Uchiha's forgotten Ember

Konoha – Nightfall

Sasuke Uchiha sat on a rooftop beneath the full moon, brooding. His thoughts were a raging storm—his loss to Itachi, his growing jealousy of Naruto's strength, and the weight of the cursed seal Orochimaru had branded on him. The dull ache in his shoulder flared again, as if to remind him: You are still weak.

Below the rooftop, four figures moved through the shadows—Tayuya, Kidōmaru, Sakon, and Jirōbō. The Sound Four.

But they weren't alone.

Not far off, from the trees that bordered the training fields, Uchiha Kaizen watched them move. He had sensed something wrong the moment they crossed the village barrier.

> "Sound shinobi?" he whispered. "Why here?"

He activated his Sharingan, the tomoe spinning faintly as his gaze followed the Sound Four scaling the hospital tower toward Sasuke's last known location.

---

Hospital Rooftop – Moments Later

Sasuke barely flinched as the Sound Four surrounded him. Tayuya stepped forward with her usual snark.

> "So, this is the Uchiha prodigy? Kinda scrawnier than I thought."

> "We're not here to flatter him," Sakon snapped. "We've got an offer. One that Orochimaru himself wants you to hear."

Kaizen watched from the building across, heart pounding. He had always suspected Orochimaru would come for Sasuke eventually, but not so soon. Not when things were just starting to settle… and not when Naruto had just caught up to Sasuke in power.

Kaizen didn't move in yet. He needed to understand.

Sasuke remained still. "What kind of offer?"

Kidōmaru grinned. "A path to real power. We're here to help you shed this weak little village and unlock your potential. All you need to do… is come with us."

There was a long pause.

Then Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "Why would Orochimaru give me power? What does he want in return?"

> "Your body," Sakon said, smirking. "Eventually. But that's just details. You get to kill Itachi before then, if you're strong enough."

That gave Sasuke pause—but so did the flicker of movement behind them.

---

Kaizen Appears

In a blink, Kaizen landed on the rooftop, standing between Sasuke and the Sound Four.

His chakra was calm but heavy, like a waiting storm. "You're not taking him," Kaizen said, voice cold.

Tayuya scoffed. "And who the hell are you?"

> "Uchiha Kaizen," he replied. "And unlike Sasuke, I don't plan on being anyone's vessel."

Sasuke glared at him. "You're in my way."

Kaizen didn't move. "You don't have to do this, Sasuke. There are other ways."

> "You wouldn't understand," Sasuke snapped. "You didn't lose everything like I did."

Kaizen's eyes flashed with a sudden fury. "Don't you dare say that. I lost my parents in the same massacre you did. The only difference is—I didn't let hatred swallow me."

The Sound Four readied themselves. "This conversation's over. Either he comes willingly, or we break both of you."

Kaizen's eyes narrowed.

> "Try me."

But before the fight could explode, Sakon raised a hand.

> "No. He's not the target. Sasuke, make your choice. But do it now."

Sasuke looked at Kaizen—at the brother he never asked for, at the rival who might surpass him.

And then… he turned away.

> "Don't follow me."

With that, he leapt from the rooftop and disappeared into the darkness with the Sound Four.

Kaizen didn't chase him. Not yet. His fists clenched at his side, rage and worry battling inside him.

---

Later That Night – Hokage's Office

Tsunade was furious.

> "He left? With them?!"

Kaizen nodded. "I could've stopped them. But Sasuke would've fought me with everything he had. He made his choice."

Tsunade slammed her desk. "Then we'll bring him back by force."

> "Then let me go with the retrieval team," Kaizen said firmly. "He's not just another defector. He's still my clan… and I'm not letting Orochimaru win."