An Uchiha tale

One week had passed, and the Third Hokage was still strategizing his next steps while trying to contact Fugaku Uchiha. 

Meanwhile, Arashi and Sasuke were engrossed in mastering their ninjutsu. For Sasuke, the feat felt nearly impossible. Arashi, however, thrived on the challenge.

"Just think of it like climbing a tree or walking on water, focus and manipulate your chakra. But tread carefully," Arashi advised.

Gasping for breath, Sasuke finally collapsed to a seated position. "I'm...out of chakra," he admitted, his voice tinged with fatigue.

"No worries, take a break. We've made progress, and it's getting dark anyway."

Sasuke watched Arashi, his thoughts tinged with skepticism. 'Why is he so stubborn about this jutsu? It seems impossible.'

Forming the hand signs; Ox, Dog, Rat! Arashi focused intensely, channeling a surge of chakra into his palm.

Lightning began to crackle around his hand, its screeching sound intensifying as it enveloped the tanto he held. 'This is my only shot; he thought, I've expended too much chakra already.'

Sasuke's eyes went wide at the sight. 'He actually did it... Unbelievable.'

"Agh!" Arashi winced, clutching the lightning-infused blade. 'It's so heavy.' Despite the blade searing and cutting into his hand, he managed to aim and unleash the energy.

Boom!

A deafening blast echoed as a volatile wave of lightning tore through the ground, racing toward the rock formations and targets.

Boom!

The lightning struck, pulverizing the rocks and obliterating the targets.

Crack...

Above them, the compromised rock formations began to crumble.

"Run!" Arashi shouted, grabbing Sasuke and pulling him away from the impending debris.

"I'm low on chakra; I can't climb any higher!" Sasuke exclaimed.

With a glance back, Arashi gripped Sasuke's arm, formed a hand sign, and executed a body flicker jutsu to evade the collapsing canyon.

Pant... Pant...

"That was too close," Sasuke gasped for air.

Arashi stumbled, his knees giving way as he landed. "Ugh!"

"You saved us," Sasuke noted, looking at Arashi.

Arashi managed a weary smile in response. 

"I couldn't do anything," Sasuke mumbled, clearly frustrated.

Lying on the ground, Arashi felt drained but knew they had to move. "Sasuke, let's head back. I'm wiped out."

"Need a hand?"

"Yeah, I'm practically immobilized. Could you assist me while I recover some chakra?"

Sasuke hoisted Arashi, supporting him as they began their walk back. After a few minutes, Arashi felt his chakra levels replenish enough to walk unaided.

"See you later, Sasuke! Keep working on your chakra control."

"Will do, bye!" Sasuke responded with exhaustion, lacing his voice. He waved before heading home.

As Arashi strolled back, he spotted Shisui and enthusiastically leaped onto his back. "Big bro!"

"Arashi? Thought you were home by now."

"Just got back from training with Sasuke. We were working on our ninjutsu," Arashi explained while being carried by Shisui.

"Really? You created a jutsu? That's impressive." Shisui set him down.

Arashi frowned. "Why'd you put me down? I'm exhausted."

"Was just wondering if this was one of your prank jutsu," Shisui teased.

"No way! This jutsu is legit. It's like your Halo Dance, but even better!" Arashi's eyes sparkled, and his fist clenched in excitement.

Shisui grinned and hoisted him back up. "Better, you say? I can't wait to hear all about it. How does miso ramen for dinner sound?"

"Really? Awesome!" 

"Then let's hear about this amazing jutsu of yours as we head home," Shisui said.

Arashi eagerly began recounting his day's adventure, his voice enthusiastic as they made their way home.

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While Shisui and Arashi walked home, Sasuke arrived and entered, finding only his mother at home.

"I'm home," Sasuke said with little enthusiasm.

"Sasuke? Are you alright? Come eat, and you can tell me all about it."

"I'll eat later, thank you," Sasuke replied, taking care to be polite despite his mood.

Sasuke walked to his room upstairs. He seemed bothered by something or maybe someone.

Once he reached his room, he put his hands behind his head and rested while looking at his ceiling.

'I was so useless back there... Arashi had to save my life because I didn't have enough chakra to walk?'

Sasuke closed his eyes and remembered the effects of Arashi's jutsu.

'Even then, Arashi was much more powerful than I was. I couldn't even mold my chakra enough for it to be visible, but he destroyed the entire canyon and was still stronger than me.'

"Damn it," Sasuke clenched his fist.

"'He's so much stronger than me... How can I even begin to compete? I'm nothing compared to him.'

Sasuke's thoughts swirled in a vortex of self-doubt, but something shifted as he caught his reflection in the mirror. His eyes hardened, and his demeanor changed from defeat to determination.

'No more. I'll train harder than I've ever trained. I won't stop until I surpass you, Arashi Uchiha!'"