While the various factions prepared to act, Sasuke finished a hard day of training and sat on a rock atop the mountain above the underground base, admiring the beautiful starry sky and thinking of his friends and loved ones in Konoha.
As Sasuke lost himself in thought, Tayuya slowly approached him. Only when she came within ten meters did he snap out of his reverie and notice her. Lowering his gaze from the stars, he asked flatly, "What do you want? Speak."
"Lord Orochimaru plans to have you lead a team to the Land of the Moon," Tayuya replied. "Kabuto Yakushi should come to inform you shortly. I just wanted to let you know beforehand. There's nothing else."
Sasuke turned his gaze to Tayuya. "You work for Orochimaru, so why do you also obey that idiot Naruto? I'm curious. As far as I know, that idiot shouldn't have had any opportunity to meet you."
Tayuya wanted nothing to do with thoughts of Naruto. Her fear of him had seeped into her very bones. Whenever she thought of him, she remembered that hell where death would have been a mercy. Hearing Sasuke mention Naruto, she involuntarily recalled that hellish ordeal again. Trembling all over, panic in her eyes, she said, "Can we not talk about that devil? He's a devil who crawled out of hell. He's terrifying. He isn't human, and he isn't some monster, either. He's a devil through and through. Only a devil could be that terrifying."
Watching Tayuya's expression grow increasingly frantic, Sasuke knew she was on the verge of losing her mind. Though he was curious about what Naruto had done to push her to the brink of a breakdown, he held back and said calmly, "Fine, we won't mention that idiot. Tell me what Orochimaru wants