"Who are you?"
Tayuya let out a laugh.
"Orochimaru sent us to pick you up."
Sasuke wasted no words. He stomped off the ground and charged straight at them.
Bang!
They clashed in an instant.
Sasuke was fast. His kunai stabbed straight for Tayuya's throat, but she twisted aside, and Sakon's fist was already smashing in from the side.
Sasuke flipped away, tapped the roof tiles with his toes, and Chidori's electric glow lit up in his palm.
Crackle!
Blue lightning illuminated the rooftop.
But the next moment, Kidomaru's spider thread wrapped around his wrist from behind.
Sasuke's expression changed.
Jirobo stepped forward and drove his fist into Sasuke's abdomen.
Bang!
Sasuke was sent flying, crashing through the eaves and falling into the courtyard.
He braced himself against the ground, trying to stand.
But the Cursed Seal at his neck was burning.
The pain spread like fire.
Tayuya landed atop the courtyard wall and looked down at him.
"You're too weak right now."
Sasuke gritted his teeth and looked up at her.
Tayuya continued,
"You want to kill Itachi Uchiha? You want to catch up to Chiya? With your current strength?"
Sasuke's fingers dug fiercely into the dirt.
Sakon smiled.
"Stay in Konoha, and you'll only keep being locked up. Chiya has already left. Do you still want to be the last Uchiha in Danzo's hands?"
"Only Lord Orochimaru can give you the power you want."
With that, Sakon patted his shoulder, and the group vanished from sight.
The following night.
Sasuke left the Uchiha Clan Grounds.
When he reached the area near the village gate, Sakura was already waiting there.
Under the streetlamp, Sakura's eyes were red.
"Sasuke."
Sasuke stopped.
He did not turn around.
Sakura's voice trembled.
"You're leaving, aren't you?"
Sasuke was silent for a moment.
"Move."