Chapter 180: Sasuke Activates Mangekyo Sharingan [Part 2] (Patreon)

Chapter List: Naruto: Sakura Blizzard

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"My injuries are all external," Sakura remarked, her tone casual as she examined her wounds. "They may look frightening, but the problem isn't severe. It's just that the energy around the wounds hasn't dissipated yet, making them appear grotesque. Once the residual energy in the wounds gradually disperses, I can use medical ninjutsu to heal them. It won't affect my combat abilities anyway."

Sakura wore an indifferent expression, but in reality, her left arm was nearly numb from the intense pain. She simply didn't want others to worry too much. The sensation of her flesh being forcibly torn by the energy was far from pleasant, especially since this energy hadn't dissipated yet. The cracks spread from her neck to her right forearm, making her discomfort all too real.

"That's good to hear," Shisui and the others reassured her verbally, but their concealed concern betrayed them. They weren't fools; such terrifying injuries had to be excruciating. However, since Sakura didn't want them to fret, they chose to go along with her decision, albeit with Orochimaru's actions quietly noted in their minds.

"Sasuke, since everyone has some free time now, why don't I help you boost your strength?" Sakura suggested, redirecting everyone's focus to Sasuke. It seemed like Sasuke was looking to enhance his abilities, so why not help him activate the Mangekyo Sharingan?

"What are you planning?" Sasuke's nerves instantly tensed as an ominous premonition washed over him.

"It's nothing major—just helping you activate the Mangekyo Sharingan," Sakura replied, her left hand firmly gripping Sasuke's shoulder. "Don't worry; it won't be a big deal. A simple genjutsu will do the trick."

"Let go of me..." Sasuke's expression turned anxious, but he hesitated to struggle too forcefully, considering Sakura's injuries. However, just the thought of Sakura helping him awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan sent shivers down his spine.

"Don't be afraid. I won't subject you to another genjutsu of your brother and Shisui fooling around in bed. I don't like repeating the same tricks!" Sakura said with a mischievous smile, but Shisui's face instantly darkened. He had witnessed the previous genjutsu alongside them, and if he hadn't already activated his Mangekyo Sharingan, it might have upgraded out of sheer fright.

"Let go of me. I don't want to activate the Mangekyo Sharingan right now. I'll awaken it through my own efforts. I don't need your help!" Sasuke's expression grew even more panicked. Sakura's words made him feel increasingly uneasy; after all, the countless tragic experiences from the past were still fresh in his memory.

"It's too late," Sakura declared.

Invisible energy infiltrated Sasuke's mind, and Sakura's cheek twitched involuntarily. The power of the Mind Gem triggered a fluctuation in the residual Power Stone energy within the wounds on the right side of her body, causing the injured area to throb painfully.

In the mental realm, Sasuke sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, his head hanging low. Above him, an illusory screen played the illusions he was currently experiencing.

While Uchiha Itachi and Shisui displayed unnatural reactions, Uchiha Fugaku showed concern, and hidden expectations shimmered in Uchiha Mikoto's eyes, the others remained largely unfazed. Well, it wasn't their concern, so they simply watched from a distance.

"Naruto, you and Sakura..." Kushina Uzumaki's gaze locked onto Naruto, who had his head nestled in Sakura's embrace, their intimacy evident. Her eyes lit up with excitement.

"Hehehe..." Naruto chuckled awkwardly, unsure of how to respond. In the end, Sakura stepped in, slightly exasperated, to divert Kushina Uzumaki's attention elsewhere.

"Um, Aunt Kushina Uzumaki, maybe we should first check on Sasuke's condition!"

Faced with Sakura's deft change of topic, Kushina Uzumaki didn't press further. Instead, she wore a genuinely relieved smile and turned her attention towards the illusion above Sasuke's head.

"Naruto, it seems like you and Sakura aren't doing too well!" Minato Namikaze, however, keenly observed the unusual state of the two and furrowed his brow.

"They ran into Orochimaru. Your son played the hero, took a sword through the heart from Orochimaru, and then your future daughter-in-law, in her anger, unleashed a formidable power that drove Orochimaru away. But she suffered significant backlash herself. If I'm not mistaken, her entire right side should be seriously injured."

Thanks to the connection between Tailed Beasts and Jinchuriki, the Nine-Tails had a clear view of everything and had pieced together Sakura's condition quite accurately.

"What? Orochimaru that tortoise egg actually dared to lay a hand on you guys?" Kushina Uzumaki, upon hearing this, was so furious that her chakra surged wildly. Chains of chakra she used for the Adamantine Sealing Chains kept appearing behind her, prompting even the Nine-Tails to shrink back. The power of these chains was quite formidable for Tailed Beasts, so staying away was a wise choice.

"Hey, Aunt Kushina, no need to be angry; we're fine!" Sakura reassured Kushina Uzumaki, giving the Nine-Tails a discreet glare. "We'll recover in just a couple of days."

"That's right, Mom. I have strong vitality, and these injuries are nothing serious!" Naruto chimed in.

"Isn't this considered severe?" Kushina Uzumaki pulled down Sakura's sleeve to reveal the arm covered in cracks, her face filled with heartache. "You're being too stubborn, child. You're enduring such serious injuries!"

"Uh, it's really not that bad. It's just that the energy hasn't dissipated, making it look scary. Once the energy around the wound disappears, a simple use of the Yang Chakra Sage Jutsu will heal it. Compared to Naruto's heart being pierced, my injuries are quite light!"

Sakura wore a smile on her face, and thinking about how Naruto had rushed to her aid without hesitation warmed her heart, temporarily pushing aside the pain on her right side.

"Naruto has strong vitality, and I'm not worried about his minor injuries. But your injuries are severe, and you can't recover as quickly as he can. How can I not worry?" With just a glance at Sakura's forearm, Kushina Uzumaki could tell how serious the injuries on her entire right side were. Along with her heartache, she secretly cursed Orochimaru. If she ever had the chance, she would give that guy a severe beating.

"Hehe, Aunt Kushina Uzumaki, let me tell you a secret. In a way, I can't die. These injuries are just a little painful..." Sakura said with a smile. The power of the Infinity Stones was enough to grant her immortality, so she had already formed another plan in her heart, specifically tailored for Naruto and the others.

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Next Chapter >>Chapter 181: This Is the Last Time, Sasuke! [Part 1]