Senju Hashirama: "If this continues, this Sasuke will have the strength of a Jōnin by the time he graduates, won't he?"
Senju Tobirama: "It's not that he should—it's that he must."
The first Nature Transformation had been successfully achieved through experimentation. For an Uchiha, mastering Fire Style Nature Transformation shouldn't be too difficult.
Hatake Kakashi: "…I've got a bad feeling about this."
He could already feel it—he was going to suffer.
If, in a parallel world, Sasuke's Jōnin instructor was still him… what would happen then?
He'd be facing a student whose strength defied all imagination!
As his mentor, Kakashi might soon realize there was nothing left he could teach his own student.
Momochi Zabuza: "…"
He, too, had a bad premonition.
If Hatake Kakashi brought along an Uchiha Sasuke with the strength of a Jōnin…
Would his other self in that world be killed instantly?
How miserable that would be!
[Time passes.]
[Sasuke continues his training.]
[Bit by bit, his chakra control improves.His ability to guide chakra through each meridian grows sharper and more refined.]
[At the same time, his progress with Fire-style Nature Transformation advances steadily.]
[Every day, he also reads—absorbing knowledge, sharpening his mind.]
[Sasuke can feel it: he's getting closer and closer to uncovering the hidden truths behind the events in Konoha.]
[One day.]
[After finishing his training, Sasuke heads home.]
[Suddenly, he hears a little girl crying—mixed with the jeers of several boys.]
["Are you the sister of that annoying Neji?"]
["So gross! You've got the same white eyes as that guy Neji!"]
["Hey, are your eyes that ugly because you're from the Hyūga clan? Show us!"]
["Crybaby! Useless girl!"]
["Monster! A monster with white eyes!"]
[Sasuke frowns and walks toward the noise.]
[Surrounded by a few brats is a small girl who looks familiar.]
[It's Hyūga Hinata—a quiet, timid classmate who rarely speaks, almost invisible in class.]
[Sasuke steps closer.]
["Hey, you three. Bullying a girl together—are you looking for a beating?"]
["U… Uchiha Sasuke!"]
["Crap, it's him! Let's get out of here!"]
[« What a disappointment ! »]
[The three kids, terrified, immediately run away.]
[Even though they're not in the same year at the academy, Sasuke's reputation is well-known—and so is his strength.]
[Against someone like him, those kids never stood a chance, even three against one.]
["Stop!"]
[Sasuke's voice snapped through the air.]
[The three bullies who were about to run froze instantly, their bodies trembling.]
["Did I say you could leave? Apologize to this girl."]
[Sasuke pointed directly at Hinata as he spoke.]
[Although the three boys were unwilling, they gave in quickly—especially after Sasuke grabbed one by the collar and slammed him to the ground with one hand.]
["S-Sorry!"]
["We were wrong!"]
["Please forgive us!"]
[Seeing Sasuke wave them off, the boys ran away as if they'd just been granted amnesty.]
[Sasuke knelt down and gently patted Hinata's head.]
["You're not weak. So why didn't you fight back?"]
[A warm smile appeared on his face.]
[After spending so much time training with girls at the academy, Sasuke had become quite skilled at this sort of gentle approach.]
[That soft, reassuring smile—almost invincible.]
[Hinata's face turned crimson.]
[His hand rested on her head.]
[His voice was soft.]
[His smile, calm and kind.]
[It was as if the whole world around him glowed faintly.]
["I… I didn't dare to…"]
[Hinata whispered, her voice trembling.]
[Sasuke sat down directly in front of her, meeting her eyes.]
["Why don't you dare? Is something bothering you? You can tell me. I'll help you however I can."]
[Those gentle words broke through the wall of fear Hinata had been holding inside.]
[Slowly, haltingly, she began to speak.]
[Her father, as the head of the Hyūga clan, placed extremely high expectations on her.]
[As her younger sister Hanabi grew older, his demands became even stricter.]
[During today's daily sparring session, Hinata had hesitated—she couldn't bring herself to strike her sister seriously.]
[As a result, she lost the match.]
[Her father's disappointment had been harsh.]
[After being scolded, Hinata ran away from home in tears.]
[And that led to… this.]
[Sasuke listened carefully, nodding from time to time and occasionally responding with a few gentle words to help Hinata express her feelings.]
["What you're feeling is normal. I understand you. If I had a younger sister, I don't think I could bring myself to hurt her either."]
[Sasuke's tone was calm and kind.]
[Seeing his understanding expression, Hinata felt a wave of relief — and even a little happiness from being acknowledged.]
[Sasuke went on:]
["If I really did have a younger sister, I think I'd train even harder — because I wouldn't want anyone to bully her."]
["For example, if you were my little sister, and I saw you being bullied like just now… I'd probably rush in and beat those guys up!"]
["Pfft…"]
[Hinata couldn't help but laugh, quickly covering her mouth.]
[Sasuke smiled slightly and continued:]
["You get what I mean, right? If your sister were the one being bullied, what would you do?"]
[Hinata: "I… I would protect Hanabi!"]
[At that moment, a spark of realization flashed across Hinata's eyes.]
[To gain strength — is to protect the ones you want to protect.]
[If she wanted to shield her sister from harm, she had to become stronger herself.]
[Even during daily sparring with Hanabi, she should give her all.]
[The stronger she became, the better she could protect her sister.]
[Thinking of this, Hinata's expression softened, gratitude shining in her eyes as her cheeks turned faintly pink.]
["Thank you… I understand what I need to do now."]
[Unknowingly, Sasuke's name was being etched deeper and deeper into her heart.]