I'm in Konoha, and I started with Ashura Chakra.

Chapter 88 Temari's Curiosity, Golden Flowers Are Different

Using the Red-Eyed Illusion to conceal his presence, Yagyu quickly arrived at the Valley of the End to witness the battle that would mark the resurgence of the fated war between Ashura and Indra.

At this point in the battle, Sasuke Uchiha held an absolute advantage.

Because Sasuke Uchiha's Sharingan has evolved into the three-tomoe Sharingan.

The three-tomoe gem is a watershed moment, not only unlocking the abilities of illusion and hypnosis, but also greatly enhancing the effects of previous insights and copying.

When Sasuke Uchiha's Sharingan evolves to the three-tomoe stage, his already perfect basic skills will become even more refined.

Even with the Nine-Tails' chakra boost, Naruto, whose skills are generally average, would still be easily defeated by Sasuke Uchiha.

The multiple shadow clones created are just moving balloons, easily popped with a single poke.

Just as Sasuke Uchiha had utterly defeated Naruto and thrown him into the lake, preparing to leave...

boom--

Suddenly, a column of water burst from the lake's surface, and an evil and ominous aura caused Sasuke Uchiha's expression to change drastically.

Naruto, who had been defeated, reappeared on the lake.

The red chakra that had disappeared reappeared on his body.

Unlike before when only red chakra aura swirled around him, Naruto's entire body was now enveloped in transparent red chakra, with a red chakra tail on his back, and he was lying on the water's surface in a posture like a fox.

"Naruto, you..."

Looking at Naruto, whose beard had turned thick and black, whose eyes had become red vertical pupils, and whose sharp fangs were bared, Sasuke Uchiha suddenly remembered when he was a child, he had overheard the villagers talking about Naruto.

The fox spirit... So Naruto, you really are a 'monster'!

As if in response to Naruto, the cursed seal on Sasuke's neck began to heat up, and the black markings spread rapidly, instantly engulfing Sasuke's body and turning his skin brownish-black.

The second stage of the Heavenly Curse Seal, which is even more advanced than the Earthly Curse Seal!

"Rasengan——"

"Chidori—"

Naruto and Sasuke Uchiha, in their Tailed Beast Cloak and Cursed Seal 2 forms respectively, engaged in a battle of Konoha genin, creating a series of explosions and splashes on the lake.

In the end, one person dragged a blue energy ball, while the other held a blue and white lightning bolt in his hand. Their collisions formed a black energy ball.

boom----

The energy ball caused a huge explosion, but it did not damage the stone statues of Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha, nor did it show any signs of severed arms.

Ultimately, Sasuke Uchiha won the battle while remaining conscious.

With great difficulty, Sasuke dragged the unconscious Naruto to the shore. He took a deep look at this guy who had similar experiences to his own since childhood and who, for some reason, made him feel incredibly close to him. Then, he staggered away from the Valley of the End.

Watching Sasuke Uchiha's departing figure, Yagyu did not try to stop him.

This was a scene he had been looking forward to for a long time.

Yagyu formed a hand seal, and a wooden clone appeared beside him. It also used the Red Eye Illusion to conceal its form and silently followed Uchiha Sasuke.

As for Yagyu's true form, he returned along the same route.

He didn't take Naruto away because his Kagura Mind's Eye had already sensed Kakashi Hatake's chakra.

Just like his teacher, Kakashi Hatake was also late at this crucial moment.

When he arrived, Sasuke Uchiha had already been taken away by Kabuto Yakushi, who had also arrived.

Instantly returning to the primeval forest, Yagyu followed his senses and found Hinata and the other girls.

At this point, Hinata and the other girls had already finished the battle.

Tayuya, who couldn't even defeat Karin in the second stage of the Cursed Seal, was no match for Temari, who was powerful enough, Hinata who was second only to Karin, and Tenten who was good at long-range throwing.

Tayuya was covered in wounds, with numerous ninja tools stuck in her body, and lay motionless on the ground.

Around her body were numerous broken tree trunks with smooth, straight cuts, clearly Temari's handiwork.

Among all the women, Temari is currently the strongest.

That powerful wind release that requires no hand seals is no match for even Karin.

"Yagyu, you've arrived!"

As soon as Yagyu appeared, Ino, who had been just a bystander and could only envy Karin and the others' strength, immediately threw herself into his arms, as enthusiastic and proactive as ever.

"Ah... I'm so glad to see you're all alright."

Taking advantage of his height, Yagyu patted Ino's head and praised her with a smile, "I've seen your performance, you did a great job."

"Hehe... It's all thanks to Karin and the others."

Ino stuck out her tongue and said honestly, "Sakura and I are too weak. Luckily, we didn't hold Karin back."

"No, Ino and Sakura, you were both a great help."

Karin walked over and shook her head, saying, "If you hadn't helped me disrupt the flow of chakra, I would have fallen for her genjutsu long ago."

"Alright, all of you, stop being modest."

Yagyu patted Ino and Karin on the head with one hand each, and promised with a smile, "When we get back, I'll teach you some new ninjutsu, so this situation won't happen again when we encounter enemies like this."

"Really? That's amazing!"

Ino's beautiful eyes lit up immediately, and then she wrapped her arms around Yagyu's neck, bouncing around in his arms.

Ino, who had already mastered her family's secret techniques, wasn't actually very interested in the ninjutsu that Yagyu mentioned.

She was happy because she finally had the opportunity to train with Yagyu again.

Since graduating in March, Ino and Sakura have had great difficulty even seeing each other, let alone training with Yagyu.

The last time we were able to spend this much time together was because Konoha's mission system stopped.

After Konoha resumed its normal operations, they returned to their previous lives.

They all fondly remember their time at the Ninja Academy. Whether in class, after class, or on vacation, they were always inseparable from Yagyu.

"Thank you for your help, Temari-san."

After patting Ino's head, Yagyu gently pushed her away, came to Temari, and thanked her with a gentle smile.

"You're welcome. I should be thanking you."

Temari was somewhat flattered, and then quickly returned the greeting.

What she was grateful for was Yagyu's leniency during the Chunin Exams.

Temari still feels a chill when she thinks about it now.

Having witnessed Yagyu's wooden clone, she realized just how terrifying Yagyu's strength and wisdom truly were.

Wood Release is a legendary bloodline limit and a symbol of Konoha.

Once someone awakens the Wood Release bloodline limit, they will become famous not only in Konoha, but also in the entire ninja world.

Yagyu clearly didn't just awaken Wood Release!

However, the only information she and Kankuro gathered after the first exam was that Yagyu was just a commoner genius.

It wasn't until the knockout stage that he revealed his astonishing chakra and the secrets of water-style techniques, earning him the label of a possible descendant of the Senju clan.

However, in the third exam, he did not use Wood Release in front of all the spectators.

After the plan began, he did not make a move at all, and did not even let his companions kill Kankuro. Before the war was over, he could see the outcome of the war.

Now that the First Hokage's granddaughter has succeeded as the Fifth Hokage, he no longer hides it and directly reveals his Wood Release: Bloodline Limit in front of her, an outsider.

How old is he?!

This person must never be made an enemy!

At the same time, Temari couldn't help but feel curious about Yagyu.

What exactly did he go through to be able to endure so much at such a young age?

Yagyu was unaware of Temari's thoughts; otherwise, he would have been filled with admiration for this princess of Sunagakure.

To be able to guess all this based on just this little bit of information is already quite remarkable.

After exchanging a few polite words with Temari, Yagyu led the girls to other battlefields.

Meanwhile, the battle between Gaara and Nara Shikamaru had also ended.

Unlike the original six-person team, which also had the support of Gaara and his siblings.

The team supporting Nara Shikamaru and his group this time consists of Team 8 and Team 3, the two strongest teams of the new generation, as well as Gaara and his siblings.

Even if the Sound Four activated their Cursed Seal 2, they would still be no match for them.

"How pathetic, Shikamaru."

Arriving at Nara Shikamaru's battlefield, Yagyu looked at Nara Shikamaru, who was slumped on the ground, having not rested for a day. If it weren't for the sufficient supply of soldier pills, he would have been killed by Kidomaru long ago, and couldn't help but make a sarcastic remark.

"Thank goodness you arrived in time, I almost thought my ninja career was over."

Nara Shikamaru was too exhausted to argue.

Then, as if remembering something, he quickly asked, "By the way, how is Choji?"

"The situation is not good; Choji has taken the third pill."

Yagyu said with a serious expression, "My clone sent me a message that he and Lee have already brought Choji back to the village. Only the Hokage can save him."

Nara Shikamaru's face instantly turned pale, and he said with a guilty expression, "I'm sorry to Choji, it's all my fault for being too weak."

At that moment, Nara Shikamaru suddenly felt a deep hatred for his own laziness.

If I had learned the family's secret techniques from a young age, perhaps things would be different now!

Liu Sheng did not offer any words of comfort.

In this mission to retrieve Sasuke Uchiha, Choji Akimichi, Shikamaru Nara, and Naruto will all grow and mature—a truly invaluable transformation.

Nara Shikamaru also had many wounds on his body, and Yagyu knelt down to treat him.

After he finished his treatment, Kakashi Hatake, carrying Naruto on his back, arrived here with Gaara.

"I'm sorry, everyone, my disciple has caused you trouble."

Kakashi Hatake, an elite Jonin, took the initiative to apologize to Yagyu and the others.

"Kakashi-sensei, didn't you manage to catch up with Sasuke?"

Sakura quickly asked, "Was he kidnapped by Orochimaru's men, or was he lured?"

Both Kakashi Hatake and Naruto, who had already woken up, had dimmed eyes.

"I will report this to the Hokage. Thank you for your hard work."

Kakashi Hatake seemed unwilling to say more, not wanting Yagyu and the others to think that Sasuke Uchiha was a rogue ninja.

However, his attitude itself is tantamount to providing an answer.

It seems that Sasuke Uchiha was not kidnapped, but rather voluntarily defected to Orochimaru.

Sakura looked somewhat confused.

Without Sasuke Uchiha, will Team 7 disband?

If the group is disbanded, wouldn't that mean Kakashi Hatake is no longer her Jonin instructor? Would she still be able to do missions after that?

If she can't complete the mission, is the only option for her to become a medical ninja and work at Konoha Hospital?

At this moment, Class 7 was filled with confusion.

Led by Kakashi Hatake, Yagyu, and Shikamaru Nara, everyone who failed to retrieve Sasuke Uchiha began their return to Konoha.

After leaving the primeval forest, Yagyu and the others bid farewell to Gaara and his siblings, thanking them once again for their help.

This support helped Gaara and his siblings regain some goodwill among Konoha's new generation, and many people even developed a liking for them.

In the afternoon, Yagyu and the others finally returned to Konoha.

Upon entering the village, Nara Shikamaru headed straight for Konoha Hospital, wanting to check on Akimichi Choji's condition.

Naruto was also taken to Konoha Hospital by Kakashi Hatake.

Although Kurama is healing his injuries, the battle with Sasuke Uchiha had the greatest impact on Naruto's mind, not his body.

Naruto needs a good rest right now.

Watching them leave, Sakura felt dejected. Uncharacteristically, she tugged at Yagyu's sleeve, looking lost, and said, "Yagyu, I feel like I can't help at all. What should I do?"

Yagyu stroked Sakura's long pink hair and comforted her with affection, "Don't overthink it. Sasuke carries a deep-seated hatred. He's willing to pay any price to kill the culprit who wiped out the Uchiha clan. You can't stop him from being so determined."

If you feel weak, then train hard from now on, and I will teach you powerful ninjutsu.

"……Um!"

Sakura nodded vigorously, her eyes suddenly becoming resolute.

Sasuke Uchiha's departure, and the looks in Naruto and Kakashi Hatake's eyes, all deeply impacted the girl who had formed bonds with them.

Sakura, who had never pursued power before and only trained to earn Yagyu's praise, suddenly developed a craving for power.

If she were as strong as Karin and that woman from Sunagakure, she wouldn't be a burden to Naruto and Sasuke. This mission might even help Naruto win back Sasuke!

Seeing that Sakura had also undergone a transformation, Yagyu immediately showed a relieved smile.

This means that the dashing "Sakura-kun" is about to be born.

The four golden flowers of Konoha in the original work are all different.

However, Yagyu's arrival caused Hinata and Sakura's personalities to overlap, and even Ino was just much bolder and more enthusiastic than them.

After graduation, Hinata and her two friends began to transform, becoming both similar to and unlike the characters in the original story.

Hinata's normal state and fighting form are completely unlike a human being.

Sakura, who has not yet awakened her second personality, is about to say goodbye to the past and take the first step towards transformation.

Once Ino becomes stronger, she will definitely change as well.

With Karin added to the mix, all four girls began to change.

Yagyu was also motivated and prepared to train the four girls into the kind of girls he wanted.

But now, he has more important things to do.

Liu Sheng's lips curled up slightly, and a flash of red light appeared in his eyes.

(End of this chapter)