There was not a soul on the forest path at the edge of Konoha.
The old streetlights flickered in the wind, stretching the trees' shadows long.
With a pack on his back and a cold expression on his face, Sasuke Uchiha walked down the road out of the village.
He had had enough of this weak village and its games of playing house.
The blows Son Goten and Naruto had dealt him one after another that day had shattered his pride.
If he stayed in Konoha, he would never catch up to that man.
Only by seeking out Orochimaru could he gain the power to take revenge.
Just as he reached a fork in the road.
Four bizarre dark figures dropped from above without warning, blocking his way completely.
The Sound Four made their arrogant entrance.
Sakon and Ukon folded his arms and sneered without restraint.
"So this is the prey Lord Orochimaru has his eye on?"
"He looks like a useless Uchiha who only knows how to hide in a greenhouse and suck milk."
"Does trash like this really deserve the Cursed Seal of Heaven?"
Kidomaru spat out a strand of spider silk, his face full of mockery.
"Look how frail he is. I could crush him with one finger."
How could the proud, arrogant Sasuke endure such humiliation?
His eyes turned scarlet, his Two-Tomoe Sharingan spinning wildly as he charged straight at them.
"You bastards are asking to die!"
He rapidly formed hand seals, opened his mouth, and spat out an enormous Great Fireball.
Reality, however, delivered a vicious slap to his face.
Against the Sound Four with their first-stage Cursed Seals activated, the Taijutsu and Fire Release he took such pride in were little more than a joke.
The fat Jirobo dispersed the flames with a single