Under the vast, high sky, a few dark clouds drifted in, casting a heavy, oppressive shadow over the sea of green forests below. After all, it was late autumn—even after sunny days, rain would eventually come.
Obito, with his own motives, intercepted the Konoha's team. Meanwhile, in another location, another interception was unfolding.
Further northwest, Naruto's shadow clone had encountered Sasuke's team. After being discovered, they continued their swift journey, traversing mountains and valleys until they could see a desolate cluster of buildings ahead.
"That must be the Uchiha Hideout." Suigetsu remarked, visibly relaxing as he took a few gulps from his water bottle.
"It looks a bit rundown." Karin said, glancing at Sasuke, who remained silent as he led the way. Following his gaze, her expression shifted slightly.
A dozen or so houses stood in a clearing that had been swept clean, appearing completely deserted from a distance. Thick vegetation crawled over the stone walls, and the windows were covered in dust, their aged glass dull and unable to reflect even the sunlight.
The Uchiha had once been one of Konoha's most prominent clans. Though they had declined, their secret hideouts still dotted the vast Land of Fire, like abandoned streets left to decay in solitude.
Karin instinctively glanced at Sasuke again, only to notice Suigetsu's suspicious gaze darting between her and their leader. Flustered, she snapped, "Hey, you water-guzzling freak, stay sharp!"
Suigetsu rolled his eyes in response.
Soon, the four of them passed through the area and arrived at a tall structure that separated the district. A man with a massive sword was already waiting for them.
Sasuke's expression became serious. He raised his hand to ask his team members to stop as he eyed the familiar Akatsuki member.
Clad in black robes with red clouds, Kisame's small eyes swept over the group as he grinned, revealing his sharp teeth, "You're here."
The wind rustled through the trees.
After recovering from his injuries sustained in the battle against Deidara, Sasuke had tirelessly pursued his goal. Not long ago, he had encountered Itachi's clone in a cave.
"Sasuke, come alone to the Uchiha Hideout. I will settle things with you there."
Recalling those words, Sasuke smirked coldly. Addressing Kisame, he said, "I'm here for Uchiha Itachi. This has nothing to do with anyone else."
His eyes and voice were very indifferent, which was the demeanor he had honed through years of abandoning emotions in pursuit of strength, "Hoshigaki Kisame, as Itachi's partner, you must know this already, right?"
After hearing this, Kisame shrugged. Although he looked menacing, he did not show any hostility, "I'm just standing here out of necessity."
"But since Itachi-san ordered it, I'll hold this position for a while."
With a heavy thud, he planted Samehada on the rooftop, "You can go through."
Kisame tilted his head and said to the people behind him, "But only Uchiha Sasuke is allowed through. The others will have to stay here."
Team Hebi looked at each other.
Sasuke nodded, making the decision for his teammates, "That's perfect, I recruited them precisely so no one would interfere when I kill Itachi."
"Karin, Suigetsu, Jugo, wait here."
"Yeah, that's right. Let's all just wait here peacefully." Kisame said with a smile.
Without hesitation, Sasuke leaped across the distance, passing Kisame without any obstruction.
Karin watched as Sasuke's figure disappeared into the distance, his resolve unshaken. She swallowed her protests, keeping them to herself.
…
'Closer. Almost there.'
Sasuke approached the last remaining building in the hideout. Beyond it lay only the endless trees, barren and unremarkable.
His enemy was undoubtedly inside.
The man he had vowed to kill, the bond he had to sever… Sasuke had overcome unimaginable hardships to reach this moment. He had endured days upon days of darkness, danger gnawing at his heart, hatred tormenting his bones. Now, on this bleak autumn day, he had finally fought his way here. The distance between them was but a breath away.
His teammates, the bonds he had formed in recent days, and even Team 7, Naruto, and Kakashi, far away in Konoha, all of it was discarded without a shred of hesitation. Only vengeance remained in his heart.
No one knew how he had endured to reach this point. Step by step, Sasuke walked forward, each movement reflecting the years of relentless training he had undergone.
He pushed open the door, the path vaguely familiar from childhood memories. The sound of his footsteps echoed through the corridor, sharp and deliberate.
His expression remained cold, but he could feel the man's presence now.
This time, it wasn't a clone or some trick. Step after step, he passed peeling white walls, shattered picture frames, and aged redwood cabinets. Finally, he paused for half a second before pushing open the last door.
He had grown stronger without pause, using every ounce of his strength to maintain his cold facade. He knew his own flaws, his own darkness… no one else needed to point them out. To Sasuke, as long as he could kill the man before him, nothing else mattered.
"…"
Sasuke's gaze locked onto Itachi.
The hall was vast, spanning over a hundred square meters of empty space. The two stood at opposite ends, the distance between them a reflection of seven years of hatred and pursuit.
Itachi sat casually in what seemed like a leader's chair, one leg crossed over the other.
"You've come, Sasuke."
Suppressing the storm of emotions inside, Sasuke stepped forward, his strides steady as he walked down the worn-out carpet. The journey between them had been agonizingly long.
Yet, in another sense, it had all condensed into this single moment, "Uchiha Itachi, are you ready to die?"
The desire for revenge burned in his chest, his entire being trembling with anticipation. But his face remained impassive as he stared at Itachi, who now rose from his seat.
Itachi didn't answer immediately. Instead, he observed Sasuke and remarked, "You're not charging at me recklessly this time."
The memory of their last encounter flashed through Sasuke's mind… when his reckless Chidori had been effortlessly caught by Itachi's hand. The pain in his wrist that day still lingered.
Sasuke replied emotionlessly, "Yeah."
The brothers' cold expressions were eerily similar—matching features, matching auras. The killing intent between them was palpable, unrelenting until the very end.
Who could have imagined that once, they had walked home together… one smiling as he carried the other on his back, the other clinging like a koala?
Those warm, tender days were long gone.
"Sasuke, I'm glad you were foolish enough to come here. I'll take your eyes to complete my Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan."
Itachi patted his sleeve lightly and stood, revealing his hollowed eyes… a sign of his deteriorating vision.
With a flick, Itachi discarded his robe, revealing the streamlined Ninja attire beneath.
"As you wish, this time I'll fight you seriously."
The tangled web of love and hatred between them erupted into a bloody, life-and-death battle.
Gritting his teeth, Sasuke drew the Kusanagi Sword, the sword sliding out with a metallic ring.
Click, click…
The sound echoed through the silent hall. Itachi smirked faintly. "What's wrong? Can't even hold your sword steady from fear?"
"Don't be too scared."
Sasuke fully unsheathed the blade, his eyes burning with intensifying emotion.
"No. I'm trembling with excitement."
He let go of the scabbard, letting it clatter to the ground.