SHINOBI EXAM

A figure clad in a dark turtleneck uniform, adorned with the red and white Uchiha fan, appeared seemingly out of nowhere. The unmistakable emblem stirred confusion and disbelief in everyone present.

"Is he... from the Uchiha clan?" Sasuke's Sharingan widened in shock as he stared at the mysterious man's back. Apart from Itachi and himself, he was certain there were no other surviving members of his clan. Yet, this man's presence said otherwise.

Sasuke's thoughts raced as he scrutinized the figure's posture, recalling fleeting images from his childhood. That back... it was familiar.

Before Sasuke could speak, the man's voice rang out, calm yet resolute. "You can mock me all you want, but…" His tone suddenly sharpened, and in a flash, the air became suffocating with his intent. His gaze fixed on the Sound Ninja named Kin, who had mocked Itachi moments earlier.

"The one thing I will not tolerate is slander against Itachi!"

With those words, three-tomoe Sharingan activated in his crimson eyes, emanating a deadly aura. The overwhelming pressure left the three Sound Ninja frozen in place, unable to even breathe properly.

Naruto, caught off guard, stammered, "W-who is this guy?!" His wide eyes darted toward Sasuke, silently demanding answers.

Sasuke didn't respond immediately. His shock rendered him speechless until, finally, the name escaped his lips like a whisper. "Uchiha... Shisui?"

The man turned his head slightly, offering Sasuke a faint smile. "Long time no see, Sasuke. You've grown."

But Sasuke wasn't ready for pleasantries. His voice, thick with disbelief and frustration, rose in volume. "Why are you still alive?! You... you died years ago!"

Shisui's expression softened, a trace of guilt flickering in his eyes. "I did. Or rather, I should have. But fate had other plans for me."

"Answer me!" Sasuke demanded, his anger threatening to boil over.

Shisui hesitated, then sighed deeply. "I wasn't saved, Sasuke. I was resurrected."

The word hung in the air, thick with implications. Naruto and Sakura exchanged confused glances. Resurrected? They'd only just witnessed something similar during the Chūnin Exam's second stage when Uchiha Mikoto and the Second Hokage were brought back to life. Could the same technique have been used on Shisui?

Meanwhile, the Sound Ninjas, who had managed to shake off their paralysis, pieced together the truth. One of them, Toss, whispered in awe, "He's... Shisui of the Body Flicker, isn't he? The legendary Uchiha!"

Kin's face paled. She hadn't expected her taunts to draw the ire of one of Konoha's most feared shinobi.

Shisui's lips curled into a smile. "Ah, so my name still carries some weight, even after all these years. Then you must know I'm not someone you'd want to cross."

Toss, sensing that they were outmatched, stepped forward cautiously. "We surrender. Here, take our scroll. Just let us go." He placed the Earth Scroll on the ground and backed away slowly.

Naruto blinked in disbelief. "What? They're giving up? Just like that?"

Shisui chuckled, the tension in the air dissipating as his Sharingan deactivated. "I apologize for interrupting your exam. I acted on impulse when I heard them speak ill of Itachi. This fight isn't mine."

He turned to Sasuke, his smile tinged with sadness. "Take the scroll, Sasuke. I have more pressing matters to attend to."

With that, Shisui vanished in a blur of speed, leaving Sasuke staring after him, fists clenched.

"Shisui!!" Sasuke roared, but the man was already gone. His frustration boiled over, and he lashed out at the nearest targets—the Sound Ninja.

"Don't think you're off the hook!" Sasuke snarled, forming a series of hand seals.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"

A massive fireball roared toward the three Sound Ninjas, its heat singeing the air. Toss reacted quickly, forming his own seals. "Sound Wave Barrier!" A powerful blast of sound waves collided with the fireball, dissipating it.

But Sasuke smirked. "Fool." Hidden within the fireball were dozens of flaming shuriken, which now shot out in all directions, targeting the Sound Ninja from every angle.

"It's the Phoenix Flower Jutsu!" Sakura exclaimed, recognizing the technique.

Kin deflected two shuriken with a kunai, but one grazed her arm, leaving a painful burn. Toss and Zaku weren't faring much better, their focus split between dodging and counterattacking.

"Don't underestimate us!" Zaku growled, raising his hands. "Decapitating Airwaves!" He unleashed a powerful burst of compressed air, scattering the shuriken and forcing Sasuke to retreat.

Naruto, not one to be left out, leaped into the fray. "Hey, don't hog all the fun, Sasuke!" He formed a hand seal and created several shadow clones.

"Let's go!" Naruto and his clones charged forward, overwhelming the Sound Ninjas with sheer numbers. Toss and Zaku struggled to keep up, their coordination faltering under the relentless assault.

Meanwhile, Sakura positioned herself strategically, ready to provide support. She noticed Kin attempting to sneak around and flank Naruto. "Not so fast!" Sakura intercepted Kin, kunai in hand.

Kin smirked. "You think you can take me on, little girl?"

Sakura's eyes narrowed. "Try me."

The two clashed, kunai striking against kunai. Sakura's movements were precise, her training under Kakashi evident in her calculated strikes and evasions. Kin, though skilled, underestimated Sakura's determination.

As the battle raged on, Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro observed from a distance.

"Should we step in?" Temari asked, her fan at the ready.

Kankuro shook his head. "No need. Let's see how this plays out. Besides, Gaara seems... interested."

Gaara's cold eyes were fixed on the battlefield, his expression unreadable.

Back in the fight, Sasuke unleashed another jutsu. "Chidori!" The crackling lightning engulfed his hand as he charged toward Zaku.

"Take this!" Sasuke thrust the Chidori forward, aiming for Zaku's chest.

But before the attack could connect, a barrier of sand intercepted it, stopping Sasuke in his tracks.

"What the—?!" Sasuke turned to see Gaara standing nearby, his sand swirling protectively around him.

"That's enough," Gaara said, his voice calm but firm. "The Sound Ninjas are beaten. Continuing this fight is pointless."

Sasuke gritted his teeth, glaring at Gaara. "Stay out of this! This is my fight!"

Gaara's eyes narrowed. "Your rage blinds you, Uchiha. Save it for the real enemy."

Sasuke hesitated, then reluctantly lowered his Chidori. The Sound Ninjas, battered and defeated, took the opportunity to retreat, leaving behind their scroll.

Naruto scratched the back of his head. "Well, that was... something."

Sakura sighed in relief, while Sasuke remained silent, his thoughts consumed by Shisui's sudden appearance and the lingering questions about Itachi.

As the dust settled, Team 7 regrouped, their bond strengthened by the trial they had just faced. But for Sasuke, the battle within his heart was far from over.

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