In the cold, gloomy wooden cabin, Sasuke Uchiha sat beside the campfire, several thick layers of bandages wrapped around his thigh.
Sasuke tilted his head slightly as he looked at the red-haired man across the fire, countless thoughts running through his mind. This was the man who had effortlessly shattered all of his pride and confidence.
It was only after meeting this man that Sasuke Uchiha learned that such powerful shinobi existed in the Shinobi World. Uzumaki Kuming's strength had long since surpassed ordinary shinobi by an entirely different dimension.
It was precisely because of the overwhelming strength Uzumaki Kuming had displayed that Sasuke was willing to believe Konoha might truly not have targeted the Uchiha clan before. If Konoha had truly intended to target the Uchiha clan, then the entire clan would have been wiped out long ago.
Sasuke did not believe anyone in the Uchiha clan could stand against the formidable Uzumaki Kuming. Even he, after awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan, had been utterly helpless—let alone the rest of his clansmen.
"Kid, what are you thinking about?"
Uzumaki Kuming tossed another piece of wood into the campfire and spoke with a smile. Sasuke had been staring at him ever since earlier, and he had no idea what the boy was thinking now.
"Why didn't you kill me?"
"I'm a rogue ninja from the village, and I nearly killed you. Don't you hate me?"
Sasuke Uchiha withdrew his gaze, lowered his head slightly, and asked in a quiet voice.
"Kid, I think you've misunderstood something."
"Nearly killed me? Are you joking? As for whether I hate you or not..."
"I was merely teaching an unruly junior a lesson on behalf of a friend. It wasn't anything serious."
"As for rogue ninja, whoever I decide is a rogue ninja is a