131-135

Chapter 131: The Ninja Academy Incident  

The gazes in the classroom instantly turned toward Naruto and Iruka.  

Naruto continued staring out the window, showing no intention of turning around, pretending not to hear.  

Iruka felt the stares of his students on him, causing a mix of shame and anger to well up inside. He was starting to feel cornered.  

At that moment, his anger burned fiercely, rapidly consuming his rationality.  

"Heh, looks like this dead last is trying to grab attention. This should be fun to watch."  

Whispers began spreading throughout the classroom.  

"Get out!"  

With everyone’s attention focused on Iruka, he realized that if he didn’t handle this well, he’d lose all authority in the future.  

Raising his voice a few decibels, he spoke again, now gripping a piece of chalk from the podium. His fingers tightened until the chalk snapped in half—one piece falling to the floor, the other remaining in his hand.  

But Naruto remained unmoved, as if he hadn’t heard a thing.  

Frustrated, Iruka hurled the chalk in Naruto’s direction with chakra-enhanced force.  

The piece of chalk sliced through the air with a sharp sound, flying straight toward Naruto’s head.  

If it hit, while it might not cause a concussion, it would definitely leave a nasty bump.  

The moment he threw it, Iruka regretted it, berating himself for losing his temper and acting irrationally.  

"If I lose my teaching license because of the demon fox... it wouldn’t be worth it," he thought bitterly.  

But then, remembering Naruto was the demon fox, he rationalized that if the boy were expelled, many parents might even support him for it...  

Iruka’s thoughts were a chaotic mix of emotions.  

"Chalk is for writing, not throwing!"  

As the chalk approached Naruto, Sasuke noticed Naruto’s unresponsive demeanor. Without hesitation, he planted one foot on a chair, leapt onto the desk, and delivered a flying kick, sending the chalk hurtling back at Iruka with even greater speed.  

Sasuke landed gracefully, arms crossed, looking down at Iruka with a mocking gaze.  

"Do you think this is how a teacher should act?" he said, his tone dripping with disdain.  

Naruto’s shadow clone secretly sighed in disappointment, but he remembered Kakashi’s advice to keep a low profile and let his thoughts settle.  

"This Sasuke guy knows when to step up," thought Naruto’s shadow clone. "He might be worth befriending..."  

Iruka, seeing the chalk he had thrown deflected by Sasuke, exhaled a small breath of relief.  

But then his pupils shrank in shock.  

"How is Sasuke this strong?"  

The chalk hadn’t disintegrated into powder after being kicked back. This meant Sasuke’s chakra control had reached an extraordinarily high level—far surpassing what Iruka expected of a student.  

To put it bluntly, Sasuke’s skill already surpassed that of his teacher.  

Iruka pulled out a kunai and slashed at the chalk piece with all his might.  

"Ugh..."  

Though he managed to cut through the chalk, the backlash from the impact jarred his wrist, causing him to momentarily lose balance. A small fragment of the chalk struck his shoulder, making him let out a muffled groan as he staggered back a step.  

"Sasuke! You’re standing outside to listen to the lesson too!"  

Now humiliated and furious, Iruka’s anger boiled over. The strange looks from the students made him feel utterly humiliated.  

The situation was spiraling out of his control...  

In his frustration, he shouted at Sasuke in a desperate attempt to reassert his authority.  

"You should be the one leaving," Sasuke retorted, his voice calm but cutting. "With skills like yours, and a temper like that, what qualifies you to teach us?"  

Hearing Sasuke’s retort, Iruka was stunned into silence.  

To Sasuke, Iruka was nothing more than a disgrace to the teaching profession.  

While he was kind to most students, Sasuke had noticed how he always picked on Naruto, who sat right next to him. Sasuke saw more than others and couldn’t ignore the blatant unfairness.  

This mistreatment happened right under his nose.  

"You..."  

"Shhh..."  

Iruka was trembling with rage at Sasuke’s words.  

But the classroom erupted in murmurs and hushed laughter.  

To the students, a teacher who couldn’t even handle a piece of chalk and lost a confrontation with a student wasn’t worth their respect.  

Many of their families had shinobi, and in their eyes, Iruka was far too weak to teach.  

Furious, Iruka glared at Naruto, who still hadn’t turned around. In his mind, Naruto was the root cause of all this chaos.  

He dared not provoke Sasuke, so his resentment instinctively turned to Naruto...  

And after that brief exchange with Sasuke, Iruka realized he was no match for him in strength either.  

Unknowingly, this ten-year-old child had already surpassed him.  

Frustrated and humiliated, Iruka stormed out of the classroom.  

There was nothing else he could do—he’d been utterly defeated.  

As Iruka exited, Sasuke lowered his crossed arms and slipped his hands into his pockets.  

"Let me back in..."  

Sasuke looked at Naruto, who clearly had no intention of letting him in, and spoke in an annoyed tone.  

Just a moment ago, he had stood up for Naruto, and now, not only did Naruto not thank him, but he also refused to let him in. It was utterly absurd.  

He despised the surrounding stares.  

A bunch of fickle people, swayed by the wind. He refused to associate himself with them.  

From a flawless version read in a forum!  

“So handsome…”  

Not far from where Naruto and Sasuke stood, Sakura and Ino practically spoke in unison, their eyes full of admiration as they gazed blankly.  

“Lord Hokage, you must help me…”  

After leaving the classroom, Iruka mulled over his options, and after hesitating for a while, he decided to seek out Hiruzen Sarutobi.  

Hiruzen Sarutobi already had a splitting headache.  

Now, seeing Iruka’s angry face, coming to complain, only added to his frustration.  

“What’s going on?”  

Suppressing his irritation, Hiruzen furrowed his brows and asked.  

After all, Iruka was one of his trusted teachers at the Ninja Academy and generally a reliable instructor.  

For him to leave class during teaching hours and come here likely meant something serious.  

“Lord Hokage, I can’t teach that class anymore…”  

Hearing Hiruzen’s question, Iruka replied with a face full of grievance.  

His class had too many students from influential families, and he simply couldn’t handle them.  

He didn’t even dare to directly file complaints, opting instead to take a step back and see what Hiruzen would say.  

“What happened? Weren’t you handling it just fine? Why this all of a sudden?”  

Hiruzen was taken aback by Iruka’s statement, realizing this might be a significant issue.  

After all, Iruka was Sasuke’s teacher. His tone softened slightly with concern.  

“Lord Hokage, Uzumaki Naruto caused trouble again, and now he’s becoming increasingly defiant. I just can’t manage this class anymore. You’d better find someone more capable…”  

Hearing Hiruzen’s concerned tone, Iruka was both puzzled and touched. He took the opportunity to complain about Naruto, subtly hinting that either he or Naruto had to go.  

“Naruto?”  

Iruka’s words struck a nerve with Hiruzen, and an image of Naruto’s cheerful face flashed through his mind.  

To him, while Naruto lacked talent, he had always seemed well-behaved. Why would Iruka say such things about him?  

This was also because, during his occasional observations of the Ninja Academy, Hiruzen’s focus had been on Sasuke, paying little attention to Naruto.  

Now, hearing Iruka’s complaints, Hiruzen felt a bit perplexed.  

“Yes, Naruto.”  

Iruka, startled by Hiruzen’s raised voice, replied softly.  

“What exactly happened?”  

Hiruzen’s eyes narrowed slightly as he studied the somewhat uneasy Iruka.  

His instincts told him the matter wasn’t as simple as it seemed.  

“During class, Naruto kept whispering and disrupting Sasuke’s learning. So, I asked him to step outside to listen to the lesson. But now, he treats my words as if they mean nothing…”  

The atmosphere in the office grew heavier, and Iruka’s heart began to race.  

He braced himself and used Sasuke as a shield, trying to appeal to Hiruzen’s favoritism.  

Of course, he conveniently omitted the part where Sasuke had lashed out at him.  

Sasuke’s arrogance was backed by his talent and connections, and Iruka didn’t dare provoke him.  

But Naruto? A dead last in the rankings? On what grounds could he be so defiant?  

Chapter 132: Iruka Left Speechless  

After hearing Iruka's words, Hiruzen Sarutobi fell into contemplation. 

"You may leave now. Get some rest. For the next few days, don't go to school. I'll arrange for another teacher to substitute in your class for the time being."  

Hiruzen gestured for Iruka to leave, waving his hand dismissively.  

He decided to speak with Sasuke later that evening to understand what had happened.  

From his perspective, Iruka, as a teacher, couldn't even handle a ten-year-old child and had to come to him with complaints. To Hiruzen, this was a clear sign of incompetence.  

If everyone came to him with trivial issues like this, how could he focus on important matters?  

Thus, under the guise of granting Iruka a short leave, he also subtly reprimanded him.  

What a mess...  

Iruka felt a pang of discomfort upon hearing Hiruzen's words.  

The sense of being wronged without anyone to back him up was unbearable. As for the Hokage's intentions, they were crystal clear to him.  

He wanted to say something more, but the expression on Hiruzen's face and the increasingly cold atmosphere forced him to leave the Hokage's office with a dejected look.  

Watching Iruka leave, Hiruzen lit his pipe and took a few puffs.  

If these recent troubles hadn't arisen, he might have found time to address the situation. But with so much on his plate right now, he had no time to deal with such minor issues.  

If a teacher wasn't up to the task, replacing them was an easy fix.  

Even if Naruto were considered a failure, his importance far outweighed that of someone like Iruka.  

Clearly, Iruka lacked self-awareness.  

However, Iruka's remarks did remind him of something: Naruto seemed a bit unusual lately. He'd have to address that eventually, but there was no rush.  

Some matters couldn't be resolved overnight.  

"Was I cool just now?"  

Since there was no teacher present, the class had turned into a self-study period.  

Sasuke, feeling smug, directed his question at Naruto.  

In his mind, his earlier actions—his counterattack, posture, and tone—had all been incredibly impressive.  

But then he remembered that Naruto might not have even noticed his moves, which made him feel a little frustrated.  

"Cool."  

To Sasuke's surprise, Naruto smiled faintly and replied softly.  

"Can you tell me what you're actually looking at?"  

Naruto's response lacked any sincerity as he gazed out the window, his expression and tone unchanging.  

Curious, Sasuke asked, "What are you staring at so intently?"  

At some point, Naruto had developed an air of melancholy. There was also something ineffable about him—something that set him apart from the Naruto of the past.  

"The sky, the clouds, freedom..."  

Naruto's blue eyes flickered briefly at Sasuke's question before becoming calm again.  

His voice was soft and distant.  

"Who knew your ninjutsu skills were mediocre, but your brooding game is strong. Don't leave after class—I’ll teach you a powerful ninjutsu from the Uchiha clan!"  

Sasuke rolled his eyes at Naruto's words but then seemed to remember something. Feeling smug, he added, "I'll teach my underachieving deskmate here a thing or two."  

"No thanks. I can’t learn it, and I don’t have the time…"  

Naruto's gaze finally shifted back to Sasuke, meeting his eyes with an earnest expression.  

His deep blue eyes seemed like a bottomless lake, with ripples gently spreading across their surface.  

Sometimes, life works in funny ways. When you're down, it feels like everything goes wrong. But when luck strikes, good fortune seems to pour in from every direction.  

Over the past few days, Naruto had managed to pick up several ninjutsu techniques. Now, Sasuke also wanted to teach him one—what a strange twist of fate.  

Due to Iruka’s early departure, the semi-annual combat practice session had been canceled as there was no one to oversee it.  

This left Sasuke feeling slightly disappointed.  

He had been looking forward to showcasing his strength to Naruto, hoping to capture his attention and eventually make Naruto his subordinate.  

However, the now-sullen Naruto left him feeling uneasy, though he couldn’t quite put his finger on why.  

“Ah… that felt great…”  

In a small forest clearing, inside a wooden cabin,  

Kakashi stood up from the wooden bed and stretched his body.  

The sound of cracking bones echoed through the air. 

This made Kakashi let out a satisfied and pleasant noise. 

"Alright, stop making such seductive sounds." 

Hearing the commotion from inside the cabin, Itachi’s slightly exasperated voice came from outside. 

He felt helpless. Being stuck with someone like Kakashi, his frustrations were something no one could truly understand. 

... 

Hearing Itachi’s words, Kakashi stepped out of the cabin and saw Itachi sitting on a small stone stool, busy with something. 

“What are you doing?”  

Kakashi walked toward Itachi step by step. All he could see was Itachi's back, as his hands were hidden from view. 

“Go wash up by the river. By the time you’re back, food will be ready.” 

Itachi showed no interest in answering directly. He held a charred, straight stick he was using to poke around the firepit, as if he were playing with fire. 

“Alright…” 

After hearing Itachi’s reply, Kakashi headed toward the river. 

As for what Itachi was up to, Kakashi didn’t know—and frankly, he didn’t care enough to ask. 

He wondered if he should catch a couple of fish to bring back. The firepit had nothing cooking on it—did Itachi suddenly develop a taste for charcoal? 

... 

When Kakashi returned, he brought back two large, freshly cleaned fish. 

“Do you want grilled fish?” 

Itachi looked at Kakashi’s setup, momentarily stunned. 

Had he been so lost in thought earlier that he forgot to tell Kakashi he had already prepared food? 

“I’m not eating grilled fish. Is there anything else to eat?” 

Kakashi’s deep, soul-piercing question made Itachi feel like something was off. This guy seemed to be acting a little strange. 

... 

Itachi gave Kakashi a strange look. Was this kid mocking him? 

Did Kakashi think he’d grown so weak that he couldn’t even wield a blade anymore?  

A flurry of thoughts ran through Itachi’s mind. 

“Then you can enjoy your grilled fish. I’m starting without you.” 

After a brief pause, Itachi spoke calmly. 

“No, no, come on. I can’t finish two fish on my own, and charcoal isn’t tasty. Let’s eat together, Lord Ashura.” 

Hearing Itachi’s words, Kakashi teased him, his eyes curving into crescents. 

... 

Itachi suddenly remembered: this world didn’t even have a dish involving charcoal.  

What was this guy thinking, talking about eating charcoal? 

Itachi shook his head slightly.  

He grabbed his straight, charred fire stick and cleared away the flames.  

Then, he dug into the ashes underneath and pulled out two lumps of dirt. 

Using a bit of chakra, he picked up the lumps and placed them beside him. 

“You take your time with the grilled fish. I’m starting.” 

... 

“No way! It’s not that serious. There’s no need to eat dirt. Come on, try my cooking—wait, what?” 

Seeing Itachi’s hands slowly reaching for the lumps of dirt, Kakashi hurriedly tried to give him an out.  

But halfway through his plea, he saw Itachi crack open one of the dirt lumps. 

Inside was a large tree leaf. 

Moments later, a mouthwatering aroma wafted out, one Kakashi had never smelled before. 

He reflexively commented, swallowing hard. 

“What kind of cuisine is this? How can it smell this good? What kind of divine cooking method is this?” 

Kakashi fired off question after question as saliva filled his mouth, forcing him to swallow at an increasingly rapid pace. 

It was an involuntary reaction of his body. 

... 

“Pathetic.” 

Seeing Kakashi in such a state, Itachi scoffed before kicking the other dirt lump over to the gluttonous Kakashi. 

He couldn’t finish two chickens on his own, after all. 

If he could, he would’ve made Kakashi sit and watch him eat it all—just to teach him a lesson. 

“Mmm… so delicious…” 

Kakashi displayed an astonishing speed as he dug in. 

The gluttonous Kakashi was in full swing. 

... 

Chapter 133: The Rapid Growth of Tenzō  

"Hey, Sasuke, what happened in your class today?"  

In the afternoon, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Sasuke sat at the table eating.  

When the meal was nearly finished, Hiruzen noticed Sasuke finishing his bowl of rice and preparing to leave. It was then that Hiruzen put down his chopsticks and gently asked the question.  

Even though Hiruzen was quite busy with various matters, this particular class was of great importance. He needed to stay informed, even if deciding whether to intervene was another matter entirely.  

Hearing Hiruzen's question, Sasuke's expression became a little strange.  

Could it be that Iruka isn't doing his job as a teacher and went off to complain instead...?  

After giving it some thought, Sasuke decided not to hide anything. Sitting up straight, he began recounting the events of the morning in detail.  

"Ridiculous!"  

After listening to Sasuke's explanation, Hiruzen slammed his palm on the table.  

The dishes and chopsticks on the table clattered and flew momentarily before settling back down with crisp sounds.  

Seeing Hiruzen so angry, Sasuke felt uneasy for a moment, his heart filled with confusion.  

"Did I do something wrong?"  

Hiruzen was about to scold Sasuke but stopped when he saw the puzzled expression on his face. He managed to hold back from shouting.  

Hiruzen cared about how Sasuke perceived him and didn't want to ruin their rapport.  

"This Iruka is truly out of line. To think I trusted him so much, yet he behaves like this—where is his sense of ethics as a teacher?"  

Just as Sasuke was about to ask in confusion, Hiruzen finally spoke again, albeit slowly.  

"You did well. As a ninja, when you encounter injustice, you should not hesitate to act, regardless of who the other party is."  

To Sasuke's surprise, after just one remark, Hiruzen didn't say much more. Instead, he patted Sasuke on the shoulder, as if encouraging him.  

Sasuke felt odd about the situation. If this had happened to someone else, he wouldn't have cared much.  

However, given Hiruzen's current anger, Sasuke decided not to provoke him further.  

Silence is golden...  

"Lord Mizukage, the Konoha ninja are here again…"  

In the Land of Water, Tenzō had barely sent off the leader of his Anbu squad when he heard another report from his subordinates.  

Instantly, he felt overwhelmed.  

What on earth is Konoha thinking, sending group after group like this?  

The people they sent were cold and unyielding, like fools.  

They didn't seem to have any intention of genuine negotiation, opening every conversation with demands and threats.  

But Tenzō wouldn't tolerate such behavior. Using his excellent political skills, he easily dismissed them.  

The Anbu might excel at assassination and mission work, but sending them to negotiate and manage tense situations was a stretch.  

Moreover, Hiruzen Sarutobi didn’t seem particularly pressed for results. He was content to drag things out slowly without any sense of urgency.  

After all, Hiruzen hadn’t forgotten that the Mist Village’s initial goal was to form an alliance with Konoha.  

If the alliance had been agreed upon too quickly, it would have been suspicious.  

Now, with a bit of friction arising, things seemed more natural.  

Still, the Mizukage's decision to detain one of his people left Hiruzen slightly annoyed. It felt like a minor offense against his authority.  

However, considering Hiruzen's steady nature, this was still within the bounds of his usual approach.  

He was an old man now, and this era no longer held any ships that could carry his ambitions.  

"Fine. Since they've come, let them meet me."  

Suppressing his frustration, Tenzō waved a hand at his subordinate.  

"Kakashi, you wait outside. I'll go talk to the Mizukage myself."  

Hearing the Mist ninja's words, Itachi thought for a moment and decided not to bring Kakashi along to meet the Mizukage.  

After all, the Mizukage's true identity was Tenzō. It wasn't that Itachi didn’t trust Kakashi, but Tenzō's identity was delicate, and fewer people knowing the truth was for the best.  

Some things could be discussed openly, while others had to remain guarded. This was much like his relationship with Orochimaru in the past—a matter of balance.  

Had he trusted Orochimaru earlier, he might have transplanted Hashirama's cells by now, with the integration nearly complete.  

Though Itachi had some understanding of these individuals from the original story, living in this world made them real, flesh-and-blood people.  

Itachi chose to connect with them sincerely rather than treat them as NPCs in a game to manipulate. Reducing everything to a game-like strategy would be dull, as if he were the only clear-headed person in a world of ignorance. 

"Alright, don’t overexert yourself."  

Hearing Itachi’s words, Kakashi naturally had no objections.  

Why would he refuse such a good offer?  

However, recalling that Itachi’s strength seemed to have some issues, Kakashi spoke with concern.  

"I know, you can rest assured."  

In response to Kakashi’s words, Itachi shook his head lightly and said in a soft voice.  

He gestured with his eyes for the Mist ninja to lead the way.  

At some point, the Hidden Mist Village felt almost like his own home—his visits were becoming quite frequent.  

...  

Arriving at the Hidden Mist Village brought back memories of the crisis that occurred the first time he and Jūzō came here.  

And the time he clashed with Guy at sea.  

It seemed like their fight had been evenly matched, though toward the end, Itachi had been on the defensive.  

But Guy, having opened the Sixth Gate, had reached Kage-level strength. While the spectators didn’t directly feel the full impact of the battle, many had been watching, both openly and secretly.  

If Itachi had defeated Guy too quickly, the consequences wouldn’t have been so simple.  

The current period of calm would’ve been hard to maintain.  

He wasn’t invincible yet; there were still things he feared, so he refrained from flaunting his strength and instead focused on developing himself further.  

Now, the backlash from the Hashirama cells had made everything fall into place perfectly.  

His biggest concern had been that, if his strength reached a level that triggered alarm or suspicion in others, it would’ve been impossible to safely transplant the Hashirama cells. The worst-case scenario might even involve someone raiding Orochimaru’s hideout.  

If that happened, it wouldn’t just be a matter of bringing trouble upon himself.  

After all, there might still be spies from other villages lurking within the Hidden Mist Village.  

Itachi’s current caution stemmed from the DNA modification incident during his defection from the Leaf, when Obito had taken his eyes and he used Amaterasu.  

...  

"You can leave now."  

Jūzō waved his hand at the unremarkable-looking Leaf ninja before him, signaling for his subordinate to leave.  

"Understood!"  

As the ninja departed, the Mizukage’s office was left with just Itachi and Jūzō.  

The office grew slightly quiet.  

"What is your Hokage thinking? There’s not an ounce of sincerity. If I don’t get a proper explanation this time, don’t bother coming back again. My patience is limited."  

The unremarkable Leaf ninja appeared composed, which prompted Jūzō to take the initiative and speak, aiming to seize control of the conversation.  

"Jūzō, seems like you’re doing well for yourself..."  

Just as Itachi was pondering how to reestablish their rapport, Jūzō’s formal tone filled the air.  

Itachi teased Jūzō with a slightly odd remark.  

He noticed that Jūzō had become quite skilled—his progress was astonishing.  

Chapter 134: Reminiscing   

"Kid, what's with you…?"   

Hearing Itachi’s voice, Jūzō froze for a moment. Then, seeing Itachi’s completely unfamiliar face, he hesitated and asked.   

"It’s just a disguise technique, nothing impressive."   

Itachi had no intention of explaining further to Jūzō and brushed it off casually.   

Mainly because explaining it would be a hassle—it’s a bit mysterious...   

"Let’s go grab a drink."   

After hearing Itachi’s words and confirming his identity, Jūzō felt relieved. He immediately threw an arm around Itachi’s shoulder and prepared to head out with him.   

While wrapping his arm around Itachi’s shoulder, Jūzō couldn’t help but marvel at how much the kid had grown—almost as tall as him now…   

---   

"I’ve got a companion with me. Let’s bring him along. Just remember to act like you don’t know him."   

As they approached a large gate, Itachi snapped back to reality and quickly informed Jūzō.   

He was having a hard time dealing with Jūzō’s enthusiasm.   

"A companion, huh… Oh yeah, I meant to ask, why’d you go to Konoha again? What’s your plan this time? Don’t mess around—I’m trying to form an alliance with Konoha. If you do something that causes their collapse, all my efforts will go to waste…"   

Jūzō’s teasing tone came through as he processed Itachi’s words, sobering up slightly.   

But in his mind, no matter what, his bond with this kid was what mattered most.   

If Itachi planned to make a move on Konoha, there was no way Jūzō wouldn’t get involved.   

Whether he could actually help or not was a different matter—he’d definitely bring reinforcements…   

---   

Seeing Jūzō so obviously excited, Itachi was speechless for a moment.   

Was this guy pent up or something? He was talking like a chatterbox…   

Then Itachi remembered the nature of Mizukage’s duties. As the backbone of the village, many burdens fell solely on their shoulders with no one to share the load. It started to make sense.   

"Don’t worry. I’m only going to Konoha for some personal matters. Once I’m done, I’ll leave immediately."   

Itachi explained briefly without going into detail.   

Even he wasn’t entirely sure about many things, let alone how to explain them.   

"I was joking. If you really want to make a move, just tell me. I’ll bring people to back you up."   

Jūzō’s tone turned serious as he spoke.   

No matter how strong Konoha was, if Itachi wanted to act, Jūzō would make it happen.   

Though his words might sound impulsive…   

---   

"Alright, for now, call me Asura. My companion’s name is Aganzo. Let’s go grab a meal together."   

Hearing Jūzō’s serious tone, Itachi quickly changed the subject.   

Of course, he really was hungry…   

"Fine. There’s a new restaurant in our village. The food there is pretty good. I’ll take you to try it out."   

Jūzō, usually somewhat tight-fisted, spoke with an unusual touch of generosity this time…   

"By the way, are you really thinking about allying with Konoha? What’s the situation with Guy and Kurenai right now?"   

As they walked out of the office, Itachi lowered his voice to ask Jūzō’s opinion.   

If Jūzō had any plans in place, Itachi would reconsider his own mission.   

---   

"Huh, about this time…"   

Jūzō suddenly remembered that Itachi was officially here as part of a negotiation team…   

"Close enough. Let’s finish eating first, and we can figure it out properly afterward."   

Jūzō looked around and spoke softly after a moment’s thought.   

"Alright…"   

Itachi had no objections and agreed in a low voice.   

Before long, Kakashi was brought over, and the group sat down to eat together.   

This time, Mei Terumī didn’t show up, much to Itachi’s relief.   

Mei’s intensity was overwhelming. Her warmth felt like it could melt him entirely…   

---   

The dining table was silent; no one seemed inclined to talk. The three of them focused solely on eating, shoveling food into their mouths.   

After they finished eating, Itachi signaled Kakashi to leave first.   

It was time to have a proper discussion with Jūzō about the matter at hand and figure out a thorough solution.   

"You seem a bit distracted today," Jūzō said softly as they walked along the road, his face hidden beneath his hat.   

"It’s nothing. Just that good food has a way of consuming all your attention…"   

"Always so flowery with your words. What a pain…"   

---   

Once again, the atmosphere fell into silence…   

---  

"Are you upset because Mei Terumi isn't here today? She went on a mission," Juzo teased with a smirk as he looked at the little brat’s grumpy expression. 

"Uh..."   

Itachi was at a loss for words. Juzo's constant teasing left him feeling a bit exasperated.   

"So, have you met any girls recently? Anyone you like?" Juzo pressed on, refusing to drop the subject.   

Itachi's face froze momentarily, prompting Juzo to take advantage of the situation, attempting to shake Itachi’s resolve.   

If possible, Juzo thought, he would love to arrange something for Itachi. Unfortunately, Itachi's mind was like steel—unyielding. Thus, Juzo had no choice but to try this slower, more subtle approach.   

...   

"Alright, enough joking around. Let's talk business," Itachi quickly shifted the topic, not wanting the conversation to drift further into uncomfortable territory.   

The longer Juzo talked, the stranger his words became.   

"Are you here to take those two Konoha shinobi back? Did Hiruzen Sarutobi have anything else to say?"   

Seeing Itachi's face twist into a peculiar expression, Juzo decided not to push further and instead changed the subject. After all, wearing someone down was a gradual process, not something achieved in a day.   

"What's your opinion on this? I’m no lackey of Hiruzen Sarutobi. Whatever he wants doesn’t concern me in the slightest," Itachi responded with a shrug and an indifferent tone.   

...   

Juzo studied Itachi's calm and unconcerned demeanor, trying to read his true thoughts. But after a while, realizing it was futile, Juzo sighed and gave up.   

Trying to one-up this kid was exasperating.   

"Fine, take the two with you. But tell Hiruzen Sarutobi this: if he wants an alliance, let’s have one. If not, then so be it. Tell him to stop dithering like some overly cautious woman," Juzo said nonchalantly after a brief silence.   

In Juzo's mind, Itachi's presence already showed goodwill. He would give Itachi the respect he deserved, even without Itachi having to ask for it explicitly.   

...   

"Is that really what you think?" Itachi asked after a pause, staring directly into Juzo’s eyes through the brim of his hat.   

"What else am I supposed to think?" Juzo retorted, rolling his eyes. "If Hiruzen doesn’t want an alliance, we’ll just go find another village. It’s not like Konoha is the only option. The only reason we considered them is that Konoha has historically been a village that values peace."   

"That makes sense," Itachi nodded thoughtfully after hearing Juzo’s reasoning.   

Thinking back to the history of the Hidden Leaf, since Hashirama Senju’s time, the village had always seemed peace-loving. Of course, this made sense considering Konoha’s fertile lands and abundant resources. The other nations, often in less favorable conditions, naturally wanted to invade and claim Konoha's wealth. Everyone had to survive somehow.   

...   

What seemed like a complicated matter was settled with ease as the two spoke casually, as if it were no more significant than discussing lunch plans—calm and unhurried.   

"Why don’t you stay a few extra days this time?" Juzo suggested as they wrapped up their conversation, walking Itachi to the door.   

"Forget it. I’ve got arrangements to handle back in Konoha. You seem busy yourself; I don’t want to be a distraction," Itachi replied, pausing briefly before shaking his head.   

Even Mei Terumi had been sent on a mission, signaling how occupied the Hidden Mist Village was. Itachi decided against lingering and taking up Juzo's time.   

Of course, Juzo's tasks weren’t insurmountable. If they had been, Itachi would’ve helped him resolve them before leaving—or at the very least, sent Kakashi to lend a hand.   

...   

--- 

Chapter 135: Itachi Stands Up  

"Come on out. The Mizukage, in her infinite mercy, has decided to let you go."  

Inside the dungeons of Kirigakure.  

A masked Mist ninja addressed Guy, who was doing endless push-ups behind the iron bars.  

Guy, who had been killing time sweating through his exercises, paused for a moment upon hearing the Mist ninja’s voice. Then, he propped himself up and stood.  

"Great! I told you this was all a misunderstanding!"  

Guy grinned as he looked at the Mist ninja unlocking the cell door.  

As for why an iron door could confine the Blue Beast of Konoha, it was simple. Last time, he lost fair and square and didn’t want to cause unnecessary trouble for Konoha. He knew the Hokage would send someone to rescue them, so he had been waiting patiently. Still, this waiting period had dragged on a bit too long...  

"Hey, could I have one more meal before I leave? The food here is made with so much love..."  

As Guy stepped out of the cell, the mental barriers that had kept him grounded were lifted as well. But now that he was free, he realized he was hungry...  

Remembering the delicious prison food that he would soon have to part with, he made this strange request.  

This was, in fact, the result of orders given by Jūzō. Despite being prisoners, Guy and the others had been provided with excellent meals and comfortable conditions. Guy’s strength and skills had earned him this special treatment. A true master receives respect no matter where they are.  

The guard listening to Guy’s request found it rather odd but, recalling that this man had always been peculiar, chose not to comment.  

"Fine. Wait here. You can eat at my place."  

Unlike the still-energetic Guy, Kurenai seemed somewhat fatigued. She was greedily inhaling the clean, free air outside the dungeon.  

"Where’s my companion?"  

After a moment of not seeing Guy, Kurenai asked with some confusion, her mind racing.  

"Go take a bath or something first. The people from Konoha are here to pick you up."  

The Mist ninja ignored Kurenai’s question and simply turned to leave, speaking in an indifferent tone.  

It was clear that Kurenai didn’t receive the same warm reception as Guy...  

Meanwhile, Guy was enjoying a few drinks and snacks with the guards, laughing and crying as if he were bidding farewell to comrades in a trench.  

"Asura, don’t you think it’s a bit suspicious that the Mizukage agreed so easily to let us take Guy and Kurenai back?"  

Kakashi stood half a step behind Itachi, his tone curious.  

"Asura, let me handle this. You don’t need to worry about it."  

Without turning his head, Itachi responded curtly, his gaze lingering on the gates of Kirigakure with interest.  

"We’ve been rescued... I wonder who came to get us this time."  

Kurenai looked at Guy, who was clutching his stomach and blushing slightly from the alcohol, and spoke with a sense of relief.  

A bearded figure flashed through her mind, and she thought, If it’s Asuma who came, I’ll agree to his pursuit.  

Every woman dreams of a prince on a white horse or a hero rescuing her. She was no exception.  

Especially during her time in the dungeon, where she had experienced the highs and lows of solitude, she found herself reminiscing about Asuma’s courtship.  

Being cherished is truly a wonderful feeling...  

"I’m not sure... but whoever it is, they must be good brothers of ours," Guy said, his eyes slightly glazed as he looked down the road ahead, still intoxicated by the memory of good food and drink.  

"I heard they’re waiting for us at the main gate. We’ll see them soon enough."  

Kurenai spoke, her feelings mixed as she glanced at Guy’s lack of awareness.  

She began to wonder if her earlier thoughts had been too impulsive. If she accepted too quickly, would Asuma not appreciate her value?  

Lost in her little world, she followed Guy as they walked toward the village gates. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation as they neared the entrance.  

Guy, who had been nonchalant moments ago, suddenly had a glint of focus in his eyes. Without saying a word to Kurenai, he launched himself forward like an arrow, heading toward the white-haired figure standing with his back to them.  

"That silhouette is unmistakable. The hairstyle’s a bit different, but... Kakashi, my dearest friend... so it’s you who came!"  

Muttering under his breath, Guy quickened his pace. It had been a while since he last saw Kakashi. He wanted to spar a little, and his opening move was his peak speed without unlocking the Eight Gates. Faster than a body flicker technique, his powerful physique propelled him forward with overwhelming momentum.  

"Guy..."  

By the time Kurenai softly called out, Guy had already closed the distance to Kakashi and Itachi.  

The rapidly retreating Guy was too far to hear Kurenai's voice.  

Meanwhile, the two at the gate, momentarily distracted, noticed the rapidly approaching figure, their eyes lighting up slightly...  

Kakashi found it a little strange—Guy was still as spirited as ever.  

At the same time, Kakashi was trying to figure out how to handle the situation. How could he intercept the attack without revealing his identity to Guy?  

Just as Kakashi prepared to respond, something unexpected happened—it was Itachi who moved first.  

That Itachi would take action left Kakashi momentarily stunned.  

Kakashi turned his head slowly.  

When he looked back, the two had already exchanged blows.  

Itachi's heart burned with excitement as he charged at Guy with incredible force.  

The last time they fought, although Itachi could follow Guy's attack trajectory, his body couldn’t keep up. Not being a true Sharingan user himself, his agility was limited despite his ability to form hand signs with one hand. No matter how precise his observations, he couldn’t match Guy’s speed. He had learned firsthand what it meant when people say, "In the world of martial arts, speed is unbeatable." Moreover, Itachi didn’t want to rely on his powerful genjutsu in that battle, which left him frustrated as the fight dragged on.  

But now that his physical condition had improved, he was eager to test himself against Guy again.  

Without opening all Eight Gates, Guy's movements were still visible to Itachi’s sharp eyes and dynamic vision, even without activating his Mangekyo Sharingan.  

Although his speed might be slightly inferior to Guy's, the gap was marginal.  

In the past, even with the advantages of forming hand seals quickly and predicting Guy's attacks, his body simply couldn’t react in time.  

Additionally, speed in forming seals didn’t mean seals weren’t necessary—it still required time and chakra flow. Guy, on the other hand, could unleash multiple attacks in a single second. Pure ninjutsu wasn’t enough to land a hit on Guy, whose physical strength was also extraordinarily high. A single misstep in combat could mean the end.  

As the distance between them closed, Itachi pushed all these thoughts aside.  

Even though he hadn’t activated Sage Mode or the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, and his current strength was only about 20% of his prime, he was confident he could fight Guy to a draw without using genjutsu.  

Even if Guy opened the Sixth Gate, Itachi believed he could hold his own without resorting to illusions.  

At this point, many of his techniques were unnecessary.  

Sometimes, when a physical shortcoming is addressed, it eliminates critical weaknesses, pushing combat ability up by several levels.  

What might seem like a minor difference could actually represent a gulf as vast as heaven and earth.  

Especially at their level of strength, even the slightest disparity could lead to vastly different outcomes.