Naruto: Cultivating to Immortality

Chapter 457 Searching for Clues

On the towering mountain peak shrouded in heavy clouds, Uchiha Sasuke stood silently. He had just finished his arduous training for the day, but instead of leaving, he remained firmly in place.

His deep, pool-like eyes were fixed intently on the ever-changing, surging clouds in the distance. The clouds sometimes drifted like a veil, and at other times rolled and surged like a raging sea.

Sasuke's eyes were filled with a complex yet resolute expression. They contained reflections and memories of his past experiences, as well as confusion and uncertainty about the future; but above all, they showed an unwavering determination, as if no matter what difficulties and obstacles awaited him, he would forge ahead without flinching.

Ever since Uchiha Sasuke stepped into this mysterious training ground, an unprecedented sense of belonging arose within him. As if destined, every blade of grass, every tree, every stone, and every drop of water here resonated with his soul in a wondrous way. Far from the hustle and bustle of the world, the air was filled with an atmosphere of tranquility and peace, like a paradise on earth.

Every morning, when the first rays of sunlight fall on Sasuke's face, he feels a warm power permeate his entire body, reaching the depths of his heart. This feeling is so wonderful that he is completely captivated by it. During the day, he sits quietly by the stream, listening to the murmuring water, his thoughts drifting away; at night, gazing at the brilliant starry sky, his worries gradually dissipate, replaced by endless peace and joy.

However, despite the unparalleled happiness and peace this place offered Sasuke, the deep-seated hatred in his heart remained a constant companion. The blood feud of the past had already pierced his heart countless times, and whenever the night was still and quiet, those painful memories would surge forth, gnawing at his fragile nerves. Therefore, even though he felt a deep attachment to this training ground, he knew all too well that he had not yet completed his revenge, and his soul had not yet found its final redemption.

Torn by conflicting emotions, Sasuke trains diligently every day, constantly improving his strength. He understands that only by becoming powerful enough can he personally eliminate his enemies and avenge his deceased loved ones. At the same time, he also longs to one day truly let go of his hatred, return to this peaceful haven, and enjoy its pure tranquility and joy. But before that, he must shoulder a heavy responsibility, forging ahead until he achieves his goal.

Uchiha Sasuke stood still, gazing resolutely into the distance, having already made an important decision in his heart—he was going to leave this place and embark on an unknown journey to confront and sever the inner demons that had long plagued him.

These inner demons were like heavy shackles, binding his soul and causing him to wander aimlessly in pain and confusion. However, Sasuke no longer ran away; he knew that only by bravely facing the darkness within his heart could he achieve true liberation and redemption.

He took a deep breath, slowly turned around, and took firm steps. Each step seemed to carry a heavy determination, and the footprints left behind bore witness to his departure. The wind blew through his hair and lifted the hem of his clothes, but his figure remained steadfast.

This land held his hopes, and now he chooses to leave everything behind to pursue his own path of revenge. No matter what hardships and obstacles await him, Sasuke firmly believes he can overcome them, for a powerful force of revenge within him sustains him on his journey.

Sasuke Uchiha's quiet departure caused little stir in this mysterious and vast training ground. The numerous cultivators remained engrossed in their rigorous training, paying almost no special attention to the departure of the newcomer. Even the renowned and awe-inspiring Orochimaru merely glanced at Sasuke's retreating figure before ignoring him completely.

In Orochimaru's mind, Sasuke Uchiha was just one of his many disciples. Although he acknowledged the immense power of the Sharingan, the bloodline limit possessed by the Uchiha clan, Orochimaru did not believe that Sasuke could demonstrate extraordinary abilities, let alone bring him any truly surprising surprises, as long as he continued to follow the traditional ninja training system.

However, Orochimaru wasn't entirely indifferent to Sasuke Uchiha. He knew that once Sasuke successfully awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan, his potential strength would be formidable. At that time, there might be something unique about Sasuke that would pique Orochimaru's interest, and it might even provide valuable inspiration and assistance for his own understanding of the power of rules, propelling him to take a more crucial step on his training path. This is why Orochimaru tacitly allowed Sasuke's existence and secretly observed his growth and changes.

Orochimaru narrowed his long, cold eyes slightly, scrutinizing Uchiha Sasuke as he embarked on his journey. After observing and analyzing the situation, he had come to a conclusion: if Uchiha Sasuke continued to stay here and bury himself in his training, it would be difficult to further evolve his Sharingan.

However, Orochimaru knew that for Sasuke Uchiha, who was single-mindedly pursuing a path of revenge, this path might be the key to the evolution of his Sharingan. Thinking of this, a subtle, almost imperceptible smile unconsciously curved Orochimaru's usually cold and ruthless lips. He understood that only after Sasuke successfully awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan could he truly provide him with significant assistance and value. Otherwise, Sasuke, who currently lacked the Mangekyou Sharingan, offered him very limited help.

Therefore, Orochimaru decided to stop interfering with Sasuke Uchiha. On the contrary, he secretly hoped that Sasuke would soon embark on his perilous and challenging journey of revenge, thereby activating the hidden power within him and enabling the Sharingan to evolve. After all, this not only aligned with Sasuke's own wishes but also coincided with Orochimaru's deepest calculations.

After his strength had increased dramatically like never before, Uchiha Sasuke exuded a powerful aura that sent chills down one's spine. His deep and sharp gaze seemed to pierce through all fog, all in order to find the whereabouts of the man he both loved and hated, the man who kept him up at night—Uchiha Itachi.

At this moment, Sasuke had only one thought in his mind: to find Itachi Uchiha and have a life-or-death battle with him. Only in this way could he finally end the nightmare that had been haunting his heart. For many years, Itachi Uchiha's image had been like a ghost, constantly tormenting Sasuke's fragile mind.

His once warm family was instantly torn apart, and his beloved older brother turned into a cold-blooded killer. All these changes plunged Sasuke into deep pain and hatred. Now, after a long and arduous period of training, Sasuke has finally gained the power to rival Itachi Uchiha.

He yearned to use this power to uncover the truth behind what happened back then, to question Itachi Uchiha about why he committed such a cruel act. At the same time, he also hoped that through this final battle, his wounded heart could finally find release, and that he would no longer be shrouded in the shadows of the past.

Sasuke Uchiha knew that the most direct and effective way to find Itachi Uchiha's whereabouts was to track down the Akatsuki members and extract crucial information from them. At this moment, the Akatsuki members' movements had become vital information closely watched and eagerly sought by all the major ninja villages. And with the help of the intricate and interconnected intelligence network of the black market, the Uchiha clan easily focused their attention on Deidara, known as the "Explosive Ninja."

Deidara's arrogant and flamboyant behavior was so eye-catching, as if he wanted everyone to know where he was. Such a blatant and undisguised action naturally allowed Sasuke Uchiha, who had been secretly searching for clues, to easily track him down and quickly pinpoint his location.

Sasuke Uchiha, always confident and proud of his own strength, didn't hesitate for a moment upon learning the news. He rushed towards his destination without hesitation, his eyes gleaming with unwavering determination. He knew this might be a rare opportunity to extract information about Itachi Uchiha's whereabouts from Deidara. Along the way, Sasuke remained focused, his mind constantly replaying memories of his time with his brother and the unforgettable images of hatred. These memories fueled his drive, propelling him relentlessly towards his destination, determined to uncover the hidden truth and exact his revenge.

In that instant, time seemed to freeze, and the two peerless masters, Uchiha Sasuke and Deidara, unexpectedly met. They were like two dazzling shooting stars, colliding and intersecting in the trajectory of fate.

Sasuke's deep, pool-like eyes burned with fierce fighting spirit, and the powerful aura emanating from him sent chills down one's spine. As a genius ninja of the Uchiha clan, he had absolute confidence in his own strength. Every battle was like a magnificent performance, and this duel against Deidara was something he had been eagerly anticipating for a long time.

On the other side, Deidara was equally unyielding. He exuded a wild and untamed aura, his eyes gleaming with fanaticism. This ninja, obsessed with the art of explosions, had suffered a crushing defeat against Itachi Uchiha, but he had never given up his thirst for victory. Now, facing the Sharingan of the Uchiha clan once more, an endless rage ignited within him, vowing to prove his artistic worth with the most dazzling explosion.