Chapter 59 – Rematch Against Sakumo
After returning to Konoha, Hatake Yusuke headed straight for the Hokage's office without saying a word.
"Reporting in," Yusuke said as he stepped into the room.
"You're back. How did it go?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked with a faint smile.
"It's done. The Akatsuki has agreed to cooperate," Yusuke replied firmly.
"Well done. You're free to go now. Oh, and you might want to check in with Tsunade—she's been really worried about you," the Hokage added, his tone laced with subtle meaning.
"Understood," Yusuke said before turning and heading straight for Tsunade's residence.
In the blink of an eye, he flashed across the village, arriving outside her home.
"Tsunade, I'm back," he called out from the doorstep.
The door opened to reveal Tsunade's concerned face. Seeing her, Yusuke gave a faint smile.
"Finally, you're home," she muttered with a hint of irritation in her eyes.
"I was on a mission," he replied casually.
"Come in," she said, stepping aside. Inside, Jiraiya and Orochimaru were already waiting.
"Long time no see, Uncle Snake," Yusuke greeted with a small grin.
"Yusuke-kun… it seems your power has grown again," Orochimaru murmured, sensing that Yusuke's chakra had become even deeper—so much so that it was difficult to read.
"Yes. I made quite a bit of progress in the Land of Rain," Yusuke admitted. His swordsmanship had broken through into the realm of a True Sword Saint.
"How did the mission go?" Tsunade asked.
"I won the gamble," Yusuke said nonchalantly.
"And Yahiko and the others?" Jiraiya asked, concern creeping into his voice.
"No worries. I forced Hanzo to retreat. He won't be interfering with the Akatsuki for now."
"You… forced Hanzo to retreat?" Jiraiya's eyes widened. Even though he knew how strong Yusuke was, the idea of him pushing Hanzo back was hard to believe. Not even Hiruzen had ever claimed such a feat. But still, there was no hint of dishonesty in Yusuke's voice.
Tsunade nodded calmly. She understood Yusuke's capabilities better than most. It wasn't just his mastery of ninjutsu and kenjutsu—his speed rivaled light itself, and his spatial manipulation, thanks to the Door- Door no Mi, was extraordinary.
Orochimaru said nothing, lost in silent analysis.
After a short chat, Yusuke took his leave. His mission was complete. Now, it was time to fuse with a new Devil Fruit. But first, he stopped by to check on Yūhi Kurenai.
That night, Yusuke arrived home just as dinner was about to start. He emerged through a glowing portal into the house.
"Perfect timing," he said as he saw his father and younger brother, Kakashi, eating. Grabbing a bowl and chopsticks, he joined them at the table.
"How did the mission go?" Hatake Sakumo asked.
"Hanzo is… very strong," Yusuke replied flatly.
"You fought Hanzo?" Sakumo looked up, eyes wide.
"Yeah." Yusuke chewed casually, as if it was no big deal.
Sakumo studied his eldest son quietly. Though Yusuke's chakra was tightly concealed, the pressure from his sword aura was approaching Sakumo's own level. He couldn't deny it—Yusuke's potential was staggering.
Kakashi couldn't hide his surprise either. The gap between their strength felt wider than ever.
After a warm family dinner, Yusuke returned to his room, excitement flickering in his chest.
"Check mission rewards."
[Ding!]
[Congratulations, Host. Mission completed. Reward: One Devil Fruit draw. Would you like to spin now?]
"Do it."
[Drawing in progress…]
[Ding!]
[Congratulations! You have obtained the Devil Fruit: Mera Mera no Mi. Would you like to initiate fusion?]
'No way… this fruit?!' Yusuke thought to himself. The Flame-Flame Fruit. It wasn't just powerful—it had belonged to Portgas D. Ace, one of his favorite characters of all time. As a Logia-type, the Mera Mera no Mi was nearly on par with the Magma-Magma Fruit. Fire, to him, was one of the purest forms of energy. Even in the ninja world, techniques like Amaterasu paled in comparison to real magma.
Ace hadn't yet fully mastered the fruit when he died—he was still young. Meanwhile, Akainu was in his fifties during the war. It made sense that Ace never surpassed him.
The fusion process was painful, but this time it only took about an hour. When it was over, Yusuke's chakra surged—reaching the level of a Kage.
Still, he didn't test the fruit right away. The exhaustion from fighting Hanzo caught up with him, and he fell into a deep sleep.
The next morning, Yusuke woke early and began preparing breakfast. Not long after, Sakumo joined him.
"You're up early," Sakumo remarked.
"So are you," Yusuke replied with a soft smile.
"How's your training going lately? Care for a little sparring session?" Sakumo asked, sitting down to eat.
"Sounds like a plan."
After their meal, the two made their way to a quiet clearing in the forest.
There were no unnecessary movements. Sakumo drew his short blade—the famed White Fang.
"You're not using your sword?" he asked, noticing that Yusuke hadn't summoned Enma.
"My swordsmanship may have improved, but I still can't match you in that area," Yusuke said, implying that Kenjutsu wasn't his strongest suit.
"Get ready," Sakumo said as he unleashed several slashing waves of chakra from his blade.
Yusuke didn't dodge. He raised his right hand, now glowing with a brilliant white aura, and blocked the attack head-on. The force rippled through the forest, even reaching Sakumo's position.
"That ability of yours is truly troublesome," Sakumo commented. The power of Yusuke's Tremor-Tremor Fruit gave him both incredible offense and nearly impenetrable defense.
But Sakumo wasn't one to be easily outdone. He absorbed the shock, stepped back, and infused his blade with Lightning Release chakra before charging again.
"Totsuka no Tsurugi," Yusuke called, forming an energy blade in his hand to counter the strike.
Yet Sakumo's speed was nothing short of monstrous. Yusuke found himself being pushed back, his energy blade nearly shattering—if not for the reinforcement of Armament Haki.
"Your technique is good… but still full of openings," Sakumo remarked, flipping back into position.
"Hatake Sword Style: Annihilation."
A massive wave of chakra-laced sword energy swept toward Yusuke, radiating pure destruction. The force behind it was comparable to an S-rank Ninjutsu.
"Then let's test my newest power," Yusuke muttered.
"Hiken—Fire Fist!"
A deep roar echoed through the clearing as a massive flaming fist erupted from Yusuke's arm. The sheer heat scorched the trees nearby, even without touching them.
The fiery fist clashed with Sakumo's sword wave, unleashing a thunderous explosion. Though Sakumo's blade managed to split the attack down the middle, the impact had already shaken him.
"…Was that… really Ninjutsu?" Sakumo muttered, his eyes wide in disbelief.
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