An Exclusive Clan.
Link's thoughts wandered back to his visit to the Hyūga compound earlier that morning.
Hiashi Hyūga's invitation hadn't been about any critical mission details—there wasn't much to discuss, really. Welcoming the delegation from the Land of Wind was more a ceremonial gesture. They didn't have to travel far outside the village, and everything would be coordinated by the Anbu. It was simply a formality.
As the victorious side, Konoha's Hokage had no reason to personally meet the delegation, but letting them enter the village unsupervised wasn't an option either. So, the task of welcoming them had been delegated to representatives.
Hiashi's invitation to visit the closed-off Hyūga compound seemed more like an attempt to foster goodwill. Yet what Link observed during his visit was a stifling atmosphere and a clear sense of exclusivity.
The Hyūga main family held absolute power over the branch families, including control of life and death via the Caged Bird Seal. Many techniques for mastering the Byakugan were kept exclusively within the main family. This hierarchical control cast a pall over the entire clan.
The branch families, resigned to their fate, naturally submitted to the main family's dominance.
…
"Opportunity!"
Sasuke's sharp eyes caught an opening, and he struck decisively—
"Slap!"
Link grabbed Sasuke's wrist mid-movement. Pulling himself out of his reverie, he smiled at the slightly winded boy.
"You're getting close."
Still a long way to go.
Sasuke released his grip and suddenly recalled a certain someone. If it were him, would he be able to get close to Link in battle?
His Sharingan slowly receded into his normal black pupils. Without a word, he turned and left to continue his training.
"Sasuke's progress is slowing."
Link observed as Sasuke moved away, noting the change.
The truth had dulled the sharp edge of Sasuke's hatred. Without that intense drive, his growth was beginning to plateau.
The Uchiha were peculiar in this way. Whether it was unlocking the Sharingan or attaining greater power, they thrived on extreme emotions. Without a clear goal or strong feelings, their growth slowed to a crawl.
Itachi's carefully laid plan for Sasuke was straightforward: use hatred as fuel to grow stronger, kill his hated enemies, and awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan. Eventually, Sasuke would return to Konoha as a hero, transplant Itachi's eyes, and attain the Eternal Mangekyō.
With power, perspective, and a future secured, Sasuke would be unstoppable.
But the premature revelation of the truth had derailed this plan. With his father revived and standing by his side, Sasuke was caught between the village, his brother, and his late father.
His hatred, once absolute, had been diluted. Now it was less about revenge and more about finding a purpose in the confusion.
Without the catalyst of extreme emotions, the Uchiha's power stagnated.
Still, perhaps this wasn't a bad thing.
Link watched Sasuke, who continued to push himself in training, sweat glistening on his brow. He had no intention of pushing Sasuke down a darker path.
The Sasuke in the manga had grown immensely powerful but was riddled with unpredictability. The Sasuke before him, however, was someone Link could truly rely on—a solid shield, loyal to him.
"Speaking of Kakashi, he seems to have completely left Sakura in Kurenai's care and doesn't pay much attention to Sasuke anymore. I wonder what he's up to?"
Link dismissed the thought and focused on his own training. Forming hand seals, he activated his Summoning Jutsu. Using Sasuke's identity as a cover, he sent out a broadcast into the Pure Land.
The previous night's experimentation with shadow clones and tailed beast chakra had reached a bottleneck. Like all his innovations in ninjutsu, it was a black box—he knew the inputs and the results but not the mechanics.
The process required him to expend two-thirds of his chakra to create a single independent shadow. Combined with extensive testing and his inherent reservations about these shadows, he had only managed to create five by morning.
Though he maintained control over them, the fact that they were now autonomous made him uneasy.
"Are you Sasuke?"
On his fourth attempt, a female voice responded with mild curiosity.
Link focused, instantly recognizing the voice's owner. Gotcha.
"Rashōmon, open!"
With a hand on the ground, he summoned the gate. The sound caught Sasuke's attention.
The first figure to emerge was Fugaku Uchiha. Since his revival, the man seemed determined to make up for the care he hadn't shown in life. His attitude toward Sasuke was nothing short of doting.
Next came Baki, as eager as ever to return to the living world. Knowing that Konoha and Sunagakure were now negotiating peace, he was quick to answer Link's summons.
Finally, the newly summoned woman stepped through the gate. Her features bore a striking resemblance to Sasuke's—black hair cascading down her back, her expression warm and kind.
"Mom!"
Sasuke froze for a moment, stunned. Then, as the woman took in her surroundings and smiled, he bolted toward her, tears streaming down his face.
Such raw emotion was a rare sight from him.
Link tactfully grabbed Baki and stepped aside, leaving the reunited family of three to their moment.
"How's the peace talk progressing?"
Baki, ever practical, immediately asked about the state of affairs. Time in the Pure Land was disorienting—he felt as though he had only just been summoned last time.
"Tomorrow, the Land of Wind delegation will reach the border," Link replied casually. He then shifted the topic. "What will it take for you to teach me the Blade of Wind technique?"
Despite its seemingly straightforward name, the Blade of Wind was an A-rank jutsu not included in Konoha's archives. Whether to trade for other jutsu or simply to expand his repertoire, Link was eager to learn it.
He had asked Baki about it several times before, but the man was as stubborn as they came.
Baki remained unmoved, his gaze steady. "I want to meet the Fourth Kazekage."
"Not happening." Link's refusal was immediate. He didn't even know where the Fourth Kazekage was being held and had no intention of entangling himself in high-level political disputes.
After a long pause, Baki offered a compromise. "If you can arrange a meeting with Temari… I'll teach you the Blade of Wind."
"Deal."
~~~
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