Inoiki landed softly, his feet touching the ground with composed precision. Around him, the thick dust cloud began to settle, swirling in the air before slowly fading away. As the haze cleared completely, the aftermath of the impact came into view—a wide, smoking crater.
At its center lay Sasuke, partially embedded in the cracked earth. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, and bruises covered his exposed skin. His breathing was labored, his body battered from the relentless assault.
But he hadn't let go of his sword.
With effort, Sasuke planted the blade into the ground and used it to push himself upright, leaning on it like a crutch as he forced his way back to his feet. His legs shook, but his gaze remained sharp—locked on Inoiki.
"You're still holding back... aren't you?" Sasuke asked, his voice rough but steady.
Inoiki didn't flinch. His tone was calm, almost indifferent. "Isn't that obvious by now? Have you seen me use a full-scale elemental attack? Or summon a barrage of psychic blades from all sides? No. I've barely scratched the surface."
Sasuke let out a quiet breath, shaking his head. Then, a faint, bitter smile curved on his lips—not aimed at Inoiki, but at himself. At the gap in power he could no longer deny.
Sasuke tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword, his voice low but steady. "I left the village for one reason—the very thing you brought up a few moments ago. Naruto. He was growing faster than me. He was starting to surpass me. And I couldn't stand it."
He paused, eyes narrowing as the memories surfaced.
"But that wasn't the only reason," he continued. "It was also you, Inoiki. You were always ahead of me. I didn't see it at first—back then, I thought I was the strongest. Superior. That's how I felt until I was in the Ninja Academy. But once I joined Team Kakashi, once I saw you in action... I realized the truth. You were far beyond me, and I hadn't even noticed."
Sasuke's voice tightened with frustration.
"I thought I could catch up. Maybe even surpass you one day. But that didn't happen. You kept rising—faster, stronger, almost exponentially—while I was stuck comparatively. The village, the bonds, the distractions... they were slowing me down. And I didn't have time to be slow. I needed power—to take my revenge on him."
He looked up at Inoiki, his expression grim.
"That's why I left. That's why I chose this path. But now... if you capture me and drag me back to the village, I'll be treated like a traitor. Locked away. And maybe—just maybe—I'll lose the chance to take revenge on 'him' forever."
Inoiki spoke, his tone sharp and almost dismissive. "Enough of your babbling, Sasuke. Whatever reasons you've built up in your head to justify leaving the village—I don't care. All I know is that you betrayed the trust I placed in you."
"And do you take me for a fool? You think I don't realize you're stalling, dragging this out with all your talk? I see right through it. And let's get one thing clear—if I truly wanted to capture you, I could have done it long ago. The moment you left Konoha, I could've followed. If bringing you back was my only goal, I'd have done it—fast."
He stepped forward slowly, the air around him charged with quiet authority.
"You know my abilities. You know I'm not bluffing. If I'd wanted to track you down, it wouldn't have taken more than a few months. Even today, this fight—it's not about capture. It's about something else. It's about showing you just how far you've fallen, and how much you've still misunderstood."
He pointed directly at Sasuke.
"You've been arrogant since you were a child. You've always looked down on others just because you carry the Uchiha name. But now your clan is gone. Only you and your brother remain. There's nothing left to shield you from your own ego."
Inoiki's voice grew colder, more cutting.
"Having pride in your bloodline isn't wrong. But mistaking that pride for superiority? That's what will destroy you. And don't forget—your brother, Itachi, is no ordinary opponent. He is not just powerful; he's on another level entirely. Fighting him with arrogance will get you killed."
Inoiki turned his head slightly, eyes scanning the horizon.
"Meanwhile, Orochimaru and Kabuto have already escaped. And you know what that means. They can reverse summon you at any moment. I'm not strong enough yet to control space itself, so I can't stop it. Whether I like it or not, your escape is already guaranteed."
He looked back at Sasuke one final time.
"So go. But remember this—you left the village chasing power. Don't forget what that power cost you... and what it will cost next."
Sasuke's expression, which had been heavy with emotion just moments earlier, shifted. The sadness faded, replaced by a calm, composed resolve as he absorbed Inoiki's words.
He looked up. "So... you're not even going to try to stop me?"
Inoiki shook his head. "No. You're free to go—but on one condition."
Sasuke narrowed his eyes slightly. "I'm listening."
Inoiki's voice was firm, without hesitation. "You have three months. If you haven't succeeded in taking your revenge on your brother within that time, you return to Konoha—on your own. No resistance. No excuses. If you don't... I'll come for you myself."
There was a pause. The air between them held a quiet weight.
Sasuke nodded once. "I promise."
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