Capítulo 29: Chapter 29: Training and Sasuke's Power-up
The Land of Waves, Demon Bridge
The Demon Bridge, named in honor of Zabuza after he defeated Gato, had become a symbol of hope for the people of the Land of Waves. A month had passed since Team 7's arrival, and the bridge was nearing completion. With Gato gone, many of the workers who had previously feared his revenge joined the construction effort, significantly speeding up the process.
Team 7 continued their mission, ensuring the workers' safety while simultaneously training nearby.
"Thunder Style: Thunder Clap!"
Sasuke pressed his right hand against a tree, causing blue lightning to crackle and burn the bark, leaving behind a charred surface and the smell of burnt wood.
"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"
Naruto unleashed a powerful wind bullet, stirring up the water ahead of him and sending salty sea spray raining down.
"It seems like you two have nearly mastered your new ninjutsu."
Kakashi, who was sparring with Sakura, glanced over at Naruto and Sasuke and offered them praise.
Sakura, wielding an unfolded paper fan in each hand, moved with fluidity—sometimes sprinting, sometimes stopping abruptly and spinning, her fans dancing through the air.
"There's a weakness!"
Seizing on Kakashi's momentary distraction, Sakura lunged forward, striking with her fan.
"Swish!"
"Bang—"
A puff of smoke signaled Kakashi's substitution technique, leaving only a split log in Sakura's path.
"Sakura, you've improved a lot as well," Kakashi remarked, appearing behind her and giving her pink hair a light pat.
In the time since mastering tree climbing, not only had Naruto and Sasuke learned new ninjutsu, but Sakura had also developed her own unique style of taijutsu, incorporating the Hatake clan's body techniques.
"No, I still have a long way to go," Sakura responded, folding her fans and catching her breath.
After wrapping up their morning training, the team joined the workers for lunch, though they ate the food they had brought with them.
...
"Sakura, I want to spar with you!" Sasuke declared after lunch, his Sharingan flaring with intensity.
Ever since Sakura had captured Zabuza alive, Sasuke knew he was no longer the strongest in Team 7. He realized that, in terms of both strategy and strength, he was likely not a match for Sakura. However, the progress he made during tree climbing training and the lightning ninjutsu he had learned from Kakashi gave him the confidence that the gap between them had narrowed.
"Sasuke, don't pick on Sakura! If you want to fight, I'm ready anytime!" Naruto yelled, stepping in front of Sakura with his thumb pointing at himself.
Sakura sighed, glancing up at the clear sky. Sasuke seemed to think he was invincible again.
"It's okay, Naruto. I'm curious to see how my skills measure up against a Sharingan user," Sakura said, gently pushing Naruto aside.
"Genjutsu: Narakumi no Jutsu!"
Sakura quickly formed hand seals and cast an illusion Kakashi had taught her. Sasuke fell to the ground with a thud, completely overwhelmed by the genjutsu.
"Huh?"
Sakura had only intended to momentarily stun Sasuke with the illusion, allowing her to exploit his blind spot. But to her surprise, the genjutsu worked far better than she expected.
"Amazing! Sakura is amazing! She knocked out that arrogant Sasuke in an instant," Naruto exclaimed, marveling at Sakura's skill. He couldn't help but think of all the times he had been bested by Sasuke.
"Stop daydreaming! Naruto, go get Kakashi-sensei," Sakura ordered, her expression serious. Naruto immediately rushed off to find Kakashi.
As Sakura pondered the unexpected result, she bit her nails, deep in thought. She quickly dispelled the genjutsu affecting Sasuke.
"Damn it, I was careless. Let's go again!" Sasuke demanded as he stood up, looking pale but determined.
"Enough!" Sakura snapped, her tone unusually stern.
Sasuke, taken aback by her harsh response, fell silent. Soon after, Naruto returned, dragging Kakashi along.
"Kakashi-sensei, something is wrong with Sasuke! His Sharingan should make him resistant to genjutsu, yet I easily defeated him with a basic D-rank technique," Sakura reported, her face etched with concern.
"Idiot! I just let my guard down..." Sasuke muttered, but Kakashi placed a hand on his shoulder, silencing him.
Kakashi, who also possessed the Sharingan, understood immediately that something was wrong. Since receiving Obito's Sharingan, Kakashi had never been caught off guard by a simple genjutsu. Even with just one tomoe, Sasuke's Sharingan should have easily resisted a D-rank genjutsu. It was like armor being pierced by a toothpick—impossible.
"Could it be that Sasuke's mental energy has been compromised?" Kakashi asked Sakura.
"No, if that were the case, Sasuke wouldn't be able to activate his Sharingan. Given the circumstances, I suspect his mental energy has been sealed and is being used to maintain some kind of genjutsu," Sakura speculated.
"But who could be strong enough to do that? Even an elite genjutsu specialist couldn't manipulate someone else's mental energy to perform a genjutsu. And judging by Sasuke's condition, the genjutsu doesn't seem to be harmful. What could the caster hope to achieve by placing Sasuke under such an elaborate genjutsu?" Kakashi questioned, perplexed.
Cold sweat trickled down Sasuke's back as he realized the truth in Sakura's words. With the Sharingan, his resistance to genjutsu should be formidable. The only person he knew who could perform such an advanced genjutsu was Uchiha Itachi. The thought of Itachi taking precautions to limit his strength was infuriating.
"Sakura, can you dispel the genjutsu affecting Sasuke?" Naruto asked, more worried about Sasuke's condition than Sasuke himself.
"I might be able to, but Kakashi-sensei, should we really dispel it?" Sakura asked, her concern evident.
"Of course, we should!" Naruto and Sasuke shouted in unison, their anxiety apparent.
Kakashi understood what Sakura was worried about, but Sasuke was his student and the last remaining member of Obito's clan. Ignoring such a serious issue was not an option. After a moment's hesitation, Kakashi nodded.
Seeing Kakashi's approval, Sakura explained, "I suspect Sasuke witnessed something he wasn't supposed to see. To prevent him from being silenced, the caster tampered with his memories using this genjutsu. Given Sasuke's past, it's likely connected to the Uchiha clan massacre..."
At the mention of the massacre, Sasuke recalled that fateful night—the figure on the streetlamp, the blood-red sky, and the ominous black full moon...
As Sasuke's breathing became erratic, Sakura made a quick decision. "Sasuke, I'm going to help you organize your mental energy. Don't resist. Focus on recalling the night the Uchiha clan was annihilated..."
Sakura placed her right hand on Sasuke's forehead, slowly channeling chakra into him.
"Kakashi-sensei, keep a close eye on Sasuke. If you detect any unusual chakra fluctuations, dispel the genjutsu immediately," Sakura instructed. Kakashi uncovered his Sharingan and concentrated on monitoring Sasuke.
As Sakura delved into Sasuke's mind, she attempted to alter the night sky in his memories to a normal, starry one. But she felt a strange resistance, as if something was pushing back.
"Now, Kakashi-sensei!" Sakura urged.
"Genjutsu: Release!"
Kakashi poured his chakra into Sasuke, trying to shatter the illusion.
"Ah—!"
Sasuke screamed, curling up in pain. As the genjutsu was broken, a flood of memories came rushing back to him:
He hadn't actually witnessed Uchiha Itachi killing his parents. The moment he saw Itachi, he was put under the influence of the Sharingan. And there was another figure beside Itachi, someone wearing a black cloak with red clouds and a mask with a swirling pattern.
As Sasuke's mental energy was freed, the tomoe in his Sharingan spun rapidly before settling into a three-tomoe pattern, just like Kakashi's.
But Sasuke was too overwhelmed by the sudden influx of memories to notice the change. Just as he was about to speak, Sakura interrupted him.
"Stop! Sasuke, don't say anything about what you remember! I have no interest in knowing the details of the Uchiha clan. And until you're stronger, I suggest you don't dig too deep. There's a good chance Konoha's higher-ups are involved. This isn't something a genin like me should be aware of! Please, I want to live a little longer!" Sakura said, covering her ears and shaking her head.
Status de energia semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Pedra de
Poder