First Meeting

As the two neared the site where they had been training, they saw from afar that the riverside, ravaged by ninjutsu, was a harrowing, chaotic mess. The scars left by Fire and Lightning Style techniques spanned a hundred meters, a truly shocking sight. Seeing this, they couldn't help but quicken their pace.

Uchiha Chen frowned, studying the scene before him. He could feel the residual heat of the Fire Style still lingering, while the faint, numbing sensation left by the Lightning Style was enough to make anyone wary.

A moment later, he turned to Izumi and whispered, "A jonin proficient in Fire and Lightning Style must have been training here. Judging by the state of things, they likely sensed our approach and left in a hurry."

"This place is quite close to the Uchiha clan grounds; surely this senior must be one of our own." With that, the two exchanged a look, both secretly thinking: Perhaps that person hasn't gone far, but out of courtesy for interrupting their practice, it's best not to call them out. Thus, both chose to remain silent.

In an instant, Izumi broke the silence. "We should get going too, shouldn't we? Didn't we agree to train together?" Before the words left her lips, she cast a glance at Uchiha Chen, waved her hand lightly, and turned to leave.

Uchiha Chen didn't say much, simply following Izumi as she walked away. After all, this incident was nothing more than a routine training session; it was of no great consequence.

Watching their backs as they faded into the distance, Uchiha Chen finally emerged from his hiding spot. He wasn't in a rush to approach or befriend them just yet; there was plenty of time, and the future was full of promise!

Moreover, observing the dynamic and atmosphere between them, it was clear they were only in the early stages of mutual affection. There was no need to be impatient if he wanted to swoop in and steal her heart. Consequently, Uchiha Chen decided to resume the training that had been interrupted.

It didn't take long before he finished!

At this moment, as Uchiha Chen re-examined the area that hadn't expanded much despite the attacks, he fell into deep thought.

He had mastered the existing techniques for applying his power, but using them without restraint within the village seemed unrealistic... After all, he wasn't mentally prepared to reveal his full strength to the public just yet!

In that case, perhaps he would have to wait until he was out on a mission to properly test and verify his abilities.

After a brief rest, he began to walk slowly toward the village. With the intense training over, it was already noon, and his uncooperative stomach had begun to growl. A fierce hunger drove Uchiha Chen to hurry back to the village in search of food!

He had originally planned to stop for a bowl of the legendary Ichiraku Ramen made by Otsutsuki Ichiraku himself, and perhaps tease that delicate girl, Ayame, who was just as he remembered from the original story. However, just then, he caught a glimpse of a lonely figure sitting by herself in a dango shop by the road. Looking closer, he realized it was none other than Uchiha Izumi!

Seeing that pouting, petite figure, it didn't take much to guess that Uchiha Chen had been stood up. After all, thinking it over, the only person who could leave this childhood friend behind and make her so angry was that "little brother-obsessed" guy—Uchiha Itachi.

Scanning the crowded shop, a thought flashed through his mind: Isn't this the perfect opportunity granted by the heavens? Uchiha Chen stood across from her, the corners of his mouth curling up into a subtle, imperceptible smile as he asked softly, "Excuse me, do you mind if I share this table?"

Startled by the sudden question, Izumi, who had been fuming inwardly, trembled. Upon seeing that it was Uchiha Chen, she let out a sigh of relief, her lips parting as she replied softly, "Oh, it's you, Senior Chen. Please, sit." With that, she made a move to stand up and leave.

Seeing this, he quickly wiped the smile from his face and put on a stern expression. "Sit down. This meal is on me. If you rush off like that, people will think I'm trying to drive you away!" Seeing Uchiha Chen's solemn look, Izumi's face turned awkward. She sheepishly sat back down, muttering to herself, Why is Senior suddenly so serious...

Seeing her return to her seat, Uchiha Chen stopped acting stern, his face once again breaking into a warm smile as he greeted her enthusiastically. "What would you like to eat? Order whatever you want; it's my treat today."

He waved his hand, and a waiter hurried over. Looking at the extensive menu, Izumi couldn't refuse and added two skewers of dango.

By now, Uchiha Chen was starving, so he ordered a mountain of food without hesitation. While waiting for the meal, he turned to Izumi and asked curiously, "How come you're all by yourself today? Aren't you usually with Uchiha Chen?"

Hearing the question, Izumi was stunned for a moment, but quickly recovered. As she toyed with her utensils, she sighed helplessly and began to pour out her grievances.

After all, they were both of the same clan, and by seniority, Izumi was his junior.

Although they hadn't interacted much, she felt that this senior's attitude was subtly different from before. However, she didn't dwell on these oddities.

In everyone's eyes, she was always looking for Uchiha Chen to train, yet today she was alone. The senior must have just been confused to see her by herself after so long.

Speaking of Uchiha Chen, ever since his younger brother was born, he had undergone a complete transformation.

Izumi lamented that she hadn't been able to successfully get Uchiha Chen to go out in a long time.

Today, she had finally managed to get him out to train, but who would have thought that shortly after they began, Uchiha Chen's brother had some sort of emergency, and he had been called away, leaving her to train alone before rushing off.

At this point, Izumi's face darkened again, her pouting expression making her look like an adorable little steamed bun that one couldn't help but want to take a bite of.

Looking at her vibrant, cute face and the vivid, interesting expressions she made, Uchiha Chen found himself growing increasingly fond of this lively, cheerful girl.

However, thinking of the tragic fate and ending she might face in the future, a trace of pity welled up in his heart.

Once she finished her endless rant about Uchiha Chen, Uchiha Chen chimed in with a few words of agreement, though he didn't go so far as to disparage the image of Uchiha Chen she held in her heart.

After all, there was plenty of time! Perhaps there would be chances in the future to slowly change her perspective on him!

Not long after, when all the food was served, he tucked in with gusto, asking her with a smile, "Since Uchiha Chen left early, how did your training go today? Do you need me to provide some guidance?"

Hearing the question, Izumi froze, her cheeks quickly flushing a deep red. She lowered her head shyly and whispered, "Is that really okay? Senior... wouldn't that disturb your own training?" Hearing her cautious inquiry, Uchiha Chen gently set down the bamboo skewer he was holding and replied unhurriedly, "Of course it's no problem!"

"I've been a jonin for a while now, and my current training speed and efficiency aren't exactly stellar; I'm just going through the motions every day, maintaining my state at best. Besides, I'd be more than happy to offer pointers to such a cute little one like you!"

After hearing this, Izumi seemed to notice some changes in the senior—he used to always wear a cold, distant face that made people afraid to get close, but now he was often smiling and seemed much more approachable than before.

Though he had changed quite a bit, being with this kind of senior was much more reassuring.