The Man Who Tried to Bear Everything

The farther Sasuke went, the more he felt that something was wrong.

The clan grounds were far too quiet.

Even when there was a gathering at the Shrine, it was something only the clan's adult ninja attended.

Children, elders, and the ordinary members of the clan were not qualified to take part in matters that decided the clan's future.

They would stay at home and go about their own business, and the clan grounds would be filled with the warmth of everyday life.

But now, the entire clan grounds were shrouded in darkness, without a single human voice.

Suppressing the unease in his heart, Sasuke quickly ran home. The moment he pushed open the door, a pungent stench of blood rushed into his face.

Before him was a sight so unbelievable that Sasuke could barely comprehend it.

His father, Fugaku Uchiha, and his mother, Mikoto Uchiha, lay in a pool of blood. Even without checking them, Sasuke knew they had already lost all signs of life.

And his brother—his beloved brother, Itachi.

He was holding a slaughtering blade, fresh blood still dripping from it.

It was the blood of the parents he and his brother had both loved dearly.

"This can't be real..."

Sasuke's eyes widened, too shocked to speak.

How could his brother have done something like this? Everything before him had to be an illusion. It had to be fake.

Bang!

A Shuriken grazed Sasuke's cheek and embedded itself in the doorpost. The pain told Sasuke that this was no illusion.

His beloved brother had killed their beloved parents.

"Ahhh!"

Sasuke drew a Kunai and charged at Itachi, screaming like a madman, "Why? Why? Nii-san, why did you kill Dad and Mom? Why?!"

Boundless rage snapped the string called reason within Sasuke. His eyes unknowingly turned red, and two Magatama emerged within them.

Lightning Fire power instinctively surged from his body, turning into the force that accelerated him.

In almost an instant, Sasuke crossed the distance between himself and Itachi, driving the Kunai in his hand toward Itachi's brow.

Then he was sent flying back at even greater speed.

He smashed through the front door, flew across the street, and only stopped when he crashed into a wall.

"You've grown stronger, Sasuke. It's good that you met a friend like Naruto, someone who can push each other forward."

Itachi followed Sasuke like a shadow. As Sasuke bounced off the wall, Itachi reached out and seized him by the throat, then spoke cruel words in an icy voice.

"Why?"

"Of course, to test the limits of my Vessel and gain even greater power."

The Magatama in Sasuke's eyes multiplied until there were already three.

He angrily demanded, "You killed Dad and Mom for such a boring reason? Huh? Are you really my brother Itachi? Aren't you some demon that has bewitched Itachi's mind?"

With a kick, he forced Itachi to release him, then immediately pulled out a large handful of Soldier Pills from his Ninja Tool Pouch and stuffed them into his mouth.

"Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation."

In the blink of an eye, Sasuke completed his hand seals and opened his mouth, spewing forth a sea of flames.

Years of grueling training had already allowed him to master this powerful B-rank ninjutsu.

But Itachi, Sasuke's target, had already arrived behind him.

There wasn't much time left.

He could already sense the familiar Chakra of Naruto, Sasuke's friend, rapidly approaching.

The presences of the Third Hokage and Danzo were also drawing near.

Tsukuyomi!

Within the Genjutsu space, Itachi showed Sasuke again and again the process of exterminating the entire Uchiha clan.

"This is not a boring reason. Power is very important to me. Only with sufficient power can I do as I please and rule this world."

"And you, foolish little brother—Dad and Mom died because you were weak."

When the Genjutsu ended, Sasuke's gaze was vacant, his mind already beginning to fall apart.

Itachi seized him by the throat again and lifted him up.

Naruto descended while riding the raging wind, and the Soldier Pills inside Sasuke's body gradually began to take effect.

The continuously generated Chakra slowly restored Sasuke's awareness. Then, together with Naruto, he heard the true reason Itachi had slaughtered the Uchiha clan.

They also heard why Sasuke had been spared.

All of it was merely to obtain even stronger Pupil Power.

Naruto looked at Itachi, whose expression was cold as he slowly walked toward him.

No matter how hard it was to believe, the brother Sasuke had called the gentlest and best brother in history—the Brother Itachi who, though too busy to meet Sasuke's friend, would still have Sasuke bring him little gifts—

He had actually done something so utterly deranged.

Clearly, clearly, he had never shown Naruto any ill will.

But what Naruto saw with his own eyes could not be faked.

Whoosh.

The sound of something cutting through the air rang out. Itachi had already crossed the distance between himself and Naruto, his sharp blade slashing down at Naruto with a bone-chilling killing intent.

Yet Naruto stood there without moving, as though he had been frightened senseless.

"You made a very good friend, Sasuke."

Bang.

Smoke burst forth, and a Substitution Log was split in two.

Although Itachi had already realized it was the Substitution Technique, he did not alter his attack.

Turning around, Itachi saw his younger brother, extremely weak after being struck by Tsukuyomi, shielded behind his friend Naruto.

At that moment, several more sounds of rushing wind rang out.

The Third Hokage arrived with his direct Anbu guards. They shielded Naruto and Sasuke behind them, cutting off Itachi's cold, murderous gaze.

A moment later, more sounds of rushing wind echoed out as more Anbu arrived in the area.

"Naruto, this way, you won't keep any beautiful fantasies about me. As Sasuke's only friend, become the motivation that drives him to take revenge on me."

Itachi swept his gaze over everyone, sneered, and vanished directly from before their eyes without another word.

"Should we pursue him, Lord Third Hokage?"

The white-haired Anbu glanced at Naruto, who was protecting Sasuke behind him. Seeing that familiar hairstyle and face, a faint ripple stirred in his heart before he spoke to ask for instructions.

The Third Hokage waved a hand. "Quickly inspect the area and see whether there are any other survivors."

"Yes."

After responding, the surrounding Anbu dispersed.

Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at the unconscious Sasuke, then at Naruto. Frowning, he sternly reprimanded him, "Naruto, I'll deal with you later for barging into a restricted area on a whim.

"If something had happened to you, how would I explain it to your deceased parents?"

Naruto lowered his head obediently and replied, "I know I was wrong, Grandpa Third Hokage."

I'd do it again next time, he silently added.

Sarutobi Hiruzen took one look at Naruto's expression and knew Naruto had not taken it to heart. He had neither the mood nor the time to lecture the younger generation now, so he instructed, "Sasuke is your friend, so take him to the hospital.

"Then either go home or stay at the hospital with Sasuke. Don't run around!"

After saying that, he turned toward the white-haired Jonin beside him. "Kakashi, keep an eye on Naruto."

Kakashi froze for a moment before replying, "All right."

But Naruto had no interest in waiting for him. He picked up Sasuke, controlled the airflow, and shot into the sky.

He headed toward the hospital.