Chapter 89: Got a Little Brother—It's Lit!

Chapter 89: Got a Little Brother—It’s Lit!

“That explosion was terrifying!”

After the earth-shattering blast faded, Asuma Sarutobi and Kurenai Yūhi returned to the battlefield.

Perched atop a treetop, they stared at the massive crater before them—a hollow so vast it would take time for the river’s flow to fill it. Their eyes trembled at the sight.

Asuma suddenly turned to Kurenai, asking, “Kurenai, are you sure your student didn’t awaken a Storm Release bloodline limit or a Dust Release keitai?”

"Izayoi doesn’t lie—unless he chooses not to speak", Kurenai shook her head. "During the Chūnin Exams, I asked him directly. He explained that his Storm Release is fused from an enlarged Rasengan, combining two nature transformations. By spinning it at ultra-high speed and perfecting its shape transformation, he forcibly merged the natures."

“He still can’t convert chakra directly into Storm Release nature.”

Hearing this, Asuma exclaimed in awe, “What incredible chakra control and ninjutsu talent! This isn’t just genius—it’s beyond even the Third Hokage in his prime!”

“Yes…” Kurenai sighed, half-bitterly, half-warmly. “After Tsunade becomes Fifth Hokage, I might retire early. It’d be embarrassing if a jonin like me needed her student to protect me during missions.”

“Haha!” Asuma burst into laughter.

But as he laughed, he thought of his three students—and his smile faded.

A lazy bum, a narcissistic team captain, and a gluttonous fatty…

Kurenai could retire early, enjoying the freedom of a jonin while her successor handled dangerous missions. But what about him?

At this thought, Asuma lit a cigarette.

Soon, Kakashi arrived with Might Guy and other jonin, late as usual.

Unaware of the jonin’s shock and chatter, Izayoi had already Body Flickered back to the village with Sasuke Uchiha after launching the Dust Release sphere.

On the way, Izayoi set Sasuke down and reconnected his wrist.

Seeing Sasuke’s dark, silent expression, Izayoi smirked, “Feeling frustrated? Hating your weakness?”

“Hn!” Sasuke nodded fiercely.

Unlike the original timeline, he hadn’t fallen victim to Tsukuyomi’s endless torture. He hadn’t awakened with a twisted psyche or descended into darkness. But now, his heart burned with the same desperate hunger for power.

He was too weak—weak enough to be utterly helpless even when facing his enemy.

“Want to get stronger?” Izayoi’s voice dripped with Orochimaru-like temptation.

“Hn!” Sasuke nodded again, staring at Izayoi with burning eyes.

Recognizing that look, Izayoi smiled. “Even with my Judgment and Trinity Barrage, I couldn’t kill that man. That last technique barely missed Itachi despite my intelligence advantage.”

At these words, Sasuke’s eyes lit up. “Izayoi, do you have a way to make me stronger—or kill him?”

“There’s risk involved,” Izayoi warned, grinning. “Are you afraid of death?”

Sasuke hesitated, then snarled with hatred. “Remember what I said before the Chūnin Exams? If I must sell my life and soul to the devil for power, I’ll do it gladly! The real me died five years ago—what’s there to fear?”

Sasuke’s voice turned solemn. “Use whatever method you want on me. If I die, it just means I wasn’t worthy. But when you’re strong enough, promise me one thing—avenge me and the Uchiha clan by killing him.”

With that, the proud young master prepared to kneel in a humiliating bow.

A hand stopped him.

“Don’t be so dramatic.” Izayoi patted Sasuke’s shoulder, teasing, “I said there’s risk, but I can minimize it. Besides, I’ve never had a subordinate before. I can’t let my first one die so easily. After your revenge, you’ll be my loyal henchman for life.”

“When I kill him, my life is yours,” Sasuke vowed, his gaze unwavering.

“We’ll see. Get ready for hellish training.” Izayoi waved dismissively, though his lips curled into a satisfied smirk.

Second subordinate secured—and a perfect right-hand man at that.

…

“Oni-chan, the view here is so pretty!”

Izayoi had just moved into Sasuke’s house when the Hyūga sisters visited the next day.

By the Naka River, Izayoi lounged on a beach chair, fishing and barbecuing with Hanabi Hyūga.

Cradled in his arms, Hanabi munched bananas, her eyes following the Milky Way-like waterfall. Suddenly, she gasped, “Oni-chan, look! There’s a cave in the waterfall! Do you think there’s treasure inside?”

“Nope—just rubble,” Izayoi chuckled. “That cave? I blasted it out while practicing ninjutsu as a kid.”

“Wow! No wonder you’re amazing, Oni-chan!” Hanabi’s eyes sparkled with admiration.

Pleased, Izayoi added, “I was about seven or eight back then—around your age now.”

Hanabi pouted. “You were already this strong at seven? You taught Onee-chan so much, but you only showed me how to climb trees and walk on water! You’re biased!”

Izayoi pinched her cheek. “I’m not teaching you more because you’re still building basics. Be grateful! I only awakened Physical Healing two years ago—your sister was ten then. When you turn ten, you’ll surpass her at ten—fully.”

“Fully?” Hanabi’s eyes gleamed. She glanced at her chest, then looked up eagerly. “Will I be as big as Onee-chan then?”

Izayoi froze.

Quickly changing the subject, he nodded toward the river. “The fight’s ending—your sister’s about to win.”

Across the water, Hinata and Sasuke clashed in a taijutsu duel.

Outmatched in chakra reserves, Sasuke struggled to move at full speed on the turbulent river. Hinata’s Byakugan saw through his every move, leaving him unable to even graze her sleeve.

Meanwhile, Hinata repeatedly spotted Sasuke’s openings but held back, using the match to train his chakra control.

Only when Sasuke’s stamina waned did she strike with Gentle Step Twin Lion Fists, ending the fight.

The chakra in his meridians drained, Sasuke plunged into the river, emerging soaked and panting.

“Rest up—we’re starting the next phase,” Izayoi called.

Sasuke trudged over, silently devouring food before demanding, “What’s next?”

“What’s wrong with you?” Izayoi frowned, setting down his barbecue tongs. “Hatred fuels strength, but negative emotions weaken you, making you reckless.”

“I know you crave power, but if your mind can’t handle sudden strength, you’re no better than a beast.”

“I was going to teach you Super Hurricane Barrage, but maybe not. Wouldn’t want you accidentally killing yourself.”

From a bag, Izayoi pulled a scroll and tossed it to Sasuke. “Two weeks. Read and master everything in this scroll. Until then, stop all training except chakra control.”

“…Fine.”

Sasuke didn’t protest. He realized his mindset had grown unstable lately—it was time to calm down.

Of course, he’d have scoffed if anyone else said this.

But Izayoi’s words carried weight.

They’d known each other for years—his maturity left an indelible impression. Polite, respectful, always rational.

Perhaps this mindset was why he could fuse so many nature transformations, mastering new powers.

Seeing Sasuke’s obedience, Izayoi smiled. “You’ll get something out of it—this scroll’s knowledge is the foundation of an S-rank technique.”

Sasuke gripped the scroll, eyes blazing.

Izayoi handed another scroll to Hinata. “Yours. Read it when you have time.”

“Mm.” Hinata stuffed the scroll into her kimono sash while rapidly shoveling meat into her mouth, her cheeks puffing like buns.

As he’d seen countless times, Izayoi snapped a photo with his camera—only for a mischievous hand to flash a peace sign in front of the lens.

“Gotcha!”

“Brat! Watch this!”

“Ow ow—Oni-chan, I’m sorry!”

By dusk, the four packed up and left the Naka River.

After dropping off the Hyūga sisters, Izayoi and Sasuke returned to the Uchiha Compound.

Walking home, Izayoi suddenly said, “By the way, tomorrow we start demolishing my old house. Help me clear the rubble—and bring Chōji. I’ll treat you both to barbecue.”

“Why don’t you do it yourself?” Sasuke scowled.

“Hey, aren’t you my subordinate now?” Izayoi shot back. “Isn’t this exactly what little brothers are for?”

Sasuke had no retort. For a moment, he wished he could time-travel back to strangle his past self for ever calling Izayoi “brother.”

But glancing at the scroll in his hand, he sighed.

Whatever. Just call it a sweet pile of crap and make the best of it.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end