"Leave the team!?" Naruto's reaction was explosive, a raw surge of indignation and confusion. He roared at Sasuke. Although their relationship had begun with mutual antagonism, the shared struggle under Kakashi's guidance had forged a deep, if complicated, bond. Naruto saw Sasuke not just as a rival, but as an essential comrade, a standard to strive against.
Sakura stood paralyzed, her hands clenched, her expression a mix of bewilderment and fear, desperate to understand the sudden, cold shift in her teammate.
Shen Mo, observing Sasuke's rigid posture and the faint flicker of something akin to guilt in his eyes, allowed his smile to broaden. A classic Tsundere, he thought, always needing to frame vulnerability with coldness. A truly spoiled, yet utterly fascinating, customer.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, lifted his hand, quieting Naruto's sputtering outrage. His eyes, usually softened by age, focused intently on Sasuke. "Sasuke," he asked, his voice gentle but firm, "explain your reasoning. You passed Kakashi's test; you understand the fundamental importance of the ninja team structure."
"That's right, believe it!" If Sakura hadn't been physically holding him back, Naruto would have vaulted himself at his teammate, demanding answers.
Sasuke stood silent for a moment, absorbing the collective scrutiny. Then, his composure solidified into an ice-cold mask.
"Because," Sasuke declared, his voice cutting through the morning silence, his gaze sweeping dismissively over Naruto and Sakura. "Our abilities are fundamentally incompatible. The gulf in power is simply too wide. They cannot keep pace with my advancement, and I refuse to stand still and continue this pointless charade of 'friendship' for their sake."
The brutal honesty of his words created an immediate, heavy silence.
Then, the explosion. "You arrogant bastard!" Naruto finally ripped himself free of Sakura's grip and lunged. "Don't you dare look down on me!"
But Naruto's momentum was instantly nullified.
Swish!
Sasuke's speed was terrifying. Faster than Naruto could perceive, Sasuke executed a flawless shunshin, appearing instantly behind his teammate. Before Naruto could even pivot, Sasuke reached out, his grip delicate but unyielding, seizing the collar of Naruto's jacket.
"Naruto," Sasuke's voice was a whisper of cold steel right behind the boy's ear. "I am not underestimating you. I am simply stating the inescapable truth."
With a controlled, almost casual flick of his wrist, Sasuke launched Naruto directly toward Kakashi, who caught the flailing boy with a practiced ease.
The display was conclusive. Everyone present—Kakashi, the Hokage, and Tsunade—knew this was not a Genin's speed. Sasuke was operating at an entirely different tier of physical prowess.
"That brat," Tsunade muttered, her eyes darting to Shen Mo, a hint of something fierce and challenging in her expression. "He took your jar, didn't he?"
"Indeed," Shen Mo replied, his smile radiant. "Sasuke possessed the necessary will to rewrite his own fate, and he paid the required price. I am merely the facilitator."
"As I suspected," Tsunade murmured, crossing her arms. "Only the power from your jars could effect such a drastic, overnight transformation in a person."
Kakashi, holding a stunned, wide-eyed Naruto, was momentarily lost. Jars? What kind of ninja tool? And how could it transform Sasuke so utterly in one night? Even Naruto, now held by his sensei, stopped struggling, his focus fixed on Sasuke, realization dawning in his bright blue eyes: That mysterious jar uncle's product... Sasuke bought it too?
"Hokage-sama," Sasuke declared again, his gaze unwavering, full of a cold, new confidence as he faced the village leader. "My power level has been drastically altered since yesterday. Continuing with the team is a complete and utter waste of the valuable time required for my growth. I formally request to be immediately relieved of my duties with Team 7."
Sarutobi Hiruzen drew deeply on his pipe, the scent of burning tobacco smoke momentarily masking the charged air. He had not anticipated this level of product effectiveness. Sasuke had confirmed his suspicions regarding Shen Mo's formidable presence.
"Sasuke," Hiruzen said, exhaling a slow ring of smoke. "I acknowledge your desire and your request. However, as you yourself stated, you must provide absolute proof that you have outgrown the Genin structure."
"I can provide that proof now!" Sasuke asserted, without a hint of doubt.
"Tell me, young Uchiha," Hiruzen continued, his eyes focusing with Kage-level sharpness. "Do you recall why every Genin squad is led by an elite Jonin?"
Sasuke remained silent, remembering the bitter lessons from the bell test where Kakashi had effortlessly crushed his arrogance.
"The Jonin is the pinnacle of our strength," Hiruzen explained. "They possess superior power, experience, and strategic acumen. The leader is there so the Genin may learn from them. If you truly wish to abandon your team," the Hokage concluded, his suggestion calculated to extract maximum intelligence, "you will spar with Kakashi. If you can defeat your own sensei, I will personally grant your request."
The challenge was unprecedented. A fresh Genin demanding to defeat an elite Jonin to quit his post. Hiruzen's primary goal was not to test Sasuke, but to force a public demonstration of the jar's power—its direction, its limits, and its source.
"Agreed!" Sasuke accepted the terms instantly, his eyes blazing with anticipation. He finally turned to his Jonin instructor. "Kakashi-sensei," he requested, his tone carrying a new authority, "I challenge you to a duel."
Kakashi sighed, lifting his head. "Well, if the Third Hokage himself commands it, then I have little choice." He gently handed the still-stunned Naruto to Sakura. "Come on, Sasuke. Let's not keep the Kage waiting." He began walking toward the center of the training field.
Tsunade, seizing the opportunity, leaned in close to Shen Mo. "How many boxes did that Uchiha brat manage to acquire from you?" she whispered urgently, her desire for the jars clearly outweighing protocol.
"Ah, client privacy, Tsunade," Shen Mo replied, offering an apologetic, yet firm, smile. He added, however, a pointed observation: "Though I can mention that of all my current customers, you, Tsunade, have acquired the fewest jars."
Tsunade's visible veins momentarily bulged. Even this little brat is wealthier!
Hiruzen watched the exchange, a thin layer of smoke obscuring his thoughts, his attention primarily fixed on the two figures preparing for battle.
Sasuke and Kakashi faced each other in the cleared field.
Sasuke reached behind him, slowly drawing his new blade. The smooth, elegant long sword emerged from its sheath, catching the morning light.
"My sword is named Qingfeng," Sasuke announced, his voice steady. "It was forged from the finest raw kendo materials and enriched with several precious, powerful minerals. It possesses an incredible sharpness. Ordinary weapons will not withstand its edge. Kakashi-sensei, you would be wise to exercise caution."
Kakashi stood opposite him, unarmed, his visible eye slightly wide with disbelief. He felt the weight of the moment: being politely warned about his life by a student who, only yesterday, he could have subdued with a single touch. This Genin is actually attempting to warn me? The humiliation was palpable.