The morning sun bathed the Konoha training grounds in a golden light, illuminating the sweat glistening on Sasuke's brow.
After waiting for Guy and Lee to come back from their mission, Sasuke quickly visit Guy for requesting him to teach Gate of Healing next.
At first Guy little shock if Sasuke is ready, even though he knows Sasuke's physical condition is better than before but it's still not optimal for learning Eight Inner Gates.
"Then how about I show you that now I can easily use First gate without any problem.", Sasuke said while started to demonstrate.
Guy, his youthful energy undimmed, watched with a critical eye, his thumbs up pose a testament to Sasuke's progress.
"Youthful and powerful, Sasuke!" he exclaimed, his voice booming. "You've truly grasped the essence of the first gate!"
Sasuke, his breathing steady, and deactivated the gate. "Guy-sensei," he began, his voice calm, "I wish to learn the second gate,so will you teach me?."
Guy-sensei's expression turned serious. "The Gate of Healing,huh," he cautioned. "It requires even more immense control then gate of opening. Are you certain you're ready?"
Sasuke nodded, his dark eyes unwavering. "I am."
Guy, after observing Sasuke demonstrate his control over the first gate, agreed to begin his training. "Alright, Sasuke! Let the youthful training begin!"
_____
As dusk painted the Konoha sky in hues of orange and purple, an Anbu operative appeared before Sasuke, his presence silent and efficient. "Sasuke Uchiha," he said, his voice devoid of emotion.
"Hokage-sama requests your presence at her research laboratory."
Sasuke, his expression neutral, nodded and followed the Anbu operative through the darkening streets of Konoha. They arrived at a secluded laboratory, its windows glowing with an eerie light.
Tsunade, her expression serious, stood amidst a collection of medical equipment and research specimens. On a nearby table lay the dissected remains of Kimimaro, his pale skin illuminated by the lab's harsh lighting.
______
( Flashback )
Danzo after hearing about the attack on Sasuke by a Shinobi of Kaguya clan, send his Root agents to go and retrieve that Shinobi's body to him.
But his Root come back empty handed,"Danzo-sama, his body is already in Hokage's Custody before we could take."
After hearing this Danzo decided to go directly to Tsunade and ask her to hand that dead body to him.
- At Hokage Office -
Danzo, his face etched with his usual grim determination, standing before Tsunade in her office. "Tsunade," he said, his voice laced with an undercurrent of threat.
"In my Root, I have some best Researchers who can throughly examine the body of Kaguya Clan's Shinobi. So, I request that you hand his dead body over to me."
Tsunade, her expression unwavering, met his gaze with a cold stare. "I am conducting my own research," she stated bluntly.
"And if you have the best Researchers than why don't you ever report about that to me before."
"Tell me, are you doing some forbidden research?" , Tsunade questioned in serious tone.
Danzo's expression darkened after hearing this,"I-I don't do something like that."
"Don't you dare to question my loyalty for villages." Danzo said this and go back.
He knew he can't argue with Tsunade as she is current Hokage and can only bottled up his anger.
______
Tsunade turned to Sasuke. "I've been researching Kimimaro's body and his curse mark," she explained, her voice grave.
"I believe that by studying your curse mark, I can find a solution to remove the Orochimaru's soul remnant from Anko's curse seal."
Sasuke, without hesitation, nodded. "I will cooperate fully," he said, his voice calm and resolute.
Tsunade nodded, her expression softening slightly. "Thank you, Sasuke," she said, her voice filled with gratitude. "This is of vital importance."
"Since only you are the one on whom Orochimaru's curse mark didn't work."
Sasuke knew that even if she study his curse mark and compare it with Kimimaro's, she still might not get anything useful.
But he cooperated nonetheless, if he can be of the help he is more than willing to do so.
The lab fell silent, filled only with the soft hum of the rustle of scientific documents.