Sasuke stood quietly, listening to the sound of the heavy rain pouring down on him as he watched the light from the sun diminish amidst the clouds engulfing their bodies across the dampened sky.

Despite his attire being heavily soaked, he maintained his gaze directly at the clouds. His thoughts dwelling into nothing but the bitter feeling of nostalgia. The earthly scent mixed with rainwater had brought him back again.

Back to the days he would spend some times watching his older brother train out in the rain as a little boy, back to the days when he used to travel on missions with his former teammates, and back to the days when he would train alone to get even stronger.

Leaving the Hidden Leaf was something that always felt rather strange. A home that wasn't truly a home after his long absence and a village that jotted him a criminal.

However, to atone for those crimes, Sasuke had much agreed to embark on this journey of self-reflection. A journey with means to learn to protect rather than to destroy. A journey he hopes would even provide him with some inner peace.

It's been about a couple of years since he'd been sent off and the last thing he'd ever remember about the village was the look of worry on his former sensei's face and his former teammate. Both anxious and somewhat nervous. Nonetheless, relieved with the understanding of the importance of his mission.

Sasuke lightly tapped his foot on the pavement, brushing off the group of mud that trapped themselves into the creases beneath his sandals, before bringing his attention back to the row of giant tattered buildings ahead.

A deserted city that never seems to change. It must've been years ago since he last visited this place, and yet everything looks as empty and dilapidated as ever. But if there were any reason to step foot into the ruins of this city, it was none other than the need to restock on crucial supplies and ammunition.

For Sasuke who stood gripping the ends of his broken sword, it was indeed favorable and quite essential for his ongoing journey.

He desired a new sword. One similar if not of more finer quality than his existing severed piece. And if it were any shop in the world that could provide him with what he needed and wanted, only one particular marketeer always comes to mind.

Making his way through the city hadn't always been that easy. Although it was mostly empty, there were very few people who dwelled beneath the towering walls.

The heavy rain pouring down were enough to keep most of them out of sight, but despite the substantial rain cascading down on this abandoned city, it wasn't surprising to encounter a few who would rather be spotted for the exchange of other goods.

"Young man, would you like to see my stock? I know just what you need. If you have the time, why don't you come by my store, and perhaps I can help you with that broken sword of yours."

A figure emerged out of the corner of a shattered building, dressed in a dark hooded cloak, folding their arms behind their back while blocking Sasuke's path ahead.

Even through the overpowering sound of the heavy rain, he could hear their words. Their voice sounded almost soothing yet sinister. A voice hinted with desperation and the lack of trust.

"Sorry, but I don't have time to look around."

"It won't take long. No no. My shop is just a couple of blocks away. Plus, I'm offering a generous discount to my newest customers. How about it young man?"

This wasn't the first time Sasuke had encountered merchants desperate to sell their goods. Especially for a deserted city like Sora-Ku, it was common to see the few lurking around seeking to find anyone they saw fit to tie into their little scheme full deal.

But as for someone who occasionally stepped foot into these ruins, it was perceivable to assume that most black marketeers couldn't be trusted.

"I'm not interested," he responded with a tone rather firm and cold, simultaneous with his piercing gaze. A gaze sharp and dark enough to undermine their persistence.

"I see...perhaps we'll meet again soon..."

With a faint creepy smile planted into their expression underneath their hood, the figure slowly retreated, giving passage for Sasuke to proceed past the empty buildings.

It took him about several minutes before he found himself standing at the entrance to a dark tunnel that would eventually lead him inside the shop.

The smell of feline was enduring as ever but it wasn't as prominent this time around. Perhaps it had to do with the rain clashing down on every concrete surface, suppressing any recognizable scent.

As he made his way through the tunnel and ultimately stepping foot inside the shop, he recognized that the majority of the interior remained unchanged except for how much brighter his surroundings were. Multiple rows of orb paper lights had illuminated the shop, providing a clearer image of the items in stock.

Sasuke's eyes wandered across, noticing the familiar red curtains dangling over an existing bed and a circular rug in between, the old wooden boxes containing multiple different fabrics remained to the side, and the shelves and racks bracing various supplies and weapons remained on the opposite end.

Seeing that things hadn't really changed all the much provided him with comfort. Comfort in knowing that the only supplier of goods for his clan was still in operation.

Nevertheless, something was rather odd about the place, and it didn't take him long to register that no one seemed to be around. No sign of any cats and more importantly, the expectation of a sedentary old granny was missing from the back center of the room below the hanging curtains.

Contrasting with his last visit, it was surprisingly too quiet for a shop that normally operated with plenty of cats roaming around.

With his level of uncertainty about the interior circumstances and the lingering sense that someone had been discretely trailing him from behind, he couldn't help but keep his guard readily sharp.

"Denka! Now!"

"Right on! I got you now!"

Two voices had interrupted from behind, prompting his body to react by projecting the sharp end of his broken sword directly at a small, fierce-looking feline, whose blue kimono robes were immediately pinned against a nearby wall, dragging the rest of its weight along in the same direction before it had the chance to claw at him.

At an almost simultaneous speed, Sasuke directed his attention to a figure gripping a kunai knife, attempting to take him down from the side.

However, even with such a silly little distraction, he found himself pinning their body on top of a nearby wooden counter, pressing his arm against their upper chest while pointing the knife directly at their neck, denying them the use of their very own weapon.

Sasuke pierced through them, seeing how seemingly desperate they were to be lifted off of his pressure, aggressively shuffling their body to the side as they strived to free themselves from his restraint.

The light salmon robe they wore had now loosely wrapped itself around their shoulders, keeping them slightly bare. Generating more resistance only loosened the tightness of the string around their waist, exposing their thighs from the bottom opening of their robe as they attempted to lift themselves off the counter.

When they finally pivoted their gaze to meet his crimson pair, the expression of anger and frustration that had built up quickly diminished, and their body slowly subsided every resistance as they came to recognize a familiar face.

"Sharingan...?"