Naruto: Uchiha Survivor Forced to Save the Shinobi World

Sasuke was already a prominent figure at the ninja academy, constantly under scrutiny. Now, with his blatant intent as he strode directly toward the equally high-profile Yakumo, he instantly drew the attention of his peers on the training field.

"Sasuke's challenging Yakumo?"

"Didn't he just lose to Kimimaro?"

"He seems a bit off today!"

Some stopped in their tracks, others paused their training, all turning to watch.

Yakumo, just entering the school gates, naturally noticed Sasuke.

Unlike the others, who were clueless about what had transpired, she had been a full participant in the grand performance orchestrated by their leader the previous night. She knew that Sasuke was now a Mangekyō Uchiha!

So, she immediately guessed what Sasuke, walking toward her, intended to do.

Sure enough.

Standing before Yakumo with his hands in his pockets, Sasuke declared, "Yakumo, I challenge you on behalf of the Uchiha clan!"

Before Yakumo could respond, Shion, who had come to school with her, sized Sasuke up: "Sasuke, did you not sleep well last night?"

Yakumo smiled: "Sasuke, I can accept your challenge, but why don't we do it after you've rested?"

"I'm fine!" Sasuke shot Yakumo a provocative look, his voice cold: "I've never felt better than I do today. So, do you accept my challenge or not?"

"Since you're so insistent, let's make it after school!"

Yakumo didn't hesitate any longer.

Sasuke's attempt to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan by killing Shinji the previous night had indeed shaken her. Not only did she want to face the Mangekyō Sharingan again to test whether her recent training had borne fruit, but deep down, she also felt a faint desire to seek justice for Shinji and teach Sasuke a lesson!

"Awesome, another spar to watch!" Clapping her hands, Shion said, "Sasuke, let me tell you, Yakumo's even stronger than Kimimaro! Be careful, or you'll embarrass yourself!"

Sporting dark circles under his eyes, Sasuke coolly tossed his head: "After school, you'll all see—I'm not the same as before! Yakumo, I don't mean to target you, but you'd better prepare, or you'll lose spectacularly!"

Yakumo replied solemnly, "Don't worry, I'll give it my all!"

Shion stared blankly at Sasuke's retreating figure, scratching her head: "What's with Sasuke today? So full of himself. Is he just cranky from not sleeping?"

Soon, word of Sasuke's challenge to Yakumo spread like wildfire through the academy.

Both were high-profile figures, especially Yakumo, who, thanks to her 'Wood Release,' was already seen by her peers as having limitless potential.

Every move they made garnered immense attention, and within moments, even the academy's teachers were aware of Sasuke's challenge to Yakumo.

By the time the news fully circulated, Shinji, who had stayed up all night, finally arrived at the academy.

Hearing about Sasuke's challenge, he muttered to himself, "Talk about impatient! Wasn't he drained of chakra all night by me? Could awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan have boosted his chakra reserves so much that last night's extraction was nothing to him?"

Though puzzled, Shinji had no intention of intervening.

His focus was entirely on Karin, leaving him little time to deal with Sasuke. Besides, if Sasuke wanted to court trouble, Shinji couldn't stop him!

At noon.

Kakashi, having received the news, sought out Sasuke.

Sasuke had just suffered a crushing defeat against Kimimaro, and now he was boldly challenging the even stronger Yakumo. Kakashi found this perplexing and grew concerned about Sasuke's mental state.

Upon seeing Sasuke, with his sunken eyes and haggard face, Kakashi was even more dumbfounded: "Sasuke, what the heck are you up to?"

Sasuke replied coldly, "Kakashi, you're not qualified to lecture me!"

"You—" Kakashi paused, sensing something amiss: "What's going on?"

Sasuke shook his head: "Kakashi, I remember you said we're alike, which is why you wanted to be my mentor. But you were wrong. Your methods are useless to me. I'm different—I'm an Uchiha!"

Kakashi didn't respond immediately, realizing something significant must have happened to Sasuke.

"Aren't you curious about what's going on?" Sasuke smirked, turning away: "You'll find out when I challenge Yakumo later!"

Kakashi's expression darkened, a bad feeling settling in his gut.

In the blink of an eye, school was over.

Unlike usual, today the students and teachers didn't rush to leave. Instead, they patiently waited for the spectacle of Sasuke's challenge to Yakumo.

Under the setting sun.

Sasuke, hands in his pockets, stepped onto the training field.

The watching students instantly buzzed with excitement!

On a large tree outside the field.

Kakashi, leaning against the trunk, watched Sasuke with a grim expression.

Nearby, Shizune chuckled: "This Uchiha kid is way too flashy! Does he really think he can beat Yakumo?"

Also spectating from the tree were elite jōnin like Kurenai, Asuma, and Gai.

Kurenai asked Shizune, "I heard Yakumo's been training in taijutsu lately?"

Asuma and Gai turned their attention to Shizune as well.

With 'Wood Release' and 'Koryugan,' Yakumo's innate abilities were already top-tier. Her only shortcomings were taijutsu and combat experience. Once those were addressed, forget Sasuke—even Uchiha Shinji, who had once defeated Yakumo, wouldn't stand a chance against her.

Shizune smiled: "Yakumo's a true genius, and she hasn't slacked off despite her remarkable talent. Her progress has been rapid. While taijutsu isn't her forte, according to Lady Tsunade's assessment, her overall strength is already on par with us jōnin."

Kurenai marveled, "What an astonishing growth rate!"

Asuma chimed in, "Watching these kids makes me feel old!"

Gai suddenly asked, "If that's the case, doesn't that mean Uchiha Sasuke has no chance? Why's he challenging Yakumo then?"

All eyes turned to Sasuke's mentor, Kakashi.

Kakashi remained silent, staring at Sasuke on the field, his confusion no less than that of the jōnin beside him.

On the training field.

Seeing the crowd surrounding them in layers, Yakumo suggested, "The field's too cramped. Should we move somewhere else for the spar?"

Sasuke's lips curled: "No need. I'll end this fight quickly!"

He didn't just want to win—he wanted to win in front of the entire academy, proclaiming to the village that the mighty Uchiha had returned.