After staring at his Byakugan for a while.
Under the system's concealment effect, Sousuke's eyes returned to their normal appearance.
"In that case, if my Byakugan evolves into the Tenseigan, then I'll possess every top-tier power in the Naruto world!"
Reaching up to touch his eyes, Sousuke wore a smug expression.
"If it really evolves successfully, then I'll truly strike it rich."
After feeling pleased with himself for a while, Sousuke finally got out of bed.
Today was the long-awaited date he had promised Ino.
He absolutely could not be late!
As for the training plan he created last night?
Simple enough.
Taking Ino to the training grounds for a date wasn't that a wonderful idea?
He could even train her at the same time, helping her become stronger so that by the Shippuden era, her strength would not end up too weak.
Of course truthfully speaking, Sousuke himself did not have many ideas on how exactly to improve Ino's strength.
After all, although the Yamanaka Clan's secret techniques were somewhat impressive, they still could not compare to true top-tier combat abilities.
Ino was better suited for intelligence gathering and support work behind the scenes.
On the battlefield, she simply did not possess much of an advantage.
Time passed in a flash.
Just like that, half a year went by.
During these six months, the Sousuke Team composed of Sousuke and Sasuke officially began taking on all kinds of dangerous high-level missions.
Maintaining a pace of at least one A-rank mission every half month, along with multiple B-rank and C-rank missions within just half a year, Sousuke Team's reputation for having a 100% mission completion rate had begun spreading throughout Konoha and even the entire ninja world.
Of course aside from the flawless mission record, Sousuke's own rate of growth had also skyrocketed thanks to his strict adherence to his training plans.
At the same time, Sasuke had also undergone rapid growth.
Following Sousuke on dangerous high-level missions had given him abundant combat experience.
And under Sousuke's constant influence, Sasuke's mentality had gradually become calmer and steadier, his personality also becoming much brighter.
He was no longer like before, constantly blinded by hatred at every moment.
Current-day Sasuke was beginning to resemble the mature, one-armed version of himself after the Fourth Great Ninja War, when his mindset had completely changed.
Of course his hatred toward Uchiha Itachi remained just as deep as ever.
It simply no longer exploded uncontrollably at every opportunity.
Inside the Hokage Tower.
Within Tsunade's office.
"Congratulations to the two of you for completing another A-rank mission."
Her gaze filled with satisfaction and emotion, Tsunade looked at Sousuke and Sasuke standing before her.
"As for the reward money, it'll be distributed to both of you shortly."
Hearing that, Sousuke nodded.
"No problem. But after finishing this mission, I plan to take a break for the next month."
Tsunade was momentarily stunned, looking at him with some surprise.
"You two really should take a break! The number of missions you've completed over the past six months has already been absurdly high. If you keep going without resting, the village is going to run out of high-level missions suitable for you!"
When a subordinate's work capability became too monstrous even Tsunade felt a certain amount of pressure.
After all, if there were no suitable missions for them, she could hardly waste such valuable talent on low-level assignments.
Tsunade looked at Sousuke somewhat curiously.
"But it's pretty rare for you to voluntarily ask for a break. Did something happen?"
Even Sasuke, who usually remained rather quiet, turned a curious gaze toward Sousuke.
During these past six months aside from the actual time spent carrying out missions, he had practically lived under Sousuke's training regimen.
As for this existence who was both his teacher and friend there was no way Sasuke believed he would suddenly ask for rest without reason.
So naturally, he was curious.
Sasuke considered himself to understand him fairly well by now.
"I've got a new jutsu I want to develop. It's already reached the final stage."
Sousuke smiled calmly before turning his gaze toward Sasuke beside him.
"And Sasuke, the power of your Sharingan… gives me the feeling that it's already very close to Itachi Uchiha's Three-Tomoe Sharingan state."
"For this next month, try seeing whether you can awaken the Three-Tomoe state."
Hearing Sousuke's words sasuke's eyes immediately lit up.
A look of joy appeared on his face as he spoke:
"I understand! Once I get back, I'll continue training. Within this month, I'll definitely awaken the Three-Tomoe Sharingan!"
The Sharingan of the Uchiha Clan every step upward represented a leap in strength.
And not just a minor increase either.
Each evolution brought exponentially greater power.
Right now, Sasuke's mastery over the Two-Tomoe Sharingan already placed his combat ability at the elite Chunin level, extremely close to Special Jonin tier.
But once he awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan sasuke would absolutely be able to reach Jonin level in a very short amount of time.
And within a year, reaching elite Jonin level would not be a problem.
Taking another step beyond that would place him in the Kage tier.
Of course after roughly estimating things, Sousuke believed that by the time Naruto returned, Sasuke's strength would at least reach elite Jonin level.
And he would be extremely close to the Kage tier.
Possibly even without relying on the Mangekyo Sharingan, he might preliminarily step into the Kage realm.
However, if he wanted to fight Uchiha Itachi merely entering the Kage tier would still make him little more than a younger brother before him.
Because in battle raw strength was only one factor.
Combat experience was another major factor and in that regard, Itachi Uchiha was unquestionably terrifyingly strong.
During Sasuke's training, sparring sessions, and mission work sousuke had already told him this many times.
Simply becoming stronger was not enough.
He also needed far more mission and combat experience.
And because of that sasuke had become unbelievably serious whenever carrying out missions.
One could say he was carrying out his duties with exceptional dedication.
Surprisingly useful… cough cough, surprisingly reliable!
After hearing Sasuke's words, Sousuke smiled and patted him on the shoulder.
"…Don't put that kind of pressure on yourself. Did you forget what I told you before? Maintain a calm heart! If you want to defeat Uchiha Itachi, then you must always keep yourself composed and remain absolutely calm."
He lectured Sasuke without the slightest hesitation.
Sousuke showed no intention of going easy on him.
"Listen carefully. I've fought Uchiha Itachi twice already. The most terrifying thing about him isn't merely his strength it's the way he remains completely unshaken in battle, and that overwhelming calmness of his!"
Sasuke silently nodded and replied,
"I understand. I'll remember it, Captain."
Seeing that Sousuke nodded and did not continue speaking further.
After all everyone had their own pride.
If he kept going, it would start hurting Sasuke's self-esteem.
And there was no need for that.
The current Sasuke could already understand what Sousuke meant, and more importantly, he was capable of truly listening to his words.
That alone was enough.
"Alright then!"
Watching the entire exchange, Tsunade spoke with a smile on her face:
"I approve Team Sousuke's vacation request. The two of you should take a proper rest for a while."
"Oh right, Sasuke…"
"No matter what, Sakura is still your teammate. You should go visit her."
Sousuke showed no particular reaction, merely glancing at Sasuke.
Meanwhile, Sasuke simply nodded.
Although he still didn't speak much the current Sasuke had far less coldness than before, leaving behind only his cool and composed demeanor.
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