Chapter 128
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To be precise, at this moment, Konoha had not officially labeled Sasuke as a rogue ninja, unlike how they typically dealt with defectors.
The influence of Naruto and others was minimal in this; it was more a matter of political considerations.
As the last surviving member of the Uchiha Clan in Konoha, Sasuke's identity was too unique.
Even though the outside world mocked Konoha for one of its founders, the last of the Uchiha, defecting, the fact remained that as long as Konoha hadn't officially declared it, there was still room for negotiation and explanation.
Sasuke wouldn't be officially branded a rogue ninja until after Danzo came to power.
For now, Sasuke hadn't been defined as a rogue ninja.
This meant that if Kakashi and the others brought him back to the village, with Tsunade as Hokage and Danzo out of the picture, there was a good chance he could return to his former status.
However, Sasuke, the person at the center of all this, didn't appreciate it.
"Boring," he replied indifferently.
Return to Konoha?
What was there worth returning to? Could it make him stronger, give him the power to defeat Itachi? He had tried before.
But even Kakashi, who taught him ninjutsu, was powerless against Itachi. What was the point of training under him?
Besides Kakashi, who else in Konoha could teach him? As for emotions, bonds...
Yes, Naruto held an important place in his heart.
But he wasn't living for Naruto.
Moreover, he had found new bonds now.
Zanki, Izumi —the blood relatives he had discovered.
And the Hagoromo Clan, who treated him well, unlike the villagers of Konoha who had always looked down on the Uchiha.
In the village of Locks, he had felt warmth he hadn't experienced in a long time. With Gensou, he could continue to grow stronger without worrying about plots or dangers.
So why should he go back to Konoha?
Just because he was once a part of it? Just because of something called the Will of Fire?
As he looked at Kakashi and the others, who seemed to think they were doing what was best for him, a sneer curled on Sasuke's lips.
They all thought he was arrogant.
Little did they know, they were the truly arrogant ones.
"It seems we can't reach an understanding," Kakashi sighed.
"Then... we'll fight!"
Whoosh! Whoosh! The sharp sound of something cutting through the air filled the scene.
With no Naruto present to use his Talk no Jutsu, the group didn't waste any more time with words and moved directly into battle.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
Sasuke immediately gathered chakra in his throat and expelled flames.
In an instant, a massive fireball, four or five meters tall, surged toward the Konoha team.
Kakashi's group quickly dispersed, avoiding the incoming fireball.
Sasuke wasn't surprised when the fireball missed its targets.
After all, neither he nor many other Uchiha had ever killed anyone with the Great Fireball Jutsu.
The reason they favored this fire technique wasn't just because it was low-cost and high-impact but also because it could scatter enemy formations and disrupt the rhythm of battle.
Just as now, knowing Kakashi and the others would charge in from the sides of the fireball, Sasuke was already throwing a barrage of shuriken to preemptively block their paths.
Clang, clang, clang! The sound of metal clashing echoed again.
Faced with the tricky and nearly unstoppable Uchiha throwing techniques, the Konoha team was forced to halt and defend.
Unexpectedly, TenTen, who had been mostly quiet and low-profile, effortlessly dodged the shuriken and, with a flick of her wrists, unfurled two scrolls. A multitude of ninja tools shot out like a dragon, sweeping toward Sasuke.
Sasuke, slightly surprised, dodged the barrage and was about to draw his sword when his Sharingan suddenly spun faster.
He saw a green blur charging at him with incredible speed.
"Leaf Strong Whirlwind!" Amid a thunderous sonic boom, a powerful spinning kick came at him with astonishing force.
"So fast!"
Even though his Sharingan could see it, Sasuke's body struggled to keep up in such a short time, and he could only raise his left arm to block.
Boom! The impact sent waves of air rolling out as Sasuke's feet dragged long marks across the ground, forcing him to retreat rapidly.
"Now's our chance!"
Kiba's eyes lit up as he and Akamaru, who had transformed, used the Fang Over Fang technique, turning into two rapidly spinning whirlwinds that charged straight at Sasuke.
As Sasuke continued to retreat, lightning flickered in his hand.
Swish, swish! In a flash, lightning coursed through the whirlwinds, striking Kiba and Akamaru.
Feeling their bodies go numb, Kiba and Akamaru couldn't maintain the technique and collapsed to the ground with a thud.
"Is the gap really this wide?" Kiba, whose secret technique had been easily broken, looked up at Sasuke in frustration.
But Sasuke didn't even glance at him.
Just as Sasuke regained his footing, he noticed Neji and Hinata, dressed in white, activating their Byakugan and approaching him with rhythmic strikes.
"Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms!"
Sasuke's Sharingan spun rapidly.
Sharingan versus Byakugan!
With Byakugan's 360-degree field of view, Neji and Hinata didn't have to worry about making eye contact with the Sharingan like other ninjas.
With both sides possessing exceptional insight, the ensuing taijutsu battle was intense.
In just a few seconds, Neji, Hinata's Gentle Fist, and Sasuke's Uchiha-style taijutsu clashed numerous times. They exchanged blows at angles and speeds that were almost impossible for an ordinary person to perceive or follow, making it difficult for outsiders to intervene.
However, "outsiders" didn't include Guy.
Another enthusiastic cry of youthful spirit echoed across the battlefield.
Having just fended off Neji and Hinata's attacks, Sasuke wisely chose not to engage further and retreated under Guy's pressure, dodging Neji and Hinata's strikes.
What Sasuke didn't expect was that Kakashi, who had been out of sight, suddenly appeared behind him, one hand grabbing his neck tightly while the other held a kunai to his temple.
"It's over, Sasuke," Kakashi calmly announced.
"Is it?"
Sasuke's eyes narrowed.
Chidori Nagashi! In an instant, lightning surged from Sasuke's body, enveloping him entirely.
Caught in the initial wave, Kakashi frowned but didn't have time to react as his body crumbled into dirt and collapsed.
"An Earth Clone. As expected of you, Kakashi," Sasuke noted, unimpressed.
Having spent time together, Sasuke wasn't surprised by Kakashi's penchant for using clones in battle.
Pressing his hand to the ground, Sasuke sent a wave of lightning that spread out in front of him, forcing the approaching Konoha ninjas to retreat.
As Sasuke glanced around at them, he had already formed a clear judgment of their strength.
"It's still not enough..."
Knowing that all he could do was stall for time, Sasuke reached behind him and, with a metallic "clang," drew his long blade.
"No matter what, I must accomplish what Lord Gensou entrusted to me."
Sasuke's Sharingan spun again as he prepared to go on the offensive and take control of the battle.
But suddenly, a hand rested on his shoulder.
"You've done well."
As the words fell, Sasuke's tense body relaxed.
Gensou had arrived.
(End of Chapter)