[Sasuke soon begins his research on strange power.]
[A group of Shadow Clones is scattered across a wasteland, occasionally punching the ground.]
[The roar of impact continues.]
[However, the power is still far from what's described in the strange power technique—tearing the earth apart.]
["Phew, it really does consume a lot of chakra."]
[Sasuke's Shadow Clones frequently disappear due to chakra exhaustion.]
[Each attempt at strange power drains a considerable amount of chakra.]
[But if he wants to figure out the best way to channel it, trial and error is the only way forward.]
[Off to the side, Sasuke himself sits on the ground, scribbling in a notebook.]
[The notebook contains diagrams of the human body's meridians and acupoints in the hands and feet.]
[The memories of his Shadow Clones continually return to him.]
["Hmm, combining these two meridians seems to make the chakra output stronger. Which acupoints should I add for even better results?"]
["No, it needs to be more complex. It can't just be a combination of one or two meridians. Maybe I need to activate all the meridians and acupoints in the palm..."]
["Right, let's make a few adjustments here..."]
---
Tsunade: "..."
Why am I feeling nervous?
The way he's approaching this is eerily similar to how I developed the strange power technique myself...
Could he really figure it out on his own?
---
[Thanks to the extensive theoretical knowledge from the Ninja Academy, along with his exceptional chakra control, Sasuke's research on strange power continues to make steady progress.]
[At the moment, the primary limitation is his chakra supply.]
[Sasuke can't help but feel a twinge of envy for Naruto.]
[That guy has a ridiculous amount of chakra—so much that Sasuke can't help but be jealous.]
[While Sasuke can produce maybe a few dozen Shadow Clones, Naruto can easily summon hundreds!]
[It's just not fair.]
[Recently, as both Sasuke's original body and his Shadow Clones focus on mastering strange power, Kakashi has finally gotten some breathing room.]
[Kakashi has turned his attention to Naruto.]
[Naruto, having completed his tree-climbing and water-walking exercises, is now being taught a new ninjutsu by Kakashi.]
[Time passes slowly.]
[Naruto, frustrated with the difficulty of learning the new technique, soon grows restless and suggests taking on a mission outside the village to get some fresh air.]
[Team 7 encounters a drunken old man named Tazuna in the mission room.]
[After accepting the escort mission, Kakashi and his squad set off for the Land of Waves with Tazuna in tow.]
---
Momochi Zabuza: "..."
Damn it!
Looks like I still can't escape this fate!
Terumi Mei: "No matter how tough things might be in that world, Zabuza, you have no idea what kind of opponent you're about to face."
Suigetsu Hozuki: "Zabuza-senpai, you won't be taken down by Uchiha Sasuke alone, right?"
Ohnoki: "Well, you are one of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist. You should be able to escape, right?"
Fourth Raikage: "It depends on whether Kakashi fights. If it's one-on-one, Momochi, you should be able to retreat if you can't win against Sasuke."
Haku: "I hope that in that world, Master Zabuza survives."
Momochi Zabuza: "..."
Ugh! Doesn't anyone think I can win against Uchiha Sasuke?!
The Land of Waves is full of water, after all! I should have the advantage against someone who specializes in Fire Style!
---
[Once outside Konoha Village, Sasuke breathes a long sigh of relief.]
[He gazes at the sky, feeling a sense of freedom.]
[Five years...]
[It's been five years since the night of the massacre, and he's finally left Konoha Village!]
[Sasuke had been afraid to ask or say anything, suspecting that there might be a mastermind behind the massacre from within the village.]
[Now, he finally has some temporary freedom.]
["Tch! Sasuke, once I master the Rasengan, I'm gonna beat you for sure!" Naruto yells from beside him.]
["Sure, I hope you learn it soon," Sasuke responds, his tone indifferent.]
[Naruto's frustration grows at Sasuke's calm response.]
[Ahead of them, they pass by a puddle of stagnant water.]
[Sasuke's eyes narrow, but he doesn't act.]
[After they pass, two figures emerge from the puddle and immediately attack Kakashi.]
[Sasuke rolls his eyes.]
[That was way too obvious.]
[Kakashi, are you really just going to use a Body Replacement Technique?]
[The two attackers, the Demon Brothers, rush at Sasuke, only for one of them to be swiftly kicked over and pinned to the ground by Sasuke.]
["Naruto, Sakura, these guys are just small fry. You don't need to protect Tazuna—get rid of them already!" Sasuke calls out to the two, who are still panicking.]
[Sakura immediately calms down upon hearing Sasuke's words.]
[Naruto, still refusing to lose to Sasuke, grits his teeth in determination.]
[Before long, Naruto and Sakura manage to capture the other Demon Brother as well.]
[The Demon Brothers, Gōzu and Meizu, lie bewildered on the ground.]
[They just killed their captain, so how are these three Genin so strong?!]
[Kakashi emerges from the nearby woods, smiling:]
["Well, not bad. I'm quite pleased with your performance."]
[Sasuke doesn't need praise—this is just par for the course.]
[Naruto and Sakura, while initially panicked, managed to act swiftly once Sasuke snapped them out of it, which is impressive considering they were up against rogue Chunin.]
[Kakashi: "It's a shame, though. You acted too quickly to find out who their target was."]
[Sasuke gives Kakashi a strange look.]
["Isn't that easy? Just interrogate them. Don't you also have the Sharingan, Kakashi-sensei?"]
---
Choji Akimichi: "Naruto and Sakura in that world are way stronger than they were at this point in our world..."
Shikamaru Nara: "Obviously. With a monster like Sasuke on their team, who can afford to slack off?"
Kurenai Yuhi: "Considering how recently they graduated, that version of Team 7 is already ready for the Chunin Exams."
Sakura Haruno: "Speaking of which, Kakashi-sensei, why didn't you use the Sharingan to interrogate those two?"
Sasuke Uchiha: "Didn't expect that, did you, Kakashi?"
Hatake Kakashi: "..."