[During the same period, Sasuke's circumstances were far more luxurious. Under Orochimaru's almost "insect jar" style of teaching, his strength increased dramatically. He could already use Lightning and Fire Release and Shurikenjutsu with great flair, developing a series of Chidori-derived techniques. He also mastered the Sharingan's Genjutsu and possessed the ultimate killer move—the S-rank Lightning Release: Kirin, which draws upon natural power. His overall ability had reached elite Jōnin, bordering on Kage-level.]
[Coupled with his stylish white attire and swordsmanship capable of overwhelming most of the people in the Shinobi World, his entire demeanor was exceptionally dashing—arguably the peak of Sasuke's good looks in his lifetime.]
[At the same time, this was probably also the moment when the gap between Naruto and Sasuke's abilities was the widest.]
---
[Konoha, Year 60. A valley outside Konoha]
The campfire crackled, and a few grilled fish had already turned charred black, but no one paid them any mind.
Sasuke stood frozen, his hands in his pockets, unmoving.
The Sky Screen had just laid out his entire future development path.
Shurikenjutsu, Lightning and Fire Release, swordsmanship, and that S-rank Lightning Release called "Kirin."
At that time, his strength would be approaching Kage-level?
He looked down at his own hands.
Right now, he hadn't even started learning the Chidori. He had mastered the Great Fireball Jutsu, but compared to the things on the screen, it was several tiers below.
'Kage-level.'
Then, he should be able to kill that man soon, right?
He glanced at Kakashi.
How much of that skillset was taught by this man?
Or would he have to go to Orochimaru after all?
'No.'
Sasuke quickly dismissed the thought.
Everything the Sky Screen mentioned—Konoha had it too.
Lightning Release? Kakashi could teach that. Fire Release? Konoha certainly had it. Swordsmanship? He could practice on his own. There was absolutely no need to go to Orochimaru.
That cold, clammy man—just the sound of his voice made him uncomfortable.
The only thing that bothered him a little was the cursed mark form.
But he believed that even without that state, he could still become strong.
After all, the Sky Screen had said he was this generation's Indra, with talent surpassing Uchiha Madara.
He could master these things on his own.
Naruto, on the other hand, was frustrated. "What is this? How come the gap between me and Sasuke in the future is getting bigger and bigger?"
He scratched his head, looking unconvinced, messing up his hair.
He had just been feeling proud of himself for learning the Rasengan, and now the Sky Screen had poured cold water all over him.
Jiraiya was leaning against a tree, deep in thought.
'Orochimaru… he's actually not bad at teaching disciples?'
'Naruto can't even keep up with the Sasuke from the same period?'
He rubbed his chin, considering whether he should increase Naruto's training load.
According to the Sky Screen, three years from now, Naruto would be completely outclassed by Sasuke.
That wouldn't do.
Meanwhile, Sakura cupped her face in her hands, her eyes full of hearts. She looked like she might float away.
"So handsome… This Sasuke is really handsome…"
She stared at the white-clad figure on the screen, her eyes nearly turning into hearts.
White clothes, a sword at his waist, lightning in his hand, a sharp gaze.
Just standing there, he looked better than everyone else on the screen combined.
Naruto turned to look at her, his face full of discontent. "Sakura! Whose side are you on?!"
"Sasuke-kun's, of course!"
Sakura answered without a moment's hesitation.
Naruto turned away indignantly, deciding to ignore her. He picked up a stick and poked at the ground, muttering under his breath.
Sasuke glanced at him. The corner of his mouth twitched—then he quickly suppressed it.
---
[Konoha, Year 83. The Hokage Home]
Boruto shot up from the sofa like he had a spring in his back, his eyes gleaming. "So cool! I want to dress like that too!"
He spun around the living room, mimicking the pose of a sword at his waist, and even tried to form hand seals with one hand like Sasuke had on the screen.
Himawari tilted her head and corrected him with a serious expression: "Big brother, that's from Dad and their generation. Hardly anyone dresses like that anymore."
"I don't care! I want white! And I want a sword!"
Boruto jumped in front of Naruto and tugged at his clothes. "Dad, what did you wear back then?"
Naruto looked at Sasuke in his fluttering white clothes on the screen, the corner of his mouth twitching.
That outfit was indeed much better than his own orange tracksuit from back in the day.
"Dad?"
"…Don't ask."
Naruto turned his head away, pretending to admire the scenery outside the window.
Hinata covered her mouth and chuckled softly.
[Naruto's trump card was a four-tailed Nine-Tails rampage. But crucially, at this time, the ocular power of Sasuke's Sharingan could invade Naruto's mental world and forcibly suppress the Nine-Tails' chakra, stopping Naruto's transformation at its source. Even the Nine-Tails had to admit that the Sasuke of this era was practically identical to Madara from the same period.]
[Therefore, Naruto at this time was no match for White-Robed Sasuke. During these three years, White-Robed Sasuke and Naruto met only once—and he crushed almost the entire Jōnin-level New Team 7 in a single, overwhelming display of power.]
---
[Konoha, Year 60]
Sasuke frowned.
'New… Team 7?'
He looked at Kakashi.
So after he left in the future, a newcomer had joined?
Naruto, however, hadn't noticed that detail. He was too busy being set off by another sentence on the screen, jumping up in a huff. "What do you mean, 'no match'? What do you mean, 'crushed'? Am I really that weak in the future?"
He jumped up, waving his arms, his face full of indignation.
Jiraiya smacked the back of his head. "What's the rush? The screen said that was when the gap between you two was at its widest. You caught up afterward, didn't you?"
"But—"
"But what? You're still this weak right now. Why are you worrying about three years from now?"
"Finish today's training first. Did you master chakra control yet?"
Naruto rubbed his head and muttered, "Yeah, yeah, I know…"
Sasuke watched them, then suddenly spoke. "Naruto."
"What?" Naruto was still rubbing his head, his tone less than friendly.
"What's the deal with that new Team 7?"
Naruto blinked, then scratched his head. "How should I know? That's the future. Maybe after you left, they found someone better-looking to take your place."
Sasuke stared at him for two seconds, then looked away. "Whatever."
Kakashi suddenly spoke up, his voice quiet but clear. "Sasuke."
"Hmm?"
"No matter what happens, you are my student and will always be a member of Team 7."
Sasuke turned his head away. "Tch."
---
[Akatsuki Hideout]
Itachi sat in a corner, listening to the Sky Screen's description of Sasuke's abilities, silently calculating.
'Three years… he'll become that strong… good.'
'My body should be able to last until then.'
It was getting worse every year. The coughing, the blood, the fading eyesight—each day more severe than the last.
But if he could just hold on a few more years, until Sasuke grew strong enough…
But how much longer could he really last?
"Itachi-senpai." Deidara's voice cut through his thoughts, tinged with mockery. "Your little brother now seems more handsome than you."
Itachi looked up at him, expressionless.
Deidara pointed at the white-robed figure on the screen, his tone exaggerated.
"That outfit, tsk tsk tsk. Gotta hand it to the Uchiha."
---
[Konoha, Year 52. Uchiha Clan Grounds]
Mikoto looked at the white-robed boy on the screen, her eyes full of tenderness. "Our Sasuke is truly handsome."
She held young Sasuke's hand, pointing at the screen.
Sasuke sat beside his mother, his eyes sparkling as he stared at his future self on the screen.
White clothes, a sword at his waist, Lightning in his hand, and a sharp gaze.
'So cool!'
*****
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