By evening, Shinno had already arrived at the hospital, sitting beside the young patient's bed. The youth's name was Amaru.
Amaru had come to Konoha for Shinno's sake. Her village lay on the border of the Land of Fire and had been attacked by unknown ninja the previous night, leaving countless people injured. Amaru had fainted because the long journey had exhausted her.
Meanwhile, in a waterfall canyon, amid lush trees behind the curtain of falling water, a handsome black-haired youth stood bare-chested. His fair body was leanly muscled, as fluid as flowing water, and a striking black mark stood out on the back of his neck.
The youth stepped beneath the waterfall, letting the rushing water wash over his hair. Suddenly, his eyes snapped open. Lightning surged within them, and blue chakra currents flowed down with the water, striking the cliff face with a thunderous boom.
He now wore a white shirt, its V-shaped opening exposing his chest and abdomen while covering the necessary areas just right. A purple rope belt wrapped around his waist, and a Kusanagi Sword was tucked behind his back. The fan emblem on the back of his white shirt revealed his identity.
He was Sasuke Uchiha, who had left Konoha and spent two years at Orochimaru's side. Compared to before, Sasuke Uchiha looked far more mature and composed in his white clothes. He gently lifted his head to gaze at the mountains and rivers, but no one knew what he was thinking.
Sasuke walked down a long corridor, passed through a stone door, and entered a secret chamber. Orochimaru was reclining against the head of the bed, looking sickly.
Kabuto Yakushi, who stood beside Orochimaru, said, "We received intelligence this morning. Konoha was bombed by the ninja of the Land of Sky, who should