Yamato's strength after years of training in the Pirate World had already reached the peak of the Shichibukai. For Sasuke, who had yet to awaken his Mangekyō Sharingan, she was an insurmountable wall.
Sasuke understood the gap, but pride refused to let him accept defeat so easily.
Naruto sighed, stepping forward. He placed a hand on Sasuke's shoulder, his voice carrying a mixture of sympathy and reason.
"Forget it, Sasuke. Yamato-san is Uchiha Chiga's disciple. Losing to her isn't shameful."
The moment the words left his mouth, he regretted them.
"Go stand aside! This has nothing to do with you!" Sasuke roared, jerking Naruto's hand away.
Naruto froze at his outburst, then muttered, "I was only trying to help you. After all—"
"Get out of my way!" Sasuke shoved him aside, lightning surging around his hand once more.
Yamato frowned, signaling Black Zetsu to remain behind her. She turned back toward Sasuke, gripping her spiked club. Her tone was as cold as steel.
"It seems the only way to calm you down is to beat you into submission."
Rather than discouragement, a wild gleam lit Sasuke's eyes. He shouted, "Good! Show me your true strength!"
A low hum filled the air. The color of Yamato's club deepened as her expression sharpened. In a single instant she appeared before Sasuke. The Chidori Stream he had prepared struck her, but it was little more than a spark against thunderclouds.
Bathed in the glow of crackling lightning, Yamato swung her club.
"Thunder Bagua!"
Though she held back and her weapon never touched him directly, the sheer force of her strike sent Sasuke flying. He coughed blood violently, the crimson pooling down his lips. His eyes, briefly tinged with rage and ambition, reverted to their normal black, as if beaten back into submission.
Thud!
Sasuke fell to his knees before collapsing flat on the ground.
Startled, Yamato dropped her club, caught him by the back of the neck, and hoisted him up with one arm.
"Hey! Stay with me. Don't you dare pass out! Say something!"
Sasuke's eyelids fluttered. "I'm fine… just tired…"
"No! You can't sleep now!" Yamato panicked, her usual composure crumbling. "I should've ignored your stubbornness…"
Naruto dashed over, grabbing Sasuke from her arms and cradling him in a princess carry.
Sasuke groaned, rolling his eyes. "Why are you here again? Stay out of my business…"
Black Zetsu jabbed Yamato's arm with his elbow, smirking as he nodded toward Sasuke.
"See? I told you. All Uchiha are hopelessly tsundere."
Yamato gave an incredulous nod. "Unbelievable. He's on death's door and still this stubborn…"
Naruto, far too used to his friend's attitude, bowed apologetically. "Sorry, Yamato-san. He's caused you trouble."
Since the resurrection of Minato and Kushina, Naruto had become far more polite, carrying himself like someone who truly knew the value of family. He had seen everything—Sasuke was practically begging for disaster. If Yamato hadn't pulled her strike, Sasuke might have needed Uchiha Chiga's intervention to bring him back from the brink.
Yamato's expression softened slightly. "Take him for treatment quickly. His body is too fragile. If anything happens, Master will be displeased."
"Pfft!" Sasuke coughed another spurt of blood, whether from his injuries or sheer indignation, it was impossible to tell. Naruto wasted no time, vanishing in a blur of motion with Sasuke in his arms.
Once they were gone, Yamato shook her head, retrieving her weapon.
"Master's clansman is far too weak. Holding back like that was frustrating."
Black Zetsu shrugged. "Didn't I warn you? He's the youngest of them all. Strong willpower, but when it comes to strength, he's probably the weakest. Don't expect much of a fight."
"I see. My expectations were too high." Yamato pouted, resting her club on her shoulder before departing with him.
---
Later, in the hospital, Sasuke lay swathed in bandages like a mummy. Madara and Itachi stood at his bedside, their gazes fixed on him with different shades of emotion.
Itachi's eyes brimmed with both worry and helplessness. He already knew what had happened. Sasuke had chased after Yamato with reckless obsession, unwilling to let her leave unless she proved herself over him. If she hadn't restrained herself at every turn, Sasuke might not even be breathing now.
Madara folded his arms, his tone cutting.
"Hmph. You still don't grasp the weight of power. If Yamato were your enemy, you'd be dead a thousand times over."
Though his words were merciless, there was a faint flicker of concern in his gaze.
Sasuke grimaced but couldn't even turn his head. Out of sheer stubbornness, he shut his eyes, refusing to meet Madara's stare.
But Madara wasn't finished.
"What? Don't like hearing the truth? Do you expect me to praise your spirit, tell you that challenging her was admirable? Fool. In the Warring States era, someone like you wouldn't have lasted a day."
"Enough!" Sasuke snapped, eyes snapping open. "If I had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, I wouldn't have lost so miserably!"
Madara raised a brow. "So, you desire the Mangekyō?"
"Of course! Even Kakashi has one. And I'm stuck with nothing more than three tomoe…"
He turned away slightly, bracing himself for a scolding. But instead, Madara gave a rare nod.
"You're right. You should awaken your Mangekyō."
For ordinary shinobi, strength came from relentless training—refining chakra, honing taijutsu. But for the Uchiha, a leap in evolution could come with the eyes themselves. Unfair as it seemed, the Sharingan had always been the clan's destiny.
Madara considered it natural. For Kakashi, the Sharingan was borrowed power. For Sasuke, it was his birthright. And if anyone knew how to force that evolution, it was Madara himself.
Itachi's eyes narrowed in unease. He understood the agony of awakening the Mangekyō, and ever since peace had returned, he had abandoned any thought of dragging Sasuke through such torment. Yet Madara's tone suggested otherwise.
Sasuke's road was far from over. And the path toward his Mangekyō would test not only his body but also his soul.
_____
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