Fire Temple

"What terrifying power."

The people present looked at the beautiful girl standing calmly, a deep chill rising in their hearts, Sasuke included. They hadn't expected that this seemingly delicate girl would possess such strength.

During their recent battle, she had looked relaxed and at ease, as if playing a game with children. No matter how hard they tried, they seemed unable to escape her grasp. She had completely seen through them, rendering all their moves ineffective.

Could the gap really be this wide?

Sasuke had thought that, after years of rigorous training and rapid progress, he was no longer someone to be easily manipulated. But now, he began to doubt himself.

"Alright, it's time for me to go," Kaguya stretched lazily and yawned, "I'm done playing with you. Goodbye." She turned around and waved her hand.

"Y-you're not going to kill us?" Suigetsu asked dumbfounded.

Karin punched Suigetsu in the face angrily, "Idiot! Are you reminding her to kill us?"

"Oh?" Kaguya turned around, a smile playing on her lips, "What? Do you want to die? I can grant you that wish."

The four of them stiffened, a chill running through them as cold sweat broke out on their foreheads.

"Just kidding," Kaguya laughed, her smile radiant, "When did I ever say I was going to kill you?"

The tension in the air dissipated slightly, replaced by a hint of anger. Did this girl not take them seriously at all?

"Alright, I really am leaving." Kaguya waved cheerfully and turned to leave.

They watched as Kaguya's figure disappeared into the forest, collectively exhaling a breath of relief. This girl was terrifying.

In the lush, verdant forest, towering trees rose from the ground, countless flowers and plants creating a serene scene. The occasional chirping of birds added to the elegance, making the stroll through the forest refreshing and soothing.

As Kaguya walked, she suddenly turned her head and said, "Come out. You were there just now, and now you're still following me. What do you want, Uchiha Itachi?"

From behind a large tree emerged a man wearing a cloak embroidered with red clouds and a Konoha forehead protector. His handsome face was cold and indifferent—it was Sasuke's brother, Uchiha Itachi.

"What is it?" Kaguya walked over, a smile playing on her lips, "Are you worried I'll kill Sasuke?"

"Why would I care if he lives or dies?" Itachi replied coolly.

"He's your younger brother," Kaguya said, pacing in front of him, "Besides, don't you care about him?"

"Why would I care about that foolish little brother?" Itachi's expression remained unchanged.

"Why were you hiding behind the tree?" Kaguya circled Uchiha Itachi, pinching her chin thoughtfully. "If I'm not mistaken, if I had really intended to kill Uchiha Sasuke, you would have intervened, right?"

Uchiha Itachi snorted, not answering, and turned to walk into the forest.

"You really are a good brother, protecting Sasuke like that," Kaguya said casually.

Itachi's body stiffened for a moment before he slowly turned back, his scarlet eyes flashing with cold light.

"Don't worry, I don't know anything," Kaguya laughed playfully. "Since you dislike Sasuke so much, the next time we meet, I'll just kill him."

"If you want to kill him," Itachi turned away, "then go ahead."

Watching Itachi's figure gradually disappear into the distance, Kaguya's smile faded, and she frowned. She sensed a hint of threat from him.

He already knew I had no intention of killing Sasuke, so he left.

True brotherly love, Kaguya thought with a smile. But are they really not lovers?

After this brief interlude, Kaguya continued her journey northwest.

Most of the path was through forests, sparsely populated with no signs of buildings. The long trek became monotonous. Kaguya suddenly missed her original world where cars made travel convenient, eliminating the need to walk.

Suddenly, Kaguya's eyes lit up as she spotted a tall structure deep in the mountains, resembling a temple. At least it meant some signs of human presence. Her food supplies were running low, and she could replenish them there, even if it meant eating vegetarian meals.

Though it seemed close, the rugged mountain paths consumed much of her time. She considered flying directly but decided against it to avoid attracting attention.

After a long walk, she finally reached the temple. It was grand, with the main gate over ten meters high and a plaque above it bearing the red characters "Fire Temple." Flanking the entrance stood two imposing, grotesque stone statues with wings and giant claws, exuding an aura of fierce majesty.

Kaguya mentally criticized the temple's appearance, thinking it looked more like a place of evil worship.

As she approached, the thick scent of blood filled her nostrils. Climbing the steps and entering through the gate, she found numerous monks lying haphazardly, their blood staining the stone ground a dark red, indicating the carnage had happened some time ago.

The place was in ruins. From the size of the collapsed beams and columns, it was evident this had once been a magnificent structure, now reduced to rubble and dust.

Sighing in disappointment, Kaguya realized her plan to seek refuge with the monks was doomed.

Suddenly, she noticed something unusual. Moving closer to the collapsed hall, she found a red symbol on the ground—an outer circle with an inner triangle. Kaguya's brows furrowed. Isn't this the symbol of that fool Hidan?

Damn it, Hidan ruined everything. If I see him, I'll give him a good beating.