"Looks like there's still a day left. Itachi probably went home and took action the night after meeting with the Third Hokage..."
After making dinner, Yun Xi sat down to eat and think over his plans.
"After the massacre, Itachi became a rogue ninja and joined Akatsuki. So why not recruit him as a spy for my organization?"
After dismissing one idea after another, Yun Xi finally came up with a brilliant plan.
He wouldn't stop Uchiha Itachi from joining Akatsuki. Instead, he'd recruit him as a spy for his own organization.
Especially in the early days of Hidden's development, Yun Xi couldn't afford to pass up a single genius!
In truth, Yun Xi was confident he could persuade Itachi.
His talk wasn't as powerful as Naruto's, but he knew the truth behind the whole affair.
He even understood why Uchiha Itachi went to Akatsuki after defecting.
After completing the massacre, Uchiha Itachi left Anbu. Before departing, he also met with the Third Hokage.
Only then did he leave Konoha and join Akatsuki.
And Uchiha Itachi had other reasons for joining Akatsuki.
He wanted to keep an eye on Obito and protect Konoha.
It could be said that Uchiha Itachi had never intended to make an enemy of Konoha.
That gave Yun Xi plenty of room to work with!
Whether he told Itachi the truth about Shisui's death or appealed to his feelings for Sasuke and Konoha, either approach could work well.
If all else failed, Yun Xi could only force the issue and make Uchiha Itachi submit to his strength.
"That settles it. I'll collect the Sharingan first, then go see Itachi and get him to join my organization by promising to protect Sasuke!"
Once he'd sorted out his approach to the Uchiha Clan Massacre, Yun Xi finished his meal.
He also packed an extra bento to take to Karin, who was still outside Konoha.
He'd bring her back to Konoha, too. The Third Hokage already knew Yun Xi had left the village.
This was the perfect time to bring Karin back.
After packing the bento, Yun Xi headed out again...
"Karin, look what tasty food I brought you!"
Yun Xi's home wasn't far from where Karin was staying.
The bento was still a little warm when he reached her temporary lodgings.
"Thank you, Big Brother Yun Xi!"
The moment Karin saw Yun Xi again, she excitedly threw her arms around him.
Her face was bright with excitement, and it took Yun Xi quite a while to pry her off him.
The price was that his once-handsome face was now covered in her saliva from all the kisses.
"Eat up. When you're done, I'll take you home and tell you a few things."
As Karin wolfed down her food, Yun Xi told her about his plans.
Karin wasn't strong, but her powerful sensory abilities were an indispensable asset to Yun Xi.
She'd be extremely useful for both ambushes and reconnaissance.
"Okay!"
At that, Karin began eating even faster. She finished the whole bento in the blink of an eye.
"You... try to eat a little slower next time."
Looking at Karin, Yun Xi could only sigh helplessly. He wiped the grains of rice from her face.
Then he took her straight back to Konoha.
He also summoned a clone to inform the Third Hokage.
Half an hour later, after arriving home, Karin and Yun Xi received word from the clone.
The Third Hokage had acknowledged the matter. Once he confirmed that Karin was truly descended from the Uzumaki Clan, he would grant her Konoha status.
"Does that mean I can live here with you from now on, Big Brother?"
Hearing the message from Yun Xi's clone, Karin was thrilled.
Having wandered from place to place since childhood, she couldn't wait to have a home of her own!
"Yeah. The Third Hokage has agreed to let you stay."
Smiling at the excited Karin, Yun Xi led her to a room he'd prepared for her.
"Good night. Make sure you get some sleep."
After helping Karin close the door, Yun Xi returned to his own room.
He lay down on the bed, still turning over the day's events in his mind.
From the way the Third Hokage had treated Karin, Yun Xi could tell he didn't have time to deal with this right now.
The Third Hokage would only investigate whether Karin was truly an Uzumaki after the Uchiha affair was settled.
That small detail told Yun Xi that this was merely the calm before the storm.
Nearly every senior figure in Konoha was waiting for the Uchiha Clan Massacre to happen.
For now, even this minor matter would have to be set aside.
The quiet night wasn't a charming sight; it was the perfect backdrop for slaughter...
"Forget it. I shouldn't think about this so much. Time to sleep!"
After going over the details one last time, Yun Xi decided to stop dwelling on them.
No matter how well made a plan was, something could still go wrong.
The best way to deal with unforeseen problems was to crush them with overwhelming strength.
The night passed without incident...
At dawn, the sun's rays fell across Yun Xi's face and woke him.
When he awoke and saw the people of Konoha bustling outside his window, he couldn't help feeling a little helpless.
After finishing breakfast, Yun Xi headed out for the Ninja Academy.
On the way to school, he made a special stop near the Uchiha compound.
The Uchiha Clan's compound looked no different from usual. There was no sign of anything amiss.
Nothing about it suggested they were planning to spark a civil war in Konoha.
But Yun Xi knew this was merely the calm before the storm. Tonight, a great battle would break out in Konoha!
The countdown to the Uchiha Clan Massacre had begun!
And Yun Xi's plan was officially underway...
Before you continue