Naruto: Binding Uchiha Sasuke, Hundredfold Return

Training Ground No. 7

Due to the fierce battle between Jiraiya and Kazuki, the once familiar terrain of Training Ground No. 7 was now almost unrecognizable.

If it weren't for the half-destroyed sign with the number seven still hanging on a post in the corner, neither Sakura nor Kakashi would have realized they were in the same place where they had trained countless times.

"What happened here?" Sakura gasped.

"There were likely powerful ninjas who fought here during the Chunin Exams," Kakashi replied. His sharp eyes scanned the area, recognizing signs of Fire and Earth Release techniques, as well as traces of an unfamiliar ability. "It seems there was someone with a unique bloodline limit."

Just then, the moonlight illuminated a figure approaching slowly.

"You're late," Kakashi said, glancing at Kazuki.

"The protagonist always shows up last," Kazuki yawned, utterly unrepentant.

Kakashi didn't argue, knowing this might be their last meeting as Team 7.

"So, what's the reason you've called us here, Kakashi-sensei?" Kazuki asked nonchalantly.

"It's about Sasuke," Kakashi replied, briefly eyeing Kazuki, trying to read his expression.

But Kazuki remained his usual, lazy self, unreadable. Sakura, on the other hand, looked worried. Although her feelings for Sasuke had changed, their months of being teammates and six years of being classmates left her deeply concerned.

"Kakashi-sensei, they say Sasuke killed Konoha's councillors and defected. Is that true?"

"Well, it appears likely. No one saw Uchiha Sasuke personally, but the Uchiha clan emblem was left at the scenes where Konoha's councillors were killed, along with the families behind them," Kakashi explained.

"That doesn't prove it was Sasuke, right? Couldn't it be a setup?" Sakura insisted.

"That's what we thought too. If Sasuke had cooperated with the investigation, there wouldn't be any trouble unless there was undeniable proof. But he's disappeared."

"Maybe he was kidnapped and framed!" Sakura's voice grew desperate.

"It's possible," Kakashi acknowledged. "That's why I've called you here. This will be the first—and likely last—mission after our Chunin Exams: to find Uchiha Sasuke."

"Is this mission from Danzo?" Kazuki asked skeptically. He found it strange that Danzo would assign such a task, knowing full well Sasuke's whereabouts at Root.

"No, this is my mission," Kakashi said, shaking his head.

"Team 7 won't exist after this. Kazuki will likely become a Chunin, Sasuke won't return, and Sakura will remain a Genin, likely transferred to another team. Before that happens, I want us to discover what really happened to Sasuke."

Kazuki sighed internally. He had little interest in the mission but agreed to go along with it for Kakashi's sake. Sakura, on the other hand, was highly motivated and determined to find out the truth.

Thus, Team 7 embarked on their final mission.

Hokage Building

Kakashi, Kazuki, and Sakura snuck into the office of the former Konoha councillors. The room had been thoroughly cleaned, and many of the furnishings had been replaced.

Kazuki glanced at Kakashi with surprise. After the assassination of the councillors, Danzo, as the acting Fifth Hokage, had forbidden anyone from entering. Yet, here was Kakashi openly defying his orders.

Kakashi didn't seem to care about Danzo's restrictions and continued investigating.

"When the two councillors were killed, they were heavily guarded," Kakashi said, his expression grim.

"There were four Jounin among the protectors. How could Sasuke have killed them all and still had time to assassinate the consultants?"

Sakura frowned. "That doesn't make sense. Even Sasuke isn't that strong. How could he kill four Jounin and the councillors?"

"Exactly," Kakashi nodded. "Either Sasuke didn't do it, or he had an accomplice."

For a brief moment, Kazuki felt a sharp glance from Kakashi as he said this.

Has he figured it out? Kazuki thought, suppressing the brief flash of murderous intent that crossed his mind. It wouldn't do to kill Kakashi over mere suspicion.

The room yielded no clues, even under Kakashi's Sharingan. The cleaning had been thorough. After a few minutes, Kakashi shook his head.

"There's nothing here. Let's move on."

The Mitokado Clan

The Mitokado clan wasn't particularly large, though it had produced Homura Mitokado, one of Konoha's former councillors. Despite this, the clan had few notable shinobi. The land where the massacre occurred was eerily quiet as Team 7 began their search for clues.

"This is where Sasuke allegedly killed the family," Kakashi explained. "Let's split up and look for anything unusual."

Kazuki wandered through the grounds, feeling oddly like a criminal returning to the scene of his crime. He recalled that Sasuke had done most of the slaughtering during the raid, while he had merely ensured that none of the victims escaped. Despite the grisly memories, he felt nothing, his mind numb to the killing he had long grown accustomed to.

As he passed a dry well, Kazuki sighed, recalling the frightened children he had found hiding there. He lit a cigarette, gazing up at the blue sky, the bloodstained memories fading under the peaceful daylight.

"Did you remember something?" Kakashi's voice interrupted his thoughts, but Kazuki ignored him. He knew Kakashi had been watching him from the shadows the entire time.

"Aren't you supposed to be looking for clues?" Kazuki asked, exhaling smoke.

Kakashi didn't answer, only giving him a deep look before turning away.

Sakura returned soon after, reporting nothing unusual.

"There are traces of fire, lightning strikes, and cuts from blades, but nothing else of importance," Kakashi summarized after exchanging findings.

Without any useful leads, the three left the clan, heading to the next location in their search for answers.

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The fanfic is finished on p@treon/tambeerg