Naruto's arrival was like cold water poured into boiling oil, instantly shattering the fragile balance over the Gobi. His seething red Tailed Beast Chakra Cloak stood in stark contrast to the ominous dark purple surrounding Sasuke. More than wind and sand filled the air-it was charged with the fierce clash of two utterly different powers and beliefs.
"Dead last..." Sasuke looked down at the furious Naruto, his brow creasing almost imperceptibly. A faint trace of irritation seemed to seep into his icy voice. "You're still as loud as ever. You haven't improved at all."
"Cut the crap, Sasuke!" Naruto pointed at him without backing down, his voice trembling with emotion. "Look at what you've become! Wearing that rotten cloak, running around with those dangerous bastards! What the hell are you thinking?! Come back to Konoha with me!"
"Back to Konoha?" Sasuke sounded as though he had heard the greatest joke in the world, the sneer on his lips deepening. "What for? To keep being the fool kept in the dark, who didn't even know the truth about his own clan? Or to shoulder everything for that laughable 'peace,' just like Itachi, and then die like a dog?!"
"About Itachi..." Naruto faltered. He had clearly learned part of the truth from Kakashi and Tsunade as well. His tone softened slightly, but remained firm. "It's complicated! But that doesn't justify what you're doing! There has to be another way!"
"Another way?" Sasuke's gaze abruptly sharpened with pain. The memories and emotions he had forcibly suppressed seemed to find an outlet, directed at the person before him whom he had always considered his rival and... his friend. "The only way is power! Enough power to overturn everything and make those bastards on their high horses pay! Not naively shouting about 'understanding' and 'bonds'