Chapter 112: The Great Shinobi War is Both a Grind and Disgusting
Sakura (the young girl version) lay sprawled on the ground as Sarada stood protectively in front of the younger version of Sasuke.
"Move!" the younger Sasuke ordered. Though he faced a fellow Uchiha of this world, he didn't actually want to deal a fatal blow. The only Uchiha he wanted to kill was his own brother.
Sarada didn't move. Her eyes, each bearing a single tomoe Sharingan, stared intently at the younger Sasuke before her.
Though it was two against one, the young version of Sakura was such a liability in battle that she not only failed to contribute but also held Sarada back. Sarada stole a glance at the adult Sakura, who was currently fighting Uchiha Itachi toe-to-toe on the other side. It was hard to believe they were even the same person.
"Sasuke..." the young Sakura, scraped and bruised, looked up at the cold, murderous expression on the younger Sasuke's face.
"Anyone who stands in my way is my enemy. Even if… you're my daughter in this world." For shinobi, information is vital.
Since arriving in this world—and thanks to Shunhi's deliberate hints—he'd naturally come to understand the identities of several key figures here.
Shunhi did this, in part, to reinforce Uchiha Itachi's resolve to betray the Holy Grail War faction.
Blue lightning crackled in the younger Sasuke's hand, chirping like birds. "Chidori!"
He charged at Sarada with the Chidori. Though she didn't truly believe her father would kill her, Sarada still reflexively shut her eyes.
"Sarada!"
In the brief moment when adult Sakura was distracted, Uchiha Itachi widened the distance between them and instantly appeared beside the younger Sasuke, grabbing the arm that was about to pierce Sarada's chest.
"What are you doing?!"
The younger Sasuke struggled, convinced that Itachi was afraid—afraid that Sasuke would win the Holy Grail and gain the power to kill him, so he was intervening out of fear.
Itachi glanced at Sarada, who was shielding the young Sakura, his eyes softening with warmth. A barely perceptible smile flashed across his lips. In her, he saw a glimpse of Sasuke. Looking down at the younger version of his brother, he said quietly, "The plan has already failed."
Due to S.H.I.E.L.D.'s recent interference, both Tsunade and Kakashi had returned to the Hidden Leaf. As a result, the village was no longer relying solely on Naruto and Sasuke to hold the fort.
"Sakura, are you okay?"
"I'm fine, Master."
It was Tsunade who had come to Sakura's aid. She had been delayed en route by Gray Wolf, which explained her late arrival.
Of course, Tsunade hadn't defeated Gray Wolf—he had withdrawn on his own.
"That is…?"
The younger Sasuke turned to look at the newcomer.
"Long time no see, Lady Tsunade," Itachi said, pulling the younger Sasuke back.
"Uchiha Itachi… I never thought I'd see you again." Tsunade's expression was complex. She had always believed that what happened back then was, in truth, the Leaf Village's fault.
It was an open secret among the village leadership that Uchiha Itachi was a double agent.
But it was never made public—after all, the massacre of his entire clan, even if it was done for the village, was hardly something the leadership wanted to admit. Worse, they hadn't tried to stop him—they had tacitly approved it.
That's why adult Sakura never knew Itachi was a spy.
Itachi leapt onto the rooftop with the younger Sasuke, who looked dark and brooding.
When adult Sakura tried to pursue them, Tsunade held her back. Sakura looked at her in confusion. "Master!"
"Take care of Sarada and… the young Sakura first."
From the rooftop, Itachi also noticed the adult Sasuke within the purple Susanoo.
Their eyes met—across time and space.
The younger Sasuke didn't notice the relieved smile that had appeared on Itachi's face. His gaze was fixed entirely on that purple Susanoo.
"So that's… me from this era? To think I could become that powerful…" the younger Sasuke muttered, clenching his fists. "That version of me must've already succeeded in killing Itachi…"
…
The worn-out, elderly "Uchiha Maniac Four" made a hasty retreat.
"Are you alright, Naruto?" Sasuke asked, walking over.
"I'm fine." Naruto nodded, then turned to Hinata. "Hinata, I'll leave the kids to you. Sasuke and I need to return to the Hokage Tower."
"Okay, I'll take the kids to Father's place," Hinata replied. Their home had become uninhabitable after the recent battle.
"Hey! Can't you spend some time with Mom?!" Boruto tugged at the hem of Naruto's cloak just as he was about to teleport away.
"Boruto," Hinata called out.
"Boruto, your dad's family isn't just you and your mom—it's the entire Leaf Village." Naruto patted Boruto's head, then gave Hinata, who was covered in wounds, a meaningful glance. After she nodded in reassurance, Naruto turned to Sasuke. "Let's go, Sasuke."
Following the sudden attack by the Uchiha Maniac Four, the Hidden Leaf's entire shinobi system had kicked into gear.
After all, the Holy Grail War had begun. And even though the scale was small, its potential impact rivaled that of any Great Ninja War.
The ability to grant any wish—that was simply beyond comprehension.
"Naruto."
"Shikamaru, Granny Tsunade—you're here too." Standing at the entrance to the Hokage Tower, Naruto ran into Shikamaru and Tsunade, who had just settled Sakura.
"Well, the Holy Grail War has started. And this time, it's not just the servants involved—S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Flaming Cloud Evil God and Gray Wolf are here too," Tsunade explained.
"Flaming Cloud Evil God and Gray Wolf?" Naruto stopped in his tracks and turned to her.
"There wasn't any actual fighting. It seems their only goal was to delay us," Tsunade said. "Hmm? Where's Kakashi?"
"He went to see Might Guy," Shikamaru replied.
"Send the Anbu to summon Kakashi," Tsunade ordered. Moments later, shadows hidden in the night began darting across rooftops.
Inside the Hokage Office
"I'm not even the Hokage anymore—why'd you call me in?"
Kakashi pushed open the office door as he entered.
He had always felt that his time as Hokage was just filling in while Naruto studied under Tsunade and learned the ropes of leadership.
"The village just experienced a major incident. All living former Hokage need to be present. Besides, Naruto's never dealt with something like this before." Tsunade crossed her arms as she spoke.
Her meaning was clear: Naruto needed the experience and support of the older generation.
Kakashi, however, didn't seem too motivated. He leaned against the corner wall, yawning as he looked down at his worn copy of Make-Out Paradise.
"In this Holy Grail War… I encountered Obito." Sasuke suddenly said, looking directly at Kakashi.
"What?!"
At the sound of Obito's name from Sasuke's mouth, Kakashi snapped shut the book he'd read countless times.
"Well then—let's begin the emergency meeting of the Hidden Leaf's leadership council," Tsunade said, seeing that Kakashi had finally perked up.
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