Chapter 161: Ya mad Bro
In the quiet, shadowed courtyard of the Hidden Leaf, a giant tree loomed over the area, its branches spreading wide and offering a serene, if not slightly eerie, shelter. The evening air was thick with tension, as Kakashi Hatake, the Copy Ninja, stood before Sasuke Uchiha, who was bound to the tree. The ropes held Sasuke firm, but it wasn't the ropes that weighed heavy on him; it was the words Kakashi was about to say.
Kakashi's single visible eye watched Sasuke with a mixture of sadness and understanding. Despite Sasuke's struggles and defiant glares, Kakashi knew that deep down, this was still the same boy who once cared about his teammates, who wanted to protect them, even if that part of him was now buried under layers of hatred and revenge.
"Sasuke," Kakashi began, his voice calm but firm, "I know you think that pursuing revenge is the only way to ease your pain, to bring justice to your clan. But I'm telling you, revenge is a poison. It'll consume you, and it won't bring back those you've lost."
Sasuke glared at him, his dark eyes burning with intensity. "You don't understand, Kakashi. You don't know what it's like to lose everything, to have your entire family taken from you. If you did, you'd know that revenge is the only thing that keeps me going."
Kakashi sighed, his gaze softening with empathy. "You're right, Sasuke. I don't know what it's like to lose my entire family like you did. But I do know what it's like to lose people who were precious to me." He paused, the weight of his past pressing down on him for a moment. "My father, my friends, my sensei... they're all gone."
Sasuke's expression flickered with surprise, but the anger didn't leave his eyes. "Then you should understand," he hissed, "why I have to do this."
Kakashi shook his head slowly. "No, Sasuke. What I understand is that revenge will never fill the void left by their absence. It won't bring them back, and it won't make you whole again. You still have people here who care about you—Naruto, Sakura. If you keep going down this path, you'll lose them too."
Sasuke's resolve wavered, but only for a moment. He looked away, staring into the distance as if searching for something beyond the horizon. "I can't let go, Kakashi. Itachi... she has to pay for what she did. I can't be at peace until I've avenged my clan."
Kakashi's eye narrowed with a mix of sadness and frustration. "Sasuke, Itachi's crimes are unforgivable, but you don't have to destroy yourself in the process. The Chidori... it's a tool for protecting the people you care about, not for attacking them. Don't turn it into a weapon of vengeance."
For a long moment, silence hung in the air between them. Sasuke's breathing was heavy, his mind a battlefield of conflicting emotions. Kakashi could see the struggle within him, the part of Sasuke that wanted to embrace the bonds he still had, fighting against the overwhelming desire for revenge.
Finally, Kakashi stepped forward and began to untie the ropes that bound Sasuke. "I'm not here to stop you, Sasuke. I can't make your choices for you. But I want you to think long and hard about what kind of person you want to be. Do you want to be someone who destroys everything around them, or someone who protects the people they care about?"
Sasuke stood still as the ropes fell away, his gaze locked on the ground. He didn't move or speak as Kakashi turned to leave, but the words he'd just heard echoed in his mind, challenging the dark path he was set on.
Kakashi stopped at the edge of the courtyard and glanced back at the young Uchiha. "Think about it, Sasuke. You still have a choice."
With that, Kakashi walked away, leaving Sasuke alone with his thoughts. The wind rustled the leaves of the giant tree above, and for a brief moment, the courtyard was still, the only sound being Sasuke's quiet breathing.
Sasuke clenched his fists, his mind spinning with everything Kakashi had said. He was torn between his thirst for revenge and the loyalty he still felt towards his friends, Naruto and Sakura. But as much as he wanted to believe in what Kakashi had told him, the pain and anger within him were too great, drowning out any hope for reconciliation.
As he stared up at the sky, the stars barely visible through the canopy of leaves, Sasuke felt more lost than ever. But deep down, he knew that a decision had to be made, and soon. His future, and the future of those around him, depended on it.
The night had deepened, the rain clouds still lingering overhead, casting a dim, silvery light over the Hidden Leaf's courtyard. Sasuke stood alone beneath the sprawling branches of the giant tree, the weight of Kakashi's words pressing heavily on his mind. He stared blankly at the night sky, the raindrops mingling with his unspoken thoughts.
Suddenly, the air around him shifted. A subtle disturbance in the atmosphere signaled the arrival of formidable presence. From the shadows emerged four distinct figures, each exuding an aura of power and menace. The Sound Four had arrived.
Jirōbō, the towering member of the group, stepped forward first. His fair skin contrasted sharply with his slanted orange eyes, which gleamed with calculated intent. The three tufts of orange hair—one mohawk-like down the center and two on the sides—added to his imposing appearance. His calm demeanor masked the lethal strength he possessed, evident in the way he surveyed Sasuke with a measured gaze.
Kidōmaru followed, his dark skin and black shaggy hair tied into a ponytail giving him a wild, untamed look. His six arms moved with deliberate precision, each hand capable of wielding weapons crafted from his spider-based techniques. The closed eye on his forehead, concealed beneath his Otogakure forehead protector, hinted at secrets and strategies only he fully understood. His confident grin was both unsettling and disarming.
Next were the twin brothers, Sakon and Ukon. Their fair skin and straight, dark blue hair with long bangs that covered each eye gave them an almost ethereal appearance. The slight difference in their bangs—Ukon's on the left and Sakon's on the right—betrayed their individuality despite sharing the same body. Sakon, the more active of the two, radiated a spiteful confidence, while Ukon's quick temper was barely contained beneath his composed exterior.
Finally, Tayuya, the only female member, approached with a grace that belied her aggressive nature. Her slender build and fair skin were accentuated by her flowing brown hair and the flute she carried, which glinted ominously in the dim light. Despite her impassive expression, her brown eyes held a fierce determination. Her attire, a blend of traditional and practical, allowed her to move swiftly and strike without warning. The beautiful ring on her neck, a gift from Malik, twinkled subtly, a reminder of her hidden softness beneath her abrasive exterior.
The Encounter
Sasuke's eyes narrowed as he took in the formidable group before him. "What do you want?" he demanded, his voice edged with irritation and lingering anger.
Jirōbō stepped forward, his voice deep and resonant. "Sasuke Uchiha, Orochimaru has sent us to offer you an opportunity. We've seen your potential, your strength, and your determination. Join us, and together we can achieve greatness beyond your current limits."
Kidōmaru added with a smirk, "Imagine the power you could wield, the enemies you could crush. Orochimaru's cursed seals have enhanced us beyond measure. You could become one of us."
Sakon and Ukon mirrored the sentiment, their voices overlapping in a harmonious yet menacing tone. "With Orochimaru's training, your Sharingan can evolve into something far more formidable. The path to vengeance you seek requires power that only we can help you attain."
Tayuya stepped closer, her flute gleaming in the night. "Don't let your pride blind you, Sasuke. Orochimaru can provide the strength you need to avenge your clan. Think about what you could accomplish with our support."
Sasuke clenched his fists, the conflicting emotions within him raging like the storm clouds above. "I don't need your help. I can achieve my goals on my own."
Jirōbō raised a hand, and the ground beneath Sasuke began to tremble as earth-based jutsu manifested around them. "You underestimate what Orochimaru can offer. We're not just here to recruit you; we're here to ensure you don't walk away."
Without warning, Kidōmaru launched a barrage of web-based attacks, forcing Sasuke to defend himself. The rain intensified, the droplets splattering against the rapidly forming earth barriers and sticky webs. Sakon and Ukon separated, attacking from multiple angles with swift, precise strikes, while Tayuya's flute played a disorienting melody that threatened to engulf Sasuke in powerful genjutsu.
Sasuke responded with his Sharingan, dodging and countering with lightning-fast movements. Chidori crackled at his fingertips, but the combined assault of the Sound Four was overwhelming. Each member exploited his weaknesses, pushing him to his limits.
Despite his best efforts, Sasuke found himself struggling to keep up. The power of the cursed seals surged through the Sound Four, enhancing their abilities and making them formidable opponents.
Sasuke's breathing was heavy, his body battered from the relentless attacks of the Sound Four. His Sharingan flared, desperately analyzing their movements, but the combined power of their cursed seals was proving too much. Despite his best efforts, he found himself outmatched, his frustration growing with each passing second.
As the battle raged on, a shadow passed overhead, followed by a gust of wind that rustled the leaves of the giant tree. Sasuke looked up, his eyes narrowing as he saw a figure descending from above, landing gracefully on a massive branch. The figure was none other than Malik, his pink and gold outfit shimmering in the dim light.
The Sound Four halted their assault, their attention shifting to the newcomer. Recognition flickered in their eyes, memories of the time spent at one of Orochimaru's bases flooding back. Malik had been a rare presence in their lives—kind, genuine, and surprisingly generous. Even though he had shown them nothing but warmth, they knew better than to underestimate him. More importantly, they were aware of Orochimaru's strict orders: Malik was off-limits.
Malik glanced at the Sound Four, a playful smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "That's not very nice," he chided gently, his tone light, though there was a subtle edge to it.
Sasuke, still reeling from the fight, watched Malik warily as he approached. Malik extended a hand toward him, intending to heal his wounds, but Sasuke, fueled by anger and pride, slapped it away. The gesture made Tayuya bristle with irritation, her hand twitching toward her flute, but before she could act, Sakon and the others restrained her with a glance.
Sakon, the more composed of the group, stepped forward. "Malik, are you here to stop us?" His voice was cautious, respectful even.
Malik waved his hand dismissively, a soft chuckle escaping him. "Stop you? I couldn't stop you if I wanted to. You're all far too determined for that."
With a flick of his wrist, Malik conjured a neatly wrapped lunch, the aroma of freshly made food wafting through the air. He handed it to Sasuke, his expression shifting to one of gentle concern. "Sasuke," he began, his voice calm and soothing, "pain and revenge might seem like powerful tools to fuel your strength, but they're fleeting. They burn hot, but that fire doesn't last. And if it does, it's at the cost of yourself and those around you."
Sasuke stared at the lunch in his hands, his expression unreadable. Malik continued, his tone softening further. "If going to Orochimaru and being experimented on is how you think you'll find the power you're seeking, then that's your choice. But remember, I'm only here because I promised Sakura I'd look out for you."
At the mention of Sakura, Tayuya's irritation flared. Malik, noticing her reaction, beckoned her over with a warm smile. But she turned away, crossing her arms defiantly. Unperturbed, Malik looked back at Sasuke, his gaze steady and sincere.
"Sasuke," Malik said, his voice filled with quiet wisdom, "power gained through shortcuts and dark paths often comes at a great cost. True strength lies not just in your abilities, but in your heart and the bonds you share with others. Revenge may seem like the only path, but it will only lead to more pain and emptiness. Remember that those who care about you want to see you grow and succeed, not fall into darkness. Choose your path wisely, for the decisions you make now will shape your future and the person you become."
He patted Sasuke on the back, offering a reassuring smile before turning to the others. With a wave of his hand, he summoned more boxed lunches, handing them out to each member of the Sound Four.
When he reached Tayuya, Malik leaned in close, whispering something in her ear. Whatever he said brought a rare smile to her lips, a sight that surprised even her comrades. The other members of the Sound Four exchanged amused glances, chuckling softly at Tayuya's uncharacteristic reaction—until she shot them a glare so fierce it immediately silenced their laughter.
Sasuke, still holding the lunch in his hands, looked around at the group. His mind was a maelstrom of conflicting emotions—anger, frustration, confusion. But in the end, the allure of power, the promise of strength to finally avenge his clan, was too strong to resist. He met Malik's gaze, his decision made.
Without a word, Sasuke stood and began walking toward the edge of the village, the Sound Four falling into step behind him. Malik watched them go, his expression somber. He understood the gravity of Sasuke's choice, the path he was choosing to walk.
As they left the village, Malik cast a quick spell, rendering himself invisible. He followed them silently, a shadow in the night, his heart heavy with the knowledge of what lay ahead. The rain began to fall harder, as if the heavens themselves were mourning the loss of the boy who had once been a part of the Hidden Leaf.