Uchiha Itachi Returns to the Village

"Does this kid really have this kind of strength?"

As the scene appeared in the Crystal Ball before him, Morino Ibiki, a Special Jonin, couldn't hide the shock that flashed across his face.

Although he didn't know much about Yun Xi, judging from the information he'd heard, Yun Xi clearly didn't seem like a genius.

And...

The scene before him was absolutely beyond the abilities of an ordinary person!

Fire Release Ninjutsu that could explode...

It had astonishing power and an enormous range of destruction...

"What kind of Fire Release Ninjutsu is this?"

Unable to contain his questions, Morino Ibiki turned to the Third Hokage. In all the years he'd been a ninja, he'd never seen such a unique technique...

"I don't know."

The Third Hokage shook his head, then turned off the image in the Crystal Ball. As he watched Yun Xi, who had already reached Konoha's main street, he murmured, "As far as I can recall, there isn't any Fire Release Ninjutsu capable of this. Perhaps it's this kid's Kekkei Genkai..."

"How could a civilian have a Kekkei Genkai?"

After hearing the Third Hokage's answer, Morino Ibiki voiced his own doubt. A flicker of curiosity crossed his face, and he asked, "Lord Hokage, should I go and keep an eye on him?"

"No need. I've already sent someone."

The Third Hokage waved a hand, signaling Morino Ibiki not to act on his own. Then, with a grave expression, he said, "There's nothing wrong with Yun Xi. I'm just worried that Danzo may have noticed his strength too. I called you here so you could protect the boy in secret."

"Understood."

Morino Ibiki froze for a moment, then accepted the assignment.

"Did that old Third Hokage really summon me here just to send me back to the Ninja Academy?"

Back at home, Yun Xi was still full of questions.

From what Mitaraishi Anko had said earlier, the Third Hokage clearly knew that he had some kind of connection with Uchiha Itachi.

But...

He hadn't hinted at it during their conversation...

That left Yun Xi curious.

In fact, at a time like this, he almost wished the Third Hokage would just spell it out.

After all, being left in the dark was never a good thing...

"Forget it. I'll take things as they come..."

After thinking it over and failing to work out why the Third Hokage had summoned him, Yun Xi stopped dwelling on it.

He prepared to start training.

The tenfold training speed he'd gained earlier, combined with a twenty percent boost, made Yun Xi—whose talent for ninjutsu had been only average—feel as though he were training like a genius.

He had only just sat down when...

A surging mass of chakra flooded into his body.

The fiery power granted by the Devil Fruit stirred within him as well...

"Twelve times the training speed..."

Even Yun Xi was shocked by how fast he was progressing.

After a brief exclamation, he didn't waste any more time and entered a state of training once more.

What Yun Xi didn't know as he trained was that...

Several different factions had already gathered outside his home...

"Hmm?!"

Seeing several Konoha Chunin from different factions outside Yun Xi's home, Uchiha Itachi, who had just returned to the village, immediately grew wary.

"Root Division..."

"Anbu..."

"The Hyuga Clan..."

After identifying the three factions, a trace of wariness appeared on Uchiha Itachi's usually calm face...

"Did someone find out about my deal with Yun Xi?"

A moment later, alarm stirred in Uchiha Itachi's heart. After evading the surveillance of all three factions, he quietly slipped into Yun Xi's home.

He was going to ask Yun Xi about it!

"Who's there?"

At the faint sound, Yun Xi's eyes snapped open. He was training, but he immediately prepared to fight!

"Bang!"

In an instant, Yun Xi focused all his strength into his hand and struck toward the source of the sound.

A heavy thud rang out.

Only then did Yun Xi turn around and look.

The person behind him was none other than Uchiha Itachi...

"When did you get back?"

Yun Xi was shocked to see Uchiha Itachi. He hadn't expected Itachi to return home while he was still out on a mission.

Quickly suppressing the fiery aura around him, Yun Xi asked, "Itachi, I didn't expect it to be you. Why are you back now?"

"I finished my mission, so I came back to see you."

After blocking Yun Xi's attack, Uchiha Itachi smiled. He found a place to sit, and delight flickered in his eyes.

"Yun Xi, I didn't expect you to get even stronger..."

Feeling the chakra inside Yun Xi, Uchiha Itachi couldn't help praising him.

In just over a week, Yun Xi had gone from Genin-level strength to that of a Chunin...

Uchiha Itachi had met countless geniuses.

But...

Only Yun Xi had ever impressed him this much!

"Heh, I haven't been slacking off while you were away."

At Uchiha Itachi's praise, a smile tugged at Yun Xi's lips. He put away the kunai in his hand and asked curiously, "Did your mission end? I thought you wouldn't be back for a few more days."

"Yeah, it's over. I came straight to see you after I got back to the village."

"Good to have you back," Yun Xi said with a smile.

"By the way, Yun Xi, have you noticed anything strange lately?"

After a brief silence, Uchiha Itachi was the first to warn Yun Xi.

"Have you noticed something wrong?"

The smile vanished from Yun Xi's face, and he immediately grew cautious. He went over to Uchiha Itachi and told him about his recent encounter with Hyuga Hiashi and his meeting with the Third Hokage.

"I see..."

After hearing about what Yun Xi had been through, Uchiha Itachi finally understood why people were secretly watching the area around Yun Xi's home.

With that in mind, Uchiha Itachi stopped holding back and told Yun Xi that he'd spotted several groups keeping watch.

Then, in a guarded tone, he said, "Yun Xi, it looks like you're being watched..."

"Being watched..."

At the thought of the Hyuga Clan, the Anbu controlled by the Hokage, and the Root Division controlled by Danzo being right outside, Yun Xi felt the pressure mount.

But compared to Yun Xi, who was weighed down by the pressure...

Uchiha Itachi didn't seem particularly concerned.

Instead, a faint, inscrutable smile appeared on his face...