At the Fire Temple.
Sasuke Uchiha successfully met with Chiriku.
Clad in white monk robes, his serene expression radiated the aura of an enlightened elder.
"I am Sasuke Uchiha."
Sasuke Uchiha took out the order given by Natsume and said, "I was ordered to protect the Fire Temple."
Chiriku silently accepted the document and glanced over it. Everything seemed in order.
He was familiar with Asuma Sarutobi and had seen many orders from Konoha's Hokage before, so this one seemed authentic enough.
Plus they were within the Land of Fire, making forgery extremely unlikely.
But Sasuke's youthful appearance made Chiriku question Natsume's sincerity.
Is this kid really up to the task?
Natsume's strength and reputation were already well recognized in the ninja world.
However, his three students had not yet earned the same recognition.
Although they'd completed several S-rank missions, Natsume's towering presence naturally cast a shadow over their accomplishments.
It was only natural, then, that Sasuke Uchiha was underestimated.
Especially since he truly was very young.
"Please come in."
Chiriku put away the order and gave a peaceful smile.
The Fire Temple was one of the shinobi forces in the Land of Fire,
but nowhere near as powerful as Konoha Village.
Sasuke Uchiha was the Hokage's apprentice,
so naturally Chiriku had to treat him with respect.
Sasuke followed him into the Fire Temple.
Inside stood a grand Buddha statue and dozens of monks in deep meditation.
He swept his gaze across the room and detected multiple chakra fluctuations—
yet some felt strangely familiar yet distinct at the same time.
A puzzling thought stirred in his mind—what exactly was going on with these monks?
Why did their chakra feel so similar to Sage Chakra?
It wasn't unreasonable for him to be so direct.
It was because he had just suffered a defeat at Ryuchi Cave.
Having faced a powerful Sage Mode and failed to master it, he couldn't help but feel curious now.
Facing a powerful Sage Mode, he had failed to master it.
Now encountering a chakra that seemed somewhat similar, he naturally couldn't hold back.
Upon hearing this, Chiriku smiled.
He didn't find the question offensive at all.
After all, it wasn't really a secret.
He replied, "It's a special power granted to those of the Immortal Lineage—those who hold reverence and devotion toward Buddha."
Sasuke Uchiha fell into contemplation.
Given that it belonged to the Immortal Lineage, it was clearly tied to Natural Energy.
As for reverence and devotion, perhaps it leaned more toward spiritual energy.
Sasuke hesitated, wanting to say something else but couldn't find the words.
He wanted to ask if he could attempt to practice it, but would such a secret technique ever be shared with him?
In the end, he could only sigh.
He decided after completing the mission, he would return to Natsume—he might have a solution.
Night descended.
Asleep and undisturbed, Sasuke Uchiha suddenly jolted awake.
"This chakra… Could it be Naruto?"
He froze in disbelief.
What was Naruto Uzumaki doing here?
Thinking this, Sasuke Uchiha got out of bed.
He stepped out and followed the trail of chakra to a specific room.
Through the window, he saw a little boy.
His body was currently glowing with a crimson light.
Nine-Tails chakra.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes.
Not Naruto, but still wielding Nine-Tails chakra?
What was going on here?
A spark of excitement stirred inside him.
If he could uncover the truth and report it to Natsume, it would be a major accomplishment.
After all, the Nine-Tails was originally unique to Konoha Village.
For Fire Temple to have something like this was clearly unnatural.
Natsume had always treated him kindly, and he'd longed for a chance to repay her—until now.
Now finally, he had a chance.
Sasuke Uchiha activated his Mangekyō Sharingan.
His vision became much clearer.
Though it lacked the Byakugan's ability to see through solid objects, he still managed to gather quite a bit of useful intelligence.
For example, this boy's chakra reserves were far below Naruto Uzumaki's.
As if it were a counterfeit.
Even so, the chakra was still astonishingly strong.
Stronger than most Jonin.
Sasuke pondered slightly.
He considered taking advantage of the situation and capturing him.
But just then, three figures appeared suddenly.
Sasuke immediately stopped in his tracks.
One man and two women.
The man was quite muscular, with a square face, wearing a plain coat.
The older woman was elaborately dressed, looking flamboyant.
She had black eyeliner, pink eyeshadow, and purple lipstick.
Additionally, she wore deep pink earrings and a solid black neck ring—her shoulders were broad and her curves eye-catching.
The other woman wore light makeup; her face looked youthful, almost too full of life.
Most noticeable was her delicate appearance and crimson hair.
Sasuke instinctively turned toward her.
Not because she was beautiful, but due to the dark expression in her chakra.
Radiating from her body—especially her hair—was a thick Yin Release energy.
It made Sasuke rather puzzled.
She seemed less like a human and more like a creature of Yin Release.
Although, only because he possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan could he detect the anomaly.
"Ku acting up again," Fuyo snorted lightly. "Fire Temple's sealing techniques can't compare to Konoha's."
"Don't talk like that, Fuyo," the man called Fudou said expressionlessly.
Fuyo, the red-haired woman, upon hearing this, stepped forward without asking any questions and began forming Hand Seals.
Clearly, this wasn't their first time dealing with this.
Instantly, the boy Ku was immobilized, and his chakra gradually receded into his body.
"Relying on Genjutsu every time isn't really solving anything," Fuyo said, twirling a strand of her crimson hair. "Maybe we should return to Konoha and bring in a ninja skilled in sealing techniques."
"What? Are you trying to profit again?" Fuyo replied with slight dissatisfaction.
"[Dead Demon Consuming Seal] and [Dead Demon Reincarnation] are the only jutsu that can fully utilize another's body," Fuyo smiled.
"Enough," Fudou said with a slight frown. "Konoha's too dangerous right now. Charging in recklessly could get us killed."
"What if we just left the Land of Fire altogether?"
Fuyo sighed deeply. "Before his death, Boss Kazuma entrusted us with his son Ku, asking us to make him the Nine-Tailed Fox's Jinchuriki so he could take revenge on Konoha later. But now, it's become much harder."
"We have little Nine-Tailed Fox with us. No matter where we go, we'll be treated as honored guests. Why keep insisting on fighting Konoha Village?"
...
Fuyo folded his arms and said, "We've already done more than enough for him."
Fudou remained silent.
"And it's already been ten years since Boss Kazuma passed away," Fuyo continued.
Suddenly, Fuyo turned around. "Who are you?!"
A sound slowly faded into the distance.
The three immediately rushed out but found no trace of anyone.
"Could it be a monk from the Fire Temple?" Fuyo asked nervously.
"If they were, it wouldn't be a problem," Fudou said, scanning the area carefully but finding nothing.
"Maybe it wasn't them," Fuyo frowned. "Just now I sensed a surge of Yin Release power."
"Ask Chiriku about it tomorrow," Fudou said solemnly.
Sasuke Uchiha had returned to his room.
He took out some paper and ink and quickly jotted down everything he'd overheard. Even if he had been detected, he had already gathered the key information—Kazuma, little Nine-Tailed Fox, plotting against Konoha. Combined, these pieces formed a significant intelligence report.
After finishing the note, Sasuke summoned one of his summoned beasts—a serpent from Ryuchi Cave.
"Deliver this message back to Konoha Village. Give it to either the Anbu or the Hokage," Sasuke thought for a moment before saying.
With a puff of smoke, the serpent vanished.
The next day.
As soon as Sasuke Uchiha woke up, he heard knocking on the door.
He dressed properly and opened the door.
"The Head Priest requests your presence," the monk said.
Nodding, Sasuke became alert inside.
Considering Ku was being raised here at the Fire Temple, clearly related to Chiriku?
In this situation, especially after possibly being discovered, did they want to kill him to cover things up?
However, he felt no fear at all.
Outside a few individuals, nobody would stand a chance against his Mangekyo Sharingan.
Following behind the monk, Sasuke arrived at the main hall.
"Uchiha Sasuke."
Chiriku hesitated briefly before asking, "Did you leave your room last night?"
"I did."
Sasuke admitted directly.
Three figures suddenly leapt out, surrounding Sasuke.
"You promised me you wouldn't kill him!" Chiriku hurriedly said. "Take Ku and leave this place."
"That won't work," Fuyo licked his lips, his handsome face twisting with greed. "This is an Uchiha we're talking about."
"That's right," Fuyo sneered coldly. "Capture him. He should give us several sealing techniques without much trouble."
"That would be a terrible waste," Fuyo stared intently at Sasuke. "His body must be extraordinary. Who knows? Maybe once I take him, I could even use the Sharingan myself."
"Have you lost your mind?"
Chiriku could no longer maintain his calm expression. "In your current situation, provoking Konoha Village is tantamount to seeking your own doom!"
"This isn't necessarily true."
Fuyo waved her hand and said, "Since you provided us with the sealing technique, this matter no longer concerns you."
This was largely due to Chiriku not being weak in power.
If they fought, the three of them would be at a disadvantage.
Unless they deployed Ku, the jinchuriki of the miniature Nine-Tails.
After hesitating for a moment, Chiriku said, "You guys go outside to fight."
He intended to remain neutral.
As for any blame from Konoha Village, it didn't really matter much.
He could report directly to the Fire Daimyo, who could mediate on his behalf.
Besides, he hadn't acted against Konoha—everything had been done by Fudou, Fuyo, and Fuyu.
Sasuke Uchiha gave a light chuckle and turned toward the temple's exit.
"This guy sure stays composed."
Fuyo expressed some surprise and asked, "Could he have an ace up his sleeve?"
"At his age, at most he's just a chunin," Fuyu scoffed. "If you're afraid, leave him to me."
"A brat like him? Do you think I'm scared?"
Fuyo stepped outside the hall and began forming hand seals rapidly.
[Earth Release: Flying Sands and Stones!]
The ground beneath her shattered, sending shards of rock soaring into the air.
"Little bro, don't blame your big sister later, okay?"
"..."
Sasuke Uchiha had no words.
Just how much had he been underestimated?
His katana slid smoothly from its sheath.
A brilliant arc of lightning erupted outward.
[Lightning Cutter!]
Sasuke's figure vanished in an instant, leaving only the piercing cry of a thousand birds behind.
"What?!"
A surge of danger coursed through her.
This chapter isn't over yet — more excitement ahead!
Fuyo's expression changed drastically.
She quickly stepped back.
At the same time, a massive stone pillar rose up in front of her as a shield.
Bang!
The pillar shattered instantly.
A long blade wrapped in lightning emerged from the dust and pierced straight into Fuyo's body.
Crackling noises rang out.
Her entire body was seared black.
"Fuyo!"
Fudou stared in stunned disbelief.
Sasuke Uchiha was too fast—for Fudou to even attempt a rescue.
"Three-Tomoe Sharingan?!"
Fuyu couldn't help exclaiming in shock. "He's so young—how does he already have a Three-Tomoe Sharingan?"
Meanwhile, Sasuke himself was somewhat confused as well.
Why was she so weak?
He had assumed that since Fuyo was so arrogant, she must've had some skill.
Still wary of facing someone as strong as the Third Raikage again, Sasuke immediately unleashed his Lightning Cutter.
He hadn't expected it to be this easy.
Actually, this was partly Natsume's fault.
The missions he gave involved opponents like Zabuza Momochi, Moryo, and the Third Raikage—all elite fighters in the ninja world.
Now, Sasuke was finally facing an ordinary ninja.
Yet oddly, he found himself unprepared for it.
"Darn brat!"
Fudou roared in fury as chakra surged through him, whipping up a violent whirlwind.
Several stone pillars erupted around Sasuke, interlocking to form a prison that trapped him inside.
Seeing this, Fuyu formed rapid hand seals.
Though she never particularly liked Fuyo, they had worked together for ten years.
Naturally, she wanted vengeance for her fallen partner.
[Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes Technique!]
Phantom stakes pierced his limbs. He immediately froze in place, stunned.
Sasuke Uchiha turned his gaze toward Fuyo.
"Little boy."
Fuyo recoiled in fear but quickly masked it with a sultry smile, saying, "Come closer, little brother. Let me show you true pleasure."
Sasuke Uchiha remained unmoved.
[Earth Release: Mud Servant Technique!]
The earth liquefied beneath him, ensnaring Sasuke Uchiha.
Fuyo activated Flash Movement, appearing directly before him, her bright red lips pressing forward.
"…?"
Sasuke Uchiha's eyes narrowed. He pushed off with both legs, quickly leaping backward.
He hurled his samurai sword straight ahead.
Enhanced by electricity, it pierced straight through Fuyo's body.
But there was no blood.
She yanked the blade free, her hair swirling as her body twisted—and the wound vanished.
Sasuke Uchiha tilted his head slightly.
This wasn't healing—she had completely shifted into another body.
What kind of technique was this?
As these thoughts crossed his mind, Sasuke Uchiha's hands rapidly formed seals.
[Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique!]
An enormous fire dragon roared outward.
Fuyo's eyes widened.
[Water Release: Malevolent Stream!]
She parted her lips, unleashing a spiraling torrent of water around her.
But when it met the fire dragon, it evaporated instantly.
Desperate, Fuyo whirled around and fled.
She had already lost confidence in fighting.
Just then, a shadow appeared, reaching out to grip her neck.
It was Natsume wearing a mask.
He had been there for some time already.
Observing Sasuke Uchiha's battle alongside Kakuzu.
Natsume found Fuyo particularly fascinating.
In the original story, she belonged to Kazuma, one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja.
A hair spirit.
That's right—her true form was just her hair.
Her body was a borrowed vessel.
That made things far more intriguing.
As for Kakuzu, he had his eyes on Sasuke Uchiha's heart.
Four thousand characters.
Chapter End
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