Forged Beyond

Sasuke followed Orochimaru, the rain striking harder than bullets. His damp hair clung to his forehead, but his eyes betrayed no emotion—only exhaustion. In his left hand, he carried a neatly wrapped gift for Naruto from Hinata. His legs moved without faltering, muscles flexing with each step, eyes locked solely on Orochimaru's retreating figure. His bangs were blown back by the sheer force of the wind and his speed. As Orochimaru slowed down, Sasuke instinctively adjusted his pace.

There was a problem.

"It seems they've sealed the door with bricks," Orochimaru muttered, his gaze narrowing. "This path—Jiraiya made this route for us yesterday. We've been set up. maybe someone knows we were coming here." He squinted momentarily before his eyes widened in realization.

"We're running out of time. Someone's approaching." Orochimaru glanced at the towering walls. "We'll scale the wall and disappear into the forest." Without waiting for a response, Orochimaru sprinted up the vertical surface.

Sasuke hesitated for only a moment before following. Chakra surged to his feet as he scaled the wall with practiced ease. The memory is clear: Sakura, patient and steady, guiding him in mastering this technique.

Thanks, Sakura. The thought was brief, almost drowned by his focus.

But just as Sasuke reached the top, a blinding white light erupted in front of him. His ears were assaulted by the screech of a thousand birds. The unmistakable sound of Chidori filled the air. Through the glare, Sasuke discerned a figure—silver hair, a crimson eye swirling with the Sharingan. Kakashi.

"You're not going anywhere, Sasuke!" Kakashi shouted, but his words were lost to Sasuke, drowned by the roar of the Chidori. The older ninja lunged, hesitation flickering in his movements. He knew the strike could kill Sasuke, but he couldn't afford to hold back.

Sasuke's foot slipped. Losing balance, he fell, narrowly avoiding Kakashi's attack. The Chidori dissipated into the air with a deafening crack. Gravity pulled Sasuke downward, and he tensed, bracing for impact. Just before hitting the ground, a snake coiled around his waist, catching him mid-fall. Orochimaru's summoned serpent pulled him back to the top, shrinking back into Orochimaru's hand as they landed.

Kakashi landed opposite them, his Sharingan eye glowing with resolve.

"Sasuke, this isn't right. You belong at home. With us. With your family. With your brother." Kakashi's tone was firm but tinged with sorrow.

Sasuke's jaw clenched. "The only home I have is out there! Naruto and Sakura are my family! I don't need anyone else!" His rage boiled over, and his Sharingan flickered to life, crimson eyes locking onto Kakashi.

"You're wrong, Sasuke!" Kakashi snapped, stepping forward, though he clearly didn't want to escalate to violence.

"So be it," Sasuke growled. Without warning, Kakashi launched a fireball technique. Sasuke countered instantly with his own, his fury fueling the jutsu's intensity. The flames clashed in the air, Sasuke's overpowering Kakashi's, forcing the older ninja to leap aside. Orochimaru watched the exchange with a smirk, his satisfaction thinly veiled.

Kakashi's hands blurred through a series of hand signs, summoning clones to outflank Sasuke. The clones dashed forward, kunai in hand, aiming for weak points. Sasuke responded with a burst of electricity, lightning ball! the energy rippling outward and destroying the clones in an instant.

Orochimaru joined the fray, slithering around Kakashi with speed that was almost inhuman. He lashed out with his elongated tongue, aiming to bind Kakashi's arms. Kakashi dodged narrowly, countering with a kunai slash that grazed Orochimaru's side. Blood dripped from the Sannin's wound, but his grin only widened.