Just as Sasuke found himself completely restrained by Chiga, unable to move a muscle, Yamato and Sakura finally arrived on the scene. The moment their eyes landed on the dark-haired man before them, both shouted at once:
"Chiga-senpai!"
Sasuke's eyes widened in disbelief as their words echoed in his mind. That name—it stirred something buried deep within him. Staring into Chiga's Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, a chilling realization surfaced.
"Chiga? You're... Uchiha Chiga?!"
It was a name Sasuke had heard countless times in his youth. Itachi had mentioned it with unwavering respect, and now, standing face-to-face with the legend himself, Sasuke was frozen with both awe and rage.
He remembered one specific moment from childhood, Itachi's eyes distant as he spoke:
"Sasuke, today Chiga-senpai told me something... 'The Hokage isn't someone who seeks recognition—he's someone recognized by all.' What do you think about that?"
At the time, Sasuke was too young to understand. His innocent reply?
"Nii-san, I'm hungry!"
Itachi had chuckled softly and led him away to get his favorite dango.
Moments like that had seemed trivial then, but now, as Sasuke recalled them, a conflicted smile tugged at his lips—only to be erased by a burning surge of hatred. If Itachi respected Chiga, then Chiga had to be involved in the Uchiha massacre too. The Mangekyō Sharingan—how else would he have awakened it?
Sasuke's face twisted with fury. His Sharingan glowed blood-red, and without hesitation, the cursed mark on his neck spread across his body like wildfire. His skin darkened, and grotesque, wing-like extensions erupted from his back.
The second form of the Cursed Seal of Heaven had fully taken over. He was prepared to gamble everything on this one clash.
Dark lightning sparked in his palm, the unmistakable cry of a thousand birds echoing through the field.
"Chidori!"
Wings flared, Sasuke launched himself like a bullet toward Chiga.
It was a scene both Naruto and Chiga had seen before—this was the same reckless charge Sasuke had once used against Itachi in Konoha.
And just like before, the result was merciless.
Chiga barely moved. He lifted one leg and sent a precise, crushing kick into Sasuke's gut, hurling him against a nearby rock wall.
The impact left Sasuke reeling. He slid down the cracked stone, coughing blood, barely conscious. Looking up at Chiga, he saw the calm power in his eyes and felt the crushing weight of his inferiority. That Chidori had been his best—his everything—and yet it had been swatted aside like a child's tantrum.
Sakura's heart shattered at the sight of Sasuke's broken form. She stepped forward, her voice trembling:
"Sasuke! Come back to us! We miss you so much!"
Naruto, watching his friend suffer, couldn't stay silent either. He shouted,
"Sasuke! Chiga-senpai is your clansman. With him, no one in the village would ever dare harm you again!"
His voice held conviction, but the words struck a nerve. Sasuke's pride bristled.
He had spent the last three years in exile, training, bleeding, fighting just to grow stronger. It wasn't strength gifted by others—it was earned through pain. Naruto's words, though well-meant, stung.
"You think I need someone to protect me?! I don't need anyone—especially not some clansman!"
Naruto flinched. He hadn't meant to offend, but it was too late.
Sasuke's fury boiled over. He let out a roar and charged again, the Chidori surging back to life in his hand.
But Chiga had enough.
In one smooth motion, he stepped forward and drove his foot into Sasuke's back, pinning him face-first into the dirt. A pained scream escaped Sasuke's throat before he blacked out entirely.
Without a word, Chiga bent down, grabbed Sasuke by the shoulder, and hoisted him up effortlessly. Then, turning to Naruto, he tossed him over with a casual flick.
"Catch."
Naruto, stunned, failed to react. Sasuke crashed to the ground in front of him, letting out a groan as he rolled to a stop.
Snapping out of his daze, Naruto scrambled over and carefully lifted Sasuke onto his back. Feeling Sasuke's weight and scent again brought a faint smile to his face.
Chiga noticed and arched an eyebrow.
Forget Sakura or Hinata—Sasuke might just be your true love, huh.
Sakura rushed over, ready to heal Sasuke, but Chiga held up a hand to stop her.
"Let him stay unconscious. It's better that way."
Sakura froze mid-motion, her hands trembling. Naruto quickly backed Chiga up,
"Sakura, just trust Chiga-senpai. If Sasuke wakes up now... well, let's just say it won't end well."
Understanding dawned on Sakura. She slowly lowered her hands and knelt beside Sasuke, eyes full of unspoken affection.
Naruto could only sigh quietly, the weight of everything settling on his shoulders.
Then, finally, Yamato—who had remained silent through the chaos—spoke.
"Chiga-senpai, will you be coming back with us?"
The question lingered in the air.
Naruto turned to Chiga, eyes filled with silent pleading. During the time he'd spent with Chiga, he had felt something rare—safety. He wasn't ready to let go of that.
Chiga looked at them, then gave a small smile.
"Of course I'm coming back. The only question is—will everyone there welcome me?"
---
Wanna support me? Do so at patreon.com/Zphyr_