Across the entire Hidden Leaf Village, Sasuke moved swiftly, his Sharingan scanning every corner. Shadow Clones spread out, searching for any trace of his target.
"Where is that old man, Danzo?"
After checking multiple locations and finding nothing, Sasuke clicked his tongue in frustration.
"Forget it. I'll deal with the other two first."
With a smirk, he adjusted his course and headed toward the Hokage's office.
---
"Master Koharu, Master Homura! The enemy is attacking the village! Please take shelter immediately!"
Three masked Anbu operatives quickly surrounded the two elderly village advisors, urging them toward a secure underground bunker.
"Where's Hiruzen?" Koharu Utatane asked sharply. "Why isn't he taking charge in a crisis like this?"
The Anbu captain answered without hesitation. "Hokage-sama is trapped inside the Chunin Exam arena, sealed by a powerful barrier. He's currently engaged in battle."
"Damn it!" Homura Mitokado cursed. The two elders exchanged uneasy glances.
The scale of the Sand Village's assault suggested that this invasion had been long in the making. Realizing the danger, they followed the Anbu deeper into the village.
As they passed through a narrow street, several enemy shinobi suddenly emerged from the shadows.
"Protect the elders!" one Anbu commanded.
Two of them lunged forward, weapons drawn, engaging the attackers. The third Anbu grabbed the two elders and swiftly led them away.
Minutes later, deep within the forest, the Anbu escort came to a stop.
Koharu frowned. "Wait… this isn't the way to the shelter."
A chilling chuckle echoed through the trees. "Of course not… because this is the path to your graves."
The two advisors stiffened.
They instinctively took a step back, eyes narrowing as the supposed Anbu's form shimmered—and then transformed.
The mask disappeared, revealing a young man with black hair and crimson eyes.
"Uchiha Sasuke?!" Koharu gasped, her face paling.
Homura's hands trembled slightly. He knew what had happened to Sasuke's clan. And he knew exactly why the boy had come for them.
---
"Sasuke! Y-You're a Konoha ninja! How could you betray your village like this?" Koharu stammered.
Homura hurriedly added, "That's right! We'll talk to the Hokage! We can arrange for you to—"
"Enough."
Sasuke's voice was ice-cold, his Sharingan spinning. "Do you really think I'm that naive?"
Lightning crackled around his hand, shaping itself into a gleaming Chidori Blade.
"I don't need your empty promises. I'm here to deliver justice—for the Uchiha."
The elders barely had time to scream before Sasuke moved.
In a single flash of speed, he passed between them.
A streak of blue lightning followed his blade's path—slicing cleanly through their throats.
Blood splattered the ground as their severed heads fell, lifeless eyes frozen in shock.
Sasuke exhaled sharply. "That's two down. Now… onto the last one."
With a smirk, his Shadow Clone vanished in a puff of smoke.
---
Back on the battlefield, Sasuke's real body received his clone's memories. A satisfied grin tugged at his lips.
"Danzo, your turn is coming soon."
But before that, there was another matter to handle.
In front of him, Gaara had lost control, his body twisting as Shukaku's monstrous form began to manifest.
The sand-wielding jinchūriki snarled, his voice distorted by the influence of the Tailed Beast. "Damn Uchiha… I'll kill you!"
Shukaku's chakra surged wildly as Gaara transformed into the One-Tailed Beast. His hulking form loomed over the battlefield, casting a terrifying shadow.
The enormous tanuki roared, opening its mouth. A devastating blast of compressed chakra fired toward Sasuke.
BOOM!
The explosion obliterated everything in its path, leaving a massive crater.
Sasuke reappeared atop a tree, analyzing the situation.
"His power has skyrocketed, but mentally, he's still just Gaara."
The beast's yellow eyes locked onto him.
"Uchiha Sasuke, stop running and FIGHT ME!"
Gaara unleashed another barrage of attacks, leveling the forest around him.
Sasuke smirked. "If that's what you want… fine."
He leapt high into the air, forming rapid hand seals.
"Time to test this out."
Drawing from a deeper power, Sasuke infused his Fire Release with something more—something new.
A massive surge of flames erupted from his mouth, forming a raging Dragon Flame Jutsu. The flames burned hotter than ever, fueled by a mysterious golden radiance.
Gaara countered with a Wind Release bullet, but—
BOOM!
Fire overpowered wind.
Gaara's transformed body was engulfed in searing flames. He screamed as the scorching heat burned through his sand armor.
"Damn it… why?! Why is he this strong?!"
Through sheer desperation, Gaara activated his final trump card.
"Fake Sleep Jutsu!"
His body went limp.
And in that instant—Shukaku's consciousness took full control.
---
"Hahahaha!" Shukaku roared with laughter, stretching his massive limbs.
His beady yellow eyes glared at Sasuke.
"Well, well, kid. Thanks for waking me up! Now I can CRUSH YOU!"
Sasuke's expression didn't waver.
Instead, his smirk widened.
"Finally… you've come out."
Shukaku tilted his head. "Huh?"
The air around Sasuke shifted.
Golden lines spread across his body, glowing with raw energy. Natural energy swirled around him, forming a vortex of power.
Sasuke clenched his fists.
"Celestial Forge Style – First Gate, Open!"
Shukaku's laughter stopped. His instincts screamed at him—this was no ordinary technique.
"W-What the hell is this?! That's natural energy!"
Panic flickered across the beast's face.
But Sasuke wasn't done.
Golden lightning crackled around his arm.
"Let's see how you handle this… Sage Art: Chidori Hikaru!"
He thrust his glowing blade forward.
A brilliant golden streak cut through the battlefield—ripping apart Shukaku's Tailed Beast Bomb in an instant.
The slash didn't stop.
A fraction of a second later—
SPLASH!
Shukaku's massive body was cleaved in two.
The force of the attack split the ground itself, carving a deep canyon into the earth.
Shukaku let out a deafening howl. "IMPOSSIBLE…!"
His body, now severed, began to weaken.
Panic overtook his face. "No way… I have to get out of here!"
But before he could retreat, Sasuke appeared beside him in a blur of speed.
He placed his hand on Shukaku's body and activated a powerful absorption technique—draining the beast's chakra directly into himself.
The massive form of the One-Tailed Beast trembled… and then collapsed.
Gaara's unconscious body fell to the ground.
Sasuke straightened up.
One enemy down.
Now, only one target remained.
Hunting Danzo
Deep underground, inside the Hidden Root's headquarters, a lone shinobi stood guard.
Sasuke's Shadow Clone appeared behind him in an instant.
With a single kick, he knocked the man to the ground.
His Sharingan spun. "Tell me… where is Danzo?"
The Root member's mind went blank under the genjutsu.
"Master Danzo… is in the underground Black Tower…"
Sasuke smirked. "Good. Take me there."
Transforming into a disguised Root operative, he followed his new guide toward Danzo's lair.
His hunt was finally nearing its end.