"It depends on whether you have the strength to take it from me."Sasuke's voice was low but edged with fire. He pushed back the bandit leader's attack, his eyes burning crimson. The Sharingan — pride of the Uchiha — flared like molten glass.
That pride was all he had left now. The Uchiha name lived or died with him, and no one — no one — would mock it.
He inhaled sharply. "Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu!"
A massive fireball erupted from his mouth, lighting up the forest in an inferno of orange and gold. It roared forward, swallowing the air, a reflection of Sasuke's fury itself.
The bandit leader's eyes widened. "That—! How can a brat use such jutsu!?"
He panicked, swinging his massive tiger-headed cleaver. "Blade Art: Cross Split!"
No chakra, no fancy technique — just brute strength. The cleaver ripped through the fireball, scattering embers. But he wasn't fast enough. The blast struck him square in the chest.
The explosion scorched half his body. His skin blistered, his hair curled into ash, and the smell of burned flesh filled the clearing.
"AHHHH!" The man screamed, clutching his face, the sword trembling in his grip.
He was still alive — barely.
"I'll kill you, brat!" he roared, half-blind, swinging again. The blade hissed through the air.
Sasuke dodged, teeth gritted. His Sharingan tracked every movement, every shift of the man's shoulders. He could see everything… and still, his body lagged behind.
Just like Naruto said, Sasuke thought bitterly. Seeing the attack isn't the same as being able to dodge it.
The bandit's swing grazed his cheek, the wind biting his skin.
Sasuke stepped back, inhaled again, and formed another seal. "Katon: Hōsenka no Jutsu!"
Dozens of small fireballs erupted from his mouth, darting like meteors. They flew in erratic arcs — up, down, left, right — converging on the enemy.
"Wha—"
The bandit leader couldn't react fast enough.
Boom. Boom. Boom.
Fire blossomed all around him. The night turned into a field of crimson petals and smoke. When it cleared, the man's charred body fell with a thud, a black silhouette against the burning ground.
Panting heavily, Sasuke lowered his arm. His chakra was nearly drained. His lungs burned. "It's… over."
"Sasuke!" Sakura rushed to him, catching his arm as he staggered.
He managed a faint smile. "Relax… I'm fine."
From behind the smoke, a trembling voice whispered, "T-the boss is dead…"
The remaining bandits froze. Then chaos erupted — half screamed, half cheered. Some looked terrified, others eager, eyes glinting with greed.
And then — a guttural roar split the tension.
"You think I'd die that easily?"
Sasuke turned. His eyes widened.
The bandit leader was standing again — burned, limping, but alive. His breath came out ragged, and madness burned in his gaze.
"Impossible," Sasuke muttered.
The man tore open his scorched tunic, revealing a glimmer beneath. Thin metallic threads weaved together — a silk-like armor that shimmered faintly under the firelight.
"This," the leader growled, "is the reason I rule this territory. Found it in the ruins here — armor that even my own sword couldn't cut. I tested it for a full day. Not a scratch." He laughed, a low, cracked sound. "You're finished, brat."
Sasuke stared at him in silence — then, unexpectedly, smiled. "Thank you."
The bandit leader blinked. "What?"
"For telling me your weak point."
The man's grin faltered. "What the hell are you—"
A golden flash tore through the air.
Thunk.
The sound of steel meeting flesh.
The leader froze, eyes widening. A Kunai gleamed in his chest, glowing faintly with a golden hue.
A calm voice echoed from behind Sasuke. "Sorry to keep you waiting."
The smoke parted — and a familiar figure stepped forward.