A team of medical ninja rushed over—they'd clearly watched Sasuke Uchiha's fight too.
After lifting Ryohta Yamazaki onto a stretcher, their eyes turned toward Sasuke.
"Let us help you with your wounds," one said. Actually, Sasuke's injuries were all minor and didn't really require special treatment.
Even so, they still insisted—because of the black mark on his neck. They believed it needed attention.
"You can't handle that," Kakashi-sensei said flatly.
Then, he leapt to stand beside Sasuke.
"Just leave it to me."
Hearing this, the medical ninja exchanged helpless glances. Naturally, that kind of assessment made sense in front of a Jonin.
Still, they weren't upset—if a Jonin had to step in, it probably meant it was a high-level cursed seal or jutsu.
"Kakashi-sensei, can I stay here and watch their match proceed?"
Sasuke asked cautiously, unable to help thinking about that boy King. Naruto had grown stronger too, and he wanted to see how Naruto would perform.
"No," Kakashi placed a hand firmly on Sasuke's shoulder, his usual gentleness completely absent from his gaze.
"You were almost killed just now—you must take care of this immediately."
"Kakashi-sensei is right. Besides, I think it's important for me to observe exactly how Kakashi-sensei deals with something like this."
Shiki stepped up beside Kakashi, a faintly expectant smile playing at the corner of his mouth.
He had always been deeply fascinated by sealing techniques in ninjutsu.
"You're going too?" Sasuke's voice sounded somewhat weak, but at least it lacked hostility.
"That's right. After all, sealing techniques are one of my passions." Shiki nodded, his eyes gleaming slightly with admiration.
"Why study sealing techniques?" Sasuke asked in slight surprise—for typically, sealing arts weren't often used directly in combat.
Of course, any sealing technique actually usable in combat was undeniably powerful.
"As for why...it's simply because I carry the name Uzumaki. Is that reason enough, young man of the Uchiha?"
Shiki said, hands casually behind his head, turning around with an air of relaxation. His eyes no longer held the usual coldness or anger toward Sasuke when the Uchiha were mentioned.
But...
If you truly feel so relaxed...
Why are you so obsessed with sealing techniques?
For the first time, Sasuke felt like he might finally understand Shiki Uzumaki a little better.
He felt confused—what kind of clan was the Uzumaki exactly?
Why had he never heard of them before?
Why did they have connections to sealing techniques?
Naruto also bore the surname Uzumaki, yet he was nothing like Shiki. All Naruto cared about was pranks—he seemed to know next to nothing about the Uzumaki clan.
As Sasuke sank deeper into thought, Kakashi's lazy voice called out beside him,
"Hey hey hey, boy from the Uzumaki clan. Do you even know where you're going in such a hurry after spinning around like that?"
Shiki turned his head again, speaking calmly without panic, "Turning around represents an attitude. Anyway, I knew Kakashi-sensei would definitely stop me."
"Tsk tsk, not many people can be as shameless as you."
"Sensei, you're the kind of person who can read *Icha Icha* in public without shame—doesn't that phrase suit you better?"
"That's simply a hobby. You can't describe it with such words," Kakashi said shamelessly.
"Fine, come with me, Shiki, Sasuke."
Kakashi took a slight breath, calming himself again.
Actually, the mission ahead would be anything but easy.
Undeniably, the central tower inside the Forest of Death was still quite expansive.
Inside this underground space, darkness loomed in every direction. Hundreds of ancient pillars held up the structure.
Shiki even doubted what significance the Village had in building such a place.
Such a dark space filled with the scent of age probably hadn't seen visitors for several years already.
The place looked exactly like the tower's exterior—everywhere showed the effects of time.
Perhaps because of being in such an environment, Shiki couldn't help but become more serious too. Perhaps also because he always held deep reverence toward learning sealing techniques.
"This time, I need to seal the cursed seal on Sasuke's neck, so I will be completely focused. I won't pause to teach you anything. Besides, you should mentally prepare yourself just as someone observing the sealing process."
Kakashi explained first; actually, if it weren't for Shiki, he wouldn't allow anyone else to observe while he performed the sealing technique.
That's also why he chose such a location.
When it came to Shiki Uzumaki, however, Kakashi always made exceptions.
Firstly, because he belonged to the Uzumaki clan; sealing techniques carried far greater significance for them than for others.
Secondly, Shiki Uzumaki had already gained his approval. Though he was part of Hayate's squad, Kakashi didn't mind treating Shiki as his own student.
It seemed Shiki Uzumaki had earned recognition from many—notably Guy, who was even willing to teach him the Eight Gates.
"Of course, I'll be serious. I won't interfere with this process at all. So Sensei, please rest assured."
As he spoke, Shiki gave a slight bow. He no longer looked like the same guy—as if he'd become someone else entirely.
Though Kakashi found Shiki's current demeanor a bit unsettling, he began performing the sealing technique called Evil Sealing Method.
Peng peng peng—
Several kunai pierced the ground, forming a circle around the meditating Sasuke.
Then, after forming two hand seals, Kakashi pressed his right index finger firmly against Sasuke's back.
The wound wasn't especially deep, but blood started to trickle from Sasuke's back.
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