It was a long, painful process to claw his way back to full consciousness, his hands grasping the ground to try to push himself to his hands and knees. What... what was that? He can hear voices past a distant ringing in his ears, was that... the Uchiha and his little teammate fangirl?

And what was that about...?

"Defection?" His voice is a harsh, dry sound as he manages to turn his attention completely to them, forcing his Byakugan to activate through the pounding pain in his head. Concussion...?