You felt it immediately—someone was picking off the thugs behind you, dismantling your plan in the process.

You had been given a mission to track down some petty criminals in Konoha, only for them to slip away and lead you to Soraku. There, you had set a trap, herding them into a dark alley, ready to ambush them. Everything was in place—until someone interfered.

A figure emerged from the shadows, dressed in black pants, a purple cloth tied at his waist with a rope, and a long-sleeved white shirt with arm guards. His long, spiky black hair framed onyx eyes that locked onto you with unsettling precision. Wait—Sasuke?

Your old teammate. The one who disappeared without a word, leaving behind only a secret gift—a silver chain bearing the Uchiha crest. And now here he was, standing in front of you, that familiar piercing gaze scrutinizing you.

What was he doing here? How was he even here? Last you heard, he was still with Orochimaru. Rumors of Sasuke killing him and setting off to find Itachi had arisen, which now proved to be true.

"Are you an idiot? How did you not notice them behind you?" he said coldly, arms crossed over his chest, his tone sharp and unrelenting. "You're welcome."