Chapter 70: Naruto

Karin could clearly sense Sasuke's dejection; you didn't even need a sensory-type ability to see it. He was practically wearing his unhappiness on his face, and the air around him was thick with dejection.

Putting herself in his shoes, she could understand how he felt. In a way, just like her, Sasuke saw Senshi as the beam of light that illuminated his world.

During this period, aside from Senshi's Wood Clone, Karin was the one who spent the most time accompanying Sasuke in training. From observing how relentlessly he trained, it was clear his talk of "killing that man" wasn't just talk. Sasuke genuinely intended to give anything and everything to accomplish it.

Over time, Karin also learned about Sasuke's past. The older brother he once admired had, in one single night, personally murdered all of their clan and family. Even Karin, who had endured inhumane treatment in Kusagakure, felt a chill hearing that.

Because of this, she cared quite a bit for Senshi's new student—who was like a little brother to her. If one day Senshi told her he was leaving, even for a good reason, Karin knew she too would feel lost and lonely.

Thinking about that, Karin looked at her little "brother" with concern. Right now is when I should step in! She was quite certain that, given Senshi's mission-driven personality, he wouldn't notice Sasuke's emotional turmoil. Without me, this place would fall apart sooner or later, she thought.

That notion made Karin's cheeks suddenly grow hot, as though steaming, but she quickly shoved it aside. Turning to Sasuke, she said, "Don't worry, Sasuke. If you want to see us, we can come back any time."

As she spoke, a pair of crimson Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan appeared in her eyes.

Seeing this, Sasuke's heart skipped a beat, his grief momentarily forgotten. He recognized the strange pattern—he'd seen something similar in Itachi's eyes on the night his clan was destroyed.

"That's… the Sharingan?"

Karin straightened her back with pride. "Yes, these are the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan. My dōjutsu lets me teleport freely through space."

As if to prove her words, Karin's body abruptly phased out, and a second later, she reappeared behind Sasuke.

He whirled around, staring in disbelief. Speaking in a knowing tone, Karin continued, "It's an advanced Sharingan ability. Don't worry—if you work hard enough, you'll reach this stage, too. And there's an even more powerful technique, but I won't spoil that. Once you unlock your own Eternal Mangekyō, you'll find out."

Off to the side, Senshi watched them chat and just shook his head, smiling. He knew very well how Karin really got those Sharingan. She was acting as though she'd trained tirelessly for them, and as for that 'even stronger ability'—no doubt she meant Susanoo. In truth, most of those abilities came from Karin's special hacks.

But Sasuke, of course, didn't know all that. He only saw the Eternal Mangekyō in Karin's eyes and its mysterious spatial teleportation. A spark of hope rose in him, quickly overshadowed by sadness at the impending farewell. He drooped again, looking dejected.

Noticing this, Karin hurriedly continued, "As for Senshi—your teacher—his ability is even more impressive. Though he doesn't have the Eternal Mangekyō, he's placed a teleportation marker here. He can appear with a single thought. So if you ever want us back, just tell his Wood Clone. We'll come right away. It's really easy for us to visit you, no problem at all."

Karin shot Senshi a meaningful look, and he nodded slightly, confirming her words. Sasuke understood perfectly well how powerful his teacher was, so it was no surprise he could come and go at will. But still, the fact remained: they would be parting ways. Knowing it didn't make accepting it any easier, and Sasuke's sadness remained.

He'd just received three gifts that excited him, yet the surge of grief snuffed that excitement out. That was how intense Uchiha emotions could be. Especially Sasuke's—ever since that night his clan was annihilated, his feelings had grown more and more obsessive. He wasn't as extreme as he'd become in the future, but the tendency was already there. It's just the nature of the Uchiha.

Seeing his glum face, Senshi rose and clapped his hands. "All right, enough talk about sad farewells. Let's go eat something good, shall we?"

"Yay!" Karin cheered, raising both hands before Sasuke could respond. She'd been cooped up in the Uchiha district for so long that she was dying for something tasty. She followed Senshi, then beckoned Sasuke. "Come on, let's go. Think of it as a reward for all your hard training lately."

Sasuke forced a small smile and joined them.

Once they stepped out of the Uchiha district, Karin asked Senshi curiously, "So, Senshi—does Konoha have any special local dishes?"

Senshi grinned at her, a bit cryptically. "For sure. Here, let me show you around. Let's head for Ichiraku Ramen and taste the real thing."

After all, Ichiraku Ramen was legendary—no ninja passing through Konoha could resist trying it. Though Senshi had gotten an Ichiraku Ramen "prize" from his system before, actually visiting the shop was a completely different experience.

…

It wasn't especially crowded at Ichiraku Ramen at that time of day, so the three of them had plenty of space. After sitting down and placing their orders, the delicious aroma soon wafted out as they were served heaping bowls of ramen.

Smelling it, Senshi's mouth watered. Being Konoha's most famous eatery, the taste was naturally top-notch. He dug in eagerly, devouring three bowls in a row and even ordering a fourth.

Meanwhile, Sasuke had just finished his first bowl. Watching his teacher's appetite, he asked, "Sensei…were you really that hungry?"

Senshi let out a deep sigh. Seeing this, Karin looked at him curiously as well. Slowly, Senshi explained, "When we're out and about, Karin here usually cooks for us. Let's just say…it's an experience."

He trailed off, wearing a pained expression at the memory. Sasuke might be rather dense, but he couldn't miss that look. He cast a sympathetic glance at Karin.

Feeling their stares, Karin's face turned bright red. Clenching her small fists, she pouted at Senshi, "Just you wait! Someday my cooking is going to be—"

Suddenly, her words froze. Her gaze shifted to the entrance of Ichiraku Ramen. Senshi followed her line of sight, noticing a scrawny blonde boy with goggles, a whiskered face, standing outside the shop, wearing a faintly envious look as he watched the three of them. Or perhaps he envied their big bowls of ramen, or maybe the closeness between them.

Sasuke was also surprised. "That dead-last kid?"

Karin said quietly, "I'm sensing a familiar aura around him—very much like yours, Senshi."

She glanced back and forth between the boy outside and Senshi, but they certainly looked nothing alike. Could the kid be an illegitimate son, and he just took after his mother's looks?

Before she could spin more theories, they heard people outside shouting at the boy:

"Fox demon, get out of here! Who let you come around?"

"Yeah, scram! If you don't leave, we'll kill you!"

"Stinking fox! Beat it!"

A few children even picked up rocks and hurled them at the boy. He, being small and slow, couldn't avoid them all, and soon bruises dotted his limbs. Crestfallen, he turned to run away—until Senshi spoke up.

"Sasuke, bring him in."

Though Sasuke didn't understand Senshi's reasoning, he obeyed at once. He leapt out, flaring his chakra, Sharingan gleaming, and fixed a glare on the stone-throwing kids.

"Scram!"

His cold command, underpinned by intimidating chakra, sent them scurrying in terror.

"Th-thanks for helping," the blonde boy murmured, looking Sasuke up and down. Of course he recognized the prodigy Uchiha from the Academy—the popular kid all the girls liked. Naruto, always ostracized, found Sasuke's popularity unbearable at times. He's the type I hate the most…

Frowning, Naruto mumbled, "Why did you help me, Sasuke?"

Normally, Sasuke wouldn't even involve himself—his mind focused on avenging his clan and killing Itachi. He had no strong opinion about Naruto either way. But right now, his teacher had given him a mission. So he responded with rare patience.

"My teacher wants to see you. Come with me."

~~~

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