Actually, none of this could really be blamed on Yun Xi.
After all, considering how Danzo was portrayed in the original Naruto story,
and the things he had done...
it was perfectly understandable that Yun Xi couldn't figure out what Danzo was after.
By Yun Xi's reasoning,
Danzo had probably sent a Root Division Chunin to his house to recruit him because they were short on test subjects.
And Yun Xi's previous self had been Konoha's number-one deadweight.
On top of that, he had no friends besides Tenten.
So Danzo wanted to pull him into Root and use him as a human experiment.
After all, in the original story...
Danzo really had conducted experiments with Orochimaru to study the Wood Release Cells of the First, Senju Hashirama.
But just as Yun Xi was preparing to activate his Sharingan and fight his way out...
Danzo had actually asked if he wanted to grow stronger...
How could Yun Xi possibly have seen that plot twist coming?
"Hmm?!"
As Yun Xi hesitated over whether to accept Danzo's offer, a trace of displeasure appeared on Danzo's face.
Clearly, Yun Xi's hesitation was already starting to annoy him.
"Lord Danzo, you're joking, right?"
To ease the tension, Yun Xi showed no sign of nervousness. Instead, he gave a bitter smile,
as though mocking his own lack of talent.
"Although I want to get stronger, my talent just isn't up to the task. So please, Lord Danzo, look for someone else..."
In the end, Yun Xi still used his lack of talent as an excuse to turn Danzo down...
"You actually rejected me?!"
Danzo clearly hadn't expected Yun Xi to refuse so decisively—not even to seize the opportunity right in front of him!
"Lord Danzo, I'm not rejecting you."
Seeing the surprise on Danzo's face, Yun Xi continued, "It's just that I'm truly not suited for this. If I ever get the chance, I'd certainly hope to serve under you, Lord Danzo. Unfortunately..."
"Get out!"
Seeing the resentment on Yun Xi's face, Danzo said nothing more. He simply waved a hand,
signaling for Yun Xi to get out...
"Right away!"
At those words, Yun Xi seized his chance and ran outside.
Though he was seething inside, a faintly respectful smile still appeared on his face.
But he had secretly added Danzo to his list.
Yun Xi might not be Danzo's match right now!
But don't forget:
Yun Xi had a system!
After dashing out of Root's headquarters, Yun Xi finally felt the tension in his heart ease a little.
But just as he was about to head home,
a strange sound came from behind him!
"Who's there?"
Hearing the noise behind him, Yun Xi immediately drew the kunai hidden on him, his face full of caution.
He carefully backed away, ready to fight...
Although he had already left Root, it was still important to stay on guard!
"If I wanted to kill you, I wouldn't need to make a sound..."
The instant Yun Xi closed his eyes, a cold voice suddenly rang out beside him.
Yun Xi opened his eyes at once!
The person standing beside him was Uchiha Itachi...
"Holy crap!"
Seeing Uchiha Itachi, Yun Xi felt a thousand curses race through his mind before he blurted out, "Could you not scare me like that next time?"
"Is this really that scary?"
Uchiha Itachi smiled, then casually plucked a blade of grass from the ground and stuck it between his lips. "You were taken to Root?"
"You were following me?"
The question startled Yun Xi, but in the end, he nodded. "Yeah, I just got out. But how did you know?"
"I was going to find you and tell you to keep your mouth shut."
Uchiha Itachi stood up and gazed into the distance, toward the outskirts of Konoha. "But when I got to your house, I realized Root had already set its sights on you. I had nothing else to do, so I followed you to see what would happen."
"I see..."
After hearing Itachi's explanation, Yun Xi understood.
Indeed, being cautious was exactly what someone like Uchiha Itachi would do.
After all...
According to the timeline in the original story...
Uchiha Itachi should be at his most conflicted right now.
With that in mind, Yun Xi spoke to Itachi in an extremely serious tone. "Although, as far as I can remember, we've only met twice, including this time, I'm not someone who likes sharing secrets. So you can rest assured about that!"
"I hope so."
Uchiha Itachi looked at Yun Xi's earnest expression but said nothing more.
He simply acknowledged it and started walking away.
"Where are you going?" Yun Xi immediately asked.
"Home..."
"Oh..."
After watching Itachi turn and head home, Yun Xi didn't linger on the streets of Konoha either.
But just as he turned around, a scroll came flying from the distance...
Yun Xi glanced over and saw that Uchiha Itachi had thrown it.
A faint smile crossed Uchiha Itachi's lips in the distance. "People targeted by Root usually don't meet a good end. Work hard and get stronger."
With that, Uchiha Itachi leaped away and disappeared from the street.
Yun Xi opened the scroll Uchiha Itachi had given him.
It turned out to contain several C-rank Fire Release Ninjutsu techniques!
Although most C-rank Fire Release Ninjutsu weren't particularly famous in the original Naruto story,
some minor characters had even used techniques of a higher rank!
But...
As far as Yun Xi could remember, the Ninja Academy only taught the basic Three Body Technique.
Aside from inheriting techniques from one's clan, the only way to learn combat ninjutsu
was to earn contribution points by completing missions and exchange them for techniques!
What Yun Xi hadn't expected was that Uchiha Itachi would give him a complete set of C-rank Fire Release Ninjutsu...
For Yun Xi, this was undoubtedly the most suitable gift he could have received right now!
Although Yun Xi had previously gained the Fire Style boost from Ichiraku Ramen and his Uchiha Clan bloodline,
which could increase the power of his Fire Release Ninjutsu...
he didn't know a single Fire Release technique, so all those buffs were useless.
But now, things were completely different!
The scroll in his hands, with its instructions for training in Fire Release Ninjutsu, was an unexpected delight!
"Itachi, I'll be your fan for life!"
After joking around, Yun Xi didn't linger on the street. He headed straight home
and began his plan to train in Fire Release Ninjutsu!
Meanwhile...
the various factions in Konoha slowly turned their attention toward Yun Xi.
Before you continue