Chapter 31: Orochimaru's Invitation
"Orochimaru-sama, what's the meaning of this?"
Yusuke's voice was cold as he eyed the sudden strike from Orochimaru.
He didn't believe Orochimaru would truly turn against him here. After all, their strengths were on par, and there was no real benefit in clashing.
Orochimaru didn't press the attack. Instead, he casually performed his signature sword-swallowing trick, sliding the Kusanagi blade back down his throat.
"Yusuke-kun, the chakra in your curse mark… it's the Yin half of the Nine-Tails, isn't it?"
"I met the Fourth Hokage's son. The Eight Trigrams Seal on his stomach holds only the Yang half of the Nine-Tails."
"I'm really curious—on the night of the Nine-Tails attack, how exactly did you manage to obtain the Yin half of the Nine-Tails' chakra from the Fourth and his wife?"
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed as he stared at the Taiji curse seal etched into Yusuke's chest. Now that it had sealed the Nine-Tails' chakra, the pattern was much clearer—no longer dull and vague like when it had first formed.
Knowing his secret had been exposed, Yusuke answered calmly, "Just a matter of timing and luck. You're not thinking of reporting this to the Third, are you?"
Orochimaru let out a hoarse, unsettling chuckle.
"Keep it down, Orochimaru-sama," Yusuke said plainly. "Your experiments have been drawing too much attention lately. I don't need anyone suspecting we're this close."
The unsettling laugh ceased. Orochimaru gave Yusuke a long look and spoke seriously.
"Yusuke-kun… this village isn't meant for people like us."
"All that nonsense about the 'Will of Fire' and 'bonds'—how many talented shinobi have they held back?"
"Come with me. I've found a new base, the perfect place for research. Together, we could redefine forbidden jutsu. With our combined talents, we'll go beyond the realm of ordinary shinobi and step into the extraordinary!"
He spread his arms, as if envisioning a future without limits.
"And don't worry—you're no subordinate. You'd be my equal."
Orochimaru's gaze was sincere as he awaited Yusuke's answer.
"I'm sorry. I have no intention of leaving the village," Yusuke rejected him without hesitation.
He hadn't expected Orochimaru to seek him out just to propose defecting. The offer was tempting—freedom, power, equality—but Yusuke still had too many ties here. Too many people he couldn't abandon.
Orochimaru's face darkened slightly. "So even you can't free yourself from worldly attachments?"
"A shame. You may have already reached your limit."
"A shinobi's true strength lies in how far their will can reach."
With those words, Orochimaru's figure began to fade like a mirage, vanishing into the air.
"I'll be in Konoha for a while longer, Yusuke-kun. If you change your mind… it won't be too late."
Yusuke stared at the empty space where Orochimaru had stood, then turned and walked toward the Uchiha compound.
"If I didn't have any attachments… maybe I really would've joined him, just to pursue pure strength."
---
Three months later.
After defeating Shisui in their previous duel, Yusuke's reputation within the Uchiha clan had reached its peak. In the ninja world, strength speaks louder than anything. Even those who had once resented him now greeted him with respect.
The name Enkatō—the "Blazing Blade"—was known throughout Konoha. Their duel had drawn many spectators, and stories of Yusuke's power spread like wildfire.
As for Shisui, his fame didn't diminish in defeat. His near-Kage-level performance impressed everyone, and no one dared call him weak.
With Blazing Blade Yusuke and Shunshin Shisui standing tall, the Uchiha clan's declining prestige was on the rise again—though it also made other clans uneasy.
In the meantime, the village was busy rebuilding after the Nine-Tails disaster.
The biggest news during this quiet time was the return of one of the Sannin—Jiraiya. His presence brought some much-needed comfort to the villagers.
---
Konoha Hospital.
In the private ward of the Fourth Hokage, Minato lay unconscious.
Jiraiya stood by his student's bedside, full of regret.
"If only I'd been in the village that night… maybe Minato wouldn't have had to shoulder it all alone."
He sighed deeply.
"It's not your fault, Jiraiya-sama. No one could've predicted the Nine-Tails would attack," said Kakashi, who stood beside him.
"Let's hope we find Tsunade soon. If anyone can wake him, it's her. Once Minato wakes, we'll finally know what really happened that night."
Kakashi frowned. "You think there's more to that night?"
Jiraiya nodded. "Exactly. With the strength of Minato and Kushina, it shouldn't have been this bad. Something's not right."
After checking Minato's condition, Kakashi asked, "By the way, Jiraiya-sama, the Third has placed the Fourth's son in the orphanage. Do you want to visit him?"
"Naruto, huh?"
Jiraiya smiled slightly. "Of course. Let's go see the little guy."
As they turned to leave, Kakashi spotted something on the nightstand.
"Is this your book, Jiraiya-sama?"
Jiraiya grinned. "Ah, that one! My latest creation—just finished the first volume. Here, take it. I think a man like you will appreciate it."
Kakashi accepted it, glancing at the cover.
Make-Out Paradise.
"Seems like a touching story…" he thought, slipping it into his vest.
"Oh, Jiraiya-sama, I also had some questions about training—specifically my Sharingan."
"Sure, we'll talk on the way."
---
With Jiraiya's return, it was also time for a new term at the ninja academy. Izumi and Itachi had reached enrollment age. Though Kabuto was two years older, Yusuke had him enrolled too—planning for an early graduation through official channels.
On the first day, the academy gates were packed—new students and their families everywhere.
Since Izumi and Itachi were enrolling together, Yusuke, Uchiha Hazuki, and the Fugaku couple were all present.
Watching Izumi stand among the other children, Yusuke sighed.
"Little Izumi is growing up so fast."
Hazuki chuckled. "You sound more like a doting father than a brother."
Though only fifteen, Yusuke had the soul of a time-traveler—older even than Hazuki, his mother.
And indeed, he had raised Izumi like a loving father all these years.
He smiled. "Isn't that how it should be? An elder brother is like a second father."
During the opening ceremony, the Third Hokage personally gave a speech on Konoha's history and the Will of Fire, officially kicking off the new school year.
---
Six months later, Izumi, Kabuto, and Itachi all applied for early graduation. Thanks to Yusuke's long-term guidance, they easily met the requirements.
Izumi and Kabuto stayed by Yusuke's side—Izumi because he wouldn't let her take missions yet, and Kabuto because he was Yusuke's most capable research assistant despite his age.
Itachi, on the other hand, chose to gain field experience and joined a standard four-man squad under Jōnin Mizuki Yūki, alongside two older Genin: Izumo Tenma and Inari Shinko.
They carried out several missions together. Though Itachi struggled at first to integrate, he gradually bonded with his team and became close with his comrades.
But peace never lasted long. During an escort mission, their team was ambushed by a mysterious attacker. Mizuki Yūki and Izumo Tenma were killed. Shinko was gravely injured.
The attacker spared Itachi, who was only lightly wounded. But the trauma of losing his teammates triggered the awakening of his Sharingan.
Standing before their graves, Itachi reflected on the nature of life and death.
When he returned home, his father didn't express grief over the deaths—only praised him for awakening the Sharingan at such a young age.
Itachi felt a storm brewing in his heart.
---
"Didn't expect you to face this kind of loss so early in life."
Yusuke's voice broke the silence behind him.
"Sensei… what are you doing here?"
Yusuke stepped forward, gently ruffled Itachi's hair.
"You're a good kid, but you think too much. Always have."
"Have you lost comrades on the battlefield, Sensei?" Itachi asked.
"Plenty. Back in the Third Shinobi War, I saw more deaths than I can count. After a while, you go numb."
"But dwelling on it won't help. What matters is protecting those still with you. Only by growing stronger can you change fate."
Itachi was silent for a long time.
Then he asked, "Sensei, which is more important—village or clan?"
Yusuke raised an eyebrow, smiling as he sat on a nearby stone step.
"Funny. I thought you'd keep that question buried in your heart."
"Well then, Itachi, what do you think?"
Itachi hesitated before answering, "The village… I think it's more important."
Yusuke wasn't surprised. In the original timeline, Itachi had made the ultimate sacrifice for Konoha.
"But what if the day comes when the village and the clan are completely at odds—would you sacrifice your family for the village?"
Itachi froze. He didn't know how he would choose.
Yusuke patted his shoulder, then asked with a grin,
"Ever heard of the trolley problem?"
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