Chapter 20: Sasuke, Do You Want to Seize the Future Too?
Konoha Village – Main Street
Naruto was searching for the remaining nine lucky recipients.
It was already evening.
The golden sunset glow bathed his handsome, chiseled face.
"At this hour, they've probably all gone home for dinner."
"The reward's already secured anyway—no time limit on completion."
"Tomorrow works just fine for handing them out."
"Huh… isn't that the Uchiha compound? How did I end up here?"
Naruto looked utterly confused.
After Itachi and Tobi massacred the entire clan,
they fled and joined the Akatsuki.
Acting as
Konoha's surveillance tools against the organization.
Mainly to protect the young Sasuke.
The Uchiha clan's affairs
were none of Naruto's business—and he had no interest in meddling.
What he was curious about was why the main gate to the Uchiha district was wide open.
The seal tape on it had clearly been torn off.
Probably Sasuke's doing.
He was the only one still living here.
"Sigh… we're both just miserable souls adrift in the world—why bother pretending we're strangers?"
"Life's tough."
"Sasuke, let big bro bring you some warmth."
Naruto sighed dramatically.
He patted the still-unopened book in his hand.
Ding!
Bonus additional choice unlocked!
Choice: Gift one of Jiraiya's books to Sasuke (Indra).
Rebate: Every time Sasuke (Indra) grows stronger through training,
he will rebate power back to the host based on his current strength and soul intensity!
Naruto paused for a second.
The additional task was a bit underwhelming,
but who could refuse a free power-up?
Especially one this shameless—
someone else gets stronger, and you get stronger for free.
No downside to your own strength.
Pure icing on the cake—
simple, plain,
but beautiful.
Exactly what Naruto wanted right now.
Looked like Jiraiya's book had fate with Sasuke too.
He'd reluctantly gift it to him.
A book originally worth ten gold coins—given for free.
Sasuke's life wasn't easy either.
Might as well help where he could.
cough cough…
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
A blazing ball of flame erupted from Sasuke's mouth.
The ultra-high-temperature fireball made the once-calm lake surface ripple violently!
Bubbles rose furiously from the bottom.
The air turned scorching and dry.
"Haa…"
The single tomoe Sharingan in Sasuke's eyes slowly faded.
His strength felt drained.
He collapsed onto the wooden bridge with a thud,
panting heavily.
Bean-sized sweat beads rolled down his forehead.
Three consecutive Great Fireballs in one breath
was already his absolute limit.
Compared to his peers,
Sasuke could be called a genius.
But no comparison, no harm.
His older brother—Itachi Uchiha—at the same age
was far more monstrous.
The more he compared,
the more Sasuke realized he might never catch up to his brother's footsteps!
"Damn it! Just a short rest and I'll go again!"
Sasuke gritted his teeth fiercely.
Brotherly love, fraternal duty.
He would personally slaughter Itachi Uchiha!
Avenge the murder of his parents and the extermination of his clan!
He couldn't be defeated by such a small setback!
"Sasuke—do you want to seize the future?"
Naruto's calm voice suddenly rang out.
To scare a little brat,
you strike when they least expect it!
Hit them where it hurts!
"Who's there?!!"
Sasuke whipped around in alarm.
When he saw it was Naruto,
his tense heart relaxed slightly.
But then—pure terror.
When the hell did Naruto appear behind him?
Why hadn't he sensed anything?
Sasuke prided himself—even exhausted,
he should've easily noticed a dead-last like Naruto.
But that hadn't happened.
Which proved one thing from the side.
The current Naruto had gotten stronger.
Stronger than him.
But Sasuke preferred to believe the latter explanation.
He was just too tired from training
and momentarily failed to notice Naruto's presence.
"What are you doing here? Get out—now."
This was Uchiha clan territory.
Even though it was now deserted,
it wasn't a place just anyone could enter.
Besides his burning desire for revenge,
the only thing keeping Sasuke going
was this laughably pathetic remnant of Uchiha former glory.
"I came to help you seize the future."
Naruto grinned.
The little edgelord Sasuke might be arrogant,
but he was fine.
A perfect sheep to fleece.
Sasuke froze for a second.
"Seize the future? Seize what future?"
Naruto got straight to the point.
"You said you want revenge."
"What's that got to do with you? Can you make me stronger?"
"Indeed…" Under Sasuke's stunned and hopeful gaze,
Naruto suddenly changed tack. "I cannot."
Sasuke's expression shifted dramatically.
Blue → red → green.
A free face-changing performance.
Naruto mentally gave him a standing ovation.
He'd kill it in a Sichuan opera troupe.
What a waste staying here as a ninja.
Ninja, ninja—忍 to the end and you get nothing.
Like a turtle—only able to endure beatings unless you're stronger than the one hitting you.
And right now, Naruto was stronger.
Veins bulged on Sasuke's forehead.
"If you can't, then why are you talking?! Get out right now—or don't blame me for being rude!"
He desperately wanted to get stronger.
Not only did Naruto refuse to help,
he even toyed with him.
He—Uchiha Sasuke, Konoha's Number Two Pillar—
his ultimate life goal was to grow strong and take revenge.
From the eighty-year-old grandpa at the village gate to the three-year-old toddler,
everyone knew why he hadn't killed himself alongside his parents.
If you, Naruto, can't give me what I want,
then coming here to mess with me
is fun for you, huh?
Naruto shrugged helplessly.
"Helping you get stronger is impossible—because true strength only comes from your own will and relentless training."
"I'm not your mom or dad. I'm not your guardian. I have no reason to supervise your growth."
"But I do have a method for getting stronger. Whether you want to learn it is up to you."
Sasuke's body trembled.
Seeing Naruto's utterly confident expression,
speaking so seriously
without a hint of blush or hesitation,
and recalling Naruto's performance today,
could it be… he really did have a way to get stronger?
But there's no free lunch—why would he tell him?
Even if there was a method,
fighting still came down to fists, right? What normal ninja fights with fists?!
Sasuke assumed Naruto was going to teach him taijutsu or something.
His face grew even darker.
"Naruto, I don't want your teaching. Get out right now—"
Before Sasuke could finish,
a massive tree was pierced straight through.
It collapsed right in front of him.
Less than a minute had passed
since Naruto used that strange technique.
In that moment, Sasuke was completely stunned.
Naruto wasn't bluffing—he really did have a way to get stronger!!!!!
---------------------------
Support me and be 100 chapters ahead of webnovel:
patreon.com/inkroxx