Chapter 56

[150 Power Stones Reached! Let's get 300!]

Step. Step. Step. The sound of normal footsteps felt like the Grim Reaper's approach to Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura, exerting immense pressure on them.

They were just three inexperienced kids who had barely graduated from the academy.

Now, no longer in Edo Tensei form but truly resurrected, Gensou only needed to release a fraction of the aura accumulated from countless battles to make their limbs tremble.

Just like their teacher, Kakashi, who, despite being a Jonin, had been paralyzed with fear by Orochimaru's mere glance during his defection.

"Speaking of which, I still have a side mission."

As Gensou passed by the three, he remembered he had a target here.

But...

Emmmmmm~~ He decided against Sakura.

Even if he had to complete the mission, it couldn't go against his principles.

Ignoring the "chosen ones" in the Sage of Six Paths' eyes and the female lead who couldn't insert herself between them, Gensou continued on his way at his own pace.

A minute later.

Gensou had disappeared.

Under the curious gazes of passersby, Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura finally relaxed, exhaling a long breath.

Naruto, the first to recover, jumped up and turned to look in the direction Gensou had gone, his face filled with frustration.

"How did that guy become so strong?!"

His thick-headed nature prevented him from noticing the changes in Gensou. Moreover, with their recent mission in the Land of Tea, he was unaware of the recent events in the shinobi world.

"Naruto!!"

Sakura, afraid that Naruto might try to provoke Gensou again, quickly warned him against doing anything foolish.

She had been truly scared just now.

Sasuke, on the other hand, though still shaken, felt an inexplicable surge of determination he couldn't suppress.

Sasuke looked at Naruto.

Naruto's familiarity with the man indicated he knew who he was.

Without delay, Sasuke asked quickly, "Naruto, who was that man just now?!"

"That guy...," Naruto scratched his head, thinking for a moment before replying, "I think his name is Hagoromo or something. He's as bad as Orochimaru! Let me tell you, when Ero-Sennin and I went to find Granny Tsunade..."

Naruto animatedly recounted the events that took place in Tanzaku Town to Sasuke and Sakura, emphasizing how despicable Gensou was.

Sakura listened attentively, learning about the many stories of the Fifth Hokage's return to the village.

Sasuke, however, focused solely on Gensou.

"Hagoromo... no, it should be Hagoromo something. Such a powerful figure, why haven't I heard of him?"

As a member of the Uchiha clan, Sasuke should have had a broader understanding of the shinobi world.

However, the massacre of his clan disrupted his elite education. Engrossed in his quest for revenge, he ignored anything unrelated to gaining power, resulting in a lack of knowledge.

Sakura, on the other hand, as the only one who scored perfectly on the written exam without cheating during the Chunin Exams, had read many books on shinobi.

Seeing Sasuke's interest in the man and hearing Naruto's story, Sakura deduced a lot.

"Sasuke, that man should be Hagoromo Gensou, who died many years ago but returned to the present through some technique!"

Sasuke looked up sharply, "Hagoromo Gensou? Dead for many years?"

"Yes, yes! That's him! Ero-Sennin even called him 'senpai'!" Naruto chimed in, nodding vigorously.

Sakura pushed Naruto's head away and continued explaining to Sasuke, based on what she had read.

Sasuke listened, his eyes growing brighter.

After Sakura finished, Sasuke clenched his fists, looking around before saying, "Let's rest here and get some food."

"But..." Sakura was still uneasy.

"Don't worry. If someone like him let us go, he won't do anything more," Sasuke reassured.

Naruto, rubbing his empty stomach, agreed enthusiastically, "Don't worry, Sakura! Next time, I won't be as scared!"

With two votes for, Sakura reluctantly agreed.

Soon, the three found a place to eat and ordered some food.

During the meal, Sakura went to the restroom, and upon returning, she noticed only Naruto at the table.

"Where's Sasuke?" Sakura asked.

"He went to the restroom," Naruto replied casually.

'Just went to the restroom?' Sakura thought.

The men's and women's restrooms were next to each other, so if Sasuke had gone, she should have noticed on her way back.

Maybe it was earlier? Thinking this, Sakura sat down and waited quietly.

Ten minutes later.

The food was served, but Sasuke hadn't returned.

"Do you think Sasuke has diarrhea?" Naruto, wanting to start eating but being stopped by Sakura, muttered.

Sakura felt something was wrong and finally said, "Naruto, go check the restroom."

"Huh? The restroom?"

Reluctantly, Naruto complied.

Soon, he returned, complaining, "Sasuke's not in there. Did he go somewhere else?"

"No way!"

Sakura slammed her hand on the table.

Naruto jumped, "Sakura, are you okay?"

"Sasuke is acting strange!"

Sakura's face was serious.

Recalling Sasuke's series of expressions earlier, she seemed to have figured something out. Without explaining, she grabbed Naruto and started running.

"Naruto! Help me find Sasuke!"

"Sasuke's a big guy... Wait! We haven't paid for the food!"

Leaving the food and money behind, Naruto followed Sakura to find Sasuke.

"Such a big place, where do we start?"

Unfamiliar with the town, Naruto looked around.

Sakura pointed in the direction Gensou had gone, determined, "There!"

Naruto and Sakura began searching for Sasuke.

Meanwhile, Sasuke, as Sakura suspected, had already left their lodgings and was sprinting towards the direction Gensou had gone.

Ten minutes later.

In front of a street vendor selling takoyaki, he found his target.

"Huh?"

Gensou, receiving his hot takoyaki, turned to see Sasuke, surprised.

"Uchiha Sasuke... Interesting."

(End of Chapter)