The Uchiha's Maniacal Laughter Quartet

Karin recalled the scene vividly—during the second stage of the Chūnin Exams, that cold and aloof boy had descended from above, looking so composed and cool. That moment had been burned into her memory.

"He wasn't like this… He couldn't be…" Karin murmured to herself, feeling wronged.

[On Screen]

[The scene showed Sakura hesitating, standing still. Sasuke's mocking laughter rang out, icy and sharp. "You're a medical ninja, aren't you? Perfect—you can take her place," he sneered coldly.]

[Sakura hesitated further, her steps inching closer to Karin as if preparing to do what Sasuke commanded.]

["You've changed, Sasuke… Doing something like this, you've really changed…" Sakura thought as she stopped beside Karin.]

["What's wrong? Can't do it?" Sasuke asked coldly.]

[Sakura pulled out a kunai, but her inner turmoil was obvious. She was struggling to make a decision as though it would crush her.]

["If I kill Sasuke now, everything will end…" Sakura thought to herself, gritting her teeth as pain filled her heart.]

Hearing this, the ninja world was stunned again.

"Oh, so she wasn't joining Sasuke after all? She was planning to kill him?"

"Looks like we misunderstood her, huh?"

"Sorry, Sakura!"

Villagers who had insulted Sakura before were left embarrassed, their faces green with guilt. Even Sakura's parents looked ashamed of themselves.

They had assumed she was betraying Konoha, but it turned out she was trying to end Sasuke's rampage.

[In the Hokage's Office]

Sasuke stared at the screen expressionlessly, while Itachi frowned deeply.

The Sasuke on the screen had fallen to a terrifying extreme. Itachi's original plan had been for Sasuke to kill him, become a hero, and move forward—but this was something entirely different.

"That masked man… he's the one behind this," Itachi muttered.

[On Screen]

[Just as Sakura was about to act, Sasuke suddenly turned his Sharingan on her, his hand bursting with lightning as he activated Chidori. Without hesitation, he aimed to pierce her back.]

[The attack happened so quickly that even the ninja world watching was horrified.]

"Sakura!!"

Sakura's allies, especially those close to her, screamed in fear, their eyes filled with panic.

[Before the Chidori could pierce her, a figure suddenly appeared, grabbing Sasuke's arm and stopping the attack. It was… Kakashi!]

["Sasuke, you've fallen too far," Kakashi said gravely, his voice carrying genuine concern and disappointment.]

[Sasuke smirked, his voice dripping with mockery. "One after another… You're all so annoying."]

[In the Hokage's Office]

"Kakashi-sensei! You made it in time!" Naruko exclaimed, her expression brightening with relief. She let out a big sigh as if a heavy weight had been lifted.

Kakashi sighed as well and patted her head instinctively, noting how much softer her hair had become. "Hmm… it's even silkier now," was his first thought.

Sasuke, meanwhile, watched in silence, his mood becoming inexplicably sour.

Itachi, observing his brother's reaction, raised a hand as if to comfort Sasuke, but then hesitated, letting it fall again.

[On Screen]

[Kakashi stood protectively in front of Sakura. "Sakura, do you really think you can kill Sasuke on your own?" he asked sternly.]

[Sakura lowered her head, saying nothing.]

["This isn't something you should carry alone. As your teacher, the fact that it's come to this is my failure," Kakashi said, his gaze filled with sadness as he looked at Sasuke.]

[In the Hokage's Office]

"That's not true! You're not a failure, Kakashi-sensei," Naruko protested, her voice loud and determined. "Sure, you're always late and make up silly excuses… but you're still our teacher!"

Naruko paused, tapping her chin as she thought. "Oh, and you're totally biased. You taught Sasuke all those cool jutsu but didn't teach me anything! So unfair!"

Kakashi froze. "…You wouldn't have been able to learn Chidori anyway."

"I don't care! You're still biased! Grandpa Third, you see this? Kakashi-sensei is so irresponsible!" Naruko complained, her tone full of exaggerated grievance.

Kakashi sighed in exasperation. "Fine, fine. How about I ask someone else to teach you a jutsu? He's a very famous and skilled ninja."

"Wait, you mean Pervy Sage? Oh yeah, he did say he'd teach me a new jutsu. I'll go find him!" Naruko exclaimed excitedly, remembering Jiraiya's promise.

"Don't call me Pervy Sage!!"

A loud voice came from outside the window as Jiraiya finally entered, unable to stay silent any longer.

"Pervy Sage!" Naruko pointed at him cheerfully.

Jiraiya took one look at her transformed state and gave her an approving nod. "Much better. This version of you is way easier on the eyes."

[On Screen]

["Sasuke, I don't want to repeat myself, so I'll say it one last time…" Kakashi said, his voice steady and firm.]

["Don't let revenge consume you."]

[Sasuke tilted his head back and let out a loud, maniacal laugh. "Hahaha!!"]

[The laughter echoed eerily before it suddenly stopped. Sasuke's expression darkened, his voice filled with venom as he said, "Then give them back to me… Give me back Itachi, my father, my mother… Give me back the Uchiha clan, and I'll stop."]

[Kakashi stared at him. "I don't want to kill you."]

[Sasuke sneered, his head tilted in derision. "Oh? You make it sound like you can kill me anytime you want. Don't act like a teacher—I'm itching to kill you, Kakashi."]

The Ninja World:

"Sasuke's gone completely mad at this point. Who could possibly talk sense into him now?"

"Honestly, letting go of revenge isn't easy. I get where he's coming from."

"If it were me, I'd probably lose it too."

[In the Hokage's Office]

The room fell into an uneasy silence.

[On Screen]

["Sakura, take this child and leave," Kakashi said firmly.]

[Sakura looked at him, confused.]

["The burden of what must be done… that's mine to bear," Kakashi said, his voice heavy with responsibility. "This is my duty."]