Sasuke sat in the locker room, clutching his kunai while staring intently at his reflection. Naruto's battle with Neji had shaken him more than he expected. The eternal underdog had not only defeated a genius of the Hyūga clan but had also summoned a dragon—a fucking dragon! And that red chakra… the Kyūbi. Sasuke knew Kaien had informed him about the bijū's existence. Everything around Naruto was becoming stranger and more powerful, and Sasuke found himself feeling a strange pride for his teammate. He was eager to unleash the power of Kuroi Ryū, his own dragon.
His mother, Mikoto, watching from the stands, was both comfort and burden. Resurrected by Kaien, she symbolized everything he had lost—and all he longed to avenge. But vengeance... Kaien had planted a seed of doubt with his words: "Are you pursuing revenge out of hatred, or for the truth?" Those words echoed in Sasuke's mind. He had chosen truth. If Itachi had a valid reason, he would kill him—not out of pure hatred, but to end his burden. This shifted his inner struggle.
Now, his match: Gaara. An oppressive atmosphere surrounded the Suna shinobi—a dark, almost bestial chakra. Sasuke felt a disquieting resonance to his own past darkness.
The announcer's voice boomed:
"Next match: Sasuke Uchiha of Konohagakure vs. Gaara of Sunagakure!"
Sasuke stood, adjusted his headband, and stepped into the arena, eyes activating the Sharingan. Below, Gaara's hollow gaze and ominous aura filled the space with unnatural chill.
Gaara (softly): "You're like me—a demon."
Sasuke (firm): "I'm not a demon. I'm Uchiha."
Internally, Kuroi Ryū warned him:
Kuroi Ryū: "Be cautious—his chakra is unstable, full of blood and sand. Don't underestimate his murderous intent."
Sasuke (mentally): "I know. He's how I used to be—before Kaien spoke to me, before Mother returned."
At the signal, Gaara attacked, sand rising from his gourd like a hungry serpent. Sasuke dodged with heightened speed honed by Ryū's training. He struck—but the sand defended.
Kuroi Ryū: "He's shielded by his mother's spirit—absolute defense."
Sasuke's knuckles whitened as he felt a painful recognition between Gaara's bond and his mother's return. He cast a giant fireball, but the sand swallowed it whole. His Sharingan flared—he detected Gaara's growing loneliness.
Gaara (hissing): "I will kill you! You're an inferior human!" Sasuke: "No. I will not die here. I have a family waiting. A purpose. I will prove hatred is not the only path."
He summoned Kuroi Ryū—obsidian scales gleaming, powerful yet controlled. The crowd gasped as another dragon emerged.
Kiba: "Another dragon?!"
Sakura (awed): "Incredible..."
Kaien and the Third Hokage watched with disbelief—the arena had become a carnival of miracles.
Third Hokage (murmuring): "Two dragons… Kaien's dimension truly is a source of wonders."
As Sasuke readied an attack, a series of explosions erupted from the stands. Sand and C-rank ninjas from Suna and Otogakure sprang from hiding. The arena ceiling began to collapse.
Narrator: Panic broke out—Konoha shinobi were attacked. This was no exam—it was an invasion.
The Third Hokage faced the Fourth Kazekage on the roof—but Kaien's Eyes of Infinity identified him as Orochimaru in disguise.
Kuroi Ryū: "Sasuke! Chaos! The real battle begins!"
Naruto rushed to protect civilians; Sakura and Kakashi tended to the wounded. Kakashi confronted Gaara with a lightning-charged Chidori.
But Orochimaru unleashed Edo Tensei, warping the arena as the First and Second Hokage were resurrected. Chaos reigned.
Naruto (horrified): "The Hokage... they're back?"
Ryūjin (telepathically): "Run, Naruto! Run!"
Inside Konoha, the battle climaxed: Hiruzen Sarutobi, weakened but resolute, summoned the Shinigami to seal Orochimaru's arms, stopping his jutsu—but at the cost of his own life.
Hiruzen: "I won't let you destroy Konoha… not while I live!"
The Third Hokage's sacrifice reverberated through the spirit of Konoha.
In the forest outside, Sasuke and Naruto confronted Gaara—host to the one-tailed Shukaku. A fierce and desperate battle ensued: Sasuke struck with Chidori, Naruto countered with Rasengan under Ryūjin and Kaien's guidance. Their coordinated assault subdued Gaara into unconsciousness.
Returning to a devastated Konoha, they learned with sorrow that Hiruzen had died sealing Orochimaru. Naruto fell to his knees in grief. Sasuke, stoic, felt a profound shift inside—less hatred, more purpose.
Mikoto rushed from the crowd, embracing Sasuke.
Mikoto: "My son… you're alive."
Sasuke (soft): "We're alive… We're still here."
For Sasuke, the path of vengeance blurred. He understood his mission now: protect those he loved. The serpent's shadow had passed—but the flame of the Hokage's legacy burned brighter. And though pain lingered, hope lit the darker corners of his heart.