Yukigetsu stopped watching. He closed his eyes, and the scene around him paused…
Even in their final moments, Sasuke’s parents did not beg their son for mercy, scold or blame him, or express any complaints. They only showed understanding and encouragement, sacrificing themselves to support their son’s choice, even though his position was entirely opposed to theirs. They were still proud of him as their greatest pride.
“You truly are a kind child…”
Uchiha Itachi wept bitterly. Perhaps this was the only moment he let himself cry freely in his life as a ninja. After this, he would continue to bear everything, his blood-red eyes piercing through three worlds as Uchiha Itachi!
The Uchiha clan harbored rebellious thoughts, so Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo acted first—this was a cycle.
As a double agent, Uchiha Itachi chose his stance and commitment—this was a cycle.
Fugaku and Mikoto Uchiha understood and encouraged their son—this was a cycle.
In the end, he still did not kill his younger brother—this was also a cycle.
Yukigetsu’s hands rose slightly. Cause and effect, love and hate, life and death—all these cycles were what moved him, what he sought in the concept of cycles!
Strands of moonlight shone from Itachi, Fugaku, and Mikoto Uchiha, floating like tadpoles, beautiful and enchanting.
Whoosh, whoosh!
All the moonlight energy gathered, forming a spherical shape in Yukigetsu’s hands, flickering and shimmering…
While Yukigetsu pursued the truth and immersed himself in the cycles, Sasuke continued to struggle with his most terrifying memories.
Only a short time had passed outside, but it was enough to confuse everyone. They stared at the arena, not understanding the current situation.
At this moment, a fierce shout broke the silence.
“Ahhhhh!”
Everyone turned to see Yukigetsu had awakened at some point. He stared intently at Sasuke, his expression complex.
With his eyes closed, Sasuke howled towards the sky before gradually calming down. An oppressive aura emanated from him.
The boy slowly opened his eyes. His blood-red eyes had a single tomoe spinning around his pupil…
Kakashi and others stepped forward in shock: “This… this is…”
Hiruzen Sarutobi’s pupils contracted, the wrinkles on his old face deepening, possibly reminded of the young man who sacrificed everything for Konoha…
Kakashi frowned: “He has awakened his Sharingan, and his chakra level has risen to that of a Chunin. Lord Hokage, should we end this match? After all, the winner was already decided.”
Yukigetsu was clearly exhausted, and continuing would surely lead to his defeat and possibly injury at the hands of an emotionally unstable Sasuke. Kakashi didn’t want to see that happen.
“Let’s wait and see…” Hiruzen Sarutobi said slowly.
…
“Die!”
Sasuke’s eyes were filled with rage, his face contorted like a beast. This child was truly agitated by me. Is this self-inflicted? But I’m really at my limit…
Yukigetsu watched Sasuke charge at him, smiling bitterly. With his chakra completely exhausted, he could only rely on taijutsu against Sasuke, who had just awakened his Sharingan and experienced a surge in strength. There was no chance of victory.
Bam, bam, bam…
The two clashed fiercely, their punches, kicks, and elbows exchanging rapidly, their movements too fast for ordinary people to follow.
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep puff from his pipe, his face serious as he watched Yukigetsu struggle to defend himself. This child had extraordinary talent, but I wanted to see something more important. I hope he surprises me.
Yukigetsu had no idea what Hiruzen Sarutobi was thinking, nor did he know about the concern Kakashi, Hinata, and others felt for him outside the arena. He only knew that Sasuke’s movements were incredibly fast, so fast he could only instinctively block. And Sasuke’s eyes were too sharp; Yukigetsu couldn’t land a single hit with his Sharingan activated!
Hmph!
Sasuke sneered inwardly. His current strength rivaled that of a Chunin, and with his Sharingan, he could even challenge elite Chunin. How could Yukigetsu be his match?
“Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!”
“Manipulating Shuriken Technique!”
“Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu!”
…
One ninjutsu after another came at him relentlessly. At first, Yukigetsu could barely dodge, but soon he became increasingly battered. His coat was burnt, his shirt tattered, his mouth bleeding, his eyes blurred by sweat, his head spinning…
Am I really going to lose?
Yukigetsu murmured to himself. In that moment of weakness, a golden-haired woman’s figure flashed before his eyes…
Yes, I still need to surpass Danzo and see her. How can I fall here?
The audience fell silent, watching the twelve-year-old boy in the arena get hit repeatedly and injured continuously. Yet he never fell, like an unyielding weeble-wobble. Even though his whole body trembled, his limbs weakened, and his steps faltered, he never went down…
It seemed as if a powerful force stirred within everyone’s hearts. They slowly rose from their seats as if paying tribute to that spirit.
Maybe everyone has faced their own challenges, where taking a step forward seemed as difficult as crossing a sea of knives and flames while retreating was as easy as a single step. It was these choices that separated the mediocre from the exceptional.
No matter how dire the situation, no matter how close to the abyss, never yielding, never give up!
That’s what I wanted to see—only those with indomitable spirit can bear the title of Hokage!
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled with satisfaction…
“I can’t fall here!”
Yukigetsu clenched his trembling fists and charged forward.
“I must become stronger; no one can stop me!”
Sasuke roared, his chakra now depleted. He had never imagined facing an opponent like this, who had exhausted all his chakra using only taijutsu. But he couldn’t lose; he still had to kill that man. His progress was too slow; how could he lose to someone his age? It was laughable!
“You have someone to avenge, and I have someone to surpass. We both have reasons we cannot lose, but… in the end, the one who wins will be me!”
They exchanged another blow, and Yukigetsu staggered but rushed forward again.
This was a battle of willpower, a clash of obsessions.
Two equally fragile boys, one thinking of his unseen mother, the other of his deep-seated hatred. This was their first complete release, having suppressed their emotions for so long, now fighting with all they had.
“I can’t lose!”
“I can’t lose either!”
“Cannot lose!”
…
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