Hokage: I Confronted the Five Kage Before the System Arrived

Chapter 57: Sasuke: Please Teach Me, Lord

*Pant... pant... pant...*

Sasuke's body felt worse due to the nonstop sprinting, exacerbating his already serious injuries.

Yet, he endured the pain, his eyes fixed intently on Hagoromo Gengetsu.

With the insight of the Sharingan, he could easily distinguish between a living person and an Reanimation body.

Based on the information Naruto and Sakura provided, combined with his own experience of feeling completely powerless under Gengetsu’s gaze, it was undeniable: this legendary man, who once rivaled the gods and overshadowed the Five Kage, had truly escaped death and returned to the world.

Such immense power, such an unbelievable existence—perhaps even the one he detested the most could not compare.

With this thought, Sasuke didn’t hesitate any longer. He stopped Hagoromo Gengetsu and straightforwardly declared, “I want to become stronger! No matter what method, as long as I can become stronger, I’m willing to do anything you ask!”

Upon hearing this, Hagoromo Gengetsu took a bite of his takoyaki and glanced at Sasuke in surprise.

He hadn’t expected Sasuke to seek strength from him.

Was this guy always this bold?

Wasn’t he afraid that Gengetsu might just cut him down?

Or perhaps, it was the confidence that came from being an Uchiha, from having the Sharingan?

Hagoromo Gengetsu’s guess wasn’t far off.

As the sole survivor of Konoha's Uchiha clan, possessing the powerful Sharingan, Sasuke had indeed been eyed covetously by people like Orochimaru. This only reinforced the fact that he was very important.

Rarity made things valuable.

No one would ignore an Uchiha.

This was his confidence.

But this time was different.

Hagoromo Gengetsu wouldn’t pamper Sasuke.

An Uchiha? He’d seen plenty.

Back when Hagoromo and the Uchiha signed a friendship treaty, effectively forming an alliance, he had met many Uchiha ninja with similar personalities. Perhaps Sasuke's ancestors were among them.

The Sharingan, which seemed so formidable to the current ninja world, was just that in his eyes.

Unless it was a pair of Mangekyo Sharingan, it wouldn't earn his respect.

“Kid, hasn’t anyone taught you how to properly ask for something?” 

Hagoromo Gengetsu remarked and walked past Sasuke.

Considering the past friendly relationship between the Hagoromo clan and the Uchiha, and the fact that they had intermarried many times over the years, he wasn’t going to do anything to Sasuke. Despite his disdain for Madara Uchiha’s arrogance, he had always admired Madara's brother, Izuna Uchiha. They had maintained a good relationship until the old man from the Senju clan ambushed Izuna, leading to his severe injury and death.

Those days were long gone. The once glorious Uchiha clan of Konoha now had only one pitiful descendant left.

Out of respect for their past relations and Izuna’s familiar face, Hagoromo Gengetsu wouldn’t harm Sasuke.

As for anything further, it would depend on Sasuke’s actions.

At this moment, seeing Hagoromo Gengetsu ignoring him, Sasuke’s expression changed subtly.

Consumed by hatred his entire life, he had always been self-centered.

As a proud member of the Uchiha, even though Kakashi had taught him the Chidori, he had never addressed him as “sensei,” always calling him by name.

Luckily, Kakashi, having been through a lot, didn’t mind these things. Any other leader might not have tolerated Sasuke’s attitude.

‘Hagoromo Gengetsu is not like Orochimaru, who covets my body and can tolerate my insolence.’

Sasuke quickly realized this.

In other matters, he might remain proud and act as he pleased.

But for the sake of his revenge, he was willing to sacrifice everything!

Recalling the time he faced Itachi again, with Itachi still looking down on him, effortlessly countering his Chidori, and mocking him for wasting his years, Sasuke’s resolve strengthened.

Recalling how Naruto defeated the rampaging One-Tailed Jinchūriki Gaara during the Chūnin Exams and how Naruto played a crucial role in the success of their mission in the Land of Tea, Sasuke clenched his fists in frustration.

Finally, he ran to Hagoromo Gengetsu again, bowed his proud head, and sincerely requested:

“Lord Hagoromo, please teach me how to become stronger! I swear by the Uchiha name, as long as I can achieve my revenge, I will do anything for you.”

How rare...

The sky was clear, the rain had stopped, and for the first time, Sasuke Uchiha didn’t think he was all that.

Hagoromo Gengetsu stopped, finishing the last of his takoyaki, and asked, “Kid, do you know who I am?”

“The legendary Hagoromo Gengetsu!”

“Seems your knowledge of history is lacking.” Hagoromo Gengetsu replied.

If Sasuke had continued his elite education within the Uchiha clan, rather than just being taught by mediocre Chūnin teachers at the ninja academy, he would not only be stronger now but also more aware of Uchiha history.

For instance, the relationship between the Uchiha and Hagoromo clans.

If he knew that the two clans had a long history of alliance, he could use that emotional bond to his advantage, given that Hagoromo Gengetsu was the clan leader and Sasuke the sole heir of the Uchiha.

Perhaps Sasuke didn’t even know about the Hagoromo clan, let alone the significance of his own surname.

Oh well.

Hagoromo Gengetsu shook his head and looked at Sasuke.

“If you want to follow me and seek greater power, you must leave Konoha. Can you do that?”

Sasuke bowed his head in silence for a moment, then looked up with determination in his eyes.

Kakashi and Konoha had nothing more to teach him.

Even Kakashi had been easily defeated by Itachi.

Staying with them showed no hope.

Only someone stronger, someone who could even overshadow Itachi, was worth following.

So...

Sasuke looked up at Hagoromo Gengetsu, about to agree.

Suddenly.

In the distance, Naruto and Sakura’s voices called out.

“Sasuke! Where did you run off to?”

“Sasuke! Where are you?”

“It’s been so long, could he be in danger?”

“Naruto, don’t jinx it!”

“Sasuke.”

“.”

The voices grew closer.

Just as Sasuke was about to agree, memories of his times with Naruto and Sakura flashed through his mind, making the words hard to utter.

“Looks like you’re not fully determined yet.” Noticing this, Hagoromo Gengetsu said coolly.

“When you’ve truly severed all ties, come find me at the Valley of the End.”

With that, Hagoromo Gengetsu disappeared.

Sasuke, who wanted to say something but was too late, looked at the spot where Hagoromo Gengetsu vanished, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

The next second.

“Sasuke! Finally found you!”

Naruto, the first to spot Sasuke, sighed in relief and ran over, complaining, “Why’d you run so far? We haven’t even had a bite to eat.”

Sakura, who arrived slightly later, pushed Naruto aside and asked with concern, “Sasuke, are you alright? Did your bandages come loose?”

“I’m fine.”

Sasuke retracted his gaze, looked at Naruto and Sakura, and calmly said,

“I just went for a walk. Let’s head back now.”

He would find an opportunity to end it all.