I ,Sasuke , Why Should I Defect To Konoha

The evening air settled over the busy streets of Konoha. Fresh from his evening shower, Sasuke casually dried his damp hair as he strolled through the village. Staying home held no appeal for him, and the chance to trigger new missions by going out seemed more likely.

[With tree-climbing practice under my belt, the next logical step is water-walking. But for now, climbing trees serves well enough as a means of chakra control. Rather than wasting time perfecting water-walking, I should focus on mastering the B-rank Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu. Given that Haku, with his formidable Ice Style, will soon be a major threat, I need to prioritize learning these advanced techniques.]

As Sasuke wove through the crowded streets, he thought about his recent training. With his current chakra reserves, what mattered most was refining skills that could serve him in battle. Between his mastery of Fireball and Thunderbolt jutsus, along with the B-rank Fire Style as a hidden trump card, Sasuke felt sufficiently equipped for now. Besides, Kakashi had hinted at teaching him a new jutsu tomorrow, piquing his anticipation.

Suddenly, a familiar, flirtatious voice called out to him from the side street. "Sasuke~~" The playful tone made him pause, and he turned to see who had spoken.

"Sasuke-kun, it really is you! Are you free for a little... one-on-one time?" A girl with long blonde hair tied into a single ponytail, wearing a purple dress, had attached herself to his arm. With a warm, inviting smile, Ino extended her invitation with confidence and charm.

Sasuke was taken aback by Ino's bold approach, feeling the light perfume that lingered around her. "Ino, your enthusiasm could use a bit of subtlety," he responded with a slight smile. Her unexpected approach amused him, especially considering how Ino had initially competed with Sakura for his attention.

As he thought this, Sasuke's gaze shifted to the two familiar figures standing nearby. "Shikamaru, Choji, didn't expect to run into you here," he said with a friendly nod.

Shikamaru raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Sasuke, did you just... greet us?" Sasuke was notorious for being solitary during their days at the academy, his aloofness practically his signature. Choji, on snacks, seemed equally surprised as he nodded in agreement.

Ino seized the moment, pulling Sasuke closer. "Well, let's forget them. Sasuke-kun, why don't we grab some dinner, just the two of us?" she suggested, eager to make it a private gathering.

Sasuke, sensing an opportunity for camaraderie, glanced at the others. "Why don't Shikamaru and Choji join us? There's no harm in spending time with friends." Ino's invitation sparked an idea: developing more connections within his peer group might unlock potential benefits and insights.

Choji's eyes lit up at the mention of food. "Dinner? I'm in! Where are we going?" His enthusiasm was palpable, a trademark of the Akimichi clan's love for food.

Ino's face fell slightly, seeing her chances of a solo outing with Sasuke diminish, but she couldn't exactly say no. After all, it was Sasuke's first invitation in a while. "All right then, let's all go together!" she said through a forced smile, keeping her grip on Sasuke's arm.

As they settled into a nearby restaurant, Choji eagerly examined the menu, his anticipation evident as he ordered, "Give me the full course, please!" causing the others to chuckle. He was clearly in his element, and neither Ino nor Shikamaru had the heart to stop him.

"Sasuke, I'm surprised at how sociable you've become," Shikamaru noted, his curiosity piqued. "In the academy, you hardly ever bothered with us. Is this all part of growing up as a ninja?"

Sasuke's smile was calm and genuine as he met Shikamaru's gaze. "You might be right, Shikamaru. And maybe it's time I get to know my comrades better."

Ino was quick to interject, "You don't have to answer all his questions, Sasuke-kun! He's just trying to figure you out." She gave Shikamaru a playful glare, worried he might upset Sasuke or make him leave.

"No worries, Ino. Actually, I think Shikamaru's right," Sasuke replied. "It could be good for all of us to reconnect. How about organizing a little class reunion dinner sometime soon?"

Ino and Shikamaru exchanged surprised glances. This proactive idea didn't seem like the Sasuke they knew. Ino asked cautiously, "You're serious, Sasuke?"

Sasuke nodded. "Yes, I am. It'd be great to see Shino, Hinata, Kiba, and the others. After all, only nine of us from our class graduated together. Reuniting would be... worthwhile."

"Then it's settled!" Ino agreed enthusiastically. "I'll reach out to everyone for tomorrow night. It'll be like a mini reunion!"

"Sounds good to me," Shikamaru replied, though he sighed at the thought of Choji's appetite. Choji was already beaming, clearly thrilled about another big meal.

---

The following day, Sasuke met Kakashi in the forest training ground, feeling motivated and prepared.

"Alright, Sasuke, now that you've mastered basic Fire Style techniques, it's time to expand your skills with Lightning Style," Kakashi began, his gaze steady. "Today, I'll teach you a C-rank Lightning Style jutsu called Thunder Snake. This jutsu can be versatile; it can be used in close combat by channeling the chakra into your hand or as a short-ranged attack that transforms the lightning chakra into a thunder snake."

Kakashi demonstrated, forming the necessary seals — Tiger, Snake, and Bird. "Remember, the key is to keep your chakra concentrated. Watch carefully, Sasuke."

Sasuke focused intently, analyzing each hand seal and Kakashi's controlled movements. Activating his single tomoe Sharingan, he observed every detail, even if he couldn't fully replicate the jutsu with his limited Sharingan. He knew that mastering this C-rank Lightning Jutsu would pave the way for more advanced techniques, eventually leading him to the famous Chidori.

[This teacher is reliable, Sasuke thought. In fact, Kakashi is the only one who could teach me these techniques as well as Orochimaru might have. Once I master Thunder Snake, it'll lay the foundation for even greater techniques.]

With his Sharingan active, Sasuke followed Kakashi's hand movements, copying each seal and channeling lightning chakra into his palm. The electricity sparked and crackled, slowly forming the shape of a snake. Although the technique wasn't as powerful as Kakashi's, it was a promising start.

Seeing Sasuke's progress, Kakashi couldn't help but smile. "Impressive, Sasuke. You've picked up the basics in record time. That Sharingan certainly helps, but remember, it's your natural talent driving you forward."

As Sasuke managed a more stable Thunder Snake, Kakashi nodded approvingly. "That's enough for today. Practice this technique, and by tomorrow, I'm confident you'll be able to fully control it."

Sasuke exhaled, satisfaction evident on his face. "Thank you, Kakashi-sensei."

Later, as Sasuke walked through Konoha's training grounds, he pondered his recent progress. In just a few days, he had solidified his skills in both Fire and Lightning Style jutsus. With Kakashi's guidance and his team's support, he felt a newfound clarity about his goals and what it meant to be part of Konoha.

---

This new sense of purpose extended to his evening plans with the former classmates he'd invited. Gathering once more at the restaurant, everyone from Team 7 and the other recent graduates assembled, chatting about their missions and training experiences. As Sasuke listened to his peers, he realized just how much they'd all grown since their academy days.

Hinata shyly recounted her latest mission, her quiet voice barely audible amidst the chatter, while Kiba enthusiastically narrated his training with Akamaru. Even Shino shared a rare story, which intrigued everyone.

Observing his friends' progress made Sasuke reflect on his own. While his goals were undeniably different — driven by the legacy of the Uchiha and his need for revenge — he realized that having strong bonds could support him on this path.

After dinner, Ino approached him with a light smile. "Thanks for arranging this, Sasuke-kun. It was nice to see everyone together." Sasuke returned her smile, a quiet acknowledgment of the strength that friendship and teamwork could bring.

As he left the gathering, Sasuke understood that while his ambitions might set him apart, his connection with Konoha and the people in it didn't have to be sacrificed. These bonds would strengthen him, helping him face whatever challenges awaited.

In the weeks that followed, Sasuke's focus sharpened even further, his resolve steeled by the support of his team and his growing skill set. As he looked forward to more training and missions, he knew that his path was just beginning.

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