Despite Kakashi's nonchalant attitude about sending Team Seven on this mission alone, Sasuke had sensed the watchful gazes of at least two squads of Anbu ninja along the way.
'How did Yugito infiltrate so deeply into enemy territory so easily?'
'Should I attribute it to her confidence in her own strength, or to the recklessness of Kumogakure's leadership?'
'Still, the Granny Cat wouldn't have summoned her unless she had connections in the Land of Lightning. Or perhaps the Two-Tailed Matatabi has a closer relationship with the Ninja Cat Clan than we realize.'
"Hmm!?"
Just as Team Seven entered the area, Yugito noticed them. She turned her head, her haughty gaze sweeping over the group before she murmured under her breath, her tone tinged with disdain and disgust.
"Konoha brats? Tch!"
While Yugito scrutinized Team Seven, the team members were observing her in turn.
Yugito Nii, the Two-Tails' Jinchūriki, had made only fleeting appearances in the original timeline.
Her debut had been her capture by the Akatsuki's Hidan and Kakuzu, followed by the extraction of her Tailed Beast, resulting in her death.
At first glance, she seemed like a weak, insignificant Jinchūriki, but Sasuke knew Yugito had fallen victim to underestimating her opponents and a lack of proper intelligence.
Yugito Nii was a Perfect Jinchūriki, capable of achieving full-bodied Tailed Beast Transformation through her own will.
Killer Bee had publicly stated that Yugito's bond with the Two-Tails was even stronger than his own with the Eight-Tails.
Unfortunately, her arrogance led to her downfall. By sealing off all escape routes, she not only restricted the Two-Tailed Matatabi's speed but also cut off her own retreat.
Though she initially dominated the Immortal Duo in battle, a single transitional cutscene led to her downfall. She lost not only her Tailed Beast but also her life.
"Sasuke, is this the super-strong person you were talking about? She doesn't look all that impressive," Naruto whispered cautiously, glancing repeatedly at Yugito.
"Hey, she doesn't seem to be a ninja from our village," Naruto added.
"Idiot! She's from Kumogakure," Sakura hissed under her breath. Then, turning to Sasuke with concern, she asked, "Sasuke, if Kumogakure ninja have come to the Land of Fire, does that mean they're planning—"
"Probably not," Sasuke replied calmly, shaking his head slightly. "Still, it's wise to be cautious."
"Mm-hmm," Sakura nodded in agreement.
As Team Seven conversed, Yugito's gaze swept over them. The three radiated a youthful ninja aura, clearly lacking experience.
'Just a bunch of Konoha Genin kids,' Yugito thought with a cold smirk, turning to leave. Her eyes inadvertently caught sight of the Thunder God Sword's hilt at Sasuke's waist, her expression instantly hardening.
'The Thunder God Sword?'
Yugito's eyes finally sharpened, scrutinizing Sasuke intently. She completely disregarded the two brats beside him.
'The Uchiha's last survivor?'
'Hmph. How intriguing.'
Spotting the Uchiha clan crest on Sasuke's robe, Yugito spoke directly, her tone still condescending: "Uchiha brat, is that the Thunder God Sword you're carrying?"
"You jerk!" Naruto bristled at Yugito's arrogant, dismissive demeanor, nearly leaping forward in anger.
Sasuke gently restrained him with a hand, then turned to Yugito, his face calm. "Are you asking me?" he asked softly.
Yugito raised an eyebrow, her smirk growing colder. "Of course I'm asking you. Are there any other living Uchiha left in Konoha for me to question?"
At her words, Naruto and Sakura's faces darkened, their eyes burning with fury as they glared at Yugito.
"Sasuke," Naruto and Sakura began to speak, but Sasuke gently raised his hand to silence them, his expression remaining calm and detached.
'What a coward!' Yugito sneered inwardly, seeing Sasuke's unruffled demeanor.
Despite being so close to Konoha, she felt no apprehension whatsoever.
Arrogant by nature, she looked down on Konoha's ninja, viewing their reputation as the strongest of the Five Great Nations as a mere facade—a bunch of weaklings.
This contempt had only deepened years earlier when the Cloud Ninja had easily forced Konoha to compel the Hyuga Clan's leader to commit suicide (though Hyuga Hizashi had taken his place).
"Oh, you were asking me?" Sasuke chuckled softly, his voice nonchalant. "But didn't your mother ever teach you to be polite when asking questions?"
With that, Sasuke suddenly struck Naruto in the jaw with a backhanded punch.
"Sasuke, what the—!"
Naruto immediately staggered, his head spinning violently.
After a moment of dazed confusion, he collapsed to the ground, clearly needing time to regain his senses.
Yugito froze, completely baffled by Sasuke's sudden attack on his own teammate.
Lost in thought, Sasuke clapped his hands, each word deliberate and biting: "Or could it be you never had a mother growing up, so no one ever taught you basic manners?"
At these words, Yugito's face darkened ominously, her gaze sharpening like a razor's edge, her pitch-black pupils radiating a palpable aura of danger.
"Very well, Uchiha brat. You've infuriated me."
"Angry?" Sasuke chuckled mirthlessly. "Looks like my words struck a nerve."
"Hmph." Yugito sneered, a chilling, bone-deep killing intent erupting from her entire being.
"I'll tear your mouth apart and break every bone in your legs as punishment for provoking me!"
"You can try!"
Even facing the legendary Perfect Jinchūriki, Uchiha Sasuke refused to yield an inch.
Sasuke considered himself a patient person, but that didn't mean he lacked a temper. He knew he might not yet be a match for Yugito's full power as a Perfect Jinchūriki.
But so what?
'He who insults others will be insulted in return!'
Sasuke felt no fear whatsoever; instead, the blood coursing through his veins seemed to boil with excitement.
Moreover, against a ninja from a martial-focused village like Yugito's, restraint would only be interpreted as weakness.
They'd only be seen as weak and easily exploited, leading to further escalation and encroachment!
Kumogakure valued unity and cherished comrades. Even Jinchūriki were treated far better there than in other ninja villages, free from the convoluted schemes and manipulations prevalent elsewhere.
However, their tolerance and compassion were reserved solely for their own people. To ninja from other nations, Cloud Ninja were ruthless bandits who would stop at nothing to achieve their goals!
"Sakura, get Naruto away from here!"
"Sasuke, you—"
Sakura opened her mouth to speak, but seeing the unwavering resolve in Sasuke's voice, she swallowed her words.
"Be careful, Sasuke."
"Got it!"
Unexpectedly, Yugito didn't attack immediately. She silently watched Sakura drag Naruto away before calmly remarking, "You're quite concerned about your comrades, aren't you? But it's a pointless gesture. I have no interest in harming your companions."
In response to Yugito's words, Sasuke merely drew the hilt of the Thunder God Sword. A golden lightsaber crackling with lightning erupted from the hilt.
___
This Sasuke Is Strange 170 advanced chapters: (5 ch updates everyday)
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