Inside Sogetsu's Seal space, two cold-hearted beings were currently confronting each other with their true intentions hidden deeply in their hearts...

However, that silence didn't last for long as Bakorio shrugged and said "So, why did you tell us this information? I don't think you've got it in your demonic heart to help others"

Hearing this, Suija didn't deny it and instead nodded "Indeed, I wouldn't help you if this didn't benefit me as well... but it does!"

This truly attracted Bakorio's curiosity so he asked "And how does this benefit you?"

Suija unleashed his unique demonic aura and said eerily "I can help you unveil the process of how the Heart demon managed to pass on his bloodline, in exchange, I might find clues on his disappearance and maybe… Just maybe… Clues regarding Aster"

"Aster huh?" Bakorio's eyes flickered slightly as a certain priestess flashed through his eyes but he turned his attention to Suija and thought 'This demon is definitely plotting something… He can't be trusted'

The moment Bakorio concluded this thought, he directly shut down Suija with a smirk on his face "Unfortunately, I don't need your help in this matter... just be a good demon and stay here in your prison"

Hearing this, Suija smiled eerily and said "As I guessed, you probably know a very strong demon and he's giving information about us… It's fine, eventually, you will come to ask me for help on your own, but you might not be able to pay the price at that time"

Bakorio couldn't help but tilt his head at the confident demon before he chuckled slightly and said "We will see if you stay this confident in the future"

Then, he directly vanished leaving the peaceful demon lost in his not so peaceful thoughts until he eventually muttered with a dark look on his face "Who's it… who's the demon helping this bastard in the dark?"

…

Meanwhile, After Bakorio left the seal space, he advised Sogetsu and Kazuki to not listen to these demons anymore and told them that he will study Ranmaru's situation on his own.

Nodding in understanding, the two brothers left, while he went to training ground number 7 where a certain Sasuke was waiting for him with a dark look on his face…

'Hmm this brat…' Bakorio silently hid his presence and started approaching Sasuke from the back and tried to smack him on the head, but at the last second, Sasuke ducked down and barely dodge his attack showing how honed his instincts were!

"Hmm, not bad, it seems like you mastered the art of being aware at all times" Bakorio spoke with a slight smile on his face as the image of him first meeting Sasuke flashed through his eyes…

"Teacher, why did you help Naruto behind my back?" Asked Sasuke with a grieved look on his face, and Bakorio couldn't help but pinch his cheeks and said "I didn't choose to, he asked to be trained secretly… Although someone eventually figured it out when he kept noticing his bruised hands"

'How could I pass on an opportunity to get you motivated you arrogant brat' Thought Bakorio with a smirk...

"Was it Shikamaru?" Asked Sasuke with a slight pout on his face and Bakorio nodded at him with a distant look "That guy might not be as strong as you or Naruto, but he's far smarter and perceptive… That's his strength"

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"What the point of being that smart if you are weak?" Sasuke asked with a mocking look which earned him a punch from Bakorio that buried him into the ground and made him see stars, and when he regained his focus, he heard Bakorio say

"Some situations call for brave warriors… Others require wise Generals… Each of you will play a different role in life and only the future can tell who's going to make the biggest impact…"

"But I…" Sasuke tried to speak but he fell silent after seeing Bakorio was starting to grow angry so he said reluctantly "Sorry…"

"You should apologize to Shikamaru, not me… Anyways, you want to grow stronger right?" Bakorio asked calmly while sitting down on a chair he created through earth manipulation...

"Yes" Sasuke replied with determination…

"Do you have any plans in mind?" Bakorio asked with narrowed eyes and Sasuke stared directly at his blood-red Sharingan and said "I want to have eyes similar to brother and father… You too have it right? The Mangekyo Sharingan!"

"Hmm…" Bakorio contemplated silently while staring at Sasuke until he made him uncomfortable and ask "What's wrong… Is it impossible?"

Hearing this, Bakorio shook his head and said "No I can do it, however, let me ask you this… Who do you think will win in a fight if you only use the basic Sharingan, you or Itachi?"

"Of course Itachi" Replied Sasuke without hesitation prompting Bakorio to ask next "What about a fight between you and Fugaku"

"Eh... Father will win..." Sasuke said hesitantly, and seeing this, Bakorio finally asked him the true question "Why do you think that's the case?"

"I…" Sasuke suddenly felt stumped by this question so he started contemplating it deeply 'Why would I lose to brother and father? I have a strong Jutsu like the Chidori, and I even learned Kenjutsu and Taijutsu from teacher…'

Many scenarios flashed through Sasuke's head until a single answer came to his mind "The only reason I could think of for my loss is that I lack experience…"

"That's correct" Bakorio nodded before he raised one finger and said "But that's only one reason for it…"

"What do you mean?" Sasuke asked curiously really wishing to get an answer

"A ninja is strong only when they create their own style of fighting that covers all possible situations… Dealing with small, huge, singular, or many targets, close or ranged… A skilled ninja has a fighting style that could deal with all of those situations, and this is the kind of ninja Itachi is, which is why he's feared wherever he goes… His Mangekyo Sharingan is just the icing on the cake"

"Fighting style?" Sasuke asked in confusion but a light of hope was flickering in his eyes…

"Yes… fighting style, the best Jutsu you have, the Chidori is only good at dealing with single targets, and it's close range so it puts you in danger. You need to develop other techniques if you want to get stronger"

Sasuke fell silent slightly before he asked "What are the other reasons?"

At this, Bakorio simply pointed at his heart and said "You need a reason to fight for, why do you desire strength? Who are you willing to risk your life for? These are what give you the determination to walk the path of a ninja!"

"I want to protect the people I love, so teacher, Please teach me!" Replied Sasuke without hesitation and bowed slightly bringing a smile to Bakorio's face and he rubbed his head gently "Of course I will"

"HEHEHE I will surpass those bastards and teach that brat Kazuki a lesson for messing with me" Sasuke got excited and clenched his hands.

Meanwhile, Bakorio simply smiled warmly and though 'How can I not help you when you look up this much to me… Worshiped huh… That's quite a jump of reputation between characters considering that idiot Suija views me as a mortal enemy yet still wants me to trust him… Tsk'

So, Sasuke's training started, training to learn new variations for his Chidori and how to integrate them into his fighting style…

…

Meanwhile, inside Kara's headquarters, Amado slowly approached Jigen and reported "Jigen-sama, the test results for Bakorio's body are out…"

"Oh, what do you think?" Jigen asked curiously and Amado reported everything to him without hesitation

"The quality of his body is very high and he even has many bloodlines of descendants of the Otsutsuki making him very suitable as a vessel. But there's an anomaly with his life force that I'm still not so sure about, but I believe it will affect the experiment favorably when you inject him with your Kama… However, his mental state doesn't seem stable"

"I see… I sensed that abnormality as well, that's why I captured him… good let's try it, his mental state won't matter since I plan to take over his body anyways… Thankfully we won't have to bother with enhancing that other guy's body anymore"

"That's right, I will take care of disposing of him…" Amado responded and Jigen casually nodded as he started making his way toward Bakorio's location…