Cold Noodles π Is Here

"I told him about the Uchiha's situation and... Sunagakure's business," Qingyu said cautiously.

"He gave me this."

I'm done for. Did I just sell out Elder Setsuna?

Am I going to get a boxed meal delivered by the Uchiha Police Force tonight?

Itachi fell silent for a few seconds.

The atmosphere at the door clearly felt like the Dove Faction, but why was I still happily enjoying the Hawk Faction's intel?

I really am a...

Those few seconds felt like centuries to Qingyu. He even started imagining all the ways he might die:

Would Sharingan Genjutsu control him to death?

Would he be stabbed until he looked like a hedgehog?

Or would Itachi send him off with that classic line, "The truth is still hidden on a telephone pole"?

"Elder Setsuna is a representative of the Radical Faction," Itachi finally said, his tone as flat as if he were reading from a textbook.

"Many of his views differ from the Clan Head's."

Here it comes! Was he going to make me choose between the Clan Head and the elder?

This multiple-choice question was a million times harder than the Ninja Academy theory exam!

"I know," Qingyu said carefully. "But I think... information has value in itself, no matter who provides it."

That answer neither sided with the Radical Faction nor the Clan Head Faction. It was basically saying, "I care about the intel, not the person"—a thoroughly neutral stance!

"Information does have value, but the people behind it often have their own motives."

Itachi took a step forward. Qingyu instinctively wanted to retreat but managed to hold his ground.

"Qingyu," Itachi said softly, yet every word struck Qingyu's heart.

"You're still young, and you have a long road ahead. Some choices... once made, can't be undone."

Why did that sound like a death sentence? Was he advising me or threatening me?

"I understand," Qingyu said, nodding earnestly. "I'll be careful."

Itachi fell silent for a moment, then suddenly said, "Elder Setsuna is a representative of the Radical Faction. Some of his views... are rather extreme."

"I know," Qingyu said with a nod. "But I think his concerns about Sunagakure... might be justified."

Itachi gave him a long look. "You noticed it too?"

"Yeah," Qingyu said. "Sunagakure's recent movements have been way too unusual! There might be something wrong with the joint event..."

Itachi nodded. "The Clan Head and Shisui are keeping an eye on it too, but..."

He paused. "Elder Setsuna has his own channels for gathering information. You can take it into consideration, but don't believe everything you hear."

Qingyu's heart stirred.

Did Itachi mean... he knew Setsuna had his own intelligence network and didn't fully trust him?

"I understand," Qingyu said.

"Also..." Itachi turned to leave, then stopped. "No matter what you hear or see... remember, you're an Uchiha. The future of the Uchiha ultimately depends on us."

Qingyu: ...Did you really not laugh when you said that?

"This is an analysis of Sunagakure Puppet Technique," Itachi said, handing him a notebook.

"Your next opponent is Kankuro. It should come in handy."

Qingyu accepted it blankly.

Wait, this wasn't how this was supposed to go! Wasn't he supposed to warn me to stay away from the Radical Faction? Why was he giving me a strategy guide?

Itachi seemed to notice his confusion and added, "The Clan Head asked me to look after you. Since Elder Setsuna gave you information, we should show you some support too."

Well, damn!

Was this the Uchiha's version of "competitive caring"?

Both sides were stuffing things into my hands. Had I become an intelligence drop box?!

"Thank you, senpai," Qingyu said quickly.

"Also..." Itachi turned to leave, then stopped. "If you notice anything unusual during the event... you can contact me, or Elder Setsuna. But it'd be best to tell me first."

With that, he vanished from the spot using the Body Flicker Technique, leaving Qingyu alone, completely bewildered.

So... Itachi was giving me the green light to stay in touch with Elder Setsuna?

Was he even asking me to be a double agent... no, a liaison for both sides?

I couldn't make sense of where this story was going! Was the Uchiha's internal power struggle really this complicated?!

With that, he disappeared into the woods in a few quick leaps.

Qingyu stood there, mulling over Itachi's words.

The future of the Uchiha depended on themselves... Was that encouragement or a warning?

[ Ding! ]

[ System Notification: Itachi Uchiha's Favorability +1 ]

[ Current Favorability: 3/10 (Indifferent → Slightly Approving) ]

[ Note: You successfully kept a clear head amid the Uchiha's complicated relationships and earned the initial trust of a key figure. The road ahead remains treacherous, so keep working hard (fist pump). ]

Qingyu looked at the system notification and smiled wryly.

So I really had become a "ga la" Hokage... except I was prone to cosplaying Louis XVI...

And raising this favorability... was no easy feat.

He put away the notebook Itachi had given him and hurried home.

He'd taken in too much information today. He needed time to process it.

Once home, Qingyu locked the door and drew the curtains before spreading out the items both sides had given him.

On the left were Elder Setsuna's scroll and purple Communication Talisman.

On the right were Itachi's analysis notebook and the emergency Communication Talisman Shisui had given him earlier—the green one.

Well, look at me. Had I collected all three primary colors of Uchiha Communication Talismans?

If I got a yellow one too, I could summon Shenron... no, summon Madara Uchiha.

He opened Itachi's notebook first.

Inside were neat handwritten notes, detailing several common Sunagakure Puppet Technique tactics, Kankuro's fighting habits, and even diagrams showing the weak points in every joint of "Crow" and "Black Ant."

Even more outrageous, the last page included a "Puppeteer Psychological Profile":

"Kankuro, 13 years old. Self-conscious about his appearance, so he covers his face with face paint. Cautious fighting style; likes to test his opponents with puppets and only goes all out once he's sure it's safe. Weakness: briefly loses his composure if one of his puppets is damaged in battle."

Qingyu stared at it, dumbfounded.

Senpai Itachi, this isn't just tactical analysis. This is behavioral psychology research!

Aren't you only 17 and in Anbu at this point in the timeline? Your powers of observation are terrifying!

"This kid's analytical skills are impressive," Tobirama commented in his mind.

"Not as systematic as my research on the Uchiha back in my day, but remarkable for someone his age."

"Hmph. All flash and no substance," Izuna grumbled stubbornly. "Who has time for all that analysis on a battlefield? Just cut them down!"

Qingyu ignored them and opened Elder Setsuna's scroll, carefully studying the few lines of notes about Sunagakure's unusual movements.

"Sunagakure has made secret contact with Otogakure. Location: Land of Rivers border. Purpose unknown."

Otogakure... Orochimaru...

Qingyu suddenly recalled the original story's timeline.

The Konoha Crush Plan was launched during the Chunin Ninja Exams. Sunagakure and Otogakure joined forces, and Orochimaru disguised himself as the Kazekage...

But the Chunin Ninja Exams hadn't ended yet, and the joint event was next month...

The joint event, Sunagakure's plot, the Uchiha's internal power struggle...

"Forget it," he said, taking a deep breath. "I'll deal with whatever comes. If all else fails... I've still got the system cheat and two old-timer mentors!"

Although the two old-timer mentors bickered all the time, they should be reliable when it mattered... right?

Why can't my system give me the [Body Flicker Technique]!

Why can't my system give me [Baishi]!

Who's going to make up for the cheat abilities I'm missing?!