Chapter 261: Chapter 261: Sasuke is gone again!
Chapter 261: Sasuke is gone again!
(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited
smoothly. /INeedRest)
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Colt and Sasuke had a long conversation.
It wasn't just about the resurrection plan with the Rinnegan but also about what kind of role Sasuke would play in the future of the ninja world.
After killing two of Konoha's advisers, Sasuke knew there was no place left for him in the village.
Colt didn't mind it at all.
In fact, the death of those two advisers was partly thanks to him.
After all, if he hadn't shared certain truths with Sasuke, none of that would've happened.
However, the fact that those two were still high-ranking officials when they died made it a bigger issue for Konoha, essentially a slap to their face.
Furthermore, Sasuke had no desire to return to Konoha.
In the end, Colt offered his advice.
"Here's what you can do. In the future, you can help me patrol the ninja world. If anyone tries to stir up trouble, you'll be the one to handle it."
Even though the Five Great Villages represented the majority of the ninja world's power, there were still many hidden threats.
Dealing with them one by one was both tedious and difficult.
Sasuke could serve as a cleaner, handling such matters.
It wasn't any different than what he did in the original timeline and it seemed that he was comfortable that way, so Colt suggested it.
Not surprisingly...
"I agree," Sasuke responded after thinking it over.
After everything he'd been through, Sasuke had reflected deeply on the tragedies plaguing the ninja world.
He understood Colt's mission and agreed with it wholeheartedly.
It was more suitable to him than being asked to stay in Konoha.
Before parting, Colt leaned in mysteriously toward Sasuke.
"Do you want to rebuild the Uchiha Clan?"
Sasuke raised an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
"The Uchiha Clan consists only of you now. Well, Uchiha Madara is technically still around, but you two aren't on the same page. To revive the Uchiha Clan, you need numbers...so if you want the clan to thrive again..."
Colt pointed meaningfully toward one of Konoha's bustling streets.
"The most important thing is to spread your genes."
Sasuke's face flushed instantly.
With a quick movement, the Kusanagi sword unsheathed, and Sasuke swung it toward Colt. "I'll fight you!" Sasuke shouted.
But Colt just laughed, vanishing in a flash, leaving Sasuke standing there, fuming. Though Sasuke was irritated, he couldn't deny that Colt's words, while crude, had a point.
Did he truly want to restore the Uchiha Clan? Sasuke's fist clenched as his gaze wandered toward the street, now quiet in the daytime but lively at night.
Gritting his teeth, he turned and left Konoha.
On the other side of the village, Colt arrived at Naruto's home.
But not the small, run-down house Naruto used to live in alone.
Instead, this was the former residence of the Namikaze family, which had been reclaimed by the village upon their return.
Kushina greeted Colt warmly and invited him inside.
Naruto, however, was wrapped in bandages like a mummy, glaring at Colt with an exasperated expression.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
"Colt..."
"Sorry, I might have gone a bit hard on you. I'll heal you," Colt said, feeling slightly embarrassed, though he couldn't help but want to laugh.
During his battle with Sasuke, Colt had been holding back for so long that he ended up taking out his frustration on Naruto, who, with his Sage Body, was tough enough to endure it.
Naruto, however, had woken up badly injured as a result.
The truth was, that Colt had been so preoccupied over the past few days that he had completely forgotten about healing Naruto's injuries. But it wasn't too late. He could still score some points by healing him now.
While Colt was tending to Naruto's wounds, Kushina brought up her husband.
"What about Minato? He was called away by the Anbu a while ago and hasn't come back yet,"
she said.
Colt chuckled.
"Minato's helping with the work at the Hokage building. He can't resist doing something for the village, you know."
Kushina scowled.
"That man can't stay still for even a few days of peace."
Naruto, overhearing his mother's frustration, instinctively shrank back, silently
sympathizing with his father.
No one messed with the fiery red-haired Kushina, and her frustration was enough to send her storming out the door to confront Minato.
Once she was gone, Naruto turned to Colt, his expression serious.
"Sasuke's gone again, hasn't he?"
Colt nodded.
"Konoha isn't the right place for him right now. He'll come back if the time's right."
Naruto was visibly disheartened but understood the situation.
"I've reinstated him as a Konoha shinobi, so at least he's not a rogue ninja. He's on a mission
outside for now."
Naruto knew it would take time to bring Sasuke back fully, and there was a long road ahead before his friend would truly return to Konoha.
"Oh, by the way, in the meeting in the Land of Demons in two days, you'll be my bodyguard,"
Colt said.
"And if anyone disagrees at the meeting, we'll take them out."
Naruto blinked.
"Isn't that a bit extreme? Grandpa Hashirama always said that mutual understanding is key."
Colt shook his head.
"That is fine for most people. But if someone doesn't 'understand', I'll send them to the Sage
of Six Paths to talk about mutual understanding."
Naruto could only sigh.
Though he often preached about peace, he knew Colt's way was sometimes necessary.
The political situation in the ninja world was far too complex for mere ideals.
Colt, however, had a vision-unification first, followed by internal harmony. Only after consolidating the villages could peace be achieved.
Naruto nodded. "You're the Hokage, so it's your call. Just...don't kill too many people."
"I'm not a murderer to kill without any reason, relax" Colt reassured him with a smirk.