Yun Xi's Request

It was fair to say that as soon as Yun Xi obtained the Flame-Flame Fruit from the system, his strength would undergo a tremendous change!

"I'm in!"

After realizing the benefits of the Flame-Flame Fruit, Yun Xi immediately chose the second option!

Ding! Congratulations, Host. You have completed your selection. Reward: Flame-Flame Fruit!

In the system space, a mysterious fruit the size of a coconut appeared out of nowhere...

At the same time,

Uchiha Itachi looked a little curious...

"Yun Xi, what's wrong?"

Seeing that Yun Xi had been standing there in a daze without saying a word, Uchiha Itachi looked puzzled.

Uchiha Sasuke even came right up to Yun Xi and stared at him with the same curious expression...

"I'm fine!"

Seeing the look on Uchiha Itachi's face, Yun Xi quickly hid his odd expression and said, "Don't worry. If Sasuke needs my help, I'll definitely step in."

"Actually, I don't need you to step in. What I had in mind was more..."

After Yun Xi agreed to his request, Uchiha Itachi gave a slight nod and continued, "Although your strength isn't particularly impressive right now, I have a feeling that you'll become a strong shinobi in the Ninja World one day..."

"Your talent is definitely not as poor as others say..."

"You think that highly of me?"

Yun Xi was a little surprised by Uchiha Itachi's assessment.

After all, the identity the system had assigned him was that of Konoha's most hopeless failure...

Thinking of that, Yun Xi spoke in an embarrassed tone. "My talent..."

"The biggest student at Konoha Academy?"

At that, Uchiha Itachi smiled for some reason.

Then he casually plucked a wildflower nearby and said, "The flower in front of us is beautiful, but it can't withstand even a single storm."

"But the unremarkable little blade of grass beneath it is different."

After tossing aside the flower he had just picked, Uchiha Itachi pointed to a green blade of grass on the ground and said to Yun Xi, "The stronger the storm, the more it helps this little blade of grass grow..."

"Besides, I've never heard of a so-called failure managing to use Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique on his very first try..."

When he finished, a hint of a smile suddenly appeared on Uchiha Itachi's usually stern face...

"Are you complimenting me?"

After hearing Uchiha Itachi's words, Yun Xi looked a little surprised.

He hadn't expected Uchiha Itachi to think so highly of him!

It was a stark contrast to Danzo's attitude earlier!

"Haha."

Encouraged by Uchiha Itachi, Yun Xi smiled and said in an odd tone, "This is the first time anyone's ever complimented me..."

"That doesn't count as a compliment."

Uchiha Itachi suddenly placed a hand on Yun Xi's shoulder. Just as Yun Xi looked surprised, Uchiha Itachi continued, "At most, it counts as encouragement..."

"Hahaha, then I can't let you down!"

A surge of excitement welled up in Yun Xi.

If only this weren't the time to show off.

Yun Xi really wanted to tell Uchiha Itachi, "I'm done pretending. I have a system!"

But that was only a daydream.

Right now, the most important thing to Yun Xi was figuring out how to use the remaining half a month to grow stronger!

He wasn't expecting to beat the likes of Uchiha Obito and Danzo.

He just needed to be able to protect himself...

"The Flame-Flame Fruit..."

Looking at the Flame-Flame Fruit in the system, Yun Xi felt a little excited.

And Uchiha Itachi, standing right in front of him...

Was also an opportunity for Yun Xi to get stronger...

Although Uchiha Itachi wasn't nearly as powerful as he was at the beginning of the original story,

He was still undoubtedly one of Konoha's strongest shinobi!

With Tsukuyomi, he could even go up against some Kage Level fighters!

If...

Uchiha Itachi could teach him some ninjutsu,

It would surely cut down the time Yun Xi needed to learn it!

That was far more practical than waiting for the system to reward him with something that boosted his strength!

The system had given him a Flame-Flame Fruit this time,

And it was a fantastic reward!

But...

The previous rewards...

Aside from the Sharingan, they hadn't directly increased his strength.

Yun Xi wasn't the kind of guy who relied on the system for everything!

Training hard might not make him stronger overnight, but it was definitely the most reliable way!

With that in mind,

Yun Xi went straight up to Uchiha Itachi and said, "Itachi, I have an idea..."

"Hmm?"

Uchiha Itachi had been about to take Sasuke back to Konoha, but when he heard Yun Xi call out, he stopped and asked, "What is it, Yun Xi?"

"I want you to teach me ninjutsu!"

Yun Xi didn't beat around the bush. He said exactly what was on his mind.

"Didn't I already give you some Fire Release Ninjutsu training methods?"

Uchiha Itachi seemed a little surprised by Yun Xi's request.

But Yun Xi immediately took out the Fire Release Ninjutsu scroll Uchiha Itachi had given him earlier and said, "You did, but..."

"These are only C-rank techniques. You know as well as I do that their killing power isn't particularly impressive in an actual fight."

"So I was hoping..."

"To learn higher-level Fire Release Ninjutsu!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a trace of nervousness flashed across Yun Xi's face.

From their earlier conversation, he could tell that Uchiha Itachi meant well.

But Yun Xi had no idea how much Uchiha Itachi liked him.

He had no way of knowing whether Uchiha Itachi would agree to such a bold request...

"That's true."

Uchiha Itachi agreed with Yun Xi's reasoning. But just as a hint of joy appeared on Yun Xi's face, Uchiha Itachi continued...

"But judging by the amount of chakra you can control right now, these techniques are indeed the best fit for you..."

Uchiha Itachi looked a little helpless.

It wasn't that he wanted to turn down Yun Xi's request.

The main issue was that Yun Xi currently had only about as much chakra as a Genin.

Even releasing some C-rank techniques was already a struggle for him.

Even if Uchiha Itachi taught him higher-level Fire Release Ninjutsu,

Yun Xi wouldn't be able to use it because he didn't have enough chakra...

In the end, those techniques might even be less effective than the C-rank ones.

"Don't worry about my chakra. Give me a week, and I guarantee I'll reach Chunin level!"

When Uchiha Itachi brought up his chakra reserves,

Yun Xi immediately made the promise!

After all, he had a buff that let him cultivate chakra ten times faster. Doubling his chakra in a week wouldn't be difficult at all!