NOVEL NEXT Chapter 25: The final part of the promise.
Her ANBU were off of her - really it was just simple to escape them if she truly wanted to. Very few of the squads could actually keep up with her if she tried to ditch them. So it was just a matter of choosing the right day and disappearing mid-shower. Of course, her clones were doing the normal training, with just one replacing her.
Today she had something far more important to do - to fulfill the final part of her bargain. 'Besides... As the only person who will be able to help me in the future, it is only right that I make him as strong as possible.' Indeed. No matter how many games she played. No matter how strong she got. No matter when she crushed Nagato into the dirt. She understood that all of this was just a little game. It didn't matter if she stopped Kaguya's revival. More would come.
'So we play this game. Everyone gets stronger. That way, at least they can block a weaker Otsutsuki or Two. While he and I deal with the true threats. The first step of that is now. Sasuke, it's time to awaken your Sharingan.'
Naruko closed her eyes for a brief moment. Crouching down on the tree next to where Sasuke was training. 'He's already mastered Water Walking to a high degree. But I sense his Sharingan has still not re-awakened. He's already even learned a few lightning and fire-style Jutsu. But his body is lagging. So is his chakra. Shackled by broken potential without the Sharingan fully manifested, if something isn't changed he won't truly grow that much. A bit stronger, a bit faster. A bit better Chakra Control... But he'll be like Kakashi. Shackled. No Uchiha can reach the levels of a Kage without a Sharingan. It's obvious to my Mind's Eye that his efforts are valiant, but in the end useless...'
Indeed, this was backed up by the difference between Kakashi after his revival and before it. Then, after his loss of the Sharingan. His Chakra exploded, and his control rose. Although they could rise before that, it was nowhere near what it was after his death, or after the loss of his Sharingan. Let alone the physical growth that had nearly completely stalled. 'For the Uchiha, it's the opposite. The Sharingan is the representation of their potential. I can sense it bubbling within him, begging to be released.'
As she opened her eyes, she used a singular handseal, and her form shifted. Her eyes began to spin as three tomoe appeared. A hundred clones powered by the Kyuubi's Chakra appeared around her before henging into crows, made purposefully with the Kyuubi Chakra so that her own reserves would not be affected for later. 'Now then Sasuke. It's time I watered the seed that will one day sprout into the tree that covers the world...'
She moved at full speed, weights off. Her foot slammed directly onto his forehead. "Weak." Her voice was monotone, yet regal. The impassive three-tomoe eyes of Itachi Uchiha stared down into the Sasuke that was forced into the ground.
"YOU!" Hatred bloomed as an embryonic form of killing intent wafted off of Sasuke. 'Good.'
"This is all you can do? I get you those scrolls and this is how weak you are still?" She could see his face twisted with rage and also fear. "Oh, yes. That foolish girl was ever so helpful in getting you those scrolls. Didn't even notice the Genjutsu. She was so happy to help out, after all, both of your clans are now dead." A twisted grin spread across her face - nay Itachi's face.
"DON'T TOUCH HER, I'LL KILL YOU!" Sasuke struggled but for a brief moment, she paused. 'Oh? Is that? Tch, it's this plotline, huh?' She took her foot off his face and jumped back.
"Will you? With what strength? With what power? Oh little brother," the henged Naruko's voice twisted into scorn at the word, "I think what you'll do is die... if you don't show me you're worth it!"
A regular Kunai slipped into her grasp. Purple-painted nails glinting in the sunlight. "Now come. Let me see the extent of your training. Let me show you the futility. An Uchiha that dares challenge me with no Sharingan."
A scream of sheer rage was ripped from Sasuke's vocal cords as he lunged forward. 'Not horrific speed. But he's young, nowhere near as fast as he would have been when a Genin with this level of control.'
Her Kunai lashed out, the tip of it blocking every blow. "Is this it? Mother would be so proud, she raised someone not even fit to be a Shinobi."
"Don't you speak about her ITACHI!!!" He went through hand seals, 'Slow.' before, "Fire Style: Great Fire Ball Jutsu!" 'Oh? More Impressive than what he would have used against Kakashi.' A singular crow lunged out of her Akatsuki cloak and took the Fireball, popping as it did so behind it so Sasuke wouldn't notice something was wrong.
"Impressive Sasuke, you managed to kill an animal. I'm sure Father would be proud of your hunting skills. You finally hit something." A snarl spread across Sasuke's face, but before he could say anything she moved.
Her Kunai appeared at his throat as she stood behind him. "So slow. Didn't you know? I've been here the entire time." As Naruko said that her voice got deeper and more menacing, as crows began to appear lining the tree tops. "An Uchiha that can't even tell a Genjutsu. How about I help you?"
She gripped his mouth forcing it open, and a crow dove it, using henge on itself and as much as it could on Sasuke so that it would fit down the throat, before popping. "Still can't break through?" Sasuke's hands went up to form a seal that she quickly stopped. "Use your Sharingan!" Her voice was harsh and formed into nearly a hiss as crow after crow dove into his throat before popping.
Snorting she roughly threw him to the ground. "Nothing? It seems like you are just a waste, you activated the Sharingan that night, and yet you can't activate it now?" Still disguised as Itachi she turned around. "It seems like there's no point in even killing you."
Turning around and taking a step, she got the expected result. "Don't turn your back on me!" She could hear him pushing himself up choking and coughing but as she looked over her shoulder. 'Success.' She saw one tomoe in each eye spinning rapidly, the rest of the eyes a pure red.
"Aah, so you aren't a complete waste. But it seems you aren't of any use still." Her voice went back to monotone. "Very well, you've proven that you should be allowed to live."
She moved at full speed, and before he could react even with the 1-Tomoe Sharingan Naruko slammed her hand on the back of his neck. A moment later he thudded to the ground unconscious. 'Well. That was a success. But, that 'infatuation' could potentially be annoying. Is it natural or is it a result of Zetsu's tinkering? A way to try to get more Rinnegan?' She shook her head. It didn't matter, it was irrelevant. "Now let's do this." Reaching down she'd flip him around so that he was on his side.
Making sure he was still unconscious she'd pumped nearly all of her chakra - the reason she had used the Kyuubi's to make her Shadow Clones, and poured it into her hand, before with a Tri-Pronged Kunai, the only Kunai she had that would be enough considering the Chakra usage, and plunged it into her hand. Her blood infused with chakra dripped directly into Sasuke's mouth. 'Let's see if this helps you with your Sharingan and Rinnegan little Sasuke...' That done and making sure he swallowed it, she popped her clones and used Shunshin to disappear from the area.
-???????-
"What a fine plan. But why force her blood and chakra into him?" There was no one around to answer him, but he still mused on it slowly tapping his cane on the ground. Before finally deciding on, "Irrelevant. Her training has truly grown though. Being a Uzumaki and a Jinchuriki truly let her be far faster than should even be possible for her age." He sighed.
"Damn Hiruzen. You win again, your choice will be the Godaime. Mine can't even come close to yours this time. Tch. If only Fugaku and Orochimaru didn't grow greedy." He let out a sigh before with another thud of his cane began to walk away. "Life is life. All I can do is continue to remain in the shadows, you win again Hiruzen." Although his words were negative, there was a slight smile on his lips. 'Who knows? Maybe Kakazhi, Tenzo, or Yuna will become Hokage first?'