Chapter 74: The Third Great Ninja War Begins
"So, you're really leaving?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice was heavy, filled with concern.
"Yes, Hokage-sama. I need to become stronger," Hatake Yusuke replied, unwavering.
"Does Tsunade know about this?" Hiruzen asked again.
"She does," Yusuke answered briefly.
"In that case, take this."
Hiruzen handed him a scroll. "It contains high-level assassination missions from Konoha. Carry them out as you see fit."
"Understood."
Yusuke accepted the scroll, turned around, and walked away without hesitation.
Watching his figure fade into the distance, Hiruzen murmured,
"When you return… just how powerful will you have become?"
— — —
Three Years Later
A young man stood atop a cliff, his long black coat swaying in the wind. Now eighteen, his body had grown tall—nearly 180 centimeters. Silver hair danced freely, and his chiseled features looked almost sculpted by the gods themselves. But it was his eyes that left the strongest impression—calm, lazy even… yet sharp enough to chill the bones of anyone who dared meet his gaze.
"Minato-nii must've already clashed with the future Fourth Raikage and Killer B…" Yusuke muttered. "Just one more year before the Third Great Ninja War truly explodes."
He lowered his gaze.
"Father, Kakashi… I hope you're both doing well. Tsunade, Kurenai… are you safe too?"
The past three years had changed him. His body matured, his aura grew deeper, and the countless missions he completed had forged him into something more—something dangerous.
"One more year… I have to keep pushing forward."
And with that, he donned his mask and vanished from the cliffside.
— — —
Year 48 of the Konoha Calendar.
The Third Great Ninja War had finally erupted in full force.
"Hurry, Kakashi! Get everyone out of here!" Obito shouted desperately.
"No. You go! I'll hold them off!"
Kakashi gripped Ame-no-Habakiri tightly, his eyes blazing with resolve.
"You're not going anywhere!" growled an Iwagakure ninja blocking their path.
"Earth Release: Earth Dragon Spear!"
A massive stone spear surged toward Kakashi.
"One-Sword Style: Lotus!"
Kakashi countered with a sharp, precise slash of his blade, splitting the spear apart.
But the enemy wasn't done yet.
"Earth Release: Earth Prison!"
Thick walls of earth surged up, encasing Kakashi inside a solid prison of stone.
"Kakashi!"
Rin and Obito screamed in horror.
And then, a cold, calm voice echoed across the battlefield—
"Someone like you… dares lay a hand on my little brother?"
From the shadows, a man stepped forward—clad in black, a gleaming blade at his waist. His striking features and overwhelming presence made the Iwa shinobi tremble.
He moved.
Slash.
A devastating wave of sword energy exploded forward, effortlessly cleaving the Earth Prison in two.
"Yusuke?! That's you, Yusuke?!"
Rin and Obito were stunned. The man before them looked nothing like the boy they remembered. Three or four years had changed him… too much.
"Big Brother! You're back!"
Kakashi grinned, finally free.
"It's been a while, Rin, Obito, Kakashi," Yusuke said softly, sheathing Enma with a metallic whisper.
"You've grown taller, Kakashi. Guess time doesn't stand still for anyone."
"W-Who are you?!"
The Iwa ninja trembled in fear, instincts screaming at him to flee.
"Oh? I almost forgot you were still here," Yusuke said coolly, barely glancing in his direction.
Suddenly, an overwhelming aura exploded from his body.
Conqueror's Haki.
A torrent of pure willpower ripped through the air, parting the clouds above and crashing down like an invisible tsunami. Every enemy shinobi collapsed in an instant, unconscious. Only a handful of Jōnin remained standing—and even they shook violently.
"Y-You're not human… you're a demon!" one of them cried out.
"Is that so?" Yusuke raised his hand.
"In that case… die."
His finger glowed with intense golden light.
Laser.
A beam of light pierced through the chest of one enemy shinobi, stopping his heart instantly. The body hit the ground without a sound.
He fired again. And again. A few tried to dodge, but it was pointless.
"A peaceful death is more than you deserve," Yusuke muttered coldly.
He floated up into the sky, casting his gaze over the battlefield below.
"You came after my little brother… now all of you must die."
Yasakani no Magatama!
Crossing his arms, Yusuke unleashed a storm of golden projectiles—countless orbs of divine energy raining down like judgment from the heavens.
For a full minute, the area was engulfed in light.
When it was over, nothing remained.
Not even corpses.
Yusuke descended and walked back to the others.
"Looks like you're all pretty banged up," he said, examining their wounds.
Then he raised a hand gently.
Blue Phoenix Flame.
Azure fire flickered to life in his palm before he tossed it toward Kakashi, Obito, and Rin.
They braced instinctively—but instead of pain, they felt warmth. Their wounds closed rapidly, healing completely within seconds.
"K-Kakashi… that power… it's yours?"
Kakashi looked up in awe.
Yusuke nodded.
"I acquired it during my time away. A Mythical Zoan-type Devil Fruit—Tori Tori no Mi, Model: Phoenix."
"It cost more than any other fruit I've seen… but its power is something else."
"Where… where were you all this time?" Kakashi asked.
"Training. Didn't Dad tell you anything?"
Yusuke gave a slight smirk. "No matter. What's important is this—The Third Great Ninja War has begun. We're going back to Konoha."
The three nodded. Their mission had been simple: observe the enemy and report back. They hadn't expected to be ambushed, let alone nearly killed.
But Yusuke's return had changed everything.
He opened an Air Door, and they stepped through.
On the other side was Konoha.
— — —
At the village gate, guards immediately blocked their path.
"Who goes there?" asked one of the sentries.
The moment he saw their faces, his expression changed.
"Jōnin Kakashi?! I thought you were at the frontlines!"
"Mission complete," Kakashi replied flatly.
"Report to the Hokage immediately," he added. "Tell him Hatake Yusuke has returned."
The guard paled and responded without hesitation,
"Y-Yes, right away!"
Yusuke's name had long become legend in the village. There was a saying: It's safer to insult the Hokage than to offend the Hatake. And everyone knew—that Hatake meant Yusuke.
After a brief inspection, the four headed to the Hokage's office.
"So you've returned," Hiruzen said, staring at him intently.
"I have, Hokage-sama."
"With your power now… even I would struggle to stop you," Hiruzen admitted quietly.
The others—Kakashi, Obito, Rin—were shocked.
Even the Hokage couldn't defeat Yusuke?
"Hokage-sama exaggerates," Yusuke replied calmly.
"In any case, go assist Tsunade at the frontlines. She needs your strength."
"Yes, sir."
The moment he heard her name, Yusuke nodded without hesitation.
"My father… is he out there too?"
"He is. It was his own request."
"How's the war progressing?"
"Exactly as you once predicted," Hiruzen said grimly. "Konoha is at a disadvantage."
"I see. I'll join Tsunade then," Yusuke said. "As for the rest… it depends on my mood. But for now, don't let Kakashi or the others leave the village again."
With that, Yusuke vanished in a blur.
Hiruzen stared at the empty space he left behind.
"…So, you still can't let go of that vengeance," he sighed.
Then turning to the others,
"Kakashi, you three—go home. You've done well. The enemy's trap was far more elaborate than we anticipated."
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