Naruto: Manipulation-Chapter 184: Reunion

Uchiha Sasuke had been taken by Madara.

Because no one could resist Madara's power.

The colossal wings of his full-body Susanoo spread wide, blotting out the sky, carrying away the black-haired boy as they soared high into the heavens.

"Cough... cough..."

Uchiha Itachi could only watch as his younger brother was carried off. His weakened body could do nothing to stop it.

Worse still...

Now that Madara had discovered that the one with the Mangekyō Sharingan was Sasuke's older brother, he chose to spare the traitors—if only lightly.

That elder brother...

Would become the necessary sacrifice to nurture the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.

And yet...

In Itachi's heart, there was only worry for his younger brother. He only hoped Sasuke wouldn't be harmed within Akatsuki.

As for the rest...

The future remained uncertain.

As long as Sasuke was safe, even if he was led astray by Shigen and Madara, Itachi believed he could one day bring his brother back to the right path.

After all...

To awaken the Eternal Mangekyō or even the Rinnegan, Sasuke would need his brother's ocular power.

The two of them were destined to meet again—though next time, it may be in a life-and-death battle.

Kisame and Orochimaru didn't understand any of this. Only after seeing Madara's colossal blue Susanoo fly off did they realize just how close to death they'd come.

"We really are lucky, aren't we?"

Kabuto, controlling the body of Second Tsuchikage Mū, unsealed the Second Mizukage and smiled at Orochimaru and the others.

"Let's hope you're just as lucky when we meet again, Lord Orochimaru. Until then..."

Poof!

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The two reanimated Kage vanished in clouds of smoke.

Orochimaru gritted his teeth. That useless former assistant of his had found a new master and now dared to look down on him—infuriating!

Still...

All they felt was anger.

The others who had witnessed the battle were left with nothing but fear.

Kakashi Hatake. Uchiha Obito.

Once teammates, now opponents, locked in a drawn-out clash—until Kabuto summoned Madara through Edo Tensei.

The moment Madara appeared, unleashing his full-body Susanoo, Obito immediately agreed to a ceasefire.

He knew then—his true crisis had arrived.

Madara...

Had been brought back to life!

To Obito, Madara was more dangerous than even Shigen. At least with care, he could avoid being killed by Shigen...

But Madara?

Had planted a cursed seal in his heart.

Worst of all—Sasuke had now fallen into Madara's hands.

He was probably just a disposable pawn in Madara's eyes.

Obito cast a cold glare at Kakashi, blaming everything on his former friend:

"If it weren't for your interference, Sasuke wouldn't have been taken by Madara. Thanks to you, the whole ninja world is now in danger..."

"Sasuke..."

Kakashi gazed into the distance, watching the blue dot that was Madara's Susanoo disappear into the sky, slowly facing the reality of his student being taken.

Compared to reprimanding Obito and Orochimaru for abducting a Konoha shinobi, Kakashi asked the most important question:

"Why are you all after Sasuke?"

That was the true issue.

Kakashi had always believed that Sasuke carried too much hatred and responsibility, which might drive him down a dark path.

But now...

Was there another secret?

Sasuke was just a Konoha genin. Even as the last Uchiha, awakening the Mangekyō was likely his limit.

So why was he so important—to Obito, Orochimaru, Madara, and Shigen?

"Tch."

Obito, of course, refused to answer.

Now, he had to find Orochimaru.

They needed to prepare for the threat of Madara's resurrection.

To be fair, Obito hadn't exactly betrayed Madara yet. But Madara had always doubted him—and now the time for true rebellion had come.

After all, Obito knew better than anyone how proud Madara was—boasting endlessly about how their plan came from Shigen and the Sage of Six Paths.

Meanwhile...

Konoha's reinforcements finally arrived.

But they were too late. All the rogue shinobi had vanished, and all that remained was the massive gorge left by Madara's attack.

"Madara's been revived? He did this?"

Fifth Hokage Tsunade had come herself, hoping to capture Orochimaru. Now she studied the abyssal scar across the battlefield, listening to Kakashi's report.

Unfortunately...

Kakashi didn't know much.

He had only seen Madara descend like a god and crush Itachi and the others—then take Sasuke and leave.

"So you're saying..."

Tsunade frowned, then asked:

"Sasuke didn't defect on his own, did he?"

"..."

Kakashi said nothing.

He and Tsunade both knew Sasuke had likely chosen power over loyalty.

But this excuse... could at least protect him from criminal status.

"Tell that to Jiraiya and Naruto."

Tsunade issued her orders—no wanted notice for Sasuke. Before leaving, she placed a hand on Kakashi's shoulder.

"Let's hope our story doesn't repeat in the next generation."

"The rest... is up to them."

This was a Hokage giving Sasuke a backdoor.

One that left room for his return.

Tsunade didn't want Team 7 to fall apart like she and Jiraiya had, or like Kakashi and Obito.

Of course...

Not everyone would be fooled.

Least of all...

Jiraiya, who had watched Sasuke grow up.

Upon hearing the news, Jiraiya instantly understood Sasuke's stance in this tug-of-war.

Still...

He didn't expose the truth.

Instead, he would use it to push Naruto to grow stronger.

"Naruto."

"Sasuke has been taken."

"By who?!"

Naruto's face twisted in shock and anger.

"Based on what we know..."

"Akatsuki. Under Shigen."

Jiraiya had long suspected Shigen's strange attention toward Sasuke during the Chūnin Exams. Now it made sense—this boy might also have the potential to change the world.

After all...

Sasuke nearly became Jiraiya's disciple.

"We're going to bring him back!" Naruto declared, face deadly serious.

"But..."

"We're not strong enough yet."

"You must get stronger if you want to save Sasuke from Shigen."

Jiraiya gently warned him:

"But be ready... If Sasuke is used by Shigen, then one day, you may have to fight him."

—

Amegakure, outside the Akatsuki base.

Rain fell endlessly from gray skies. Shigen, blindfolded in black gauze, sat in a wheelchair.

Beside him, Nagato held a paper umbrella.

They waited—welcoming the return of Madara and Sasuke.

"..."

Sasuke hesitated.

Back in the Chūnin Exams, Shigen had terrified him—an overwhelming presence disguised as a healer, yet intent on reshaping the world.

This man...

Was no healer.

But if Sasuke wanted power...

He had to follow Madara and face Shigen.

"Hmph..."

Madara casually raised a hand over Sasuke's head—shielding him from the rain.

Not for long, though.

Shigen, noticing, simply raised a finger skyward.

A violent gust tore through the clouds—scattering the storm.

The rain stopped.

Sunlight returned.

This simple act—changing the weather—shocked Madara and Sasuke alike.

Even those standing behind Shigen were stunned.

That kind of power...

Was beyond imagination.

"Interesting..."

Madara smirked, seeing Shigen's living body, now certain of one thing:

This man had truly returned.

And perhaps...

His power was even greater than expected.

For now, they were still allies...

Madara only hoped Shigen wouldn't covet the power of the Ten-Tails.

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