Planting Sasuke

Uchiha Chen's plan was simple: fake his death to help Izumi leave Konoha.

However, there was one small issue Uchiha Chen had overlooked: Izumi had family.

"I did indeed overlook that. Shisui, Itachi, what are your intentions?"

"We will remain stationary for the time being. Although there is much friction, there is still some time before things erupt. Furthermore, your plan has only just begun, and I have no way to confirm the personnel on my end yet. Those taken away must be able to let go of their hatred; otherwise, it is inevitable that they will seek revenge on Konoha after some time. If that happens, the situation will surely become difficult to handle."

Uchiha Chen nodded at Shisui's words, and the three of them exchanged the intelligence they had gathered to ensure Danzo had not sensed anything amiss.

In the time that followed, Uchiha Chen continued his training as usual. Now five years old, he hungered for strength even more.

Opening the system panel, Uchiha Chen checked his status once again.

Host: Uchiha Chen
Age: 5 (18)
Abilities: Ninjutsu: Three Body Technique LV1, Great Fireball Technique LV3, Flame Bullet LV2, Phoenix Sage Fire Technique LV1, Dragon Flame Technique LV1, Fire Style Mastery LV1, Water Formation Wall LV1, Body Flicker Technique LV1, Flash Step LV1, Pale Fire Drop LV1.
Chakra Control LV1, Great Breakthrough LV1
Taijutsu: Basic Taijutsu LV3.
Genjutsu: XXXXX.
Items: Asauchi, XXX Transformation Potion.

Compared to the beginning, his ninjutsu had clearly increased significantly, though the vast majority were only at level one.

Perhaps this level of strength was enough for an ordinary ninja, but for Uchiha Chen, it was still far from enough.

"Why did Second Pillar come running over today? I recall Itachi went out on a mission."

Noticing Sasuke's arrival, Uchiha Chen was quite puzzled, while Sasuke's eyes were filled with endless rage as he looked at him.

Clearly, after more than half a month, Sasuke had finally realized he had been played by Uchiha Chen again.

"This time, I will definitely defeat you!"

"Defeat me? Tell me, what have you learned this time?"

Hearing Sasuke's words, Uchiha Chen understood; the sky had cleared, the rain had stopped, and Second Pillar felt that Sasuke Thinks He Can Again had released a sequel.

"Fire Release, Great Fireball Technique!"

A massive fireball surged directly toward Uchiha Chen, yet such an attack was completely meaningless to him.

In fact, with Uchiha Chen's current strength, he could easily defeat Sasuke in an instant.

However, a simple one-shot kill would be quite boring. If he accidentally crushed Sasuke's spirit completely, wouldn't the long-running series Sasuke Thinks He Can Again lose its sequel?

Thus, Uchiha Chen deliberately slowed his speed to dodge Sasuke's attack, and seeing this, Sasuke immediately unleashed a barrage of kunai.

He didn't know what was going through Sasuke's mind; while tying steel wires to kunai was normal, did he really think Uchiha Chen was blind to use steel cables as thick as a finger?

Clumsily manipulating the kunai, Sasuke launched an all-out attack on Uchiha Chen.

Uchiha Chen, meanwhile, wore an expression of utter disdain.

He had thought Sasuke learned some new skill, but it was just the same old routine. Uchiha Chen couldn't help but wonder where the guy got his confidence.

"System, can we discuss something?"

"What is it?"

"Let me learn the Double Suicide Decapitation Technique."

"Double Suicide Decapitation Technique? You want to plant Sasuke in the ground?"

"Exactly."

Hearing Uchiha Chen's affirmative reply, the system fell silent for a moment.

"Ding! System notification: Uchiha Sasuke detected. Mission reward: Earth Release, Double Suicide Decapitation Technique."

"Ding! System notification: Mission complete. Successfully located Uchiha Sasuke. Reward obtained: Earth Release, Double Suicide Decapitation Technique."

"Earth Release, Double Suicide Decapitation Technique!"

Having learned the ninjutsu, Uchiha Chen did not hesitate and activated it instantly. The result, naturally, was Sasuke being planted in the ground with only his head exposed.

"You—let me go!"

Sasuke struggled desperately, but with strength not even reaching that of a Genin, how could he possibly break free from the constraints of the ninjutsu?

"Second Pillar, I think if I plant you in the ground, you'll sprout in a few days. After all, your head is full of grass, isn't it?"

As he spoke, Uchiha Chen took out a watering can and began to water Sasuke.

"Bastard, let me go! I'm going to kill you!"

"Sigh, calling you an idiot would be a compliment."

"You were going to kill me, so why would I let you go?"

"Honestly, I'm starting to regret planting you here. Given your conditions, it feels like nothing grows here except for foul-smelling weeds."

"Even if something did grow, it would be three hundred percent inedible."

"You bastard Uchiha Chen, I will absolutely kill you!"

"Is barking like a dog all you can do?"

After emptying the entire watering can, Uchiha Chen stood up and left. He casually placed the watering can on Sasuke's head and headed off to grab lunch.

However, something even Uchiha Chen hadn't anticipated occurred.

Not long after Uchiha Chen left, a stray dog from who knows where trotted over.

To a stray dog, Sasuke buried in the ground with only his head exposed looked exactly like a wooden post.

And well, don't stray dogs always leave their marks everywhere?

And so...

Uchiha Chen arrived at the Konoha market and saw Hinata sitting at Ichiraku Ramen from a distance.

Uchiha Chen hadn't forgotten that Hinata had gifted him quite a few ninjutsu, including several B-rank techniques.

Uchiha Chen had wanted to thank her many times before, but considering the reputation of the Uchiha Clan, he feared that visiting would only bring trouble to Hinata.

"Chen-kun."

Just as Uchiha Chen was lost in thought, Hinata turned around and spotted him.

"Hinata, what a coincidence. How has your training been lately?"

"Father says I've made great progress. I owe it all to your guidance, Chen-kun."

Hinata smiled sweetly, and Uchiha Chen sat down beside her, ordering a bowl of ramen.

"It's nothing. Actually, I should be the one thanking you. You gave me so many ninjutsu; if I had to acquire them normally, it would have taken countless missions."

"It was the right thing to do. If not for you, Chen-kun, I might still be the same as before, and Father would only be more disappointed in me."

Hinata flashed a sweet smile, looking full of sunshine.

This version of Hinata made Uchiha Chen feel as though she were a completely different person from the original.

Uchiha Chen was about to say something else when a voice caught his attention.

"Uncle Ichiraku, one bowl of miso ramen."

Following the voice, he saw a blond-haired boy walk in.

As he entered, the other people eating nearby hurriedly finished their noodles and turned to leave.

Naruto? He looks even more miserable as a child than in the original story.

Uchiha Chen didn't want to attract the attention of the Anbu lurking in the shadows, so he had no intention of striking up a conversation with Naruto. Turning his head back, he noticed a trace of dissatisfaction on Hinata's face.

While she didn't show outright disgust, Hinata clearly didn't have a shred of affection for Naruto.

Uh, why do I feel like I've blown things out of proportion?

Is the future Princess of the Leaf about to fly away?