Sosuke stood tall and straight among the Sand Ninja. His detached, otherworldly air made him seem like a crane towering above a flock of chickens.
Within ten meters of him, aside from one Sand Ninja's corpse, all the others had quickly retreated.
"Oh, are you that afraid?"
He glanced at the Sand Ninja beside him, who stared at him in shock, and let the corner of his mouth curl into a faint smile.
At his words, the Sand Ninja exchanged glances, then fixed him with icy eyes. Some had already begun forming Hand Seals, ready to unleash their jutsu.
Watching them, Sosuke narrowed his eyes slightly and spoke softly.
"Mm... That's more like it. After all, if you don't even have the courage to fight an enemy like me, then killing you would be far too boring."
His lightly amused murmur had barely faded when a Sand Ninja suddenly charged at him, shouting furiously.
"Die! You Konoha bastard! Sunagakure isn't a place you people can invade whenever you please!"
Two dark puppets followed him, one in front and one behind. Their weapons glinted with a dark green sheen, clearly coated in poison.
"Black Secret Technique: Four Hidden Flames... Huh!"
The charging Sand Ninja shouted, but his voice cut off before he could finish.
"Splurt!"
A snow-white blade point pierced through his chest. He lowered his head and stared in horror at the bright red spots on its tip, murmuring in disbelief,
"H-How is this possible... When did you...?"
Before he could finish, the white blade slowly withdrew.
A mouthful of blood suddenly spilled from his lips, and he slowly slumped forward.
"I'm truly sorry. For the sake of a greater goal, your deaths are already decided. They're a necessary sacrifice..."
As his life slowly ebbed away, he seemed to hear