Itachi Uchiha's Probing

Juzo Biwa had suffered at the hands of Chen Xiaoxi long ago and knew full well how powerful he was. Believing that their team's chances of success would be much higher with Chen Xiaoxi on board, he had no objections and was, in fact, quite looking forward to it.

Itachi Uchiha, however, seemed lost in thought, appearing as if he were contemplating something.

"Chen Xiaoxi, is it..."

"It seems we shall be temporary partners for this mission. I look forward to working with you."

Itachi Uchiha, who had remained silent until now, walked straight up to Chen Xiaoxi. He suddenly raised his eyes, gazed at Chen Xiaoxi, and asked calmly.

His tone was unhurried, and his expression was remarkably indifferent.

It seemed as though he merely wished to offer a greeting.

Harmless enough.

However, at that very moment, "First, do not address me by my name."

"We are not familiar with one another. Since you joined the Akatsuki after I did, you should show some courtesy and call me 'Senior,' do you understand?"

Chen Xiaoxi narrowed his eyes slightly, then stared at Itachi Uchiha, chuckled, and raised a single finger.

"..."

As the words fell, Itachi Uchiha was momentarily stunned, not expecting Chen Xiaoxi to say such things.

Yet, what happened next was even more unexpected.

Chen Xiaoxi suddenly extended a second finger, and the smile on his face vanished instantly.

"Second..."

"Do not attempt to use your Sharingan to test me with genjutsu again."

"If there is a next time, I will gouge out your eyes."

"Do you understand?"

"!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Xiaoxi's Reiatsu erupted!

An invisible, terrifying pressure descended instantly, surging outward in all directions!

"!"

Pain, Konan, and Juzo Biwa, who were standing nearby, all had their expressions change the moment they heard this!

As for Itachi Uchiha, his pupils constricted instantly, and he froze completely!

No, that's impossible!

My... my Sharingan, it was actually seen through?

Itachi Uchiha was utterly bewildered!

In the instant their gazes met... he had indeed used his Sharingan on Chen Xiaoxi.

His original intention had merely been to try and analyze Chen Xiaoxi's Golden Eyes, the "Wicked Eye of the Tyrant"...

However, he had been unable to analyze anything at all.

Consequently, he had attempted to quietly use a mental suggestion genjutsu with his Sharingan, wanting to test whether those Golden Eyes could grant immunity to it.

As it turned out, not only did the guy successfully resist it, but he had even detected the subtle movements Itachi had made in that split second!

"..."

Itachi couldn't help but gasp inwardly, his pupils tight with disbelief.

From this moment on, he became certain—

Chen Xiaoxi's Golden Eyes, known as the "Wicked Eye of the Tyrant," were definitely some kind of mysterious Kekkei Genkai dojutsu!

Furthermore, his ocular power... was already so strong that it was impossible to analyze.

If my Sharingan's ocular power is six thousand, then his Wicked Eye of the Tyrant is at least ten thousand or more!

He is a monster, plain and simple!

While Itachi was deep in thought, Juzo Biwa covered his face, wanting to slip away immediately.

...Of all the people you could have tested, why him?

Did you really have to go and provoke this guy?

I told you repeatedly not to mess with him...

Yi Da Qi, you really are a stubborn fool!

Juzo Biwa cursed silently in his heart.

However.

Beside them, Pain and Konan made no effort to hide their emotions, their expressions darkening in an instant.

Following this, Pain used a Body Flicker technique, appearing directly in front of Itachi Uchiha.

Looking down at Itachi with his Rinnegan, he spoke in a cold, heavy voice:

"Itachi Uchiha! What do you think you are doing...!"

"To use your Sharingan at a time like this! Have you... forgotten the Akatsuki Prohibition?"

"..."

As the words fell, Itachi Uchiha snapped out of his thoughts.

Startled, he immediately lowered his head and hurriedly apologized:

"I-I am sorry."

"I... I was simply curious about Chen Xiaoxi's eyes, and that is why I offended you."

"I had absolutely no intention of provoking or ambushing anyone!"

As he spoke, Itachi Uchiha looked toward Chen Xiaoxi, bowing his head with apparent sincerity as he said calmly:

"Senior Chen Xiaoxi, please do not take offense."

"I have never seen such magnificent eyes as yours before; not even in the records of the Leaf Village's Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was there any mention of them..."

"That is why I was overcome by curiosity."

"I am deeply sorry."

Itachi Uchiha kept his head bowed, explaining himself at a measured pace without a blush or a racing heart, all while continuing to praise Chen Xiaoxi's abilities.

"..."

Watching this scene, Chen Xiaoxi narrowed his eyes, unable to help but sigh inwardly.

Itachi Uchiha truly lives up to his reputation as an Actor.

Even while apologizing, his tone and demeanor remained perfectly calm, without a single ripple of emotion.

This unflappable acting skill could almost rival that of a certain honest, bespectacled man from Bleach.

Thinking this, Chen Xiaoxi remained expressionless and spoke indifferently:

"You certainly come up with excuses on the fly."

"But, that Hokage of yours, Hiruzen Sarutobi, doesn't even know about my eyes?"

"Heh, isn't he supposed to be the know-it-all of the Ninja World? He doesn't even know this?"

"...Uh, he is the Professor of Ninjutsu."

"..."

Chen Xiaoxi rolled his eyes, turned around, and waved his hand.

"Let's go, let's go."

"I can't deal with people from the Leaf."

"Meet at the tower in an hour. We're heading to Sunagakure."

With that, Chen Xiaoxi strolled out of the cave.

"..."

After a moment of silence among those present, Pain looked at Itachi Uchiha once more and spoke indifferently:

"Itachi, from now on... you are not permitted to take action against any member of the Akatsuki."

"Otherwise, you will be treated as a traitor to the Akatsuki, just like Orochimaru. Do you understand?"

"...I understand."

Itachi lowered his eyes slightly and nodded.

Juzo Biwa, standing to the side, finally spoke up, wiping away a bead of sweat as he complained with some annoyance:

"Tch... seriously."

"I told you not to test that guy. Look at you, outmatched, aren't you?"

"..."

Itachi Uchiha remained silent for a moment before saying softly:

"Mr. Juzo, you are right."

"Senior Chen Xiaoxi's Wicked Eye of the Tyrant... is truly unexpectedly powerful, far beyond my own. I am no match for him."

"On this trip to Sunagakure,"

"Perhaps we will be able to see Senior Chen Xiaoxi use those Golden Eyes in battle up close..."

Itachi Uchiha's eyes flickered slightly.

He seemed to be deep in thought.

He appeared even more expectant of seeing Chen Xiaoxi in combat, hoping that he might witness a spectacular scene when the time came.

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