Sasuke remained silent.
The Mangekyō Sharingan sounded unreal.
Too strong.
Too absolute.
When Arata described Madara—how shinobi couldn't even look into his eyes—
Something twisted inside Sasuke's chest.
Strong.
Cool.
Unreachable.
That was the power he wanted.
His fist slowly clenched.
If I awaken the Mangekyō… I can kill him. I will.
Arata spoke casually.
"Then you'd better work hard."
"Because it's obvious Itachi has the Mangekyō too."
Then he added lightly,
"But I've always believed you'll surpass him someday."
"By a lot."
Sasuke stared at him.
"Why are you so sure?"
Arata smiled.
"Because I can see your potential."
"And more importantly—you have a goal you're willing to sacrifice everything for."
"You're that kind of person."
"So yeah. I have confidence in you."
Of course, Arata was lying.
He knew the future.
What he didn't realize was this—
His presence had already changed it.
Sasuke's expression grew complicated.
Expectation from someone important wasn't encouragement.
It was pressure.
And without realizing it, Sasuke had already begun to see Arata as important.
That made Arata's faith feel almost suffocating.
Still, Sasuke straightened and replied coldly,
"Of course."
"I'll do it."
Then he added sharply,
"And one day… I'll defeat you too."
Naruto jumped up instantly.
"Me too! I'm gonna beat you someday, Arata!"
He turned to Sasuke eagerly.
"Sasuke! This is the one thing we finally agree on!"
Sasuke didn't answer.
Deep down, he'd thought about defeating Arata too.
But even he didn't have confidence anymore.
In his heart, Arata had already become someone even harder to surpass than Itachi.
But Sasuke didn't resent him.
Because he truly considered Arata a friend.
Someone important.
Arata had helped him again and again.
Sasuke believed Arata genuinely meant well.
(Of course, Sasuke didn't realize Arata talked so much mainly because he didn't want Sasuke clinging to him.)
Sasuke now believed this:
Beating Itachi someday might be possible.
But beating Arata?
He couldn't even see that far.
The gap wasn't large—
It was invisible.
And when the gap becomes invisible, rivalry fades.
You stop chasing.
Because you don't even know where the target is.
That was Sasuke's true mindset now.
Naruto, however, understood none of that.
Seeing Sasuke stay silent, he got angry.
"Hey! Don't tell me you think you can't surpass Arata?!"
Arata stepped in before things escalated.
He grabbed Naruto by the collar and yanked him back.
"That's enough, Naruto."
"I'm right here. I'll accept your challenge anytime."
"So stop yelling and go train."
Then he glanced at Sasuke.
"He probably thinks the same."
"He just doesn't feel the need to shout it."
Arata continued seriously, as if delivering sage wisdom:
"Real strong people have presence."
"They don't talk much."
"The fewer words you say, the cooler you look."
Naruto blinked.
Then his imagination immediately spiraled out of control.
In his mind, he was already stepping on Arata while Sakura threw herself into his arms.
He started grinning like an idiot.
Arata stared at him, exhausted.
This guy's delusions are unstoppable.
Sakura saw exactly what Naruto was thinking and silently stepped two paces away.
Naruto tried imitating Sasuke's stoic expression.
It lasted three seconds.
Then he cracked.
Arata stopped paying attention to him.
Sasuke asked instead,
"That Uchiha Madara… who exactly was he?"
"Was he really that strong?"
Sakura leaned in as well.
She'd heard the Uchiha were famous—but knew almost nothing about their legends.
After all, by the time she was old enough to listen to stories, the clan was already gone.
Arata explained.
"The records say Madara was once the Uchiha clan head."
"He awakened the Mangekyō."
"He and the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, ended the Warring States era together."
"Madara was also one of Konoha's founders."
He continued steadily.
"His power could destroy a nation."
"His jutsu reshaped terrain."
"But his ideals eventually clashed with Hashirama's."
"So he left."
"And later returned, trying to forcibly change Konoha."
"Hashirama stopped him."
"They fought at the Valley of the End."
"That valley exists because of their battle."
He looked directly at Sasuke.
"That's how absurd they were."
"Madara was the strongest shinobi in the world…"
"…except for Hashirama."
The three fell silent.
They couldn't imagine power on that scale.
Arata finished by saying to Sasuke:
"I believe you'll reach Madara's level someday."
"Maybe even surpass him."
Then he pointed at Sasuke's book.
"Now flip back."
"Read what it says about the Mangekyō Sharingan."
All three glared at him like he'd cut off the best part of a story.
Arata sighed.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Business first."
"Stories can wait."
Sasuke didn't realize it—
But being around Arata had already changed him.
He wasn't as reckless anymore.
He still wanted revenge—
But now he believed in taking it step by step.
He glanced at Naruto, Sakura… and Arata standing before him.
And for the first time in a long while—
He felt it clearly.
He wasn't alone.
There were people in his life now.
People he couldn't easily cut away.
Arata, of course, had no idea.
He'd only been talking so much because he didn't want Sasuke clinging to him.
He never expected Sasuke to take it this seriously.
Never expected his mindset to shift.
But it had.
Quietly.
Without anyone noticing—
Sasuke's heart had already begun to change.
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