"Quit the team!?"
As expected, Naruto reacted the loudest.
"Sasuke, what's going on? Why suddenly quit the team!?"
Naruto shouted at Sasuke. Sure, when they were first assigned, he didn't want to be on Sasuke's team, but during Kakashi's bell test, Sasuke became a comrade.
Not just a comrade—a rival to measure himself against.
Sakura, too, clenched her fists, wanting to ask but too timid to speak.
Sasuke didn't answer.
Shen Mo, to his surprise, caught a flicker of… guilt in Sasuke's eyes?
So this is Sasuke at this stage?
Shen Mo's smile widened. Tsundere, tsundere—naturally, more dere makes him likable.
"Sasuke," Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke up, his slightly cloudy eyes looking at Sasuke. "Why do you want to quit the team? Since you passed Kakashi's test, he must've taught you the meaning of a ninja team."
"Exactly, exactly!"
If Sakura weren't holding him, Naruto might've charged Sasuke with questions.
But Sasuke…
After a brief silence, he doubled down on his choice.
"Because—" He lifted his head, casting a cold glance at Naruto and Sakura, "their strength is nowhere near my level. The gap's too wide. They can't keep up with me, and I won't stop for them, playing this pointless comrade game!"
"…" Sasuke's words plunged the scene into brief silence.
Then—
"You jerk!" Naruto broke free from Sakura, lunging at Sasuke. "Stop acting so high and mighty!"
Naruto hated this side of Sasuke most.
Back in class, always the same!
But the instant he neared…
Swish—
At a speed Naruto couldn't track, Sasuke sidestepped, appearing behind him in a flash, grabbing his collar and gently lifting before he could fall.
"Naruto," Sasuke's icy voice came from behind, "I'm not looking down on you. I'm just… stating facts!"
"Sasuke—!"
Naruto turned, about to retort, but a dizzying spin sent him flying toward Kakashi.
So strong!
Everyone present—Kakashi, Sarutobi, Tsunade—could see it.
Sasuke was far beyond Naruto. That speed didn't even seem genin-level.
"This kid," Tsunade reacted first, looking at Shen Mo. "He bought cans from you?"
"Correct," Shen Mo said, flashing a brilliant smile. "Sasuke had the will to change his fate and paid the price. I don't turn down business."
"As expected…" Tsunade looked at Shen Mo meaningfully. "Only your cans could transform someone overnight like this."
Among those present, probably only Kakashi was still clueless.
Cans?
What were they talking about? Sasuke's strength came from cans?
Even Naruto, in Kakashi's grip, stopped struggling, eyes wide, looking at Sasuke.
The magical cans Hand-Beating Uncle bought? Sasuke got them too?
"That's right, Lord Hokage," Sasuke said, head high, brimming with confidence, meeting Sarutobi's eyes. "I'm not the same as yesterday. Staying on the team is a waste of time. I request to leave."
He restated his plea.
No one spoke.
All eyes were on the Third Hokage.
But Sarutobi hesitated inwardly.
He hadn't expected…
Sasuke, too, bought cans from this mysterious merchant. Was the Uchiha clan's wealth not thoroughly seized back then?
Sarutobi took a drag on his pipe, exhaling slowly, glancing subtly at Shen Mo, who seemed to be smiling and watching.
He'd made his call.
"Sasuke, I've heard your wish and request," Sarutobi said, pausing, then continuing, "but you need to prove you truly can't grow further in a ninja team, as you claim."
"I can prove it!"
Sasuke declared without hesitation.
Anyone could see his confidence, sharp as an unsheathed blade.
"Do you know why every ninja team needs a jonin leader?" Sarutobi said, puffing slowly. "Jonin are the elite—strength, mission experience, far beyond genin. The team leader's role is for you to learn from them."
Sasuke stayed silent.
He recalled…
During the bell test, he was powerless against Kakashi, easily pinned underfoot.
But now, he was different.
"If you really want to quit," Sarutobi continued, "then have a match. Against Kakashi. Win, and I'll approve your request."
A genin dueling a jonin—and needing to win.
In any ninja village, this was unthinkable.
Sarutobi's proposal aimed to see…
Sasuke.
How far had this mysterious merchant enhanced him? What was the focus, the method?
Right now, he needed intel on Shen Mo most!
"Fine!"
Sasuke agreed without a hint of doubt.
Even eager.
He turned, looking at Kakashi.
"Teacher Kakashi, please spar with me."
"Well…" Kakashi looked at Sarutobi, sighing. "If it's the Third Hokage's order, no choice. Come on."
He handed the now-calm Naruto to Sakura, heading to a nearby clearing. Sasuke, sword on his back, followed.
Then, Tsunade sidled up to Shen Mo.
"How many cans did this Uchiha kid buy from you?" she whispered.
"That's client privacy. I don't spill," Shen Mo said, looking at Tsunade's eager face, feigning helplessness. "But, Tsunade, of all my deals, you've bought the fewest cans."
Veins popped on Tsunade's forehead.
Damn it! Even a kid's richer than me!?
Sarutobi glanced at them, then fixed his gaze on the field, puffing silently, lost in thought.
Sasuke and Kakashi stood ready.
"My sword's named Qingfeng," Sasuke said, slowly drawing the blade from his back. "Forged from a fine sword base, infused with four or five rare ores, impossibly sharp. Ordinary weapons can't match it. Teacher Kakashi, you'd better be careful."
Kakashi stared at Sasuke's earnest warning, unsure what expression to wear.
A genin was looking down on him like this?
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