At the foot of the mountain, Sasuke looked down at the unconscious Sai with a puzzled expression.
"What happened to him?" Sasuke asked, frowning.
"I entered his illusion world using Tsukuyomi," Itachi said calmly, his eyes quietly spinning with the Mangekyō Sharingan. "Inside that world, Sai imagined accompanying you to assault the bandits' hideout and rescue hostages. But then… five Grass ninja suddenly appeared."
Sasuke's expression shifted subtly. He quickly understood what Itachi was implying. The illusion was a projection of Sai's inner thoughts—Tsukuyomi manipulated time and reality to reflect subconscious expectations. The five Grass ninja in the illusion weren't random; they were deeply embedded in Sai's mind—people he recognized.
Which meant those five "Grass" ninja were not genuine enemies. They were members of Root under Danzō's command.
"Then, you and Sai fought the five Kusa-nin," Itachi continued. "You were defeated. Sai intercepted a fatal blow meant for you. Afterward, I appeared to rescue both of you."
As Itachi spoke, Sasuke pieced together Danzō's intentions. The mission had been a setup. By arranging a seemingly coincidental attack and having Sai protect him, Danzō was orchestrating a scenario where Sai would earn their trust—perhaps even create a bond of debt and gratitude.
But for that, Danzō had sacrificed a jōnin and four chūnin-level Root operatives.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes. Either Danzō had grown reckless… or this was only the first move in a longer plan.
"If he's playing such games just to implant Sai in our ranks…" Sasuke murmured. "Then there must be a deeper objective. Danzō never plays his cards without setting a trap."
"Don't dwell too much on it," Itachi advised, seeing the calculating look on his younger brother's face. "Just stay alert around him. Sai is likely still under orders, even if he doesn't realize it."
Sasuke nodded. "If it comes to it, I'll crush any Root operative who dares interfere."
Itachi chuckled faintly. "Spoken like Father already. Speaking of which… you've awakened your Sharingan. Father will be pleased."
Sasuke let out a low breath, imagining Uchiha Fugaku's cold gaze.
"He'll probably say something like, 'As expected of my son. Though it took you until twelve… your brother had awakened his Sharingan at eight—with two tomoe.'"
Just thinking about it irritated him.
"I just hope he doesn't say anything at all," Sasuke muttered with a tinge of sarcasm.
The first official mission of Team 11 had concluded successfully.
With Sai unconscious from the residual effects of Tsukuyomi, Itachi carried him on his back as the team began their journey back to Konoha.
The injuries on Sai's body had been inflicted by Itachi within the genjutsu, but the illusion had impacted him so deeply that even when he woke, the experience would feel entirely real—memories implanted as though they had happened.
After returning to the village and submitting their report, Sasuke received a reward of 2 million ryo. The details written in Sai's fabricated version of the mission painted him as a loyal ninja who risked his life to save a teammate. Danzō had even included a strategic proposal within that narrative: to reinforce the northwestern border against Iwagakure aggression—clearly a ploy to justify stationing Root agents there.
Even Hiruzen hadn't supported the proposal this time, which made Sasuke realize: Danzō's move was a classic double play. Gain Sasuke and Itachi's trust through Sai, and simultaneously try to plant Root influence near the Grass border.
A month later, Team 11 received another official mission—this one commissioned by the Land of Fire's central government. In the time between, they had already completed numerous C-rank assignments, gradually building their reputation.
The new mission involved reports of frequent child abductions in Tian no Kuni (Land of Fields)—a small country in the Fire Nation's northern region. The land had recently permitted the formation of its own shinobi force: Otogakure.
Sasuke immediately understood the implication. Otogakure—Sound Village—was Orochimaru's creation. If children were going missing in its territory, there was no doubt that Orochimaru had a hand in it. He had a long history of human experimentation.
Another disturbing detail surfaced during the briefing: several Uchiha defectors from the radical Eagle Faction, including Uchiha Setsuna, had disappeared six years ago and were still at large. Their last known appearance had been traced to the borders of Tian no Kuni.
Orochimaru… perhaps I can strike a bargain with him, Sasuke thought silently.
Since acquiring a system blueprint involving the crafting of Zanpakutō-style weapons, Sasuke had spent months trying to decipher its secrets—particularly the concept of Yiku, a spiritual weapon forge. Yet despite all his efforts, the knowledge remained inaccessible. Orochimaru might hold answers—if a deal could be struck.
The following morning, Sasuke and his teammates met the mission clients at the Konoha Mission Center. A pale, gaunt couple stood waiting—obviously exhausted, their eyes red from crying.
"They are the ones who accepted your mission," the desk ninja explained to the couple, gesturing to Team 11.
The moment they saw the team, the couple rushed forward and knelt in front of Itachi.
"Please, shinobi-sama, save our child!" the woman sobbed, grabbing Itachi's hand.
Itachi quickly helped her up with a gentle tone. "We've accepted your commission. I promise, we will investigate thoroughly and do everything we can."
Once they had calmed down, the couple began to explain the situation.
"About a year ago," the man said, "children and infants began disappearing from towns across Tian no Kuni. At first, only orphans went missing, so no one took it seriously. A few people reported it to the local officials, but nothing came of it."
"But half a month ago," the woman interrupted, wiping her eyes, "the number of disappearances increased. Not just orphans, but even children from good homes were taken. Our own son... he just went out to play with his friends and never came back."
She broke down again, trembling.
"We searched everywhere," the man said softly, "but we couldn't find a trace. So those of us who lost children pooled our savings and submitted this commission."
Itachi listened attentively, then asked a key question: "Your country has its own ninja village, doesn't it? Why not ask Otogakure for help? Hiring Konoha shinobi is far more expensive."
The couple hesitated. The woman's face grew pale.
"They…" she began to say, but the man quickly nudged her with his elbow and shook his head slightly.
He stepped forward. "We believe Konoha's task completion rate is much higher. Otogakure was only founded recently—it can't compare to one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages. That's why we came to you."
It was a rehearsed excuse, but Sasuke wasn't fooled.
Behind those words lay fear—fear of retaliation, fear of Otogakure's dark reputation.
Sasuke exchanged a glance with Itachi. Something foul was unfolding in Tian no Kuni.
And Orochimaru was at the center of it all.