Sasuke's Birth

The scroll Yusuke tossed to Orochimaru contained the severed head of the White Zetsu he had killed back in the Land of Rain. For a master of biological science like Orochimaru, it still held significant research value.

Orochimaru tucked the scroll away and asked with a sinister smirk, "Now that the Cursed Seal is complete, Yusuke-kun, which village's jinchuriki do you intend to target first to seize the Yin Release Chakra of the tailed beast within them?"

Yusuke's gaze remained calm. "Don't worry about that; I already have a target in mind."

Meanwhile, at a training ground within the Uchiha compound, Shiranui Genma had just finished guiding Itachi and Izumi through their ninjutsu practice, and the three were chatting idly.

"Genma-senpai, what is your specialty ninjutsu?" Izumi asked curiously.

Genma gave a smug smile. "My specialty isn't ninjutsu, but senbon. When it comes to using senbon, I am absolutely second to none among my peers!"

Izumi rolled her large eyes and laughed, "Senbon are just a type of ninja tool, though. I bet you're no match for Itachi when it comes to using them!"

Genma couldn't stand being underestimated by Izumi. "Impossible. I admit Itachi is a rare genius, but I don't believe he can surpass me in the use of ninja tools right now."

Izumi tilted her head slightly. "How about we make a bet? Itachi is good with kunai. He'll demonstrate with kunai first, and if you can replicate it using kunai or senbon, you win. Otherwise, you lose. How about that!"

Genma said dismissively, "Fine, it's a deal. If you two win, I'll treat you to Three-color Dango for a whole year!"

"Genma-senpai, maybe we shouldn't," Itachi said, being quite kind-hearted.

Genma waved his hand confidently. "Itachi, go ahead and show me. I'll definitely be able to replicate it."

Since Genma insisted, Itachi said no more. He casually pulled out three kunai and threw them, then drew three more, which flew faster than the first set and struck them, altering their trajectories. In the end, all six kunai hit the bullseyes of six different targets.

This wasn't even Itachi's peak performance; after training with Shisui on the use of ninja tools recently, Itachi could perform even more precise micro-adjustments.

Genma's eyes were wide open in disbelief, and the senbon he had been biting fell from his mouth, piercing the top of his foot.

"Ah!" Genma clutched his foot and cried out in pain.

"Genma-senpai, you should try it too," Izumi said with a pure smile, looking at him with anticipation.

Genma shook his head with a bitter smile. "Forget it, I lost."

He sighed, silently lamenting to himself:

A year's worth of Three-color Dango for two little brats is going to cost a lot of money. My already thin wallet is going to get even slimmer.

"I'm just teasing you, Genma-senpai. You've been helping us train for so long, and we haven't even thanked you yet. Let us treat you to Three-color Dango today!" Izumi said with a happy laugh, seeing Genma's bitter expression.

Looking at the clever yet thoughtful Izumi, Itachi smiled slightly. Genma also let out a sigh of relief and scratched his head, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Just then, a voice interrupted their plans to go get dango: "Young Master Itachi, the Clan Head has ordered you to go to the hospital immediately."

Looking at the Uchiha clansman who had come to deliver the message, Itachi asked, "Did Father say what it was about?"

The man replied, "Your mother is going into labor."

Hearing that his mother was about to give birth, Itachi apologized to Izumi and Genma and hurried toward the hospital. The plan for the three of them to go get dango was naturally canceled.

When Itachi arrived at the Konoha Hospital, Uchiha Mikoto had already successfully given birth. In a private room, Uchiha Mikoto was holding a crying infant, and Uchiha Fugaku was standing by her side.

"Mother, I'm sorry I'm late." The door opened, and Itachi walked in.

"Itachi, it's a boy. You have a little brother now," Uchiha Mikoto said with a gentle smile. She then turned to Uchiha Fugaku. "You've kept it a secret for so long, can you tell us the child's name now?"

Uchiha Fugaku leaned over, took the baby from Uchiha Mikoto's arms, and said with a joyful voice, "Sasuke. Uchiha Sasuke."

Uchiha Mikoto was surprised. "That's a good name, but..."

Uchiha Fugaku smiled. "That's right, it's the name of the Third Hokage's father. I've already spoken to the Third Hokage, and he has given his consent."

Uchiha Fugaku lifted the infant Sasuke up. Bright sunlight from the hospital window shone in, bathing Sasuke's tiny body in light.

"Sasuke, don't let this name down. You must grow up to be a real man!" Uchiha Fugaku's voice was filled with expectation.

After saying this, Uchiha Fugaku laughed heartily.

Looking at Sasuke in his father's arms, Itachi made a secret vow in his heart: no matter what happens in the future, he would take good care of his brother, even if it meant sacrificing everything he had!

However, just as Itachi made this vow, the image of a little girl's pure and cute smile flashed through his mind.

When Izumi returned home, she was surprised to see her brother Yusuke there. "Brother, why are you home so early today?"

Yusuke smiled and beckoned to Izumi, who trotted over. Yusuke reached out and patted her head. "I've been busy developing an important ninjutsu lately and haven't had time to spend with you. I'm sorry. Tonight, I'll take you and Mom out to eat."

Izumi said happily, "That's great! I want to eat barbecue today!"

"Sure, whatever you want." Yusuke pinched Izumi's slightly chubby cheek and asked curiously, "Why are you home so early today? Don't you usually hang out with Itachi for a while after training?"

"Itachi's mother had a baby today. He has a little brother now. I'm so envious; I really want a little brother or sister too," Izumi said with a look of longing.

Hearing Izumi's words, Yusuke began to ponder.

Sasuke has been born, which means Naruto will be born soon, too. I need to make some preparations in advance. If possible, I hope to help the Fourth Hokage and his wife survive the Nine-Tails Incident.

Yusuke deeply admired the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato. Born a commoner, he rose to become the CEO of Konoha without any cheats, won the heart of a beautiful woman from the Uzumaki clan, and became the epitome of commoner success.

The Fourth himself could be called a perfect man; his strength, talent, personality, and appearance were all outstanding.

I hope I can arrive before you perform the Dead Demon Consuming Seal!

After Yusuke finished developing the Yin-Yang Cursed Seal, he relieved Shiranui Genma of his duties, taking back responsibility for the ninjutsu training of his disciples and his sister, Izumi.

As for Guy, he had grown fond of the feeling of being a teacher and begged Yusuke to allow him to continue guiding the children in taijutsu. Yusuke naturally agreed, being "happy to help."

There was no helping it; he couldn't refuse a request from a good friend!

"Yusuke-sensei, have you heard the recent rumors about you and Shisui?" one afternoon, after finishing their daily ninjutsu training, Yusuke was strolling through the snack street with Kabuto, Itachi, and Izumi when Itachi suddenly asked.

Yusuke nodded. "I've heard them. It's obvious that someone is deliberately spreading these, likely with the goal of sowing discord within our Uchiha Clan."

"By promoting me as the clan's top fighter and calling Shisui the clan's top genius, they can create competition between us while also making the clan head wary of us."

"I'm not familiar with Shisui, so I haven't spoken to him about this yet. However, as for the clan head, we have already discussed it. He doesn't care about these rumors and said he would talk to Shisui to ensure the unity of the clan."

Hearing Yusuke's explanation, Itachi felt slightly relieved and said, "I will talk to Shisui about it as well."

Patting Itachi on the shoulder, Yusuke said, "Then I'll leave that to you. I have no intention of competing with Shisui for such hollow titles."

At this moment, Yusuke, Fugaku, and Itachi were still unaware that the purpose of these rumors, beyond inciting discord among the Uchiha Clan's elites, was primarily to set the stage for Shisui to challenge Yusuke, allowing Shisui to rightfully become both the top fighter and top genius of the Uchiha Clan after his victory. One has to admit, the Third Hokage is truly cunning!

Inside a teahouse, Yusuke took a gentle sip of oolong tea while sitting across from his old friend Shiranui Genma.

"I say, Yusuke, why have you become so enthusiastic lately? You're either treating me to tea or dinner. You should know that I, Genma, am not a man who cares much for gluttony!" Genma asked with a curious expression.

"Waiter, another serving of sakura mochi, a serving of yokan, and four strawberry daifuku, please!" Before Yusuke could answer, Genma unceremoniously ordered two more sets of refreshments.

Yusuke's eyelid twitched, and he smiled. "Naturally, I'm just thanking you for helping me guide my disciples in their ninjutsu training a while back."

Genma frowned slightly. "But you've already thanked me five times for that."

For some reason, he couldn't shake the feeling that the man sitting across from him was plotting something.

After all, among their peers, Yusuke was the most troublesome; no one had ever managed to get the better of him.

Yusuke slowly took a sip of tea, his eyes glancing at the new Hokage Guard armband on Genma's arm, and said calmly, "I also want to congratulate you on your official promotion to Special Jonin and for becoming a personal guard to the Fourth Hokage."

Genma smiled upon hearing this. "It wasn't easy to finally make it to Special Jonin, but I still can't compare to you, Yusuke. Rumor has it that you're already the top fighter of the Uchiha Clan."

Yusuke waved his hand dismissively. "I don't know where those rumors came from, and they're actually giving me quite a headache."

"By the way, I'll be starting a secret mission tomorrow. If you want to treat me to tea again, it might have to wait for a while," Genma continued.

Hearing Genma's words, a flash of light crossed Yusuke's eyes, and he thought to himself, It's here!