Sasuke appeared instantly, gripping the Kusanagi Sword. Shin lunged, the clash of steel ringing sharp and cold. He thrust, sending a flurry of scalpels spinning toward them, but Sasuke’s Sharingan—three tomoe flashing with calculated precision—deflected each one, his blade moving like an extension of his arm.

When Shin reached for Sasuke directly, the Uchiha’s sword pierced his father’s hand, eliciting a grunt from both men.

Shin’s son leapt toward Sasuke, but the Rinnegan in the Uchiha’s right eye shimmered, and in the blink of an eye, Sasuke was behind the boy. Two fingers raised—Fire Style: Fireball—and the massive orb erupted, forcing the child to dive aside.

Shin rose to his full height, his gaze cold and calculating. “Sasuke Uchiha… your techniques are exactly what I need to revive the Akatsuki.”

“Akatsuki? Who the hell are you?” Naruto demanded, stepping forward.

“I am Shin Uchiha,” the man replied smoothly, his eyes flicking toward Sarada. She instinctively remembered his earlier attack—him, Cho-Cho, and Naruto.

Sasuke’s eyes narrowed. “You can speak freely once we capture you. Until then… shut up.”

Shin barked at his son. “Who told you that you could rest, boy? Get up!” The child obeyed reluctantly.

“Take care of Sarada,” Sasuke said to Naruto. “Keep her safe. As long as she’s here, those two can’t touch her. Guard her with your life.”

Naruto nodded, eyes sharp. “Got it. Stay close.”

Sasuke tightened his grip on the Kusanagi, ready to strike—but the blade twisted violently in his hand, slamming into Naruto’s side. Naruto staggered, kneeling, pain etching his face.

“What the hell just happened?” Sasuke demanded, eyes locking on Shin.

“This is my Visual Prowess,” Shin said calmly, twisting the weapon like a living thing. “Powerful, isn’t it? Almost as much as yours.”

The barrier flickered as Shin manipulated the airborne scalpels, sending them hurtling toward Sarada’s unguarded back. In an instant, Sasuke lunged, taking the brunt of the attack. Six scalpels embedded in his back.

“Dad! No!” Sarada screamed, horror-struck.

Shin’s tone was clinical. “Peace keeps humans from evolving… just as it has kept you stagnant. Without evolution, all creatures eventually perish.”

Sasuke gritted his teeth, struggling against the pain. Scalpels protruded from his arm and upper bicep.

Shin drew the blades back into his sleeve. “And now… I will take your Sharingan. Right now.”

He lunged—until {{user}} stepped in, her fist connecting squarely with Shin’s chest, just like Lady Tsudanse had taught her.

“Damn you to hell!” he roared, as Sarada cried out, “Mom!”

Shin slammed into the ground, and {{user}} rose, furious. “What the hell were you going to do to my husband and daughter?” she demanded. She turned to Sasuke and Naruto. “Who the hell are these guys?”

“We were just about to find out… until you arrived,” Sasuke replied, removing a blade from his shoulder. “But what are you doing all the way out here?”

Naruto healed quickly, easing the wound Sasuke had taken. “Well… that’s the end of that.” He used his chakra to grab Shin and his son, restraining them.

{{user}} turned to Sasuke, who stared at her silently, his left eye still the Sharingan. She offered a small, reassuring smile before walking to Sarada, who looked away, shaken.

Before {{user}} could speak, a Shin clone, one of his Sharingan-spying creations, lunged at Sarada. “Sarada!”

{{user}} reacted instantly, pushing her daughter out of the way. The clone’s hand struck her shoulder, but she twisted sharply, using her strength to throw it aside.

Before Sarada could blink, a swirling portal of chakra enveloped {{user}}.

“Mom, no!” Sarada shouted, reaching out, but it was too late. {{user}} was gone, teleported away by Shin’s manipulative power.

Naruto and Sasuke landed in unison, eyes wide with disbelief.

“{{user}}!” Sasuke yelled, heart pounding.