Konoha's Genius is a bit Ordinary?

Jūgo had silently observed everything that had just transpired, witnessing the new power Sasuke displayed.

At that moment, Jūgo was filled with astonishment. Was the power that had always plagued him truly this strong?

Later, when he heard Natsuro explain Sage Mode, he finally understood. The energy that had tormented him for so long was called natural energy?

Nature... Jūgo thought, recalling his ability to communicate with birds. Perhaps it wasn't all a curse but also a gift.

As for whether he could learn the Sage Mode Natsuro mentioned, Jūgo didn't have high expectations. After all, mastering such a technique must require exceptional talent. For now, he was content to quietly follow behind Sasuke.

Hearing Sasuke's voice, Jūgo didn't hesitate and nodded.

"I'll do my best."

Jūgo's response left Sasuke slightly stunned before a wry smile appeared on his face.

He didn't want to become another cage for Jūgo. After seeing Jūgo's memories, Sasuke's goal had been to break the mental shackles that imprisoned Jūgo. Yet...

It seemed he hadn't succeeded, not yet. This would take time.

Natsuro glanced at Sasuke, pondering the latter's chances of mastering Sage Mode. In all likelihood, Sasuke's journey would not be as smooth as Naruto's.

Naruto's success in learning Sage Mode stemmed from a unique advantage: his personality. Though carefree and boisterous, Naruto possessed an unusually pure heart.

As people often say, he had a "childlike innocence." While many attribute Naruto's rapid progress to plot armor, it was largely due to his innate compatibility with Sage Mode.

Naruto's character, body, and chakra perfectly aligned with the requirements for Sage Mode.

In short, while Naruto wasn't especially talented in techniques, his physical abilities were off the charts. Few could rival him in that department.

Sasuke, on the other hand, would likely struggle with the first step: entering a state of mind necessary to perceive natural energy. This difficulty arose from his past experiences, which left him burdened and guarded.

Natsuro could only hope that prolonged exposure to sage chakra might enhance Sasuke's sensitivity to natural energy. Once Sasuke overcame the initial hurdle, his talent would make the rest of the journey significantly easier.

"Natsuro, I've realized I can't absorb all of Jūgo's natural energy anymore. Does that mean Jūgo might lose control of his power again?" Sasuke suddenly asked, his brows furrowed in concern.

"I'll be fine," Jūgo interjected, trying to reassure Sasuke. However, Sasuke ignored him entirely, keeping his focus on Natsuro.

Sensing Sasuke's unwavering gaze, Jūgo opened his mouth to speak but ultimately stayed silent.

"Oh, that's not an issue. I checked earlier, Jūgo's Sage Transformation is linked to Ryūchi Cave's nature energy. Most of the energy he absorbs aligns with that source. The energy he transfers to you won't significantly affect him, and the remaining energy isn't enough to cause a rampage," Natsuro explained.

"Good," Sasuke said with a nod. Then, after a brief pause, he asked, "Is there any way to permanently free Jūgo from this state?"

Jūgo froze, his eyes instinctively turning toward Natsuro.

But Natsuro shook his head, answering, "It's not possible. Jūgo's condition is tied to his unique physiology, it's intrinsic. Natural energy has become a cornerstone of his existence. Removing it would mean..."

Natsuro left the rest unsaid, though it was clear what he meant: without natural energy, Jūgo wouldn't survive.

In truth, Natsuro could extract and refine all the energy within Jūgo, but the consequences would be severe. Taking too much might revert Jūgo to childhood; taking everything would erase him entirely.

Hearing Natsuro's explanation, Sasuke fell silent. He had hoped Natsuro might have a solution, but it seemed even Natsuro couldn't change Jūgo's fate.

"It's okay, Sasuke," Jūgo said with an uncharacteristic smile. "As long as I can help you, I'm content."

"I'll keep looking for another way," Sasuke replied firmly, unwilling to give up.

Natsuro observed their exchange, a subtle smile forming on his lips. There was a peculiar bond between them, he thought. Though he quickly dismissed the idea, their relationship wasn't romantic but rooted in something far deeper.

Jūgo might have already tied the meaning of his existence to Sasuke. Meanwhile, Sasuke, perhaps burdened by this devotion, wanted to free Jūgo from it. If Jūgo found liberation, Sasuke, too, might find relief.

"Jūgo, you can head back now. I need to discuss something else with Natsuro," Sasuke suddenly said.

"Alright." Jūgo didn't ask questions. He simply nodded and left.

Natsuro blinked in surprise. He had been preparing to leave himself but realized Sasuke had something more to say.

Once Jūgo was gone, Sasuke led Natsuro to the sitting room. For a while, neither spoke as Sasuke busied himself with preparing tea for his guest.

"Is something wrong? What's with the grand hospitality?" Natsuro asked, sipping the tea Sasuke had poured for him.

"You're aware of what happened to the Uchiha back then, aren't you?" Sasuke finally broke the silence, taking a seat across from Natsuro.

"Yeah. I've investigated it," Natsuro replied, immediately understanding what Sasuke was referring to.

"In your opinion, did the Uchiha ever stand a chance?" Sasuke asked, his voice heavy with uncertainty.

These past few days, the more he uncovered, the more lost he felt. Even now, he couldn't see a path forward. Only the possibility of saving a few more lives than had been spared before.

Natsuro took a sip of tea, let out a sigh, and said, "After the Nine-Tails Incident, the Uchiha no longer had any real hope. If they had fully withdrawn and focused solely on survival, they might have clung on. But as you know, the Uchiha chose rebellion."

The room fell silent. Natsuro set his teacup down and continued, "You've heard about Kakashi's story, haven't you? You should know where his Sharingan came from, and what it means for a non-Uchiha like Kakashi to retain a Sharingan."

Sasuke's expression darkened. "So, my father bet everything on the Fourth Hokage, only for the Fourth to die in the Nine-Tails Incident," he said grimly.

"That's correct. If the Fourth Hokage had survived, perhaps the Uchiha's fate could have changed. But unfortunately..." Natsuro trailed off.

Sasuke nodded, his expression somber. He couldn't help but feel the weight of what might have been.

"Moreover, the Fourth Hokage's death wasn't just tragic, it left a deeper scar. The Nine-Tails' rampage was widely believed to be connected to the Uchiha. After all, only the Sharingan can control the Nine-Tails," Natsuro added.

Sasuke froze. Most of his investigations had been focused on the Uchiha's downfall. He hadn't delved deeply into the Nine-Tails Incident, as it seemed unrelated on the surface.

"Are you saying… it really was the Uchiha?" Sasuke's voice was dry and strained. If that were true, the Fourth's death would have sealed the Uchiha's fate completely.

"It's almost certain that the Nine-Tails' rampage was caused by the Sharingan," Natsuro replied matter-of-factly.

Sasuke's hand trembled, and the teacup he held shattered, its shards cutting into his palm. He didn't even flinch.

"You already know that Naruto is the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, right?" Natsuro asked. "Back then, the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki was the Fourth Hokage's wife. The day of the Nine-Tails Incident just so happened to coincide with her giving birth, at the very moment when the seal restraining the Nine-Tails was at its weakest."

"But even so, with the Fourth Hokage's skill in sealing techniques, it's unlikely the Nine-Tails could have escaped on its own. The Fourth's sealing skills were exceptional, far beyond mine. And, it's said that his sealing techniques were taught by his wife, who was also a master of sealing. Under such conditions, there's no way the Nine-Tails could have broken free naturally."

Natsuro stopped there, letting the implications sink in.

"So… only the intervention of the Sharingan could have caused the Nine-Tails to rampage within the village?" Sasuke asked in a daze.

Natsuro nodded. "Exactly. After the Nine-Tails Incident, not only did the Uchiha lose the Hokage they had backed, but they also gained the suspicion of orchestrating the attack."

"With such a stain on their reputation, the Uchiha had no path forward. Their best course of action would have been to lay low, bide their time, and wait for a Hokage willing to extend an olive branch... Or at least one who wouldn't outright oppose them. But as you know, the Uchiha chose rebellion."

Natsuro sighed again. In his eyes, the Uchiha were doomed by their own nature. Coupled with Danzō's constant provocations, there was no way they could have endured.

"They gambled everything on the Fourth Hokage, and it ended in disaster. Instead of cutting their losses and retreating, they chose to go all in, hoping to recover what they'd lost. It was a classic gambler's mistake."

The Uchiha, Natsuro thought, were utterly destroyed by Obito. If the Fourth Hokage had survived, the relationship between the Uchiha and the village wouldn't have deteriorated to such an extent.

And it wasn't as if the village's suspicions were baseless. The Nine-Tails was indeed controlled by a Sharingan.

Moreover, Obito wasn't officially considered dead, his gravestone still stood in Konoha. Technically, he was both a part of the village and a member of the Uchiha.

As for the extermination of the Uchiha, Natsuro didn't see the village's decision as unjustified. Regardless of their reasons for rebellion, the Uchiha had chosen to rise against the village. If the village didn't act decisively, they risked even greater chaos.

However, Natsuro did believe that if Hiruzen Sarutobi's soft-hearted nature had prevailed, Itachi might have been able to negotiate for the survival of the clan's non-combatants like the women, children, and the elderly. Sadly, Itachi, consumed by his devotion to his younger brother, likely never considered that possibility.

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Currently on Chapter 269 - The Death of Itachi