Chapter 87 – The Unworthy Brother
"My brother… has become this strong?"
Kakashi stood frozen in disbelief, his single eye wide. Beside him, Obito and Rin wore similarly shocked expressions. If it hadn't come from Minato-sensei himself, they never would have believed it.
While astonishment swept across the people of Konoha, in a place untouched by light, an aged man listened quietly to a report delivered by a shadowy, formless figure. Despite his advanced age, the man's overwhelming presence felt as though it could dominate the entire shinobi world.
"Interesting… So this world has birthed someone like that… Hahaha…"
The old man's voice was filled not with surprise, but with pure, unrestrained excitement. A burning thirst for battle shone in his eyes.
"Yes, Madara-sama. They call him the new 'God of Shinobi,'" came the low voice of the shadow—none other than Black Zetsu.
And the old man?
The legendary Uchiha Madara, whose very name still made even seasoned shinobi tremble.
"God of Shinobi, huh?"
Madara sneered. "Just for destroying one hidden village, they hand out divine titles now? How pathetic."
To him, the Five Great Shinobi Nations were nothing more than clusters of insignificant ants.
But Black Zetsu didn't flinch. He knew—underestimating the world was second nature to Madara, who viewed everything through the lens of one who had seen beyond it all.
"Should we eliminate him, Madara-sama? If we don't act soon, he might interfere with our plans..."
"No need."
Madara waved him off. "He's nothing more than a frog at the bottom of a well."
Madara, having already integrated the power of the Sage of Six Paths, saw the world from a vantage point far above mortals. In his mind, no ordinary human could rival him or Hashirama.
But Black Zetsu wasn't convinced.
"There's something... unnatural about his power. And the most terrifying part is his age. He's still so young, Madara-sama. I dare say... he may already rival Senju Hashirama."
In all his existence, Black Zetsu had never feared Madara or Hashirama. But Hatake Yusuke—he was different.
Yusuke's power didn't come from chakra, nor from mutation, nor even from Kekkei Mōra. It was something beyond all of that. Even Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, the origin of all chakra, did not possess such an anomalous power.
"Oh? Is that so?"
Madara smirked. "Then that just makes things more exciting. It would be boring to return to life and have no worthy opponent waiting."
"But Madara-sama—"
"Zetsu..."
Madara's voice dropped. His glare pierced through the shadows like a blade. "You've been questioning me a lot lately."
"I-I wouldn't dare," Zetsu bowed deeply. "I only fear... if Madara-sama were to fall, there would be no one left who could stop him. He may end up destroying everything."
"Hmph. Then I'll leave behind a little insurance," Madara muttered with a cold edge in his voice.
— — —
Time passed quickly. The Third Great Ninja War neared its end.
"Minato, your next mission is... the Kannabi Bridge Operation."
"Understood, Lord Hokage. I'll see it through."
Namikaze Minato's tone was calm and full of resolve.
"I'll leave it to you, Minato..."
— — —
On the cliff above the Hokage Monument, a lone figure stood tall. His silver hair danced lightly in the wind as he gazed down at the vast village of Konohagakure.
"So it's finally here... the Kannabi Bridge mission,"
Hatake Yusuke whispered, his voice laced with emotion.
If events went according to history, Obito would "die" during this mission. Madara would find him. And Kakashi... would lose someone he could never replace.
"I never thought... I'd end up becoming one of the causes behind it all..."
Yusuke let out a heavy sigh.
"You're here, Yusuke."
A soft voice called out behind him.
"Oh... Kurenai."
He turned with a faint smile.
"I've been looking everywhere for you. Why're you out here all alone?"
"No particular reason. Just wanted to take in the view from here."
Kurenai stepped beside him. "You heard, right? The Third Great Ninja War is almost over."
"Yeah..."
Yusuke's voice lacked its usual energy.
Kurenai, who had known him for a long time, could tell something was off.
"You don't sound happy... is something bothering you?"
"It's nothing. Come on, let's walk around the village a bit."
Yusuke gently shifted the topic.
She nodded, understanding that if he wanted to talk, he would—when the time was right. The two walked side by side, their hands naturally intertwining.
"Good morning, Yusuke-sama!"
"Yusuke-sama! Blessings to you!"
As they passed through the village streets, people bowed respectfully to Yusuke. He greeted them with a light nod and warm expression.
Though many in Konoha had once turned on his father, Sakumo, Yusuke knew not everyone was to blame. He never treated the innocent with resentment.
"They all admire you so much,"
Kurenai said with a gentle smile.
"Respect isn't just in words. The human heart... it hides what the mouth doesn't say."
"Hmm... but for some reason, whenever you say things like that, they always make sense."
She giggled lightly.
"Yusuke... you could've ended this war a long time ago, right? But this isn't just about vengeance for what happened to your father, is it?"
Yusuke nodded slowly.
"You're right. Some of them were vile, yes. But most were just pawns—tools for others. I'm not so weak as to let that be my excuse."
"Then... why hold back?"
"Because of Kakashi."
"Kakashi?"
"You asked me earlier why I looked so down. It's because... I've been thinking about him."
"But Minato-sensei is leading the mission, right? I'm sure he'll be fine."
"I have a bad feeling about this. Something about this mission... it's going to leave a deep scar on him. But even so... I won't interfere."
He spoke with quiet resolve.
"This is his trial. His path to walk. For Kakashi... some things must be learned through pain."
Yusuke's gaze turned sharp, cold.
"...Even if it costs something precious."
"A trial? But Kakashi is already so strong. My father even said Kakashi might soon surpass him!"
"No, Kurenai. You're wrong. Kakashi is strong—but his life has been too easy. He had Father... and he had me. We shielded him from too much pain, too much loss. Because of that... he's missing something important."
In this altered timeline, Sakumo hadn't committed suicide. Kakashi hadn't endured the same trauma. He never joined the ANBU, never carried the same weight on his shoulders. Physically, he was stronger than his original self. But mentally... he hadn't matured in the same way.
"So as long as it doesn't threaten his life... you won't step in?"
Kurenai asked softly.
"That's right. Maybe it's selfish. But I have to let it happen,"
Yusuke muttered with a bitter smile.
"Maybe... I'm not much of a big brother after all."
Kurenai squeezed his hand tightly, her gaze unwavering.
"No matter what you decide... I'll stand by you, Yusuke. To me, you'll always be an amazing big brother."
"...Thank you, Kurenai."
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