However, halfway through turning, he abruptly stopped, because if he turned any further, his neck would collide with Sasuke's blade. Sasuke had noticed someone approaching him long ago. He had been watching the entire plaza, and naturally would not neglect his surroundings. Losing focus on a battlefield was fatal—Sasuke understood that much. He had originally intended to deal with this ninja first, but the man had revealed killing intent as he approached, which made Sasuke suspicious, so he had held off for the moment.
The other man truly intended to kill him; that was already perfectly clear. After the Kumogakure ninja leaped past him, Sasuke had drawn War Soul and placed it against the man's neck from behind. If he turned again, his head would fall off.
"Looks like you wanted to kill me, didn't you? But I don't think I've ever met you. So who wants my life? Can you tell me?" Sasuke held his sword one-handed against the man's neck and looked down at him. Though Sasuke's eyes were hidden behind Sunglasses, the ninja could still feel his killing intent. A bead of cold sweat slid down his cheek to his chin, then fell onto the stone-paved ground.
"Don't want to talk?" Seeing that the man remained silent, Sasuke asked again. At the same time, he shifted the sword in his hand, bringing the edge even closer to the ninja's skin. The cold blade nearly touched him, sending a chill through his body. Sweat kept sliding down from tension, splattering against the ground.
"Konoha ninja, please release him." A voice came from behind him. Sasuke had known someone was approaching from the rear. His left hand had remained gripping the scabbard; if the person behind him attacked, he could block with the scabbard while the sword in his