Like a tide of fate, as ordinary members of the Ninja World, they would never know what this night truly meant for them.
Naruto, Sasuke, and the others hiding inside the tree hollow were even less likely to imagine that, on this very night, they had entered someone's sights.
At daybreak, within the mist-shrouded Forest of Death.
A ray of morning light slowly passed through the gaps between the treetops and leaves, silently shining into the forest.
Within the hushed forest of the early morning, inside a tree hollow.
Sasuke slowly opened his eyes. Even after sleeping through the night, the shadow left by yesterday still weighed heavily on his heart.
At this moment, he no longer possessed the confidence he had when he first entered the Chunin Exams.
After witnessing Kidomaru's overwhelming strength, Sasuke seemed to have suffered a severe blow. His entire demeanor was despondent and listless.
He quietly rose to his feet without waking Naruto and Sakura, who were still asleep, and slowly walked out of the tree hollow alone.
Whoosh! Whoosh!...
With a few leaps, he reached a high branch and slowly sat down upon it.
His gaze drifted toward the two scrolls fastened at his side. His dark eyes were dim and lifeless, yet they seemed to carry a trace of resolve.
His hand slowly clenched around the scrolls at his side as he murmured to himself.
"I have to find out who that guy is..."
"And also... just what is this Las Noches he mentioned..."
Just as he said this—
Rustle! Rustle!
A sound slowly came from the distant forest. Hearing it, Sasuke's eyes narrowed slightly.
This time, he did not investigate the enemy on his own. Instead, he swiftly turned and returned to the tree hollow, speaking in a low, cold voice.
"Wake