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Liuhuo's words made Sasuke fall into deep thought. He truly had taken on too much at once. When his various abilities were still at a low level, he could manage them all together. But now, things were different.
His Zanpakutō had already reached the stage of Bankai simulation training, and among the Hadō techniques, only those above No. 90 remained to be mastered. His Shunpo had reached the level of Utsusemi, and his Reiryoku was nearing the threshold of a complete breakthrough.
Sasuke made a rough comparison. He estimated that his current spiritual pressure was about equivalent to Renji Abarai's level before he achieved Bankai.
To advance further from here would require long-term accumulation. It would be difficult to see results in the short term. What made it even harder was the fact that he was training in multiple systems at once, increasing the difficulty exponentially. Simultaneous cultivation across different disciplines would definitely slow his growth.
But Sasuke had other thoughts.
"I've developed a plan for my training. Some abilities have very specific requirements. For example, simulated Bankai training can only be conducted inside my inner world. That condition is hard to meet consistently. So when I can't trigger those specific conditions, isn't it fine to train in other areas?" Sasuke raised his head and spoke seriously to Liuhuo.
Hearing Sasuke's reasoning, Liuhuo shook her head gently.
"You've misunderstood me. I'm not saying you can't train multiple disciplines. I mean you should prioritize one Zanpakutō for Bankai training instead of splitting your focus trying all of them every time.
Before, we had you attempt each Zanpakutō's Bankai simulation once, to help you understand their potential. But now that you've sampled them, it's time to commit to one and build your strength accordingly."
Sasuke finally understood what Liuhuo meant, and realization struck him.
He wanted to slap himself. Why did he insist on going through torment with every Zanpakutō? Wouldn't it be smarter to master one thoroughly first?
"You're right." Sasuke nodded in agreement.
"So… which Zanpakutō will you train in first?" Liuhuo asked with a smile.
"Senbonzakura." Sasuke answered instantly, without hesitation.
Compared to the Bankai training of the other two Zanpakutō, Senbonzakura's path was much more manageable. He only had to remove the inner spirit's mask by himself. The training with Kyōka Suigetsu was too disorienting — he'd lost control and awareness. As for Shinso, he was stabbed down instantly before he could even react or go on the offensive. Sasuke even suspected that he might not be able to release Ryūjin Jakka at all when the time came for final release.
But there was one more reason for his choice: Senbonzakura's Bankai was visually stunning. When released, the entire atmosphere changed with petals of spiritual steel swirling — it had cinematic flair, born to dazzle.
Just imagining the moment he activated Bankai with Senbonzakura made Sasuke's heart race in anticipation.
"Oh, you didn't choose me. I'm heartbroken. Goodbye." Liuhuo faded into nothingness with a dramatic sigh.
Sasuke really wanted to yell after her: "Then why not make yourself more useful?"
But he didn't shout — not because he was afraid, but because Liuhuo had already left.
Once Liuhuo disappeared, Sasuke resumed tending to the barbecue. After a while, Karin returned, wearing black short-sleeves and shorts. Her usual ninja mesh undershirt was gone, and she carried her washed — albeit torn — clothes in one hand.
"Not bad. It suits you." Sasuke looked over at Karin and smiled lightly.
Even though Karin wasn't considered a top-tier beauty in the Naruto world, her facial features were actually refined. The glasses just obscured her potential charm.
"Throw away those rags. I'll buy you new ones when we get back." Sasuke said casually. After completing several missions recently, he had some savings stashed away — more than enough to cover essentials for teammates. Karin was now his teammate, after all. He couldn't have her walking around in scraps.
"…Okay." Karin looked a little reluctant but obediently found a place to dispose of her worn-out clothes. Then she returned to sit beside Sasuke on a fallen tree trunk.
"Want me to grill for you?" Seeing Sasuke still busy, Karin asked hesitantly.
"No need. This takes skill. I've gotten pretty good at it. If you haven't done it before, you'll probably mess it up. Just sit back and enjoy." Sasuke's focus never left the meat skewers as he rotated them with practiced ease. He looked like a professional barbecue vendor.
This was one of the few non-combat skills he'd developed thanks to Liuhuo. During missions, he often had to cook for her, and in the wild, barbecue was the simplest way to eat well. Over time, his grilling skills became quite refined.
Karin didn't press the matter. She just bit her lip, feeling a bit useless. She'd finally found someone who cared about her, but she couldn't even offer proper help.
After two skewers were done, Sasuke brushed on the sauce and handed one to her.
"Here."
He noticed something odd in her expression.
"Why do you look like you're about to cry?"
"I just… feel so useless. I can't help you with anything." Karin's voice trembled.
At that moment, Sasuke felt that Karin was like Luo Xiaohei from that animated film, while he himself was like Wuxian — calm, steady, always shouldering the weight.
Sometimes, people who've witnessed death up close are most touched by simple, ordinary kindness.
"You already helped me. You found enemy traces earlier this afternoon. That saved me a lot of time. If not for you, I'd still be searching for those two scrolls." Sasuke gently ruffled Karin's hair.
Though his words were meant to comfort, they were also true. Karin's sensory prowess was phenomenal. Sasuke suspected she had already awakened Kagura's Mind Eye, a perception technique so powerful that even among the Uzumaki clan, it was rare. With that kind of talent, she could be considered a genuine prodigy.
Sasuke's gesture made Karin blush. She sniffled and wiped her tears, nibbling on the grilled skewer he gave her.
Once dinner was over, Sasuke leaned against a tree and closed his eyes, entering meditation. The current environment wasn't ideal for entering the inner world to train Bankai. If Orochimaru suddenly attacked, he might be killed instantly.
While meditating, his senses remained semi-active. Any movement in the vicinity or changes in spirit particles would alert him.
Seeing Sasuke enter meditation, Karin hesitated. Then, with soft steps, she leaned gently on his shoulder.
Of course, Sasuke noticed. But he didn't move.
---
By early morning, Sasuke emerged from his meditative state and turned his head. Karin was still asleep, though her face looked uneasy — clearly having a nightmare.
"Don't bite me… don't bite me…"
Sasuke reached out and gently shook her shoulder. Karin awoke with a jolt, soaked in sweat and gasping for air.
"You were having a nightmare. Are you alright?"
JOIN MY PATREON TO READ ADVANCED 30+ CHAPTERS. Two members on my patreon get a free book each month. A lucky draw,it can be you.
Currently at CHAPTER 96 on Patreon.
Five chapters every two days on Patreon.
One chapter everyday on webnovel.
patreon.com/FrancisMW
"I look forward to welcoming you as member"
ENJOY THE BENEFITS.