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The group passed deeper through the forest. Along the way, more of Sasori's new puppets clashed with the armored constructs Neji had engineered.
Sasuko barely reacted. She already knew those armored suits came from Neji's designs, so the sight didn't surprise her.
Suigetsu, though his smirk had long since vanished. After seeing a handful of battles, he grew quiet. Obedient.
What kind of hell did I walk into? He thought. Those puppets weren't practice dummies; each one looked like it could carve him apart in seconds.
The crimson-plated model in particular made his stomach twist. It manipulated fire like a living furnace an absolute nightmare for his [Hydration Technique]. One hit and he'd boil away into steam.
For once, Suigetsu decided to keep his head down. No more jokes. No more tempting death.
---
Soon they entered another transparent chamber. This time, instead of sinking, gravity pressed them upward. Outside, the view shrank beneath their feet fields, forests, and rivers dwindling into a miniature panorama.
Suigetsu pressed his face to the glass. "Holy crap. This place is bigger than the entire Land of Waves island!"
He scratched his head. "Wait… why'd we go down before, but now we're going up?"
Sasuko didn't answer. She was busy calculating. The terrain, the descent, the rise it all placed them directly beneath the Land of Waves.
The so-called "simulation grounds" must have been carved into the island's foundations, explaining why the space below dwarfed the island above.
The lift broke through false clouds, revealing yet another layer above: scaffolds stacked with puppet parts, weaponized suits waiting in neat rows.
A disk platform descended, bearing a red-haired figure clutching tools.
Sasuko's eyes narrowed. "That's Sasori?"
Zabuza's voice was flat. "Yes. The Red Sand himself. Now he serves here, reforging puppets and refining the base."
He glanced at Sasuko, remembering the boy who had once defeated his team.
Now she was a girl and Neji's ally. It no longer mattered. They weren't enemies, just survivors molded by the same Boss. In his mind, they were both… victims.
---
At last, Zabuza led them into a chamber that felt more like an office than a hideout. A white-haired man stood with his back to the sea, flipping through a tablet. At his side, a statuesque woman with raven hair waited in silence.
The instant Sasuko saw her, her brow furrowed. Something about that profile is familiar. Too familiar.
"Come in," the man said, turning at last. Those piercing blue eyes hit Sasuko like a weight. Just the pressure of Neji's gaze stirred the fire in her blood, stoking that restless hunger for battle.
"…It's been a while, Neji."
Suigetsu blinked at the exchange. Fourth. I'm definitely the fourth wheel here. And who the hell even is this guy? The name sounded familiar hadn't Orochimaru's creepy medic mumbled about him before?
"Sit," Neji said.
A chair rose behind Suigetsu as if from nowhere. He darted a glance at Sasuko she was already seated. Only then did he lower himself, stiff-backed.
Neji's gaze shifted. "So, this is Hōzuki Suigetsu?"
The shark-toothed boy perked up, forcing a grin. "Y-Yes! That's me. From the Hōzuki clan. Uh… Zabuza-senpai's junior."
He tacked on the last part quickly. Family tie or not, better to cling to Zabuza's shadow than stand exposed in front of this monster.
Neji studied him, then nodded once. "Not bad. Potential there."
Sasuko scoffed. "Barely usable."
Suigetsu's smile froze. What the hell? He'd always been called a prodigy. Now he was "barely usable"? He swallowed the protest. No way he'd say it aloud.
Neji chuckled. "Don't measure yourself against my standards, Suigetsu. They're here for another purpose." His eyes slid back to Sasuko. "You've built up your strength. You're preparing to confront him, aren't you?"
Sasuko nodded slowly. Orochimaru had taught her all he could. She had taken everything from him, even his life. The next step was inevitably confronting Itachi.
Her gaze flicked to the woman beside Neji. The curve of her jaw, the mole at her eye Sasuko's breath caught.
"…You're Uchiha Izumi?"
The woman smiled softly. "Sasuko. You've grown." Scarlet spun in her eyes [Sharingan].
Sasuko's own tomoe whirled to life in answer. For a moment, the room glowed with crimson eyes: Izumi's, Sasuko's, and Neji's eerie blue glare.
Suigetsu shifted uncomfortably. Great. Everyone here's got glow-in-the-dark eyes but me.
Sasuko's voice dropped. "I'm going to find him. Will you come?"
Neji's eyebrow arched. So bold, trying to steal away my ally right in front of me.
Izumi only shook her head. "No. I already have my answer." Her gaze softened. Sasuko reminded her so much of her mother only colder, harder.
Sasuko turned back to Neji. "So you knew all along? That's why you didn't stop me, back then?"
"Yes," Neji replied simply.
"Then I'll ask one more time… do you think I'm ready?"
Hatred and resolve burned in Sasuko's eyes. "I'm going to end it with him. Once and for all."
Neji exhaled, quiet resignation hidden beneath the smile. Cause and effect were planted long ago. They'll have to see it through themselves.
"Very well," he said. "Just don't regret the truth once you find it. Ai—call Karin and Kimimaro. We'll need them."
[Yes, Boss]
The Uchiha's family feud wasn't his to solve. Not unless one of them asked him directly.
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