"Sasuke-kun, you're here!"
Just as Sasuke turned his gaze toward the colossal tree in Takigakure, a crisp, cheerful voice rang out from behind him.
Hearing the greeting, Sasuke calmly retracted his Mangekyō Sharingan, his expression remaining neutral.
Turning toward the newcomer, he saw Fu, her face radiating a sunny smile.
"Hello, Fu."
"Weren't you with Naruto?"
Fu pouted slightly. "Those Rain Ninja committed suicide, so Village Chief Shabuki sent some people to guard Sakura-chan and the others. He told me to go rest, so I came out for a stroll."
"Committed suicide?" Sasuke chewed on the words.
"Mm-hmm!" Fu nodded, then glanced at the distant giant tree and asked with a grin, "Sasuke-kun, were you looking at the Sacred Tree just now?"
"Yes."
Sasuke didn't deny it, replying calmly, "I've never seen a tree this massive before. I'm curious. Could you tell me more about the legends surrounding this tree, Fu?"
"Of course, Sasuke-kun! We're friends, aren't we?"
Fu nodded eagerly, tapping her chin thoughtfully.
After a moment of contemplation, she said, "The Sacred Tree has been this huge for as long as I can remember. Every year during major festivals, the entire village gathers beneath its branches for a ceremony, praying for peace, safety, and abundant harvests in the new year."
"I don't know much about the Sacred Tree's origins either," Fu said. "But the village elders say it's been here for at least several hundred years, maybe even over a thousand—long before the Takigakure was established. Our ancestors built their village around the tree and have thrived here ever since."
'Festivals, prayers, centuries, millennia.'
Fu spoke casually, but Sasuke's mind raced.
He keenly noted the key phrases she'd mentioned.
"Oh, right, there's one more thing!" Fu exclaimed, her cheerful tone returning. "Legend says the Sacred Tree produces Hero's Water every hundred years. Drinking it can increase a person's chakra reserves tenfold!"
"But Village Chief Shabuki warned us that the Hero's Water is a double-edged sword. As the price for this chakra boost, it devours the user's life force and body. That's why the Hero's Water is sealed away, only to be used in times of dire crisis."
"So the name 'Hero's Water' is for those heroes who would risk their lives to protect the village in times of great danger. And protecting the Hero's Water is the village leader's greatest responsibility."
"Hero's Water..." Sasuke murmured, searching his past life memories for any trace of it, but found nothing.
Sasuke knew the Takigakure possessed the Seven-Tails.
But he was completely unaware of the existence of this massive tree, resembling a divine tree, and the Hero's Water, a product derived from beneath it.
He figured this information must have been revealed in some of the episodes around episode 720, which he had selectively skipped.
As he quickly processed this, Sasuke glanced at the candid, dark-skinned girl before him and chuckled silently.
Only someone as naive and innocent as Fu—a complete airhead—would casually spill such a vital village secret to a "friend" she'd known for less than a day.
If Village Chief Shabuki ever found out, he'd probably die of anger.
"The village has always revered the Sacred Tree as a sacred relic, worshiping it for generations," Fu explained. "But my friend Little Bug told me he really hates the Sacred Tree and wants me to stay away from it. Hehe, I don't really listen to him, though."
'Little Bug?'
'That must be the Seven-Tailed Beast, Chomei.'
After a moment's contemplation, Sasuke said, "Thank you for telling me so much, Fu."
"Sasuke-kun, you're too polite!" Fu replied with a hearty laugh, her face beaming. "If there's anything else you want to know or anything I can help with, just ask!"
Sasuke's eyes flickered slightly. "Perhaps there will be times in the future when I might need your help," he said casually.
"Tell me, I promise I'll do it!"
"I haven't even said what it is yet," Sasuke chuckled at Fu's carefree attitude.
"Aren't you afraid whatever I ask might be to your detriment? That it could harm you?"
"How could it?" Fu glanced at Sasuke, a hint of confusion in her eyes, and replied casually, "Sasuke-kun and I are good friends, aren't we? Friends should be honest with each other. I trust you would never hurt me."
'Friends should be honest with each other.'
Looking at Fu's sincere expression, Sasuke found himself momentarily speechless, a strange warmth stirring in his heart.
Perhaps he truly did have a few so-called friends in this world.
But he was hiding too many secrets, making it impossible for him to be truly honest or treat others with genuine sincerity.
"Just tell me what you need help with. Don't hold back!"
After a long silence, Sasuke suddenly smiled, a genuine, carefree smile. He didn't specify what help he needed, but instead addressed the dark-skinned girl before him:
"Let's save that for later. You're right about one thing—friends should help each other. As your friend, if you ever find yourself in danger, I'll come to your aid."
"Get back and rest early," Sasuke said, leaving Fu standing there, slightly dazed.
"Danger? What kind of danger could I be in?" Fu murmured to herself, snapping out of her daze.
"Fu, stay away from that Uchiha guy from now on!"
The voice of the Seven-Tailed Chomei suddenly echoed in her ear, its tone gravely warning her: "I can sense his ill intentions toward you."
"Relax, relax, Little Bug! You're overthinking things. Sasuke-kun is my friend—why would he ever harm me?" Fu retorted, her face incredulous. "He even said earlier that he'd come to protect me if I was in danger."
"You're so naive, little girl! You can't trust the words of an Uchiha!" the Seven-Tailed Chomei growled. "The Uchiha clan is inherently evil. They..."
"Enough! I'll get angry if you keep talking like that, Little Bug!" Fu interrupted, her voice stern. "Stop judging people through tinted lenses and prejudice. How are you any different from those who label you as cursed and evil?"
"Sigh... You stubborn little girl. Forget it."
Seven-Tailed Chomei's voice was filled with resignation, and he didn't finish his sentence.
In the dead of night, the earth had fallen into a deep slumber. Apart from the occasional cicada's call and the rustling of branches, an eerie silence enveloped the surroundings.
Within the colossal tree, a figure moved with practiced ease through the secret chambers known only to the leaders of Takigakure.
He entered a small shrine at the center of which stood a thick, verdant branch. Suspended from its tip was a transparent glass vial filled with a clear, crystalline liquid.
Sasuke looked up, revealing the Mangekyō Sharingan in his eyes, and stepped forward to retrieve the vial.
The moment he detached the vial, a sudden transformation occurred. The thick branch began to sway violently, slowly reaching out toward Sasuke.
Simultaneously, a gentle, maternal whisper echoed in Sasuke's mind, urging him to drink the Hero's Water in his hand.
Sasuke smiled faintly, tucked the Hero's Water into his waist pouch, and deftly dodged the reaching branch.
"Next time," he said, "next time, definitely!"
___
This Sasuke Is Strange 300 advanced chapters: (5 ch updates everyday)
Patreon.com/rashta
Be a member so you can also read:
1. 345 adv ch of Talent System In Naruto (Completed)
2. 487 adv ch of This Danzo Is Weird
3. 270 adv ch of Uchiha Madara's Cousin
4. 163 adv ch of WDQK: Divorcing Ling Qingzhu (Completed)
5. 560 adv ch of Qian Renxue's Younger Brother
6. 274 adv ch of I'm Huo Yuhao's System
7. Adv chapters of Naruto: Galgame System (Upcoming)