Kakashi stood silently for a moment, his visible eye fixed on Sasuke.
Then, he nodded slightly.
"No… this isn't about giving up."
His voice was calm, but it carried a weight that Sasuke couldn't ignore.
"Hatred is not a good thing," Kakashi continued, "but there are some hatreds that cannot simply be forgotten… some that demand resolution."
Sasuke's eyes flickered.
"Sasuke," Kakashi said, his tone softening, "I don't think there's anything wrong with wanting to kill Uchiha Itachi."
Sasuke's fingers twitched.
"On the contrary… if you didn't want to kill him, that would be abnormal."
For a brief moment, Sasuke looked up.
This was not what he expected.
"But," Kakashi's voice hardened, "that doesn't mean you should act recklessly. Uchiha Itachi is far stronger than you imagine."
A pause.
Then—
"You're thinking of going to Orochimaru… aren't you?"
Silence.
Sasuke didn't answer.
But his silence was answer enough.
Kakashi sighed quietly.
"Everyone deserves a chance at revenge," he said. "But the dead… don't get that chance."
His gaze sharpened.
"Going to Orochimaru is the same as walking toward your own death."
Sasuke's fists clenched tightly.
"But what if this is my only hope?!" he shot back, his voice trembling.
Kakashi stepped closer.
"Sasuke… if you truly believe that, then I think you're running away."
Those words struck harder than any blow.
"Running away?" Sasuke repeated, disbelief and anger mixing in his voice.
"Yes," Kakashi said firmly. "You want to escape everything—the pain, the hatred, the burden."
Sasuke froze.
"If you die at Orochimaru's hands," Kakashi continued, "you won't have to endure anything anymore. No suffering. No torment."
His voice dropped.
"But then… who will avenge you?"
Sasuke's body trembled as if struck by lightning.
Deep down, he knew…
That thought had crossed his mind before.
If he trusted Orochimaru, there was a chance—just a chance—that he might gain the power needed to kill Itachi.
But if he failed…
Death would come swiftly.
And with it, release.
No more pain.
No more hatred.
No more loneliness.
Was that what he truly wanted?
Was this… cowardice?
Kakashi spoke again, more gently this time.
"I'm not here to lecture you. But think carefully—what do you have left besides hatred?"
Sasuke's breath caught.
"Naruto once saved you. Hinata once stood up for you."
Kakashi turned away.
"Your life… isn't just your own anymore."
With that, he walked off, leaving Sasuke alone in the quiet night.
Darkness slowly enveloped Konoha.
The village lights flickered softly, casting long shadows across empty streets.
Sasuke stood still, his mind in turmoil.
Kakashi's words echoed endlessly in his head.
Hatred.
Revenge.
Escape.
Bonds.
Each thought clashed violently with the others.
He didn't know how much time had passed.
Then—
A faint sound broke the silence.
Sasuke's eyes snapped open.
Several figures had appeared before him, their silhouettes barely visible under the pale moonlight.
They stood like predators, watching him intently.
"Who are you?" Sasuke asked coldly.
His gaze dropped to their forehead protectors.
"Otogakure… ninja."
His expression darkened.
"So… you're Orochimaru's subordinates."
The figures stepped forward.
They were the Sound Four.
Jirobo spoke first, his voice deep and steady.
"That's right. Capturing Uchiha Sasuke is the highest order given by Lord Orochimaru."
"He needs you."
A faint smirk appeared on his face.
"And you need him."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed.
"What if I refuse?"
Before Jirobo could answer, Tayuya scoffed impatiently.
"Why waste time talking to him?" she snapped. "Just beat him and take him!"
Kidōmaru chuckled.
"Yeah… sounds more fun that way."
In an instant, the four of them surrounded Sasuke.
Sasuke's expression hardened.
Without hesitation, his Sharingan activated.
Three tomoe spun within his crimson eyes.
At this point, his abilities had grown far beyond what they once were. His taijutsu was sharper, his ninjutsu more refined.
He was stronger.
Much stronger than before.
But—
Against the combined strength of the Sound Four…
It wasn't enough.
The battle began.
And ended almost as quickly.
Despite his efforts, Sasuke found himself completely suppressed. Their coordination, their strength—it was overwhelming.
Tayuya sneered.
"That's it? This is the one Orochimaru-sama wants?"
"What a joke."
"Watch your mouth," Sakon muttered. "If Lord Orochimaru hears you, you're dead."
Tayuya clicked her tongue but fell silent.
Sakon stepped forward, his expression calm.
"Uchiha Sasuke… being chosen by Lord Orochimaru is an honor."
"You should think carefully."
Kidōmaru added with a grin—
"He told us to pass on a message."
"Joining him… is your only path to revenge."
Sasuke's heart shook violently.
Before he could respond—
They were gone.
Vanished into the night.
The silence returned.
But something inside Sasuke had changed.
Kakashi's words… Orochimaru's temptation…
They clashed within him, tearing at his thoughts.
"Damn it…"
He gritted his teeth.
The night air felt colder now.
Without realizing it, his feet began to move.
Through quiet streets.
Past dimly lit houses.
Until—
He stopped.
"…Naruto's house?"
Sasuke stared at it, confusion flickering across his face.
"Why am I here?"
He looked up.
On the second floor, light still shone through the window.
From inside, he could hear it—
The sound of training.
Relentless.
Unyielding.
"…That idiot," Sasuke muttered softly.
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"As expected… still training."
His gaze softened.
"Naruto… you've always been ahead of me."
"And you work harder than anyone."
He let out a quiet breath.
"Even though we argue and fight all the time…"
"You're the one I respect the most."
"My only friend… and my greatest rival."
His voice grew quieter.
"After losing my family… you might be the most important person in my life."
Then—
The smile faded.
Sasuke shook his head, a bitter expression replacing it.
"But someone like me…"
"…doesn't deserve something like friendship."
"I'm bound by hatred. Living only to kill Uchiha Itachi."
"What right do I have to talk about bonds?"
He stood there in silence for a long time.
Then, he exhaled.
"I'm leaving, Naruto."
"If I die… then everything ends."
"If I don't…"
He didn't finish the sentence.
Slowly, he raised his hand.
It felt heavy.
But in the end—
He gave a small wave toward the lit window.
Then turned away.
Without looking back.
"Kakashi-sensei… Hinata…"
"Thank you."
Sasuke returned home.
The room felt emptier than ever.
He didn't pack anything.
There was nothing he needed.
His eyes fell on a photograph—
Team 7.
He stared at it quietly.
Then, after a moment—
He turned the frame face down.
And left.
At the outskirts of Konoha—
The Sound Four were waiting.
When they saw Sasuke approach, they all relaxed.
"Welcome, Lord Sasuke."
Their previous arrogance vanished as they knelt respectfully.
Sasuke paused.
Something stirred within him.
But he said nothing.
"Let's go."
A gentle wind swept through the trees, brushing against his face.
For a moment—
It felt like the village itself was trying to hold him back.
Sasuke closed his eyes.
Then—
Silence.
"Y-Yes, Lord Sasuke!"
Jirobo quickly spoke again.
"Before we leave, as per Lord Orochimaru's orders… you must take this."
He held out a pill.
"The Mind Awakening Pill."
"It will activate the power of the Cursed Seal."
Sasuke looked at it.
"Why?"
Jirobo's expression turned serious.
"When the Cursed Seal awakens, it grants immense power."
"But the pain…"
"…is worse than death."
"If you can't endure it, your body will reject it."
"And you will die."
Kidōmaru grinned.
"But don't worry. We'll seal you inside a special container."
"The Four Black Mist Formation will preserve your state."
"In other words…"
"You won't die… even if you want to."
Sasuke understood.
This was a gamble.
Survive—
And gain power.
Fail—
And die.
But his expression didn't change.
"I'm ready."
The Sound Four exchanged glances, surprised by his resolve.
But they didn't hesitate.
They handed him the pill.
Sasuke swallowed it.
Immediately, pain surged through his body.
His expression twisted.
"Now!"
The four of them formed hand seals.
A dark mist spread outward, engulfing Sasuke completely.
A wooden barrel appeared.
And in the next moment—
Sasuke was sealed inside.
The transformation had begun.
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