After taking over the snake uncle's foundation, Sasuke came to surrender on his own initiative.

Chapter 264: The Redemption of Kabuto Yakushi

The ruined clinic in the Land of Rain was filled with the smell of disinfectant and mildew. Kabuto knelt before a cracked operating table, his fingertips clutching a yellowed medical badge—the last relic left to him by Nono. The wear and tear along its edges bore witness to his years of wandering. Pale purple Snake Release chakra flowed through him, yet with an undisguised disorder. The curse mark left by Orochimaru burned faintly on his arm, as if mocking his inability to even "resurrect the most important person."

"Two chains are hidden within your chakra," Yin Zhu's voice echoed from the clinic entrance. His black windbreaker brushed against the broken glass on the floor. In his hands, he held a scarlet-glowing "Uchiha Bloodline Crystal." The system panel flashed before his eyes: [Kabuto's chakra purity 65%, Snake Style and human bloodline conflict rate 40%, Requires "True Memory" as the key to unlock the Mangekyo], "One is Orochimaru's curse, the other is your denial of 'self.'"

Kabuto raised his head suddenly, his scarlet vertical pupils full of vigilance: "How do you know Mr. Nono..." The words suddenly choked on his lips. He remembered that three days ago, when he was bound by Yinzhu's system on the outskirts of Sound Village, the other party had said, "The obsession in your eyes is heavier than Orochimaru's curse" - this mysterious Sound Ninja leader seemed to be able to see through all his disguises.

Yin Zhu walked over to the operating table and placed the bloodline crystal next to the badge. "I can't help you revive her permanently, but the Uchiha chakra in this crystal, combined with your Snake Release bloodline, can unlock the 'Snake Eye Mangekyō.'" He tapped the crystal with his fingertips, and a faint pattern of pupil techniques emerged within the crimson light. "The unique ability of these pupil techniques, 'Impurity World Reincarnation,' can materialize the deepest emotions in your memories, allowing her to return in her 'memory form' to accompany you on this final, unspoken journey."

Kabuto's breathing suddenly hitched, his fingertips trembling as they touched the crystal. The moment his Snake Style chakra made contact with the crystallized Uchiha energy, a violent clash erupted. Lavender and crimson chakra exploded in his palm, and the curse seal on his arm instantly multiplied. Pain shot through his body like an electric current—it was Orochimaru's curse seal resisting the foreign bloodline, and also the deep-seated inferiority complex of "unworthy of salvation" at work.

"Don't resist." Yin Zhu's palm covered the back of Kabuto's hand, and the gentle system chakra flowed into his meridians, forcibly suppressing the riot of the curse seal. "Think carefully, are you opening the Mangekyō to prove yourself to Orochimaru, or to tell Nono that you haven't become the person she hates?"

Those words were like thunder, splitting Kabuto's chaotic thoughts. Memories suddenly flooded back: Nono, teaching him to identify herbs in the clinic, saying, "Medicine is for saving lives, not killing." She had shielded him from the flames of war, saying, "Kou must become a kind person." And the feeling of the badge warming in his pocket when Orochimaru had bewitched him and used poison to harm innocent people—those warmth he had deliberately forgotten were now clearer than the pain of the curse.

"I want to... tell her I was wrong." Kabuto's voice choked with sobs. His snake-style chakra suddenly became docile, actively wrapping around the energy of the Uchiha Crystal. The medical instruments in the clinic began to vibrate. Pale purple snake scales intertwined with the crimson pupil patterns of his pupils, forming a unique "Snake Eye Kaleidoscope"—a pinwheel-shaped pupil entwined with snake scales, and each rotation was accompanied by a flicker of memory fragments.

Yin Zhu's system dashboard instantly refreshed: [Kabuto's Mangekyō pupils awakened successfully, exclusive ability "Immortal Rebirth" unlocked, emotional resonance value 98%]. He slowly withdrew his hand and retreated to a corner of the clinic. "Now, use your memories as a guide to get her back."

Kabuto took a deep breath, and the kaleidoscope suddenly lit up. As he formed hand seals, a complex pattern emerged on the clinic floor. Purple snake-style chakra and crimson eye-jutsu energy intertwined into a cocoon of light. When the cocoon dissipated, Shi Nono, clad in a white doctor's uniform, stood before the operating table. His smile was the same gentle smile he remembered, but his figure was faintly transparent—proof of his memory state, which could only last for three hours.

"Kabuto?" Shi Nono's voice was filled with doubt. She reached out and gently touched his cheek. The warmth of her fingertips was exactly the same as in her memory. "How did you... grow so big?"

Kabuto's tears burst out instantly, he knelt on the ground, hugged her waist tightly: "Teacher! I was wrong! I shouldn't have followed Orochimaru to learn bad things, I shouldn't have used medical skills to harm others, I..."

"Silly boy." Shi Nono's hand gently stroked his hair, as gentle as when they were little. "I never blamed you. You're very brave to have survived the war." She looked down at the curse seal on Kabuto's arm, and her fingertips gathered a weak amount of medical chakra. "Does this curse seal hurt?"

Kabuto shook his head and looked up into her eyes—there was no disappointment in them, only heartache. He suddenly understood that his years of striving for power hadn't been for Orochimaru's approval, but to prove to Nono that he lived up to her expectations. His snake-eyed kaleidoscope lit up again, and he projected fragments of his memories into the air: Nono's medical instruction, the sunflowers he'd planted in his clinic, and the slip of paper he'd secretly hidden, filled with "I miss you, Sensei."

"Teacher, you see, I later saved many people." Kabuto pointed at the image on the projection, his voice full of pride, "Master Yinzhu helped me remove some of the curses. Now I can use my medical skills to save people, just like you taught me."

Shi Nono's eyes welled up as she reached out to touch the sunflower in the projection. "It's great that Kabuto has finally become a kind person." Her figure began to fade, the three-hour deadline approaching. "Promise, teacher, that no matter what difficulties you encounter in the future, never forget your original intention. Your medical skills and your kindness are the most precious things."

Kabuto gripped her hand tightly, his snake-eyed kaleidoscope radiating intense light, attempting to prolong his memory form. But Yinzhu's voice echoed in her ears: "The meaning of memory reincarnation isn't about forcing things to stay, but about reconciling with the past. She wants you to look forward, not dwell on the past."

Kabuto paused, watching the gradually transparent figure of Shi Ye Nou, tears fell again, but it was no longer despair, but relief: "Teacher, I promise you. I will become the person you expect, and use my medical skills to protect more people."

Shi Nono smiled and nodded. She gave him one last look before vanishing into thin air, leaving behind only a faintly glowing medical badge—the only physical token left after the memory form vanished. A line of small words had been added to it: "Kabuto, always a kind child."

Kabuto gripped the badge tightly, his snake pupils gradually receding, and the curse seal on his arm dimmed. He stood up and looked at Yin Zhu, his eyes no longer wary, only grateful: "Thank you."

Yinzhu stepped forward and handed him a bottle of light green potion. "This is 'Curse Seal Inhibitor'. It will help you slowly peel away Orochimaru's curse seal." He pointed at Kabuto's eyes. "Your Mangekyō pupils not only allow you to recall memories, but also see through poisons and curse seals. This is a 'healer's' eye technique, not for combat, but for protection."

Kabuto took the potion, looked at the badge in his hand, and suddenly smiled. For the first time in so many years, he felt that he was no longer Orochimaru's pawn, no longer an orphan without a home. He had the hope of Nono, the guidance of Ototake, and the Mangekyo eyes that could protect memories and save lives.

"I want to join the Sound Village." Kabuto suddenly spoke, his eyes determined. "I want to use my medical skills to heal the wounds of my fellow Sound Village members and help them relieve the pain of the curse - just like my teacher taught me."

Yin Zhu smiled and nodded: "You are always welcome in the medical department of Yin Ninja Village."

The rain stopped, and sunlight streamed through the broken windows of the clinic, falling on Kabuto and Ototake. Kabuto clutched the badge and potion tightly in his hands and followed Ototake out of the clinic. In the distance, from the direction of Otogakure, the laughter of his companions drifted in—Neiji practicing his Byakugan, Kimimaro sharpening his bone blade, Karin preparing healing potion, and Guren and the Minotaur polishing the crystal.

Kabuto gazed in that direction, a glimmer of hope in his snake eyes. He knew that past mistakes could not be undone, but the future could be walked anew. It was as if the voice of Nono was still ringing in his ears, reminding him that "kindness is the most precious thing." He would carry this original aspiration with him, using his medical skills and the kaleidoscope of his snake eyes to protect his companions and this new "home."

Yin Zhu looked at Kabuto beside him. A new notification popped up on the system panel: [Kabuto's mental transformation is complete, from "Shadow of Orochimaru" to "Healer Guardian", Bond value +30%]. He knew that the Oto Village had gained a powerful guardian, and this power born of memory and redemption would eventually shine a warm light amid the storm of the ninja world.

The two walked side by side, the sunlight stretched their shadows very long, like a bridge connecting the past and the future.