Yamato returned home, her usual confidence gone, and stood before Uchiha Chiga with a hesitant, almost guilty look.
"Master… I think I caused trouble today," she admitted, stammering slightly.
Chiga raised a brow, his expression calm. "Oh? Tell me about it."
With his power as the wielder of the Suigan no Masshōō (His time based ability), very little in this world truly worried him. Whatever Yamato had done, he knew he could resolve it if necessary.
"I… I hit one of your clansmen today," Yamato confessed.
"Clansman?" Chiga's lips curved into a knowing smirk. "Ah, let me guess. Sasuke?"
"Eh!? Master, you already knew!"
"I didn't even need to think about it."
Among the current Uchiha, Itachi would never clash with Yamato, Obito had softened ever since Rin's return and rarely left her side, and Madara spent most of his time secluded in the clan compound. That left only Sasuke—reckless, prideful Sasuke. Anyone who had followed his story would hardly be surprised to hear he had once again gotten himself beaten.
Black Zetsu, perched nearby, piped up in her usual sly tone.
"Chiga-sama, it really wasn't Yamato's fault. Sasuke insisted on challenging her. She wanted to leave, but he pushed until she fought back."
Chiga gave a small nod. "I see. How is he now?"
"He should be fine. Naruto carried him to the hospital," Black Zetsu replied.
Chiga looked up at Yamato. Despite being her Master, his height was now that of an ordinary man. Standing before Yamato's towering figure, he had to tilt his head slightly upward.
"Then it's not a big matter. Why hang your head like that?"
The moment she heard it was fine, Yamato's face brightened. She leaned against him playfully and grinned.
"I knew Master wouldn't blame me. You're the best!"
"Tch… you," Chiga muttered, shaking his head in half-hearted exasperation.
Before anything more could be said, a knock came at the door. Yamato quickly rushed to open it.
Standing outside was Uchiha Itachi.
He blinked, momentarily startled by Yamato's size, then gave her a polite nod. "You must be Yamato. My name is Uchiha Itachi. I've come to see Uchiha Chiga-sama."
"Another of Master's clansmen? Please, come in!" Yamato stepped aside, making the already small-framed Itachi look even slighter in comparison as he entered.
Approaching Chiga, Itachi was about to speak, but Chiga cut him off with a knowing look.
"Itachi. You're here about Sasuke, aren't you?"
"Yes, Chiga-sama. But please don't misunderstand—this time Sasuke truly brought it on himself. I only came to discuss his desire to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan."
"Oh? He finally reached that point?"
Itachi nodded. His face, however, betrayed unease. He explained that Madara had offered to help Sasuke, but the thought of Madara's methods troubled him deeply. After all, Obito was living proof of how harshly Madara could manipulate an Uchiha to awaken their power.
"I considered using Tsukuyomi to trigger his eyes," Itachi admitted, "but the chance of success is slim. Sasuke subconsciously resists Genjutsu, and his three-tomoe Sharingan has been honed to the limit. He sees through illusions too easily."
Black Zetsu folded her arms, speaking with unusual seriousness. "I've seen countless Uchiha awaken their Mangekyō. For Sasuke, there are two key triggers—Naruto and you, Itachi. But to truly push him over the edge… it won't be simple."
Chiga chuckled softly. He reached forward and tapped Itachi's forehead with two fingers.
"You didn't come only to tell me this. You're looking for insurance, aren't you?"
Caught off guard, Itachi stiffened. His cheeks warmed with rare embarrassment.
Chiga's abilities—the Netherworld Rebirth and Suigan no Masshōō—offered safeguards beyond measure. With him present, even fatal mistakes could be undone. That assurance was exactly what Itachi sought.
Chiga's smile deepened. "Tell me, Itachi. Does Sasuke know you came here today?"
"He… should know."
"Perfect. That will make this believable. Yamato!"
"Yes, Master?" Yamato answered quickly.
"Fight him again," Chiga said simply.
Both Yamato and Itachi blinked in surprise.
"Eh!? Master, is that really alright?" Yamato asked. "I just sent his younger brother to the hospital. Now you want me to fight the elder?"
She eyed Itachi up and down, doubt flickering across her face. "Honestly, he looks even weaker than Sasuke…"
Chiga smirked. "It's fine. Strike as hard as you can. If anything happens, I'll cover for you."
That assurance was enough for Yamato. Her hesitation melted away, replaced by her usual bold grin. "Alright then! If Master says so, I'll hit with everything I've got!"
Itachi quickly understood the plan. By letting himself be struck down in front of Sasuke, he could ignite the spark needed to awaken his brother's eyes. He bowed slightly to Yamato.
"In that case, I'll trouble you. Please don't hold back."
"No trouble at all!" Yamato replied cheerfully.
With the decision made, Chiga wasted no time and sent them both to the Uchiha training grounds, where their clash would unfold under carefully crafted circumstances.
The two faced each other across the wide stone floor. For a moment, neither moved. Then Itachi drew in a steadying breath and summoned the first form of his Susanoo, the skeletal giant rising behind him. Its bone arm swung heavily toward Yamato.
Her eyes lit up with excitement. "So this is the Susanoo of another Uchiha! Perfect—I've always wanted to face one head-on!"
With a shout, she drove her fist into its palm. Even without Haki, her sheer physical power was overwhelming. The skeletal Susanoo staggered backward under the blow.
Itachi gritted his teeth. The force of that single punch reminded him how fortunate Sasuke was to be alive after his reckless duel.
Realizing the skeletal form was insufficient, Itachi willed armor to spread across the Susanoo's frame. He did not draw the Totsuka Blade but instead raised the Yata Mirror, bracing it in front of him.
Yamato's grin widened. She hefted her spiked club and charged.
Their collision shook the air, the clash of overwhelming strength and impenetrable defense echoing across the grounds.
Meanwhile, in the hospital, a member of Konoha's Dark Ops rushed into Sasuke's room, breathless.
"Sasuke! Your brother and Yamato are fighting right now!"
Sasuke's eyes shot open, his face pale. "What!?"
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