The cool morning breeze rustled through the dense foliage of the forest, carrying with it the scent of earth and pine. Sasuke Uchiha, clad in his iconic black outfit, stood atop a moss-covered boulder, his keen eyes scanning the surrounding area. His sword, glowing with chakra, was held firmly in his hand as he waited for his enemy to make the next move. Across from him, was his old rival, Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, who stood tall and imposing. Her ethereal figure clad in flowing white robes, floated gracefully above the ground, her long silver hair trailing behind her like a veil. Sasuke took a deep breath, gathering his chakra into his right hand. "Chidori!" he shouted, as a blinding flash of light erupted from his palm. Kaguya merely smiled, her unearthly beauty twisted into a mocking sneer, and raised a glowing hand to meet the onslaught. With a gesture as casual as if swatting a fly, she sent Sasuke's Chidori spiraling away, scattering its energy in all directions. The force of the blow sent Sasuke reeling, his breath leaving him in a ragged gasp. He felt her presence looming over him, her icy fingers brushing against his skin. "You amuse me, mortal," she chirped. "But it is time for this game to end." As Sasuke ducked beneath one of Kaguya's ethereal strikes, he thrust his sword forward, aiming for her waist. The blade connected with a resounding clang, sending shockwaves through the forest. Kaguya let out a shriek of pain and surprise, dissipating momentarily. Sasuke leapt into the air, spinning gracefully as he sliced through the attack with a single strike. "Amaterasu!" he shouted, thrusting his hand forward. Her pale eyes fixated on Sasuke's Rinnegan. Sasuke felt her gaze pierce through him, her intentions unclear. With a sudden burst of speed, she lunged forward and grabbed Sasuke's arm. The force of the attack sent them both tumbling to the ground, the sword flying out of reach. As they rolled and twisted, the ancient being's hand reached for Sasuke's face, her long fingers clawing at his features. Maybe I should take that eye from you," she purred, a dangerous glint in her eye. Kaguya's fingers were like claws, digging deeper and deeper into Sasuke's face, tearing his flesh apart as she gouged out his Rinnegan. The cold, metallic taste of blood filled Sasuke's mouth as he struggled against Kaguya's inhumanly powerful grasp. His empty eye socket stung, the pain radiating outward in all directions as the world began to grow darker and distant. He could feel her long, pale fingers digging deeper, and deeper, into his flesh, her nails drawing tiny trails of blood from his skin. He tried to focus on her features, but the light was fading fast, and all he could make out was a blurry mass of white and black. He could feel his strength waning, his limbs growing heavy and sluggish. His last thought was of Sakura, of how she had always been there for him, even when he hadn't deserved it. She smiled coldly, her long, flowing hair dancing in the wind. "You should have seen this coming, Sasuke," she hissed, her voice barely audible over his cries. "Your arrogance will be your downfall." With a final, cruel twist, she snapped his neck, ending his suffering and her own amusement. His body went limp beneath her, blood pooling on the ground. Kaguya stood up, brushing the dirt from her robes, and gazed out over the destruction she had wrought. The village lay in ruins, its people scattered or dead. She felt a twinge of guilt, but knew it was necessary. Sasuke had been a threat, and now he was gone. She turned and began to walk away, leaving his lifeless form behind her. As she disappeared into the darkness, a single tear trickled down her cheek. It wasn't for Sasuke, or the people she had killed. It was for the innocence she had once known, the hope that had been extinguished long ago. The world was a cruel place, and she was its cruelest monster…
Chapter One coming soon…