The Annihilation Begins!

"Good morning."

After arriving at the academy, Yun Xi discovered that many people had already reached the classroom.

Shikamaru, sitting in the front row, took the initiative to greet Yun Xi.

"Morning, Shikamaru."

Although Yun Xi understood that Shikamaru was merely being polite, he still returned the gesture before heading back to his own seat.

At the same time, he noticed that Uchiha Sasuke had also arrived at the academy long ago.

However, it seemed that because he still held a grudge over the lesson Yun Xi had taught him last time, he turned his head away the moment he saw Yun Xi staring at him.

This kid...

Seeing Sasuke act this way, a faint smile appeared on Yun Xi's face.

Although Sasuke was so averse to him, Yun Xi did not dislike Sasuke. After all, he was still just a child; perhaps it would only be after experiencing today that he would truly grow up.

In truth, Yun Xi felt that among the entire Uchiha Clan Downfall Incident, the most tragic figure was Sasuke. In just a single night, he had transformed from the Uchiha Clan's top genius into the clan's sole survivor, while his beloved older brother had turned into the man who murdered his parents. Such a massive change was something most people would likely be unable to endure.

That Sasuke could still remain in the academy normally after undergoing such a major upheaval meant he was already quite sensible compared to his peers.

"Big Brother Yun Xi! Good morning!"

At this moment, Naruto also arrived in the classroom. Seeing his only friend and big brother, Naruto naturally ran over to Yun Xi's side first. He pulled a bird egg from his pocket and said to Yun Xi, "This egg is super delicious, do you want it, Big Brother?"

"No need, you eat it yourself."

Yun Xi hurriedly raised his hand to decline, his face showing a look of helplessness. Clearly, having such an eccentric little brother was a test of Yun Xi's composure.

"Eh? Why won't Big Brother eat it?"

Naruto, however, didn't care at all; instead, he was filled with confusion. He couldn't understand why Big Brother Yun Xi wouldn't eat the bird egg.

"Naruto! Get back to your seat."

Fortunately, Naruto had arrived quite late, and just as the entire class's attention was focused on Yun Xi and Naruto, Iruka, acting as the homeroom teacher, arrived in the classroom as class time began. He called Naruto—who was still pondering whether his big brother disliked bird eggs or if the eggs simply didn't taste good—back to his seat.

Phew, this guy Naruto...

Seeing that Naruto had finally returned to his seat, the expression on Yun Xi's face relaxed a little. He truly couldn't understand why Naruto was so eccentric, and even a bit dim-witted, when he was young.

"Everyone, open your books. Today's lesson is on how to cultivate chakra..."

After calling Naruto back to his seat, Iruka began the lesson. However, he was only covering basic material, and aside from a few civilian ninjas, students like Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji were already on the verge of falling asleep. Standing at the podium, Iruka pretended not to see them and continued his lecture.

Iruka understood that these clan disciples had no need to learn how to cultivate chakra. Before entering the academy, they had already mastered the methods of chakra cultivation. The fundamental reason they were in the academy was simply to become Genin.

Yun Xi, naturally, had no time to listen to such basic knowledge. At this moment, he was focusing his full attention on the distance. Tonight was the time the Uchiha Clan would launch their rebellion, and it was also the point in time when the Uchiha Clan would be wiped out. At this very moment, Uchiha Obito—the masked man—should have already arrived in Konoha.

Yun Xi's goal was to find him!

However, since Yun Xi was not a professional sensory ninja, the range he could search was extremely limited.

He could only inspect the area in the immediate vicinity of the Ninja Academy.

Karin, however, was different. After explaining the plan to her yesterday, Yun Xi had already told her to wait for him at the school gate.

Once school was dismissed, Yun Xi planned to take Karin with him to track down Obito.

"Alright, that's all for today's lesson. See you tomorrow."

At three in the afternoon, as the dismissal bell rang, Iruka announced the end of the school day.

A few minutes later, the large classroom was left with only Yun Xi, Naruto, and Sasuke.

"Big Brother, aren't you going home yet?"

Seeing Yun Xi still lingering in the classroom, Naruto asked with a puzzled look on his face.

"Naruto, you go ahead. I still have some things to take care of."

Seeing that Naruto had no intention of leaving and was waiting for him, Yun Xi had no choice but to tell him to head home first.

"Alright, then I'll head out."

Hearing that Yun Xi had business to attend to, Naruto didn't ask any further questions and left the classroom alone.

With that, the once-crowded classroom was left with only Sasuke.

"Are you waiting for your brother to pick you up?"

Watching Sasuke, who was deliberately turning his face to the side, Yun Xi took the initiative to start a conversation.

"Hmph!"

But Sasuke clearly didn't want to engage with Yun Xi, merely letting out a cold snort before remaining silent.

"Sasuke, let's go home..."

Just as the atmosphere between Yun Xi and Uchiha Sasuke turned cold, Uchiha Itachi arrived.

As usual, whenever he wasn't on a mission, Uchiha Itachi would come to the school to pick up Sasuke.

Even at a time like this, Itachi still came, a faint smile on his face.

But upon seeing Yun Xi in the classroom, Itachi's smile shifted.

"You..."

Itachi had intended to say something, but seeing Sasuke already walking toward him, he decided not to speak.

After patting Sasuke on the forehead, he led him away from the Ninja Academy.

"He really is the most devoted brother-complex in all of Naruto; he even comes to pick Sasuke up from school at a time like this..."

Left alone, Yun Xi couldn't help but sigh at the sight.

Yet, upon reflection, Yun Xi found it understandable.

After all, even at the moment of his death, Uchiha Itachi was still thinking of his younger brother.

He had even sacrificed his own life to make Sasuke stronger.

He remembered a scene from the original work.

Killer Bee asked the Edo Tensei-revived Itachi, "How did you die?"

Uchiha Itachi replied in an indifferent tone, "Killed by Sasuke."

Upon hearing this, Killer Bee was full of disbelief.

He stated bluntly, "You went easy on him."

Now, in Yun Xi's view, Uchiha Itachi had long realized that he couldn't possibly oppose Konoha.

The best outcome was to wipe out his own clan to protect Sasuke.

Afterward, he would let Sasuke kill him so he could return to Konoha.

But unfortunately, Itachi's plan did not succeed in the original story.

He hadn't expected that Sasuke would end up choosing the path of a defector.

Of course, in this world, Itachi's plan would never come to fruition!

Because Yun Xi intended to intervene; if he really let Itachi join the Akatsuki, how would he ever be able to recruit Uchiha Itachi himself?

"Let's go, it's time for me to start moving too!"

Looking at the empty classroom, Yun Xi muttered to himself.