Chapter 3: Clash with the Eight-Tails
He studies the battlefield—not just to win, but to evolve.
The trees thickened as Team Taka crossed into the borderlands of the Land of Lightning. Mist clung low to the canopy, swirling with humidity, while distant thunder rumbled like a warning drum. The air crackled faintly—like the sky itself was sharpening its blade in anticipation.
Sasuke walked at the front, his pace steady and deliberate, the hem of his cloak brushing softly with each step. His eyes were narrowed, expression unreadable.
Their target: Killer Bee, the Jinchūriki of the Eight-Tails.
The reason?
Not vengeance.
Not conquest.
But evolution.
To test my Mangekyō.
To prepare for what's coming.
Before the Battle – A Moment Alone
They made a temporary camp in a narrow ravine, shielded by a rocky overhang. Karin kept watch from above, seated on a high ledge. Suigetsu leaned against the stone wall, sharpening the Executioner's Blade in lazy strokes. Jūgo sat in quiet meditation, regulating the natural chaos of his chakra.
Sasuke stepped away without a word and knelt beneath a lone tree. The bark was rough beneath his fingers, the earth damp and solid beneath his knees.
The moment his hand touched the ground, the system responded—flickering softly in his mind like blue fire.
[SYSTEM – ACTIVE: AVENGER CORE]
Status: Stable
Current Objective: Capture the Eight-Tails
Location: Border Highlands – Land of Lightning
[MANGEKYŌ SHARINGAN – STATUS]
Left Eye:
• Amaterasu – Ignites black flames at focal point
Right Eye:
• Kagutsuchi – Shape and control existing Amaterasu flames
System-Unlocked Ability:
• Kage no Sasayaki – Shadow Clone of Vengeance
→ Summons a silent clone of pure chakra and instinct
→ Mirrors Sasuke's combat logic and jutsu at 75–80% effectiveness
→ Transfers physical damage meant for Sasuke to the clone
→ Remains active until the time limit expires—cannot be destroyed by force
→ Designed for flanking, disruption, and survival in high-risk combat
Amaterasu is overwhelming. A perfect opener—one glance can end a fight.
But Killer Bee is no ordinary opponent. A perfect Jinchūriki won't fall to fire alone.
Kagutsuchi grants control. I can mold the black flames into blades, spears, defense—whatever I need.
And the shadow clone… it's nothing like Naruto's. It doesn't disappear when it's hit. It doesn't burst into smoke. It stays until the time limit ends—no matter how much damage it takes. Every injury meant for me transfers to it. It moves with my instincts, carries 80% of my strength, and even uses my Mangekyō. A silent extension of my will—built not to train, but to survive and kill.
Sasuke closed the interface—not because he was finished, but because he was ready.
A Shadow from the Past
The wind tugged lightly at his cloak as he stared into the trees.
And then, like a whisper in the fog, a name surfaced in his thoughts:
Naruto.
You're out there right now… probably deep in Mount Myōboku.
Jiraiya is dead. Pain is moving. The world is shifting beneath your feet.
And you're gaining Sage Mode.
Sasuke's eyes narrowed.
You're preparing for whatever comes next. But if you stand in my way—
I won't hold back.
Target Approaching
Karin's voice cut through the silence—crisp and focused.
"He's coming. Chakra signature detected. Massive output. It's him."
Sasuke stood in one motion.
Suigetsu cracked his neck and lifted his blade. "Showtime already?"
Jūgo nodded once. "He's fast. Coming straight for us."
They climbed to higher ground—emerging onto a wide rocky plateau surrounded by jagged cliffs. Above them, a thundercloud coiled in heavy silence, its belly flashing with occasional pulses of white heat.
The air smelled of ozone.
The rocks beneath their feet hummed faintly with static.
Then they saw him.
Standing atop a lone boulder, spinning two jagged blades with casual flair—Killer Bee.
Sunglasses gleamed beneath the dark sky. His white scarf danced in the wind. His grin widened.
He rapped in rhythm, voice light and confident:
"Yo, yo, I'm the Eight-Tails host,
Better run now or I'll turn you to toast!"
With a flourish, he flipped mid-air and landed in a crouch, both blades drawn.
Suigetsu blinked. "What… what did he just say?"
Karin groaned. "I think… it rhymed?"
Sasuke didn't flinch.
He stepped forward, Mangekyō glowing like a red storm.
Perfect host.
Deadly. Trained in kenjutsu.
Full control over his bijū. No hesitation. No weaknesses.
Exactly what I need.
I don't know if I can win.
But I'll evolve trying.
Killer Bee pointed a blade at him.
" Uchiha? Man, y'all really got no chill!"
Sasuke drew his sword slowly.
Chakra surged into his palm.
Lightning coiled around the blade like a viper—violent, hungry.
He stepped forward—eyes locked, no hesitation.
The ground cracked beneath his foot as he launched straight at Killer Bee—sword first, Chidori blazing.