From behind the flower stand, Sasuke emerged, his expression cold and unreadable.
"Show me your Wood Style."
That arrogant posture—unchanged as ever.
Yuichi raised a brow. "And why exactly do you want to see my Wood Style?"
[SYSTEM: Character – Uchiha Sasuke | Relationship – Opponent]
[New choice triggered]
[1. Demonstrate Wood Style's power to Sasuke. Reward: Sharingan (cannot self-evolve).]
[2. Ignore Sasuke and walk away. Reward: Uchiha Fire Style.]
The options flickered in Yuichi's vision.
Sasuke's lips curled faintly. "What if I force you to use it myself?"
Yuichi sighed inwardly. This kid really does have a death wish, doesn't he? Why insist on getting beaten down again and again?
Standing calmly with his right hand folded behind his back, Yuichi lifted his left hand and made a lazy beckoning motion—an unmistakable gesture of contempt.
"You…" Sasuke's face darkened.
With a sharp burst of speed, Sasuke lunged forward. Having copied Rock Lee's taijutsu, his movements now rivaled Lee's. A massive leap in power—yet still…
His fist cut the air, carrying a sharp breeze as it hurtled toward Yuichi's face.
Yuichi casually lifted his hand and caught the punch in his palm. He didn't so much as sway on his feet.
Sasuke's eyes widened. Even at this speed… even with this strength… he stopped me like it was nothing?
Has the gap already grown this wide… or is he simply holding back?
Before Sasuke could think further—smack!
Yuichi shoved him back with a light slap, sending him skidding across the ground.
But Sasuke wasn't done. Regaining his footing, he launched another flurry of attacks, his body splitting into afterimages as he circled Yuichi. Fists and kicks rained down from every angle.
Yuichi pivoted slowly, his left foot planted as the axis, his right foot tracing a calm circle. With only one hand, he intercepted every strike.
The scene was painfully familiar to Sasuke. It was like the first time he fought Kakashi… where all his power hadn't even counted as a warm-up for the opponent.
Then—thud!
Yuichi's fist sank into Sasuke's chest, forcing him back several steps, gasping at the burn in his lungs. Even then, Yuichi hadn't struck with full strength.
"Damn it!"
Sasuke's black eyes suddenly flared scarlet. Two tomoe spun slowly in each iris.
Sharingan.
Yuichi's gaze sharpened. The aura from those eyes carried a chilling weight. No wonder they were called cursed.
In response, Yuichi lifted his hand.
Sasuke, now wielding kunai, charged forward again—only for vines to burst from the ground beneath him. They coiled up his legs and arms in an instant, binding him tightly.
"This is Wood Style…"
The vines tightened, pinning him completely.
"This technique," Yuichi said flatly, "is called Wood Style: Silent Binding."
[SYSTEM: Reward acquired – Sharingan]
Yuichi's eyes burned with sudden heat, like flames licking at his vision. He blinked until the sensation eased, then looked down at the restrained Sasuke.
"Are you satisfied now?"
Sasuke's expression had changed. Gone was the usual cold indifference. Instead, there was something more complicated in his gaze.
"You really are… a descendant of the Senju clan, aren't you?"
This rumor's spread through the whole village… no, the whole shinobi world. And yet he came to confirm it himself? What goes on in this kid's head…
Yuichi didn't answer, which Sasuke took as confirmation.
"So… you're like me. Everyone in your clan… gone."
Yuichi lowered his eyes and gave a faint, helpless smile. So that's why Sasuke needed to see it for himself.
With a wave of his hand, the vines retreated into the earth, freeing him.
"You could say that."
Sasuke slid his kunai back into his pouch. His tone shifted slightly.
"…Congratulations on becoming a Jōnin."
Yuichi blinked. That news already spread this fast?
No wonder the villagers had been so unusually warm toward him earlier. His promotion—and perhaps the tales of defeating Kakashi, Guy, and Kurenai—had traveled like wildfire.
"I'll catch up soon," Sasuke declared firmly. "Don't think just because you're a Jōnin, you'll leave me behind."
Yuichi smirked and raised a fist toward him.
"Then challenge me anytime. I'll be waiting."
Sasuke hesitated a beat before lightly tapping fists with him.
"I'll defeat you one day."
"Maybe," Yuichi replied softly. "I just hope… when that day comes, it won't be with our lives on the line."
Sasuke didn't dwell on the meaning behind those words. His attention shifted to the side, where movement caught his eye.
Yuichi glanced that way too. Sakura and Ino were half-hidden, watching.
"Yuichi-kun is so cool…" Ino whispered, clutching the flower he'd given her earlier, cheeks flushed.
Sakura frowned, but even she had to admit—Yuichi was already beyond Sasuke. At their age, he was a Jōnin who had defeated their very teacher, Kakashi.
He's our peer… but in truth, he lives in a different world altogether.