Breakthrough! Sage Mode Second Stage! Return

Itachi brought Sasuke back home.

Afterward.

Itachi walked toward a forest located away from the Uchiha compound.

"Did you arrange this meeting just to hide?"

Itachi said slowly, addressing a large tree.

From behind the tree.

Danzō walked out, his eyes narrowed.

"Itachi, you seem to be in good spirits lately."

After rummaging through his robes.

Danzō took out a scroll and tossed it directly toward him.

Catching the scroll.

Itachi's eyes were filled with confusion.

"This is the signed document for the sanctions Konoha's high command is imposing on the Uchiha."

"Both elders have already signed it..."

"I came to find you the moment I obtained this agreement..."

"You should know why..."

Danzō said indifferently.

Itachi's expression remained perfectly calm.

He opened the scroll and glanced at it briefly.

"The decisions of the Uchiha are not something I can reverse on my own."

"My thoughts cannot represent them."

Suddenly, Itachi sensed that someone seemed to be hiding in the vicinity.

He immediately turned, preparing to leave.

"The Uchiha are destined for this."

"I came to see you because I wanted you to understand my intentions."

"On the foundation of peace..."

"It must be stained with blood..."

"Think of Sasuke."

"Internal strife will inevitably draw the attention of the outside world."

"At that time..."

"Everything will cease to exist..."

Before Itachi could leave.

Danzō deliberately voiced what was on his mind.

But despite saying so much.

It was merely using Sasuke as a threat.

He hoped Itachi would take action to stop the Uchiha coup.

That was the price for peace.

Itachi did not respond to Danzō.

He rose and left.

"Hiashi..."

"Am I not enough to earn your trust..."

Danzō spoke softly.

Hiashi's figure suddenly appeared in the forest.

"My apologies, Lord Danzō..."

"Regarding such an important matter, I was merely worried for you."

Hiashi spoke more smoothly than a song.

How could Danzō not understand his intentions?

He simply wanted to come and confirm whether this Clan Annihilation Plan for the Uchiha was true.

All along.

The Hyuga clan had always placed vigilance above all else.

Because of his bloodline.

He feared being used in everything he did.

A single misstep.

Could lead to the annihilation of his clan.

"You heard my conversation with him just now, didn't you?"

"You should know what to do when the time comes."

Danzō looked at Hiashi with a chilling gaze.

"Understood."

"I shall return and prepare at once!"

Seeing that Danzō not only refrained from blaming him but even assigned him a task, Hiashi was overjoyed.

As for the Uchiha, however.

Looking at the current situation.

Some of the clansmen had begun to harbor new thoughts and opinions.

The idea of a coup d'état had not formed in a single day.

But this time was different.

Because...

Fugaku had actually joined in.

Initially, his thoughts had been the same as Shisui's.

To stop the clansmen from staging a coup.

But due to two failed negotiations.

And Danzō taking the opportunity to continuously suppress the Uchiha.

Fugaku had ultimately compromised with his clansmen.

The path to a coup had already taken shape.

As it stood now.

In a year at most.

The conflict would escalate.

The moment of the final break.

Would be the Uchiha's ultimate fury.

"When is Second Brother coming back..."

Sasuke asked unhappily, lying in Itachi's arms.

Itachi smiled slightly but did not answer Sasuke.

He looked up at the white clouds in the sky.

A trace of longing suddenly appeared in his heart.

An eagle spreading its wings to fly high would not stop halfway.

Even if it died in a foreign land...

Even if its bones were buried in a deep forest...

Three days later...

There would still be legends of the eagle...

Ryuchi Cave.

Chuan Yu had been staying here for nearly a year.

His refinement of senjutsu had reached its peak.

He slowly opened his eyes.

A wisp of cold air escaped Chuan Yu's mouth.

[Sage Mode 258/500]

[Sage Mode Second Stage]

[Stored Sage Chakra reached 1000 points]

He had successfully reached the second stage of Sage Mode.

Finally, he could leave...

He pressed the mechanism on the wall.

The door to the dark chamber slowly rose and opened.

The outside air flowed through the gap and into Uchiha Chuanyu's nose and mouth.

He had waited too long for this moment.

Blinding sunlight shone inside.

Chuanyu squinted, looking forward through the gaps between his fingers.

Two figures appeared, flickering in and out of view.

"Congratulations, Uchiha Chuanyu."

"You have successfully reached Sage Mode Second Stage."

A melodious voice.

A familiar face.

It was Ichikishimahime.

"Chuanyu!"

Under the soft light, Karin's figure suddenly lunged into Chuanyu's embrace.

Seeing this scene from the side, Ichikishimahime was undoubtedly filled with envy.

For some reason, she also felt a sense of loss.

A year had passed.

Although Chuanyu had stayed inside the dark chamber the entire time, the natural nutrients contained within the Sage chakra had caused significant changes to his height and build.

His complexion was clear, and his face was handsome, though his hair had grown a bit long.

However, Chuanyu suddenly felt a bit breathless against his chest.

When he pushed Karin away to take a closer look, he realized she had grown quite a bit over this past year as well...

"Don't be in such a hurry to celebrate."

"The White Snake Sage has left one final trial."

"You must defeat her clone..."

"Only then will you be considered to have successfully graduated!"

No sooner had Ichikishimahime finished speaking than the surrounding environment began to distort rapidly.

By the time Chuanyu reacted, he was already standing in the Starry Realm.

And standing opposite him was the White Snake Sage, who had transformed into a human form.

"Not bad..."

"You have successfully entered the second stage..."

"It has been a year; let me see just how much you have grown!"

With that, she suddenly transformed into a massive dragon-snake.

She spiraled into the sky and let out a startling, heaven-shaking roar!

The sound threatened to shatter the very heavens.

Chuanyu could barely withstand the sheer pressure of the White Snake Sage's aura alone.

He utilized Sage Mode to seal his five senses, relying on his perception to pinpoint the White Snake Sage's location.

This way, he would not be affected by her.

The White Snake Sage nodded slightly. "You have certainly grasped quite a bit of the essence of Ryuchi Cave."

"However..."

"You must show me some real strength!"

Weaving through the end of the starry sky.

The White Snake Sage roared as she charged toward Chuan Yu.

Although it was only a shadow clone.

It was still close to the Kage level.

However...

The Kusanagi Sword was gripped tightly in Chuan Yu's palm.

The Byakugan and Mangekyo appeared simultaneously.

"You have no chance of winning either!"

Whether it was the White Snake Sage's movements.

Trajectory.

Or direction.

Everything was captured within Chuan Yu's eyes in a 360-degree view without any blind spots.

To secure victory.

He would at least need to use the full power of the Mangekyo.

A year of time had allowed him to thoroughly harmonize with this Mangekyo.

It was time to obtain a new, eternal power...

Karin and Ichikishimahime had been waiting quietly in place.

Before the two of them.

Chuan Yu sat motionless with his eyes closed.

According to Ichikishimahime.

He had entered the White Snake Sage's genjutsu world.

If he successfully defeated the White Snake Sage's clone.

Then he would wake up.

But if he failed...

He would remain a vegetable forever...

Three hours passed.

Just as Karin was about to fall asleep.

Suddenly.

Chuan Yu spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed to his knees.

Karin jolted awake and quickly ran to Chuan Yu's side.

"Chuan Yu! Are you alright? Don't scare me!"

"Say something!"

Karin was nearly sobbing.

She shook Chuan Yu's body desperately, hoping to get a response.

But black blood suddenly began to stream from Chuan Yu's tightly shut left eye.

Karin quickly rolled up her sleeve, revealing her fair arm.

Then, she pried open Chuan Yu's mouth.

"There's no need, Karin..."

Karin suddenly froze.

She hurriedly looked up.

She saw Chuan Yu looking at her gently with his left eye closed.

The confident smile on the corner of his mouth seemed just like it was yesterday.

Seeing this, Karin let out a choked laugh.

As she laughed, tears began to stream down her face before she even realized it.

That's right.

He had won...

He coughed violently several times.

Chuan Yu was helped to his feet by Karin.

Ichikishimahime looked at the two of them and smiled faintly.

Then, she turned around, ready to leave.

"You have already passed all the trials of Ryuchi Cave."

"Go on."

"Come back and visit when you have the time."

With her back turned to Chuan Yu.

A single tear suddenly fell from Ichikishimahime's face.

However, she did not let Chuan Yu see it.

Yet, at that moment, an inexplicable sadness welled up in Chuan Yu's heart.

Chuan Yu's past and his inner world.

Ichikishimahime had always been able to see them.

Ever since the day Chuan Yu devoured her chakra.

Ever since the day she infused him with her chakra.

Because of the connection of their senjutsu.

A Heart Bridge had formed between them.

Which meant they could sense each other's emotions.

Including their pasts.

But Chuan Yu himself had no idea.

For a year.

Ichikishimahime had always been in his heart.

Accompanying him...

"Then..."

"Goodbye..."

"Big Sister Ichikishimahime..."

He turned and left with Karin, without a second thought.

Ichikishimahime never once turned back to face Chuan Yu.

"Idiot...!"

But don't be in such a hurry.

There is a plot twist here.

One that will shock your nerves.

Get fired up with me.

See you at 7 PM sharp!

For those who can, I suggest putting on headphones and opening NetEase Cloud Music.

Song: Various Artists - Håll Om Mig (DJ Xiao Tom remix)

Listen while you read.

It's explosive!

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