However, just as Rock Lee and Tenten arrived, a scream rang out, accompanied by a sickening crack.
Zaku's arm had been snapped by Sasuke. He collapsed onto the ground in agony, crying out without end.
"And you two, don't disappoint me!"
Sasuke flashed a savage smile. Even in female form, she radiated a chilling ferocity, like a crazed beauty.
The Ino-Shika-Cho Trio had slipped behind the bushes at some point. Rock Lee and Tenten, who had hurried over, glanced at them before landing beside Neji and looking toward Sasuke.
Tenten frowned slightly. "Neji, what happened? Are you hurt?"
Neji shook his head slightly. "I'm fine!"
Rock Lee's expression turned guarded. He felt that there was something off about the woman whose face was covered in strange markings.
He couldn't say what was wrong. (Of course it was the Sharingan, idiot.) But she felt incredibly strong—and somehow, his heart had skipped a beat.
Just as Sasuke was about to strike again, Sakura tearfully wrapped her arms around her. Sasuke would never smile like that.
"Stop! Sasuke, that wasn't like you at all."
Sasuke froze. Hearing Sakura crying behind her, she turned her spinning Sharingan toward her.
"Please, turn back!"
As Sakura held Sasuke, silence fell. Sasuke sensed that something truly was wrong with her, and her emotions gradually calmed.
The curse-mark patterns on her arm and face slowly faded, and the power faded with them. Her body went weak, and Sakura caught her.
But Sasuke understood in her heart that she could not turn back.
Tenten and Rock Lee were both stunned. Tenten leaned close to Neji and whispered.
"Neji, did I hear that right?"
"That girl is Sasuke?"
Neji nodded slightly. A trace of horror appeared in Rock Lee's eyes. For one brief instant, his heart had fluttered—only to find