Each with Their Own Plans

After bidding farewell to Tsunade, Uzumaki Reikawa finally obtained an official status within Konoha.

Inside the office, Tsunade pondered the implications of what Uzumaki Reikawa had meant by "living," as he had still not mentioned his true origins; this exchange had yielded no further useful information for her.

However, his stance was now confirmed: as long as he posed no threat to Konoha and was willing to help deal with the Akatsuki, that was enough.

Furthermore, based on the brief, probing skirmish they had just shared, the strength displayed by Uzumaki Reikawa was certainly no less than her own!

On his way back, Uzumaki Reikawa thought to himself: I'm an official employee now, and my ninja rank has been bumped straight up to Jonin. Looking at the Konoha forehead protector in his hand, he tapped it with his finger, a smile appearing on his face. I've always tied it around my arm before; should I try wearing it on my head next time?

I hope I never have to scratch a line through it. He stopped in his tracks; before him stood the new residence assigned by Tsunade. It was a two-story house with a small courtyard. Given Konoha's current financial state, they had clearly spared no expense. Mm, free stuff really is the best.

Just as Uzumaki Reikawa was inspecting his new home, a loud "Bang!" suddenly erupted at the gate, causing him to instinctively shrink his neck in surprise.

"Is Big Brother Reikawa here?" Naruto dragged a black-faced Sasuke into the courtyard.

"Not here!"

The next moment, while Naruto was still wearing a look of utter confusion, he felt a sharp pain in his backside. He and Sasuke were both kicked out, one by one, followed by a loud "Bang!" as the door slammed shut behind them.

Rude little brats!

Once Naruto regained his senses, he rubbed his aching rear and knocked on the door, pressing his face against it to shout: "Big Brother Reikawa, I was wrong! We have something to ask of you, please open the door!"

After a while, seeing that the gate still hadn't opened, just as Sasuke thought that today had been a wasted trip because of that idiot Naruto, the door suddenly swung open. Naruto, not expecting this, had been leaning against it and was about to fall face-first onto the ground when Uzumaki Reikawa caught him by the collar with one hand.

At the same time, he looked at Sasuke and said helplessly: "Come in! And remember to close the door."

After changing their shoes and sitting down, seeing Naruto and Sasuke glaring at each other with neither willing to speak first, Uzumaki Reikawa asked with a sigh: "What do you two want?"

"Big Brother Reikawa, I heard from Granny Tsunade that you're very strong and can help me master the Nine-Tails. Is that true?!"

"..."

"!" Sasuke was somewhat surprised, looking at Uzumaki Reikawa. He actually laid his cards on the table with the Hokage? It seemed the explanation he had prepared was no longer usable. As for him coming over with Naruto, that was purely a coincidence they encountered on the road.

"...And what about you, Sasuke?"

"Nothing..."

"If it's nothing, turn left at the door and get out. I won't be seeing you off!"

Seeing that Uzumaki Reikawa was genuinely about to kick them out, Sasuke hurriedly said: "Fine, there is something, but I want to wait until Naruto leaves to talk about it."

Naruto: "??? What could you possibly have to hide from me?"

"It has nothing to do with you."

"Tch~" Naruto pouted, looking as if he didn't care to know anyway.

"Naruto, regarding your question, I think you'll have your answer after tomorrow. For now, please step outside."

"But..."

"If you 'but' again, you'll be training by yourself tomorrow."

"Fine..." Naruto looked back three times for every step he took, dragging his feet for a long time before finally heading out.

Seeing that Naruto had left, just as Uzumaki Reikawa was about to say something to Sasuke, Sasuke suddenly had a vein pop on his forehead. He made a "pause" gesture, signaling that he needed to step out for a moment.

The next moment, the sound of a chaotic scuffle echoed from upstairs before falling silent. Naruto, who had been hiding upstairs, was knocked unconscious by Sasuke, his eyes swirling into spirals, and left tied up.

That's ruthless... Just hearing the sounds made him feel the pain.

Sasuke sat back down and asked: "I want to ask if you know Uchiha Gen?"

He's sitting right in front of you.

"Uchiha Gen...? I know him; he even gave me a mask once." Uzumaki Reikawa stroked his chin, beginning to lean into the role.

"!! You know him? Where is he now?" Sasuke's heart leaped with joy upon hearing this.

"I don't know if 'know' is the right word; it was just a chance encounter. As a fellow clansman, shouldn't you be more aware of your own kin's movements than I am?" Uzumaki Reikawa countered with a question.

Suddenly changing the subject: "But then again, although we haven't fought, I can be certain he's quite strong. The Akatsuki would likely be very interested in him; perhaps that's where he is?"

Sasuke's brow furrowed at the mention of the Akatsuki again. Itachi is in that organization too. "Then, can you take me out of the village?"

"What's wrong? Looking to scratch a line through your forehead protector?"

"No, it's just that there's a truth I must uncover. Consider it a favor I owe you." As Sasuke said this, his expression was sincere, earnest, and serious, shedding that look of someone who owed him money.

Uzumaki Reikawa fell silent. Funny, why does this 'empty-handed wolf' tone sound so familiar?

"You aren't strong enough."

"But even Kakashi-sensei can no longer beat me now."

Uzumaki Reikawa didn't buy that claim; after all, if things were truly as Sasuke said, then Kakashi would be far too weak.

Uzumaki Reikawa shook his head: "...That's your teacher going easy on you. If you don't believe me, try sparring with other Jonin. Even if you could hold your own against Kakashi for a while, it's only because he's your teacher and you've grown accustomed to his attack patterns."

Seeing Sasuke's defiant look, Uzumaki Reikawa suddenly smiled: "How about you try me first? I promise not to use strength exceeding that of a Chunin."

Sasuke's expression darkened further at this. Is he saying I can't even beat a Chunin? "No need. Give it your best shot."

"Come at me?" Uzumaki Reikawa suddenly appeared behind Sasuke, placing a kunai against his neck. "Are you sure?"

Sasuke suddenly burst into a wooden log, and a Lightning Blade descended from above, striking toward where Uzumaki Reikawa had been standing.

"Fast." Uzumaki Reikawa offered a word of praise, but in the next instant, he whipped out a chain of Adamantine Sealing Chains, binding Sasuke and slamming him to the ground, causing the Lightning Blade to dissipate instantly.

Sasuke struggled on the ground, but his chakra flow had become sluggish, making it impossible to break free. At this moment, his feelings were complicated, and he desperately wanted to shout: You're cheating!!

Yet, the Adamantine Sealing Chains were indeed Uzumaki Reikawa's own ability; it just appeared far too broken in his hands. This single move shattered the illusion of strength Sasuke had developed due to his recent growth.

"Don't be angry, you were the one who told me not to hold back," Uzumaki Reikawa chuckled. In truth, claiming he would only use Chūnin-level strength had been a bit arrogant; he might have even taken a few hits from Sasuke if he hadn't been careful.

Still, one had to admit that Sasuke's strength had grown quite well. "That said, I can promise you this: once I've settled things with Naruto, I can take you out. In the meantime, study hard under Kakashi-sensei. If the opportunity arises, you can ask other Jōnin for guidance—well, anyone except that thick-browed guy."

On the other side, Karin watched the bite marks on her arm slowly fade away, her heart filled with excitement. "Sakura, thank you...!"

Sakura wiped the sweat from her forehead, her green eyes curving as she signaled it was nothing, smiling at Karin. "It's fine, aren't we friends?"

Watching the bite marks vanish bit by bit, Sakura felt a deep sense of accomplishment. After Tsunade learned what Sakura had done, she had entrusted this task to her, which served as a perfect opportunity for this future medical ninja to gain some practice.

Looking at her smooth arm, it was as if the bite marks had never existed. Karin's eyes suddenly turned resolute. "I don't know if it's possible, but I want to learn medical ninjutsu, too."