Chapter 22 – Rebirth in Shadows
"Even in the quiet, the echoes of blood and anger linger."
The ruins of the Root of Ash camp stretched behind them. Smoke rose from broken fires, and the forest smelled of scorched wood and fear. Sasuke moved ahead, silent, his eyes scanning the darkness. The storm inside him had not yet passed—his rage at the Senju, at those who dared touch Karin, still burned.
Karin followed close, her steps hesitant. She looked at Sasuke, and for the first time since the massacre, she felt a tremor of fear. The way he had moved, the precision, the coldness—it was awe-inspiring, but terrifying. Can someone I love really be this unstoppable?
Behind them, Suigetsu struggled to carry Jūgo, whose body was battered and weak. "Sasuke!" he shouted. "You left him there! You can't just—"
Sasuke didn't answer. He was already moving toward the forest edge, toward the faint pulse of Karin's chakra that still resonated with life and defiance.
Jūgo groaned, clutching his side. In a desperate motion, he bit into Karin's arms, channeling her chakra into his body to stabilize his injuries. Karin hissed, enduring the pain, knowing it was the only way to save him. When he released her, Jūgo's breathing steadied, and his eyes regained some clarity.
Suigetsu scowled at Sasuke, frustrated. "Seriously? You leave your friend bleeding and just… go?"
Karin's gaze softened, but her hands brushed against Sasuke's arm, a silent warning and a plea. "He's alive… because of me. Don't… let anything happen to him or me," she murmured, voice trembling.
Sasuke exhaled slowly. His anger was tempered now, but it still burned, a coiled storm within him. For the first time in a long while, he allowed himself to acknowledge his own feelings—his attachment to Karin, his protective instinct, and the guilt for leaving Jūgo vulnerable.
Suigetsu huffed, crossing his arms, but he remained silent. The group moved forward, united by survival, tension, and the unspoken bonds between them.
Above, the moon shone coldly, illuminating the path ahead. Though the night was quiet now, all knew the shadows would not forgive easily. And Sasuke would not stop until those who dared harm his friends paid in full.