An Unexpected Turn

"This is far too risky. The Hyuga Clan is no weaker than our Uchiha Clan. Is it really wise to do this at such a tense time..."

After Yun Xi told Uchiha Itachi about the plan he was preparing to carry out, a trace of conflict crossed Itachi's face...

After all, at a time like this, any action could strike a nerve with the Hyuga Clan...

Although Yun Xi's plan did tempt Itachi...

"If we don't try now, we might end up in an even more passive position..."

Yun Xi had never been one to sit back and wait. The moment he learned that the Hyuga Clan was preparing to move against him, he had already begun preparing to fight back.

Although Uchiha Itachi thought the plan was far too risky.

Yun Xi, however, believed...

It was worth a try!

In truth, Yun Xi's plan was very simple.

He would use the Byakugan's method of evolution as bait to get Hyuga Hiashi to cooperate with him.

Although his first meeting with Hiashi had ended in a clash, Yun Xi didn't believe that Hiashi, as the head of the Hyuga Clan, could truly turn down such a tempting offer!

"Have you really made up your mind?"

Seeing that Yun Xi seemed to have already decided, Uchiha Itachi asked again. Then he stepped in front of Yun Xi and said, "If you've made up your mind, I'll handle the approach."

"Mm."

Yun Xi nodded, then said solemnly, "Then it's settled. You can decide when to make contact."

"Good. I'll head back to the clan first."

With Yun Xi's agreement, Uchiha Itachi didn't hesitate. He accepted the task outright.

After discussing a few details of the plan, Uchiha Itachi was the first to leave Yun Xi's home.

In an instant, Yun Xi was alone in the silent house...

"Whether I can change the original story depends on this plan..."

Watching the shadows slowly move outside, Yun Xi felt a trace of anxiety.

Although he had an inexplicable confidence in both the original story and his ability to control the plan,

it was still only a plan.

It was impossible not to feel nervous...

And what worried Yun Xi most wasn't that the plan might fail.

It was...

Whether the Choice System would punish him if he failed to complete the choice it had given him...

That was what concerned Yun Xi most.

At that thought, a sudden tremor ran through his mind.

"System, are you there?"

To find out whether there would be a penalty for failing to fulfill one of the Choice System's options, Yun Xi spoke directly to it.

"Here."

This time, the Choice System didn't stay silent. It answered immediately.

Its voice was still a mechanical monotone, devoid of emotion, but Yun Xi sensed something unusual in it...

It was obvious.

This so-called Choice System had intelligence!

"I want to ask: if I make a choice but don't fulfill its requirements, will the system punish me?"

Suppressing his jumble of thoughts for now, Yun Xi asked directly.

After all, compared with anything else,

figuring out the system was clearly the most important thing to him right now.

"No."

The system replied.

Then a prompt suddenly appeared in Yun Xi's mind.

Yun Xi opened it at once...

It turned out to be a brief introduction to the system...

"Ding. The primary purpose of this system is to help its host become the strongest in the Ninja World. Choices carry no additional penalties, but..."

"Some choices may put the host in danger. Once a choice is made, it cannot be rescinded; otherwise, the reward will be withdrawn."

After finishing its explanation, the Choice System vanished from Yun Xi's mind once again.

Yun Xi was left feeling somewhat amused and exasperated.

"This system..."

Yun Xi shook his head helplessly.

Although the system's explanation hadn't mentioned any punishment,

Yun Xi could still understand the implication behind the prompt.

In short,

every choice was up to him, and even if he failed to complete one, nothing would happen.

But...

Some choices could put Yun Xi in danger...

Simply put,

the choice was his to make, but making certain choices could leave him in danger.

He might even die...

"This system really does make things simple and clear."

After learning about the system's rules, Yun Xi couldn't help feeling helpless.

The rules seemed flexible, but the risks were significant.

Take this choice, for example.

Although helping Uchiha Itachi would earn him a decent reward,

getting involved in the Uchiha Clan's destruction put Yun Xi at considerable risk!

Danzo.

Obito.

The Akatsuki.

And others...

These organizations and people were absolutely beyond Yun Xi's ability to face head-on right now.

One wrong move...

and he really might die...

"Looks like I'll have to be careful with my choices from now on."

After learning the system's rules, Yun Xi felt a chill run through him.

Fortunately, his earlier choices had been trivial, so he hadn't fallen into a trap...

"Hmm?"

Just as Yun Xi was asking the system his questions, a figure suddenly appeared outside his home.

And it stayed there for a long time...

In an instant,

Yun Xi prepared for battle...

"Who could it be..."

As he slowly approached the door, Yun Xi pondered to himself.

The Anbu and the Root Division—one represented the Third Hokage, while the other answered to that old fox, Danzo.

Neither would be so brazen as to appear in front of him and reveal their identities.

Then...

"Could it be the Hyuga Clan?"

As Yun Xi speculated, he reached the door. After a moment's hesitation, he asked the person outside, his voice full of confusion, "May I ask who you are?"

"..."

But when Yun Xi spoke, the person outside didn't answer at all. Seeing this, Yun Xi grew even more cautious.

Should he open the door...?

Yun Xi hesitated.

Three different factions were already lurking around his home, and now some inexplicable middle-aged man had appeared...

The already tense atmosphere grew even heavier.

Yun Xi felt an inexplicable sense of danger...

"I don't want to, but I have to find out!"

At first, Yun Xi didn't want to open the door. But when he thought of someone watching him from the shadows, he finally decided to see who was standing outside!

"Thud..."

The moment Yun Xi opened the door, the middle-aged man standing in front of it collapsed.

His body hit the floor with a loud thump.

He was an Anbu Chunin...

And what shocked Yun Xi even more was...

The Anbu Chunin in front of him was clearly...

dead...