Sasuke Uchiha stormed angrily through the forest.
A ninja's duty was to complete missions. If it required some sacrifice, so be it.
If killing that man meant fulfilling the mission, Sasuke didn't care how much he had to give—even his own life.
"Who's there! Show yourself!"
Already frustrated, Sasuke now realized someone had been following him. His anger surged, and he drew a kunai, scanning the surroundings with caution.
"Does it still hurt there?"
Yasu emerged with a cheerful smile. Instinctively, Sasuke clutched his injured spot.
Hurts? Of course it hurts! But if he admitted it, he'd lose face—so he stayed silent.
"Why are you following me? Are you here to mock me?"
"I meant what you feel inside… does it still weigh on you?"
The words hit sasuke harder than he expected. His brows furrowed, his expression turning fierce.
"I don't know what you mean." Sasuke as he prepared to turned around and walk away.
"I mean… you've forgotten your hatred." Yasu probed.
Sasuke stopped walking and glared at Yasu.
Seeing Sasuke's furious expression, Yasu smiled faintly.
As long as Sasuke still held onto his grudge, there was no way he could escape Yasu's next move.
"Forget it? Impossible! HE! killed my entire clan, even my parents! I will avenge them, no matter the cost!"
"I thought when you turned away just now… maybe you had forgotten your hatred."
"You're trying to persuade me to go back?" Sasuke wasn't stupid; he understood Yasu's intention immediately.
"I'm telling you to abandon that thought. Kakashi's ninja way and mine are different—we can't be on the same path," Sasuke said, preparing to walk away.
Yasu didn't follow; he remained where he was, smiling lightly.
"Sasuke Uchiha… some people may never surpass their older brother in their lifetime."
"What did you say?"
Sasuke now realized Yasu knew exactly what happened that night. Even the man who massacred his family was known to him.
"If you don't go back to continue Kakashi-sensei's training, no other teacher in Konoha will accept you. Do you really think, on your own, you can surpass your brother?"
Sasuke's anger flared, fists clenched so tightly his nails dug into his palms, leaving streaks of blood.
Despite his pride, he knew Yasu was telling the truth.
Without a teacher, he would never catch up to Itachi on his own.
For the first time, Sasuke hesitated. In the face of vengeance, pride meant nothing. If a better opportunity arose later, he could always leave.
"But… would Kakashi-sensei even allow me to return?"
Seeing Sasuke finally showing some doubt, Yasu exhaled in relief.
"At first, Kakashi-sensei absolutely refused. But I guaranteed with my own reputation that you would train diligently and become an exceptional ninja—and then he agreed."
Sasuke felt genuinely moved. He hadn't expected Yasu to make such a promise for him.
He never doubted Yasu's intentions; there was no reason for Yasu to flatter him, after all.
[Ding! Sasuke Uchiha affection +5! Current: 54 points! Can sign in!]
Yasu's lips curved into a subtle smile—affection points had indeed risen.
"Sign in, Sasuke Uchiha!"
[Ding! Sign-in successful! You've obtained Shuriken Technique! Sasuke Uchiha affection +5! Current: 59 points!]
[Ding! Duplicate technique detected! Low-level Shuriken Technique experience added into high-level Shuriken Technique!]
"All right, I'll go back with you."
Sasuke put his hands in his pockets and strode down the path he had come from.
But just a few steps in, Yasu hold out his hand to stop him.
"Wait. Don't you want to know about your brother?"
Sasuke's heart skipped a beat. He froze, eyes sharp with cold intent aimed at Yasu.
"This isn't funny!"
"Itachi is now with the Akatsuki. I predict he will come to Konoha at least once this year."
"Really?!"
Sasuke grabbed Yasu's arm, his excitement palpable.
Even if the news wasn't fully confirmed, he wouldn't miss any chance to learn about Itachi.
"Don't you want to know why he did what he did? Why he killed the whole clan but left only you?"
"That bastard… he's obsessed with killing. And to master the Mangekyo Sharingan, there's nothing he wouldn't do!"
Sasuke's rage flared as he spoke of Itachi. After years of silence, finally having someone to talk to brought a sense of relief.
"You don't understand your brother at all. Itachi is actually kind. If you want the truth, defeat me and I'll tell you everything!"
Sasuke had long blamed Itachi, assuming he was purely evil. But now, Yasu's words made him reconsider.
"Could… Itachi have had reasons?"
"That's only if you defeat me first. Then I'll tell you!"
"You—!"
[Ding! Sasuke Uchiha affection +2! Current: 61 points! Can sign in!]
Yasu smiled faintly. Sasuke's affection had indeed increased.
Through continued interactions, Yasu could slowly reveal the events of that night—Sasuke might even be the first to max out his affection.
"Sign in, Sasuke Uchiha!"
[Ding! Sign-in successful! You've obtained Lion Barrage! Affection +4! Current: 65 points!]
Yasu and Sasuke returned to the wooden posts.
Below, Naruto and Sakura knelt—but they weren't simply kneeling.
Both were suspended slightly above the ground.
Sasuke sighed in understanding and touched his injured spot.
Seeing Sasuke return, Sakura's face lit up with joy as she ran over.
"Sasuke! You're finally back!"
"Yes. I have a reason I must become stronger." Sasuke glanced at Yasu. "From now on, I'll challenge you every day, until I surpass you!"
Kakashi exhaled in relief, maintaining his authoritative expression.
"You all disappointed me before, but I'll give you another chance. After lunch, you'll challenge Yasu again this afternoon."