Chapter 20 – The Birth of Sasuke
Inside the scroll Yusuke handed to Orochimaru was the severed head of a White Zetsu, taken from their recent encounter in the Land of Rain. For a biological science genius like Orochimaru, this was a treasure trove worthy of research.
Orochimaru tucked the scroll away and asked in a sinister tone, "Now that the curse mark is complete, Yusuke-kun, which village's Jinchūriki are you planning to target first to extract the Yin chakra of their tailed beast?"
Yusuke's gaze remained calm. "Don't worry about that. I already have someone in mind."
---
At that very moment, inside a Uchiha training ground, Genma had just finished guiding Itachi and Izumi through their ninjutsu practice. The three of them were now chatting casually.
"Genma-senpai, what kind of jutsu are you best at?" Izumi asked curiously.
Genma grinned with pride. "My specialty isn't really ninjutsu—it's the senbon! When it comes to using senbon, I'm second to none among my peers!"
Izumi's large eyes sparkled mischievously as she laughed. "But senbon are still ninja tools! I bet even you can't beat Itachi when it comes to using tools!"
Genma couldn't stand being underestimated. "No way! I admit Itachi is a rare genius, but there's no way he's already surpassed me in ninja tool mastery."
Tilting her head, Izumi suggested cheerfully, "How about a bet, then? Itachi's specialty is the kunai, right? Let him do a demonstration with kunai first. If you can replicate it with either kunai or senbon, you win. If not, you lose. Deal?"
Genma waved a hand dismissively. "Alright, you're on. If I lose, I'll treat you both to dango for a whole year!"
Itachi, ever modest, protested, "Genma-senpai, maybe we shouldn't do this."
But Genma insisted with full confidence, "Don't worry about me, Itachi. Go ahead. I'm ready."
With a small nod, Itachi said nothing more. He calmly pulled out three kunai and threw them. Then, with flawless timing, he pulled out three more and threw them in a way that they struck the first three mid-air, altering their trajectories. All six kunai hit the bullseyes of six separate targets perfectly.
This wasn't even Itachi's best technique. After training with Shisui recently, his control over ninja tools had become even more refined.
Genma stood frozen, eyes wide in disbelief. The senbon he held between his teeth fell out, landing directly on his foot.
"Argh!" he cried, hopping on one leg in pain.
"C'mon, Genma-senpai! Give it a shot!" Izumi urged, eyes gleaming with innocent mischief.
Genma shook his head with a wry smile. "Forget it. I lost." Inwardly, he sighed in despair. A year's worth of dango for two energetic kids—that was going to cost him a fortune. His already-thin wallet would become even slimmer.
But Izumi's expression softened. "We were just teasing you, Genma-senpai. You've helped us so much with training. We should be the ones thanking you. Let's treat you to dango today instead!"
Genma scratched his head in embarrassment, while Itachi gave a faint, warm smile. He appreciated Izumi's kindness and Genma's easygoing nature.
Just then, a voice interrupted them, bringing their lighthearted moment to a halt.
"Young Master Itachi, the clan leader has asked you to head to the hospital immediately."
Itachi turned to the messenger. "Did my father say what it's about?"
"The Lady is giving birth," came the reply.
Hearing that his mother was in labor, Itachi quickly apologized to Genma and Izumi before rushing off toward the hospital. Naturally, their dango outing was put on hold.
---
By the time Itachi arrived at Konoha Hospital, Uchiha Mikoto had already given birth safely. In the private hospital room, she sat on the bed, cradling a crying newborn. Uchiha Fugaku stood by her side.
"Sorry I'm late, Mother," Itachi said as he stepped in.
Mikoto smiled gently. "It's a boy, Itachi. You have a little brother now."
She then turned to her husband. "You've kept his name secret all this time. Can we finally hear it?"
Fugaku leaned forward, carefully taking the baby from her arms. His voice was filled with joy as he said, "Sasuke. Uchiha Sasuke."
Mikoto looked surprised. "That's a wonderful name—but wait, isn't that…"
Fugaku nodded with a smile. "Yes, it's the name of the Third's father. I already spoke with the Hokage—he gave us his blessing."
He lifted baby Sasuke into the sunlight streaming through the window, letting the warm light touch the child's tiny frame.
"Sasuke, live up to your name and grow into a strong man," Fugaku said with pride before breaking into hearty laughter.
Looking at his newborn brother, Itachi silently vowed: no matter what the future holds, he would protect Sasuke—at any cost.
But just as that vow took root in his heart, another image unexpectedly flashed through his mind: a little girl's cheerful and innocent smile.
---
Back at home, Izumi returned to find her older brother Yusuke already there—an unusual sight.
"Big brother, you're back early today!" she said cheerfully.
Yusuke smiled and waved at Izumi. She ran up to him, her steps light. Reaching out, Yusuke gently patted her on the head.
"I've been tied up lately with the development of an important ninjutsu," he said with a hint of guilt in his voice. "Haven't had much time to spend with you. How about I take you and Mom out for dinner tonight to make up for it?"
Izumi beamed. "Yay! I want barbecue tonight!"
"Sure, whatever you want." Yusuke pinched her still slightly chubby cheeks and then asked curiously, "How come you're home so early today? Don't you usually hang out with Itachi after training?"
"Itachi's mom just had a baby. He's going to have a little brother or sister soon! I'm so excited. I wish I had a little sibling too," she said, eyes full of envy.
Yusuke paused, thoughtful at her words.
"So Sasuke has been born already… That means Naruto's birth isn't far off either. I'd better start preparing. If possible, I want to help the Fourth Hokage and his wife survive the Nine-Tails incident this time."
Yusuke held deep respect for the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze. A civilian-born genius who rose to become the CEO of Konoha without any cheats, and even won the heart of the beautiful heiress from the Uzumaki clan—it was the ultimate rags-to-riches tale.
Minato himself was practically the perfect man—powerful, talented, kind, and handsome.
"I hope I can get there before you use the Reaper Death Seal."
Once Yusuke completed the development of the Dual Polarity Seal, he released Genma Shiranui from his training duties and resumed guiding his own students—Kabuto, Itachi, and his sister Izumi.
As for Guy, he had grown fond of being a teacher and earnestly asked Yusuke to let him continue training the kids in taijutsu. Naturally, Yusuke, being ever so "helpful," agreed. After all, how could he say no to a good friend's request?
---
One afternoon, after completing their ninjutsu training, Yusuke was strolling through the food stalls with Kabuto, Itachi, and Izumi when Itachi suddenly spoke up.
"Yusuke-sensei, have you heard some of the rumors going around lately about you and Shisui?"
Yusuke nodded. "I've heard. It's clear someone's deliberately spreading them—probably trying to stir up internal conflict within the Uchiha clan."
"They're calling me the clan's strongest, and Shisui the clan's most talented. That kind of talk creates rivalry between us and also sows distrust in the clan head's heart."
"I haven't had a chance to speak with Shisui yet, but I've already talked with Lord Fugaku. He's not concerned and said he'll speak with Shisui too. He wants to maintain unity in the clan."
Itachi looked slightly relieved. "I'll talk to Shisui as well."
Yusuke patted him on the shoulder. "Thanks. I don't care about empty titles. I'm not here to compete with him."
What none of them realized yet—neither Yusuke, Fugaku, nor Itachi—was that these rumors served another purpose: to lay the groundwork for Shisui to challenge Yusuke. If Shisui won, it would solidify his position as the undisputed number one in both strength and talent within the Uchiha. Honestly, the Third Hokage's schemes ran deep.
---
At a teahouse, Yusuke took a sip of oolong tea, seated across from his old friend, Genma Shiranui.
"You know, Yusuke," Genma said, brows raised, "you've gotten awfully friendly lately. If it's not tea, it's food. You should know I'm not someone who's easily swayed by snacks!"
"Waiter, another serving of sakura mochi, some yokan, and four strawberry daifuku, please!" Before Yusuke could respond, Genma casually ordered more sweets.
Yusuke's eye twitched slightly but he kept smiling. "Just wanted to thank you again for helping train my students the past few weeks."
Genma frowned slightly. "You've already thanked me five times."
He couldn't help but feel something was off. Yusuke was the kind of guy no one ever got the better of. If he was acting this nice, something was probably up.
Yusuke took another sip of tea, his gaze landing on the newly attached Hokage Guard armband on Genma's arm.
"Congrats, by the way. I heard you've officially been promoted to Special Jonin, and now you're serving as Lord Fourth's personal guard."
Genma smiled. "Yeah, finally managed to climb up a rank. Still, I'm nowhere near your level. People are saying you're the Uchiha's strongest now."
Yusuke waved it off. "Just baseless rumors. They're giving me a headache."
"Oh right, starting tomorrow I'll be on a secret mission," Genma added. "If you want to treat me again, you'll have to wait a while."
Yusuke's eyes gleamed. "It's time," he thought.
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