Chapter 80: Cursed Seal.

Kiba was stunned. "We have the Earth Scroll! Just hand us the Heaven Scroll!"

"Here." Kaito casually tossed a scroll marked with the 'Heaven' character at Kiba.

"Are you coming with me or heading to the central tower on your own?" Kaito asked Hinata gently.

"We'll go with you!" Kiba answered before Hinata could speak.

That man earlier had been terrifying. Kiba still felt shaken just thinking about him. If Kaito left, what would happen if that man returned looking for them?

Kiba quickly decided—sticking with Kaito was safer and ensured a smooth route to the central tower. There was no reason not to follow him.

Kiba's words echoed the thoughts of everyone in Team 8. Hinata would clearly follow Kaito, and with Kiba agreeing, it was two votes to one. Poor Shino, who always lacked presence, was forgotten again.

"Then let's move. Something might've happened with Ino," Kaito said, voice low.

"Ino? Is she okay?" Hinata asked anxiously.

"She should be fine. Looks like she handled it. Still, let's go check—they're not far from here."

With that, Kaito darted in the direction of Ino's chakra. Of course, he deliberately held back his speed. Seeing this, Hinata and the others rushed to catch up.

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Elsewhere in the Forest

Ino stood tall and confident, having just taken down the three Sound ninja led by Zaku.

"How can someone like you be this strong?!" Zaku stared at Ino in disbelief. She had overwhelmed them in mere seconds.

"Hmph! What's wrong with being a woman? Think we can't be stronger than you?" Ino flicked her blonde ponytail, unimpressed.

"Damn it!" Zaku shot a look toward the still-unconscious Sasuke, then flung three kunai with explosive tags before turning to flee.

Boom! Boom!

"Tch, what a coward!" Ino dodged the blasts, eyes narrowing as she watched him escape. Her frustration boiled over, and she stomped her foot in anger.

Boom!

The ground cracked beneath her as a small crater formed—a result of the enhanced strength she had gained from training with Kaito.

That strength had also been passed to Hinata, though Ino had grasped it more quickly.

Shikamaru and Choji stared, jaws slack, watching the cracked earth in awe.

Since when did Ino develop such raw, physical power?

Sakura was just as shocked. She had known Ino since their Academy days. When had Ino become so fierce?

At that moment, two figures approached.

It was Neji and Tenten, with Lee unconscious on Neji's back.

"Lee failed?" Neji said flatly, not even sparing Ino and the others a glance. "Let's go, Tenten."

His complete indifference made Ino clench her fists in fury. She wanted to punch him on the spot. What was he acting so high and mighty for? No matter how strong he was, he still wasn't as strong as her Kaito.

Shikamaru frowned, turning toward Sasuke.

Sasuke was still unconscious, but an ominous black-and-purple chakra began to swirl around him.

"That chakra…" Ino muttered, her expression darkening.

The energy grew thicker, spreading until it enveloped Sasuke entirely. Black markings began to creep across his skin from the cursed seal on his neck, slithering up his face like twisted vines.

Suddenly, Sasuke's eyes snapped open.

They were cold, cruel, and empty—nothing like the Sasuke they knew.

"Why are you all here? What happened, Sakura?" he asked, his tone distant.

"Yes! Ino saved us!" Sakura said quickly, torn between surprise and concern. "Sasuke, are you okay?"

"Hmph. I'm fine," Sasuke replied, barely sparing Ino a glance. "In fact, I've never felt better. My body is overflowing with power."

He stared at his hands, fascinated.

"You—!" Ino was about to retort, but Shikamaru gave her a warning glance.

"Sasuke's not himself. Let's see how this plays out," he said seriously.

"Tch. What's he so smug about?" Ino pouted.

If not for Sakura, she would've already knocked some sense into Sasuke by now.

Whoosh!

Dark chakra surged around Sasuke as he blurred from view. A moment later, he stood before the remaining two Sound ninja. His grin was eerie—his eyes full of bloodlust.

"These two attacked you earlier, right, Sakura?" he asked. "Then they're not leaving here."

Raising his leg high, Sasuke grinned like a devil.

Shikamaru narrowed his eyes. "That curse mark… it's made Sasuke a killing machine."

"Ino, Choji—this is our chance to fall back!" he whispered urgently.

"Alright. I trust you," Choji nodded.

Ino, however, was seething. "Are you serious? Two grown men running away?"

Her fists clenched tighter as she growled.

You didn't even thank me for saving you. On top of that, you act like I'm a nuisance? Who do you think you are? Your chakra doesn't even come close to Kaito's. And now you think you're some kind of god because of a mark on your neck?

Just like Kaito said—if some people don't get smacked around every day, they'll tear the whole house down.

With rising fury, Ino yelled, "That's it, Sasuke! I've had enough of your attitude! Today I'm going to knock some humility into you—and no one's stopping me!"

With a burst of speed, she vanished from the spot.

Shikamaru smacked his forehead. "Ugh… I should've kept my mouth shut. Looks like Konoha's violent queen from our childhood is back…"

Sasuke, lowering his raised leg, sneered, "You?"

He regarded Ino with utter disdain, drunk on the cursed seal's power and his inflated sense of superiority.

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