"Let it go..."
Hearing Sakura's shout, Jokichi pondered slightly.
He didn't want to cause trouble, and even if trouble came looking for him, he would avoid it if possible.
But since Sasuke had provoked him like this, if he still humbly tolerated it, it would only leave others with the impression that he was honest and easy to bully.
By then, more people would come looking for trouble.
Just like school bullying in his previous life, picking on those with weak personalities.
Therefore, he prepared to leave a profound impression on Sasuke, making him too afraid to come looking for trouble again, or at least, not for a short while.
However, Jokichi also knew that Sakura liked Sasuke, liked him very much.
In the anime, even with Sasuke treating her like that, she never gave up, ultimately successfully pursuing the male god in her heart. She could be called the paragon of simps who end up having it all, making everyone admire and respect her.
Sakura definitely didn't want to see Sasuke get hurt.
Although Jokichi didn't necessarily have to care about her feelings.
But they were in the same team after all, seeing each other constantly. Working together with someone with whom the relationship was too stiff would also feel very uncomfortable.
So—
"Shut up, this is between me and Jokichi, don't meddle in our business."
Just as Jokichi was about to propose reconciliation to Sasuke, Sasuke beat him to it, coldly scolding Sakura.
Sakura froze, then lowered her head in disappointment.
Having good intentions rejected by the person you like is very uncomfortable, but what made Sakura even sadder was Sasuke's tone, which sounded like he was speaking to a stranger.
Only at this moment did Sakura realize.
The world is not school. It's impossible to sit together and chat about dreams even if you don't know each other, like classmates in a classroom.
After graduating from school, she and Sasuke only had the layer of being old classmates.
And old classmates who hadn't seen each other for three years. Speaking more realistically, they were just acquaintances.
She could no longer take the initiative to greet him casually after having her goodwill rejected, like she did in school.
This was the difference between society and school.
"Hey, how can you talk like that?"
Seeing Sakura's depressed mood, Naruto roared loudly at Sasuke in dissatisfaction.
But after just one sentence, Sasuke's icy glare forced the rest of his words back.
"If you're upset, then use your actions to make me apologize to her!"
Sasuke provoked Naruto with a mocking tone.
Then, regardless of Naruto's reaction, he turned to look at Jokichi. "If you want the glory of victory, you have to be prepared to accept the humiliation of defeat. Glory will drive me forward, and humiliation will make me work harder. Whether I win or lose, I will not stop my footsteps. If you only know how to run your mouth, you will gain nothing."
Naruto was stunned. He, who was just about to rush up and settle the score with Sasuke, froze in place.
So, it's not just a gap in strength, but also such a big gap in resolve?
However, you are right.
Only running your mouth gets you nowhere, so—
I will absolutely not admit defeat.
Fighting spirit burned in Naruto's eyes.
He clenched his fists and swore in his heart: Whether it's Jokichi or Sasuke, I will definitely catch up.
Seeing this, Jokichi shrugged at Sakura with a helpless face, as if saying: He's the one who wants to keep fighting, it has nothing to do with me.
"Continue! Do you think you have already won?" Sasuke roared loudly.
Jokichi looked back at Sasuke without saying a word, his expression just becoming indifferent bit by bit.
The water flooded by the Water Shockwave receded little by little, and the two stood on the ground again.
Sasuke tensed his spirit and body even more.
He was worried Jokichi would repeat his old trick and use the Konoha-Style Body Flicker Jutsu.
At this time, his body couldn't keep up with that speed.
However, he didn't.
Jokichi clapped his hands together, "Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence."
Ten saplings broke through the earth, facing the sunlight directly, then grew at a visible rate. In just the blink of an eye, they grew into towering trees that required several people to wrap their arms around.
Under the setting sun at dusk, the river sparkled, and the clearing on the bank instantly turned into a small forest.
Having obtained Wood Release for a month, he had already learned all Wood Release ninjutsu, but because the life aura of his chakra wasn't strong enough yet, many ninjutsu couldn't be used.
However, he was still a bit stronger than Yamato.
The massive vitality of the perfect lifeform was nourishing the growth of Wood Release.
Naruto looked up, his mouth wide open, speechless with surprise.
On the opposite bank, Sakura covered her mouth, her eyes wide open.
"This is the First Hokage's Wood Release!"
Sasuke was even more shocked, his eyes trembling, unable to believe the sight before him.
As a member of the Uchiha clan, it was impossible for him not to know this ninjutsu.
Sixty years ago, the one who joined hands with the Uchiha to establish Konoha, the First Hokage, hailed as the God of Shinobi.
Before establishing Konoha, he had suppressed the Uchiha, no, suppressed the entire ninja world for an era.
Even Uchiha Madara, who was equally renowned in the ninja world and unmatched at the time, had never won against him.
And his ninjutsu was Wood Release.
However, in the history of the ninja world, only the First Hokage alone knew Wood Release.
After he passed away, Wood Release seemed to have disappeared; no one could use it.
Now that Jokichi had used it again, what did this mean?
Did it mean he could suppress everyone in the Uchiha clan, suppress everyone in the entire ninja world for an era?
Impossible, how could there be such a thing.
I don't allow it!
Sasuke took a deep breath and began to think calmly.
There are many people who possess the Sharingan, but even if they unlock the same level of tomoe, they won't be at the same level.
Jokichi knowing Wood Release doesn't mean he can become the next First Hokage.
There is no need to compare him with the First Hokage.
Right, that's it.
Thinking of this, Sasuke's gaze looking at Jokichi returned to calmness, and even the tense spirit from being crushed earlier relaxed a lot.
Compared to a single defeat, Jokichi possessing the power of the First Hokage was harder for him to accept.
Therefore, after figuring out that Jokichi did not equal the First Hokage, Sasuke's mood became so relaxed. Even being defeated in this battle wasn't that hard to accept anymore.
Jokichi didn't know Sasuke had thought so many things in an instant. Seeing his relaxed expression after seeing Wood Release, he only thought he was being underestimated.
"Sasuke, accept the whipping!"
Jokichi smiled coldly and clapped his hands. The forest seemed to come alive, various branches and vines growing wildly, whipping towards him like arms.
Being in the forest, there were enemies in all directions.
Sasuke had nowhere to escape. He drew his Anbu katana and slashed wildly. Every strike cut off a branch or a vine.
However, his slashing speed couldn't keep up with the speed of the branches regenerating and attacking.
After cutting off a dozen branches and vines, he finally missed. His sword was whipped away, and then countless vine whips and branches lashed over.
Screams of agony from being whipped echoed in the forest, exceptionally miserable.
But, although it was miserable, he never surrendered, nor did he run away.
Just as he had said, the glory of victory would drive him forward, and the humiliation of defeat would make him work harder. Whether he won or lost, he was prepared to accept it.
There would absolutely be no choice to surrender or escape.
Naturally, Jokichi also didn't stop.
The sun slowly fell below the horizon, and the sky grew dim.
The miserable screams in the forest disappeared.