206-210

*Chapter 206: Orochimaru’s Resolve to Break the Tradition of Killing His Master*

Of the five present, the only one who had any affection for Sakura was Rock Lee. He warned, “Sakura, Naruto has already left the village to train with Lord Jiraiya.”

“Training? Since when?” Sakura, overcome with emotion, cried out, unable to control her tears.

Rock Lee hesitated. “About half a month ago.”

“How could he... How could Naruto do this... And what about Sasuke?” Sakura collapsed to the ground in despair, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face.

Shikamaru, unable to watch any longer, snapped, “Enough! I don’t know what’s going on with your Team 7, but if you’re serious about going after Sasuke, stop wasting our time here. If you want to cry, go home and do it there.”

“Neji, Kiba, Choji, Lee, let’s go.”

Just as Shikamaru prepared to lead his team out, hurried footsteps echoed from behind, followed by Shizune’s voice. “Wait! You don’t need to go; the mission has been canceled.”

Meanwhile...

After finishing breakfast, Aizen prepared to leave. “Alright, I’m heading out now; I have a task to complete.”

“Be careful out there,” Tsunade said, blushing slightly, her eyes avoiding his. “Don’t get captured by any ninja from other nations.”

“You stubborn woman,” Aizen teased, lifting his daughter and placing her on the ground.

“Aizen, make sure you come back to visit me often,” said Chika, looking up at him with a sad expression.

Aizen gently stroked his daughter’s head, exchanged a glance with Tsunade, and they nodded to each other. With a hand sign, he used the Flying Thunder God technique to disappear from Tsunade’s home.

As Aizen vanished, Tsunade picked up Chika and looked toward the Hokage Building with a sigh. “More troubles ahead...”

In the same dark, damp underground lab, dim candlelight flickered as Orochimaru lay feverish, drenched in cold sweat.

A thick, snake-like arm struck out, and the sound of four heavy impacts echoed in the lab.

The four Sound Ninja were flung backward, slamming into the stone wall with a cracking sound.

“Pathetic... Useless fools. Four of you, and you couldn’t even handle a little brat. How dare you come back here—were you raised on garbage?” Orochimaru’s bloodshot eyes glared at the four Sound Ninja.

They struggled to their knees, clutching their chests, keeping their heads down, and barely breathing, terrified of further enraging the wrathful Sannin.

Kabuto, Orochimaru’s most trusted subordinate, stood beside him. Only he dared to speak. “Please calm down, Lord Orochimaru. The opponent was Aizen Fujiwara. For them to have survived and returned with the report is already an accomplishment. Besides, Aizen Fujiwara agreed to train Sasuke for a month. By then, Sasuke will be even better suited to serve as your vessel.”

Hearing this, Orochimaru’s expression softened slightly, but he still didn’t look kindly at Kabuto. “Didn’t your last report say that Aizen had left the Land of Fire? How did he suddenly appear in the Leaf?”

Adjusting his glasses, Kabuto replied, “He did leave the Land of Fire, but, Lord Orochimaru, do you remember what he obtained from you on the day of the Konoha Crush?”

“You’re saying he mastered that technique?” Orochimaru’s mind flashed back to when Aizen had threatened him, and a wave of humiliation filled his heart.

“That’s the only plausible explanation.” Kabuto’s eyes flickered with envy as he signaled for the Sound Ninja to leave.

Once they were gone, Kabuto continued, “There’s an even bigger problem. Although it’s unclear why he saved Sasuke, if he left a Flying Thunder God seal on Sasuke, that could be catastrophic.”

“If Sasuke has a mark, he could track us anytime. Besides, with your current condition, your body likely won’t last a month. That’s probably why he delayed for a month—to exploit that vulnerability. I recommend abandoning this vessel; the risk is too great. I can prepare a new one.”

Kabuto’s words were followed by a dark, piercing laugh from Orochimaru.

“Did I say something wrong?” Kabuto hesitated, confused.

Orochimaru stopped laughing and said, “Kabuto, you really don’t understand that twisted man. Aizen Fujiwara thrives on chaos and will stir up any trouble he can. He knows Sasuke and Itachi are destined to fight. Whether it’s me, Itachi, or even Sasuke himself, we’re all aware of this.”

“This intense, dramatic battle between brothers—Aizen wouldn’t miss it for anything, so he’ll never let Sasuke die so easily.”

“By delaying a month, he achieves two things. First, he lets me reincarnate early, allowing Sasuke to grow stronger over the next three years. Second, he can watch and see if I end up like the Third Hokage, killed by my own student.”

“And he’ll never truly train Sasuke. During the Akatsuki period, he told me this world has a sickening trend where if a student becomes too strong, they often turn on their master. It seems he predicted that I’d go after the Third Hokage and now wants to watch me fall at Sasuke’s hands.”

Kabuto’s eyes widened as a cold sweat broke out on his forehead. “Then, are you still planning to retrieve Sasuke?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” The images of the Third Hokage, Sasuke, and Aizen flashed through Orochimaru’s mind, stoking feelings of deep resentment and humiliation. He grew agitated, declaring, “I’m not like the Third. I am immortal, and I will not die by Sasuke’s hand. In the end, I will claim everything!”

Kabuto swallowed nervously, never having seen Orochimaru like this. “Understood. I’ll arrange for Tayuya and the others to head back to the Leaf at the appropriate time. Do you still intend to reincarnate now?”

Orochimaru shook his head. The truth was, he wasn’t sure he could hold out for a month—the searing pain of his soul tearing apart was beyond any other torment.

“No need. I can endure another month. As long as Tayuya and the others bring Sasuke back on time, in the end, I will have everything.”

As he finished speaking, the agonizing pain hit him again. Suddenly, the only sounds in the dark chamber were Orochimaru’s piercing screams and curses:

“Damn you, Third Hokage... Curse you, Aizen Fujiwara... Ahhh!”

end

*Chapter 207: Sakura’s Apprenticeship*

Inside the Hokage’s office.

Sasuke and Sakura stood in opposite corners, separated by Neji Hyuga, Kiba Inuzuka, Choji Akimichi, Shikamaru Nara, and Rock Lee.

Tsunade sat at her Hokage desk, arms crossed, observing the seven of them with an amused expression.

Chika mimicked Tsunade’s posture, standing like a little adult with her arms folded, listening to their inner thoughts and offering her silent judgments.

Sakura, wiping away her tears, glanced at Sasuke: “Thank goodness Sasuke didn’t leave.”

Chika: Hopeless romantic.

Shikamaru, with his usual lazy expression: “What a hassle… in the end, it was all just a misunderstanding.”

Chika: Lazy guy.

Choji, munching on chips: “Great, looks like I won’t have to work so hard after all.”

Chika: Gluttonous, big pig.

Kiba looked at Sakura and then at Sasuke: “Naruto isn’t here, and with him gone, trouble just keeps piling up for Team 7. No, actually, without him, things will only get messier. Guess I’m the strongest one around.”

Chika: Blind confidence.

Neji: “I should get back to my unfinished training.”

Chika: Seems a bit more normal.

Rock Lee looked at Sakura: “Although it’s a shame that the mission was called off, it’s a relief that everyone’s safe. Sakura…”

Chika: Desperate crush?

Sasuke thought: “Just another annoying, tearful girl… and that jerk Aizen Fujiwara, tricking me into calling him ‘Dad’! I’ll make him pay for that one day.”

Chika: This Sasuke is so full of himself. Daring to insult Aizen like that – he’s due for a serious lesson.

“So, what exactly happened?” Tsunade looked at Sasuke.

Sasuke replied indifferently, “It’s nothing. That Orochimaru guy sent someone to invite me last night, and I turned him down.”

Of course, he’d never admit that it was Aizen who’d stopped him from going. If not, Orochimaru’s Living Corpse Reincarnation technique might have taken him over by now.

Tsunade continued, “And what about Sakura?”

Sasuke glanced at Sakura, “She kept crying, which was annoying. I worried she’d alert Orochimaru’s men, so I knocked her out.”

“Sasuke, I…” Sakura looked at him, tears welling up again.

Sasuke only replied with two words, “Shut up.”

“But Sasuke, I care about you…” Sakura’s tears started flowing faster.

“Don’t meddle in my business anymore. I need to train and don’t have time to play some romance game with you.” Sasuke completely ignored everyone else in the Hokage’s office and turned to leave.

“What a selfish brat,” Tsunade commented as she watched Sasuke walk away, though she let it go with a wave. “Alright, it’s over. Everyone, you’re dismissed.”

“Mom, this is boring. I’m heading home.” The moment Sasuke left, little Chika leaped off the Hokage’s desk. She was ready to give Sasuke a piece of her mind.

Soon, only Sakura remained in the vast Hokage office, still in tears.

“What are you still doing here? Is there something you need?” Tsunade stretched lazily, not worrying about Chika’s safety since Shizune would follow her.

“I have a request to make,” Sakura said, wiping her tears and red-eyed, “I want you to take me as your apprentice.”

“Can you tell me why?” Tsunade didn’t immediately agree. In the original story, she trained Sakura largely because of Naruto and Kakashi’s strong recommendation.

Now, Naruto was off training with Jiraiya, and because of Aizen, she wasn’t as close with Sakura as in the original timeline.

Plus, she already had Karin as her student, so she didn’t feel any particular obligation toward Sakura.

Most importantly, she also had her own talented daughter and had to juggle her Hokage duties and her training with Aizen, leaving her with little time to take on another apprentice.

“I don’t want to stand by and watch Sasuke leave me behind like that again,” Sakura replied with a determined expression, her voice breaking.

“I see…” Tsunade felt a bit disappointed in Sakura’s response.

If she’d said she wanted to stop being a burden and acknowledged her own weaknesses, Tsunade might have considered making an exception and taking on a second student.

After all, Kakashi had recommended her several times.

But now… “Karin.”

Upon hearing her name, Karin, now dressed in full Leaf shinobi attire, walked in respectfully. “Sensei.”

Tsunade nodded and introduced her, “Sakura, this is Karin, my student. From now on, you’ll learn from her. I’ll come by to guide you when I can. How much you learn is up to you.”

“So, you’re agreeing?” Sakura asked, her face lighting up with hope.

“More or less. Karin, take her with you.” Tsunade waved her hand dismissively, figuring she was adding another medic-nin to Konoha.

Meanwhile…

Outside the Hokage building, Sasuke walked down the street with his usual cold expression.

Suddenly, he heard a child’s voice behind him. “Hey, Sasuke!”

He paused, surprised, but didn’t turn around, thinking he’d imagined it.

After all, the only person who would call him that mockingly was Aizen Fujiwara, that joker.

“Sasuke, hey! Yes, I’m talking to you, the Uchiha boy!” the voice repeated.

“Shut up,” Sasuke muttered, annoyed, and turned to see a cute little blonde girl with twin pigtails, arms crossed, standing behind him. It was the girl he’d seen in the Hokage’s office not long ago, Tsunade’s four-year-old daughter, Chika.

Sasuke paused, unsure why this kid was looking for him. Shikamaru, Neji, and the others who had also left the Hokage building stopped to watch, curious.

“Sasuke, I challenge you to a duel.” Chika’s face lit up with a mischievous, innocent smile.

Kiba’s eyes widened as he looked at Shikamaru. “Hey, Shikamaru, no way… The Hokage’s daughter is challenging Sasuke, that arrogant jerk?”

“Such a hassle,” Shikamaru clicked his tongue, looking lazy but sharpening his gaze. With an IQ over 200, he could tell that this little girl was no ordinary kid.

“Not interested. I don’t care if you’re the Hokage’s daughter. Don’t call me Sasuke or I won’t be nice to you. Go play ninja with someone else.”

With a haughty expression, Sasuke turned away. He had no desire to mess around with a little kid; he needed to train and become stronger so he could defeat Itachi Uchiha.

---

end

 Chapter 208: Chika vs. Sasuke

"A brat who still smells like milk?"

Hearing Sasuke’s thoughts, young Chika pouted her lips and mimicked an adult’s mannerisms, her face showing a mocking smile as she taunted, "Could it be you’re afraid, Sasuke?"

Sasuke, a guy with a huge ego, wasn’t about to let that slide. He laughed in anger and replied, “Interesting. You’re the first person to ever talk to me like that.”

“Fujiwara Aizen once said that the Leaf Village was created through the joint effort of the First Hokage and the Uchiha clan. Your mother, the Fifth Hokage, is the granddaughter of the First Hokage. So, that makes you a descendant of the First Hokage, while I’m a descendant of the Uchiha.”

“So let me see just how much of the First Hokage’s strength you inherited.”

Kiba, watching Sasuke actually accept the challenge from a four-year-old girl, couldn’t hold back anymore. He shouted, “Hey, Sasuke! Aren’t you going too far, picking on a little girl who isn’t even a ninja yet?”

“Shut up. If you can’t stand it, join her. Or all of you can come at me together,” Sasuke said, casting a sidelong glance at Shikamaru, Kiba, Choji, Neji, and Rock Lee, completely unbothered by their presence.

“What a guy.” Kiba clicked his tongue.

Neji’s competitive spirit flared up. “He’s pretty cocky, wouldn’t you say, Lee?”

Rock Lee nodded. “Yes, Sasuke, you’re being arrogant. But I accept your challenge on my own.”

“Then come on.” Sasuke scoffed, dismissing their words.

“Oh boy, things are really getting lively,” a lazy voice suddenly sounded from beside them. In an instant, Kakashi appeared, his arms around Neji and Rock Lee’s shoulders.

“Kakashi-sensei?” Neji, Rock Lee, and the others looked at him in surprise.

Sasuke squinted at Kakashi and said, “Kakashi, you showed up just in time. This brat is challenging me, and I accepted. Your friends here…”

Before Sasuke could finish, Kakashi interrupted, “Isn’t this interesting? A descendant of the Uchiha and a descendant of the Senju clan.”

Kiba looked incredulous. “Hey, Kakashi-sensei, you’re not serious, are you? What if—”

“If it gets dangerous, I’ll stop it,” Kakashi reassured him, releasing Neji and Lee’s shoulders and glancing around. “This place is too crowded for a fight. Let’s go to the training grounds.”

“No need. I don’t have time to waste. Let’s do this here.” Sasuke crossed his arms, his expression dismissive, not even bothering to activate his Sharingan.

“As you wish.”

The next second, though, Sasuke regretted it.

Chika silently activated her Heavenly Jutsu, and with a flash step, she appeared right in front of Sasuke. Her tiny fist, charged with almost solidified chakra, flew straight toward Sasuke’s face.

“So fast!” Sasuke was startled and reflexively crossed his arms to block.

When her fist collided with his arms, Sasuke felt a powerful force hit him, sending him flying backward. He flipped three times in midair and skidded several meters before stopping. Looking back at Chika, he no longer underestimated her.

“Well?” Kakashi asked, glancing at Sasuke.

“Interesting… This girl is stronger than that loudmouth Kiba by far,” Sasuke said, a dangerous smile appearing on his face.

“Hey! What do you mean, stronger than me?” Kiba protested.

But Sasuke ignored him, looking back at Chika. “Alright. I formally accept your challenge.”

Sasuke’s competitive spirit was now fully ignited. To him, this wasn’t just about a little girl’s taunt. This was a matter of Uchiha pride. Walking away would disgrace the Uchiha name.

“Let’s change locations,” Kakashi suggested.

Before long, Kakashi, Chika, Sasuke, and the others gathered at the place where Team 7 had once fought over the bells.

Sasuke stood coldly, his expression unreadable.

About thirty paces away, Chika puffed out her cheeks and held out her hand to Kakashi. “Hey, um, I mean, Kakashi, give me a kunai.”

Kakashi casually tossed her a kunai, which she caught, barely managing to keep her composure.

Aizen thought to herself, He saw through my disguise because he couldn’t read my thoughts, huh?

“Ready…” Aizen, in Kakashi’s voice, dragged out the word dramatically. “Begin!”

As the word left his mouth, Sasuke immediately launched his attack, hurling several shuriken toward Chika and dashing forward like a blur.

“Clang, clang.”

Thanks to her ability to anticipate moves, Chika easily deflected Sasuke’s shuriken with her own.

When that failed, Sasuke moved in with his Lion Combo, pulling out all the stops as if he were fighting an equal opponent.

“He’s taking this pretty seriously, isn’t he?” Kiba remarked, watching Sasuke’s serious approach toward a small girl.

“No,” Neji shook his head, having already activated his Byakugan.

As expected of the Fifth Hokage’s daughter and a descendant of the First Hokage, Neji thought, noticing the massive amount of chakra within Chika, rivaling even elite Jonin like Kakashi. She was already far beyond any Genin here.

Sure enough, as Sasuke launched his Lion Combo, Chika easily dodged. Not only that, she predicted his movements, her small fist coated in Senjutsu chakra from her Heavenly Jutsu, aimed right at Sasuke’s abdomen.

“Boom!” Sasuke felt a sharp pain in his gut as he was sent flying back, as if his body were a kite with its string cut.

The whole crowd was stunned, with Shikamaru, Choji, Neji, Kiba, and Rock Lee all staring wide-eyed in disbelief.

“Well, well… It seems that in this world, having the ability to sense is quite an advantage,” Aizen mused to himself.

Though young, Chika had powerful techniques on her side.

Her ability to anticipate attacks gave her an edge, and her Heavenly Jutsu enhanced her speed, strength, and chakra. This bridged the gap between her and Sasuke’s difference in size and age.

With her sensory abilities and Senjutsu, Sasuke stood little chance.

end

*Chapter 209: Sasuke’s Defeat and the Awakening of the Three Tomoe*

Aside from that, Chika possesses the powerful ability to read minds.

Any intention Sasuke has is completely seen through.

In other words, from the moment Chika learned the Heavenly Jutsu, they were no longer in the same league.

"Damn it... What was that just now? She seemed to see right through my attacks." Sasuke recalled the scene, enduring the intense pain in his abdomen as he struggled to get up, activating his two-tomoe Sharingan, and charging at Chika again.

The outcome was predictable. Just like during the Chunin Exams when he first faced Rock Lee, he got thoroughly beaten again.

"Why… Why can’t I dodge, even with my Sharingan active and able to see her moves?"

At this moment, Sasuke felt deeply frustrated.

He instinctively began forming the seals for the Chidori.

However, before he could conjure lightning in his hands, Aizen’s voice sounded from the side.

Using Kakashi’s tone, he said, “Sasuke, the Chidori isn’t meant for use against Leaf comrades. Or are you telling me that, when facing someone eight or nine years younger, you can’t think of anything other than the Chidori?”

“Shut up.” Sasuke clicked his tongue, stopping his hand seals, taking a deep breath to calm his nerves. He took out a kunai and charged at Chika again.

This time, he was more cautious. Rather than being kicked away like the previous times, he went in with a more steady approach.

Seeing Sasuke approach with a kunai, Chika lost interest in toying with him. She began activating her Heavenly Jutsu internally, intending to end the battle.

Just then, Aizen’s voice echoed in her ear. “Chika, don’t try to end the fight too quickly. Your attack patterns are far too simple right now, and your execution of Heavenly techniques is quite crude. The reason you’re winning is because of your ability to sense and your Sage Mode. Use this chance to improve.”

“I understand.” Chika nodded, casting a determined glance back at Aizen. She lifted her kunai to meet Sasuke’s attack.

Compared to Chika, a novice in combat, Sasuke, with his experience in Taijutsu, was far more seasoned.

Quickly, he spotted Chika’s weakness.

Just as Aizen mentioned, despite her strength and speed, her attack pattern was too straightforward, and her Taijutsu movements were flawed, clearly marking her as a rookie in combat.

Within a few exchanges, Chika was already at a disadvantage.

"I can win..." Sasuke thought, his Sharingan’s tomoe spinning as he observed her moves, his face returning to its usual confident expression.

Clang clang clang!

In the open field, their figures flashed repeatedly, kunai clashing and sending sparks flying.

Following Aizen’s advice, Chika didn’t mind being pushed back. She used her ability to sense Sasuke’s moves, analyzing his combat experience and refining her own flaws.

At this moment, Chika was completely immersed in battle.

After a few minutes, Kiba, Choji, and Shikamaru were all dazzled by the fight. Only Neji, with his Byakugan, and Rock Lee, an expert in Taijutsu, could keep up.

Gradually, Chika began to gain a foothold against Sasuke.

After about fifteen minutes, using the experience gained from Sasuke, she was able to hold her own without relying entirely on her sensory abilities and mind-reading.

“This… is she using me as a sparring dummy?”

Watching Chika’s visibly rapid improvement, Sasuke, proud by nature, grew increasingly agitated.

Meanwhile, Shikamaru and the others were becoming numb with shock.

At this point, even the most unobservant could tell that Chika was a genius, perhaps even more formidable than Sasuke.

“This can’t go on,” Sasuke muttered, clicking his tongue, throwing his kunai to force Chika back and jumping back to widen the gap. Since Kakashi didn’t allow him to use the Chidori, he would just use a traditional Uchiha jutsu instead.

Sharingan Windmill Triple-Bladed Sword!

Sasuke threw several kunai attached with wire at Chika. Though she dodged them, Sasuke’s mouth twisted into a sinister grin as he let go of the wire, binding Chika against a wooden post just like the one he had previously trapped Naruto on.

Sasuke quickly formed hand seals.

“Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique.”

Chakra gathered in Sasuke’s throat, and he spewed a massive flame that traveled along the wire toward Chika.

In the flames, Chika’s agonized scream echoed. “Ahhh!”

“Hey, hey, Sasuke’s going too far! We need to help her!” Kiba couldn’t take it anymore and stepped forward, but Aizen held his shoulder.

“Relax. If she’s really in danger, I’ll step in,” Aizen said calmly, without a hint of worry on his face, showing no sign of moving to intervene.

Shikamaru frowned slightly, his gaze flicking over to observe “Kakashi.” Although his appearance and chakra were the same as always, Neji’s Byakugan and Akamaru’s sense of smell confirmed this, Shikamaru still felt something was off, as if he wasn’t himself, silently raising his guard.

As the flames dissipated, they revealed a charred figure. Sasuke approached confidently, only to hear a poof sound as smoke dispersed, revealing the figure to be a half-burned wooden log.

It was a substitution technique.

“This…” Sasuke’s pupils shrank, a flash of memory from the Forest of Death coming to mind, recalling when Orochimaru had defeated him.

A surge of humiliation filled him, and his two-tomoe Sharingan evolved into three-tomoe.

Turning around, he found Chika’s kunai pressed against his back, her face beaming with an innocent smile. “Sasuke, looks like I won.”

Boom.

Sasuke felt as if he’d been struck by lightning.

At this moment, his mind went blank. He had lost.

As a member of the Uchiha clan, with his Sharingan activated, he had been defeated by a four-year-old girl.

How could this be?

If he couldn’t even beat a four-year-old, how would he ever avenge himself against Itachi?

Clap clap. While Sasuke was grappling with his shattered pride, the sound of applause drew closer, along with Kakashi’s lazy voice. “You’ve truly put on an impressive show for my student and the Hokage’s daughter.”

Everyone turned in shock to see Kakashi approaching, his left eye revealing a single red Sharingan.

*(End of Chapter)*

Chapter 210: The Rise of the Storm

“Everyone, fall back! Kiba, Choji, Neji, Lee—move now!” Shikamaru, who had long harbored suspicions about Aizen's identity, reacted immediately, shouting to his teammates as he cast Shadow Imitation Jutsu to restrain Aizen.

Kiba, Choji, Neji, and Rock Lee were startled by Shikamaru's warning and quickly put distance between themselves and Aizen.

“Shikamaru, what’s going on here? Why are there two Kakashi-senseis? Could one of them be a Shadow Clone?” Kiba glanced between the two Kakashis, shocked.

“That’s impossible. In a situation like that, the real Kakashi-sensei would never go that far against Sasuke. This one is a fake,” Shikamaru declared confidently.

“But he even smells like Kakashi-sensei,” Kiba muttered, sniffing the air suspiciously.

Akamaru, the small dog in Kiba's arms, barked in agreement as if to back up his owner’s words.

Neji added, “Kiba’s right. Even his chakra feels almost identical to Kakashi’s. So who is this person?”

“Aha, you caught me, did you? As expected of the Nara clan’s successor—you managed to see through my flawless transformation jutsu.”

Aizen’s expression remained calm, though his tone held a hint of amusement.

Kakashi activated his Chidori, causing lightning to spark from his hand as he approached Aizen. “From the way you moved in the fight with Sasuke, your unnatural perception, and that unique chakra... You’re Fujiwara Aizen, aren’t you?”

“Yes, Kakashi, we meet again.” With his transformation jutsu lifted, Aizen revealed his true self. All the Leaf Village shinobi widened their eyes in shock.

Kiba and Choji, the only two unfamiliar with Aizen, looked utterly taken aback, swallowing hard as they stared.

“Is this guy... Kurenai-sensei’s student?” Kiba gasped.

Aizen smiled faintly. “You’re Kiba, right? Next time, pass my regards to Kurenai-sensei. And remember to call me ‘senior’—or who knows, I might just take you out with one strike.” He narrowed his eyes at Kiba, feigning a threatening tone.

Aizen noticed he was starting to enjoy the feeling of being feared.

“Y-yes, got it!” Kiba stammered, visibly shaken. Even Akamaru whimpered and hid in his jacket.

Kakashi frowned. “The Third Hokage is dead, and Danzo has fled. Surely you have no more enemies here in the Leaf. So why have you come back?”

“Why?” Aizen chuckled.

Why, indeed?

He had no special reason. After mastering the Flying Thunder God Technique, he simply wanted to leave a space marker and check on his family.

Originally, he had planned to leave after breakfast.

But then his daughter, Chika, caused trouble by challenging Sasuke, so he followed out of concern. He hadn’t expected Sasuke would awaken his three-tomoe Sharingan after losing to Chika.

A fortunate twist of fate.

Clearing his throat, Aizen said with a straight face, “Just like how you took time during the Chunin Exams to train Sasuke because you saw yourself in him, I saw the same potential in Chika. So I took some time to guide her.”

“In fact, as you can see, in just half a month since the Chunin Exams, I’ve taken on your appearance and taught her intermittently.” He cast a sidelong glance at Sasuke. “It seems this four-year-old girl is already outperforming your pupil, the Uchiha kid here.”

“Bastard!” Sasuke’s eyes widened in rage, his voice nearly breaking. His Chidori crackled, matching his intense anger as he rushed toward Aizen.

He felt humiliated, deceived.

The person who claimed not to take on students had instead trained a four-year-old, and in just two weeks, she was nearly surpassing him.

This was more than a slap in the face. It was a blow straight to his pride.

“Calm down, Sasuke. Rushing in like this will get you killed.” Another Kakashi clone emerged from the ground at Sasuke’s feet, pinning him down.

“Another clone?” Aizen glanced at the Kakashi holding Sasuke, then at the one approaching with Chidori, and chuckled. “Cautious as ever, Kakashi. This one’s a Lightning Clone, isn’t it? And as for the real you... let me guess—you’re hiding in that hole beneath Sasuke, aren’t you?”

Kakashi emerged from the pit, Chidori in hand, while the Lightning Clone dispersed into static.

“Smart choice,” Aizen sighed, mockingly. “Had you dared to attack me, everyone here would be dead by now, save for Chika.”

“Hah! You sure talk big, but don’t forget, you’re immobilized by my Shadow Imitation Jutsu.” Shikamaru’s strained voice sounded from behind, his chakra nearly depleted from holding Aizen in place.

“Oh, the Shadow Imitation Jutsu? It’s a clever Yin Release technique, truly rare. But Nara boy, you’re only half-right. I am caught in your jutsu, but that doesn’t mean I can’t move.”

To Shikamaru’s astonishment, Aizen exerted his strength, breaking free of the Shadow Imitation Jutsu with ease.

“H-how is that possible?” Shikamaru gasped, collapsing in exhaustion.

Aizen continued confidently, “In the end, battles between shinobi are battles of chakra. With your chakra level, your Shadow Imitation is no match for me.”

Glancing around, he laughed. “Goodbye, Kakashi, everyone. And you, young Uchiha—you’re truly weak.”

“At your age, your brother and I wiped out the Shimura and Sarutobi clans, respectively. Yet here you are, failing to surpass a four-year-old I trained casually.”

Just as Aizen was about to leave, Sasuke cried out desperately from where Kakashi’s clone was pinning him, “Wait, Fujiwara Aizen, you bastard—wait!”

He still craved power, still hoped Aizen would teach him.

But Aizen merely winked at Chika, then disappeared in a puff of smoke.

---

end