They left the underground chamber in silence.
It was already past midnight.
Sasuke pushed the stone slab back into place, sealing the passage the way it had been before.
As he did, Arata spoke quietly behind him.
"Sasuke. There's something more important than revenge that you haven't considered."
Sasuke turned, eyes narrowing.
"What could be more important than that?"
Arata rested a hand on his shoulder. His voice was serious—unusually so.
"You're the last true heir of the Uchiha."
Sasuke stiffened.
"Right now, the Uchiha bloodline exists only because you're alive." Arata's gaze didn't waver. "If you rush into revenge and die… then everything ends with you."
Sasuke's brow furrowed. "I'm not planning to lose."
Arata shook his head.
"Confidence doesn't change reality." His tone sharpened slightly. "You're chasing someone with the Mangekyō Sharingan. Someone who crushed Kakashi without effort."
He met Sasuke's eyes.
"I'm not telling you to abandon revenge."
"I'm telling you not to throw your life away before you're ready."
Sasuke didn't answer.
Arata continued, voice steady.
"Your father was the clan head. That responsibility didn't disappear just because the clan did." He paused. "If you die now—even if you take Itachi with you—the Uchiha vanish forever."
Silence.
The words sank deep, cutting cleaner than any insult.
Finally, Sasuke spoke, voice quiet.
"…I never thought about that."
Arata exhaled slowly.
"Revenge can wait."
"Strength can grow."
"But if you die too early, there is no second chance."
Sasuke looked down, fists trembling faintly.
After a long time, he nodded.
"You're right." His voice was firm now. "I won't challenge him until I'm certain I'll win."
Arata blinked—genuinely surprised.
"…Good."
Sakura watched them, heart pounding.
Naruto scratched his head, confused as usual.
"So… what were you guys talking about?"
Arata sighed.
"Simple version?"
"Sasuke's not allowed to be stupid anymore."
Naruto nodded solemnly.
"Oh." He considered it. "Yeah, that makes sense."
Sasuke almost smiled.
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