The fog clung to the cliffs like a suffocating shroud, muffling every sound.
Two masked figures stood still at the narrow mountain path—the only escape route. The taller wore the spiral mask, red and black curling like an unblinking eye. Beside him, a smaller figure, white mask marked with three claw streaks, clutched a dagger tightly.
"They'll come this way," Shisui said, voice low but sharp as steel. "Five of them. Mist spies. All dangerous."
Sasuke's grip tightened on the dagger.
"You'll fight two. Alone."
The words froze the boy's breath.
Shisui's tone gave no room for protest. "Hesitate, and you die. Survive, and you live to grow stronger. Choose now."
Sasuke forced a nod, though the weight in his chest threatened to choke him.
---
The sound of hurried feet broke the silence.
Five silhouettes burst through the fog, uniforms torn, Mist headbands scratched. Their eyes widened when they saw the masked figures waiting.
One staggered back, terror overtaking him. "That mask… that spiral—"
"The One-Eyed Demon…What is He doing here?" another whispered, voice cracking.
Their leader snarled to cover his fear. "Don't falter! It's only two men—"
But the words died as the spiral mask tilted slightly, red light flickering behind its hollow.
---
The Demon moved.
Three bodies fell before the others even blinked. Blood sprayed across the fog, hot and steaming. One man's throat was carved open. Another's chest torn through. A third collapsed with his neck snapped.
The two remaining Chūnin froze, horror plain on their faces.
"He… he killed them—just like that!"
"Monster…!"
Their fear turned into reckless desperation as they lunged for the smaller masked figure.
---
Steel shrieked as Sasuke caught the first strike. The force rattled his arms, nearly tearing the dagger from his grip. Sparks hissed in the fog.
The second enemy drove a kick into his side, knocking him back. Sasuke gasped, but his Sharingan spun—every twitch, every shift of muscle laid bare. His body, though, lagged.
A blade cut across his arm, hot blood soaking his sleeve.
The smell of iron flooded his senses.
The enemies pressed, two blades slashing in tandem.
Sasuke's teeth clenched. With a roar, he poured lightning into the dagger. The blade shrieked with chakra, crackling violently. He slashed upward, carving into the first Chūnin's side, burning flesh as steel tore through muscle.
The man screamed, stumbling back, smoke curling from his wound.
The second spy seized the moment, tackling Sasuke to the ground, knife pressing down toward his throat.
The boy thrashed, vision blurring, the weight crushing his chest.
"Die, brat!" the shinobi snarled.
Sasuke's rage erupted. Lightning flared violently along his dagger. With a desperate thrust, he drove the blade into the man's stomach, up and through. The enemy convulsed, blood spraying across Sasuke's mask. The corpse sagged heavily, pinning him down before rolling limp to the side.
Breath ragged, Sasuke staggered to his feet—only to find the other Chūnin rushing him again, wild with terror.
"You little—!"
Sasuke twisted aside, pain screaming in his ribs, and met the man head-on. Their blades clashed again and again, steel ringing, sparks lighting the fog.
The Chūnin's strength bore down, but Sasuke's fury burned hotter. With one last surge of lightning chakra, he feinted low, then drove the dagger up into the man's throat.
The enemy's eyes bulged. Blood gurgled from his mouth. His body twitched, then fell, lifeless.
---
The fog settled.
Five corpses lay on the path. Three had been cut down in an instant. Two lay dead by the boy's hand, the ground beneath him soaked crimson.
Sasuke stood trembling, dagger slick with blood, chest heaving.
"I… killed them," he whispered, voice shaking beneath the mask.
His Sharingan still glowed, burning with something fierce and raw.
Shisui stood silent, sword dripping red, his gaze fixed on Sasuke.
"You survived," he said finally. "That's all that matters."
The boy clenched his fists. "…Then I'll become stronger. Strong enough that I'll never be that weak again."
Shisui placed a hand on his shoulder, firm and steady.
"Good. Carry it. Don't ever forget."
---
Ten minutes later, the fog pressed heavy again.
"Put the mask back on," Shisui ordered.
Sasuke obeyed, claw-marked mask hiding the blood still staining his skin.
Shadows stirred—the ANBU of the Leaf dropped from the trees, surrounding them in a silent ring.
"Don't move," the captain barked, voice hard.
Every gaze fixed on the spiral mask. Murmurs whispered between them.
"The One-Eyed Demon…"
Shisui's voice cut through the air.
"We acted under Hokage's orders."
Skepticism lingered, until he produced a scroll. The wax seal of the Hokage gleamed unmistakably.
The ANBU hesitated. Their captain, fox mask and silver hair, stepped forward. His single Sharingan eye studied the seal, then the bloodied corpses.
It was genuine. The mission real. But the names—none.
The fox-masked captain's gut twisted. These two—whoever they were—were far above his rank.
"We'll take the bodies," he said finally, voice flat.
His men obeyed, swift and silent.
The spiral and claw-marked masks turned and disappeared back into the fog.
The ANBU watched them go. Only the captain lingered, gaze narrowed.
A Demon, and a boy hardly older than fifteen at his side. The rumors never mentioned that.
"…Who are you really?" Kakashi muttered into the mist.
No answer came.
---
---
The wind whipped through the narrow mountain paths as they made their way back, the fog slowly thinning with distance. Sasuke kept his eyes on the road, the dagger clutched loosely in one hand, still warm from the battle.
Finally, he spoke, voice quiet but laden with curiosity. "Shisui… that captain… the one with the fox mask… did he have a Sharingan in his left eye?"
Shisui glanced at him, expression unreadable, but his single eye flickered with memory. "He did," he said softly. "He once had a Uchiha partner. That Sharingan… it was his final gift to him."
Sasuke's small hands tightened around the dagger. "So… he's seen a little of what I can do… but he doesn't know who I really am."
Shisui's gaze swept the horizon. "Correct. To the whole world we both are already long death! That's why the mask is important. Your face, your age… it's all part of the camouflage. But never forget—skills alone won't save you. Awareness, patience, and understanding your limits—that's what keeps you alive."
Sasuke nodded, eyes burning with thought. "I understand. But… it felt different today. Killing them… it was necessary, but… I never imagined…"
Shisui's hand rested on his shoulder briefly. "I know, Sasuke. That weight, that shock… it will never leave you. But it will shape you, refine you. Use it. Learn from it. One day, that same resolve will protect others, not just yourself."
The boy stayed silent, absorbing the words. The mountain wind seemed quieter now, carrying only the faint sounds of the river far below, as the two walked side by side carrying the echoes of the battle in their hearts.
---
**End of chapter 25**