77.The Followed Figure (2)

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The Uchiha Clan's gathering place.

"Swoosh!" "Swoosh!" "Swoosh!"....

A figure in the air swiftly changes positions, and several shurikens flash from his hand, shooting towards several targets ahead!

One of the targets, however, is concealed in a crevice among the rocks, completely hidden from sight by a large stone!

The figure in the air spins gracefully, and a pair of blood-red Sharingan eyes flash in the sky!

For him, it feels as though time has slowed down!

A deep sense of powerlessness weighs on him, almost suffocating him!

He, a genius of the Uchiha clan, is unexpectedly trailing behind a commoner! That tall, smiling figure has become his nightmare!

Unable to resist! Powerless to fight back! Against someone like that! Someone like that!!

"Clang!"

When anger cannot be vented... when fear reaches its peak... when pressure reaches its zenith!

In his blood-red eyes, the pupils suddenly dilate, and another tomoe appears in each eye!

His face darkens slightly, and his gaze focuses intently on the flying shurikens in the distance. He swiftly draws several more shurikens, invisible to the naked eye, and shoots them forward, following the path of the first shurikens at an even faster speed!

"Ping!" "Pang!" "Ding!" "Ping!"...

Clear and crisp sounds continuously ring out as the shurikens collide from various angles!

All five of the originally flying shurikens change direction, hitting the center of the hidden target within the crevice in an incredible manner!

"Snap!"

"Hoo, hoo"...

Uchiha Shino lands and half-kneels on the ground, panting heavily!

At this moment, his two Sharingan eyes have evolved—one has three tomoe, and the other has two tomoe!

To reach such a stage of evolution at this age is unprecedented!

However, at this moment!

"Brother... your body has just recovered! How can you perform such movements!! Brother, you are really outrageous!"

A charming figure sees Uchiha Shino half-kneeling on the ground, panting heavily, and hurriedly rushes over!

Her behavior genuinely scares her.

With pouted lips, her eyes are full of concern and anger as she gazes at him!

Seeing the girl's reaction, Shino forces a smile.

"I'm sorry for making you worry, Sakuya."

Then, he gently pats her head!

"Brother! Don't touch my head! I've already grown up!"

Though Sakuya protests strongly against Shino's actions, she doesn't dodge.

Regarding this, a genuine smile appears on Shino's face.

In his mind, the image of that straight figure with a gentle smile resurfaces!

He slightly opens his eyes, quietly biting his teeth.

"I must surpass that guy!"

Even if it's for Sakuya... as her big brother, I absolutely cannot lose to that guy again! I can't! I must not let Sakuya get close to that dangerous guy again!

Sakuya doesn't notice the determined look in Shino's eyes. "Hmm!" she suddenly exclaims, as if recalling something.

Immediately, she turns to look at the tall building nearby and smiles mischievously.

"Little Fukutake, come over here. It's safe now."

Beside the building, upon hearing Sakuya's voice, a small figure peeks out and sees Sakuya waving at him. He quickly runs over with a silly smile on his face.

"Sak... Sakuya... sis... sister!"

Seeing the toddler running unsteadily, both Sakuya and Shino show happy smiles.

...

Above a distant mountain valley.

A figure with white hair is pacing back and forth here, hesitating and unable to make up his mind.

"Jiraiya! Why are you taking so long!?"

On a nearby rock, a large red frog, taller than a person, takes a puff of its pipe and speaks to him.

Hearing this, Jiraiya trembles as he glances down at the deep ravine, his face turning pale. He quickly shifts his gaze back to the frog and stammers, "W-What, What if... this method of training is really not safe!?"

"Ribbit... Of course! You are the person chosen by the Old Master to change the fate of the ninja world, so there won't be any problems!" the toad, Fukasaku, says confidently.

"...But, can we really trust the Old Master's judgment? What if he's mistaken... What if I jump down and it's all over for me!" Jiraiya anxiously asks.

Upon hearing this, Fukasaku can no longer be so certain. He carefully thinks it over and says, "The Old Master said you are the chosen one from his dreams, but... I'm not sure if the Old Master's dreams are always accurate."

Upon hearing this, Jiraiya's face immediately turns pale. "Then how can I jump down? How high is this place? If I jump, even the Old Master won't be able to save me!"

"You have to save yourself! You are the one chosen by fate! You must believe in yourself!" Fukasaku glances at him and exhales smoke, saying once more.

Hearing this, Jiraiya can't help but think of the time when he couldn't protect Tsunade. He remembers how Tsunade was nearly killed right in front of him, and he recalls the the feeling of pwerless earlier.

Gradually, his face calms down, and he takes a deep breath, slowly walking to the edge of the cliff.

Believe in himself... To protect the people he cherishes... To catch up to his comrades who have already departed... Believe in himself!

"Boom!"

Without any more hesitation, Jiraiya leaps from the top of the valley.

"Ah...!"

...

Standing below a tall cliff.

Facing the blade-like rock wall in front of him.

Standing upright, his face stern, different from his usual style.

This is a secluded spot in the Leaf Forest.

The cliff is extremely tall, like a colossal wall blocking everything!

As the wind gently blows, Might Dai starts to recall the days he spent with Sosuke and thinks about his performance during the Death Forest.

He can't help but feel a bit ashamed! He silently thinks to himself.

This version of himself, compared to Sosuke, is too inferior when they're together!

"Boom!"

A surge of blue chakra erupts from his body!

"Hoo—"

The wind begins to blow more fiercely!

Might Dai's gaze is firmly fixed on the tall rock wall ahead, as he continues to contemplate.

If only I had been strong enough back then! If only I had been more cautious when facing the enemy!

"Boom!"

The second gate opens, and the chakra flow around Dai becomes even more violent! The intense currents clash with the raging wind!

Dai's eyes have turned red and white, and his skin starts to burn and turn red!

He stares ahead with wide eyes, gritting his teeth, as his hair stands up like flames!

Not enough yet!! If I had been strong enough back then, I wouldn't have needed Sosuke to step in!!

Always protected by Sosuke! How can I catch up to him like this! Open up for me!

"The Fourth Gate, the Gate of Pain! Open!"

Dai shouts, and there's a cracking sound from inside his body!

"Ah!"

He roars in anger! His body is now stretched to its limits!

Like a cannonball, he shoots towards the opposite cliff!

He faces an immensely tall mountain cliff, and with one foot, he gathers all his strength to unleash a powerful kick!

"Konoha... Dai Gunkai!"

"Boom—"

"Bam bam!" "Bam bam!"...

The rocks are shattered, and massive boulders roll on the ground with the strong winds!

Countless stones turn into dust, and a large portion of the mountain cliff is kicked off...