Itachi's Change, Night Encounter with Hyuga Princess Hinata!

Soon, Sasuke's chakra recovered.

He immediately requested to continue his battle with Itachi.

Itachi naturally agreed with pleasure, but Sasuke's subsequent performance kept forcing Itachi to constantly recalibrate his level of seriousness.

The Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu could explode?!

Was this terrifying range really just a C-rank Fire Style technique?

How could a five-year-old child possess such precise control over his chakra?

How could the mental energy of a five-year-old child sustain the use of the Three-Tomoe Sharingan?!

After the third sparring session, Sasuke lay in the training ground, unable to move.

Even with the help of the system and his training during this period, there was still a gap between him and Itachi.

"Sasuke, were the words you said earlier something Father told you to tell me?"

Itachi had originally intended to accompany Sasuke in his training to strengthen their bond as brothers, but now, his heart could no longer remain calm.

The younger brother before him, who was so gifted he was practically a monster, along with that unique way of thinking... it even made him, once a genius himself, feel a sense of inferiority.

"That was my own understanding."

"Father, perhaps he still holds a shred of fantasy regarding the village. Otherwise, he wouldn't have allowed Brother to join the Anbu."

Sasuke spoke softly. His slightly weary voice reached Itachi's ears.

"Release!"

Itachi held up his fingers, dispelling the barrier surrounding them. He then hoisted Sasuke onto his back and headed toward their home.

After placing Sasuke on his bed, Itachi left the room.

"Two more times to go."

"What should I do next to shock my dear brother?"

Sasuke looked at the system panel, feeling somewhat helpless. If he could have held out for just one more round, he would have completed the mission today. Oh well, given Itachi's brother-obsessed persona, he would likely come looking for him soon enough. For now, it was better to focus on improving his own strength.

With that thought, Sasuke immediately began his training to temper his cell activity and refine his chakra.

Meanwhile, Itachi had donned his mask and arrived at the Hokage Office.

"How is the investigation going? I am still quite curious about your younger brother. With such strong talent, he should be guided properly so he can become a powerful protector of the village. Perhaps he could even be groomed to become Hokage in the future."

Hiruzen Sarutobi held his pipe, speaking with a kindly expression.

"Today, Sasuke asked me for advice on taijutsu training and his understanding of Fire Style. He is indeed stronger than the average child, but he cannot yet be called a genius. At the very least, everything he can do now, I was also able to do at five years old. As for persuading him to change his dreams, that will take time."

Itachi stood before Hiruzen, speaking without a hint of emotion. Because he was wearing a mask, his expression remained hidden.

"Hmm... In that case, I will leave this matter to you, Itachi! If there is anything you need the village to assist with, let me know at any time. Also, do not have any contact with Danzo."

Hiruzen said, then waved his hand.

Itachi nodded, then vanished from the spot.

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not realize at this moment that Itachi's attitude had already begun to shift.

On the contrary, because of Itachi's words, he eased his focus on Sasuke Uchiha.

With such a good older brother around, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not need to worry too much.

Just as Shisui had influenced Itachi, Itachi influencing Sasuke would be far too simple.

Now, the greater problem lay with that fellow, Danzo Shimura.

Although it was unclear why, Danzo's targeting of the Uchiha seemed to have become increasingly urgent.

Next, it was time to properly knock Root down a peg.

Late at night.

"Gurgle, gurgle..."

A wave of hunger pulled Sasuke back from his training.

"Damn, I forgot to prepare a midnight snack today."

Refining chakra and tempering cellular activity consumed a massive amount of energy.

At this hour, finding something to eat was not exactly easy.

Furthermore, Sasuke did not want to disturb his mother's rest just because he wanted a bite to eat.

"Right, Ichiraku Ramen seems to stay open at night!"

"I might as well go and see this so-called Uncle Otsutsuki!"

Thinking of this, Sasuke stood up and left his room.

Following the route in his memory, Sasuke soon found the Ichiraku Ramen stall with its lights still on.

"There's someone else?"

There was a small shadow behind the curtain.

He hadn't expected someone else to be out eating late at night just like him.

"Uncle, ten bowls of the signature ramen, please."

Sasuke lifted the curtain, sat down on a stool, and spoke up.

"Ten bowls?"

"We don't really recommend eating this much at night... never mind, kids these days seem to have quite the appetite."

Teuchi had originally intended to offer some advice, but remembering the little girl from just a moment ago, he didn't continue.

He went straight to boiling the noodles.

"Hinata?"

"Sasuke?"

At this moment, both of them saw each other.

He hadn't expected the little princess of the Hyuga clan to be out for a late-night snack as well.

Both of them were somewhat stunned to run into each other here.

"Training until this late?"

"Does the Hyuga household not provide you with food?"

Sasuke teased.

"No."

"I... I was just..."

Hinata's personality was naturally somewhat shy.

Being caught by her classmate while out for a late-night snack, combined with the ten empty bowls lined up beside her, nearly made Hinata blush until she fainted.

Speaking... that was impossible to do normally.

"Can you still eat a bit more?"

"As your classmate, I'll treat you."

Sasuke said generously.

Ever since Sasuke had displayed talent far beyond the ordinary, the allowance Fugaku Uchiha gave him had been quite ample.

"I'm not hungry anymore, I'm already full..."

"Are you really sure?"

Hinata had originally intended to refuse.

But seeing Teuchi already bringing out two bowls of ramen, Hinata found herself saying those words as if possessed.

"That would be fine."

Sasuke found this amusing.

This girl was, in the original story, a bigger glutton than even Naruto and Choji!

He hadn't expected this talent for gluttony to awaken so early.

Then again, training required a great deal of energy, and as an inheritor of the Byakugan bloodline limit, it was only natural for Hinata to have a high demand for food.

Coupled with her personality, she likely felt too embarrassed to eat much back at her clan.

That was why this situation had come about.

However, this amusement was only fleeting.

Soon, Sasuke was stunned.

Having already finished ten bowls of ramen, Hinata had actually gone on to eat five more.

Most importantly, she still looked as though she hadn't had enough.