After the fierce battle with Momoshiki, Naruto and Itachi silently made their way back. As they approached the forest where their comrades were still locked in combat with the Sound ninja, Naruto's gaze swept across the chaotic scene, taking in every detail with a calm intensity.
Choji had emerged victorious in his fight, but victory had come at a steep price. He was barely clinging to life. Naruto frowned slightly, recognizing the severity of Choji's condition. Without hesitation, he created a clone, instructing it to take Choji back to the village for immediate medical attention. The clone nodded and carefully lifted Choji and teleported back to Konoha.
Neji, too, had managed to secure a hard fought win, but like Choji, he was teetering on the edge of consciousness. Naruto's clone disappeared with the Hyuga.
Nearby, Shino and Kiba were locked in a deadly dance with Sakon and Ukon, the twin brothers of the Sound Four. The air crackled with tension as the four ninja clashed repeatedly, each attack more ferocious than the last.
Shikamaru and Lee engaged, Tayuya, the foul-mouthed kunoichi of the group. Her cursed flute played its haunting melody, but Shikamaru's sharp mind was already devising a counter.
Just as the battles seemed to reach their peak, a figure emerged from the shadows. Kimimaro, the last and most dangerous of the Sound Five, appeared with a cold, unyielding expression. Without a word, he approached Tayuya, swiftly taking Sasuke's coffin from her grasp. Lee followed after Kimimaro.
___
As the coffin opened, revealing Sasuke, a surge of dark chakra filled the air. The marks of the cursed seal crept across his face, his power visibly growing as he stepped forward. Lee, who had been valiantly battling Kimimaro, turned his gaze toward Sasuke, determination flashing in his eyes. But before Lee could react, Kimimaro intercepted him, forcing Lee to continue their brutal duel.
"Sasuke, go," Kimimaro ordered, his voice like steel.
Sasuke, now fully emerged, turned away from the chaos, his eyes fixed on the path ahead. He advanced forward, his thoughts consumed by a single purpose, power. At the valley of the end, his path was abruptly blocked.
There, standing with an air of calm authority, was Itachi. Sasuke's heart skipped a beat, and his body tensed with fury as he laid eyes on his older brother. The marks on his face darkened, spreading further as his rage grew uncontrollable.
"It's been a while," Itachi said, his voice smooth and devoid of emotion, as if their last encounter had been nothing more than a distant memory.
Sasuke's breath hitched, his anger boiling over. Without a word, he launched himself at Itachi, his movements fueled by years of hatred and pain. Itachi stood still, his expression unreadable, ready to face the wrath of the brother he once knew.
With Lee
Kimimaro remained silent, his expression unchanged. He merely tilted his head slightly, studying Lee with those cold, emotionless eyes. "You should leave," he said finally, his voice as calm as his demeanor. "You are not a match for me."
Lee narrowed his eyes, refusing to back down. "Get out of my way!" he shouted, launching himself forward with incredible speed. His movements were a blur as he closed the distance between them in an instant, delivering a powerful kick aimed at Kimimaro's head.
But Kimimaro was faster.He shifted his body just enough to avoid the blow, and in the same motion, he countered with a bone spike that erupted from his forearm, aiming for Lee's stomach. Lee barely managed to twist out of the way, feeling the sharp edge of the bone slice through his jumpsuit.
Lee landed a few feet away, breathing heavily. His eyes flickered to the small tear in his outfit, a testament to how close the strike had been. But instead of fear, a fierce determination ignited within him.
