The scroll Yusuke tossed to Orochimaru contained the severed head of a White Zetsu from the Land of Rain—a valuable specimen for Orochimaru, a titan of biological science.
Orochimaru pocketed the scroll, asking slyly, "Now that the Cursed Seal's done, Yusuke-kun, which village's jinchuriki will you target to steal their tailed beast's Yin Release chakra?"
Yusuke's gaze remained steady. "Don't worry, I've got a target in mind."
At an Uchiha clan training field, Genma had just finished coaching Itachi and Izumi in ninjutsu. The trio was chatting idly.
"Senior Genma, what's your best ninjutsu?" Izumi asked curiously.
Genma smirked proudly. "Not ninjutsu—senbon. Among our peers, my senbon skills are unmatched!"
Izumi's big eyes twinkled as she grinned. "Senbon are ninja tools, right? I bet you can't outdo Itachi with them!"
Stung by Izumi's doubt, Genma bristled. "No way. Itachi's a rare genius, but I don't believe he's surpassed me in ninja tool use yet."
Izumi tilted her head. "How about a bet? Itachi's ace is kunai. He'll demonstrate with kunai. If you can replicate it with kunai or senbon, you win. If not, you lose. Deal?"
Genma shrugged confidently. "Fine, it's on. If you win, I'll cover your three-color dango for a year!"
"Senior Genma, maybe we shouldn't," Itachi said, ever considerate.
Genma waved him off. "Itachi, go for it. I'll match you."
With Genma's insistence, Itachi relented. He flung three kunai, then launched three more, striking the first set mid-air to alter their paths. All six hit the bullseyes of six targets.
This wasn't even Itachi's peak. After training with Shisui in ninja tool techniques, he could perform even finer maneuvers.
Genma's eyes bulged, jaw dropping. The senbon in his mouth fell, stabbing his foot.
"Ow!" Genma yelped, clutching his foot.
"Try it, Senior Genma!" Izumi beamed innocently, eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Genma shook his head, chuckling wryly. "I fold. You win."
Sighing, he groaned inwardly: *A year's dango for two kids? My wallet's already anorexic.*
"Just kidding, Senior Genma! You've helped us train so much, and we haven't thanked you. We'll treat you to dango today!" Izumi said, laughing at Genma's sour face.
Seeing Izumi's clever yet kind nature, Itachi smiled softly. Genma exhaled, scratching his head sheepishly.
A voice interrupted their dango plans. "Young Master Itachi, the Clan Leader requests you head to the hospital immediately."
Itachi turned to the Uchiha messenger. "Did Father say why?"
"Your mother's giving birth," the messenger replied.
Hearing this, Itachi apologized to Izumi and Genma and rushed to the hospital, scrapping the dango outing.
At Konoha Hospital, Uchiha Mikoto had safely delivered. In a private room, she cradled a crying newborn, with Uchiha Fugaku at her side.
"Mother, sorry I'm late," Itachi said, entering.
" Itachi, it's a boy. You have a little brother," Mikoto said gently, then turned to Fugaku. "You've kept it secret so long. Can you share his name now?"
Fugaku took the baby from Mikoto, lifting him with a joyful voice. "Sasuke. Uchiha Sasuke."
Mikoto gasped. "A fine name, but—"
Fugaku smiled. "Yes, after the Third's father. I cleared it with Lord Third, and he approved."
Raising the infant Sasuke, sunlight streamed through the window, bathing his tiny form.
"Sasuke, live up to this name. Be a true man!" Fugaku said, brimming with hope.
He burst into hearty laughter.
Gazing at Sasuke in his father's arms, Itachi vowed silently: No matter what, I'll protect my brother, even if it costs everything.
Yet, as he made this oath, an image of Izumi's pure, sweet smile flickered in his mind.
Back home, Izumi saw Yusuke, a rare early return, and chirped, "Brother, you're back early today!"
Yusuke beckoned her with a smile. Izumi scampered over, and he ruffled her hair. "I've been tied up with a major ninjutsu project, no time to spend with you. Sorry. Tonight, I'll take you and Mom out to eat."
"Awesome! I want barbecue!" Izumi cheered.
"Anything you want," Yusuke said, pinching her slightly chubby cheeks. Curious, he asked, "Why're you back early? Don't you usually hang out with Itachi after training?"
" Itachi's mom had a baby today. He's getting a sibling. I'm so jealous—I want a brother or sister too!" Izumi said, eyes gleaming with envy.
Yusuke's mind churned at her words.
"Sasuke's born. Naruto's birth is near. I need to prepare. If possible, I hope to save the Fourth and his wife during the Nine-Tails crisis."
Yusuke deeply admired the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato. A commoner who rose to Konoha's leader without cheats, married the Uzumaki clan's beauty, he was a beacon of ambition.
Minato was near perfection—strength, talent, character, and looks all top-tier.
"I hope I can reach you before you use the Reaper Death Seal!"
After finishing the Two Principles Cursed Seal, Yusuke relieved Genma, resuming ninjutsu training for his disciples and Izumi.
Guy, hooked on teaching, begged to keep coaching their taijutsu. Yusuke, ever "helpful," agreed.
What could he do? A friend's plea was hard to refuse!
"Sensei Yusuke, have you heard the rumors about you and Shisui?" Itachi asked one afternoon, strolling Konoha's snack street with Yusuke, Kabuto, and Izumi after training.
Yusuke nodded. "Yeah. Someone's spreading them to stir discord in our clan."
"They hype me as the clan's top ninja and Shisui as its top genius, pitting us against each other and making the Clan Leader wary of us."
"I don't know Shisui well and haven't discussed this with him. But I've talked to the Clan Leader. He's not bothered and said he'll speak to Shisui to ensure clan unity."
Itachi relaxed slightly. "I'll talk to Shisui too."
Patting Itachi's shoulder, Yusuke said, "Thanks for that. I've no interest in competing with Shisui for titles."
Unbeknownst to Yusuke, Fugaku, and Itachi, the rumors aimed not just to divide the clan's elite but to set the stage for Shisui's challenge to Yusuke, paving the way for Shisui to claim both "top ninja" and "top genius" titles. The Third's cunning ran deep!
At a teahouse, Yusuke sipped oolong tea across from his old friend Genma.
"Yusuke, you've gotten chummy lately—tea, dinners. You know I'm not swayed by food!" Genma said, curious.
"Waiter, another sakura mochi, yokan, and four strawberry daifuku!" Genma added, shamelessly ordering more.
Yusuke's eyelid twitched, but he smiled. "Just thanking you for training my disciples."
Genma frowned. "You've thanked me five times already."
Something felt off. Among peers, Yusuke was the trickiest—no one ever got the better of him.
Yusuke sipped his tea, glancing at the new Hokage Guard armband on Genma's sleeve. "Congrats on becoming a special jonin and the Fourth's personal guard."
Genma grinned. "Finally made special jonin, but I'm no match for you. Rumors say you're the Uchiha's top ninja."
Yusuke waved it off. "Some nonsense rumor. It's a headache."
"By the way, I start a secret mission tomorrow, so no tea for a while," Genma added.
A glint flashed in Yusuke's eyes. Here it is!
(End of Chapter)
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Do You Know:
Senbon are needle-like ninja tools used for precision strikes.