After what felt like an eternity, Sasuke heard her name called. Rising from her seat with deliberate calm, she made her way to the front of the room, ignoring the whispers that followed in her wake. She could feel their eyes on her—some admiring, others envious. It didn't matter.
Stepping outside, Sasuke adjusted her supply pouch and flexed her fingers, rolling her shoulders to ease the tension creeping into her frame. The exam space was set up in the academy's training yard, a wide-open area with soft dirt underfoot and a wooden fence lining the perimeter. Mizuki stood in the center of the yard, clipboard in hand, his casual smirk a contrast to the seriousness of the moment.
"Sasuke Uchiha," Mizuki said, his voice smooth but carrying an undertone Sasuke didn't like. "Are you ready to begin?"
She nodded, keeping her expression neutral. Mizuki's smirk widened slightly, and he flipped through the clipboard.
"Your taijutsu exam will consist of sparring against me. The goal is to land a clean hit. Don't hold back—show me what you've got."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed slightly. There was something unsettling in his tone, as though he were testing her for reasons beyond the standard examination. She shook the thought away, focusing on the task at hand.
"Whenever you're ready," Mizuki said, slipping into a defensive stance.
Sasuke stepped into the circle, taking her own stance. She bent her knees slightly, her body loose but coiled like a spring. The faint breeze stirred the dust at her feet, and for a moment, the world narrowed to just her and Mizuki.
He made the first move, lunging forward with surprising speed for a test opening. Sasuke sidestepped smoothly, twisting her body to avoid his strike. Her reflexes took over, honed from months of relentless training. She responded with a quick jab aimed at his midsection, which he deflected with ease.
"Good," Mizuki said, his voice tinged with mock approval. "But you'll need to be faster than that."
Sasuke didn't reply, instead darting forward with a series of precise kicks. Mizuki blocked the first two but was forced to retreat slightly as she followed up with a spinning heel kick aimed at his shoulder. He caught her ankle at the last moment, a smirk tugging at his lips.
"Not bad," he said, holding her gaze for a beat longer than necessary before releasing her leg. Sasuke landed gracefully, her eyes narrowing. There was something about his demeanor that felt off—like he was enjoying this too much.
Pushing the thought aside, Sasuke adjusted her stance. She darted forward again, feinting left before pivoting to the right. Her fist shot toward his ribs, and this time, it connected—a clean, solid hit that forced Mizuki to stagger back slightly.
For a moment, the smirk on his face faltered. "Well done," he said, straightening. His tone was even, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—annoyance, perhaps, or surprise.
"Thank you," Sasuke said curtly, stepping back into a neutral stance. She kept her expression neutral, but inwardly, she felt a flicker of satisfaction. Whatever Mizuki's intentions were, she had proven herself.
"That's enough," Mizuki said, brushing the dust from his sleeves. "You've passed the taijutsu portion. Return to the classroom and wait for the next part of the exam."
Sasuke nodded and turned to leave, but she could feel his gaze lingering on her back as she walked away. There was an edge to it that sent a faint shiver down her spine.The thought gnawed at her as she walked down the corridor, her footsteps echoing in the empty space. Do I need to be wary of him? she wondered, her mind drifting to the fragments of memory she had carried into this life. Mizuki's betrayal was inevitable—he would reveal his true nature tonight when he tried to steal the Sealing Scroll.
With that thought, she forced herself to relax. It doesn't matter, she decided, shaking off the unease. Mizuki's schemes would lead to his own downfall soon enough. The sealing scroll incident would bring his treachery into the open, and by this time tomorrow, he'd be dealt with.
Returning to the bustling classroom, she slipped into her usual seat by the window, resting her arms on the desk as she gazed outside. The hum of conversations surrounded her, classmates swapping nervous excitement over the exams. Sasuke let her mind drift, her focus settling on the rustling leaves outside, until a familiar voice pulled her back.
"Sasuke!" Sakura's voice was as bright and eager as ever, and Sasuke turned her head to see the pink-haired girl approaching, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. "How did you do? I just finished my exam—I passed!"
There was a glimmer of pride in Sakura's eyes, and she fidgeted slightly, clearly fishing for Sasuke's opinion.
"I passed," Sasuke replied evenly, her tone as neutral as her expression.
"That's great! I knew you would," Sakura said with a relieved smile, her confidence bolstered by Sasuke's calm demeanor. "You make everything seem so easy. I was so nervous going in, but Mizuki-sensei said I did well!"
Sasuke nodded faintly, not offering much in response. She could feel Sakura's expectant gaze lingering, but she didn't feel the need to elaborate further. The truth was, the exam wasn't what occupied her thoughts—it was everything that lay ahead.
Sakura seemed to sense the lack of enthusiasm and hesitated, biting her lip before trying again. "So... after the graduation ceremony, maybe we could hang out? Just us? It'd be fun to celebrate passing together."
Sasuke barely glanced at her, the corner of her lip twitching downward. "I'm busy."
"Oh," Sakura faltered, her shoulders slumping slightly. "Well, maybe another time then?"
"Maybe," Sasuke replied curtly, her tone making it clear the conversation was over.
As Sakura walked away, Sasuke leaned back in her seat, her arms crossed loosely over her chest. Doesn't she have anything better to do than bother me? The thought came unbidden, tinged with irritation. She couldn't fathom why Sakura, or anyone else for that matter, sought her attention so desperately.
Her mind drifted, turning over the future that loomed ahead. Even if she wasn't officially assigned to a team yet, she could already see where things were headed. She knew what would come when Team 7 was formed—Kakashi, who couldn't even manage to be on time, would be their teacher. How was she supposed to grow under someone like him? She could already see the disorganization, the distractions. There was no way he'd push them to be the best.
And as for her teammates... Sakura was nothing but dead weight, someone who'd struggle to keep up, always behind, always in the way. Sasuke could already picture her dragging them down in the field, her ineptitude glaring in the heat of battle.
Then there was Naruto. His boisterous energy was infuriating enough to drive anyone mad. He was all loud and brash with no real understanding of what it meant to be a true shinobi. He would slow her down. The thought of having to constantly watch over him, guide him through every little mistake, made her blood boil.
But despite the frustration simmering in her chest, another thought lingered. She wasn't sure she could make it on her own forever. Would she have to fight through every obstacle, every mission, on her own? Or would she have to rely on them eventually, despite how pathetic they seemed?
"Alright, Sasuke, it's your turn," Iruka's voice cut through the room, pulling her from the quiet thoughts she hadn't realized she'd been lost in. Her eyes snapped open as she sat up straighter, surprised by how easily she'd drifted off. Her fingers brushed the edge of her desk before she stood, stretching slightly.
She stepped forward, her usual calm demeanor firmly in place, though she could feel the weight of the exam pressing against her chest. The air felt different now, charged with expectation. She was ready.
Iruka watched her intently as she performed the required techniques—first, the clone jutsu, then the transformation into Iruka himself, and finally the substitution jutsu. Each movement was precise, each transformation flawless. There was no hesitation, no room for error. It was as though her body knew exactly what to do, and every technique she executed reflected the hours of silent practice.
Iruka watched her, his usual expression softening as she completed each test with such ease. How much he's grown... His mind echoed with the thought, a hint of pride swelling in his chest. Sasuke had come a long way. It wasn't just his skill, though that was impressive enough—it was the maturity that now echoed in every action, every decision he made. he wasn't just a child anymore.
"Excellent, Sasuke," he said with a smile, though it was tinged with a certain wistfulness. "You passed with flying colors."
Sasuke nodded once, not particularly interested in his praise. She didn't need it. She already knew. She turned, exiting the room without so much as a glance back, her mind already shifting toward the next challenge that awaited her.
As she stepped outside, the sun hit her face, its warmth briefly grounding her. The academy doors closed behind her, and she walked down the familiar path that led through the academy courtyard. It was a peaceful day, and for a moment, she allowed herself to feel the cool breeze on her face.
That was when she noticed him.
Naruto.
He was sitting on a swing, his back slouched forward, his face drawn with disappointment. The sight of him made her pause. She thought about walking past him—after all, it wasn't her problem. He'd be fine, right? He was always so loud and full of energy, she couldn't imagine him staying down for long. But something in the way he sat there, so still and defeated, tugged at her attention.
Just as she took a step forward, ready to say something, she was interrupted—not by Naruto, but by someone else.
"Sasuke!" Sakura called from behind, her voice full of energy. "What's going on? Did you pass?"
Sasuke turned, her lips twitching into a slight frown. Of course, she would interrupt now... She glanced back toward Naruto briefly before dismissing the thought. Her focus was now on Sakura, and the irritation bubbled to the surface. "Shouldn't you be with your parents right now?" she bit out, pointing behind her to where a few parents stood, chatting and watching the students.
Sakura gave a dismissive wave, brushing off the question. "Oh, ignore them. They're just being overly annoying and always in the way during events like this. So annoying, right?"
Sasuke's breath hitched, the words feeling like a slap to her face. Annoying? The thought echoed in her mind. Doesn't she realize how much I'd kill for that?
Her fists clenched at her sides, and her chest tightened as she thought about her past life—being raised with a family, surrounded by warmth, only to watch it all shatter, leaving her alone. She remembered her parents' smiles, their laughter, and then… the brutal silence that came when they were gone.
And in this life, it was no different. Her family had been torn away from her, her clan slaughtered, and she stood there, alone again. What does she know about 'annoying'? Sasuke thought bitterly. She has a family, she has them to rely on. She'll never understand what it's like to not have anyone.
Her rage flared, hot and fierce. Without thinking, she shoved Sakura roughly, her voice cutting through the air with barely restrained fury. "You have no idea what it's like to not have them," she spat, her words sharp and bitter. Her chest ached as the pain of her loss, old and new, surged to the surface, and she couldn't hold it back anymore.
Sakura stumbled back, clearly startled, her eyes wide with confusion. Sasuke turned away quickly, her breath shaky, refusing to face the look in Sakura's eyes. She didn't need to see the pity or the confusion. She didn't want to explain herself. She didn't want anyone to understand.
With a sharp intake of breath, Sasuke pushed forward, her feet moving quickly as she stormed off, away from the academy, away from the uncomfortable weight of the moment. Her heart raced with a mix of anger and frustration, her body nearly trembling with the intensity of the emotions she couldn't control.
Her mind was a whirl of bitterness as she walked the familiar streets of Konoha, her footsteps heavy and loud on the stone pathways. She moved without thinking, trying to escape the tightness in her chest, trying to cool the fire burning inside her. The air felt thick, and the usual noise of the village—the chatter, the laughter, the bustling of life—felt distant, like it belonged to another world.
She passed by vendors and fellow students, ignoring their curious stares as her mind stayed locked on the thoughts she couldn't shake. Why does it always come back to this? she thought bitterly. Why does it always hurt so much?
It felt like every corner she turned only brought her closer to the past, the memories that clawed at her from the inside. Her family. Her loss. It all stung, a wound that would never heal. She didn't know how long she wandered the streets—minutes, hours, it didn't matter. The weight of it was constant, suffocating.
Eventually, her feet led her home, though she hadn't consciously chosen to return. She found herself standing in front of the Uchiha clan compound, the familiar gates looming before her like a silent reminder of everything she had lost.
The air felt heavier here, and as she stepped past the entrance, a wave of emotions hit her with a force that was almost physical. The memories... they felt so real now, like they were flooding back into her with a clarity she hadn't experienced in years. Her heart tightened in her chest as her feet carried her deeper into the compound, toward the place where it all started.
There, at the threshold of her home, memories that weren't entirely hers but still so vividly tied to her rushed forward. The laughter of her parents—her mother's warm smile, her father's deep voice. The love they had for her, the unspoken bond that had once defined her world.
And then… that man.
Her breath hitched, and the world around her seemed to shift, the air growing colder. Itachi.
The name echoed through her mind like a chant. The memories were suddenly so much clearer. She saw him, younger, standing before her with that cold, emotionless expression, as if he hadn't just been her brother, but something else entirely—something that had turned his back on everything they had been. Her fists clenched, her nails biting into her palms as she remembered the emptiness of that night. The massacre. The silence after it all. It was all his doing.
Her chest tightened painfully as the memories surged. Itachi. The name felt like a bitter taste in her mouth. He was the one who had shattered everything. The one who had stolen her family from her. The one who had turned her world into ashes.
For a moment, Sasuke stood there, her gaze fixed on the compound before her, the weight of everything crashing down on her all at once. Her heart felt hollow, a raw, gaping wound that refused to heal.
It felt like the memories were clawing their way to the surface—memories of a family she would never have again, of a brother she could never understand. This is my legacy, she thought bitterly. And it's all because of him.
"Big brother…"