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Chapter 32 - Sasuke’s Trail

Within the borders of the Land of Lightning.

After soothing Hinata and setting a few ground rules with her, Naruto dispelled the Shadow Clone he'd left behind earlier, entered Sage Mode again, and used Flying Thunder God to rush back to his group.

When he landed atop the great bird, Konan stirred sleepily and said, "You're back, little brother."

Naruto gave her an apologetic smile. "Sorry. Got held up a bit—had to deal with some… personal matters."

Nagato opened his eyes slightly. "I've already sent out the Six Paths of Pain," he reported. "They're moving along different lines, sweeping the area."

Naruto nodded. "Thanks for the hard work, big brother. I'll take over from here."

Nagato inclined his head, recalled the Six Paths of Pain to rest on the bird's back, then closed his eyes again to recover his strength.

Naruto sat cross-legged on the bird's head, activating his Sage Mode sensory perception.

He waited like that as the eastern sky began to pale. Then—his eyes snapped open.

"Found him."

Both Nagato and Konan turned toward him.

Naruto kept his eyes closed, focusing on the sensation. "Southwest."

Nagato gave a silent nod and directed the giant bird to turn, wings cutting through the morning clouds as they veered southwest.

Deep in a forest, Suigetsu stretched and yawned loudly.

"I'm tellin' ya, if we hadn't lit that fire last night, we'd have frozen stiff. Nights in the mountains are brutal."

Jūgo rose, loosening his shoulders and rolling his neck.

Karin shot Suigetsu a look of disdain. "That's just because your body's weak. Look at Sasuke-kun—strong, composed, sleeping perfectly fine!"

Suigetsu glared back. "Can you not go five minutes without saying 'Sasuke-kun'? You sound like some lovesick fangirl."

"What did you just say?!" Karin's temper flared instantly. She clenched her fists, ready to swing. "How dare you say that in front of Sasuke-kun!"

Suigetsu darted behind Jūgo, hands raised in surrender.

Whenever Karin lost her temper, she didn't hesitate to beat him until he literally turned into a puddle.

"Enough."

Sasuke's cold voice cut through their bickering. He stood and brushed the dust from his cloak.

"That's enough noise. Wash up and eat. We're heading for the Valley of Clouds and Lightning right after breakfast."

Suigetsu peeked out from behind Jūgo with a grin.

"Hey, you heard him, your Sasuke-kun wants water to wash his face! Better hop to it."

Karin's glare could've burned through steel. Still, she dared not disobey Sasuke's words. Her precious Sasuke-kun had asked for water—how could she delay? His handsome face needed fresh water every morning!

So she grabbed Suigetsu by the arm and started dragging him toward the river.

"Come on, help me fetch some!"

"Why me?!" Suigetsu protested.

"Because you're a Water Release user, idiot!" she snapped. "If you don't draw the water, who will?"

"I could just spit out some Water Style myself," Suigetsu grumbled.

Karin's fist shot up. "Sasuke-kun needs natural water, got it?!"

Suigetsu sighed. "Unbelievable…"

Still arguing, the two of them went off toward the riverbank.

Meanwhile, Jūgo approached Sasuke. "Sasuke… are we really going to hunt the Eight-Tails?"

Sasuke didn't open his eyes. "You don't have faith in me?"

"It's not that," Jūgo replied calmly. "It's just—the Eight-Tails is still a tailed beast. It won't be easy prey. If the Cloud shinobi send reinforcements, we might not be able to handle them alone."

Sasuke's eyes opened slowly, the tomoe of his Sharingan gleaming faintly.

"Don't worry. I'll end it quickly. The power I wield now isn't what it used to be. A beast like the Eight-Tails… under my eyes, it'll bow in a matter of minutes."

With that, he closed his eyes again and continued meditating.

Jūgo said nothing more. Danger didn't bother him—he would die for Sasuke without hesitation. What concerned him wasn't whether they could win, but that Sasuke might take unnecessary risks.

To Jūgo, Sasuke wasn't just a leader; he was the living embodiment of Kimimaro's will. His only duty was to follow and protect.

Over by the river, Karin was barking orders. "More water, Suigetsu! If Sasuke-kun finds there's not enough for washing, you're dead!"

Suigetsu rolled his eyes and muttered under his breath as he channeled his chakra, drawing water from the river in smooth, rippling streams.

Then—Karin froze. Her expression shifted from irritation to alarm.

Her brows knit together. "Something's coming… A massive chakra signature. No—several of them! Heading straight this way."

Suigetsu blinked. "Huh? No way. We've only been in the Land of Lightning for one night! We're miles from the Cloud Village—how could anyone have found us already?"

Karin shook her head. "They're not Cloud shinobi. I can tell by the chakra flow… Quick! We need to warn Sasuke!"

Far above, Naruto's Sage Mode had locked onto the team's position. Among the four signatures, one stood out—still and sharp like a blade in the dark.

Sasuke.

Naruto couldn't help but smile faintly.

This was it—their first meeting since his rebirth.

"Big brother Nagato," he said, eyes still closed, "just ahead. Speed up."

"Got it," Nagato replied.

The giant bird let out a piercing cry and accelerated, slicing through the sky toward the forest below.

Down in the clearing, Sasuke opened his eyes, his Sharingan gleaming red as he looked up toward the sky.

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