Itachi and Kisame Arrive!

Yo's body trembled.

A surge of cold, violent energy—utterly foreign to chakra—exploded within him.

This energy brimmed with life force, yet carried a domineering will to assimilate everything into itself.

Yo's skin turned pale, drained of color, like a cold-blooded creature.

Beneath the surface, white snake scales pierced through his skin and emerged.

At the same time, his body began to swell and twist uncontrollably, as if transforming into some serpentine form.

Worse still, the skin on his feet lost elasticity and luster, turning into lifeless gray stone.

Petrification... had begun!

Natural Energy was rampaging through his body, trying to turn him into one of the countless stone statues in Ryūchi Cave!

"As expected... domineering!"

Yo immediately immersed his entire mind, relying on his terrifying chakra control honed over years of training.

He began to capture and guide the wild strand of Natural Energy within him.

This process was excruciatingly difficult!

Natural Energy was like a runaway horse, untamable and incompatible with his mental energy and chakra.

The snake scales on his body continued to spread, and the petrification had already crawled from his calves to his knees.

Yo remained unfazed, mobilizing his mental energy and physical energy as a binding agent to wrap around that strand of Natural Energy.

Guide, resonate, fuse!

Fortunately, this strand of Natural Energy was minuscule. Under Yo's efforts, it was quickly tamed and merged.

Finally, in a perfect 1:1:1 ratio with mental energy and physical energy, it blended seamlessly.

A new type of energy was born within Yo's meridians.

Though only a wisp, it contained terrifying power far beyond ordinary chakra—this was Sage Chakra!

The moment that wisp of Sage Chakra formed, the mutations on Yo's body came to an abrupt halt!

The spreading snake scales stopped growing and slowly receded.

The stone on his legs, which had reached his knees, receded like a tide, restoring the softness and sensation of flesh and blood.

Yo slowly opened his eyes and let out a long breath. Though the process had been perilous and draining, he had succeeded.

He had mastered the first strand of Natural Energy and fused his very first wisp of Sage Chakra.

The White Snake Sage watched quietly, her amber eyes calm and unruffled, as if she had foreseen this outcome.

"Impressive control and temperament! You truly are a genius!"

The White Snake Sage's aged voice rang out: "Now, next, you must learn how to sense, absorb, and stably maintain the Natural Energy from the outside world!"

Successfully mastering Natural Energy and fusing the first wisp of Sage Chakra.

Meant that Yo had qualified to train in Ryūchi Cave Sage Mode.

It also preliminarily proved that he had the potential to harness Natural Energy.

According to Ryūchi Cave's rules.

He could stay here, receive guidance from the White Snake Sage or Ryūchi Cave's higher-ups, and learn Sage Mode.

For anyone craving power, this was a dream opportunity, and Yo was eager for it.

The immense boost from Sage Mode was crucial for enhancing his strength.

He wanted to push forward and master Ryūchi Cave Sage Mode as quickly as possible.

However.

Just then.

Shh!

A stream of unfamiliar information suddenly flooded his mind—it was transmitted by his Shadow Clone left in Konoha:

Uchiha Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki had appeared in Konoha! He needed to return immediately!

Itachi had finally come!

Yo's spirit jolted, and he immediately turned to the White Snake Sage on the high platform: "White Snake Sage, my deepest apologies!"

"An urgent matter has arisen in Konoha, and I must return to handle it!"

"Regarding the training in Sage Arts, may I postpone it for now?"

The White Snake Sage showed no surprise at Yo's sudden request.

"You have already earned the right to train in Ryūchi Cave Sage Arts. When you train is your own choice!"

"Thank you!"

Yo dispelled the Reverse Summoning Technique, then vanished from Ryūchi Cave.

Outside Konoha, at the edge of the forest on the river surface, the atmosphere was tense and ready to snap.

Asuma supported the injured Kurenai Yuhi as they slowly retreated, both their faces marked with gravity and wariness.

Kakashi stood in front of them, staring fixedly at the two figures before him.

Before them stood two figures clad in Black and Red Cloud Robes—none other than Uchiha Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki.

"Kakashi-senpai!"

Uchiha Itachi's voice was calm and flat, his gaze indifferent:

"I'm different from Kisame—I won't waste much time!"

Before his words faded, the three tomoe in his crimson eyes abruptly accelerated, spinning, connecting, transforming!

Finally, they linked into a triangular windmill pattern—the Mangekyo Sharingan unique to Itachi.

The moment his eyes met those, Kakashi's body jolted violently, as if struck in the head by an invisible heavy hammer.

His entire frame stiffened for an instant, then, without warning, he toppled backward.

He dropped to one knee, bracing himself with one hand on the ground, panting heavily, his forehead instantly drenched in cold sweat.

His gaze was unfocused, his face still marked with pain and shock.

As if, in that brief flash of time, he had endured countless brutal deaths and torments.

"Kakashi!"

Asuma cried out.

"Itachi-san... so that's the power of your eyes?"

Kisame Hoshigaki grinned, baring his shark-like fangs:

"Well then, let's finish off this Copy Ninja while we have the chance!"

Kisame stepped forward, unwrapping the bandages from Samehada, the blade's barbs standing erect, aimed at Kakashi, who had nearly lost the ability to resist.

"Kakashi-sensei, looks like you could use some help!"

A flat voice suddenly came from the forest on the side.

The voice wasn't loud, but it drew everyone's attention.

They all turned to look—on the branch of a large tree not far away, a figure had appeared without anyone noticing.

It was a black-haired youth, wearing ordinary dark short-sleeved ninja gear, his hands casually shoved in his pockets.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows across him.

"Yo!!"

Kakashi barely lifted his head, and upon seeing Yo, he completely relaxed, his body going limp and collapsing straight back.

Shh!

Yo suddenly appeared beside Kakashi, reaching out to steady him: "Kakashi-sensei, are you alright?"

"I'm... I'm fine!"

Kakashi said weakly.

Asuma and Kurenai's taut nerves suddenly loosened.

Reinforcements had arrived!

They had all seen Yo's strength—since Yo was here, today's matter would surely be resolved properly.

Uchiha Itachi's pupils contracted almost imperceptibly, his eternally unchanging expression finally showing a faint ripple, a stir rising within him.

It was Yo... he was... already this grown!

Itachi silently stared at Yo, as if trying to etch him firmly into his memory.

But his face remained cold, unchanged.

Kisame Hoshigaki also noticed Yo, tilting his head to look at Itachi, asking with a hint of amusement:

"Hey, Itachi-san, this kid's got the same red eyes as you. Is he your little brother?"

"He's my brother!"

Itachi's voice was steady.

"So he really is your brother?"

Kisame found it somewhat novel.

Yo lifted his head, also looking at Uchiha Itachi, that great filial son.

Unlike Sasuke's bone-deep, searing hatred.

Yo showed no expression of bitter grievance, barely even any anger visible—he simply looked at Itachi calmly.

"Long time no see, Itachi!"