. "Is that the guy who tried to jump you earlier? You want me to water his plants for him?"

Ren studied the protective formation around Sai for a long moment. A slow, enigmatic smile spread across his face. "No. It's of no consequence. Let's go."

He had weighed the option. Eliminating them here would be trivial. But they were pawns—useful pawns who would inevitably clash with greater threats like Madara and Kaguya. Why break a tool that could damage one's enemies? The enemy of my enemy is a temporary asset.

With a final, cryptic chuckle, Ren signaled to his team. Alongside Orochimaru, the members of Hebi turned and melted into the forest shadows, leaving the ruined stronghold behind.

Yamato did not give chase. He knew the staggering power difference. He could only watch them leave, a profound sense of failure settling over him.

As the last of them disappeared, Naruto collapsed to his knees, his fists pounding the earth in frustration and grief. Silent sobs wracked his body.

Sakura knelt beside him, her own heart breaking, but her voice was steady. "Naruto... crying won't bring him back." She placed a hand on his shoulder. "But I'm here. We'll get stronger. Together."

Naruto looked up, wiping the tears from his eyes with the back of his hand. A new, hardened determination replaced the despair on his face. "Yeah... you're right. I won't cry anymore. I *will* get stronger. Thank you, Sakura."

He stood up, his gaze fixed on the horizon where Sasuke had vanished. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ ⓝovelFire.net

"We still have time," Yamato said, his voice grim. "This isn't over. It's only the beginning."

The reunion was over. The bonds were strained to their breaking point. The path ahead was darker and more dangerous than any of them could have imagined.

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