In the Hokage's office.
After the meeting concluded, the Third Hokage kept Kakashi behind, dismissing the others. In a low voice, he asked, "Can Sasuke be trusted?"
Kakashi was momentarily taken aback before replying, "He's Hidden Leaf's Uchiha Sasuke!"
After a moment of contemplation, the Third instructed, "Confirm it again. The matter of the purple 'Susanoo' must be accounted for to the Elder Council!"
The village's records currently listed only four types of 'Susanoo.' Aside from Sasuke's, the others were Uchiha Madara's blue 'Susanoo,' the Akatsuki's 'A' with a golden 'Susanoo,' and the Akatsuki's 'B' with a red 'Susanoo.'
Since no identical-colored 'Susanoo' had been documented, the village's leadership couldn't help but suspect Sasuke.
Moreover, with Danzo leading the Elder Council, who had supported the eradication of the Uchiha clan, even the slightest hint of Sasuke's potential defection would not be overlooked by the Council.
"I understand!"
Kakashi nodded, his expression growing more serious.
After leaving the Hokage Building, Kakashi didn't delay. He went straight to the shinobi academy, where he encountered Sasuke, who was just heading home after classes.
"Yo, what a coincidence!"
Kakashi pretended it was a chance meeting, greeting him casually.
Sasuke, still brooding over the loss of his right eye's dojutsu power, replied irritably, "What is it? Got something for me?"
"Nothing, just happened to run into you." Smiling, Kakashi continued, "It's about dinnertime. How about I treat you to a meal?"
Sasuke nodded coldly.
After eating and drinking their fill at a diner, Kakashi casually asked, "How's life at the academy lately?"
Sasuke answered halfheartedly, "It's fine, I guess."
"Something on your mind?"
Sasuke opened his mouth, words on the tip of his tongue, but ultimately swallowed them back.
He desperately wanted to talk to someone and vent his frustrations, but what he wanted to discuss was his Sharingan. In his eyes, Kakashi was merely an outsider who had lucked into possessing a Sharingan. They couldn't possibly connect on such a topic.
Seeing Sasuke's reluctance to open up, Kakashi didn't press further. Instead, he patted his stomach. "I'm stuffed! Hey, kid, want to spar?"
Sasuke glanced at Kakashi. "You'd better be careful!"
At the training ground.
Kakashi and Sasuke competed in taijutsu, ninjutsu, and shuriken throwing. By the end of the spar, Sasuke collapsed from exhaustion.
Huff, huff…
Drenched in sweat and panting heavily, Sasuke was clearly tired, but his mood seemed to have improved.
Kakashi handed him a towel. "Wipe off that sweat."
As Sasuke took the towel and wiped his face, he said, "I feel like I'm getting close to your level. It won't be long before I surpass you!"
Kakashi chuckled happily.
He had reason to be pleased. Through the spar, he confirmed that the Sasuke in the village was the real one. No matter how flawless a shadow clone might be, it couldn't perform at this level. The battle between the Akatsuki and the 'Upper Moon Two' had taken place at the border of the Land of Earth and the Land of Waterfalls, thousands of miles from Hidden Leaf. Unless Sasuke had mastered the 'Flying Thunder God Technique,' there was no way he could've returned to the village in a single day.
Thus, the Akatsuki member who fought the 'Upper Moon Two' last night was not Sasuke.
As for Sasuke's bold claim, Kakashi didn't take it too seriously. The spar's purpose was to test Sasuke, so he had held back considerably. In a life-or-death fight, Sasuke, without using his Mangekyo Sharingan, wouldn't stand a chance against him.
The next day.
The academy's training field was as lively as ever.
Students were scattered across the grounds—some building stamina, others practicing taijutsu, and a few in secluded corners honing their shuriken throwing.
Uchiha Shinji was among them, training in taijutsu.
Taijutsu had no upper limit, so Shinji made it a point to maintain a certain intensity in his daily practice. In contrast, he placed far less emphasis on ninjutsu and genjutsu.
At that moment, Tsunade, fully armed, and Shizune suddenly appeared on the training field.
As one of the 'Legendary Three Shinobi' of Hidden Leaf, Tsunade's arrival immediately drew the students' attention, especially since she was dressed in battle gear, clearly preparing for a mission.
Soon, Tsunade approached Yakumo, who was also training on the field, and ordered, "Yakumo, urgent mission. You have thirty minutes to prepare!"
Yakumo was briefly stunned but quickly nodded. "Yes!"
As Yakumo hurriedly left, the students on the field realized that Tsunade had come to the academy specifically to summon Yakumo for a mission.
"With Lady Tsunade personally leading, this mission must be serious!"
"She came just for Yakumo? I heard her record already includes a completed S-rank mission. I wonder what rank this one is?"
"I'm so jealous of Yakumo!"
"Yeah, with Lady Tsunade leading, even the toughest missions would be a breeze, right?"
In an instant, the students buzzed with discussion.
In a major shinobi village like Hidden Leaf, a shinobi's record was highly valued. For a shinobi to rise to the upper ranks, an impressive record was one of the most fundamental requirements.
For someone like Yakumo, still at the academy yet already with an S-rank mission on her record, her future in the village was all but guaranteed to be bright, barring any major mishaps.
Shion pouted, her expression tinged with dejection.
Like the others, she was deeply envious of Yakumo. In their three-person team of Kimimaro, Yakumo, and herself, she had firmly become the weakest link.
Neji watched for a moment before looking away, letting out a quiet sigh. He thought to himself, I still bear a greater mission!
Honor and recognition were the things he craved most yet could not attain. Unlike Yakumo, he couldn't pursue them, as he was still laboriously storing chakra for the 'biological exoskeleton' implanted in his body.
Sasuke, also among the crowd, observed the scene.
When Tsunade called on Yakumo, he began to feel a faint hope. After all, as a Mangekyo Uchiha, he was the only one at the academy who could rival Yakumo.
But under his hopeful gaze, Tsunade suddenly walked to the other end of the training field, stopping in front of Uchiha Shinji, who was practicing taijutsu. "Uchiha Shinji, urgent mission. Gather at the village gate in thirty minutes!"
"What the—!?"
Sasuke froze, his face darkening instantly.
Yakumo being the first recruited for an urgent mission had already irritated him. Now, even Shinji was recruited to join the team, while he was left out. How could he possibly feel fair?