Meeting Sasuke Again

Kaguya was leisurely strolling through the lush forest, looking as if she was enjoying the scenery rather than hurrying on a journey.

It had been more than ten days since she left the Land of Water, and she hadn't encountered any enemies or faced any difficulties along the way.

"Mother," Black Zetsu emerged slowly from the ground and respectfully said, "the plan to capture the tailed beasts has begun. I believe it won't be long before you can be resurrected."

"Yes," Kaguya nodded with a slight smile, "you've done well."

"Reviving you, Mother, is my greatest wish," Black Zetsu said, visibly pleased by the praise.

"Keep monitoring them closely, and inform me if anything happens," Kaguya instructed gently.

"Yes, Mother."

The "them" Kaguya referred to were the Akatsuki and Uchiha Obito, especially Obito. Despite being quite strategic and orchestrating many events, Obito was driven by hatred and thus manipulated by Uchiha Madara. However, he remained a troublesome character, and discovering Kaguya's secret could trigger a series of problems.

Suddenly, Kaguya's ears twitched, and she looked towards the distant forest, saying, "Someone is coming. You should go now."

"Yes." Black Zetsu slowly sank back into the ground.

From the forest emerged a group of people, led by a man wearing an open white robe, black shorts, and a thick rope belt around his waist. His eyes were cold and indifferent, but Kaguya recognized him immediately. It was Sasuke.

Following him were several others: the white-haired Suigetsu in purple attire, the burly orange-haired Jugo, and the red-haired Karin.

They were Team Taka.

Sasuke, with a cold expression, seemed to be merely passing by. However, when he glanced at Kaguya, his eyes widened, and his pupils contracted, revealing a glint of coldness. He walked towards her.

"I didn't expect to see you again," Sasuke said coldly as he approached Kaguya.

"Yes, it's been a few years," Kaguya shrugged slightly, smiling.

"Who is she?" Suigetsu whispered, covering his mouth with his hand.

"How would I know?" Jugo replied.

Suigetsu intended to ask Karin, but seeing her clenching her fists and gritting her teeth, he decided against it.

"I thought you had been hiding all these years, too afraid to show your face," Sasuke's eyes flashed with a cold gleam. "Now that we meet, let's settle this once and for all."

"No thanks," Kaguya waved her hand, "I have no interest in fighting someone I've already defeated."

"What?" Suigetsu exclaimed in surprise, "She beat Sasuke? I wouldn't have guessed that such a pretty girl could."

As soon as Suigetsu finished speaking, Karin punched him hard in the stomach, making him spit out a mouthful of water.

"What are you doing, Karin?"

"You idiot! Just because she's pretty doesn't mean you can talk to Sasuke so intimately."

"How is this intimate?"

"Are you trying to avoid this?" Sasuke sneered, a hint of a cold smile appearing on his lips.

"Escape if you must, it doesn't matter what you say." Kaguya turned around, her eyes staring at Sasuke as she said, "I'm leaving; I don't want to waste time on such meaningless things."

"Hmph."

A fierce wind suddenly attacked from behind, but Kaguya swiftly dodged it, raising her eyebrows and saying, "Don't you know that ambushing is a very despicable act?"

"As long as it makes you fight, anything goes," Sasuke replied, brandishing his long sword and charging at Kaguya once again.

Kaguya tilted her body, dodging the oncoming blade. But it didn't end there; the long sword continued to swing at her, flashing brilliantly and cutting with razor-sharp precision. When the sword struck a rock, it instantly split in two, the cut smooth and clean.

Although there weren't many swordsmen in the world of Naruto, it didn't mean those who used swords weren't powerful. One such example was Mifune, a master swordsman who had once defeated the reanimated Hanzō of the Salamander.

Sasuke clearly had honed his skills in swordsmanship as well. His attacks were fierce, relentless, and overwhelming, like a storm, making it hard for an ordinary person to catch their breath.

Of course, this was only true for ordinary people. For Kaguya, Sasuke was still lacking. Her Tenseigan could see the subtle movements of Sasuke's muscles, allowing her to predict his next move. She had already seen through his techniques completely.

Suddenly, Kaguya struck with her palm, piercing through the layers of sword shadows, and hit Sasuke squarely in the chest. "Bang!" Sasuke was sent flying, landing heavily on the ground.

Kaguya stood up straight, dusted off her hands, and laughed, "After all these years, you're still the same."

"Damn it," Sasuke used his long sword to support himself as he stood up, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, his eyes fixed on the girl before him.

The fact that she had easily sent Sasuke flying, and seemingly without much effort, left the surrounding people stunned. They had never seen Sasuke so at a disadvantage. This beautiful girl didn't look like someone with such immense strength; she appeared more like a pampered young lady, or rather, a princess.

"I think you should go home and practice more," Kaguya smiled at Sasuke, "Right now, you're no match for me."

Sasuke gripped his sword tightly, clenching his teeth, and glared at Kaguya. Suddenly, he threw his long sword at her, sending it flying towards her.

Kaguya lightly tilted her body to avoid it, smiling, "Reckless as always—" she suddenly froze.

A chaotic bird-like chirping sound filled the air, and Kaguya saw that following the long sword was Sasuke's Chidori. Sasuke had used the sword to mask his approach, simultaneously substituting himself for the sword as it neared Kaguya.

Electricity danced on Sasuke's hand, flashing white and emitting sounds reminiscent of birds chirping. The electricity wasn't just in his hand; it flowed all over his body.

Kaguya's pupils contracted. With her Tenseigan's insight, Sasuke's movements seemed to slow down. She stepped down hard and leaped into the air, flipping gracefully to dodge Sasuke's Chidori.

In that brief moment in the air, Kaguya's palm struck out, hitting Sasuke squarely on the back with chakra-infused force.

Sasuke's back concaved under the impact, a ripple spreading from where he was hit. Blood spurted from his mouth as he was sent flying backwards, landing heavily on the ground with a thud.

"Sasuke!"

"Stay back!" Sasuke shouted, propping himself up and glaring at his approaching comrades. "No one is to interfere."