Chapter 413: The Fish Has Finally Taken the Bait
Only now did Sasuke understand what Arato meant by having a large chakra amount.
By comparison, that bit of chakra in his body was like a stream compared to rivers and seas.
"How is this possible!" A sense of disbelief instantly swept over him.
His one-meter-sized Great Fireball was extinguished in an instant before this overwhelming tidal wave.
All the backup tactics Sasuke had envisioned were completely nullified. Facing this kind of area-of-effect attack, all evasion was futile.
The violent water flow roared forward, striking his body with unstoppable force.
His protective chakra was instantly scattered. The kunai slipped from his hands, swept away somewhere unknown.
He was like a fallen leaf in a violent storm, swept up into the rolling turbid current, spinning and tumbling, involuntarily flung into midair before finally crashing down heavily.
The tide receded, revealing muddy ground everywhere.
Sasuke lay limp in the muddy water, soaking wet, in a wretched state.
Arato controlled his ninjutsu very precisely. The tidal wave's impact force had been cleverly dispersed, more pushing force than lethal damage.
But it was precisely this "precise control" that highlighted the desperately vast chasm in strength between them.
The opponent didn't even need to take him seriously to toy with him at will.
This destroyed confidence more than any direct blow.
The physical pain on Sasuke's body was negligible, but the spiritual damage simply couldn't be described in words.
"How could this happen?"
"Can someone like me really use strength to prove myself, to wash away my family's shame?"
The question echoed in his empty mind, receiving no answer.
His pride was ground to powder. The obsessive confidence that had supported him in barely surviving until now seemed so laughable before the absolute gap in strength.
Scalding tears mixed with the mud on his face sliding down, carving out trail after trail. He didn't even have the strength to raise his hand to wipe them away, allowing his vulnerability to be exposed to the cold air and his opponent's eyes.
This undisguised collapse was an experience he'd never had before.
In those crimson eyes, the two tomoe spun madly, distorting and stretching, as if being forged in an intense emotional furnace.
Pain, unwillingness, humiliation, self-doubt... all kinds of extreme emotions transformed into the most violent catalyst.
Finally, accompanied by a subtle yet clear throbbing deep in his pupils, a third tomoe slowly emerged, stabilized, forming a perfect triangle with the other two.
The three-tomoe Sharingan descended smoothly amid ultimate defeat.
The power increase was clearly perceptible. The chakra flowing through his meridians became even more turbulent and surging.
In normal times, this would be a breakthrough worthy of wild joy.
Even within the Uchiha clan, those who reached the three-tomoe Sharingan at his age could be counted on one hand.
Even Itachi, at his age, might not necessarily be stronger than he was now.
But at this moment, this "reward" was full of ironic meaning.
He'd grown stronger, yet the goal seemed even more distant.
This contradictory pain swallowed all joy.
He was truly crushed.
Seeing Sasuke like this, Arato couldn't help but feel some guilt.
"Um..."
He scratched his head, realizing he might have unintentionally gone too far, touching some sensitive place in the other person.
A feeling similar to "bullying a child" surged up.
He came to Sasuke's side, not minding the mud on the ground, sat down cross-legged beside him, softened his tone, trying to "guide his junior" with a clumsy but sincere attitude.
"Actually, you don't need to care so much about defeat."
"No one is born the strongest. Which of the shinobi world's strong people didn't reach the top through defeat after defeat?"
"When ordinary kids are your age, they can't even use the Three Basic Techniques proficiently..."
"I'm different!" Sasuke lay in the muddy water, staring numbly at the sky, interrupting Arato's words.
His voice was hoarse yet abnormally resolute, carrying a pain that was almost obsessive and not understood.
"I must be stronger than everyone!"
"I must possess absolutely overwhelming power to prove to the family that I'm different from Itachi!"
For some reason, beside Arato, Sasuke's emotions were always easily triggered, exceptionally full of desire to confide.
Perhaps because Arato didn't have the complex gaze of Konoha's peers, either reverent or jealous. Perhaps because the defeat just now had torn apart all his disguises and defenses. The tightly sealed door in Sasuke's heart cracked open a gap.
He opened his heart directly to Arato, pouring out everything that had happened to him, including his childhood closeness and admiration for his brother, as well as his current hatred for what Itachi had done.
He exposed his bloodiest wounds completely and unreservedly before this person he'd just met for the first time.
"I see!" Arato listened seriously to Sasuke's complaints about the Uchiha clan, nodding slightly.
"So it's to gain the family's recognition?"
"Recognition?" Sasuke laughed coldly, his tone full of resentment and dissatisfaction. "No, I don't need anyone's recognition!"
He suddenly turned his head. Under the wet black hair, those newly born three-tomoe Sharingan burned with nearly painful flames.
The word "recognition" seemed to touch his most sensitive nerve.
The characters "Uchiha" had long been mixed together with the blood color of that night, becoming part of the shackles he urgently wanted to break free from.
What he wanted was never acceptance, but upheaval.
"I clearly did nothing wrong. Why should I be treated like this by them?"
"If they detest me, why did they revive me?"
"Since they don't consider me an Uchiha, then I won't be an Uchiha either!"
"Whether it's priests or divine lords, I don't care about any of it."
"They look down on me, so I'll become strong to show them!"
"I won't just become strong, I'll become stronger than all of them!"
"I'll strike them all down to the ground, then magnanimously forgive them, letting them know that before me, they are nothing. They are the pitiful maggots!"
"Since the divine lord was also transformed from an Uchiha clansman, then I'll defeat him and become the new Uchiha God."
"When that time comes, I'll personally watch those ignorant fools prostrate at my feet, praying to me, begging for my forgiveness!"
Arato looked at him in shock. In those blood-red eyes, he saw no warmth at all, only the obsession of fighting violence with violence, and a twisted desire to regain control of destiny.
After venting his emotions, Sasuke immediately regretted it, afraid that the heartfelt words he'd just revealed would be leaked by this stranger before him.
Who knew the thing he worried about didn't happen. Instead, a warm large hand extended before him.
"Looks like not everyone worships that Uchiha Yasushi as a divine lord after all!"
"Hey, Sasuke, I'm also someone who doesn't like having a god pressing down on my head."
"If you want to pull that guy down from the divine throne, then I'm willing to lend you a hand!"
These words exploded like thunder beside Sasuke's ears.
No false comfort, no empty encouragement, but a straightforward declaration of alliance.
Clear goals, distinct stance.
This wasn't condescending charity, but an invitation to fight side by side.
"What?" Sasuke could hardly believe his ears.
He looked up sharply.
Against the light, Arato's face was somewhat blurred, but that smile was exceptionally clear.
Not mockery, not pity, but sincere smile with the warmth of sunshine.
At this moment, a ray of sunlight happened to fall on Arato, gilding him with a hazy warm golden edge, making his whole person look as if he'd walked out from radiance.
This scene formed an extreme contrast with the gloomy, cold world of revenge in his heart, deeply branded into the bottom of Sasuke's eyes.
That extended hand, those words, that smile under the sunlight's rays, at this moment became the first real, tangible "rope" from outside in his swamp of despair, pulling him out from hopelessness.
Is this... real?
Happiness came too suddenly, making Sasuke feel somewhat unreal. For no reason he became timid, looking at that hand close at hand yet not daring to reach out and grasp it.
Arato didn't urge him either, just smiled gently, holding that hand steady suspended in midair without moving an inch, patiently waiting for him to make his decision.
After hesitating for a moment, Sasuke finally extended his trembling hand, gently grasping together with Arato.
"Hahahaha... Sasuke, from today on, we're friends!"
Arato laughed heartily, forcefully tightening his five fingers, firmly grasping Sasuke and pulling him up from the muddy water.
"That's right, we're friends now!" Sasuke shouted excitedly. A long-absent smile bloomed again on his face.
But the next instant, a sound of wind breaking through air rang out. A group of Divine Temple guards appeared on the field.
"Young Master Sasuke, are you alright?" The leading ninja's gaze locked tightly on the two hands clasped together, asking coldly.
Sasuke's brow furrowed slightly. A trace of annoyance flashed through his eyes. He said indifferently:
"I sparred with my friend. Nothing's wrong. The Divine Temple guards needn't worry."
"I see. Looks like Young Master Sasuke has also made a new friend!"
That ninja's gaze swept across Arato's face and Zabuza beside him who looked ready for battle. After confirming these two people posed no threat, he turned to look at Sasuke, urging:
"Young Master Sasuke, your companions are now waiting for you to return and complete the mission with them. Please come back with us."
"Also, sparring matters should be conducted in the city's arena in the future."
"Companions, hehe..." Sasuke laughed coldly twice, but ultimately said nothing.
He reluctantly withdrew his hand from Arato's palm. He wanted to invite Arato to return together with him, but worried those Divine Temple guards would cause trouble for Arato.
While hesitating, he heard the guard leader say:
"Young Master Sasuke, you needn't worry about your friend."
"He has already obtained Lord Haku's recommendation letter and plans to participate as a contestant in this Divine Temple guard entrance exam. You'll meet again on the competition field very soon."
"What?" Sasuke was immediately shocked, turning to look at Arato. "You plan to apply for the Divine Temple guards?"
"Oh, it's not about being a guard. Big uncle plans to find me a better teacher and needs me to go on stage to demonstrate myself."
Arato scratched his head, saying somewhat awkwardly:
"Originally today we were planning to give up and leave, but then we unexpectedly met you."
"We're friends now. I can't just abandon my friend to fight alone here."
"I see!" After thinking briefly, Sasuke grabbed Arato's hand again. "Then let's team up!"
"After passing the Divine Temple guard entrance exam, you don't necessarily have to be a guard. You can completely take the prize money and come and go freely."
"Anyone who passes the exam immediately receives the jonin title. I just want to take this title and leave the Divine City to travel and train throughout the shinobi world."
"You help me, and then we'll go together!"
"As for your apprenticeship matter, it's actually unnecessary. I can get almost all ninjutsu and forbidden techniques. When the time comes, I'll teach you."
"That would be wonderful!"
After hearing this, Arato was also very happy. He could learn things without having to go against his conscience to work under that person. The best of both worlds!
After the two agreed, they walked hand in hand happily back toward the city.
Left behind at the end, Zabuza sighed silently, feeling somewhat troubled.
This foolish kid, I'm finding you a teacher to find you a backer, so you won't be too kindhearted in the future and get schemed to death. It's not just for learning ninjutsu!
But he also knew this Arato guy had his own ideas and was the type who repeatedly refused to learn his lesson. Having no choice, he could only follow them back to the city together.
Seeing these people all return to the Divine City, those guards exchanged glances and disappeared in a flash.
The guard leader made several leaps, quickly entering the city, then traveled rapidly all the way to the inner city.
In the ninja world, city walls were meaningless, nothing more than something that could be achieved or destroyed with a single earth release technique.
But here in "Konoha Divine City," the walls had a different meaning.
Besides bringing a sense of security to civilians, through inner and outer separation, they also divided the current shinobi world into different classes.
Without question, the innermost inner city was inhabited entirely by the great Uchiha clan.
And at the core position within the inner city, at the foot of that towering divine statue reaching heaven and earth, was the palace where the great divine lord lived and resided.
The guard leader stopped before the palace gate. Led by the guards, he entered the hall, came before the divine throne, and respectfully reported:
"Great God, Young Master Sasuke just awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan."
"Oh?"
Yasushi reclined on the spacious divine throne, yawning boredly, tossing the black sphere in his hand back and forth, asking lazily:
"I remember it hasn't been long since he awakened the two-tomoe. What stimulation did he receive this time to progress so quickly?"
The guard leader recounted everything that had happened earlier in detail.
Yasushi first listened listlessly, but hearing the latter part, he suddenly sat up straight, his gaze bright as he stared at the guard leader.
"Hmm?"
"You said Sasuke made a friend?"
"And an outsider at that?"
"And they hit it off at first meeting, no wait, became close at first sight?"
"Yes, my God." The guard leader hurriedly explained in detail. "According to the intelligence I know, that youth called Arato truly hit it off with Young Master Sasuke at first sight and became good friends."
"I personally witnessed them walking hand in hand side by side."
"This kind of thing has never appeared with Young Master Sasuke before."
"What kind of person is this Arato?" Yasushi immediately pursued the question.
The guard leader also reported Arato's intelligence in detail.
After listening, Yasushi immediately slapped his thigh and laughed heartily.
Clap clap clap clap clap...
"Excellent!"
"The new savior has finally appeared!"
"My effort in specifically reviving Sasuke to fish wasn't wasted!"
***
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