Seeds of Hatred

Night poured down like cold water, shrouding the forest in a deep and desolate atmosphere.

Within this silent forest, Itachi Uchiha supported the weakened Kisame Hoshigaki, their footsteps rustling through the fallen leaves.

Their breathing was noticeably heavy.

"Sorry, Itachi..." Kisame Hoshigaki's voice was weak and trembling, his face pale, with traces of blood still drying at the corner of his mouth.

Itachi Uchiha stopped in his tracks. Blood trickled from his own eyes, but his gaze remained sharp and resolute.

He shook his head gently, a hint of helplessness in his tone. "It's not your fault. That guy's age and strength really do make it easy to misjudge him."

Kisame Hoshigaki took a breath and said, "This time, we really almost bit it. But if it were you, you could probably beat that kid, right?"

Itachi Uchiha's gaze pierced through the dense trees, staring into the distant night sky.

He coughed a few times, his voice hoarse. "At this age, with this level of strength, and being the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki... I'm not confident. And on top of that, one of the legendary Three Sannin, Jiraiya. If we hadn't escaped in time just now, we'd both be dead for sure. The combat power isn't even on the same level."

Sasuke walked swiftly, darting through the bustling crowd like a gust of wind, his mind fixed on a single thought—finding Naruto.

He had just come from visiting the injured Kakashi at the hospital, and by chance overheard a conversation among Jonin at Kakashi's bedside about Naruto's battle with Itachi Uchiha. That news was like a match, instantly igniting the fire of revenge in his heart.

Sasuke's heartbeat quickened. He wished he could find Itachi Uchiha right then and tear him limb from limb.

He ran through Konoha, asking passersby along the way, until he finally located Naruto.

At that moment, Naruto was sitting with Iruka inside Ichiraku Ramen, enjoying the familiar and delicious taste of ramen.

Without a moment's hesitation, Sasuke shoved the door open. A gust of cold wind swept in with him, and his eyes blazed like torches, fixed directly on Naruto.

"Where is Itachi Uchiha?" He practically shouted the words, his voice laced with barely concealed urgency and fury.

Naruto looked up, saw the travel-worn, frantic Sasuke, and a faint smile curled at the corner of his mouth. "Yo, Sasuke, wanna sit down and finish this bowl of ramen together?"

Iruka also turned to look at Sasuke, a warm smile on his face.

But Sasuke clearly had no mood to sit down for ramen. He raised his voice again, almost roaring: "Naruto! Tell me where Itachi Uchiha is!" His hands clenched into fists, his body trembling slightly with agitation.

Naruto led Sasuke through the streets of Konoha, finally arriving at the training ground on the edge of the village.

At this hour, the training ground was empty, with only the night wind gently blowing.

Naruto stopped and turned to face Sasuke. Behind his sunglasses, his eyes revealed an unprecedented seriousness and resolve. "Attack me." His words were concise and forceful, as if issuing a command that brooked no argument.

Sasuke was visibly taken aback. He hadn't expected Naruto to make such a demand. He asked urgently, "What? Naruto, tell me where Itachi Uchiha is. I don't have time to play these boring games with you right now."

But Naruto ignored Sasuke's impatience and displeasure. He repeated himself, "I said, attack me. If you can touch me, I'll tell you where Itachi Uchiha is."

Hearing this, the anger in Sasuke's heart ignited instantly.

He hesitated no longer. His form flickered, and in an instant, he launched an attack at Naruto.

First, he threw out several Kunai as cover, then his hands moved rapidly through hand seals, unleashing the Great Fireball Technique.

Flames surged forth like a dragon's breath, bearing down on Naruto.

At the same time, Sasuke's Sharingan activated.

Fueled by his hatred, his strength had increased even further.

He had only one thought in his mind: to land a hit on Naruto and force him to reveal Itachi Uchiha's whereabouts. As for actually hurting Naruto, he knew that was impossible.

Faced with Uchiha Sasuke's storm-like assault, Naruto seemed to exist in another world entirely. His movements were leisurely and composed, as if he were taking a casual stroll.

Those Kunai and fireballs appeared to him as slow as a crawl. He dodged them with ease, and even in the midst of this tense atmosphere, he yawned lazily.

Seeing this, Sasuke felt a surge of indescribable humiliation and rage.

He was keenly aware of the gap between himself and Naruto.

So, without hesitation, he used the strongest jutsu he could currently employ—Chidori.

With Sasuke's low growl, a piercing chirping sound filled the air, the precursor to Chidori's activation.

Sasuke's eyes locked onto Naruto, as if he wanted to vent all his hatred for Itachi Uchiha. The Chidori completed its formation, and he charged at Naruto, the technique tearing through the night sky with a screeching cry, carrying devastating power.