Chapter 66: The Unmasking

At first, Kakashi’s objective had been simple: locate and retrieve Sasuke. But the moment he laid eyes on this “Sasuke,” a deep, gnawing sense of wrongness had taken root. That instinct had made him hold back, observing the clash between this stranger and his students rather than immediately intervening.

With every movement, every technique, his suspicion grew from a vague intuition into a hard, undeniable certainty. The person standing before them was not Uchiha Sasuke. Or at least, not the Sasuke they knew.

The fighting style was utterly alien. The Sasuke he’d trained would never rely on Shadow Clones in combat—a technique he had always seen as Naruto’s crutch—and certainly never wield the Rasengan, a hallmark of the Fourth Hokage and Naruto himself. More than the techniques, it was the demeanor: cunning, almost playful cruelty, far removed from the brooding, focused boy Kakashi remembered.

“You…” Kakashi began, voice low and deliberate, “…are you really Sasuke?”

Ren’s smirk didn’t falter, though a flicker of surprise crossed his features, quickly suppressed. “Oh? And why would you ask that?”

“From the moment I saw you, something felt… off. At first, I dismissed it, blaming Orochimaru for changes in you. But the longer I watched, the more certain I became.”

“What exactly do you find suspicious?”

“First,” Kakashi said, raising a finger, “Sasuke never used Shadow Clones in battle. You used them multiple times against Naruto. Second,” another finger rose, “you used the Rasengan—a technique Sasuke has no connection to. Finally… your presence. You’re sly, calculating. Not him at all.”

“And you base your accusation on just that?” Ren’s tone was light, almost teasing.

“There’s more,” Kakashi said, his visible eye sharpening. “What sealed my suspicion was your behavior toward Ino.”

Ino, still trembling, looked up sharply. Her mind replayed her punch, Ren’s lack of retaliation, his strange words… and a fragile hope bloomed within her.

“You treated the rest of us with cold disdain, like strangers. But toward Ino, it was different. You didn’t fight back when she attacked. She wasn’t close to Sasuke—she was close to his brother, Uchiha Ren. Am I right?” Kakashi’s gaze pierced him, methodical, unyielding.

“That’s… true,” Ino whispered, voice trembling.

“You’ve said a lot,” Ren replied lightly, though the smirk was slightly forced. “What’s your point?”

“My point,” Kakashi said, voice lowering with gravity, “is this: you are not Sasuke at all.”

A stunned silence fell. Naruto, Sakura, Shikamaru, and Choji stared, minds reeling. Not Sasuke? Then who is he? Why does he look exactly like him?

Tears Ino had been holding back now spilled freely. A kunai clattered to the ground. She stepped forward, then another, and finally ran—heart pounding, hope fragile but fierce—straight toward Ren.

“Ino, wait! Be careful!” Shikamaru yelled, fear in his voice.

But she did not stop. She reached him, eyes brimming with tears, searching his face. The violent retaliation they all expected never came. Instead, Ren looked down at her with the same wry, almost sad smile he had reserved for her alone.

For a long moment, they simply stared at each other. Then, with a choked sob, Ino threw herself into his arms, burying her face in his chest as if he were a lifeline.

“What… what’s going on? Why is Ino…?” Naruto mumbled, utterly bewildered.

Sakura could only stare, her emotions a tangled mess of confusion, relief, and jealousy.

Shikamaru’s eyes narrowed, mind racing. According to Kakashi-sensei’s reasoning—and Ino’s reaction—is it possible? Could this really be Uchiha Ren?

Ren chuckled softly, arms rising to return the embrace gently. “Some things never change, Ino. You still like to cling to people.”

“I finally found you,” she whispered into his chest, voice muffled. “Ren.”

“I’m sorry,” he murmured, gentle for the first time. “I made you worry. Please… don’t cry.” He lifted a hand, brushing the tears from her cheek.

“My guess was correct,” Kakashi said firmly. “You are Uchiha Ren—the one everyone wrote off as lost, the one they forgot.”

Shock rippled through the group.

“This… how is this possible?” Sakura gasped, hand flying to her mouth. “He’s… he’s really…” The words died in her throat. Read complete version only at novel fire.net

The boy they had pitied, ignored, or forgotten had become a shinobi stronger than them all combined. It was almost inconceivable, yet Kakashi’s logic and Ino’s reaction left no other possibility.

Ren snorted, glancing past Ino at Sakura. “So it’s ‘that idiot Uchiha Ren,’ is it?”

“I… I didn’t mean…” Sakura stammered, flustered and embarrassed.

“Ren, I’m sorry!” Ino said, stepping back slightly, eyes pleading. “Sakura-chan didn’t mean it like that. She’s not malicious—please, don’t be angry.”

Ren’s cold expression softened. “Haha! Don’t worry. I’m not so petty as to hold a grudge. Ask me not to be angry, and I won’t be.”

“You’re really Ren?” Naruto finally exclaimed, joy replacing confusion. He stumbled forward, injuries forgotten. “You got your memories back? You’re… better?!”

“Yes,” Ren said, meeting his gaze. “I am Uchiha Ren. Got a problem with that?”

“It IS you! Haha! AWESOME!” Naruto shouted, jumping with joy. Pain and bruises forgotten, fists pumping.

Shikamaru winced, touching a sore bruise. He was ready to fight him a minute ago… and now he’s celebrating? His nerve is ridiculous.

Ren watched Naruto’s display, a genuine smile for the first time. I should’ve known… this is so Naruto.

“Naruto,” Kakashi’s voice cut through the jubilation, grounding the moment. “Don’t celebrate just yet. While we now know he is Uchiha Ren, our business isn’t over.”

“Eh? Huh?” Naruto froze, suddenly aware of their location and purpose. He scratched the back of his neck sheepishly.

Kakashi stepped forward, gaze locked onto Ren. His voice was grave, commanding. “Let’s talk, Uchiha Ren.”

Ren’s gentle smile vanished, replaced by a cool, assessing look. “Oh? Let’s.”

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