Naruto: Get Stronger by Spoiling My Sister

"Take this!"

Sasuke vanished from his spot in a blink. The next instant, he was already beside Sakon, launching a powerful kick that sent his opponent hurtling into the air.

"Now you'll see! Lion's Barrage!"

Elated, Sasuke flipped mid-air and drove Sakon straight into the ground. Boom! The impact tore open a massive crater in the earth.

"Hmph. Impressed yet?"

Panting heavily, Sasuke stood above the pit, glaring coldly at his downed foe with a fleeting smirk. But his satisfaction vanished almost instantly.

Sakon clambered out of the crater, shaking his head and cracking his neck. He gave Sasuke a mocking glance and muttered, "You hit harder than I expected, brat."

"How... How is that possible?!"

Sasuke's astonishment twisted into fury. His face contorted, and he howled madly, "Why?! Why?! Die! Just die already!"

"Heh... Sasuke, did you really think you were the only one blessed with Lord Orochimaru's Curse Mark?"

As he spoke, not just Sakon but the rest of the Sound Four activated their Curse Marks. Dark, tadpole-like markings surged across their bodies. Though the patterns varied, the sinister aura they exuded was identical to Sasuke's.

"What?!"

Sasuke froze. All this time, he had believed he was special chosen, unique. Yet today, reality struck him like a hammer, shattering that illusion into dust.

"Pathetic... First I lose to Itachi, and now... I can't even beat a bunch of nobodies?"

No. I'm an Uchiha. This can't be happening.

Lifting his head, Sasuke's eyes gleamed with menace. "I'll kill you... I'll kill all of you!"

Smack!

Before he could react, a foot slammed down onto his back, pinning him to the ground. When he looked up, it was Sakon standing over him he hadn't even seen him move.

"Brat," Sakon sneered, grinding his heel into Sasuke's spine, "so easy to enrage. You really can't even control your Curse Mark properly, can you? What a waste."

"What did you say?!"

"Heh... Save your breath. You should suppress that thing before it eats you alive. With power like yours? Tch. Careful you don't lose yourself completely."

Sakon continued grinding Sasuke's body into the dirt with deliberate cruelty, every word laced with disdain.

Up in the trees, Neji watched silently. No matter how he analyzed it, it made no sense. The Sound Four were this powerful capable of entering the second stage of the Curse Mark and yet they were ultimately defeated by a handful of Leaf Genin?

Kimimaro, maybe, Neji could understand. But the rest? With his current perspective, it was clear: even with Kankuro and Temari's help, those so-called "rookie nine" had no real chance.

"I don't get it... Was it just plot armor? But did their deaths really change the story? Sasuke still left in the end anyway."

Neji glanced at the sky, then at Sasuke, who was being crushed beneath Sakon's heel. A trace of urgency flickered across his face.

Can we hurry this up? I've got plans tonight.

Once Sasuke left, Neji's own operation would finally begin. He had no intention of staying in Konoha indefinitely. Before the Fourth Great War broke out, he needed to attain the power to stand against the Ōtsutsuki Clan.

Yes power that could stand against the Ōtsutsuki themselves.

Sakon leaned in again. "Brat, we were all chosen by Lord Orochimaru. So why are you so weak? Think of your brother. You can't even touch me what makes you think you're qualified to face Uchiha Itachi? You don't even deserve to speak his name."

"Don't mention him!" Sasuke roared, blood and tears streaming from his eyes. "He's not my brother he's my enemy! My enemy!"

His voice was raw, filled with grief and hatred. But Sakon and the others had no intention of stopping there.

"No one's going to pity you. Don't expect us to understand. This village this place is too soft. It's filled with attachments you can't let go of. What are your so-called 'comrades' to you now? You never used to care about that crap. But look at you."

"They only make you weaker. That nonsense will never make you stronger. Stay here, and you'll be weak forever. The path of a true warrior requires no such bonds. Cut them off cut off this so-called kindness and only then will you gain the strength to surpass Uchiha Itachi."

Each word stabbed deep into Sasuke's already fragile heart, echoing endlessly in his mind.

Comrades...

Images surfaced in his mind: Naruto shouting about becoming Hokage with that wide, goofy grin... Sakura scolding him and Naruto whenever they fought... Kakashi showing up late with that indifferent smirk...

"Heh... When did my mind start filling with things like this?"

Sasuke laughed bitterly. "When did I start to care…? No. I live for vengeance. These things... they don't matter…"

His fingers dug into the earth, fists trembling, body wracked with emotion.

From his perch, Neji felt a subtle tremor in his chest. He couldn't help but sympathize. In truth, he might not be any stronger than Sasuke. Sasuke bore too much hatred. His life had been nothing but pain, and even the path to power was cruel and lonely. It was pitiful, really.

But for Neji's plan to succeed, Sasuke had to endure this suffering. He wouldn't interfere.

"But Sasuke... three years from now, I'll tell you everything."

Itachi was a silent hero. There was no reason for him to be scorned forever. As for the Uchiha clan's intent to rebel Neji thought about it for a moment.

Tch, just blame Danzo.

The man had already taken on enough sins. One more wouldn't hurt. Besides, without Danzo's scheming, the Uchiha might never have considered defection at all.

At that moment, the Sound Four finally released Sasuke from their barrage of verbal and physical assault.

"Until sunrise, we'll be waiting just outside the village. Whether you come or not... that's up to you."

With those final words, Sakon, Tayuya, Kidomaru, and Jirōbō disappeared in a puff of white smoke, vanishing into the breeze as though they'd never been there.

"To sever all bonds... to walk away from this peaceful village... What I want is power power strong enough to kill him."

Kneeling on the ground, Sasuke braced himself with trembling arms. Sweat streamed down his face, his breath ragged.

"I'll sever it all... sever these bonds... just like Itachi did."

Yes. Itachi became that powerful because he cut off everything family, friends, even love. Nothing remained.

Sasuke's eyes gleamed with a chilling light sharp, merciless, and devoid of emotion. Then, gripping his injured shoulder, he slowly rose and began walking home.

____________________

NEXT CHAPTER : Assault on the Root

(Neji launches a one-man siege on Root's secret base beneath Konoha, tearing through Danzō's guards with merciless precision. The shadows of the village tremble as Neji declares war on the darkest part of Konoha's foundation.

Now, Root is mobilizing and Danzō is furious. But not even Fū and Torune may be enough to stop what's coming.

The reckoning has begun. Next: Neji vs. Root blood will spill in the dark.)

Want to read 35 chapters ahead? Join me on P@treon, the story is on sale now!

[email protected]/_tey 

Change @ to a.