When he awoke, he found himself in a vast dark expanse littered with distant fires, was he still alive? the last thing he remembered was bleeding out from a wound caused by his own sword after Madara had run him through with it. The feeling indescribable he could remember the taste of blood in his mouth, the coldness, he felt as he crawled on hands and knees, worst of all he remembered the drowsiness the urge to sleep to just let go... that had been the worst part.
Looking down he saw no visible wound, his hands frantically checking his chest. He pulled his shirt down when he felt none.
Nothing... no blood, his clothes were not even stained.
How could that be?
Where was he?
Determined to find answers he began to walk towards the distant fires but no matter how far he walked they never grew any closer. Even when he ran the distance remained the same.
He tried to call upon his chakra, but he could not even feel it.
Was he?
Could he be...
"You cannot do that here, you Uchiha Sasuke are dead."
A Wispy age rattled voice called out to him.
Spinning around Sasuke came face to face with a monster, mottled purple skin, Shaggy white hair, horrific beady eyes, a mouth filled with needles.
Unconsciously he took a step back and nearly fell over his own feet barely managing to keep the panic he felt at this...
...things presence from showing on his face.
"What are you?" He could not help but ask he had never seen this creature's like before, not even the horrors Orochimaru created came close.
The being grinned down at him and sasuke saw then it's horrid horns the same color of dried blood.
"I am death." It said simply beady eyes holding him. He felt the weight of ages behind those eyes... even Madara did not compare.
He shook off their grip and straightened his posture.
"Death?"
Unbidden Madara's words infected him (this is what they call a true ending...)
So it was true then? He had failed, failed to avenge his clan, failed to change Konoha for Itachi. He closed his eyes his pride in shambles. "So I failed..."
"Not just you...' the creature said morosely. "Everyone failed, Madara was victorious, No one will ever be born again the cycle of death and rebirth has been broken the world will eventually cease to be."
Sasuke felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end even as he felt a familiar rage burn behind his eyes. "So, did you come here to gloat?" He asked the creature.
The horned god that called itself death tilted its head wild white mane shifting as it did "Gloat? Far from it, I do not wish for the world to end, that young Uchiha is why I stand before you, why I keep you from moving on."
Sasuke clenched his teeth. It did not make any sense what could he possibly have to offer this thing, "Why do you want me to stay here? Why are you keeping me trapped in this place?"
"I have already spoke to your former friend Naruto, but he failed my test, I have sent him along to the afterlife, I require an... agent you could say. Someone I will send back, to prevent this."
A shiver coursed through Sasuke, there was something wrong about this whole situation. "Naruto failed?" He asked curiously.
"Too kind, too forgiving, too willing to compromise, the time for such things has long since passed." The being said forlornly the age of countless centuries clear in its voice.
"To ensure this event does not come to pass something else is needed, someone strong enough who is not afraid of bloodying their own hands, if need be, a person who would rather kill than compromise."
Sasuke clenched his fists and glared at the creature. "You are not telling me anything I don't already know." He said in a low voice.
"What do you think of compromise?" The thing he was now certain was a god asked. Sasuke could feel its eyes on him judging his answer he gave it the truth.
"I have seen the "compromise" of the village system more than any other person, it needs to be consumed, destroyed utterly, I cannot allow it to continue. Not in its current form, for what Itachi suffered, for what my people suffered and for what I suffered." The village system was rotten, a fetid corpse powered by young blood, the Nations themselves were no better, "terrorist" they had called him, for getting justice, for killing the very scum of the earth. Had he the power he had now as a child he would have crushed them all.
"I have seen the "compromise" of Naruto, Sakura, Kakashi, and everyone from my former home... content to just sweep everything under the rug, sweep my clan under the rug to cover for Konoha, looking at me like I was mad when none of them understood why I was angry!" Sasuke snarled.
"I have seen the "compromise" of Madara a world of only winners but without change or meaning. A world that denies change, denies justice."
Death shook its head almost forlornly, for a moment Sasuke wondered if he had perhaps said too much, not that he cared he had said what he truly felt just as he was asked.
"You are also not without flaws it would seem... but a world of death where life can still bloom is still far better than the empty world Madara would create." The god said its judgement heavy.
The deity was silent for a time much to Sasuke's dislike, he was not some savior some messiah of understanding if this thing wanted results though he would get them, he would prevent this. He would bring the shinobi world to its knees and in doing so save them from themselves.
"Very well, You are the only remaining option, are you interested in going back?" It asked.
Sasuke was not so sure, all of his people were here and the world as it existed was already destroyed in a way his vengeance was complete, but not by his hand.
Not by his hand...
It had to be by his hand.
He wanted to do the dirty work himself. Some people did not deserve to live a perfect life in the Tsukiyomi until they died. A world where everyone got their dreams was not a world he could stand, some did not deserve to get what they wanted. They did not deserve to have peace.
Madara's victory had filled his mouth with ash he admitted it, he would find out what this thing wanted. It would not hurt to ask. "What are the terms?"
The creature smiled as if it had already got him to agree, he hated that.
"I will send you back as you are now, but yours will be an unnatural existence the "you" of the past will cease to be, there will never have been a Sasuke Uchiha, you will still be of the bloodline however, my power also because of all of this death has a limit I can only send you back seven years at most."
Sasuke heart plummeted into his stomach, he had hoped, desperately to be sent back farther, to undo the travesty that befell his clan. He shook his head he knew his answer. "No."
The being froze its smile vanishing "No? why would you refuse you would get to live another life a chance to do things over."
"My dream lives further in the past... If I could undo the massacre of my clan I would agree." He said firmly.
The horned god's gaze hardened "over this you would damn the world and all in it?"
Sasuke returned the glare were all gods so presumptuous. "This world has already damned me. I owe it nothing."
The god was silent for a long time, seeming to consider what he had said, then it sighed.
"A compromise then, I cannot put you that far back however, I propose a bargain, as the years pass my powers will slowly recover, I will gift to you a dream of the future... if you defeat Madara or prevent this in some other way I will return your clan to the land of the living."
Sasuke thought about this for a moment, he had one last question. "What happens after I finish what I must?"
"Then you may live or die as you wish I will not collect you until your time comes." The god said seemingly unperturbed by the prospect.
Sasuke thought about it, it was a near impossible task, even with his strength, it would not be easy but the rewards, a world free of the village system, a land free of the petty tyrants, a land free from the Daimyo who rested on their laurels fat on blood, he could bring it about and then his clan could flourish once more.
He knew deep down that there was no choice. "I accept." He said with finality.
The deity lips quirked upwards a dagger for a smile, before it reached into its robes and pulled out a tanto, handling the blade reverently it chanted as it slowly dragged the blade across its chest... foul black ichor seeping from its mottled flesh. "The deal has been etched into my flesh very well Uchiha Sasuke I will send you back as far as my power allows." It spoke with judgement the words echoing across the vast empty expanse before with a swiftness even he could not react to it buried its tanto into his chest.
A burst of overwhelming heat ran through Sasuke's body as his eyes widened in shock. His heart pounded in his chest as his vision went white for an instant before everything he knew faded to black.
Sasuke gasped when his vision came back, he found himself laying in a field under a clear blue sky, his heart pounding in his chest and sweat running down his face. He took a second to just breathe, the smell of wildflowers and tall grasses after only smelling smoke and blood seemed like a dream. But he knew he could not linger leaping to his feet he took a moment to look around the sun was shining over head and a pleasant breeze was wafting through the area. Looking down at himself he found he was still wearing his clothes the very ones he had donned before fighting Madara but he now had a massive white scar over his heart where the Shinigami had stabbed him in his chest.
Grasping where his blade should have been sheathed, he came up empty, whatever power the Shinigami had used did not bring his sword along, he had to his shame died with it not held in his hand. It had been a fine blade...
With that disappointment taken in he tried to summon his hawk to get an aerial view but upon the technique failing he remembered he did not exist, so he had never signed the summoning contract.
He mourned the loss the hawks, they had been good summons he would have to reacquire them in the future. For now though his most immediate concern was finding out where he had been dropped off.
Looking around he could see no roads, had the shinigami just dropped him in the middle of the woods somewhere? It seemed unlikely, but he had little idea what sort of area he was in.
Deciding to see if he could find some sort of sign, he started running , his feet crunching on dry twigs beneath them as he made his way through the forest. Eventually a small city came into view a place he had not seen in years, no way it couldn't be could it? He was in disbelief, Before him stood the small Nation known as the land of Waves.
As he approached he saw signs of life everywhere, the city it seemed was not yet completely destroyed by Gato, as although the people still seemed wary, the stores still had some goods to sell and the children he saw were not yet wearing rags. Still he needed more information, what had that drunk old man been named again? It was so long ago now he could not remember his name he had seen him with his sharingan so he knew his face perfectly, he would have to try asking around.
"Hey, I'm looking for the leader of this city." He said to the nearest person he could spot a woman standing outside of her shop with her arms folded.
She looked up at him with a frown before immediately smiling when she caught sight of him, he resisted the urge to roll his eyes.
"We do not have a Daimyo anymore the last one ran with his tail between his legs when Gato came by, he runs this land in all but name but I would avoid looking for him he is nothing but trouble, a monster..." She whispered.
That was not who he meant, Sasuke raked him mind he could remember nearly anyone else but that drunk, his daughter and that Kid.
He tried another angle "Is there a bridge builder in town?"
"Don't know a thing about that I'm afraid, we do not have a bridge here, closest we have are carpenters." She said with a shake of her head and an exasperated sigh.
Had the drunk been a capenter? He really couldn't remember, It was worth a shot though he supposed. "Who is the most talented carpenter in the city then?" He asked.
The woman put her hand on her chin in thought "I do not know, we have quite a few. why do you want to know?"
Sasuke was starting to get irritated he was half tempted to use his sharingan on her to look for him but he was not that cruel "I am looking for a drunk, he has glasses and a goatee."
"Oh! I remember him now!" She said excitedly "Tazuna-san! he is a good man despite his boozing.
"That's him, do you know where I can find him?"
At that the woman's expression darkened "I do yes... but please know he is not taking on work anymore his family is in mourning."
"Mourning? why what happened?" He asked feigning interest.
"His son-in-law Kaiza was... killed a few weeks ago Tazuna-san has not been the same since, he loved him like he was his own flesh and blood." She said softly her hands playing with her frayed apron.
Ah, he remembered now. "I see, can you tell me where I can find him? I do not need him for a job."
She nodded as her look softened "Yes, I cannot leave the store but I can give you directions."
Sasuke nodded, "That is fine."
"Tazuna-san lives right outside of the city in a woods a bit if you follow the road north you will eventually find his house it is a two story building with a windmill built around a dock." She said pointing in the general direction.
Sasuke nodded again and thanked her despite the vague directions. He now had a lead. He could gather his strength here, kill Gato and take over his company the money may come in handy his situation was unique he was strong, strong enough to destroy Konoha possibly singlehanded but if he could stack the odds more in his favor that would be to his benefit. He was on his own and even with his power he was still human.
He made his way towards the town, a light jog quickly becoming a run as he picked up speed, once he was out of sight of the civilians he used his full speed to reach Tazuna's house. Trial and error was meaningless when he could move several times the speed of sound, within seconds, he found the small dock and the relatively nice home resting atop it.
Deciding to take his time he calmly walked up to the door and knocked. He heard voices silently whispering behind the door before he knocked again, after a few excruciatingly long moments when his patience was just about to fade the door opened a crack revealing an older man with red eyes, it seems the claim of him being in mourning were not exaggerated.
"Tazuna?" He asked already knowing the answer. The old man behind the door narrowed his eyes but some of the tension left him "What do you want hasn't my family been through enough? Can't we have some peace?!" He tried to sound intimidating but Sasuke could detect his fear, and his guilt weighing on him, even if absent he would not be able to touch him in a million years.
"That is why I am here, I know what Gato did to Kaiza I want to get rid of him."
Tazuna's eyes widened before he looked him up and down and snorted derisively "What are you going to do to him pretty boy?" He spat derisively "Poison his tea after you crossdress as a geisha? Go home kid. I don't want another death on my hands."
So much for keeping things polite, force it was then. Sasuke lost his cool just a little grasping the door he pushed with force launching Tazuna out of the way before he stepped into the home. "I am not some hapless civilian, you will listen to what I say."
Tazuna's eyes widened his earlier attitude forgotten "Y-you are you a shinobi?"
Sasuke nearly curled his lip in disgust "No, I left that life, I fight for myself and what I want to achieve no village owns me."
The old man's eyes lit up as he took this new information in "You really want to help us?" He asked hopefully.
Sasuke wanted to laugh at his pathetic expression but he remembered why these people were in this situation, this filthy world had put them here, by not playing in to the shinobi system they had been easy prey if not Gato another would have come in and stepped on them eventually. Tazuna had likely already began saving money to hire shinobi nothing in this world came for free justice and safety least of all.
He knew his answer "I am on a personal mission Tazuna I want to destroy the tyrants that have led to this world being the way it is, your weak Daimyo that abandoned you, Gato who exploits you, the Shinobi nations that war every decade I want it all to end."
The old man's eyes widened in shock "You're serious?" He asked Sasuke nearly smirked when he saw him standing straight for the first time since he met him.
"I will save your country, you will be the proof of my ideal, I only require that you buy me some supplies and let me rest if all goes well, I will end Gato's life tomorrow." He said simply.
Out in the kitchen a young woman ran over to Tazuna "Father you cannot be serious haven't we already lost enough we do not even know this stranger!"
Sasuke narrowed his eyes he could remember her name now, Tsunami. She looked faintly like his mother that was probably why he could recall her. Looking at her brought him pain. "Tsunami, " he began she looked up at him in surprise. "If I could have been here before Kaiza died I would have been. You are dishonoring his memory, by not at least trying to save your people." He knew that feeling all too well so he knew the words would hurt.
Tsunami curled in on herself like she had been struck "He was my husband... he was murdered by that monster." She whispered.
Sasuke sighed "All the more reason you should want Gato dead."
The room fell silent as the implications of his words sunk in. Seeing that her warnings had fallen on deaf ears she fell silent quietly sobbing, it did bother him slightly, he had been there before, but crying never solved anything not for him anyway.
"What will you need?" Tazuna asked simply a new spark in his previously dead eyes.
Sasuke resisted the urge to smirk "I need a sword, either a Katana or a chokuto, and some local clothes."
Tazuna nodded "I will get those things for you... what is your name stranger?" He asked.
"Sasuke."
Tazuna nodded "for better or worse I will remember it." he said before he turned away and headed into the back of the house leaving Sasuke alone with tsunami.
"You shouldn't give an old man hope..." she said softly.
Sasuke nearly rolled his eyes was that what he was doing? He guessed it could be viewed that way. "You should not wallow like a coward, your husband died fighting, you should honor that." He said sharply.
She recoiled again harsher this time. Sasuke could not stand the sight of it.
"Just wait till tomorrow, then you will see. I will kill that man." he said.
Tsunami finally brought her head up to look him in the eye he knew she could tell he meant what he said " We will... see I- I do hope you succeed... it will be a true blessing to our people."
An olive branch then? He would take it even if he felt she made it to make ammends before he went to his death tomorrow. He gave a simple nod and sat down at the table. Content to wait for Tazuna.
As he waited his anger slowly seeped away replaced by fatigue, he realized the sun was setting and his energy was dwindling, he had been fighting for hours before his rebirth or whatever it was the shinigami had done, and it seemed like it had taken more out of him than he thought.
He got up and paced around the small living area trying to think of something else to do while he waited, he did not like waiting. Not for anything. It made him uncomfortable, made him feel useless, he had throughout his life never been idle, he had always been training or moving around but at his current level tree walking or water walking just did not cut it, only combat or training to exhaustion let him grow anymore the latter had begun to take longer and longer after taking Itachi's eyes, his chakra had increased drastically something about the eternal mangekyo sharingan had allowed him to expand his chakra to its limit and beyond.
But now he was waiting, and he hated it. His thoughts again drifted to Itachi but... not his Itachi, the Itachi of this world, if he had never been born he was certain by the Death god's wording that the massacre had still occurred but was Itachi still alive or had the guilt of killing his clan without any possible redemption led him to an early grave?
He shook his head clearing his mind of such morbid thoughts. If Itachi yet lived and a part of him desperately hoped he did, he would find him in time. He would make him see reason.
He passed the time like this for a while his thoughts wandering and jumbled what would he do with Naruto? What about Sakura? Kakashi? They had not yet wronged him would they stand in his way again when he was so far above them? The way he saw it he had four targets that he would absolutely kill, Danzo, Homura, Koharu the thirds advisors and, an image of a grandfatherly face worriedly peering over him in the hospital... the third Hokage he too must die. His weakness, his inaction, had killed not just his clan but every child that served under root, without him allowing Danzo to abduct Kabuto the war would have never happened, without him sending 11 year olds to the front Obito would have never happened, without him root would have never been meddling in Amegakure, and without him Shisui would have never been killed. His inaction... no his fondness for his old comrades Danzo in particular had damned countless people.
"Sasuke!" Tsunami suddenly called out.
Sasuke went over to where she stood "What is it?" He asked.
"There are some men outside..." she said turning toward the door.
Sasuke did not hide his grin just as he was getting bored too, what a wonderful boon. "I will take care of him stay inside." He said.
"Wait! What if they kill you?" Tsunami shouted her eyes wide with fear.
"They won't." He said as he left her in the house.
Outside Sasuke saw three men outside of the house some of Gato's thugs he assumed by their dress and their openly brandished swords. "What Tsunami got a new boy toy after we killed her old man?" One of them laughed.
Sasuke frowned as he walked closer to them. "What are you doing here?" He asked.
One of the men smirked "Haven't you heard tax season is here, we are here to collect."
"You work for Gato?" Sasuke asked. He did not really care at this point he was going to kill them anyway.
"That's right now pay up!" Another said.
Sasuke smirked human garbage delivered right to him they even brought swords.
Locking eyes with the most distant thug a disgusting giant with a pierced face he decided to test something, he cast a simple genjutsu making him imagine he was attacked by the two men in front of him.
The result was instant and explosive, "Fucking traitors!" he screamed stabbing his sword through the lead man's back.
The second one yelled in surprise as his buddy was skewered "What the hell Tatsu?" He demanded.
"Shut up and die you piece of shit!" the now named tatsu yelled as he ripped his blade out of his buddies back by shoulder checking him sending the thug tumbling to the floor before engaging his other friend with his katana.
Sasuke watched the fight with interest and amusement as the two men tried to overwhelm each other with sheer force. Even though he could have easily overpowered them both he decided to let them duke it out.
After a few moments of fierce brawling the weaker of the two dropped his weapon screaming in agony and clutching at his shoulder. Where Tatsu had severed his arm.
Tatsu still fully under his control then stabbed him through the throat silencing his screaming. While he was still gloating about gutting traitors Sasuke grabbed the first thug's sword and ran him through from behind the blade burying itself through the back of his skull.
The last thug was apparently not as dead as his friends. He began to desperately scramble across the floor clutching at the rough wound at his chest as he went, blood trailing after him. "H-hey le-lets talk about this right?" He begged.
Sasuke rolled his eyes as he walked up to him and kicked him onto his back no doubt breaking a few ribs. "Sure talk... Where is your boss?" He asked.
The man's face fell "G-Gato? I don't know I was just hired to be-"
Sasuke cut him off by stabbing him through the neck, the blade impaling him to the dock with the force of his thrust. "Of no use to me..." Sasuke finished his sentence for him.
The man's eyes filled with panic desperately grasping at the blade buried in his throat even as it bit into his palms. Locking eyes with the desperate animal he had impaled with its own sword Sasuke plundered his mind ripping his consciousness to shreds he had known nothing after all...
Disappointed Sasuke sent him to his end with a burst of chakra channelling lighting through the sword he directed it upwards and fried his brain, the scent of ozone mingled with charred flesh as the thug's hands jerked before they fell bonelessly still loosely grasping the blade.
Sasuke let him keep it.
Looking around at the death he had wrought he felt only satisfaction. They would never hurt another person again, simple, direct, effective. He would purge anyone that stood out of line. Good genjutsu practice too, while he was no Itachi he was determined to change that this time around now that he knew just what his eyes could do, Obito had controlled a Kage for years, and even the tailed beasts would be his playthings if he mastered these eyes.
(The fact that you possess those eyes proves that you have continued to seek something despite many great losses...) Unwanted, Madara's words came back to him yet again. He shook the thought from his mind, he too would see just what his eyes were capable of in time.
Looking at the various weapons he withheld his look of disgust they were all garbage pig iron, mass produced trash. Finding the best of the garbage he tore the sheath from the corpse of its wielder and secured the blade to his rope belt pulling it tight. He hoped Tazuna brought something better.
Now what to do with the bodies? he supposed he should gather the money they had and then burn them? He did not know any earth jutsu and throwing them in the water for fish food probably would stink up Tazuna's house. He supposed burning them would be best, with that in mind he checked their pockets finding quite a bit of ryo before tossing them bodily into the woods into a pile, that done he burnt their corpses with the fireball technique.
The flames engulfed the bodies instantly and sent a plume of black smoke into the air as their flesh melted. The smell of burning meat filled his nose as the fire raged. He was used to the smell even before the war cremation had been Orochimaru's preferred method.
"That's better." Sasuke muttered.
With that done Sasuke returned to the house where Tsunami was still standing in shock. Handing her the gathered funds he once again sat himself down at the table.
She looked at the money in her hand and back at him with a few blood stains on his clothes in shock. "you killed those men..."
Obviously..."Yes."
"Then you looted them and burned their corpses." She said her voice trembling.
"I did."
"Why?"
"Why not?" He did not see any issue they were scum the very thing he was fighting against, common thugs who killed for money and bullied those weaker than themselves just like shinobi, just like the elemental nations.
She stared at him not sure how to respond. "Is there nothing else you wish to say?" She asked.
"They were bad people, and they got in my way." He said bluntly. It was that simple he was going to change this land and if anyone got in his way, they would get the same.
"And you are going to kill them all aren't you?" She said with growing fear.
"They are in my way, so yes." Sasuke said.
"But they are humans, doesn't that bother you?"
"Humans do horrible things, some are no better than animals, the world is better off without them." Sasuke said his tone cold. "They had it coming."
Her jaw dropped "you're a monster..." she whispered. In another life had he been less set on his path this woman who resembled his mother so much, her words would have hurt him.
Not anymore.
"No, they were monsters, I have never cut down anyone who has not been in my way, I do not kill for money, I do not rob, or rape, or kill the innocent." He thought of Karin but then remembered what she had done under Orochimaru the experiments she had run... he had never killed an innocent even had she died that would have remained true.
"But you kill for revenge, out of spite..." she said.
"Revenge is justice." He replied.
"Revenge is murder." She said shaking her head.
"Killing a guilty person is not murder, killing as soldier who fights you is not murder, I have never murdered." He said.
That was how he viewed it if you raised a weapon against anyone you were no longer innocent you were a combatant, Kakashi had criticized him for targeting Sakura but she had tried to kill him first. The Nations had demonized him for fighting the Kage but they had willingly interfered in him killing Danzo, they called him a monster for cutting down those Samurai but they had drawn their swords on him as well. He was only a monster because he acted without the orders of a so called superior, the Kage had all done far worse, but they hid behind their laws and the so called greater good. He had no need for their illusions and justifications he had his own. He had spent years watching as so many innocent people were killed under the guise of peace, and justice, he had seen so much death he had lost count, Orochimaru was a monster, Kabuto was a monster, Danzo was a monster, the Kage who killed for money and sent children like his brother to war were monsters, not him.
"You know what you are, don't you?" She said staring at him.
He cut her off "I am what I want to be." He said simply. How freeing it was to know that it was finally true.
"What you are, is a killer." She said with admirable conviction or at least he was sure she thought so.
Sasuke nearly lost his cool if he was truly as foul as she was making him out to be he would have killed her by now. "Only until I win, then I will be a hero and your complaints will be drowned out." He said.
"A hero?" She scoffed.
"Yes a hero... all the Kage are killers the first hokage who built Konoha filled entire graveyards, yet he is revered to this day you are only hated when you are without power and authority, if you are strong truly strong and bring order people will love you. If you bring disorder, they won't." He said.
"You think you will be stronger than the Kage?" Tsunami asked.
"I already am." He replied. It was no simple boast, he was with the possible exception of Obito currently the strongest person alive.
"I doubt that."
"I don't care, you will see in time."
She tried to say something else, but he zoned her out, in the grand scheme of things she did not matter she like the rest of this land would fall in line and sing his praises when he changed this place history had shown him that. Konoha had shown him that. Humans were all too quick to forget the sins of those who saved them. To justify atrocities if it guaranteed them peace of mind.
"Where did all this blood come from?!" Well at least Tazuna was back with his sword.
"It's nothing, did you get the sword and clothes?" Sasuke asked.
"Of course, I got them." Tazuna said taking a closer look at the blood splatter on Sasuke's clothing. "You're covered in blood..."
"it's not mine." Sasuke said.
Tazuna blinked did a double take and then put two and two together "Oh, I see." He muttered as he gave Sasuke a thoughtful look "Did... did you kill them?"
"Yes." Sasuke said.
Tazuna stared at him for a moment more before taking a gulp from the gourd flask he had tied to his waist, "Good, they deserved what they got." He said as he placed the blade and clothes on the table beside Sasuke.
"Glad we're on the same page." Sasuke muttered as he inspected the Katana Tazuna had gotten him with a critical eye, far too common in construction but still better than the pig iron sword he had taken from the thugs, this blade was at least proper steel, it would do.
The clothes were fine... though he could tell they would be a little big on him, he could easily make them fit though.
"Tomorrow then?" Tazuna said staring into his flask.
"Tomorrow." Sasuke agreed.
Tazuna nodded and drained his flask. "I wish you luck Sasuke, feel free to have dinner with us and stay the night it is the least I can do." He said.
Sasuke said nothing but accepted the offer. It was the least he could do.
Tomorrow he would start his plans in earnest.