I ,Sasuke , Why Should I Defect To Konoha

"Am I late?"

With a puff of white smoke, Kakashi's familiar lazy voice materialized next to Sasuke. The sudden appearance startled both Sakura and Sasuke, who had been quietly observing the ongoing match.

"You're just in time," Sasuke replied casually, his gaze lingering on Sakura and Ino, who were in the middle of a fierce battle. "But where is Naruto? How is he doing?"

Sasuke's voice was calm, but there was a trace of concern as he asked. He was well aware that Kakashi had been preoccupied dealing with Naruto's curse seal. However, he hadn't expected Kakashi to return so quickly.

"Don't worry about Naruto. He's stable for now," Kakashi replied with an assuring tone, his eyes narrowing as he glanced at Sasuke. "But after Sakura's match is over, you must come with me. I need to help you deal with that thing in your body."

Kakashi's words carried a weight that made Sasuke frown. The mention of the curse mark brought a flicker of unease to his usually composed demeanor.

At that moment, a system notification suddenly flashed in Sasuke's mind:

[Detecting Kakashi's suggestion triggers a C-rank reward. Quest: Follow the advice to seal the curse mark. Reward: Storage Sealing Technique.]

Sasuke froze, momentarily thrown off by the unexpected task. His hesitation deepened as he contemplated the situation. He wanted to witness Haruto's match, which promised to be a spectacle of skill and determination. Yet, the allure of obtaining a new technique was difficult to resist.

After weighing his options, Sasuke finally nodded. "Fine. I'll come with you."

Kakashi gave a small nod of approval and shifted his attention back to the match between Sakura and Ino.

On the battlefield, Sakura had just executed an advanced water-based ninjutsu: Water Escape: Water Cries. Three sharp needles made of water shimmered as they raced toward Ino's chest.

However, Ino was quick to react. With a confident smirk, she activated a chakra burst at her feet, propelling herself out of harm's way.

"Sakura," Ino called out mockingly, "I saw you forming that seal earlier. Did you think I wouldn't notice? You've improved, but it won't be enough to beat me!"

Without giving Sakura a chance to respond, Ino formed a series of hand seals. Ninjutsu: Mind Body Switch Technique.

Sakura's pupils contracted as she recognized the imminent threat. She tried to dodge but was a fraction too slow. Ino's technique hit its mark, and Sakura's body froze in place, controlled by Ino's consciousness.

"It's over," Kakashi muttered, shaking his head. "Sakura is no match for the Yamanaka clan's secret techniques."

Sasuke, however, remained unfazed. "Not necessarily," he murmured, his gaze fixed on Sakura.

Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"Dual personalities," Sasuke said simply.

Kakashi's eyes widened in surprise. Dual personalities? Such a trait made a ninja highly resistant to mind control and genjutsu. How had Sasuke discerned this? Kakashi's curiosity grew, but he chose to remain silent.

Meanwhile, in the depths of Sakura's mind, a fierce struggle was unfolding.

"Ino, get out of my body!" Sakura's inner voice roared, filled with defiance. "I refuse to lose to you, especially in front of Sasuke-kun!"

Fueled by sheer determination, Sakura's subconscious fought back with relentless intensity, forcing Ino's consciousness to retreat. Unable to withstand the pressure, Ino was compelled to release her technique and return to her own body.

"You dared to control my body and almost made me forfeit?!" Sakura shouted angrily as she regained control. Without hesitation, she charged at Ino with a fierce punch.

"I won't lose to you, billboard brow!" Ino retorted, dodging the attack and countering with her own.

What followed was an intense, chaotic brawl. The two kunoichi abandoned refined techniques in favor of an all-out melee, exchanging punches, kicks, and insults in equal measure.

The spectators watched in stunned silence, unsure whether to laugh or be concerned.

Even Kakashi seemed at a loss for words. "This... is turning into a street fight," he muttered, glancing at Sasuke.

Sasuke's expression darkened as he observed the spectacle. "These two... They're going to keep at it until one of them passes out."

Despite his frustration, Sasuke couldn't deny that the rivalry between Sakura and Ino was pushing them to new heights. Battles like these, though chaotic, forged stronger bonds and skills.

After several minutes of grappling, the two kunoichi finally staggered apart, panting heavily.

"Let's end this," they declared simultaneously, preparing for one final clash.

Before either could make a move, Sasuke stepped onto the field.

"Sasuke-kun?" Sakura and Ino froze, their faces a mix of surprise and embarrassment.

Sasuke's stern gaze silenced them. "Enough. The match ends here. Both of you are withdrawing."

The authority in his voice left no room for argument.

"Sasuke-kun..." Sakura mumbled, her cheeks flushing with a mix of admiration and mortification.

"Fine," Ino grumbled reluctantly, unwilling to appear less agreeable than Sakura.

With the match resolved, the referee, Moonlight Hayate, coughed lightly. "Ahem. Very well. Both contestants are withdrawing. Let's move on to the next match."

As Sakura and Ino slinked away to nurse their bruises, Sasuke turned to Kakashi. "Let's go. I'm ready to deal with the curse mark."

Kakashi nodded, his demeanor turning serious once more. Together, they left the arena, heading toward a secluded location for the sealing ritual.

---

In the training ground, Kakashi prepared the necessary materials for the sealing technique.

"This might sting a little," Kakashi warned as he began forming intricate seals.

"I can handle it," Sasuke replied confidently, his determination unwavering.

The process was arduous, with Kakashi carefully channeling his chakra to suppress the curse mark's influence. Sasuke gritted his teeth, enduring the searing pain without complaint.

As the ritual concluded, a glowing seal appeared over the curse mark, symbolizing its containment.

"It's done," Kakashi said, stepping back. "This won't remove the mark entirely, but it will suppress its effects for the time being. You'll need to remain vigilant."

Sasuke nodded, flexing his arm experimentally. The mark felt subdued, its malevolent energy no longer pulsating uncontrollably.

"Thank you," Sasuke said sincerely, earning a rare smile from Kakashi.

As they returned to the arena, Sasuke couldn't help but reflect on the battles and trials that lay ahead. The path he had chosen was fraught with challenges, but he was determined to grow stronger and protect those he cared about.

For now, however, he focused on the next match. Haruto was about to take the stage, and Sasuke had no intention of missing it.

---

Elsewhere, Setsu observed the matches from the shadows, her sharp eyes analyzing every move. She couldn't help but feel a growing interest in Sasuke's potential.

"Interesting," she murmured to herself. "The Uchiha has more to offer than meets the eye. This tournament is proving to be quite entertaining."

Meanwhile, Ketsu and Retsu exchanged knowing glances, their thoughts aligning as they prepared for their own matches. The tournament was far from over, and every ninja present knew that the battles ahead would only grow more intense.

In the end, the journey of a ninja was one of endless growth, forged through combat, camaraderie, and the unyielding pursuit of their dreams.

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