"I grew up in the Konoha Orphanage as a kid."
Yuto gave a gentle smile and said, "Mrs. Mikoto used to volunteer at our orphanage sometimes, teaching the little ones how to read and write. She was such a patient, kind teacher... though it's a shame..." He trailed off with a sigh.
"My mom actually did that?" Sasuke was visibly moved; he had no idea.
Meanwhile, inside the Spirit orb, Kushina piped up, "Wait, is that true? You volunteered at an orphanage?"
"I did," Mikoto, currently dressed in a sleek black dress nodded, then tilted her head in confusion. "But I don't remember ever seeing this young man before?"
"He had dead fish eyes back then," Kushina helpfully supplied.
"Oh!" Mikoto gasped in realization. "Yuto is Little Lamb?!"
"L-Little Lamb?!" Kushina's expression shifted to pure intrigue.
'Yeah, I wasn't exactly social as a kid. Mostly just slept in the dorm wrapped in a blanket like a burrito' Yuto sighed. 'Somehow, Mrs. Mikoto started calling me 'Little Lamb' and completely forgot my actual name.'
"Well, lambs do love napping all day, so it fits!" Mikoto laughed warmly. "I just never expected you'd grow up to look so different. Sorry for not recognizing you right away!"
"Honestly, if you'd seen him a few days ago, he still wouldn't have looked like that,"Kushina added mischievously.
"My, what a shame," Mikoto giggled behind her hand.
Yuto's entire conversation with the two women was happening telepathically, so Sasuke was completely oblivious.
The broody Uchiha was too busy drowning in sudden guilt.
Had he ever really paid attention to what his mom did? Had he ever asked about her day?
...No. No, he had not.
"Thanks… for remembering her," Sasuke muttered, genuine for once.
'Even if this guy's "surprise feces technique" was the most disgusting jutsu in existence, at least he'd shown up to pay respects.
"No problem," Yuto smiled. "I'm sure she'd be proud of you."
"I—" Sasuke almost admitted he hadn't been the best son, but choked it down. "Even if you knew my mom, don't expect me to go easy on you in the tournament!"
"Wouldn't dream of it," Yuto said cheerfully. "She'd want to see you at your best."
"Tch. Obviously," Sasuke scoffed, instantly reverting to tsundere mode.
"And just to keep things fair…" Yuto's glasses flashed ominously in the moonlight. "I'll be using my ultimate move too. Be ready, Sasuke."
And with that, he walked away.
'Ultimate. Move.' Sasuke's entire body tensed.
'Oh no. He's actually going to use it'
Would his secret anti-feces gear hold up? Granny Cat had sworn it would work, but what if—
*Dread.*
Pure, unfiltered dread crawled up his spine.
"That kid's gonna have nightmares tonight," Kushina cackled.
"Why?" Mikoto blinked.
"Because in Sasuke's mind, Little Lamb's 'ultimate move' is called "feces surprise,""Kushina grinned. "Who wouldn't panic?"
"F-Feces?!" Mikoto recoiled. "Yuto, please tell me that's not real!"
"It's not," Yuto deadpanned. "Who the hell weaponizes poop?"
"I dunno, with your luck, a curse might force you to," Kushina mused.
"Curse?!" Mikoto gasped.
"For the love of—Stop tempting fate!" Yuto groaned.
Later, underground...
"Ah, so that's why you suddenly proposed!" Mikoto nodded sagely. "You were cursed!"
"Or," Kushina stage-whispered, "he's just a milf-con and the curse gave him an excuse.
"WHAT?!" Mikoto gasped.
"I CAN HEAR YOU," Yuto said flatly.
"Hm?" Mikoto suddenly found the ceiling very interesting. "N-No, of course I don't believe that!"*
"Then why won't you look at me?!" Yuto's eyes twitched.
"HAHAHA! She's scared you'll pounce!" Kushina howled.
Yuto decided silence was the better option and returned his attention to the cultivation tank.
"It seems to have grown more. What did you do just now?" Kushina stopped teasing and focused on the white substance in the tank, which is now more defined compared to its previous amorphous state.
"Chakra. I added neutral chakra energy," Yuto explained honestly. "I didn't expect it to assimilate so well. This confirms the theory that chakra and souls share the same essence."
"So is it complete now?" Kushina asked.
"Far from it," Yuto shook his head with a meaningful smile. "But we're past the theoretical phase now. Let's just hope our volunteer is ready."
"Volunteer?" Mikoto looked lost.
"Human test subject," Kushina clarified.
"Human experimentation? Isn't that a bit... unethical?"
"Don't worry, Elder Danzo will definitely cooperate with us."
"D-Danzo?!"
Late at night.
Just as Danzo was preparing for bed, he received an urgent message from "Grey Feather" in the Land of Waves.
Lord Danzo,
I've discovered a major secret at the Umbrella Corporation in the Land of Waves!. Under Hanzō of the Salamander's leadership, Umbrella Corp has been conducting underground human experiments, injecting subjects with a special energy to enhance their physical capabilities...Subjects gain tremendous strength, speed, and chakra amplification in short order. The project is codenamed: Super Ninja Program.However, most subjects eventually mutate into inhuman monsters. I'm deeply concerned!
Attached is a sample of the special energy. To prevent catastrophe across the ninja world, I implore Lord Danzo to petition the Hokage for a military strike against the Land of Waves!
Sincerely, Grey Feather.
After reading, Danzo frowned deeply, eyeing the vial of milky white liquid with contemplation.
"Super Ninja, huh…"