On the high tower.
Gazing at the distant training grounds, the Third Hokage calmly asked the two elder advisors beside him, "What do you think?"
Koharu Utatane was concise: "Uchiha Sasuke must be severely punished!"
She was highly satisfied with Shinji's performance this time. Although his use of the "Rasengan" was somewhat sensitive, his subsequent display of the "Rasenshuriken" elevated that sensitivity into something awe-inspiring!
This proved that mastering the "Rasengan" was no big deal for Shinji, who had even developed a more powerful ninjutsu based on it.
However, no matter how impressive Shinji's performance was or how great his strength, she had to curb the village's trend of recklessly challenging the First Chair.
Thus, Sasuke had to be punished, even if only verbally.
Mitokado Hom GREAT said, "Sasuke'sទ's state just now was abnormal. That sinister chakra still lingers in my mind—it's unsettling!"
"Hm, let Tsunade handle the investigation."
The Third Hokage nodded slightly.
The "Cursed Seal of Heaven" was not orthodox senjutsu, especially in Gear Two mode. Combined with Sasuke's high-quality Yin Release chakra, it instinctively evoked a sense of dread!
Koharu didn't argue with the Third on this matter. She didn't care about Sasuke; her only concern was her disciple, Shinji. She said, "The investigation into Shinji can probably be put on hold for now, right?"
The Third frowned slightly, not immediately responding.
Koharu glanced at Mitokado.
Mitokado understood and said, "Based on the strength Uchiha Shinji has shown, defeating the Root's attack during the academy exam shouldn't have been an issue. As for the 'Rasengan' issue, regardless of when he secretly learned it, given his status as First Chair, it's not appropriate to pursue it further."
After some consideration, the Third nodded.
Given the strength Shinji had displayed, even Yakumo, whom he had high hopes for, likely wouldn't have a sure chance of defeating him.
Since that was the case, using Shinji, the First Chair, to boost prestige carried some risk.
Thus, the Third decided to go with the flow, appeasing Koharu and Mitokado for now. He would wait until Yakumo was fully prepared before pushing for a test against Shinji.
At the training grounds.
Under Shinji's command, the two Anbu took Sasuke away.
Of course, these two Anbu were directly under Koharu Utatane's command. Otherwise, even with the title of First Chair, Shinji wouldn't have been able to order the Anbu.
Seeing Sasuke truly being taken away by the Anbu, the onlookers felt a chill.
The students of the ninja academy only now truly grasped the authority of the First Chair, realizing that Shinji, as First Chair, had genuinely surpassed them in rank.
The villagers watching the spectacle also felt the weight of the First Chair's power firsthand.
After all, the Anbu had followed Shinji's orders and taken Uchiha Sasuke away in front of everyone!
Kakashi gave Shinji a deep look before vanishing in a flash, chasing after the two Anbu escorting Sasuke.
Asuma, Kurenai, Guy, and the other jonin exchanged complicated glances before departing as well.
In the distance.
Shizune patted Yakumo's shoulder. "Let's go. Now's not the time to challenge him."
Yakumo suppressed her burning desire to fight and nodded.
She wasn't afraid of Shinji, but with so many spectators around and Shinji having just fought an intense battle with Sasuke, which must have drained him, challenging him now would feel like taking advantage of his weakness.
Haku and Karin approached Shinji on the field.
Shinji said to them, "It seems the village still CAN still have some doubts about the Root's attack, but don't worry. I'll handle it."
"Understood!"
Haku and Karin nodded, secretly relieved.
Being under the village's scrutiny was not a good thing for the two of them, who were not only spies from the Hidden Mist Village and Grass Village but also secretly members of the Akatsuki organization. If either of their identities were exposed, it would be disastrous for them and those close to them.
Thankfully, Shinji's swift intervention had drawn the village's attention away from them.
Elsewhere.
Tsunade herself stepped in, taking Sasuke from the two Anbu.
Shinji's command was merely a formality to intimidate the students and villagers, lacking legal weight, so the Anbu would have taken Sasuke to the Anbu base for further orders from the higher-ups unless Tsunade intervened.
Soon after, Kakashi arrived.
Seeing the unconscious Sasuke, he shook his head helplessly.
Tsunade said, "To the hospital first."
After bringing Sasuke to the hospital, Tsunade conducted a full physical examination and later met with Kakashi, holding the medical report.
Kakashi immediately asked, "Lady Tsunade, how's Sasuke…?"
"Take a look."
Tsunade handed him Sasuke's medical report.
Upon reading it, Kakashi's face darkened.
The report clearly indicated a foreign chakra in Sasuke's body, wreaking havoc. If left unchecked, the consequences would be dire.
Tsunade explained, "I examined the wound on his shoulder. It appears to be some kind of 'Cursed Seal'!"
A "Cursed Seal" was a specialized form of sealing jutsu, primarily used for restraint, binding, or cursing.
Examples included the Hyuga clan's "Caged Bird" and Danzo's "Tongue Root Seal" used to control Root members.
Kakashi asked, "Can it be undone?"
Tsunade shook her head. "I've never seen this kind of 'Cursed Seal' before. I tried standard unsealing methods, but they didn't work. For now, I've applied a sealing jutsu to suppress its erosion of Sasuke's body."
Kakashi nodded.
He understood that fully resolving this issue would likely require finding the mysterious figure who had placed the Cursed Seal on Sasuke.
Tsunade suggested, "Let Sasuke rest in the hospital for now."
"Alright."
After seeing off a troubled Kakashi, Tsunade met with Yakumo and Shizune.
Shizune explained how she had stopped Yakumo from challenging Shinji.
Tsunade nodded approvingly. "You did the right thing. Shinji's strength far exceeds our expectations, and blindly challenging him would be unwise."
She then turned to Yakumo. "Don't lose heart. With your 'Koryugan,' which surpasses the average Mangekyo Sharingan, and your mastery of 'Wood Release' and the secret taijutsu 'Monster Strength Fist,' you still have an advantage over Shinji in every way. Your chances of winning are still over sixty percent!"