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Minato watched Sasuke's recent demonstration with a cold sweat beading on his forehead. The thought flickered through his mind—This child really does remind me of my own son... unexpectedly so.
"Eh... since you two have already come to an agreement, I won't say much more. Let's arrange it as such," Minato said with a gentle smile to Karin. "You won't need to worry about the cost of the house. Even though you haven't formally accepted it, Kushina already sees you as her daughter. Think of this house as a welcome gift for joining Konoha."
Karin was visibly moved, struggling to find words. Beside her, Sasuke replied calmly, "Then thank you, Hokage-sama."
Any savings were welcome. Minato's willingness to support them was more than they could ask for.
"Then if there's nothing else, we'll take our leave." Sasuke was aware that there was still time before the next Chūnin Exam stage. While he had no concerns about his strength, continued training was vital.
"Wait a moment—actually, I asked you here for something else, Sasuke," Minato said, stopping him.
"Karin, would you mind waiting outside for a while?" Minato added.
Karin looked at Sasuke, and after receiving a nod, she quietly left the Hokage's office.
Sasuke tilted his head slightly. He wasn't sure what Minato wanted.
Once Karin was out of sight, Minato got straight to the point. "You didn't use standard ninjutsu during the qualifiers today, did you?"
Sasuke immediately realized that someone must have reported the match in detail to the Hokage. He saw no need to lie, as long as Minato didn't recognize the energy he used as similar to what appeared during the Nine-Tails' attack years ago. That would lead to unnecessary complications.
"No, it wasn't ninjutsu," Sasuke answered. "It's a technique I developed myself, activated by unique spiritual energy. The effect is similar to ninjutsu but doesn't require hand seals."
In truth, Sasuke planned to center his future strength around his Zanpakutō. Revealing some of his powers while hiding others—like the Kidō-like techniques—was part of his long-term strategy. Letting enemies underestimate him could prove useful in future battles.
Minato looked calm, but inwardly he was stunned.
To independently develop a new chakra system, even one functioning like jutsu, was far beyond the challenge of inventing a hand seal-less ninjutsu. He struggled to believe it but found no alternative explanation. Sasuke's abilities didn't match anything within the usual elemental mold.
"I see. Your ability is powerful—beyond ordinary ninjutsu. The other villages have taken notice. You should be cautious moving forward. Stay close to your brother. Itachi has enough power to protect you," Minato said after a thoughtful pause.
He didn't ask further questions. After all, Sasuke had created this power. It reminded Minato of the Rasengan—his own creation. He had chosen to share its method with the village, but he understood not everyone would. It wasn't right to force that decision on others.
Sasuke nodded. He had anticipated Minato's advice. Still, the Hokage's composure in the face of such an anomaly surprised him.
"Understood. Thank you for the warning, Hokage-sama," Sasuke replied, acknowledging the respect and trust Minato extended him.
Still, he couldn't help but feel that Danzo would not sit still after hearing of his performance. But that man's days of unchecked movement were numbered. In the limited time before he struck, Sasuke didn't believe Danzo could do much to him.
"Good. Go home and prepare for the final exam. I hope to see you shine on the stage of the ninja world," Minato said with a warm smile.
Sasuke bowed slightly and left the office. Outside, Karin was waiting patiently in the corridor.
"Let's go. It's time to go home," Sasuke said.
Karin's face lit up. She ran over, and Sasuke led her in the direction of the Uchiha compound.
---
While Sasuke was away speaking with Minato, rumors of his match continued to spread. Word reached every corner of the shinobi world: that within Konoha, a young Uchiha possessed an ability unlike ninjutsu, genjutsu, or taijutsu—an energy-based technique with no seals and powerful results.
At Root Headquarters, Sai knelt before Danzo on one knee.
"You've been on his team this whole time and never realized he had such abilities?" Danzo asked, narrowing his eyes.
"No," Sai replied, confused. "He only ever used low-level Fire Release techniques on missions. I never saw anything like what happened during the qualifiers."
Danzo studied him. "Fū, verify it."
"Yes," a masked Root member said behind him, stepping forward to place a hand on Sai's head.
"Don't resist. If you're telling the truth, you have nothing to fear," Danzo said coldly.
Sai didn't flinch. He was telling the truth.
Fū examined him for a moment, then stepped back. "He's clean. He didn't know."
Danzo grunted. "So... this teammate of yours is very cautious. He didn't reveal his true power even to the one who saved his life. Hmph. If he weren't from the Uchiha clan, I'd want to bring him into Root. But alas... with that cursed bloodline, someone like him—with that kind of power—can't be allowed to live."
Sai's body trembled slightly. He looked up, but quickly cast his eyes downward again. The murderous glint in Danzo's eye was unmistakable.
---
Sasuke and Karin arrived near the old road where, six years ago, Uchiha Setsuna had tried to assassinate him.
"Come out. Stop hiding like rats," Sasuke called out, his voice sharp and steady.
The instant he spoke, more than a dozen masked shinobi—clearly Root agents—appeared and encircled them.
A white-haired figure perched in a nearby tree froze mid-motion. Hearing Sasuke's call, he stopped himself from intervening, choosing instead to observe the unfolding scene.
"Sasuke Uchiha," one of the masked men said coldly. "You colluded with Kusagakure and leaked Konoha's secrets. You're a traitor. Today, we eliminate this threat to the village."
Sasuke recognized the Root insignia on their uniforms and didn't bother replying to their ridiculous charge. He was surprised, though, that Danzo hadn't followed his usual pattern—asking the Hokage for custody of a powerful youth, then trying to recruit through coercion. When that failed, he would usually send Root to issue a "final invitation." Only after rejection would execution follow.
This time, Danzo had skipped straight to killing him.
He really hates the Uchiha, huh? But how could someone so consumed by hatred have Sharingan eyes grafted to his body so shamelessly... Sasuke mused.
"Save your breath. Only Root would dress up their murders as acts of patriotism."
He narrowed his eyes.
The cold wind rustled through the trees.
And the fight was about to begin.
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 106 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.