Chapter 202 Cursed Uchiha

They didn't understand that a paper package could never contain a fire, and now Sasuke finally knew the truth.

"I'm going to kill him!" Sasuke's shoulders trembled, his voice shaking with rage. His once-calm eyes burned red with the fury of the Sharingan.

The thought of what Uchiha Itachi had done filled him with hatred so intense it seemed to scorch his very soul. He couldn't comprehend why his once-kind brother—his idol—would commit such atrocities.

When he did that... did he even think about what it would mean for me? For our mother?

Kakashi stood silently by Sasuke's side, his face unreadable beneath the mask. He wasn't good at offering comfort, especially in delicate situations. Explaining the twisted truth behind the Uchiha massacre wasn't something that could be done in a few words—or without risking further pain.

It was hard for anyone who didn't know the full truth to understand Itachi's actions. Though devastating, the decision Itachi had made succeeded in deflecting Konoha's prejudice and hatred away from the Uchiha clan. Itachi had taken all of it upon himself, shouldering a burden no one else could bear.

But his methods... they weren't without fault. His choices had spared Sasuke from the scorn and isolation Itachi had endured as a child. Yet, they had also left Sasuke alone, consumed by a hatred that threatened to swallow him whole.

"Sensei, I'm going out for a while. Please approve my request," Sasuke said, his voice steadier now, though his fists were clenched tightly at his sides.

Kakashi studied him carefully, fully understanding what Sasuke intended. He did not doubt that the boy had discovered a lead on Itachi's whereabouts. Of course, Sasuke wanted to go after him, drag his older brother back to Konoha, and demand answers for everything.

Why did you do it, Itachi? Sasuke's mind was a storm of questions. Were you pretending all those years you acted like my kind, protective brother? Why didn't you even spare Father?

But Kakashi couldn't allow it.

"Sasuke," Kakashi said calmly, "you're not ready."

The words were firm but not unkind. Sasuke bristled at the response, his Sharingan flaring momentarily, but Kakashi held his ground.

"Itachi is beyond your current strength," Kakashi continued. "I'm not saying this to discourage you but to protect you. If you face him now, it won't end the way you want it to."

Sasuke's lips pressed into a thin line.

Sensing the tension, Kakashi softened his tone. "Focus on the Chūnin Exams. The final matches are about to start, and this will give you a clear picture of where you stand. You need to know your current limits before you even think about challenging someone like Itachi."

Sasuke hesitated, his mind racing. The logical part of him knew Kakashi was right. If he couldn't even defeat Gaara—a fellow Genin—then what hope did he have of taking down someone like Itachi? But the fire of vengeance in his chest refused to be extinguished so easily.

For now, though, he would wait.

Kakashi's words managed to calm Sasuke, at least a little.

Even so, the burning desire to confront Itachi remained. Sasuke couldn't stop himself from wanting to see his brother, no matter the outcome. The thought of what might happen didn't matter to him—not yet.

Meanwhile, Uchiha Mikoto, hearing that Sasuke had gone to Kakashi in a hurry, quickly pieced together the truth. She realized her youngest son must have learned of Itachi's return.

Mikoto's heart clenched. She had already lost one son and couldn't bear to lose the other.

The thought of her two boys facing off against each other, swords drawn, filled her with dread. Though Itachi had committed an unforgivable sin, Mikoto, as their mother, still held on to a fragile hope—a hope that there was more to the story, and perhaps, a way to bring them both back to her.

Her presence, coupled with Kakashi's earlier persuasion, shattered Sasuke's immediate desire for revenge. Reluctantly, he let go of the idea of seeking Itachi out—at least for now. Instead, Sasuke turned his focus to preparing for the Chūnin Exam finals. If nothing else, he wanted to measure his progress, to see just how far he'd come through this battle.

Elsewhere, Tatsuya had heard about Sasuke's turmoil.

Though he rarely left his house, Nawaki kept him informed of all the recent events in the village. It wasn't hard for Tatsuya to guess that Sasuke's behavior was tied to Itachi. It aligned perfectly with the events of the original timeline he knew.

But things weren't entirely the same as the original plot.

For one, Terumi Mei had returned to the Senju compound to consult with Tsunade. Her reason? A matter concerning a chosen escort. However, what caught everyone's attention was Mei's unusual interest in Haku, who had already defeated Temari and earned a promotion to Chūnin.

Though Haku's performance was impressive, Terumi Mei wasn't satisfied. She insisted on further training, personally overseeing Haku's progress and teaching him every ninjutsu in her arsenal.

"You did well against Temari," Mei said, her piercing green eyes studying Haku as he stood before her. "But well isn't good enough. If you want to lead, you need to be perfect."

Haku's gaze dropped to the ground. "I'm doing my best, Terumi-sama."

Mei sighed and placed her hands on her hips. "Your best? Do you think the Mizukage can afford to give anything less than perfect? When you're in charge, one mistake could mean the lives of an entire village!"

Her goal was clear to anyone paying attention—Mei wanted to groom Haku into the next Mizukage. Her determination was evident, and even the passersby could see it.

Training the next generation was a delicate process, one that required patience and careful steps. But, Terumi Mei wasn't known for her subtlety. Her methods were as relentless as her personality.

"Again!" Mei barked, standing a few paces away as Haku struggled to maintain the Water Dragon Jutsu for the third time in a row. His hands trembled from the exertion, the strain evident in his labored breathing.

"Terumi-sama, perhaps he needs a moment to rest," a nearby Jonin suggested cautiously, earning a sharp glare from Mei.

"Haku doesn't need rest," Mei snapped. "He needs resolve. Keep going, Haku!"

Meanwhile, Haku, a once bright and spirited young man, now appeared disheartened and worn down. His delicate features, which often caused others to mistake him for a girl, only amplified the sympathy he drew from those around him.

"I… I'll try again," Haku whispered, his voice barely audible.

"Haku." Mei's tone softened for a moment, surprising everyone. "You have potential. Real potential. But if you want to rise above being just another shinobi, you'll need to push past your limits. Trust me, I know what it's like to carry the weight of expectations."

Haku looked up at her, his tired eyes showing a flicker of hope. "I understand, Terumi-sama."

"Good." Mei smiled faintly before stepping back, her authoritative demeanor quickly returning. "Now, prove it to me. Show me the Mizukage you're capable of becoming."

Bottom of Form

Kurenai couldn't help but feel frustrated on Haku's behalf. To her, it seemed that Terumi Mei was projecting her irritation with Tatsuya onto the boy. If Tatsuya weren't so occupied with Tsunade, Kurenai was certain Mei wouldn't have the time or energy to push Haku so hard.

Tatsuya, for his part, was fully aware of the situation. But he had no intention of intervening—Haku wasn't his responsibility, and Terumi Mei wasn't someone he wanted to cross unnecessarily.

Still, Tsunade's presence was starting to weigh on him. She had been staying home with Tatsuya more often than usual, and while he didn't mind her company, Tsunade couldn't sit still for long. Eventually, her restlessness got the better of her, and she decided to slip out to try her luck at the gambling den.

From Tsunade's perspective, spending the previous evening with Tatsuya must have brought her a change in fortune. Surely, this time her luck would turn around.

Not long after Tsunade left the Senju compound, Kurenai received word of her absence. Seeing an opportunity, she seized the chance to have Tatsuya to herself, a rare occurrence these days. She even rewarded the young Senju girl who had tipped her off with a generous gift.

Meanwhile, Terumi Mei's frustrations with Haku had reached their peak. After yet another mistake that irked her, she sent the boy back to his cabin, muttering under her breath, "How can he expect to lead if he can't even get the basics right?"

Kurenai wasted no time making her way to Tatsuya's room. Nawaki, noticing her approach, quickly excused himself with a knowing smirk.

Tatsuya looked up from the scroll he was reading as Kurenai entered, a sigh escaping his lips. "Kurenai... Let me guess. You're here to make my day more complicated."

Kurenai chuckled softly as she settled into a chair, her crimson eyes glinting with amusement. "Complicated? I thought you'd be happy to see me."

Before Tatsuya could respond, the door slammed open with a loud bang. Terumi Mei stormed in, her face a mask of irritation, her vibrant auburn hair slightly disheveled.

"Tatsuya!" Mei's voice was sharp, her frustration clear. "You won't believe what that boy has done now!"

Kurenai raised an eyebrow, leaning back casually in her seat. "Oh, this should be good. Please, enlighten us."

Mei shot her a glare before turning her attention back to Tatsuya. "Haku! He left the training grounds without permission! Do you know how hard it is to train someone with so much potential but so little discipline?"

"Haku's not the problem here," Kurenai interjected with a smirk. "Maybe the mentor needs to reflect on her methods."

Mei's eyes narrowed, and she took a step closer, her irritation now directed at Kurenai. "And maybe the mentor doesn't need unsolicited advice from someone who spends all her time scheming for alone time with Tatsuya."

Kurenai's calm demeanor slipped for a moment, her cheeks flushing. "At least I don't barge into rooms uninvited, making a scene."

"Enough," Tatsuya interrupted, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I swear, dealing with both of you is more exhausting than fighting a war."

Mei crossed her arms, huffing. "I wouldn't have to barge in if I didn't have to deal with this nonsense every time."

"And I wouldn't have to 'scheme,'" Kurenai shot back, "if certain people knew how to share."

Tatsuya held up a hand to stop their bickering. "Both of you, take a breath. If you're here to argue, do it somewhere else. If not, sit down, and we'll figure this out like adults."

Mei and Kurenai exchanged a glare but reluctantly sat down, the tension between them still palpable.

Tensions boiled over, and the two women began arguing in front of Tatsuya.

Faced with the familiar chaos, Tatsuya sighed inwardly. He resorted to his usual method of resolving disputes—letting them compete to prove their abilities. Though it was a situation many would deem embarrassing, Tatsuya had long stopped caring about such trivialities.

Thankfully, Nawaki had the foresight to leave the room early. Witnessing the scene would have been far too overwhelming for him, though it was clear he admired Tatsuya deeply. To him, Tatsuya was the epitome of male aspiration—a figure whose unique circumstances left other men envious.

Meanwhile, far away from the Senju compound, Tsunade was immersed in her favorite pastime: gambling. Blissfully unaware of the antics unfolding back home, she continued her streak of reckless bets.

The Senju clan's fortunes had already taken a significant hit, thanks to her losses. But for Tsunade, defeat was never the end—she was determined to win it all back, convinced that her next hand would be the one to turn her luck around.

Back at the compound, just as Tatsuya wrapped up dealing with the latest "competition," an unexpected visitor arrived.

When Itachi had last appeared in the village, Tatsuya assumed the Uchiha would eventually report to him directly. However, this new arrival wasn't Itachi. Instead, it was a nondescript Genin from Konoha, someone who would easily blend into the background and escape notice.

The young shinobi had come to deliver a secret letter from Orochimaru into Tatsuya's hands.

The letter detailed the aftermath of Orochimaru's fateful battle with Hiruzen Sarutobi. The encounter had left the infamous Sannin severely weakened, his pride as wounded as his body.

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