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Sasuke's POV (Northern Mountains of Irminsul - Terra)
Usually, Sasuke would only go for a few slashes before quitting this technique; it was chakra-intensive and disorientating. But normal would not be enough here. Sasuke could not stop till he bested each of his foes, lest he face death. His pride would allow nothing less.
It was infuriating how true Shisui's advice had been, merely by adjusting his approach he was moving faster and could achieve much more with each flicker. This level of Ash Step was scarcely what Sasuke had shown during the exams. Surely this would've made a difference in the exams. Yet Sasuke did not allow pride to distract him. This feat was nothing in the grand scheme of things. Sasuke had seen the level of Gaara, Naruto, and even the goofy Fuu. He had much further to go. And now Sasuke saw it was within grasp. Sasuke tirelessly continued as his chakra waned to a little less than half. He was slicing several down with every second. It felt like an instant yet it surely must've been nearly a full minute of Ash Step.
Sasuke supposed Yuno and Shusui were to thank for this breakthrough. Both had tirelessly drilled in the message of relaxing, of being focused but not blinded, driven but not desperate, words Sasuke had admittedly never taken well or even seriously. But as he now gilded around, delivering death with each step, Sasuke saw their wisdom. It did not require him to try less than his best or even sacrifice efficiency to go forward with less stress on his shoulders. In fact ensuring inner and outer peace would only improve him as a shinobi. Sasuke carried much on his back, in battle, he must let go of all of his stressors, doubts, even pride. Only victory mattered in the moment. And only the coldly efficient would receive it.
Sasuke retched violently as he suddenly stopped his assault. Mindless of the battle, the Uchiha panted and coughed as he dropped to his knees. His body aching all over, and his heartbeat pounding.
"Sasuke?"
A voice rang out; Sasuke could hear them but instead willed himself up, Besmirched Flambe reappearing in his hand as he did. His eyes whipped around, scanning the area for foes. He had a little less than half of his chakra left. He would have to finish these pests off and continue on. No time for weakness.
"Are you okay? You won the battle, but I'm not sure it was worth the cost." Muri remarked as the bird sat directly in front of the Uchiha. "Also, friendly warning, throw up on me and die."
Sasuke ignored the raccoon's incessant ranting as he took his surroundings in shock. The clearing was completely cleared of snow, exposing the hard dirt and stone beneath. But all around the clearing were the fallen bodies of Weasels. There was a sickly sweet smell in the air as some of the creatures burned from the inside. The putrid smell of burning corpses was one he was slowly becoming familiar with. Sasuke eyed the unfortunate survivors of his attack. They would surely perish shortly, and likely in great pain. Deciding to offer mercy by death Sasuke coldly used a kunai to sever their spines. Allowing them a painless death they had not intended for himself. Those unconscious or injured but stable were left behind. Sasuke gained nothing by slaughtering the lot. Muri started to watch as Sasuke did so, seemingly somewhat shocked by his battle.
"You seem so comfortable taking lives. Is it the fact that their animals make it easier?" Muri asked. Sasuke was confused by his question and the tone he used. "Or would any foe that faced you receive the same treatment?" The creature seemed accusatory…
"I am comfortable with it, at least in the correct scenarios. A group mercilessly attempting to take our lives happens to be so. It doesn't matter who or what; stand in my way, and you will suffer the consequences. It is the nature of shinobi, we are weapons." Sasuke replied. "Do you resent me for slaying them? It seemed clear the entire time that would be the only solution."
"Not quite," Muri answered with hesitation. "It is the nature of the world for there to be conflict. Though we may find it objectionable, they were merely seeking food. As they have always done."
"Isn't that in itself devaluing life?" Sasuke retorted.
"More than likely, yes, but it's not quite the same. You humans survive like us, sure, but you do so overzealously. Making the world and foes nothing more than playthings. When we attack or kill there is ample reason. Unlike you humans, we animals recognize our place in life. We may live alone or together, feed or be food, fight or flee, but everyone must one day die. Everyone must struggle, and we must all live, even at the detriment to others. We recognize the worth of our lives and don't paint ourselves as any different from our foes. Yet you humans seemed so attached to the idea in the inherent idea of the worth of human life. But to those who are different? Well you treat them as lessers. I suppose I just wonder how a human justifies it so quickly. To kill purely due to ideals and pride. I'm sure Naruto would've been disgusted with having to do this, yet you seem prideful to be able to do so."
Sasuke hummed as he happened upon a Weasel seemingly attempting to submit. "It may very well be true that Naruto is somewhat my equal. But he and I fundamentally disagree on some fronts. We are two different people with different ideals. We both intend to achieve our goal, both intend to let nothing stop us, but he intends to do so within the bounds of morality and peer opinion. Meanwhile, I intend to not let anything stop me from achieving my own. I won't appease others or bend backward to be merciful to foes. We're similar in our indomitable drive but different in how we operate. So forgive me if we disagree on what is happening or how it happens. But we must set that aside to achieve our mutual goals no? That being said, this is the leader, right?"
Muri blinked before jumping onto Sasuke's shoulder, still in bird form, staring down at the Weasels' badly burnt but still alive leader.
"Heh, heh, heh." The Weasel dryly chuckled. "Imagine the great hunting pack of the Bloodthirster clan being defeated by a single human. You are stronger than we could've known. How shameful…"
"We need to get going now, Sasuke!" Muri warned. "This is merely one of their packs. Doubtless, many more will come!"
"The raccoon is correct. My children will doubtless seek us; possibly they already race to avenge their comrades. You may have killed us, but the Bloodthrirsters will still feed on you."