Chapter 258: Sasuke’s Vengeful Ambition!【second Update 7k】
In the special care ward of Konoha Hospital, the air was filled with the distinctive cold scent of disinfectant.
Outside the window, the sunlight was bright and the birdsong crisp, yet it could not dispel the coldness and deathly silence in the room at all.
“Ah—!”
A shrill, terrified scream broke the tranquility.
Sasuke Uchiha suddenly bolted upright from the hospital bed, his forehead covered in cold sweat beads, his chest heaving violently as he gasped for air in big gulps.
His originally pitch-black and bright eyes now lingered with un dispersable fear and crimson.
A single lonely black tomoe slowly rotated within them, proof of the Sharingan being activated, yet also the brand of endless nightmares.
It came again… that nightmare.
Countless nights, he relived that blood-colored night over and over.
Father’s steady back, mother’s gentle smile, all shattered and dissipated under brother Itachi Uchiha’s cold and ruthless ninja sword.
The clansmen’s shrill screams, the thick blood scent that made one want to vomit, and Itachi’s indifferent, as if looking at ants, Mangekyo Sharingan…
In the end, it always froze on Itachi’s cold words: “I was just… measuring my own capacity.”
“Capacity… measuring capacity…” Sasuke gripped the bedsheet tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force, his body trembling uncontrollably.
Immense pain, betrayal, and hatred gnawed at his mere seven-year-old heart like venomous snakes.
Why? Why did brother do this?!
Why did the powerful Uchiha Clan disappear overnight…
On a big tree not far outside the window, branches and leaves dense, a figure crouched silently atop it, blending into the shadow.
Silver-white hair, wearing a White Cat Mask on his face, it was Kakashi, ordered to secretly guard the Uchiha survivor.
Through the holes in the mask, he watched the child curled up in the ward, appearing extremely vulnerable and in pain, a complex emotion flickering in his exposed right eye.
He thought of his own father, thought of Obito, thought of Rin…
The pain of losing an important person, he knew all too well.
But what Sasuke experienced was far more tragic than ordinary people could imagine.
Overnight, from the beloved second young master of the Uchiha, he became an orphan with no one to turn to, bearing a sea of blood feud.
And even more ironic was that the one who carried out this slaughter was his once most admired and relied-upon older brother.
“Konoha’s last Uchiha, huh…” Kakashi sighed inwardly.
He had participated in that night’s battle, so he knew far more than Sasuke, for example, Shisui and a large group of Uchiha clansmen were still alive, they had just all gone to the Land of Stars.
For Sasuke, indeed, only he was left alone in Konoha.
At that moment, Kakashi’s pupil suddenly contracted.
The ward door was silently pushed open, a figure entering uninvited.
The man leaned on a cane, his right eye and right arm wrapped in thick bandages, exuding a cold aura.
Shimura Danzō.
“What is he doing here?” Kakashi’s heart tightened, instantly on alert.
Danzō should be under semi-house arrest at this time.
Without any hesitation, Kakashi’s figure vanished from the branches in an instant, heading straight to the Hokage Building at his fastest speed.
He must immediately report this to the Third Hokage!
In the ward, Sasuke was still immersed in the lingering fear of the nightmare and the torment of hatred, not immediately noticing someone had entered.
“Sasuke Uchiha.” Danzō’s low, hoarse voice rang out, like the cry of a night owl.
Sasuke jerked his head up, seeing the visitor, instinctively went on guard, his One-Tomoe Sharingan staring warily at the other: “Who are you?”
“I am Shimura Danzō, Konoha’s Advisor Elder.” Danzō slowly walked to the bedside, his single eye appraising the One-Tomoe in Sasuke’s eyes, his tone seemingly carrying a hint of “regret”.
“It seems you’ve already learned some things… about that night’s tragedy.”
Sasuke clenched his teeth, gave no answer, but the hatred in his eyes said it all.
Danzō seemed very satisfied with his reaction, beginning to weave his lies with half-true, half-false words: “That night, it was very complicated. The root of everything was Uchiha Shisui, who secretly colluded with a woman named Uchiha Hikari from the Land of Stars, intending harm to Konoha.”
“Brother Shisui?” Sasuke was stunned, bewilderment flashing in his eyes.
Brother Shisui was clearly so gentle, always dedicated to easing relations between the family and the village.
Uchiha Hikari? This name felt somewhat familiar, like he’d heard it somewhere before?
“Yes, Uchiha Shisui. His conspiracy was detected by the village, he mysteriously disappeared during the pursuit, we originally thought he was dead.” Danzō continued impassively, splashing dirty water on the already “defected” Shisui.
“And your brother, Itachi Uchiha, he was even more mad! Not only did he collude with an extremely dangerous secret organization, he personally slaughtered numerous Uchiha clansmen who resisted him, even including… your parents.”
He deliberately omitted the fact that Uchiha Hikari and Shisui had taken away a large number of survivors, making Sasuke believe the entire Uchiha Clan really only had him as the lone seedling left.
“As for Uchiha Hikari and Shisui, during the chaos Itachi created, they took the chance to attack Konoha, causing even greater losses… Now, of the vast Uchiha, the bloodline left in Konoha is only you alone.” Danzō’s voice was full of bewitchment, fully guiding Sasuke into the abyss of hatred and despair.
Sasuke was struck as if by lightning, his whole body stiffening.
The One-Tomoe Sharingan spun madly in his eyes, his mind uncontrollably recalling that night.
When he ran to the clan territory and encountered brother… brother’s eyes flowing with blood tears… then endless illusion technique torment, and upon waking, seeing the reality that had turned into a true nightmare…
“Why… even Brother Shisui…” Sasuke’s voice trembled, filled with confusion and pain.
He couldn’t understand why the brothers he knew and revered had all become traitors to the family and village overnight.
Danzō watched Sasuke fall into chaos and pain, a barely perceptible cold glint flashing in his single eye.
He leaned down, his voice even lower, like a venomous snake hissing: “With your current feeble power… this mere One-Tomoe Sharingan, no wonder Itachi ‘mercifully’ spared you.”
These words were like the sharpest needle, ruthlessly piercing the most vulnerable spot in Sasuke’s heart!
Yes, brother possessed such powerful Three-Tomoe Sharingan, perhaps even stronger power, so he could so easily slaughter the entire clan!
And himself?
Weak, helpless, not even qualified for revenge!
Ultimate humiliation and unwillingness instantly drowned out the sadness, the flames of revenge blazing in his eyes!
He suddenly grabbed Danzō’s sleeve, urgently asking: “Tell me! How can I gain power! I want revenge! I want to kill that man!”
Danzō watched the fish take the bait, sneering inwardly, but on the surface still appearing as an elder thinking for him: “Konoha has not only the overt forces, but also an elite unit that has always secretly guarded the village and carried out the most dangerous missions—’Root’. If you’re willing to join ‘Root’, accept the harshest and most effective training, then perhaps…”
“Danzō!”
The ward door was forcefully pushed open, the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi standing at the doorway with a grim face, his voice containing suppressed rage.
He had rushed over after receiving Kakashi’s emergency report, just in time to hear Danzō’s final words. “Who allowed you to contact Sasuke privately? Leave here immediately!”
Danzō paused, his single eye coldly glancing at Hiruzen, then deeply looking at Sasuke, that gaze as if saying “see, even the chance to grow strong is being taken away from you”.
He said no more, just snorted lightly, leaned on his cane, and slowly left the ward.
Hiruzen walked to Sasuke’s bedside, looking at the hatred and urgency still lingering in the child’s eyes, sighing heavily in his heart.
He tried to make his tone as gentle as possible: “Sasuke, what you need now is to rest well and recover your body. Don’t believe the words of those with ulterior motives. Once your body is better, go back to the Ninja Academy…”
“I don’t want to go back to school!” Sasuke interrupted him sharply, his voice shrill from agitation: “I just want to grow strong! I want revenge! I want to kill that man!”
Hiruzen looked at the child completely consumed by hatred, feeling pain and helplessness in his heart.
He tried to persuade: “The Ninja Academy is for building foundations, like constructing a house, only with a solid foundation can you build a towering skyscraper…”
“Why could that beast graduate early at seven?!” Sasuke retorted excitedly, his eyes full of defiance and questioning.
Hiruzen was at a loss for words.
Should he tell him that because Itachi was a genius, at seven his strength had already far surpassed an ordinary genin?
That would only further stimulate Sasuke’s sensitive and proud nerves.
He was silent for a moment, looking at Sasuke’s stubborn and despairing eyes, and thinking that Danzō had already contacted him.
If left unchecked, this child was likely to really be tempted by Danzō and walk into that dark “Root” path of becoming a tool.
That was something he absolutely did not want to see.
After a long time, Hiruzen seemed to have made some determination, slowly saying: “Since you so desire power… perhaps there is a path that can make you grow faster.”
Sasuke immediately lifted his head, staring intently at him.
“I can make an exception and allow you to join Anbu as an intern.” Hiruzen’s voice grew serious: “But think it through, Anbu carries out the most dangerous missions, facing the most vicious enemies. Every mission teeters on the edge of life and death, one misstep and you really die. This is far more cruel and dangerous than school.”
“Anbu?” Sasuke was stunned, he recalled the “Root” Danzō mentioned, subconsciously asking: “Compared to the ‘Root’ that person just mentioned, which is stronger?”
Hearing this, Hiruzen showed a faint, Hokage-like confident smile: “Of course Anbu. ‘Root’… at the end of the day, is just a special squad under the Anbu system. The Anbu directly under the Hokage is Konoha’s true elite force.”
He cleverly elevated Anbu while downplaying Danzō’s Root, both fact and a way to pull Sasuke to his side.
Sure enough, light ignited in Sasuke’s eyes.
Could he become stronger than the unit that one-eyed old man mentioned?
Could he gain the power for revenge faster?
With almost no hesitation, he nodded forcefully: “I accept! I want to join Anbu!”
“…Alright.” Hiruzen sighed, as if making a difficult decision: “I’ll arrange for someone to guide you. But remember, this path is one you chose yourself.”
After comforting Sasuke a few words, Hiruzen left the ward, but his brows furrowed even tighter.
He knew this was just a stopgap measure.
Throwing such a child filled with hatred into the darkness too early, the blessings and misfortunes were unpredictable.
In the distance, under the shadow of a big tree, Kakashi, now in Anbu squad leader attire, silently watched all this, complex emotions in his exposed right eye.
That night, the Hokage’s Office was brightly lit.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had changed into his miko robe, but deep fatigue was hard to conceal on his face.
In just a few short days, he seemed to have aged another ten years.
The death of his eldest son Shinobu not only brought the pain of losing a son, but also left Anbu without its experienced Head Captain, adding insult to injury to the already heavily damaged Anbu amid the turmoil.
Kakashi Hatake stood before the desk, having just reported Anbu’s current reorganization status and personnel shortages.
“…The situation is roughly this. Each squad is reorganizing, and casualty compensations have been arranged.” Kakashi’s voice was calm and flat, as if stating matters unrelated to himself.
“You’ve worked hard, Kakashi.” Hiruzen rubbed his brow, his voice hoarse: “Suddenly putting you in charge of Head Captain duties, the pressure must be great? Sorry, after Shinobu, I really can’t think of anyone else suited for this position. For a long time to come, your rest time will be scarce.”
“This is a ninja’s duty.” Kakashi replied indifferently, as if long accustomed to heavy responsibilities and sacrifice.
Hiruzen nodded, pondered for a moment, then spoke of another matter: “Regarding Sasuke Uchiha… I’ve decided to exceptionally allow him to join Anbu as an intern.”
Kakashi’s exposed right eye twitched slightly, but he said nothing, waiting for the Hokage to continue.
“I’ll assign him to your direct squad.” Hiruzen looked at Kakashi, his tone solemn: “You, and Yamato, will personally guide him in missions and training. At the same time…”
He paused, then said meaningfully: “Also make him understand what the true Will of Fire is. I hope… hatred won’t completely devour that child.”
Kakashi was silent for a moment, then slightly bowed: “…Understood, Hokage-sama.”
He knew this was another heavy and complex mission.
Guiding a hatred-filled Uchiha orphan onto the “right” path, the difficulty might be thornier than facing an S-rank rogue ninja.
Outside the window, Konoha’s night view remained prosperous, but beneath this prosperity surged undercurrents of hatred, conspiracy, and reconstruction.
Sasuke Uchiha’s wheel of fate, after losing everything, was forcibly set in motion once more in an unexpected way, heading into unknown and dark depths.
And Kakashi Hatake, this man also bearing countless pains and secrets, would become one of the guides on this dark journey of his.
………………
A few days later, Sasuke Uchiha completed his discharge procedures.
He changed into a clean set of Uchiha clan robes, the red-and-white Uchiha Fan Crest on his back now appearing particularly glaring and heavy.
In his hand, he clutched a thick envelope given by the Third Hokage, containing not a small amount of living expenses, a key marked with specific floor and room number, and a simple Konoha map.
Following the map’s guidance, he arrived at a fairly new apartment building not far from the hospital.
Using the key to open the designated door, the scent of new renovation materials hit him.
The room was large, standard two-bedroom one-living-room layout, spacious living room, bright bedrooms, furniture and appliances fully equipped, even more modern and comfortable than his previous room in the Uchiha Compound.
But for a child who had just lost everything at only seven years old, this excessive “comfort” and “completeness” instead highlighted a suffocating emptiness and coldness.
There was no father’s stern yet caring scolding, no mother’s gentle figure preparing dinner, no subtle sounds from brother occasionally returning, no familiar clansmen in the clan territory.
Only him alone, and this deathly, unfamiliar space.
Immense loneliness flooded over him like a tide.
Sasuke suddenly turned and rushed out of this so-called “new home”, almost instinctively sprinting toward the direction of the most familiar Uchiha Compound in his memory.
He ran through familiar streets, his heart pounding fiercely in his chest, carrying a sliver of unrealistic hope, perhaps…
Perhaps that was just a nightmare?
Perhaps the clan territory was still there, the clansmen still living?
However, when he finally reached the remembered location, the scene before him plunged him into an ice cave.
The once grand Uchiha Compound with buildings everywhere was now almost completely razed to the ground!
Only scattered broken walls and charred foundations told of its former existence.
In their place were several huge construction sites enclosed by temporary fences, construction machinery roaring, workers bustling about.
From some already erected planning signs and hung clan crests, this land had been quickly allocated to other ninja clans for reconstruction.
His home…
Was really gone.
Completely and utterly erased from the world.
Looking at those unfamiliar clan crests and busy workers, Sasuke’s small face paled, his fists clenched tightly.
He walked back in a daze.
When arriving in Konoha’s core area, passersby noticed this child in Uchiha clan robes with the prominent Uchiha Fan Crest on his back, casting strange gazes with whispers, pointing, even undisguised disgust and fear.
“Look, it’s from the Uchiha family…”
“How does he dare wear those clothes out?”
“I heard it’s his brother…”
“Stay away from him, bad luck…”
Those gazes and whispers stabbed at Sasuke like needles, making him feel utmost embarrassment, humiliation, and anger.
He suddenly lowered his head, wanting to hurry away from here.
In that instant, he suddenly recalled scenes he often saw before, Naruto Uzumaki walking alone on the street, surrounded by people looking at him with similar, even more overt disgusted eyes, pointing at him.
So… being surrounded by everyone’s strange gazes feels like this?
An indescribable coldness mixing loneliness and rejection spread clearly in his heart for the first time.
He used to only think Naruto was a noisy idiot, but now inexplicably felt a hard-to-describe… resonance?
In his daze, he suddenly bumped into an oncoming person.
Both of them let out an “ouch,” falling to the ground.
“That hurts! Don’t you watch where you’re going, Sasuke!” A familiar yet noisy voice rang out.
Sasuke looked up and saw Naruto Uzumaki rubbing his butt, grimacing as he stood up, his striking blond hair especially eye-catching under the sunlight.
And behind Naruto, there was a group of familiar figures.
Shikamaru, Choji, Shino, Ino, Sakura, and… Menma leisurely sipping a cup of milk tea, and Hinata timidly sticking close to Menma.
Shikamaru looked at Sasuke, a flash of understanding and complexity in his eyes; he probably knew some inside information.
Menma, meanwhile, kept his usual lazy, spectating demeanor, straw in his mouth, his gaze under the mask appraising the disheveled Sasuke with great interest, as if appreciating an entertaining drama.
The other friends mostly looked concerned and curious.
“Sasuke-kun, are you okay?” Sakura and Ino both stepped forward almost simultaneously, asking worriedly.
They noticed Sasuke’s poor complexion, and he hadn’t come to school for several days.
Naruto also crowded over, asking bluntly: “Yeah, Sasuke, where have you been these past few days? Were you sick?”
Sasuke looked at these still naive classmates living under the sunlight, contrasting with the massive changes on himself and the pointing gazes around him, a huge sense of disparity and inexplicable irritation surging in his heart.
He abruptly stood up, patted the dust off himself, and deliberately used a cold, arrogant tone to mask his inner vulnerability and chaos: “Hmph, I won’t be coming to the Ninja Academy anymore.”
“Huh? Why?” Naruto’s eyes widened, his face full of confusion.
Sasuke raised his chin, trying to make himself seem impressive: “I’ve already graduated early.”
After saying that, he deliberately glanced at Menma beside him, who had always been silent and whose grades always topped his, seemingly wanting to see a hint of surprise on the other’s face.
“Graduated early?!” Naruto predictably exclaimed, his face full of envy and unwillingness: “How’d you do it? So sneaky, Sasuke!”
“Hmph, a dead last like you who can’t even use the Clone Technique properly should just stay in school obediently.” Sasuke mockingly said habitually, trying to recapture his old feeling.
“Maybe in a few years, when I’ve become a chunin or even a jonin, you can finally graduate smoothly!”
“What did you say?! You smug Sasuke!” Naruto was indeed ignited, jumping up to argue with Sasuke.
The two started bickering back and forth again, the familiar argument scene seemingly diluting some of the haze in Sasuke’s heart.
Looking at Naruto hopping mad yet helpless, Sasuke’s mouth unconsciously curved into an extremely faint smile that even he himself hadn’t noticed.
This childish quarrel unexpectedly made him feel a trace of inexplicable warmth and reality at this moment.
……
A few days later, Konoha Anbu base.
The air was filled with the scent of steel, leather, and faint disinfectant.
In the relatively sparse changing room, Kakashi Hatake, who had just finished a patrol round, was using the rare break to sit in a chair, intently flipping through his ever-present 《Paradise of Passion》.
Yamato, newly promoted to captain of the Anbu first division, carefully placed his gear into the locker, walked to Kakashi’s side, and asked steadily: “Senior Kakashi, when do you plan to pick up Sasuke Uchiha?”
They had all experienced that bloody night, clashed with the Star Ninja, and Yamato had even personally witnessed the shock of his former friend Yukimi awakening Wood Release.
Regarding the mission to take charge of teaching the Uchiha orphan, his mood was complex, but more so a sense of responsibility.
Kakashi’s gaze didn’t leave the pages, answering lazily: “Someone’s already been sent to pick him up.”
Before the words finished, an Anbu ninja wearing an animal mask appeared at the changing room door with a Body Flicker, respectfully reporting: “Head Captain, Sasuke Uchiha has been brought and is waiting at the training ground.”
Only then did Kakashi close the book and tuck it into his ninja tool pouch: “Let’s go meet our ‘intern rookie’.”
The Anbu base training ground was fairly large, with many Anbu members conducting high-intensity taijutsu sparring, ninjutsu practice, or tactical coordination training here.
The clanging of colliding kunai, the booming of ninjutsu explosions, and urgent command voices rose and fell, the atmosphere tense and efficient.
Sasuke Uchiha, stepping into such a place for the first time, stood at the edge of the field, curiously and excitedly taking in everything.
Looking at those agile, sharp-moving Anbu ninjas exuding an elite aura, he felt his blood slightly heating up, as if seeing his future of rapidly growing stronger and slaying his enemy.
At that moment, the sounds in the training ground seemed to quiet a bit.
Many Anbu members training stopped their actions, nodding slightly toward the entrance in salute.
“Head Captain!”
“Captain Kakashi!”
“Captain Yamato!”
Sasuke looked toward the voices and saw Kakashi and Yamato approaching one after the other.
Kakashi still had his usual lazy demeanor, but his exposed dead fish eyes sweeping the training ground carried an intangible authority.
Yamato appeared even more steady and reserved.
Sasuke’s gaze was immediately drawn to Kakashi.
This guy who looked utterly unmotivated was the Anbu Head Captain?
Kakashi walked up to Sasuke, tone flat: “Follow me.”
He led Sasuke through part of the training area, casually introducing while walking: “Anbu, full name Assassination Tactics Special Force, directly under the Hokage, responsible for the most dangerous high-secret missions, including reconnaissance, assassination, guard, cleanup, etc…”
“This is Konoha’s most elite force, but it also means the highest casualty rate. The training intensity here far exceeds your imagination. If you think you can’t handle it, you can back out now.”
“I won’t give up!” Sasuke immediately answered loudly, flames of determination burning in his eyes.
He suddenly remembered a question and couldn’t help asking: “Hey, Head Captain… between you and that man, who is stronger?”
Clearly referring to Itachi Uchiha.
Kakashi paused his steps, seemingly seriously considering Itachi’s strength shown during his Anbu days, then scratched the back of his head and said in his signature lazy tone: “Hmm… probably fifty-fifty.”
After all, Itachi had never shown the Mangekyo in front of them.
This vague answer made Sasuke frown, but he didn’t pursue it further.
The three arrived at the equipment room, where a logistics staff had already prepared a set of Anbu standard combat suit fitted to Sasuke’s size and a plain white animal mask with no patterns.
Kakashi handed the gear to Sasuke: “Put it on. From today, during Anbu missions and training, you are the Anbu intern codenamed ‘Hawk’.”
Sasuke took the cold combat suit and mask, a strange sense of mission surging in his heart.
However, the first mission Kakashi issued next completely stunned Sasuke.
“Your first mission: stealth.” Kakashi’s voice remained lazy, without any fluctuation: “Target location: Konoha Ninja Academy. Mission requirements: Disguise as an ordinary student for covert infiltration, normally participate in school classes, establish ‘good’ relationships with surrounding classmates and teachers, secretly gather basic intelligence on their daily behavior, interpersonal relationships, ability tendencies, etc., and report periodically.”
“At the same time, after school every day, you must arrive at the base on time for Anbu physical training, ninjutsu, Illusion Technique, and tactics training, as well as Sharingan usage.”
“What?! Back to school?!” Sasuke almost thought he’d misheard; he joined Anbu to grow strong for revenge, not to go back and play house!
Yamato spoke up from the side to explain: “Disguise and infiltration are essential courses for ninjas, especially Anbu elites. The most advanced stealth is completely blending into the environment without arousing any suspicion. The Ninja Academy is the most suitable place for you at this stage to train in this.”
Kakashi took over: “It builds theoretical foundation, hones stealth skills, and completes high-intensity extra training—this is the daily rhythm of Anbu ninjas. Think you can’t handle it? I said, you can back out now.”
Provocation again!
Looking at Kakashi’s gaze that seemed to see through his thoughts, a surge of competitive spirit rushed up in Sasuke.
He clenched his teeth and responded loudly: “Who says I can’t handle it! I accept this mission! I will definitely complete it!”
Kakashi looked at this boy driven by hatred yet forced to temporarily return to the “cage,” a trace of undetectable complex emotion flashing in his exposed right eye.
This path was destined to be full of thorns.
