Chapter 7: Sasuke's Regression
The bench at the edge of the training ground was hot from the afternoon sun. Sasuke Uchiha rested his arm under his head, lying on the bench with his eyes half-closed.
He had been here for a while, watching Naruto practice his jutsu.
Just a short time ago, he had been fighting the so-called "Ancestor of Chakra," Kaguya Otsutsuki. Then, in the blink of an eye, he was back on the day of his Academy graduation.
Although he had countless times wished to return to the past, the past he wanted was one where his father, mother, and brother still existed.
A past where the Uchiha clan still held its place in Konoha, where the clan's training ground echoed daily with the shouts of clansmen practicing their jutsu.
Where his father would offer a rare look of approval at his progress, his mother would gently call him home for dinner, and Itachi... Itachi would ruffle his hair just like when they were children, smiling as he said, "Sasuke, you need to grow up fast."
Not this moment, starting the path of a shinobi all over again, forced to build his strength alone once more.
But... this was good, too. With his memories of the future, perhaps he truly could become Hokage. Perhaps he could change this rotten world.
Once the thought appeared, it was like a seed that quietly took root and sprouted deep in his heart.
Before, his only goal had been revenge. To get revenge on Itachi, he had been willing to pay any price.
But after so many battles, after witnessing the turmoil and conflict of the shinobi world, he suddenly understood that revenge alone could not change anything.
To become Hokage, to stand at the very top... perhaps that was the only way to truly protect what he wanted to protect, the only way to prevent tragedy from repeating itself.
But before that, there was one more pressing matter to resolve.
"The leader of Root—Danzo Shimura. I'll let you live a little longer."
He clearly remembered the disgraceful role Danzo had played in the Uchiha clan massacre.
That snake, hidden in the shadows, his hands stained with blood.
But now was not the time to move against him. He needed time. He needed to build his strength and, using the most perfect method, make them answer for their sins, one by one.
"Sasuke-kun!" A bright, female voice shattered the afternoon's peace. Sakura Haruno ran over, clutching a jutsu notebook, her pink hair standing out in the sunlight.
She stopped a few steps from the bench, panting slightly, her cheeks flushed from the run.
Sasuke opened his eyes, his gaze sweeping over her coolly before he closed them again. "What is it?"
Sakura quickly hugged the notebook to her chest, her fingers nervously twisting the pages. "I... I organized some key points for basic jutsu, and I thought you might need them..."
Her voice grew smaller and smaller, especially as she looked at Sasuke's unresponsive expression. Her heart was pounding so hard it felt like it would leap from her chest.
The boy on the bench was silent for a moment before he slowly sat up.
He didn't look at the notebook. Instead, he gazed into the distance, at Naruto, who was still training.
"I don't need it." His voice was quiet, but it carried a tone that shut her out completely.
Hearing Sasuke's reply, Sakura's shoulders slumped.
She had imagined this moment, just the two of them, a thousand times. Not once had it been like this, over before she could even really start.
She knew Sasuke had always been proud, and after that incident, he had completely sealed himself off.
But she couldn't help it. She wanted to get closer, to do something for him.
"But..." Sakura bit her lip, mustering her courage to look up. "We're getting assigned to teams tomorrow! It would be great if we were on the same team. I could help you..."
"Boring." Sasuke cut her off. He stood up, dusted off his clothes, and turned to leave.
Sakura watched his retreating back, and suddenly her nose stung as tears welled up.
Why... why was it always like this?
She knew the pain he carried, and she knew nothing she did could ever make up for it.
But she just didn't want to give up. She didn't want to see him bear so much all by himself.
"Sasuke-kun!" she called out one more time, her voice cracking. "No matter what team we're on, I'll always be right behind you!"
Sasuke's steps faltered for a second, but he didn't turn back.
The sun stretched his shadow long, casting it solitarily on the ground.
After a long moment, he forced a single sound from his throat: "Tch..."
...
The door to the Hokage's office was pushed open, and Asuma Sarutobi walked in, a cigarette dangling from his lips.
He leaned casually against the wall, his gaze sweeping over the portraits of the previous Hokage.
"Heard the Third is announcing the Genin team assignments today?" he asked, blowing a ring of smoke, his voice casual.
Kurenai Yuhi walked in right behind him. "I heard there are a few kids with talent in genjutsu among this year's graduates."
Sarutobi Hiruzen, seeing that the Jonin leaders for this year's teams had arrived, spoke. "Everyone, sit."
He casually flipped through the roster in front of him. "Regarding the assignment of instructors, do any of you have any thoughts?"
Asuma stubbed out his cigarette. "As long as I don't get brats who are too troublesome, I'm fine."
Even as he said it, his gaze fell on the name 'Sasuke Uchiha' on the roster.
Kurenai scanned the graduate list. "I'm more inclined to take students skilled in genjutsu, but I'll wait to see the final assignments."
Her eyes lingered on 'Sakura Haruno' for a moment. The girl wasn't outstanding in taijutsu or ninjutsu, but her chakra control and affinity for genjutsu seemed to hold promise.
Just then, the office's sliding door opened again. Kakashi Hatake sauntered in slowly, one hand in his pocket. His silver hair, glinting in the light, covered one eye. "Sorry, I'm late."
Following close behind was Might Guy, dressed in his usual, eye-catching green jumpsuit.
The last to enter was Iruka Umino. He still smelled of Academy chalk dust and was holding a stack of student files, looking a bit nervous as he stood by the door.
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked up, tapping his pipe lightly on the desk. "Since everyone is here, let's hear your thoughts on the team assignments."
The office fell silent. Asuma leaned against the wall, saying nothing. Kurenai looked down at the roster. Kakashi leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, as if he'd already fallen asleep.
Seeing that none of the Jonin were speaking, Iruka was the first to break the silence. "Since none of the Jonin leaders have any objections, we will follow your judgment, Lord Hokage. After all, you have always handled the team assignments."
He knew that while each of these Jonin had their own preferences, the Third Hokage's arrangements were always the most thorough.
Hearing a voice, Kakashi slowly opened his one visible eye. "I don't have any special requests. Just as long as they aren't too loud."
"Same here," Asuma and Kurenai replied.
Might Guy scratched his head, confused. Team assignments? What does this have to do with me? he thought. Don't I already have a team?
Just as Guy was about to ask, Sarutobi Hiruzen made his move.
He picked up his pen and began to circle names on the roster. "In that case, I'll announce my arrangements."