After all, Yun Xi wasn't willing to give up on one of the most outstanding characters in Naruto.
Not when it came to Uchiha Itachi's combat strength, personality, or any of his other qualities.
Yun Xi admired him immensely. He was also a partner well worth trusting.
Most importantly, once Yun Xi made Itachi a double agent, he'd be able to get a much clearer picture of the Akatsuki's movements.
Yun Xi knew that the real mastermind behind the Akatsuki wasn't Pain, but White Zetsu.
But the story hadn't started yet, and Yun Xi knew very little about the Akatsuki.
Meanwhile, Itachi was preparing to join the Akatsuki and become an official member.
That was why Yun Xi had been so patient in inviting Itachi to join his organization, the Hidden.
"What?"
Clearly, Yun Xi's information had taken Itachi by surprise.
At first, Itachi had planned to join the Akatsuki so he could keep an eye on the Masked Man who claimed to be Uchiha Madara.
But Yun Xi had told him that the man wasn't Uchiha Madara...
"To be honest, Uchiha Madara is indeed behind this organization, but he's definitely not that Masked Man."
Seeing Itachi's bewildered expression, Yun Xi told him a few more details that weren't particularly important.
"Sometimes one person can't plunge the world into darkness, but an organization can. Join us, Itachi."
Taking the opportunity, Yun Xi invited Itachi once again.
Yun Xi understood that Itachi was different from Zabuza.
Uchiha Itachi didn't care about comrades or power. The only person he cared about was his younger brother, Uchiha Sasuke.
"Do you think Sasuke would be better off surviving alone in this village, full of darkness, or coming with me?"
After saying this, Yun Xi fell silent and waited for Uchiha Itachi's reply.
Yun Xi knew he'd already thrown Itachi's plans into disarray. All he could do now was wait for Itachi to decide.
If Itachi still refused, then there was nothing Yun Xi could do...
"I accept..."
Just when Yun Xi had all but given up hope that Itachi would join his organization, Itachi agreed outright.
"Huh? You're agreeing just like that?"
Yun Xi had expected Itachi to refuse, but he hadn't imagined that his persuasive speech would actually convince him!
Seeing Yun Xi's surprised expression, Itachi smiled. "I trust you more than that mysterious Masked Man."
"At least you'll look after Sasuke for me..."
Then Itachi led Yun Xi to a secluded spot and continued, "I have to join the Akatsuki. I hope you'll look after Sasuke while he stays in Konoha."
"So is that a condition for joining my organization?"
Yun Xi smiled as he asked.
"Something like that. By the way, how many people are in our organization?"
Now that he'd officially decided to join Yun Xi's organization, Itachi had a question of his own.
He wanted to know what kind of organization Yun Xi had founded, given that Yun Xi was about the same age as his younger brother.
"Five, counting you and me. More people might join later."
With Itachi officially joining the Hidden, Yun Xi didn't keep anything from him.
He told Itachi directly how many members the organization had.
"I'm getting more and more curious about the other members. We should meet sometime..."
Itachi was a little surprised by Yun Xi's answer.
He hadn't expected to be the first person to join Yun Xi's organization.
Maybe he left the village earlier to look for other allies? Itachi wondered.
He kept the thought to himself. Then he glanced at the battle fading into the distance and said to Yun Xi, "I'm leaving Konoha. That guy is waiting for me."
"Okay. Don't worry, I'll take good care of Sasuke."
Yun Xi knew who Itachi meant. With the fighting on the outskirts of Konoha nearly over, the Anbu should have realized what was happening by now. Itachi was about to leave with Obito and head for the Akatsuki.
"If anything happens, use this to contact me."
Before he left, Itachi handed Yun Xi a jet-black crow.
"Okay. See you around!"
Watching Itachi walk away, Yun Xi finally breathed a sigh of relief.
He'd finally tricked Itachi into joining his organization!
"It's time for me to go, too..."
As Yun Xi watched Itachi leave Konoha, more and more Anbu Ninjas began appearing nearby.
He knew he needed to get out of there, or the Anbu might uncover his identity.
"Poor Sasuke..."
Yun Xi glanced at Sasuke, lying on the ground, then left the Uchiha compound...
A few minutes later, a large group of Anbu Ninjas dressed in black arrived at the Uchiha compound.
"Report to Lord Hokage at once. The entire Uchiha Clan has been wiped out."
"Yes, sir!"
"Where are the medical ninja?"
After seeing the devastation that had befallen the Uchiha Clan, the Anbu Ninjas who had rushed to the scene realized they couldn't handle the situation themselves.
They quickly divided the Anbu at the scene into four groups.
One group would clear the area.
Another would maintain order, while the remaining two would report the news to the Third Hokage.
As for the Root Division's ninja, they disappeared into the shadows...
But none of this had anything to do with Yun Xi. When he got home, he had an egg in his hands...
Ding! Congratulations, host. You have completed the hidden achievement quest—Recruit Uchiha Itachi. Reward: one pet egg.
Looking at the egg on the table, about the size of an ostrich egg, Yun Xi was at a loss for words.
He hadn't expected to get an egg by sheer coincidence.
The system hadn't offered him any explanation, either. It had merely said, "Please discover the quest reward for yourself..."
"Hey, Yun Xi, what's that?"
Karin came out wearing her pajamas.
She looked at the egg in front of Yun Xi, her face full of curiosity.
"I don't know, either..."
Yun Xi didn't know how to answer Karin's question.
Ever since he'd first gotten the Pay-to-Win System, he'd felt that something about it was a little strange.
He hadn't expected it to skip the usual reward altogether after he completed a quest.
It had simply tossed him an egg...
"This egg seems to have something alive inside it."
Karin used her sensory abilities to examine the egg.
She sensed a creature inside, something like a mouse...
"A mouse, a creature, a pet egg?"
At Karin's words, Yun Xi suddenly thought of something unsettling...
"Could it be that thing?"
Realizing something was off, Yun Xi quickly took the pet egg from Karin.
Sure enough, he noticed something strange on the surface of the shell.
There were tiny lightning-bolt patterns on the otherwise white shell, and Yun Xi could feel lightning-natured chakra pouring into the egg from all around...
"Could it be that yellow mouse, Pikachu?!"
Before you continue