[Konoha · Old Uchiha residence · Late at night]
Sasuke sat atop the highest point of the ruins, gazing at the stars overhead.
The night breeze swept past, bringing a faint chill. He pulled his coat tighter and looked into the distance, toward Las Noches.
He was thinking about Liuyu's words.
"You need more experience in actual combat before you can truly master your power."
He knew Liuyu was right. His power had grown quickly, but his foundations were shaky. He needed more battles, more trials, before he could truly master the power of the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan and Ame no Habakiri.
But he also knew that Liuyu wanted him to grow stronger not for his own good, but to use him. Liuyu needed a sharp blade, and he was that blade.
"Should I go back?" Sasuke murmured to himself. "Back to the Pure Soul Court, to keep training under Aizen?"
He didn't know the answer.
Just then, a voice sounded behind him. "What's on your mind?"
Sasuke turned to find Naruto grinning at him. He hadn't noticed when Naruto had climbed up.
"What are you doing here?" Sasuke asked.
"Couldn't sleep, so I went for a walk." Naruto sat down beside him. "Saw you up here and thought I'd come take a look."
He tipped his head back to gaze at the sky. "Wow, so many stars! You hardly ever see this many in the village."
"Yeah," Sasuke replied.
They sat in silence for a while, neither saying a word.
"Sasuke," Naruto said suddenly. "Are you thinking about going back to the Pure Soul Court?"
Sasuke froze for a moment, then asked, "How did you know?"
"Just a guess," Naruto said. "You've looked troubled all day, and you keep looking toward Las Noches."
Sasuke fell silent.
"If you want