...
Staring at the black smoke from the explosion, Sasuke saw two figures leap out, retreating quickly.
“Boom!”
Tsuchioi's iron maces smashed into the ground where Sasuke had been.
“Haha... Fire release are useless against me.”
As Sasuke dodged the attack and sighed in relief, Tsuchioi emerged from the smoke, his skin now pitch black.
“He used the Hardening Technique!”
Sasuke immediately understood why Tsuchioi was unscathed by the fireball.
“Kid, you're strong and have the Sharingan, but I know all about you. No matter how hard you try, you can't escape death.”
Staring at Sasuke, Tsuchioi spoke confidently.
“Enough talk. If you want to kill me, show me your skills.”
Sasuke replied coldly, unfazed by Tsuchioi's words.
“Fool!”
Tsuchioi muttered and quickly formed hand signs.
“Doton: Dosekiryū (Earth Release: Mudslide)”
As he completed the jutsu, the ground beneath Sasuke turned into a sticky mud.
Struggling to pull his legs free, Sasuke found them stuck fast in the mud, making it impossible to move.
“Haha... Let's see how you escape now.”
Hearing Tsuchioi's triumphant laughter, Sasuke's eyes narrowed. Tsuchioi picked up his maces and charged at him.
“Sasuke!”
Karin's voice echoed in fear as she saw Sasuke trapped.
Tsuchioi's grin widened as he approached. With a heavy swing, he aimed for Sasuke's chest.
“Boom”
Sasuke's figure turned into smoke upon impact.
“A shadow clone? Impossible!”
Staring in disbelief, Tsuchioi realized he had been tricked.
“Could it have been then?”
Recalling the moment Sasuke's fireball hit, Tsuchioi realized the real Sasuke must have swapped with a shadow clone during the confusion.
“It's over.”
“Chidori!!”
Hearing Sasuke's voice, Tsuchioi's body froze. He looked up to see Sasuke on a nearby tree, his hand crackling with electricity.
“No…”
As Sasuke's Chidori pierced his chest, Tsuchioi felt his chakra fail him. Blood gushed from the wound.
In extreme pain, Tsuchioi's face turned pale. He couldn't utter a word as blood spilled from his mouth.
The bright face of the young Sasuke was the last thing he saw before darkness claimed him. Sasuke withdrew his hand, and Tsuchioi's body fell lifelessly to the ground.
“Phew…”
Glancing at Tsuchioi's lifeless form, Sasuke sighed in exhaustion. Killing Tsuchioi had drained him.
“Sasuke won!”
Seeing Sasuke standing, Karin's face lit up with relief. But just as she started towards him, a cold blade pressed against her neck from behind.
The blade's edge was dangerously close, a swift move away from ending her life.
“Don't move if you want to live.”
A cold voice came from a masked woman behind Karin.
If Tsuchioi were alive, he would recognize her as Amachi, the one who hired him to kill Sasuke.
“Karin!”
Hearing the commotion, Sasuke turned and saw Karin held hostage. He called out in concern.
“Sasuke…”
Understanding her life was at risk, Karin's face showed fear. She called back to Sasuke.
“You're an Anbu from Konoha! If you have business, deal with me, don’t hurt her.”
Sasuke stared at the masked woman, his face filled with anger.
“Smart boy, Uchiha. I can let her go, but you must die in her place.”
“This is a threat, but that's how the ninja world works. Nothing is fair. When you became a ninja, you should have known this could happen.”
Amachi's voice was cold and ruthless.
“Sasuke, don’t do it!”
Hearing Amachi's words, Karin desperately shouted.
If it meant Sasuke dying to save her, she would rather die herself.
“Haha… So it's like that!”
Expecting Amachi’s demand, Sasuke gave a cold smile.
At this moment, Sasuke thought of his situation being similar to Yahiko's. If Yahiko hadn’t died by Nagato’s hand, Konan would have died by Hanzo’s.
At this point, if Sasuke doesn't die, Karin will die.
"Uchiha brat, what's wrong? You talk about protecting your teammates, don't you have the courage now?"
Looking at Sasuke who remained silent without saying a word, Amachi coldly sneered.
"No need to say anything to provoke me, just don't hurt Karin, I will give this life to you!"
Hearing Amachi's words, Sasuke could only laugh coldly.
No one wants to die, but to protect Karin, Sasuke can only do so!
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