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After separating from Uchiha Obito and Nohara Rin, Yuhi Kurenai looked at Yuuki Yuichi curiously.
If she remembered correctly, her father had told her that the Uchiha clan's Sharingan could only be activated by experiencing loss.
"Yuichi—"
Before Yuhi Kurenai could ask her question, Yuuki Yuichi smiled at her.
"That guy Obito is obsessed with awakening his Sharingan."
"It's better to let him try."
Yuuki Yuichi said, pulling Yuhi Kurenai along as they ran toward home.
At the same time, a small plan was brewing in his mind.
Doesn't Uchiha Obito want to awaken the Sharingan? Then, let him truly feel what it means to experience loss.
Yuuki Yuichi, however, had no interest in feeling such emotions himself.
Since he had a template for power, he was content with simply following the steps.
Though he had Uchiha blood and could awaken the Sharingan, perhaps even the Mangekyō, he had no desire to pursue it.
Sacrificing love in exchange for power wasn't a trade he was willing to make.
He would rather become strong step by step.
---
In a hidden cave, far away.
Uchiha Madara listened to Zetsu's report. After a moment's thought, he spoke, "Zetsu, are you certain?"
"Yes, Madara-sama. Those two boys, Uchiha Obito and Yuuki Yuichi, are perfect candidates," Zetsu replied respectfully.
"We don't have much time. I need to find a successor before I die!"
Madara replied, his body shaking slightly as the oxygen tube attached to him fell off.
"A boy with Uchiha and Uzumaki blood, who has already awakened the Sharingan, has a cheerful disposition, a cunning nature, and a close bond with the Nine-Tails Jinchuuriki, but is not overly serious."
"The other has yet to awaken his Sharingan but has a sunny disposition, a helpful nature, and a girl he cares about."
"I didn't think there would be such peculiar Uchiha kids!"
"Ha ha ha ha ha." Uchiha Madara laughed, understanding the Uchiha clan too well.
Generally proud and intense, he hadn't expected to encounter such uniquely talented individuals.
In Madara's eyes, both Yuuki Yuichi and Uchiha Obito were exceptionally talented.
For an Uchiha, strong emotions were the key to unlocking the Sharingan's full potential.
He even believed that Obito's potential surpassed Yuuki Yuichi's, despite Yuichi's Uzumaki blood and awakened Sharingan.
After adjusting his oxygen tube, Madara lowered his head. "Keep a close eye on these two kids."
"Focus especially on the one called Uchiha Obito."
"Consider Yuuki Yuichi a backup option."
"Understood!" Zetsu replied, slipping away silently.
"Yuuki Yuichi?" Madara murmured in the dim cave as he sat alone.
"Great potential, but too unpredictable."
"Too many variables."
Madara chose Obito as a successor because Obito's personality was more controllable, making it easier for Madara to ensure his loyalty and strength.
With Yuuki Yuichi, the risks were higher. Though Yuichi had Uzumaki blood and could potentially wield the Rinnegan, his connection to Konoha's Uzumaki Nine-Tails Jinchuuriki was a liability. Even with a curse mark, he might break free.
There were simply too many risks.
Although Yuuki Yuichi was otherwise an ideal candidate, Madara only needed one successor.
With these thoughts, Uchiha Madara slowly closed his eyes.
The older he grew, the more he felt the need to sleep.
Perhaps the next time he closed his eyes, he wouldn't open them again.
---
Meanwhile, in Konoha, Yuuki Yuichi was lying in bed, his eyes wide as he read the new achievement that had appeared.
[Achievement Unlocked: The Abandoned One.]
[Sometimes, being abandoned isn't a bad thing. Like a certain Uchiha Obito, those chosen by the Reaper ultimately become reapers themselves. But you, my friend, have been dismissed by the Reaper.]
[Reward: Jutsu - Fury]
[Jutsu - Fury: Passively grants a 20% damage boost. Your attacks inflict an additional 20% damage. "Why was I cast aside? My fury is uncontrollable! Age-old relic, I'll be your end!"]
[Jutsu - Fury upgraded to Jutsu - Fury lv2]
[Jutsu - Fury lv2: Passively grants a 20% damage boost, can be activated for 1 second to double the damage boost. One-day cooldown. "My rage is burning! I'll pull the plug on your oxygen tube!"]
Yuuki Yuichi: "..."
After reading the achievement, Yuichi immediately understood why it had triggered.
It was most likely because he had come into Uchiha Madara's consideration, only to be dismissed.
Still, did the Jutsu - Fury have to be this specific?
Being rejected by Uchiha Madara wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
He didn't need to sacrifice those close to him and then suffer because of it!
If Kurenai or Kushina died in front of him, he'd dig up Madara's ancestors' graves!
With these thoughts, Yuuki Yuichi felt a bit more at ease.
Madara had no plans to harm him, which was definitely a relief.
Thinking this over, Yuuki Yuichi slowly drifted off to sleep.
In his dream, he saw himself with the Rinnegan, nine golden chains extending from his back, each binding a tailed beast. Facing the ninja alliance alone, he said, "Do you also wish to dance?"
The dream ended abruptly. Yuuki Yuichi sat up in bed, alarmed. "What a scary dream. Why would I dream of something like that?"
His only wish was to live a peaceful life by the sea, surrounded by those he cared about.
Determined to keep his dreams simple, Yuuki Yuichi gritted his teeth, remembering the achievement notification from the night before. "Damn that evil Uchiha ghost!"
He had thought about Madara too much, which must have led to that strange dream.
"Humph!"
Yuuki Yuichi snorted coldly, "If I ever get the chance, I'll be pulling the plug on your oxygen tube!"
Just as he was lost in these thoughts, Yuhi Kurenai's voice rang out.
"Yuichi!"
"Get up!"
She called as she hurried into the room. Seeing Yuuki Yuichi already awake, she scratched her head in slight embarrassment.
"You're up?"
"Dad left us some breakfast and lunch money on the table."
"I brought it for you!" She said, taking out breakfast and a few hundred yen bills from behind her back.
"I'll go wash up!" Yuuki Yuichi said, jumping out of bed and heading to the next room in his pajamas.
After having breakfast with Yuhi Kurenai, Yuuki Yuichi put on his training weights, and they headed out.
When they arrived at the training ground, they found that Might Guy had already arrived early.
But this time, Hatake Kakashi and Nohara Rin were also there.
Seeing them approach, Nohara Rin smiled warmly and greeted them, "Good morning."
Hearing her voice, Kakashi glanced over at Yuuki Yuichi, snorted, and resumed his sword training.
"Good morning, Rin." Yuhi Kurenai released Yuuki Yuichi's hand and ran over to Nohara Rin, the two of them quickly falling into conversation.
Thanks to Obito, Rin had become friends with the group, and Kurenai got along particularly well with her.
After chatting with Kurenai, Nohara Rin turned curiously to Yuuki Yuichi.
"Yuichi-kun, why did you ask me to come early yesterday?"
Rin was puzzled.
When they parted ways yesterday, Yuuki Yuichi had asked her to come early today. She didn't know why but came anyway.
There was also a thrill in skipping classes, since Yuuki and the others had privileges, while she didn't.
Hearing her question, Yuuki Yuichi smiled, "Didn't Obito say he wanted to awaken the Sharingan yesterday?"
Nohara Rin nodded, still confused. "What does that have to do with me being here?"
"Everything," Yuuki Yuichi nodded with a grin.
Hearing their conversation, Kakashi paused his training, and Might Guy looked over curiously.
Might Guy didn't understand yet, but Kakashi did—he knew the Sharingan awakened through the pain of loss.
Kakashi wanted to see what Yuuki Yuichi planned to do.
Thinking of the challenge Yuuki Yuichi had issued to him a month ago, saying that anyone wanting to face Kakashi had to defeat him first, Kakashi was feeling eager to put Yuichi to the test!
"The Uchiha awaken their Sharingan through loss."
"So I need you to play along."
"Play along?"
"Right!"
"I'll use my shadow clones to pretend to be ninjas from other villages and kill all of us."
With that, Yuuki Yuichi took out several thumb-sized packets of fake blood from his ninja bag and handed one to each person.
"When the time comes, just crush it where you were hit."
Looking at the fake blood in his hand, Kakashi Hatake frowned. "Only a fool would believe that there are enemy ninjas here to assassinate us."
After all, they were on top of Hokage Rock, which was well-protected by Konoha's barrier.
After Kakashi spoke, he noticed Yuuki Yuichi's calm look and realized that, while Obito wasn't a complete fool, he was naive enough to fall for it.
"Is this really okay?" Nohara Rin looked uncertainly at the fake blood in her hand.
"It'll be fine!" Yuuki Yuichi assured her.
Based on Uchiha Obito's intelligence before his transformation, coupled with his feelings for Nohara Rin, Yuichi was sure he would fall for it!
As expected, Uchiha Obito was the last to arrive.
Although he had promised the previous day to show up early, especially since Nohara Rin would be there, he ended up delayed by various small distractions.
After hearing the plan, Asuma Sarutobi held the fake blood with excitement.
"Don't worry! I'll act tragically!"
"When the time comes, I'll get slashed, spin around dramatically, and fall, yelling for Obito to run!"
Seeing his enthusiasm, Yuuki Yuichi couldn't help but roll his eyes. "No need to be that dramatic."
"How should I act?" asked Might Guy, scratching his head. Acting wasn't his strong suit.
Hearing this, Yuuki Yuichi thought for a moment. "Let's do a practice run."
"Alright!" Everyone agreed, especially Asuma, who seemed overly excited.
Yuuki Yuichi summoned a shadow clone, handed it the fake blood, and transformed into an intimidating figure from his previous life.
"Alright, let's get started!"
Yuuki Yuichi jumped into the forest, and everyone continued training as usual.
Yuuki's shadow clone leaned close to Might Guy and whispered, "Just crush the blood packet, apply it to your neck, and lie still."
"Got it!" Might Guy nodded. "Youth has no fear!"
At that time, Uchiha Obito was hurrying toward the training ground, even faster than usual because he was eager to see Nohara Rin. When he heard the sounds of battle ahead, he felt a pang of worry and quickened his pace, soon breaking into a sprint.
"Hehehe!"
"You're Konoha's new-era geniuses!" Yuuki Yuichi sneered. "Who would've thought I, Yeyue Kai, would be the one to end all of you!"
"Die!" His murderous tone sent a chill down Asuma's spine, making him wonder if this was really just an act.
The dull ninja blade slid across Asuma's chest, and, suppressing his fear, Asuma spun through the air before landing hard, blood appearing on his chest as he shouted, "Obito! Run away!!!"
The tragic tone of his voice made Yuuki Yuichi question if he'd actually hurt him.
"You scum!"
Obito's voice was strained with anger and fear as he rushed forward, eyes reddened with emotion.
Yuuki Yuichi turned and grinned. Asuma had gone without props and pulled off the scene perfectly.
With the show fully underway, he continued with the act.
"Hehehe!" Yuuki Yuichi cackled menacingly, taking down Kakashi next with a dramatic strike that sent him flying.
Nohara Rin and Yuhi Kurenai looked at each other, then charged forward while yelling, "Obito, get out of here!"
Two slashes later, they fell.
When Yuuki Yuichi turned to deal with Might Guy and his shadow clone, he found that both had already "wounds" on their necks and were lying in a pool of fake blood.
Yuuki Yuichi: "..."
Well, that saves me some effort.
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