And so, day after day, Sasuke learned the Sun Breathing technique from Yoriichi.
Initially, he could only produce sporadic sparks on his wooden sword; a week later, he could maintain the flames for a few breaths; a month later, his wooden sword could finally steadily ignite with flames, though far from as scorching and bright as Yoriichi's.
"Sasuke, you're progressing faster than I expected," Yoriichi commented, a rare occurrence, after one training session.
Sasuke wiped the sweat from his forehead, a smile unconsciously curving his lips: "It's all thanks to Father's excellent guidance."
Yoriichi shook his head: "It's your persistence and talent. My elder brother also learned a breathing technique back then, but he didn't stick with it."
Sasuke was momentarily stunned. This was the first time he had heard Yoriichi mention his family.
"Father also has an elder brother?" Sasuke asked cautiously.
Yoriichi's gaze drifted into the distance, as if traversing time: "Yes, a very exceptional person."
Sasuke keenly noticed the complex emotions that flickered in Yoriichi's eyes, which reminded him of his own gaze when looking into a mirror.
"Let's continue training," Yoriichi said, pulling his gaze back and raising his wooden sword again.
Sasuke nodded, suppressing the questions in his heart. He knew that everyone had their own secrets and pains.
Just as he had never fully explained the truth of the Uchiha clan's massacre to Shii and Yoriichi.
In the evening, Sasuke dragged his exhausted body back to the hut. Shii had already prepared hot water and a hearty dinner.
"How was training?" Shii asked gently, taking Sasuke's wooden sword.
"Very good," Sasuke replied concisely, but his eyes sparkered with undisguised excitement, "Today I was able to keep the flames on my wooden sword for over ten seconds!"
Shii smiled and ruffled his black hair: "I knew you could do it. Yoriichi just came back and said your talent is excellent."
Sasuke's face flushed slightly. In the Uchiha clan, he rarely received such praise.
His father's gaze always followed his older brother, and he could only train desperately, longing for a shred of recognition.
"Go take a bath, there's your favorite grilled fish for dinner," Shii said.
Sasuke nodded and walked towards the bathroom.
The warm water washed away the day's fatigue and also diluted his longing for his original world. Sometimes he even thought that staying in this world wouldn't be bad... But whenever that thought appeared, his brother's figure would surface before his eyes.
Sasuke clenched his fists, water droplets sliding down his arms.
No, he had to get stronger, he had to find a way back, he had to... get to the bottom of the truth of that night with his brother.
After his bath, Sasuke changed into the yukata Shii had made for him. The fabric was soft and comfortable, carrying the scent of sunshine.
He walked into the yard and saw Yoriichi splitting firewood.
Surprisingly, Yoriichi wasn't using a breathing technique; he was simply swinging the axe in the most ordinary way. But each swing was incredibly precise, and the split wood had smooth, neat cross-sections.
"Father," Sasuke called softly.
Yoriichi stopped, looking at Sasuke: "Are you rested?"
"Yes." Sasuke hesitated for a moment, "Father, I want to ask... did you create the Sun Breathing technique yourself?"
Yoriichi put down the axe and sat on a stone bench in the yard. The setting sun's afterglow cast a golden edge on his sharply defined profile.
"Yes," Yoriichi replied briefly.
"Then... are there others who can use this breathing technique?"
Yoriichi was silent for a moment: "Currently, only you and I."
Sasuke's eyes widened: "Such a powerful technique, why don't you teach more people?"
Yoriichi's gaze deepened: "Not everyone can master a breathing technique. And..." He paused, "Power itself has no good or evil, but the people who use power do."
Sasuke nodded thoughtfully. He thought of the ninja in the shinobi world who would stop at nothing for power, he thought of his brother... "Sasuke," Yoriichi suddenly said, "What is your purpose in learning the breathing technique?"
Sasuke froze. He opened his mouth, but found he couldn't give a clear answer. Revenge? Getting stronger? Or...
"I... I don't know," Sasuke finally said honestly, "At first, I just wanted to get stronger and find my way home. But now..."
"Power is for protecting important people," Yoriichi said calmly, "Remember that, and your breathing will not lose its direction."
Sasuke lowered his head, Shii's gentle smile, Yoriichi's patient guidance, and this simple yet warm hut all appearing in his mind.
"I understand, Father."
That night, Sasuke lay in bed, recalling everything that had happened over the past month.
From an otherworldly visitor who had lost everything, to a practitioner of a miraculous breathing technique.
His fingers unconsciously traced the blade of the wooden sword, which still retained the warmth from his daytime training.
Outside the window, moonlight spilled like water. Sasuke made a decision: he would continue to get stronger, not only to return to his original world, but also to protect this new home that had accepted him.
Tomorrow, he would train even harder. One day, his flames would be as bright and scorching as Yoriichi's.
And by then, perhaps he would find his way home, and also... face the truth he had been avoiding!
Sasuke sat up and began to refine his chakra. He could still use the Great Fireball Jutsu, and even though it was only one ninjutsu, as long as it could make him stronger, he had to persevere!
Moreover, something had happened to Sasuke: his chakra in this world showed a completely different activity than before, especially after he learned the breathing technique.
Although Sasuke's current control over chakra could be described as extremely crude.
But as he slowly refined his chakra, the damage caused to his body by his daytime training was nourished and disappeared with each circulation of chakra.
Sasuke vaguely felt that there was a commonality between chakra, or ninjutsu, and breathing techniques.
It was just that he was too weak and inexperienced now to grasp it.
But as long as he laid a good foundation, that's what his foster father said: accumulate first, then consider other things!
Sasuke calmed his mind and began to refine his chakra repeatedly.
Beside the bedding, Yoriichi closed his eyes, a faint smile playing on his lips.