Chapter 128

Although Orochimaru and Jiraiya took different paths, Orochimaru couldn't deny that Jiraiya had a keen eye for finding talented disciples.

From the three children in Amegakure Village, to the Fourth Hokage Namikaze Minato, to… Gekko Kazuki!

Orochimaru had already identified Gekko Kazuki as one of Jiraiya's disciples by this point.

Sasuke, feeling slightly dissatisfied, glanced at Kazuki and questioned, "Why not use the Chidori like I do?"

This comment left others in shock once again.

Might Guy even asked incredulously, "Didn't you say that Gekko Kazuki can't use Chidori?"

"Uh… well… I might have forgotten. Maybe I taught him in a dream?" Kakashi replied with an embarrassed and helpless expression.

Kazuki also dispelled his Rasengan, saying calmly, "I'm not very skilled with that technique."

Sasuke frowned, clearly skeptical.

Kazuki sighed. To appease Sasuke, he had already restrained himself, but Sasuke continued to push him.

To use Chidori, one needs the Sharingan!

Kazuki subtly glanced at Sarutobi Hiruzen, thinking: It's fine now even if my Sharingan is exposed, right?

The old man will be gone soon anyway.

When the Third Hokage is no longer a threat, who cares if I have the Sharingan?

Oh, right. There's still Danzo. Almost forgot.

I don't have an older brother to shield me from him!

Reluctant to go all out, Kazuki refused to use his Sharingan in the fight against Sasuke.

Seeing Kazuki's hesitation, Sasuke retorted, "How long are you going to keep hiding?"

Kazuki had once told Sasuke that he would reveal the truth about the Uchiha massacre once Sasuke reached Hokage-level strength.

But Sasuke still didn't understand what exactly that meant. All he knew was that he was now on par with Kakashi, and Kazuki, much stronger than him, should be around Hokage-level.

If Kazuki shared the same bloodline and grudge as him, shouldn't Kazuki be strong enough to take revenge by now? Why wait?

Confused, Sasuke wanted answers, but Kazuki wasn't about to give them.

In a flash, Kazuki appeared in front of Sasuke and slapped him, sending three kunai flying from his grip!

"Foolish boy, what nonsense are you spouting? You're weak, and I'm going easy on you, yet you're still provoking me?"

The entire arena went silent.

What was supposed to be a fair fight had turned into a one-sided display of Kazuki's power, leaving everyone stunned.

With just one slap, Kazuki had sent Sasuke Uchiha, who had seemed so fierce, away?

Sarutobi Hiruzen tried to maintain his composure, though the wrinkles on his face betrayed how many times he had been shocked that day. Kazuki's display of strength had been beyond anything he expected.

He had initially thought Kazuki was just a bit stronger than Sasuke.

But now?

What was he seeing?

Beside him, Orochimaru looked pleased.

Yes, yes, that's it! This is the power of Gekko Kazuki!

Slap that brat away!

Use my ninjutsu to drive Sasuke mad and make him summon Manda!

Summon all the snakes to bite him!

Meanwhile, Hayate watched the battlefield in silence. The ground where Sasuke had fallen was scattered with rubble and smoke, obscuring the result for a moment.

Soon, the dust cleared, and a hand emerged from the debris. A bruised and bloodied Sasuke slowly pulled himself up, coughing,

"Ahem…"

Hayate sighed, "Trying to copy me, huh?"

Sasuke coughed a few more times before locking eyes with Kazuki. Despite the overwhelming defeat, his gaze was calm, as if he had expected such an outcome.

"With that kind of power, what are you still hiding? What is it that even you can't handle?" Sasuke murmured, but before Kazuki could respond, Sasuke closed his mouth.

Looking at the referee, Hayate, Sasuke stated flatly, "I surrender."

He turned and left without returning to the spectator seats, walking straight out of the venue. No one knew where he was going.

"The match is over! Gekko Kazuki wins!"

"Roar!"

"Kazuki! Kazuki!"

"Kazuki, I love you! I want to give you a child!"

"Who is he? Tell my father that I want to marry the young patriarch of the Gekko Clan!"

Kazuki had completely won over the crowd with his dominating performance. Nobles, merchants, and princesses alike had all taken note of his name—a name destined to become legendary in the ninja world—Gekko Kazuki!

Yet Kazuki paid no mind to the cheers.

Their cries were no different from gamblers praising a winning team. They weren't shouting for him, but for power and money.

His focus remained on Sasuke.

He had heard Sasuke's words clearly, but he didn't agree with his reasoning.

Should one flaunt their strength if they have it?

Hadn't he shown enough?

Would Sasuke be satisfied if he demonstrated power a hundred times stronger than an elite Jounin?

Lack of restraint would only lead to being tricked in the future!

Kazuki wouldn't reveal his full power just because Sasuke was baiting him.

As for the Uchiha massacre and revenge… Did Sasuke really think Kazuki was from the Uchiha clan? No way, right?

"Hey, a tool should act like a tool. Why do you have so many ideas?" Kazuki thought as he sighed and disappeared in a flash, following Sasuke.

Two matches remained in the Chunin Exams.

Temari versus Haruno Sakura.

Both were of similar strength, but Sakura, who had mastered the Rasengan, probably had a better chance. About 60-40 in her favor.

The other match was Gaara versus Aburame Shino.

Word had it that Shino was ready to forfeit, so there wasn't much to look forward to in that fight.

In the spectator seats, Kakashi watched Sasuke leave. He had intended to speak with him, but when he saw Kazuki following, he decided to stay back.

Sakura, looking concerned, asked, "Kakashi-sensei, is Kazuki-kun and Sasuke alright? Do you know why Sasuke was questioning Kazuki-kun like that?"

Kakashi sighed, unsure himself.

"It'll be fine. Sometimes, no matter how close people are, conflicts arise. But with understanding and patience, things will always get better."

"Will things really get better?"

"Yes, they definitely will."

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The fanfic is finished on p@treon/tambeerg