Chapter 77: The Tremor of Hatake Yusuke
"I didn't expect it... You've grown this strong, Yusuke," Jiraiya said, his voice tinged with awe.
"It's nothing special, Jiraiya-nii," Yusuke replied casually. "Now that I'm here, I doubt Sunagakure will dare to attack again. Still, we shouldn't let our guard down."
"You plan on leaving the battlefield?" Jiraiya asked, watching Yusuke closely. He could already tell Yusuke had no intention of staying here. Perhaps another front required his power more urgently.
"Yeah. I'm going to check in on my father, then return to the village for a while," Yusuke answered calmly.
Jiraiya frowned. Hidden in those words was something deeper—Yusuke no longer wanted to be involved in this war. And honestly, Jiraiya felt it was a waste. If Yusuke truly took part in the war effort, it would be over far sooner. His strength now surpassed even that of his master, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Why? If you joined the front lines, this war would end much faster!" Jiraiya's voice rose, emotion flaring in his tone.
"Calm down, Jiraiya-nii." Yusuke's voice remained even. "To be honest… what do the deaths of others have to do with me?"
His words were mild, but the next line cut cold.
"Don't forget—they chose their paths. They knew the consequences," he continued, his gaze sharp.
"But you're a shinobi of Konoha too! They're part of us—our comrades!" Jiraiya countered, clearly troubled by his friend's detachment.
"And what about my father back then?" Yusuke said quietly. "He tried to save people... and they spat on him for it. Who's to say they won't do the same to me someday?"
His tone turned darker. "Those people... all it takes is a single mistake—and suddenly, you're a villain."
"So you still can't let it go…" Jiraiya sighed heavily.
"Do you think I could just forget that so easily?" Yusuke replied, exhaling slowly.
"…I'm sorry. I went too far," Jiraiya admitted, realizing he had pressed a wound that hadn't healed.
"I don't blame you, Jiraiya-nii." Yusuke offered a faint smile. "But remember this—this world is far darker than you think. And the human heart… it's the most unpredictable thing of all."
With that, Yusuke turned and walked away. Jiraiya stood silently, lost in thought.
"Tsunade, are you coming with me?" Yusuke asked as he passed her.
"No," she shook her head. "I'm the commander here. I need to stay and hold the line."
"Alright," Yusuke nodded. "I wanted to check on a few friends, anyway."
"Hmph… friends, huh? Or maybe that little girlfriend of yours?" Tsunade gave him a sharp look.
"Uh…" Yusuke rubbed his nose awkwardly.
"Oh, just go." Tsunade rolled her eyes, her voice softer. "I know what it feels like… to love someone. Besides, she knew you before I did, right?"
"Thank you, Tsunade," he said sincerely.
"No need for thanks between us," she replied with a small smile.
He lingered a moment, then took off—his next destination: the front lines, where White Fang fought.
— — —
Meanwhile, inside the Hokage's office...
"Reporting to Hokage-sama!"
"The entire Sunagakure force has been annihilated. Only Chiyo and Ebizō survived," a shinobi announced with urgency.
"What?!" Danzō stood, eyes wide. "You're saying Tsunade and Jiraiya defeated Chiyo? That's impossible!"
"Haaah…" Hiruzen exhaled deeply.
"Hiruzen, isn't this good news? Why do you look so grim?" Koharu asked, confused.
"Let him finish. You'll understand soon enough," Hiruzen said, his voice low.
"According to frontline reports… it wasn't Tsunade or Jiraiya." The shinobi paused. "It was Hatake Yusuke. He single-handedly wiped out the entire Sunagakure army, and defeated Chiyo. Though… for some reason, he let her live."
"No way! That brat? That's impossible!" Danzō shouted, nearly stumbling over his words.
"Shut your mouth, Danzō!" Hiruzen snapped. "You think someone would fake a report this important?!"
"Dismissed," he added to the shinobi.
"Yes, Hokage-sama." The ninja bowed and exited.
"To think… that boy has grown this powerful," muttered Homura.
"But Hiruzen, isn't that a good thing?" Koharu questioned again.
"Good?" Hiruzen's gaze hardened. "He said he only helped because Tsunade was in danger. He has no plans to intervene elsewhere. And let's not forget what you did… to his father."
"That was a misunderstanding…" Homura murmured.
"Misunderstanding or not, he's still a shinobi of Konoha. It's his duty! And we're not lacking Kage-level shinobi!" Koharu insisted.
"Fools," Hiruzen said coldly. "You honestly think he's on the level of an average Kage?"
"Let me tell you—he defeated the entire Sunagakure force alone. He crushed both Chiyo and Ebizō in the middle of their desert advantage. Not even I could've pulled that off. If he's not stronger than most Kage... then I don't know who is."
"Impossible…" Koharu whispered, stunned.
"You underestimate him. His chakra is immense—comparable to Hashirama-sama himself. And that's not the scariest part."
Hiruzen's voice dropped.
"His layered Kekkei Genkai—each one is powerful enough to rival Wood Release. That's not a shinobi you want to push to the edge."
A cold sweat ran down Koharu's spine. Yusuke resented her and Danzō most of all.
"Relax. As long as you don't provoke him, he won't act out of line. But if you ever cross him…" Hiruzen's voice turned sharp.
"You better pray he doesn't turn rogue."
The entire room fell into an uneasy silence. Even Danzō lowered his head, realizing: if it ever came down to a choice… Hiruzen would sacrifice them to keep Yusuke on their side.
— — —
Elsewhere, Yusuke used the power of the Door-Door Fruit to arrive at the front lines.
"Who goes there?" a shinobi barked, staring warily at the black-cloaked figure.
"The name's Hatake Yusuke. I'm here to see my father—Hatake Sakumo," he said with a calm smile.
"You… you're that White Shura? Yusuke-sama?" the ninja asked, wide-eyed.
"I suppose so," Yusuke shrugged. While not everyone knew him personally, his duel against Hanzo had become the stuff of legend.
"Please, come with me," the shinobi said with a respectful bow.
Yusuke nodded and followed, eventually reaching the command tent.
"Report!"
"Enter," came Shinku Yuhi's stern voice.
"Shinku-ojisan… it's been a while," Yusuke said with a smile, bowing politely.
"Yusuke?! That little brat… you've grown so much!" Shinku was shocked. He hadn't expected the boy he once knew to return as such a powerful presence.
"Father, I'm home," Yusuke said, locking eyes with Sakumo.
"Welcome back… it's good to see you again." White Fang smiled warmly, pride shining on his face.
"You've grown so much…"
"To you, I'll always be a kid," Yusuke chuckled.
"No matter what happens—you'll always be my son," Sakumo laughed heartily.
"Yusuke, did you return to fight?" Shinku asked, still in disbelief.
"No. I'll head back to the village soon," Yusuke replied, his tone steady.
"What do you mean?" Shinku frowned.
"Yusuke, don't joke around. The village needs you. You're a shinobi of Konoha!" Sakumo scolded, knowing full well his son's true intentions.
"Father, those words… you're the last person who should be saying them."
Yusuke's voice dropped. "You're no longer a shinobi yourself. You promised me and Kakashi that you'd step away from this world. Don't break that promise."
His gaze sharpened.
"Kakashi got injured. If I hadn't arrived in time… you know what could've happened. I told you long ago. Unless it was Kakashi's own choice, I'd never agree to him becoming a shinobi."
His voice was firm—unyielding.
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