"Naruto, I told you to climb the tree, not chop it down!
Control your chakra properly.
What? You can't control it?
You're the man who wants to become Hokage—how can you not even control your own chakra?
Come on! I believe in you!"
After shattering 199 trees, Naruto reignited his fighting spirit and charged toward the 200th one.
"Sasuke, your hand seals need to be twice as fast!
As a member of the Uchiha clan, you're embarrassing your ancestors by taking so long to form seals. Do you understand?!"
A sharp glint flashed in Sasuke's eyes as his hands moved even faster.
"Hinata, the Gentle Fist of the Hyuga clan is an art that is soft on the outside but strong within.
But your punches… they're soft inside and out!
Having a kind heart is good, but if someone tries to steal Shiro from you in the future, what will you do?
What? You don't know?
Of course, you'll beat them to a pulp!
Come on! Hit harder!
Just imagine this rock is a love rival trying to take Shiro away from you!"
With veins bulging around her Byakugan-activated eyes, Hinata unleashed a flurry of punches at the massive boulder in front of her.
ORA ORA ORA ORA!
A terrifying force erupted from her delicate fists, reducing the rock to dust in mere moments.
…
Tobirama Senju watched the three students train diligently and nodded in satisfaction.
His training method was indeed effective.
If he wanted them to train seriously, he just had to mention the Hokage in front of Naruto, the Uchiha's pride in front of Sasuke, and an imaginary love rival in front of Hinata…
Meanwhile, Might Guy dragged back Shiro, who looked like a dead dog.
"Tobirama-sama, Shiro has completed today's training.
His flames of youth burn brightly! His strength is improving rapidly. I believe he will reach your expectations soon."
Hearing Guy's words, Tobirama's face revealed a pleased smile.
Among his four students, Shiro was the least troublesome.
Every night, he just had to toss Shiro to Guy, and he wouldn't have to worry about a thing.
After all, no matter how much Shiro begged for mercy, Guy would always yell:
'Burn, my youth!'
Then, he'd force Shiro to finish his training, and if he failed, he'd have to do extra.
Because of this, Shiro's progress was the fastest.
At the very least, he had progressed from foaming at the mouth and passing out to remaining conscious while being dragged back.
Lying on the ground, Shiro had lost all will to live. He didn't even want to move.
This hellish life had lasted for five days now!
He had tried to use his Life Simulation System to change his fate.
But the damn system seemed to be messing with him—two simulation attempts, one graded E and the other D, both with no rewards.
Sigh…
He thought about something Guy told him today.
"Shiro, your youthful spirit is worthy of my special training uniform. Tomorrow, I'll gift you one as a present."
That hideous, skintight green jumpsuit…
He was done. Just let the world burn.
…
Two hours later, Tobirama ended the night's training.
"That's all for today. You all performed well. Keep working hard."
After bowing to Tobirama, the students prepared to leave.
Before heading home, Shiro wanted to say goodbye to Hinata and strengthen their bond.
After all, he couldn't afford to neglect his future wife, right?
But before he could even step within ten feet of Hinata, four Hyuga clan members suddenly stepped between them, watching him like guards on high alert.
Shiro's mouth twitched.
Again?!
Was this really necessary?!
At what point did things go so wrong that the Hyuga clan started treating him like a threat?
Ever since Hinata became Tobirama's student, these four had been shadowing her nonstop.
They dropped her off for training and immediately whisked her away afterward, never giving him a chance to talk to her alone.
Shiro still didn't know that Tobirama had betrayed him behind the scenes…
"Lady Hinata, it's time to go home."
"Uhm…"
Hinata left, and Shiro was about to do the same.
But just as he turned, Tobirama spoke.
"Shiro, Sasuke—stay behind."
Shiro sighed and walked over to stand beside Sasuke.
Alright, guess I'm not going anywhere.
Whatever you need, old man, make it quick. I need my sleep—I'm still growing, you know…
Tobirama stood in front of them with a serious expression and took out a scroll from his robes.
Then, with great solemnity…
He handed it to Sasuke.
Sasuke's body trembled with excitement. He thought Tobirama was about to pass down some powerful jutsu.
But when Shiro saw the color of the scroll, his pupils shrank.
Wait, I've seen that kind of scroll before…
"Master, this is…?"
Sasuke asked, barely holding back his anticipation.
But Tobirama's next words struck him like a bolt of lightning.
"This contains the truth behind the Uchiha massacre."
Oh sht, it really is that thing…*
Even though Shiro had already guessed it, he was still shocked.
Did he really just throw this explosive truth in Sasuke's face like that?!
Sasuke held the scroll in a daze.
Tobirama continued.
"I was always wary of the Uchiha, but I never denied that they were part of the village.
The massacre of your clan was largely due to the poor decisions of Konoha's higher-ups. That was the village's mistake.
As the last Uchiha and a member of this village, you have the right to know the truth.
Whatever choice you make after reading this, I won't blame you.
But I hope your decision won't endanger the village. Otherwise…"
Before he finished, Tobirama vanished.
Sasuke stood frozen, his body trembling even more.
Wasn't my clan wiped out by that man's hands?
Why would Master Tobirama say the village was involved?
Could there be more to the story?
With these thoughts swirling in his mind, Sasuke slowly unrolled the scroll and began reading.
Shiro watched as Sasuke cycled through crying, laughing, and every other expression possible. His head started to ache.
He knew the real reason Tobirama made him stay behind.
It was to talk Sasuke down if things went sideways.
But did the old man ever consider how difficult this mission was?!
This was Sasuke!
An Uchiha!
And everyone knew Uchiha had a hereditary mental disorder passed down since Madara.
Symptoms included:
Inability to listen to reason
Complete detachment from reality
Tendency to attack anyone who tries to talk sense into them
At more severe stages, they evolved into terrorists who attacked indiscriminately.
And in late-stage cases, they became final bosses who tried to wipe out the entire world.
How the hell was he supposed to talk Sasuke down?!
What was he supposed to do—sacrifice himself for the cause?!
As Shiro's thoughts raced, Sasuke finished reading.
A powerful surge of chakra erupted from his body. His closed eyes leaked tears of blood, and he muttered darkly:
"So he sacrificed the entire clan just to protect me…
Itachi… so this is why you did it…
The village… Konoha…
A filthy village like this… does it even deserve to exist?!"
He's blacking out! I knew it!
Sasuke opened his eyes. A pair of six-pointed Mangekyō Sharingan spun in his gaze.
Shiro: Σ(っ °Д °;)っ!!
WTF—MANGEKYŌ?!
Wasn't this escalation a bit too fast?!
"From today onward, I, Uchiha Sasuke, will leave—"
SMACK!
Before Sasuke could finish, Shiro slapped him across the face.
The Mangekyō vanished, reverting to a fully matured Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
Sasuke, stunned, forgot what he was about to say.
But he quickly recovered. The Mangekyō reappeared as he glared at Shiro.
"You dare stop me, Shiro?"
Shiro: Σ(っ °Д °;)っ!!!
WHAT HAVE I DONE?!
I'M DEAD!
TOBIRAMA, YOU SON OF A—