[Ding! Congratulations, host. You have completed the mission: Shock Itachi 10 times.] [Rewards: Dojutsu: Abyss of Hell, Soul Interrogation; 1 Mystery Experience Card.]
After defeating the three opponents, Sasuke heard the system's long-awaited notification ring in his ears.
Two B-rank genjutsu and an experience card.
However, there was still a question mark on the experience card.
"System, use the experience card."
Sasuke didn't like hoarding things.
He chose to activate the card right away.
As the question mark on the card disappeared, Sasuke froze.
The information displayed on it was enough to shock him.
Used well, this thing could save his life!
Sasuke's heart sank as he suppressed his excitement.
Then he returned to his team.
"Hinata, you saw that fight clearly, right?"
"Do you have anything to say?"
Sasuke asked her directly.
"Just now, Sasuke, you asked me where the three of them had the least chakra, and where their pressure points were."
"Was that so you could carry out that precise attack?"
Hinata gazed at him with admiration.
In just a few seconds, Sasuke had come up with such a brilliant plan.
And this was the first time they had worked together!
"Yeah."
"There's no need to waste too much energy in a fight like that."
"The Ninja World is unstable these days, and we may face even more opponents in the future."
"If we can't treat every fight like a real battle now, we'll be at a disadvantage when the time comes."
Sasuke spoke earnestly.
In the original story, Team 7 had been completely at sea when facing many of their enemies.
As a result, they had been far too panicked and confused against both Gaara's team and Orochimaru...
"Mm."
"I understand."
Hinata nodded firmly.
"You've already talked to your family about the food, right?"
"Yes, I have."
"Good. Keep training hard. I hope we can keep fighting side by side in the future."
"Mm..."
"Hinata, what's wrong? Why is your face so red?"
"I..."
"Could you two say something I can actually understand?!"
Just as Hinata was at a loss for words, Naruto spoke up.
He understood each part of their conversation on its own, but put together, none of it made sense to him.
"Sasuke asked me to pinpoint the three opponents' pressure points. Then he used his incredible speed to defeat them while expending as little energy as possible."
"Even though neither of us took part in the fight, this was still a kind of team battle."
"I handled the intel, Sasuke handled the fighting, and you handled not getting in the way."
"Mm, that's right."
Hinata answered seriously.
At this point, Hinata and Naruto had no special bond.
By contrast, she had developed a special affection for Sasuke.
So she spoke without the slightest concern for Naruto's feelings.
"Uh..."
"Uh..."
Sasuke and Naruto were both at a loss for words.
Who could have guessed that such a cute girl would say something like that?
Even Sasuke was taken aback.
"All right. Let's move on to the second round of team battles."
"Uchiha Sasuke, Uzumaki Naruto, Hinata Hyuga."
[VS]
"Yasuda Shimura..."
The second match began soon after.
Nearby, Itachi still wore a look of astonishment.
Sasuke's moves had been absolutely flawless.
Itachi had to admit to himself that, under the same circumstances, he couldn't have come up with such a perfect plan.
Although victory had been a foregone conclusion...
"Lord Hokage wants you to see him."
At that moment, an Anbu appeared behind Itachi.
There was a hint of hostility in the operative's voice.
But that was only natural.
Not many people in the village liked the Uchiha.
Even though Itachi had joined the Anbu, his fellow operatives treated him coldly whenever they weren't on a mission.
Itachi still wanted to watch Sasuke's fight, but he chose to leave.
In the principal's office,
Hiruzen Sarutobi was studying a test paper in front of him, his expression grave.
"Lord Hokage."
Itachi appeared and bowed respectfully to Hiruzen.
"Itachi, take a look at this test."
Hiruzen handed him an anonymous test paper.
"A perfect score, and his analysis of certain battle situations is already at a Chunin's level."
"And then there's this... this Will of Fire..."
"Lord Hokage, is this the answer key?"
Itachi looked over the answers, bewildered.
Why was Hiruzen showing him this?
Was it just to show him how to praise himself in the answer key?
Itachi hadn't even noticed that he had begun to feel a little resistant to this so-called Will of Fire.
"This is Uchiha Sasuke's test."
"How many points do you think he deserves?"
Hiruzen took a deep drag on his pipe, then asked slowly.
"Sasuke?!"
Itachi's Sharingan sprang open. The revelation hit him so hard that his mind went blank.
"Lord Hokage, if this really is Sasuke's test, I'd give him full marks!"
A few breaths later, Itachi realized he'd been rude.
He quickly gave his answer.
"Why give him full marks just because it's Sasuke?"
Hiruzen asked with interest.
"First, Sasuke is only five years old, yet his test already shows an impressive foundation in general knowledge."
"Second, I don't think his understanding of the Will of Fire is any weaker than mine."
"Finally, I'm giving him full marks precisely because he's my little brother."
"This score has nothing to do with any other feelings I might have."
Itachi answered earnestly.
He was so excited that his body even began to tremble.
"I agree that he deserves full marks."
"Besides, his combat ability and skills are both excellent."
"Itachi, I hope you can set aside more time to teach Sasuke."
"Help him grow into someone who can serve the village!"
"The young generation must forge Konoha's strongest shield!"
Hiruzen began his little campaign of persuasion.
And Itachi was clearly susceptible to it!
Not only had Hiruzen given Itachi a special assignment that would let him spend plenty of time with his little brother, he had also shown his approval of Sasuke.
For a doting big brother, it was pure bliss!
After giving Itachi a few instructions, Hiruzen bowed slightly, and then disappeared from the office.
"Fugaku Uchiha, you probably never imagined that your two sons would inherit the Will of Fire so perfectly, did you?"
"This contest was already yours to lose from the very beginning..."
As smoke billowed around him, Hiruzen wore a smug smile...
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