Chapter 86: Preparations For A Genocide

During the next period, Sato found himself engaging on two fronts, putting forth his best efforts to pursue both Ino and Hinata.

And Sato's determination yielded significant results.

His change in circumstances, coupled with the absence of resistance from their parents and family, meant that Sato's future blessings depended entirely on his own endeavors.

Confronted by Sato, who led a dual existence, Hinata and Ino, aged just twelve this year and soon turning thirteen, were immersed in the enchantment of love on a daily basis.

This time frame coincided with Konoha's ongoing instability, while Teams Eight and Ten were still on an extended vacation, granting Sato ample time.

After successfully securing Hinata's first kiss in a gentle and considerate manner, Sato proceeded to teach Ino medical ninjutsu in her room the following day, marking yet another milestone by claiming her first kiss.

Upon returning home, he committed a reprehensible act by stealing Karin's first kiss.

His interactions with these three women led to significant breakthroughs.

Just as Sato was fully committed to pursuing his romantic interests, a momentous battle unfolded between the reincarnation of Indra and Ashura, spanning generations.

Within Konoha's intricate plan for collapse, Sasuke faced the impact of Naruto's Summoning Technique and the infusion of Nine Tails Chakra. As Naruto mastered the Rasengan, he began realizing that this achievement had surpassed his own abilities.

Sasuke's dissatisfaction grew, as he struggled with the realization that even this loser's techniques had overpowered him. His desire for revenge burned stronger than ever.

In response, Sasuke embarked on a path of increasing extremism, driven to constantly measure himself against Naruto, exposing a growing gap.

Sasuke also came to terms with the newfound power of the Cursed Seal of Heaven, no longer resisting or suppressing its influence.

Orochimaru, hidden away within a seal, became aware of Uchiha Sasuke's state and became increasingly obsessed with the power he could offer.

Moreover, realizing the limitations of his current physical vessel, Orochimaru chose to reincarnate into Sasuke's body.

To execute this plan, he dispatched the Sound Four to locate Sasuke.

Leveraging information from Yakushi Kabuto, an undercover agent, the four Otonin operatives infiltrated Konoha with ease. They encountered Sasuke near the Naga River, within the Uchiha tribe's territory, and subjected him to the torment of the curse seal's power, greatly infuriating him.

After a night of deliberation, Sasuke made the decision to leave Konoha, seeking further power from Orochimaru.

In the early hours, Sasuke set out towards Konoha's gate, his path obstructed by Haruno Sakura. She vehemently rejected his plea to abandon his loved ones and join him. In response, Uchiha Sasuke incapacitated her and left without a trace.

Upon Sakura's awakening, she hurriedly informed Tsunade. However, Konoha's stability remained unsettled, with most troops stationed outside and village-bound Jōnin unable to depart.

As a result, the responsibility of recovering Sasuke fell upon the village's strongest, with Sato playing a pivotal role.

Notably, the third team of the previous line-up, Might Guy's team, did not participate.

Sato's earlier actions during the Chūnin Exams had severed the connection between Rock Lee and Team 7, and precluded Hyuga Neji's encounter with Naruto. As a result, they had no interaction with Naruto.

Sato was content with this outcome. Having saved Neji from a grim fate, he felt a strong affinity towards him and aimed to spare him from Obito's influence in Shippuden.

Apart from Might Guy, who chose not to follow, Sakura did not join the mission either. However, she entrusted Naruto with the lifelong wish of bringing Sasuke back.

From that point on, Naruto embarked on a year-long mission to recover Sasuke. Ino, despite her own vulnerabilities, eagerly joined the effort. Hinata, who had mastered the Revolving Heaven technique, also participated.

Members of Teams Eight and Ten, alongside Naruto, united for the task.

Anticipating the challenges posed by Orochimaru, Tsunade sought aid from Sunagakure to restore alliances. Sunagakure, holding a debt to Konoha, willingly cooperated and sent tthe third Gaara sibling.

As one of the two Chūnin in this team, Sato assumed the role of captain, with Shikamaru as vice-captain.

Unbeknownst to Naruto's team, the Sato accompanying them was not actually his physical self, nor his Wood Clone. It was a transformation of 'Sato' using Corpse Slave‧Senju Hashirama's disguise technique.

During this period, Kei honed his skills and gained strength, effectively assuming Sato's identity. Kei's actions included avenging Sasori, dealing with Impure World Reincarnation Sakumo Hatake, and merging with Sato's essence.

To provide an alibi, Sato created a fragile soul clone, temporarily affixing it to the Second Tsuchikage's body in place of Kei.

This soul clone, also referred to as the deceit clone, played a pivotal role in Sato's elaborate plan to create an alibi for both himself and Kei, paving the way for the official debut of the true dark presence, 'Uchiha Naraku.'

As the story shifts back to Konoha...

Observing Sato's body, which had already employed the disguise technique, transforms into a young man with black hair and dark eyes.

Achieving perfection wasn't necessary, as realism took precedence. Even the subtle nuances of Chakra emanation now mirrored that of another individual.

Regardless of one's keen perception or Chakra insight, even if a person well-acquainted with Sato were to stand before him, they wouldn't discern that this young man was indeed Sato.

Upon adopting the persona of 'Uchiha Naraku', Sato retrieved the Uchiha Gunbai, securing it behind his back. Proceeding with a hand seal, he conjured ten Wood Clones and initiated the "Wood Leaf Moth Elimination Project," also dubbed the "Konoha's F4 Genocide Plan."(F4= the 4 people with the most control of Konoha)

Sato's intention was to eliminate not only Shimura Danzō, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura, but also their families and even the Sarutobi clan.

The approach was clear-cut: either abstain from action or pursue it with utmost ruthlessness.

By displaying the same ruthlessness, Nagato, Uchiha Obito, and even Black White Zetsu would not suspect any link between "Uchiha Naraku" and "Kei" with Konoha.

Enacting a tit-for-tat persona in 'Uchiha Naraku,' Sato anticipated that Uchiha Obito and others would remain cautious, yet they wouldn't escalate the threat level too high. Instead, they would collaborate with Yakushi Kabuto in critical moments, aiming to bring Kei and 'Uchiha Naraku' into the fold.

With Uchiha Obito teetering on the edge of control, Black White Zetsu might follow the path Yakushi Kabuto took in the original story, possibly guiding Kei towards a resurrection akin to Madara.

This scheme would facilitate an effortless acquisition of Uchiha Madara's body.

Sato felt no shred of remorse for the fate of Konoha's F4 families. Moreover, considering the Uchiha clan's past, where Konoha F4 allowed Uchiha Itachi to execute innocent members, Sato assumed the role of "Uchiha Naraku" to reciprocate this karmic cycle.

Apart from those who held favor in Sato's eyes, the rest were mere pawns, their significance ranging from minor to substantial.

Sato's capabilities extended to summoning and consuming the souls of the deceased, rendering the distinction between living and deceased negligible.

As his appetite for consuming lives expanded, approaching even the four-figure mark... It must be acknowledged that Sato's mindset was evolving into that of a formidable devourer of souls.