Inside the hidden cave, the air was heavy. Sasuke sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, fine beads of cold sweat seeping from his temples. Indra's chakra surged through his meridians like purple flames, building defensive barriers that locked the dormant, icy power of darkness firmly in a corner. But the process was anything but easy. Every time he mobilized his power, he felt a tearing sensation deep in his soul, as though two consciousnesses were fighting for control of his body. The corrosive nature of the Sacred Lord's power far exceeded his expectations. It not only contaminated his chakra but also subtly magnified the shadows in his heart-his hunger for power, his obsession with revenge, his rejection of bonds... These emotions grew wildly, like weeds watered with poison.
"Lord Sasuke..." Karin stayed beside him, watching his faintly furrowed brows and the occasional wisp of chilling darkness that escaped his control. Her heart clenched. Through the Mind's Eye of the Kagura, she could vaguely sense the stalemate between the two terrifying powers within him, leaving her feeling more helpless than ever.
After a long while, Sasuke slowly opened his eyes. The crimson faded, returning them to a black as deep as a still pool. Yet beneath that coldness, there seemed to be an added trace of indescribable weariness and gravity.
"Let's go." He rose to his feet, wasting no words.
"But your body..." Karin could not help speaking up.
"I'm fine." Sasuke cut her off, his tone brooking no argument. He had to find Itachi as soon as possible, not merely for revenge, but to uncover the truth about this power-and... how to control it or rid himself of it before it devoured him completely. The longer he stayed, the more uncertainty he faced.
Team Hawk set out again, stealthily making