Uchiha Itachi, You Truly Didn't Disappoint Me

People's expectations of villains were often very low.

Even if a villain merely did a good deed in passing, it could change people's opinion of him. Kabuto Yakushi believed that Akihara Kagura was not a completely cold-blooded child.

He was a kind-hearted youngster.

Akihara Kagura, who had always held a grudge against him and Yakushi Nonō, was willing to tell him important news about the director. Perhaps the youngster's killing intent was not that strong after all; perhaps his eyes had simply been blinded by jealousy and hatred for too long.

Kabuto Yakushi thought for a while and decided to show some goodwill as well. "I once gathered some information about the Chunin Ninja Exams. The first written test will most likely be held under the proctors' supervision, testing the examinees' investigative ability to gather intelligence..."

"What a coincidence."

Akihara Kagura raised a brow, unable to stop himself from smiling. "It just so happens that I'm not particularly good at gathering intelligence. Looks like this written test will be somewhat difficult for me..."

"Then..."

Kabuto Yakushi adjusted his glasses and said softly, "Then, could you allow me to do a small favor for you?"

"..."

Akihara Kagura's smile instantly deepened.

If one truly wanted to help someone worth helping, then one had to respect the person asking for help, rather than offering assistance from a lofty position.

Kabuto Yakushi truly understood how people worked.

However...

There was another rule for dealing with people.

If someone owed you a great favor, it was best not to ask him to do a small favor. That would turn into an exchange of quantity for quality, and in the end, neither side would be satisfied.

"I don't need it."

Akihara Kagura's expression suddenly turned cold.

The youngster refused Kabuto Yakushi, saying coldly, "I can handle something this small myself. Go carry out the mission Lord Danzō assigned you in Iwagakure!"

"Alright."

Kabuto Yakushi slowly nodded.

Akihara Kagura rubbed his chin and looked back toward the distant Ichiraku Ramen shop. "I wonder how long Senior Kakashi Hatake will take to eat at Ichiraku Ramen..."

"..."

Kabuto Yakushi turned back with a puzzled look.

The Chunin Ninja Exams entrance area.

The entrance room for the first written test was very large.

Groups of Genin gathered here, chatting among themselves.

As they talked, everyone present would more or less glance toward a figure standing in the corner—a remarkably handsome youngster.

Uchiha Itachi.

Most of the room's attention was focused on him.

The Genin candidates present were all more or less older than Uchiha Itachi. Seeing this ten-year-old child at the examination venue made them somewhat unhappy, especially since he came from the Uchiha Clan, whom the villagers both hated and feared most.

"A genius of the Uchiha Clan..."

"I heard that brat is taking the exam alone?"

"Hmph, the Uchiha Clan has always looked down on everyone else. It's only natural for them to think they can pass the Chunin Ninja Exams alone. That brat is truly arrogant..."

"..."

Uchiha Itachi stood quietly where he was.

Though he was only ten years old, Uchiha Itachi displayed more patience than the older Genin. He seemed capable of standing there quietly forever.

Even though people beside him kept whispering about him, he did not care in the slightest. It was as though he heard nothing, completely unconcerned with what others thought.

Bang!

The room's doors instantly shattered!

As the doors were kicked apart, the entire room immediately fell silent. A white-haired figure strode inside, his tone clearly impatient!

"You're too loud!"

"This is the noisiest room in the entire building!"

"..."

The Genin immediately fell silent, not daring to make a sound.

The newcomer wore Konoha's green Jonin uniform. He was not someone these Genin could casually gossip about or insult.

Moreover...

Many of the Genin recognized him.

Kakashi Hatake, a renowned genius Jonin of the village. It was said that he had graduated from the academy at five, become a Chunin at six, and a Jonin at twelve.

Most of the ninja world called him Bloody Mist Kakashi or Sharingan Kakashi. Whether in reputation or strength, Kakashi Hatake far surpassed the other Jonin in the village.

"The first examination of the Chunin Ninja Exams has changed venues."

The Jonin waved them away, his face full of impatience. "You can leave now. Go to the Hokage Building and check the latest notice."

"What?!"

"Why was the venue suddenly changed?"

"We didn't receive any advance notice!"

"Shut up, all of you!"

The Konoha Jonin coldly cut off the noisy Genin, obvious disdain in his eyes. "This is the Hokage's order. This place is needed as a conference room for a meeting of allies. Are the village's important affairs supposed to be delayed for a bunch of Genin taking an exam?"

"..."

The Genin present were boiling with anger, but none dared utter a word.

"Senior Kakashi..."

Two adults stepped forward from among them.

These two adults were responsible for assisting with the Chunin Ninja Exams written test. They were not Genin, but Chunin who had infiltrated the group of Genin for the occasion.

After all, the first written test mainly assessed the Genin's ability to scout and gather intelligence. These two Chunin would pretend to be Genin during the exam and write down the correct answers to every question, providing intelligence for the Genin to gather.

"The Chunin responsible for assisting with the written test should report to the new examination venue as well!"

Kakashi Hatake's expression was full of impatience, as though he had seen through their identities at a glance without exposing them. He continued loudly, "Alright, hurry up and leave. Don't be late for the new venue. This place needs to be cleared out immediately for Konoha's meeting of allies."

"..."

The Genin could only leave silently in groups.

As they departed, they did not even see the Chunin maintaining order nearby. It seemed this truly was no longer the written test venue for the Chunin Ninja Exams.

The Genin could only obediently head to the Hokage Building to check the notice for the new examination venue.

No one noticed that inside a small alcove by the stairs, the two Chunin responsible for maintaining order lay unconscious in a heap.

The entrance area for the written test quickly became empty.

Kakashi Hatake glanced around, his gaze falling on the only person who had not moved—Uchiha Itachi. "Hm? Brat, why aren't you going to the new examination venue?"

"What new examination venue?"

Uchiha Itachi slowly raised his head, but the gentleness of a youngster had vanished from his eyes. He asked in a low voice, "Who are you? Why did you deceive them into going to a new examination venue?"

"Isn't that too disrespectful toward a senior?"

Kakashi Hatake stretched lazily, seeming a little displeased. "Brat, even if you're a genius of the Uchiha Clan, you should show at least a little respect to your seniors."

"A Jonin of the village would not be as discourteous as you..."

Uchiha Itachi's hand moved toward his ninja tool pouch. Shaking his head, he said, "The Chunin Ninja Exams are an important village matter. It is unlikely that the venue would be changed just as the exam is about to begin."

"More importantly..."

A faint red light shone in Uchiha Itachi's eyes, and his voice gradually turned serious. "Although your Transformation Jutsu is excellent, under the Sharingan's gaze..."

"Tch..."

Kakashi Hatake's figure instantly dissolved into smoke.

A youngster revealed his true appearance, a smile hanging on his lips. "Hello, Uchiha Itachi. Lord Danzō was right—you truly didn't disappoint me..."

First update!