Sasuke sat silently in a dark, dank dungeon, his back against the cold stone wall, arms loosely resting on his knees. Dim torchlight flickered in uneven patterns, casting shadows across the oppressive, narrow space. He was surrounded by the members of the Akatsuki, each one seemingly staring at him with varying degrees of interest, distrust, and malice.

     In front of him stood their leader, a towering figure radiating an aura of authority and menace. Sasuke's head shifted slowly from chakra signature to chakra signature—the unmistakable figure of Kisame with his shark-like grin, the silent and contemplative Konan, Hidan with his bloodthirsty expression, Kakuzu's eyes gleaming with calculated greed, and others, all forming a semicircle around him. The atmosphere was tense, as if waiting for someone to make the first move.

     "What the fuck is going on here?" Sasuke muttered to himself, his voice low but echoing through the stone chamber.

     His thoughts were chaotic, racing through the events that had led to this moment. Somewhere in his mind, a realization crystallized—this was beyond a mere act of chance. The Sage of Six Paths had truly cursed him. Every decision, every action, seemed to pull him into darkness, into situations beyond his control. Even now, after severing his ties with the Uchiha Clan's bloodline and trying to make amends in his own way, the cycle continued.

     But how had it come to this? Sasuke replayed the series of events in his head...

...

     It had been an ordinary day when he set off from Uzushiogakure's ruins, moving towards the next village on his list. The journey was uneventful at first, with nothing more than a few encounters with hostile bandits. Sasuke dispatched them with ease, barely needing to draw his blade. Along the way, he came across an elderly villager with a twisted ankle hobbling down the dirt path.

     "Let me take a look at that," Sasuke offered.

     The old man hesitated, but Sasuke's presence was commanding, leaving little room for argument. With a few precise movements, Sasuke channeled chakra into his hands, healing the injury in seconds. The villager's eyes widened with gratitude, and he bowed deeply.

     "Thank you, shinobi-sama."

     Sasuke merely nodded, continuing on his way. The interaction left a strange warmth in his chest—something akin to satisfaction. As he journeyed further, he stumbled upon another group of bandits harassing a young couple. This time, Sasuke didn't hold back. He dispatched them swiftly, his hands moving in a blur as he eliminated each threat with calculated precision.

     When he finally reached the village, Sasuke immediately sought out a scribe. He wanted to update Naruto and Sakura on his travels, to let them know he was still alive and moving forward. After a short search, he located a small shop tucked away on the outskirts. The scribe inside looked up, startled by the presence of a shinobi.

     "I need a letter written," Sasuke said, placing a small pouch of ryo on the counter. "For two people in Konoha. Include two trinkets for them and one for someone named Kakashi."

     The scribe nodded, his hands trembling slightly as he set about his task. Sasuke dictated the contents of the letter, keeping it brief but meaningful. He talked about his travels, his healing work, and the places he had visited, keeping the tone impersonal but genuine.

     Once the letter was sealed and the payment made, Sasuke turned away, deciding to spend the night in the village. As evening fell he found himself wandering into a small bar, the faint sound of clinking glasses and murmured conversations drawing him in. He sat at the counter and ordered a simple cup of sake. The alcohol was smooth, providing a brief respite from the thoughts swirling in his mind.

     But his peace was short-lived.

     He felt it before he saw it—an all too familiar presence entering the bar. The chakra signature was distinct, brimming with explosive energy and an unnerving calmness. Sasuke didn't even have to sense who it was. Deidara's presence was unmistakable. Alongside him was another figure whose chakra felt... warped, as if it was trying too hard to mask something.

     "Yo, Uchiha," Deidara greeted, plopping down on the stool beside Sasuke and ordering a drink. "Fancy meeting you here, un."

     Sasuke didn't respond, his facial expression narrowing as he sipped his sake. He could feel Deidara's gaze boring into him, but he refused to take the bait. He wasn't interested in a confrontation, not here, not now.

     Deidara leaned in closer, a smirk playing on his lips. "You know, Itachi came back from a mission a while ago not looking like he was about to drop dead, yeah? Strange, considering the state he was in before."

     Sasuke's grip tightened slightly around his cup. "What are you getting at?"

     "I had Tobi pester him for answers," Deidara continued, scooting even closer, invading Sasuke's personal space. "But Itachi wouldn't say a word. So I thought to myself—who could have possibly healed Itachi, un? Who's the only medical shinobi I know of with such a skillset?"

     Sasuke's face flickered with annoyance. "And you think it's me?"

     "Pretty sure, yeah. You're quite infamous in the underground, you know. Word gets around, un." Deidara grinned, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous light. "Plus, you did get involved in that little skirmish in the Bloody Mist, didn't you?"

     "Get to the point," Sasuke demanded, taking another drink.

     "Our leader's interested in you," Deidara said nonchalantly. "He wants to meet you personally. Why don't you join us? You'll fit right in."

     Sasuke let out a short, humorless laugh. "Not interested."

     "Why not?" Another voice piped up, this one belonging to the odd man known as Tobi. "Actually... why can't we just kidnap him, Deidara-senpai?"

     Sasuke's face narrowed a bit. Tobi's tone was playful, almost childlike, but there was something dark lurking underneath. It reminded Sasuke of an animal biding its time, waiting for the perfect opportunity strike...like a snake.

     "Why don't we, un?" Deidara said, leaning back and crossing his arms, eyes fixed on Sasuke. "You're not exactly leaving us with many options, Uchiha."

     Sasuke sighed, his shoulders dropping. "Fine. Have it your way."

     He felt Tobi's chakra flare up and Deidara's fingers twitch, readying for action, but instead of fighting Sasuke simply allowed them to take him. He knew he could have escaped if he wanted, but something about the encounter intrigued him. Maybe it was the strange aura Tobi gave off, or maybe he was just tired of running for once. Either way, he let himself get bound and transported, feeling the tug of space-time manipulation as they teleported him to an unfamiliar dungeon.

...

     And now he was here, surrounded by Akatsuki, their leader's eyes piercing through the darkness, examining him.

     "Welcome, Uchiha Sasuke," the leader spoke, voice deep and commanding. "It seems fate has led you to us."

     Sasuke's face hardened. "I don't believe in fate."

     The leader chuckled softly, a dark, unsettling sound. "You may not, but the world has a way of pulling people together for a purpose."

     Sasuke said nothing, his mind racing. How much longer would this curse—the one he carried from the Sage himself—continue to try and control his path? He clenched his fists, the chains around his wrists rattling softly.

     Sasuke narrowed his expression at the Akatsuki members gathered around him, their leader towering over the rest. He could feel the tension in the air, but he decided to seize this opportunity. If they thought they could use him as a pawn then he'd turn it around to his advantage.

     "Hypothetically," Sasuke began slowly, his voice calm, "how exactly would I be of any benefit to the Akatsuki?"

     The question hung in the air like a heavy fog. The members exchanged glances, some curious, others suspicious. Sasuke let his shoulders slump slightly as he sighed, putting on the facade of someone resigned and defeated.

     "Not that I could be of much use anyway." He let out a hollow chuckle. "As you can see, I'm blind. I can't do much of anything these days."

     Some of the Akatsuki members shifted uneasily. Kisame's grin faltered while Konan's eyes narrowed. Pein, however, remained unperturbed, his eyes fixed on Sasuke as if seeing through every layer of deception.

     "Lies," Pein said bluntly, his voice carrying a weight of absolute certainty.

     Sasuke tilted his head slightly, giving the barest hint of a smile. "You think so?"

     "I know so," Pein responded coldly. "You're a medical ninja—one with skills that far surpass any ordinary shinobi. Do not pretend to be helpless."

     "Is that what you want?" Sasuke asked, curiosity piqued. He leaned forward slightly, showing a bit more interest. "For me to use my healing abilities for your cause?"

     Pein shook his head. "That is not the sole reason we sought you out. You and I share a common goal, Uchiha Sasuke: to kill Orochimaru."

     At that, Sasuke's attention was on him. "What do you know about Orochimaru?"

     "Enough," Pein replied simply. "He's a threat to our plans, a snake that needs to be cut down before he becomes too dangerous to control. You have history with him. We can use that to our advantage."

     Sasuke let the words sink in, calculating his response. Was Pein attempting to manipulate him into joining them by appealing to old grudges? It was almost laughable, but he decided to play along, to let Pein continue.

     "And what makes you think I'm interested in killing him?" Sasuke asked nonchalantly.

     "You are not as indifferent as you pretend to be," Pein said, his Rinnegan eyes boring into Sasuke's soul with an almost ethereal intensity. "You still have hatred in your heart, but it has not consumed you like it did the rest of your clan."

     A silence fell over the dungeon, the sound of water dripping from the ceiling the only noise echoing through the stone chamber. The other Akatsuki members watched the exchange in silence, each waiting to see what Sasuke would do next.

     "Why is that?" Pein asked softly. "Why have you not fallen prey to the Uchiha's curse of hatred?"

     Sasuke shrugged, his expression apathetic. "Maybe I'm just not that interested in revenge. Maybe it's more trouble than it's worth."

     Pein observed him intently, as if searching for any sign of dishonesty. But Sasuke's face remained steady, unfazed by the scrutiny.

     "Interesting," Pein murmured, his voice barely a whisper.

     He then turned away, signaling for the others to follow. One by one, the Akatsuki members filed out of the dungeon, leaving Sasuke alone once more. The heavy door clanged shut behind them, the echo reverberating through the emptiness.

     Sasuke exhaled slowly, allowing the mask of indifference to slip. He leaned back against the wall, feeling the cool metal of the shackles still binding his wrists. How did he always end up in these absurd situations? He let out a dry chuckle.

     "Why do these things always happen to me?" Sasuke muttered under his breath.

...

    Meanwhile, back in Konoha Naruto and Sakura were in anything but a good mood. Tensions had been high ever since Tsunade had called them into her office to introduce their new teammate—a mysterious boy who called himself Sai.

     Naruto had scoffed when he saw Sai, remembering the brief altercation they'd had in the marketplace a few days earlier.

     "You're kidding, right?" Naruto had grumbled. "This guy?"

     Sakura's initial impression of Sai was no better. Everything about him screamed "fake," from his overly polite demeanor to the plastered-on smile he wore. She found herself immediately distrustful of him.

     Training sessions had been a disaster. Naruto and Sai were constantly at each other's throats, their clashing personalities making it impossible for any real progress to be made. Kakashi and Sakura spent more time breaking up their fights than training.

     Once, Sai had made the mistake of mentioning Sasuke's name in a disparaging manner. Before anyone could blink, Sakura had launched him through several trees with a single punch, her superhuman strength sending shockwaves through the training ground. She'd cracked her knuckles afterward, a dangerous glint in her eyes as she glared at Sai's crumpled form.

     "He says one more word about Sasuke and I'll break more than just his ribs," Sakura muttered darkly, her voice laced with venom.

     Now, as Sakura and Naruto arrived at Team Seven's usual training grounds, they were greeted by Kakashi, who was already waiting with Sai. The atmosphere was strained, to say the least.

     "Glad you could join us," Kakashi said, giving them a lazy wave. "I've decided that today Sai will spar with Naruto and I'll spar with Sakura."

     Sai's smile didn't reach his eyes as he stepped forward to face Naruto. The two immediately began trading blows, their attacks fierce and unrelenting. Kakashi and Sakura watched for a moment before Kakashi motioned for her to begin their own sparring session.

     For the next hour, Kakashi focused on helping Sakura improve her already impressive taijutsu skills. Being Tsunade's pupil, she was already strong and precise, but Kakashi offered advice on refining her technique, showing her how to move more fluidly and efficiently.

     "Remember, it's not just about strength," Kakashi said, blocking one of her punches and countering with a swift kick. "You need to anticipate your opponent's movements."

     Sakura nodded, sweat dripping down her forehead as she continued to spar with him. After a while the two paused to catch their breath, glancing over at Naruto and Sai.

     Naruto had somehow managed to tie Sai up with ninja wire, using the teen's own paintbrush to scribble comical doodles all over his face. Sakura chuckled at the sight, a genuine smile breaking through her earlier frustration.

     "You never change, do you, Naruto?" Sakura said, playfully punching his shoulder.

     Kakashi sighed, shaking his head as he moved to free Sai. Throughout it all, Sai maintained that fake smile of his, even as he brushed the paint off his cheeks.

     "Let's call it a day," Kakashi said, rubbing the back of his neck. "We've got a mission coming up soon. Get some rest."

     As they packed up to leave, Sakura found her thoughts drifting. She glanced up at the sky, wondering aloud, "I wonder how Sasuke is doing right now..."

...

     Back in the dungeon, Sasuke was still seated, his expression impassive as he tried to clear his mind. Footsteps echoed through the hallway, approaching him. He lifted his head, sensing the familiar chakra signature before the figure even stepped into the light.

     Itachi stood before him, his expression as inscrutable as ever. Without a word, Itachi drew a small tanto blade and sliced through the shackles binding Sasuke's wrists. The metal clattered to the ground and Sasuke slowly got to his feet.

     "Itachi," Sasuke greeted, his tone almost casual despite the circumstances. "What are you doing here?"

     Itachi sheathed the blade, his gaze never leaving Sasuke's face. "I should be asking you the same thing. How did you get yourself dragged into this mess?"

     Sasuke shrugged. "Got kidnapped by two weirdos while drinking at a bar. I didn't bother fighting them since that would just be a waste of time."

     Itachi sighed, the barest hint of irritation crossing his features. "This did not go as I planned."

     Sasuke raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Planned?"

     "I made it very clear to Pein that you were off-limits," Itachi explained, his voice quiet but firm. "I didn't think he'd disregard my warning so blatantly."

     A snort escaped Sasuke's lips. "Clearly your "plans" didn't work out well in the long run."

     Itachi's expression softened slightly, a rare show of emotion from him. "It seems that way."

     With a quick glance around, Itachi motioned for Sasuke to follow him. "Come. We're leaving."

      Sasuke hesitated only for a moment before falling into step behind his brother. They moved silently through the dungeon's winding corridors, avoiding guards and slipping past traps with practiced ease.

      Once outside the prison, they made their way through the rain-soaked streets of Amegakure, careful not to draw any attention. As they neared the edge of the village, Sasuke glanced back, sensing a faint movement from nearby.

     Obito—no, Tobi—watched from the darkness, a glint of amusement in his lone visible eye. He made no move to stop them, merely observing as they slipped away.

     "Interesting..." Obito murmured to himself, a smirk forming beneath his mask. "This development should prove... entertaining."

      He vanished into the shadows, leaving Itachi and Sasuke to make their escape.