"Since you've made your choice, you must be prepared to bear the consequences. With your current strength, you're still far from your goal."
Hyuga Gakuya's voice echoed once more, calm yet carrying a note of seriousness and concern.
"I understand, Gakuya-senpai. Please train me. I have to become stronger."
Sasuke nodded firmly, his expression unwavering.
He knew very well that his current strength was still far from enough. In that battle, if not for his brother deliberately holding back out of affection, he would never have stood a chance at victory.
"You have the right resolve. But right now, the most important thing is to properly lay Itachi to rest."
Gakuya stepped forward slowly, coming to stand beside Itachi's lifeless body. His movements were gentle and respectful, as if he feared disturbing Itachi's eternal slumber.
Tenderly, he brushed his fingers over Itachi's closed eyes and carefully extracted the Mangekyō Sharingan from them.
"Once you've fully mastered the power of the Mangekyō, I'll help you merge these two eyes. Let your father and brother witness Uchiha's path of vengeance through your gaze."
Gakuya's voice was calm, yet it carried a commanding weight that made Sasuke's heart tremble.
"I will not fail the power my father and brother entrusted to me."
...
Atop a mountain outside Otogakure, Sasuke dug into the soil with his bare hands, clawing at the ground until his nails broke and blood began to seep from his fingers.
Gakuya hurried over and caught Sasuke's wrists.
"I know you're hurting, but your brother wouldn't want you to torture yourself. Let me do it."
Only then did Sasuke reluctantly stop. Gakuya formed hand seals, and with a swift Earth Style technique, carved out a grave from the mountainside.
Sasuke quietly lifted the coffin, the one cradling Itachi's body, and gently lowered it into the grave.
Gakuya sealed the coffin under layers of earth, then watched as Sasuke picked up a stone slab and, pulling out a kunai, began carefully carving out the tombstone one stroke at a time.
Standing beside him, Gakuya spoke softly about Itachi's past, deepening the hatred in Sasuke's heart toward Konohagakure.
"You don't need to grieve too much, Sasuke."
"Itachi often said you were his pride and joy. Every time he heard news of you, he would smile and share it with us, no matter how stoic he normally was."
"When he heard you had become a ninja and completed a B-rank mission, he actually laughed out loud. It was rare to see him so happy."
As he listened, Sasuke's eyes shimmered with unshed tears.
"It's all because of those people in Konoha... If not for them..."
Sasuke clenched his teeth, his voice trembling with rage.
Gakuya sighed, his face clouded with feigned sorrow.
"Yes... Itachi bore so much pain and hatred to protect that village. And in the end, what did he receive? Neither respect nor gratitude."
Sasuke's grip on the kunai tightened as he carved harder into the stone, pouring his anger into every line.
"That's why you must have your revenge, Sasuke. Those who live peacefully today because of Itachi's sacrifice must pay the price."
A fierce glint lit Sasuke's eyes. He grasped the stone slab tightly.
"I will... I will make Konoha pay for everything they've done!"
Before long, a tombstone stood solemnly over the grave, facing toward the distant Land of Fire.
"... Watch me. I will avenge you both,"
Sasuke said, kneeling before the grave and bowing his head deeply.
Gakuya stood silently, gazing at the tombstone, and murmured as if in mourning:
"I'm sorry, Itachi. I went against your wishes. I couldn't just stand by and watch Sasuke become another tool of Konoha."
"I've led him down a dangerous path. This is my failure."
He spoke as though he were truly Itachi's dearest friend.
Had Itachi been alive to hear these words, he would have fought Gakuya to the death without hesitation.
Sasuke was deeply moved by Gakuya's words. He stood up and stepped closer to him.
"Senpai, please don't blame yourself. This was my choice. Even if my brother were still alive, I believe he would understand."
After laying Itachi to rest, Sasuke and Gakuya returned to Otogakure together.
...
Standing atop the Tower, the two of them looked up at the vast starry sky, each lost in their own thoughts.
Sasuke was contemplating his path to vengeance.
Gakuya, meanwhile, was thinking about how to further guide him along that path.
"What will you do next?" Gakuya asked.
"I will train. I must become stronger," Sasuke replied without hesitation.
"I can guide you in your training. But remember—revenge must not be rushed," Gakuya reminded him.
Sasuke gave a slight nod. He knew he needed time to grow.
Gakuya patted him lightly on the shoulder, a satisfied glint flashing through his eyes.
"Remember, Sasuke—let your hatred fuel your progress, but don't let it cloud your mind.We have far greater goals ahead."
Sasuke nodded heavily, his voice filled with unwavering trust.
"Yes, Gakuya-senpai."
In Sasuke's eyes, Gakuya was not just a respected senior—he was a kindred spirit.
Now, he was also someone his brother had trusted with his final wishes.
Because of the persona Gakuya had so carefully crafted, Sasuke had subconsciously shifted part of the trust he had in Itachi onto him.
At this moment, Sasuke would obey Gakuya's every word without question.
Gakuya forced a small, sorrowful smile onto his face.
"Get some rest, Sasuke. Even training requires a well-rested body."
But Sasuke, keen as ever, caught the sadness flickering in Gakuya's gaze.
He thought to himself, He must be grieving deeply too, having lost such a close friend.
"I understand, Senpai. Please take care of yourself too,"
Sasuke said, bowing respectfully before turning and walking away.
Gakuya watched him go, his silhouette growing smaller and smaller until it disappeared completely.
Only then did Gakuya lower his gaze, whispering to the empty night:
"Itachi... don't blame me..."
Sasuke, though already far away, faintly heard Gakuya's words carried by the wind.His heart ached so sharply it felt like it was being torn apart.
Of course Gakuya was grieving. How could someone who had lost such a dear friend not feel sorrow?
If only he had seen through Konoha's darkness earlier...
Maybe none of this would have happened.
That was Sasuke's own conclusion, but what he didn't realize was that at this very moment, Gakuya's thoughts were far from mourning.
In fact, he was casually wondering whether he should visit Karin tonight.
Only when he was certain Sasuke had gone completely out of earshot did Gakuya drop the mask of grief and return to his usual self.
"Done. Sasuke is easier to guide than I expected. Thanks to the Mangekyō eyes and Itachi's final act, he had no choice but to trust me."
"And of course, I have Itachi to thank for that."
Gakuya did feel a tiny twinge of guilt deep down— after all, Sasuke trusted him completely, and he was manipulating that trust.
But the feeling quickly faded.
This was all just part of the deal. In the future, he would revive Fugaku, Mikoto, and Itachi.
A small price to pay for achieving his ambitions.
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
Fanfic is finished on Patreon (237 chapters in total.)
Patreon(.)com/Jixo (for only $4.50, read this entire fanfic)