Seeds of Hatred

Night fell like cold water, shrouding the forest in a deep, desolate gloom.

In the silent forest, Itachi Uchiha supported the weakened Kisame Hoshigaki as they walked, their footsteps rustling through the fallen leaves.

Both of them were breathing heavily.

"Sorry, Itachi..." Kisame's voice was weak and trembling. His face was pale, and dried blood still clung to the corner of his mouth.

Itachi stopped. Blood ran from his eyes, but his gaze remained sharp and resolute.

He gently shook his head, his tone tinged with helplessness. "It's not your fault. His age and strength really could lead someone to underestimate him."

Kisame took a breath and said, "That was a close one. But if it were you, you could beat that kid, right?"

Itachi looked through the dense trees toward the distant night sky.

He coughed several times, his voice slightly hoarse. "At his age, with that kind of strength, and as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, I can't be sure. And then there's Jiraiya, one of the legendary Sannin. If we hadn't escaped in time, we would've died there. He's on a completely different level."

Sasuke hurried through the bustling crowd like a gust of wind, with only one thought in mind—find Naruto.

He had just visited the injured Kakashi at the hospital. There, he'd unexpectedly overheard the Jonin talking by Kakashi's bedside about Naruto's fight with Itachi Uchiha. The news was like a matchbox, instantly igniting the flames of revenge in his heart.

Sasuke's heart raced. He couldn't wait to find Itachi Uchiha and tear him to pieces.

He ran through Konoha, asking passersby for directions, and finally found Naruto.

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

Without a moment's hesitation, Sasuke shoved the door open. A gust of cold air swept in, and his blazing gaze fixed on Naruto.

"Where is Itachi Uchiha?" he practically shouted, his voice brimming with urgency and fury.

Naruto looked up at Sasuke, who was dusty and clearly in a hurry, and gave him a faint smile. "Yo, Sasuke. Want to sit down and finish a bowl of ramen with us?"

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

But Sasuke was in no mood to sit down for ramen. He raised his voice again, nearly roaring, "Naruto! Tell me where Itachi Uchiha is!" His hands clenched into fists, and his body trembled slightly with agitation.

Naruto led Sasuke through the streets of Konoha, eventually bringing him to the training ground on the outskirts of the village.

The training ground was empty. Only the night breeze stirred the air.

Naruto stopped and turned to Sasuke. Beneath his sunglasses, his gaze was more serious and focused than ever. "Attack me." His words were brief and forceful, like an indisputable command.

Sasuke was taken aback. He hadn't expected Naruto to make such a demand. He asked anxiously, "What? Naruto, tell me where Itachi Uchiha is. I don't have time to play this stupid game with you."

But Naruto ignored Sasuke's impatience and frustration, repeating himself—repeating himself again. "I said, attack me. If you can touch me, I'll tell you where Itachi Uchiha is."

The moment Sasuke heard this, the fury in his heart flared.

He didn't hesitate. In a flash, he lunged at Naruto.

First, he threw a few Kunai as a distraction. Then he rapidly formed Hand Seals and unleashed the Great Fireball Technique.

Flames surged forth like a tornado, hurtling straight toward Naruto.

At the same time, Sasuke's Sharingan activated.

Fueled by his hatred, his strength rose even further.

He had only one thought: land a hit on Naruto and force him to reveal Itachi Uchiha's whereabouts. He knew there was no chance of actually hurting Naruto.

Faced with Uchiha Sasuke's storm of attacks, Naruto seemed to be in another world entirely. He moved at an easy, unhurried pace, as though strolling through a garden.

The Kunai and fireballs seemed to move in slow motion to him. He dodged them with ease, and even yawned leisurely amid the tense atmosphere.

Seeing this, Sasuke was overcome by an indescribable sense of humiliation and fury.

He knew the gap between himself and Naruto.

So he unhesitatingly used the strongest ninjutsu he could manage—Chidori.

Sasuke let out a low growl, and a piercing birdsong rang through the air, heralding Chidori's activation.

His eyes locked on Naruto, as if he meant to pour all his hatred for Itachi Uchiha into this attack. Chidori gathered in his hand, and he charged at Naruto. It streaked through the night with a piercing cry, carrying destructive power.