In a secluded area, a canopy of trees masked the moonlight, casting eerie shadows on the ground. Sarada, with her raven-black hair and piercing onyx eyes, stood still. The ambience was still, yet a sudden rustling broke the silence. From the darkness emerged a scarred man, his face twisted in hate.

The surroundings were quiet, too quiet, with only the soft rustle of the trees breaking the silence. The moon hung high in the sky, casting a pale light that painted the forest clearing in silver and shadow. Every sense was heightened, and even the slightest movement was noticeable.

"Ah, the last of the Uchiha, besides that blasted Sasuke." the man sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. "Your clan's sins live through you, scum!"

Sarada took a defensive stance. "I don't know who you are, but I won't let you harm me or dishonor my family's name."

His eyes fixed intently on Sarada's. The glint of his kunai knife reflected in the moonlight, aiming with deadly precision at her precious eyes. She barely had a fraction of a second to react. Though her instincts kicked in, sending her into a defensive stance, the sheer speed and aggression of his assault took her by surprise. The sharp pain was immediate, causing her world to darken as her screams echoed in the night. The gravity of her loss weighed her down, causing her to stumble and collapse onto the cold ground, her strength waning.

He smirked, "Your Sharingan will be mine little girl!"

With Sarada incapacitated, the attacker took a moment to savor his triumph, a cruel grin spreading across his face. The silence was thick with tension, but it was broken by the subtle sound of footsteps crunching against fallen leaves.

"Stay away from her!" The roar came from Konohamaru, who had been lurking nearby, watching over his charge. His voice, laced with both fury and concern, seemed to reverberate throughout the clearing. As the assailant turned to face him, Konohamaru summoned his chakra, and the familiar blue glow of the Rasengan illuminated the night. The sphere of energy swirled violently in his palm, its hum resonating in the air.

Without hesitation, Konohamaru lunged, his intent clear. The attacker, realizing his peril, tried to dodge, but he was a moment too slow. The Rasengan connected with an explosive force, sending him crashing into a tree trunk, leaving an imprint and a trail of devastation in its wake.

Smoke and dust filled the air, and as it settled, the body of the attacker lay crumpled, defeated by the power of Konohamaru's will and his unwavering determination to protect those dear to him.

Konohamaru quickly ran to Sarada's side, his face etched with concern and fear. "Sarada! Speak to me!"

Sarada, her face pale and blood staining her cheeks, whispered weakly, "Kono...hamaru? I… I can't see!"

"We need to get you help, now!" he said, panic evident in his voice.

"There's no place…. Except Orochi…" she murmured, grimacing with pain.

Konohamaru hesitated for a moment, understanding the risks. "I know, but he might be our only hope." He gently scooped Sarada into his arms, determination burning in his eyes. "Hold on, Sarada."

As he raced towards Orochimaru's hideout, the trees blurred into streaks of green, but all Konohamaru could think of was the weight of the wounded Uchiha in his arms and the heavy responsibility that now rested upon his shoulders.

Inside the hideout, the dimly lit hallways and eerie atmosphere felt suffocating, but Konohamaru's resolve never wavered. He finally reached the chamber where Orochimaru resided.

The snake-like man looked up, his golden eyes glinting with intrigue. "Konohamaru, to what do I owe this unexpected visit? And with such a precious cargo?"

Konohamaru's voice was firm, "She needs help, now. We need your genuine aid, I don't care. Save her."

Orochimaru tilted his head, his thin lips curving into a smirk. "Ah, the desperation of youth. Very well, lay her down. But remember, every favor comes with a price."

As Konohamaru watched, torn between hope and fear, Sarada's journey towards recovery or possible doom began.

As Orochimaru's sinewy fingers worked their way over Sarada's injuries, the pale glow of the room seemed even more otherworldly. His face twisted into an expression of concern, an unusual sight for the typically emotionless ninja.

Looking to Konohamaru, he sighed. "Her eyes... I'm afraid that they're beyond any healing."

Konohamaru's heart felt like it had plummeted to the depths of his being. "There must be something," he pleaded.

With a serious tone, Orochimaru responded, "If we don't remove her eyes, the damage will spread, leading to a fatal brain infection."

Sweat formed on Konohamaru's forehead. The weight of making such a decision pressed upon him, but he knew he had to choose Sarada's life over anything else. "Do it. Save her," he uttered, voice shaky.

Orochimaru nodded, proceeding with the delicate procedure. Once completed, Sarada's former eyes floated eerily in a jar filled with green liquid, a stark reminder of what had transpired. Orochimaru continued healing the tissues of the innards of her eyes until they were healed.

With a hand seal, Orochimaru channeled his chakra, sealing the empty sockets. As Sarada slowly regained consciousness, her usually vibrant face contorted in confusion and horror. "Why... why can't I see?" she whispered, her voice breaking.

Orochimaru, in an oddly gentle tone, spoke, "I'm sorry, Sarada. Your eyes were damaged beyond repair. To save you, I had to remove them."

The weight of his words crashed onto Sarada, and tears began to stream down her face. "My Sharingan... my heritage... I'm no longer an Uchiha," she sobbed, her voice filled with anguish.

Konohamaru gently took her hand. "You are always an Uchiha, Sarada. Your eyes don't define you. Your strength, your will, and your heart do."

Sarada's cries echoed through the chamber, a haunting reminder of the sacrifices made and the journey yet to come.

Konohamaru felt choked up, he felt completely at fault for what was happening. He silently cursed himself for his weakness in not being able to save her from this tragedy. He got up and made his way to the door and closed it behind him.

Konohamaru, leaning against the cold walls of the corridor outside, wiped his tears with his sleeves, struggling with the weight of his guilt and feeling like he'd failed Sarada. Hearing her inconsolable cries only intensified his emotions.

The silence of the room was punctuated by Sarada's muffled sobs. As Konohamaru left to grapple with his own emotions, the tension between pupil and former foe grew palpable.

Orochimaru, often seen as emotionless and driven purely by scientific curiosity, tilted his head, observing the young Uchiha. "Such distress," he mused aloud. "There may be no reason for it."

Sarada's sobs slowed, replaced by confusion. "What are you talking about?" she whispered, feeling vulnerable in her current state.

A slow, sly smile began to curl Orochimaru's lips. "I may have a way to restore your sight, complete with the Sharingan you value so deeply."

Doubt and hope warred within Sarada. "How?" she asked hesitantly.

"Cloning, my dear," Orochimaru said, excitement evident in his voice.

Back inside the chamber, Orochimaru's words seemed to pierce through Sarada's grief, pulling her back from the brink of despair. "Clone... my eyes?" she whispered, hope blossoming in her voice.

Orochimaru, eyes glinting with the thrill of a challenge, nodded. "Using the genetic material from your damaged eyes, I can create a perfect replica, a clone. Once implanted, they will function just like your natural ones."

Sarada's heart raced. "And they would function... normally?"

"Exactly as they did before," Orochimaru confirmed with a nod.

Feeling a mix of emotions like trepidation, Sarada clenched her fists, determination replacing her earlier despair. Sarada, though wary of Orochimaru's motives, couldn't help the glimmer of hope that ignited within her. "Then do it," she said, her voice filled with a fierce determination.

Orochimaru's thin lips curled into a smile, pleased with the challenge that lay ahead. "Very well. But remember, the process is delicate and will take time."

Gratitude swelled within Sarada. "Thank you, Orochimaru. I... I never thought I'd say that, but thank you."

Sarada's voice trembled slightly, "Can I stay here until then? I'd rather not be a burden to anyone else."

His smile widening, Orochimaru responded, "You are most welcome here, young Uchiha. I assure you, you'll find this place quite... enlightening."