After sharing her speculations with Tsunade, Yakumo, exhausted, returned to the Kurama clan's grand estate.
Seeing Yakumo return safely, Kurama Unkai burst into tears of relief: "Yakumo, you... you're alright! That's such a relief!"
Yakumo's father, Kurama Murakumo, smiled warmly: "It's good to have you back!"
The Wood Release that clashed with the massive 'Susanoo' could only belong to Yakumo, so her parents had spent the entire night on edge. Even though Tsunade had sent soone to the Kurama clan grounds to confirm Yakumo's safety, they couldn't fully relax.
Only now, seeing Yakumo in person, did their hearts finally settle.
Yakumo bowed respectfully: "Father, Mother, I'm sorry for worrying you."
Unkai said, "Yakumo, if you encounter such a powerful enemy again, don't be reckless! The village has plenty of skilled shinobi..."
Murakumo interrupted, exuding the authority of the clan head: "What nonsense! We're Hidden Leaf shinobi—protecting the village is our duty! Yakumo, you must be tired. Go rest."
Knowing her father was simply concerned, Yakumo didn't argue and obediently returned to her room.
After washing up, Yakumo lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling in a daze.
In the Inner World.
Ido teased, "Yakumo, no matter how much you vouch for Uchiha Sasuke and Uchiha Shinji, the village will still suspect their ties to the Akatsuki. Your words won't change a thing!"
Yakumo replied, "I'm just telling the truth."
"Then how do you explain all those Mangekyo Uchihas in the organization?" Ido chuckled, "The leader's probably a Mangekyo Uchiha too, right?"
Yakumo fell silent.
Her report to Tsunade—that Akatsuki's 'B' sparing Sasuke might simply be because they ignored him—was, of course, driven by personal motives.
She knew full well that if the village linked Shinji and Sasuke, the two Uchihas, to the Akatsuki, their lives in the village would beco difficult.
Seeing Yakumo's silence, Ido quieted down as well.
This battle hadn't just shaken Sasuke; Yakumo and even Ido were deeply affected!
After transplanting the Koryugan and surviving the First Hokage cell surgery, Ido's newfound strength had inflated her confidence.
Aside from a lingering wariness toward their enigmatic leader, she dismissed everyone else—even the Third Hokage, bearer of the Fire Shadow title.
But today's battle taught her there were always greater heights and stronger foes.
After a long pause, Ido couldn't help but sigh, "I never expected 'B' to be that strong. Damn it!"
Yakumo said seriously, "Don't forget, he's our comrade!"
Ido retorted, "But he sure didn't treat us like comrades!"
Yakumo shook her head slowly, "He had chances to kill us, but he deliberately slowed his attacks. He must have been carrying out one of my lord's missions—it has to be!"
"Hmph!"
Ido snorted dismissively.
Though she scoffed at Yakumo's reasoning, she knew the opponent's ability to instantly break Yakumo's genjutsu proved their pupil power was at least on par with Yakumo's.
And pupil power, to so extent, reflected the strength of one's spiritual body.
If their pupil power could rival Yakumo's, their spiritual body was likely just as formidable. Even if Yakumo had unleashed her, Ido might not have gained the upper hand in a spiritual confrontation.
In this battle, whether in ninjutsu, genjutsu, or spiritual combat, they were thoroughly outmatched.
Feeling sleepy, Yakumo closed her eyes and rolled over, "Ido, we'll need to get along well with Mr. 'B' from now on, okay?"
Ido, anwhile, thought darkly, "'B,' you just wait. Next ti, I'll settle the score!"
The next day.
The shinobi academy buzzed with new topics.
Everyone was talking about the previous night's battle, discussing the towering, sky-obscuring complete 'Susanoo'!
Words like 'Uchiha,' 'Mangekyo Sharingan,' and 'Susanoo' were on everyone's lips.
As usual, Uchiha Shinji arrived at school early.
On his way, dressed in a shirt bearing the Uchiha fan crest, he already felt the odd stares from passersby. Once he entered the campus, the sense of being watched—and feared—grew even stronger.
Thud.
At that mont, a muffled sound echoed from a distance, followed by the noise of a scuffle!
Shinji looked over and saw Sasuke standing alone in the center of a sparring area, surrounded by seven or eight bruised and battered students sprawled haphazardly on the ground. The onlookers stood silent, their gazes filled with fear as they watched Sasuke.
Sasuke roared, "I've said it before—I have nothing to do with the Akatsuki! If I hear you spreading rumors behind my back again, I won't be as lenient as I was today!"
The beaten students avoided Sasuke's gaze, too intimidated to et his eyes.
Sasuke shoved through the crowd, storming off in a fury.
Watching the scene, Shinji fell into thought.
Shion approached, her face full of concern, "Shinji, don't mind those people. They don't know anything and just talk nonsense!"
From Sasuke's actions, Shinji had already pieced together what happened.
It was obvious.
After the Uchiha's 'Susanoo' posed a tangible threat to the village's safety, so powerless, enraged villagers inevitably turned their anger toward the two Uchiha clansn—him and Sasuke.
As for evidence?
Did hatred and fear need evidence?
Haku, Neji, Tenten, and Lee gathered around.
Tenten and Lee said in unison, "Shinji, we support you and Sasuke!"
Neji nodded, "Don't take it to heart. Those people are just scared."
Haku said nothing, simply standing by Shinji's side, making their stance clear.
Shinji smiled, "Thanks for the support, everyone! Don't worry, I won't let so idle gossip get to !"
He genuinely wasn't too bothered by the unfavorable sentint at the academy or in the village.
Not because he was magnanimous, but because the villagers weren't entirely wrong.
He smirked inwardly, "I am the Akatsuki leader, and I orchestrated yesterday's events. So what? Co bite !"
Then, he glanced at Sasuke's retreating figure in the distance.
The village's current sentint might not be a bad thing for him. If handled well, this ostracism and isolation could yield unexpected results—especially in spurring Sasuke.
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