After the New Year, Sasuke was only eight years old.
His thoughts were very simple—
Both were Shadow Clones, yet Masahiko could fight Itachi back and forth, even using powerful Nintaijutsu to force Itachi's Shadow Clone to use the Clone Great Explosion.
Even if the original bodies fought, how much worse could he be?
"If Teacher can do it, I can too!"
Young Sasuke's thoughts were naive, and his feelings were basically written on his face, easy to see at a glance.
Masahiko didn't point it out.
After learning of Itachi's arrival, he had rushed over precisely for this, wasn't it?
What Sasuke didn't know was... the reason Itachi chose the Clone Great Explosion was indeed because his Nintaijutsu was suppressed, but more so because of the Chakra Absorption Technique rather than the Nintaijutsu itself.
This ability's absorption efficiency wasn't strong, but it couldn't withstand the high frequency of blades and fists clashing.
With every clash and absorption, one side's gain was inevitably the other's loss.
It was precisely through his Sharingan that Itachi observed this flow of Chakra and chose to explode directly to avoid further combat.
On the other hand, Itachi's purpose for this trip had been achieved; there was no need to continue lingering... at the village entrance.
Itachi looked back at the Hokage Building, then used Genjutsu to temporarily freeze the pursuing Anbu squad before quietly leaving Konoha.
Near the Naka River, Zetsu emerged from the ground.
"Lost?"
"No, but my target was Sasuke. There was no need to keep fighting him."
Itachi replied calmly.
He continued walking, gradually moving away from Konoha, before saying, "He has mastered a technique to absorb Chakra and has also developed Water Release Nintaijutsu. His strength is not weak."
"If he didn't have strength, how could he have risen so rapidly?"
Zetsu wasn't surprised, then looked up at the sky. "Someone is catching up; we should go."
He grabbed Itachi and quietly vanished into the earth... Konoha, Hokage Office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had a serious expression as he listened to Kakashi's report from across the desk.
After a long while, he sighed softly. "He was uneasy, afraid we would go back on our word after Danzo's defection, so he made a special trip back."
"I believe so as well."
Kakashi nodded, paused slightly, and said, "Fortunately, Masahiko arrived in time. Otherwise, it's hard to imagine what he might have done."
Although he knew some of the inside story, he still couldn't understand Itachi's thoughts.
The feeling this guy gave him was as if he were intentionally provoking Sasuke.
Hiruzen Sarutobi asked, "How is the Anbu doing?"
"Masahiko has improved the Summoning Contract. He has now converted some of Aoba's high-intelligence crows into Summoned Beasts and is currently training this batch of Ninja Birds with the Torikai Takumi."
Kakashi gave a brief report.
Then, he paused slightly. "There is currently another matter that needs solving, which is the training and personnel replenishment of the Anbu."
During the war years, everyone graduated early and experienced war, so it was clear at a glance whether someone was suitable for the Anbu.
Now the situation was different.
The children graduating from the Ninja Academy these years have basically not experienced war, and the most contact they have with enemies is in B-rank missions or higher.
But among the Ninja population, those who can access B-rank missions are very few.
This was also one of the reasons why Utatane Koharu agreed with Danzo.
They both believed that only through a baptism of blood can truly powerful Ninja be cultivated.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was silent for a moment before saying, "Let Masahiko try first."
"Yes!"
..."Sasuke, do you still remember what I said before?"
Masahiko asked.
Sasuke nodded. "Of course. You said that as long as I master another combat style, you would grant my request."
"What are your thoughts now?"
Masahiko asked.
Sasuke said, "I want to research in the direction of Genjutsu. In the future, I'll follow your example and integrate Genjutsu into Taijutsu, so it won't be a waste of time."
"Mhm, and now?"
"I have already mastered the Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique and the Sly Mind Affect Technique. I'm still practicing the False Surroundings Technique..."
Sasuke reported.
"Genjutsu alone cannot form combat power. During this time, I will start teaching you Kenjutsu."
Masahiko paused for a moment. "Have you awakened your eyes?"
"A single tomoe, but I'm not proficient yet."
Sasuke lowered his voice, but had no intention of hesitating or hiding it.
Masahiko nodded. "In a moment, use your Sharingan to look closely at my movements and Chakra flow. After you memorize them, practice slowly."
"Yes!"
Sasuke lowered his head and quietly activated his Sharingan.
The next moment, Masahiko swung his blade.
Pure, simple slashes, but the speed was extremely fast. He swung the blade again and again, and suddenly—
Sasuke saw a large amount of Chakra gathering in his teacher's hand, strengthening the power of his arm, wrist, and palm.
Whoosh!
A slash fell, the sound of the wind whistling.
"Do you understand?"
"Yes!"
Sasuke nodded heavily.
Masahiko sheathed his blade and said, "This is the second move, and it's also a Kenjutsu technique that requires constant training to truly master."
The next second—
Whoosh!
Chakra gathered on the blade, arm, and palm. The blade unsheathed instantly and slashed forward.
So fast!
Even with the Sharingan, he could only barely see it clearly... Sasuke's eyes widened, his face full of shock.
"If you practice hard, you can reach this level. If you can combine it with the Body Flicker Technique, you can flash and kill in the instant you draw and slash."
Masahiko explained.
"This... this is my goal?"
Sasuke pointed at himself in disbelief.
Masahiko nodded.
Sasuke was stunned and didn't reply for a long time.
After a while, he nodded heavily. "I will definitely do it!"
If Teacher thinks I can, then I definitely can!
Sasuke thought firmly... A week later, it was time for the graduation exams at the Konoha Ninja Academy, and there would be a five-day holiday.
At the Root training base.
Whoosh!
Three clones leapt up together.
Blades were unsheathed, cutting arcs of light in the air as they all slashed toward one person.
The opponent quickly dodged.
One of the other two held a scythe to block horizontally, while the other puffed out one side of his mouth, his mask stretched tight by the effort.
The next second, a Kunai was spat out from his mouth.
The eldest of the three was named Togeito Tessen, and the other two were Ryuuin Mokuin and Kamano Saisu.
And on the other side—
It was Sasuke, Sai, and Shin.
"Right here!"
A low voice sounded.
The two looked down and saw a boy wearing Anbu attire and a mask, his hands completing the final hand seals for a technique.
Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique!
The next second, the three had already rushed in front of them... "It's Genjutsu!"
Togeito Tessen broke the Genjutsu and slapped his other two companions awake.
But at this moment, two ink beasts had already rushed in front of them.
Bang!
The scythe and Fuma Shuriken were swung out by them together.
The beasts turned into ink, but in that instant, two people from behind each held a blade and slashed at them head-on.
After a clash... the next moment, Sasuke alone drew his blade, unsheathed it, and flashed past them with the Body Flicker Technique.
Clang!
The blade passed by them.
"Argh!!"
The opponent hurriedly clutched his abdomen, only then realizing... the other party had used the back of the blade.
Clap!
Applause rang out.
From above, Masahiko Yagyu jumped down and looked at the three shorter boys.
Then, he looked at the others.
"As of now, everyone has finished their matches."
"I am very disappointed."