Research Institute.
Testing Ground.
Bang... Bang... Bang...
Two unbelievably fast figures constantly pulled and collided on the testing ground, stirring up bursts of low muffled sounds.
One of them was Yamada Juichi, who had previously fought fiercely with Orochimaru, then was knocked down by Orochimaru and had the Shinjutsu 'Immense Strength' absorbed.
The other figure, whose whole body flickered with faint purple lightning, was Uchiha Sasuke, who had just arrived at the Research Institute with Naruto.
After understanding the situation within the Research Institute, Sasuke was very displeased.
In his opinion, as an institution founded by Shinji, the Research Institute should serve Shinji and the Uchiha wholeheartedly!
Instead, it had cultivated one arrogant and domineering experimental subject after another. This was something he could not ignore no matter what.
So after arriving at the Research Institute, the first thing he did was to propose a spar with Yamada Juichi.
Because Owl, who had previously rebelled, had already been dealt with by Shinji, and Orochimaru was one of the high-level officials of the Research Institute, the only unlucky guy he could target was Yamada Juichi.
Yamada Juichi, who had been heavily injured by Orochimaru and had just recovered, was holding back a breath of anger. At this time, Sasuke came to challenge him. Naturally, he wanted to vent this resentment on Sasuke. Thus, this contest that alarmed the entire Research Institute took place.
"Who do you think will win?"
"Although Uchiha Sasuke is very famous, he shouldn't be Yamada Juichi's opponent, right? After all, Yamada Juichi has undergone the baptism of the ritual!"
"Yeah, I think so too. But for Uchiha Sasuke to stalemate with Yamada Juichi for so long is also quite impressive!"
The researchers on the sidelines whispered, discussing the contest on the field.
After repeated tests, they were very clear about what kind of monster an experimental subject like Yamada Juichi, who had undergone the baptism of the ritual, truly was.
Those ninjas who were famous in the Shinobi World before, like Yakushi Kabuto, Ranmaru, Deidara, had also sparred with Yamada Juichi, but they were no match at all. So the vast majority of researchers didn't think highly of Sasuke.
On the other side.
Yakumo stared fixedly at the field, her face full of worry: "Will Sasuke be okay?"
Naruto laughed: "Don't worry, this level is far from Sasuke's limit. Our previous training was much harder than this!"
"That's good!"
Yakumo murmured.
What she worried about most was Sasuke losing to Yamada Juichi. She wasn't worried about Sasuke losing face, but mainly feared that such a defeat would cause the Akatsuki organization's control over the Research Institute to drop again.
Observation Area.
Amado, Orochimaru, Tsunade, Sasori, and other high-level officials of the Research Institute didn't miss this opportunity and also took time to come to the testing area to watch this contest.
Seeing that Sasuke could actually contend with Yamada Juichi, many people felt surprised.
Tsunade said: "Sasuke seems to have become stronger again!"
"Uchiha..."
Sasori muttered, the potential of the Uchiha also shocking him.
Orochimaru licked his lips, his eyes shining, as if he saw something interesting.
On the field.
Yamada Juichi threw a punch. Just the fist wind brought up by the punch was like a fierce Wind Release attacking Sasuke.
Sasuke, however, had a smile on his lips. With a sidestep, he accurately dodged Yamada Juichi's fist.
After a brief probe, he had understood Yamada Juichi's strength. There was indeed something in terms of speed and strength, but other aspects were completely a mess.
After retreating, Sasuke looked regretful: "If you had awakened a Shinjutsu, perhaps it would be somewhat interesting. If you only have this level now, it's really too boring!"
Yamada Juichi said angrily: "What did you say!"
"I said..." Pausing, Sasuke quietly activated 'Amenotejikara', swapping places with the air behind Yamada Juichi, appearing silently behind him: "You are too weak!"
"You!?"
Yamada Juichi was stunned for a moment, his face full of astonishment.
Swish...
In the next instant, he found his chest pierced from behind by Sasuke's arm, which was still flashing with dazzling lightning.
"This!?"
"How is it possible?"
"So fast!"
The researchers on the sidelines were all dumbfounded.
Spurt...
Yamada Juichi coughed up a mouthful of blood, turning his head with difficulty to look at Sasuke behind him.
Sasuke said coldly: "Don't worry, I avoided your vitals. But you'd better not move around, otherwise, I'm afraid I'll tear you apart!"
Yamada Juichi roared: "You bastard, I'm going to..."
Bang!
Sasuke withdrew his arm and kicked Yamada Juichi, sending him flying.
Yamada Juichi wanted to get up and fight again, but found his whole body paralyzed and unable to exert strength. Only then did he realize that Sasuke's 'Chidori' just now not only pierced his body but also left a large amount of Lightning Release chakra in his body. It was this chakra that had been paralyzing his tissues.
He looked up at Sasuke opposite him, his expression somewhat defeated.
Unlike when fighting Orochimaru, he felt that all his attacks were seen through by those 'Six-Tomoe Rinnegan'. Every move he made was anticipated by the opponent, so despite having strength, he couldn't use it at all.
Seeing the opponent give up resistance, Sasuke's gaze swept over the researchers on the sidelines.
Facing Sasuke's 'Six-Tomoe Rinnegan', the researchers all lowered their heads and averted their gazes, feeling somewhat guilty at heart.
Everyone knew that Uchiha Sasuke was declaring the Akatsuki organization's leadership over the Research Institute in this way.
"Phew..."
Yakumo breathed a sigh of relief, completely setting her mind at rest.
Haku, however, frowned slightly.
Noticing Haku's expression, Yakumo asked: "What's wrong? Is something amiss?"
Haku whispered: "Do you feel that Yamada Juichi seems to have become weaker?"
"Become weaker?" Stunned for a moment, Yakumo recalled carefully for a while, then nodded slightly: "Now that you mention it, he does seem not as strong as in the previous tests."
Naruto was puzzled: "What's going on? Didn't that guy use his full strength?"
Haku shook his head: "Looking at him, he shouldn't have held back, but his speed and strength are indeed worse than before!"
Yakumo said: "Could it be that it's his first time fighting a powerful Dojutsu Kekkei Genkai ninja like Sasuke, so he's not used to it? Or maybe the injuries from his last fight with Orochimaru haven't fully recovered? I remember he seemed quite heavily injured last time!"
Haku said: "Maybe!"
Haku wasn't the only one who noticed something wrong with Yamada Juichi. Amado, through instrument detection, also discovered the decline in Yamada Juichi's state. But in his eyes, Yamada Juichi was already a dead man, so there was no need to spend too much energy on him.
Just like that, the disturbance brought by Sasuke ended quickly, and the Research Institute ushered in the sixth ritual.