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Their eyes locked, both clearly reading the other. Neji's gaze carried a quiet warmth the same kind of look Sasuke once remembered from "that man."
Her Sharingan flickered, a subtle tremor passing through before she quickly averted her eyes. Yet almost immediately, her grip tightened around her blade, forcing herself to meet his stare once more.
Neji's attention dropped briefly to her chest, where the edge of a pendant peeked out.
"…I thought you had thrown that away. All these years, you never once used it to reach me."
Flustered by his words, Sasuke clutched at her collar, covering the necklace as if ashamed to let him see it.
"What are you really doing here? I have nothing to do with the Leaf anymore."
But that pendant… she had never been able to part with it. Even she didn't fully understand why she kept it.
Whenever the training grew unbearable… whenever she remembered the night of the massacre and that endless hatred… she would find herself staring at it in silence. It had become her only anchor.
Neji gently pushed the edge of her blade aside and sat down where she had been moments ago, looking at her absent expression and the sword hanging loosely at her side.
After a long silence, Sasuke whispered, "I can't go back. Not until I deal with him."
"And after that?"
Neji's voice cut through, sharp and unyielding. The question slammed into her like a kunai, leaving her mind blank.
And after?
"What happens when you kill Itachi? When you get your revenge? What then, Sasuke? Where will you go? What will you do?"
Her face paled, that proud and defiant aura suddenly faltering. She shook her head violently, strands of dark hair whipping about.
"No! I haven't finished it yet. Until I defeat him, I—"
"Enough!"
Neji's words fell like a curse, dragging her into a storm she couldn't escape.
"Look back, Sasuke. Who's waiting for you? Who's watching you? Who's still hoping for you?"
"Revenge has its place. But revenge alone can't be the rest of your life. When it's done… what is it you want most?"
Her lips trembled. Unbidden, Sai's words resurfaced in Naruto, who had never stopped searching for her… Sakura, who still clung to hope…
Her teeth sank into her lip. After revenge… what then?
"No!" Sasuke shouted suddenly, forcing the thoughts away. "I haven't avenged my clan yet. I don't get to think about anything else, Neji!"
She raised her blade once more, pointing it straight at him, her Sharingan burning with grim resolve.
Neji sighed softly. So much for my persuasion… Naruto's words will always reach her better than mine. Even Orochimaru's manipulations and Itachi's hatred weigh heavier than I can.
But at least he had planted a seed. Even the strongest walls don't collapse in a single strike they crack piece by piece, until the flood becomes unstoppable.
"…So you've made your choice."
Sasuke nodded firmly. The uncertainty lingered, but her hatred burned brighter, scattering every doubt. Even becoming a woman meant nothing — all that mattered was gaining the strength for vengeance.
"Then I'll be going."
Neji rose to his feet, studying her long, black hair flowing, a proud and cold expression carved in steel. She had truly become a formidable kunoichi.
"…And beautiful too. I can only imagine Naruto's face when he sees you again."
He turned to leave.
Flash!
Her blade shot forward, only to be caught between Neji's fingers. He looked at her in mild surprise.
"Didn't you say you wanted me to stay?"
"If Orochimaru won't train me, then you won't escape either. I'll test myself against you and see how far I've come."
Her Sharingan flared as she lifted her head, crimson light glowing through the strands of her hair.
"The old me couldn't withstand your full strength. But now… I won't let you down."
"Show me the true power of your eyes, Neji."
Lightning erupted in her other hand, the shrill screech of [Chidori] filling the chamber.
Neji smirked. "You really haven't changed… In that case, let's see how much you can endure."
The two clashed, thunder exploding outward as sparks lit the underground lair.
Neji's Armament Haki hardened against Sasuke's strikes but she wasn't the same girl who used to fight head-on without thought. Orochimaru had honed her. Like a serpent, she weaved around Neji, movements sinuous and relentless.
The battle escalated, each strike pushing the other to reveal more. Neji didn't intend to end it quickly he wanted to gauge her, to help her grow stronger.
…
Meanwhile, outside the base, Naruto and his team had finally caught up, crouched behind a boulder.
Yamato pointed toward the rocks concealing the entrance. "There. That's the way in."
Naruto and Sakura's gazes fixed on the stone, hearts pounding.
"Sasuke… she's down there."
"…Yeah."
Naruto drew in a deep breath. "Then let's go—"
"Wait!"
Yamato's expression darkened. After all the promises to follow orders, Naruto's impatience was already showing.
I'm the team leader here, not you, he thought bitterly.
Still, seeing their determination, he sighed and pulled out two small seeds.
"Naruto, Sakura eat these before we go in."
They exchanged puzzled looks before taking them. Yamato explained:
"With this, even if we get separated, I'll instantly know your location."
Sakura frowned. "Seeds?"
"Think of them as chakra transmitters. They'll only resonate with mine."
Naruto blinked. "…Kind of like what I planted on Sai's clothes and food."
Sakura's eyes widened. "So that's how you tracked him…"
Yamato smiled faintly. Reliable. Professional. That was what a true Jonin leader looked like.
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~Support with 200 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter
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