Chapter 2: The Calm Before the Storm
The rain had faded to mist.
Sasuke walked quietly through the forest, the weight of blood, betrayal, and resolve pressing against his back like a second cloak. His Mangekyō Sharingan shimmered faintly beneath the damp bangs that framed his cold, unreadable eyes. But it wasn't just exhaustion that lingered in them anymore.
It was clarity.
And strategy.
Team Taka Camp – Border of the Land of Rivers
Karin was the first to sense him return.
She turned sharply from her place beneath the rocky cliff, crimson eyes narrowing. "He's back," she muttered, voice steady but laced with unease.
Suigetsu looked up from where he lazily sharpened the Executioner's Blade against stone. "About time."
Jūgo, seated cross-legged nearby, looked to the trees with a faint frown. He didn't just sense chakra—he sensed something beneath it.
Not heavier.
Not darker.
Just… colder.
And calmer.
Sasuke stepped into view, rain still clinging to his cloak like dried blood.
No greetings.
Only silence.
Then:
"Itachi is dead."
Karin stiffened. Suigetsu blinked. Jūgo said nothing, though his gaze lingered on Sasuke's aura.
Sasuke continued, voice clipped and emotionless.
"Our mission has changed."
Karin crossed her arms. "To what?"
"We're heading to the Land of Lightning," he said. "The Eight-Tails Jinchūriki is there. Killer Bee."
Suigetsu's eyes narrowed. "You serious? That's the Raikage's brother."
"A perfect Jinchūriki," Jūgo added quietly.
"I know," Sasuke replied flatly.
Karin squinted. "Why him?"
Sasuke met her gaze—but said nothing.
Not a lie.
Not a truth.
Just silence.
"…Fine," Suigetsu muttered. "But if we die doing this, I'm blaming you."
Sasuke didn't reply.
Because he had already accepted death.
Just not theirs.
Later That Night – Forest Edge
Sasuke sat alone beneath the branches of an ancient tree, legs folded, arms resting lightly on his knees. The faint sounds of insects and wind surrounded him, but his thoughts were elsewhere.
With a thought, he summoned the interface.
[SYSTEM ACTIVE – AVENGER CORE]
Level: 60
Class: Avenger
Status: Stable
Unique Ability: Kage no Sasayaki (Shadow Clone of Vengeance)
Current Objective: Capture the Eight-Tails
[New Target Confirmed: Perfect Jinchūriki – Killer Bee]
[Warning: Threat Level – S-Rank. Synergy with Eight-Tails Confirmed.]
[Potential Evolution Path: Mangekyō Reinforcement – Locked]
[INVENTORY]
Mangekyō Sharingan – Uchiha Itachi (Sealed)
Akatsuki Cloak (Torn)
Kusanagi Blade
Chakra Storage Scrolls
Healing Pill ×3
[QUEST – THE AVENGER'S PATH]
— Kill Danzo Shimura
— Eliminate the Leaf Elders
— Destroy ROOT
— Capture the Eight-Tails
— Use Obito (Status: Ongoing)
→ Monitor Obito – Threat Level: Moderate. Suspected Manipulator.
[Reward: EXP Boost | Legacy Unlocks | Title: "True Avenger"]
He looked at the sealed eyes once more—his brother's final legacy.
Not yet.
I'll use them only when my eyes reach their limit. Not before.
I'll rise with my own power first.
He closed the window and stared into the night.
Killer Bee is strong.
Perfect control over the Eight-Tails.
A perfect test. A forge for growth.
To measure this new strength. To learn how far he could go before reaching for more.
Obito thinks he's using me.
He smirked faintly.
Let him think that. He's just another piece. Another tool. Like the others…
Danzo. The Elders. The ones who fed my brother to the fire and called it peace. They're first.
But after them—Kaguya, Madara… even what comes after that—I'll be ready.
And if Obito ever tried to pull the strings too tight?
He'd cut them.
Elsewhere – Hidden Akatsuki Base
Deep underground, beneath stone and flame, Obito stood alone before a shifting, blue chakra projection pulsing with life.
A figure emerged from the wall—half black, half white, a crooked smile stretched across one side.
Zetsu.
"It's confirmed," Zetsu said. "Itachi is dead."
Obito's lone eye narrowed beneath the orange spiral of his mask.
"So… the younger brother lives."
"He's not acting broken," Zetsu continued. "He's… controlled. Calm."
Obito was silent for a long moment.
Then:
"He's changed. But that's fine."
"He's dangerous," Zetsu hissed.
Obito turned his gaze to the shadows. "He's necessary. Let him carry out the mission. Let him believe he's carving his own path."
Zetsu chuckled darkly. "Until we pull the strings?"
Obito's eye sharpened. His voice dropped to a whisper.
"And if he ever tries to cut them… I'll remind him what happens to Uchiha who think they're in control."