( 1 Month Later )
The passage of thirty sunrises and sunsets had etched subtle changes into the rhythm of Konoha. For Uchiha Sasuke, these weeks had been a period of focused exertion, a relentless pushing of the boundaries of his physical form.
The weighted training gear, now feeling almost like a second skin, remained a constant companion, a testament to his unwavering commitment to mastering the initial stages of the Eight Inner Gates. The Gate of Opening and the Gate of Healing responded readily to his will, their activation a familiar surge of enhanced capability.
Yet, the third gate, the Gate of Life, remained a distant summit, demanding a further hardening of sinew and bone.
During one particularly sweltering midday training session, the sweat stinging his eyes as he executed a series of precisely weighted kicks, Sasuke's thoughts drifted back to his recent conversation with Naruto.
Naruto's subsequent announcement of a burgeoning, albeit still nascent, understanding with Kurama, culminating in an unexpected encounter with his parents, Minato and Kushina, continued to resonate within Sasuke's mind.
The world was shifting, the familiar narrative fracturing, and a sense of urgency, previously a simmering undercurrent, now felt more pronounced.
- System Stats -
(Name : Sasuke Uchiha)
(Age : 13)
(Chakra Reserves : 23,050/38,680 [Low-level Jonin])
(Chakra Control : 53%)
(Ninjutsu : Advanced)
(Genjutsu : Advanced)
(Taijutsu : Advanced)
(Shurikenjutsu : Proficient)
(Kenjutsu : Proficient)
(Sharingan : 46/100[3-Tomoe])
The familiar, understated notification flickered at the edge of his awareness, displaying his unwavering statistics.
"Advanced, Still!? Is it the Last Level?", he thought.
While the numerical representations of his strength, speed, and chakra control offered a tangible measure of his progress, Sasuke understood that true power in this world extended far beyond mere numbers.
The Sharingan, his birthright and a potent weapon, was but one facet of a larger whole. Genjutsu, while a valuable tool, could be countered by those with sufficient mental fortitude.
His recent acquisition of the Kiba blades had added a new dimension to his combat prowess, yet he felt a persistent need for further growth, a broadening of his arsenal beyond the conventional Uchiha skillset.
He mused on the current state of the Konoha Twelve. In the past month, he had observed their independent operation in small teams, successfully undertaking various C and even some B-rank missions. Their progress, while steady, seemed to follow a more conventional trajectory.
Sasuke knew that in the original timeline, this period would have marked Naruto and Sakura's journey with Jiraiya, a quest to locate sasuke and any trace of Orochimaru in the Land of Rice Fields. That particular future, however, had been irrevocably altered.
A flicker of insight sparked in Sasuke's mind. His gaze fell upon the System interface once more. While it offered no direct guidance on esoteric arts, his accumulated knowledge of the future pointed towards a potent avenue for growth: Senjutsu.
"Next Goal, Senjutsu!"
The ability to harness the natural energy of the world, to blend it with one's own spiritual and physical energies, represented a significant leap in power, a domain that transcended conventional ninjutsu and genjutsu.
Tsunade herself had briefly mentioned his potential aptitude for it some time ago, a casual remark that had lodged itself in his memory.
Decisiveness hardening his features, Sasuke concluded his training. The afternoon sun was beginning its descent as he made his way towards the Hokage Tower. The familiar corridors led him to Tsunade's office, the rhythmic rustling of paperwork a constant backdrop to the serious atmosphere within.
The Fifth Hokage sat behind her imposing desk, a formidable stack of documents before her, while Shizune diligently organized scrolls nearby, with Tonton snorting softly at her feet.
Sasuke offered a respectful bow. "Hokage-sama," he began, his voice clear and resolute, "I have come to request your guidance in learning Senjutsu."
Tsunade's eyes lifted from the parchment, her expression not one of surprise, but rather a keen curiosity. She had indeed noted Sasuke's unique chakra that has in some sense merge with natural energy albeit very low. However, her own mastery lay firmly within the realms of medical ninjutsu and raw physical strength; Senjutsu was a path she herself had not walked.
Shizune, however, visibly Startled, her hand momentarily hovering over a stack of reports. Even Tonton seemed to lift its snout in mild astonishment, its usual indifference momentarily broken.
Sasuke met their surprised gazes with a steady determination reflected in his own eyes. He understood the unconventional nature of his request.
The timeline was no longer a predictable river; it was a branching stream, and he felt the pressing need to accelerate his growth, to acquire power that could meet the unknown challenges that lay ahead.
The memory of the Akatsuki, of Madara Uchiha, of threats yet unseen, fueled his resolve. He would seize every opportunity to become stronger, for the sake of himself and the people he considers friends now.