Speak My Name, and You'll Jump in Fright

Bang!

That punch landed squarely on his face. The sound of bones caving in and shattering rang through the vast mission hall, drawing nearly everyone's attention to the commotion.

Blood dripped from his fingers, each drop clearly audible. Yet Itachi stood firmly in place without moving an inch, as though he had been nailed to the ground.

"How is that possible?"

Izumi cried out in alarm. That hadn't been the Substitution Jutsu or the Crow Clone Technique, which meant he had taken that punch head-on.

"Don't look. It'll be a little—"

Hinata Bai hurriedly pulled Izumi Uchiha close, covering her eyes with his hand like the perfect gentleman before stepping in front of her.

Still, he felt a little disdainful inside. So this was what a Jonin amounted to? He'd been injured by a single punch.

If that was all it took, he would catch up to this guy soon enough.

"AAAAAHHHH!!!"

A shriek like a slaughtered pig suddenly erupted. Everyone turned in astonishment to see Aburame Yamanaka clutching his hand and crying. His five fingers were twisted to varying degrees, bones bulging grotesquely beneath the skin. Anyone who saw it would get goosebumps.

How could that be?

His hand had been the one striking someone else. Why was he the one injured instead?

Quite a few people rubbed their eyes, disbelief written all over their faces. Chishang Nan rushed over and grabbed his boss, applying ointment to treat the wound.

But that contact only made the pig-like shrieks even more miserable.

"Those who commit many injustices will bring about their own destruction."

Itachi sneered and took the scroll from the stunned Chunin beside him. He had been determined to get this mission from the start.

"Bastard! What did you do to our boss?!"

Chishang Nan roared. Several lackeys immediately surrounded Itachi, forming a pincer formation, while Hinata Bai and Izumi Uchiha quickly drew their kunai and stood on guard.

In an instant, the mission hall was on the verge of exploding.

This place was one of Konoha's most important faces, a place where merchants and distinguished guests from all over were received. These people paid to hire fighters, naturally wanting to see what Konoha's standards were like.

Besides, whatever happened wasn't their responsibility. They were more than happy to watch things get bigger.

"All of you, stop! What kind of behavior is this?"

A cold voice suddenly rang out. An Anbu ninja appeared between them like a ghost, and in an instant, the entire space was filled with a grim, icy chill.

[Ninjutsu: Chilling Charm Domain]

Was this the big-breasted Anbu beauty, Oda Misuzu???

After all, even through that black, slimming bodysuit, her curvaceous figure remained impossible to hide—a slender tree bearing abundant fruit.

There was no way he could be mistaken.

Especially since he had saved this woman during a previous mission. Honestly, she had been bonelessly soft, with that slender waist one could hold in a single grasp, and those soft dips that had just the right amount of springiness.

It really left one wanting more.

Come to think of it, this woman still owed him a favor.

Itachi pursed his lips slightly and shrugged, indicating that he would cooperate. Just as he was about to say something—

The masked woman shot him a cold glance, as if they had never met. Then her gaze lingered on Izumi Uchiha for several seconds.

Women.

Itachi immediately felt a headache coming on.

But what was he supposed to say now? Should he take the initiative to distance himself from her? If he did, there would probably be a woman tugging on each of his ears.

"Fighting is prohibited here. Bear the consequences yourselves if you refuse to comply."

The Anbu's blade slid from its sheath. Even Chishang Nan and the others secretly swallowed. As the Hokage's personal guard, the Anbu represented Konoha's sharpest blade.

They weren't people just anyone could provoke.

"Tian, it's fine. I'll handle my own affairs. If I remember correctly, private fights aren't prohibited in the mission hall. Leave this to me."

Itachi spoke softly, but every word reached the ears of the bounty squad.

Everyone's brows furrowed. Was this young man planning to challenge an entire squad of strong fighters by himself?

"Interesting. Young people these days really are arrogant."

Jiraiya leaned lazily against the railing nearby. As he looked at the big-breasted Anbu beauty, he clicked his tongue in appreciation. She really was a mature woman.

He immediately knew what he would write about in the next volume of Make-Out Paradise.

"But before we fight, shouldn't you at least tell me your names?"

Itachi's tone was calm. Perhaps he could find some clues in those names.

"What, planning to get revenge later?"

Chishang Nan sneered. Seeing his boss injured, his chaotic thoughts gradually settled. Maybe it had all been a coincidence. After all, his boss's hand had suffered a serious injury before and hadn't fully recovered.

Maybe this brat had some tricks up his sleeve, but he was still just a brat. What was there to fear?

With that thought, he became quite skilled at comforting himself.

"Speak our names, and you'll jump in fright! We're members of the Aburame and Yamanaka Clans. Getting beaten today will teach you a lesson—don't be so arrogant. Ninja Academy graduates like you don't know the immensity of heaven and earth. Don't think anyone will take you seriously once you're out in the real world."

Chishang Nan sneered, already thinking about how to kill this little brat.

He had to leave some kind of mark on him. Otherwise, if beasts didn't go around him in the future, he'd always be inviting bad luck.

"So that's all it is. No problem."

Itachi nodded, then waved to the big-breasted Anbu beauty, Oda Misuzu, beside him with the air of a boss.

"Then I'll leave it to you. Don't blame me if you get beaten up."

The masked Anbu member snorted coldly and stepped aside. Judging from their conversation, they seemed to be old acquaintances. Anbu members were all elites—if he knew them...

Cold sweat immediately broke out across Chishang Nan's head. He suddenly realized that these little brats might not be as simple as Genin.

"So, do you still want another lesson? Since I'm already doing a good deed, I don't mind helping you a little more."

Itachi turned back, speaking each word slowly. His voice struck directly at those who dared provoke the Uchiha Clan.

"Itachi, forget it. Even your colleague told you not to stir up more trouble."

Izumi Uchiha quickly reminded him. She was quite considerate, and as a woman herself, she could tell that the way the other woman looked at her wasn't friendly. It even carried an inexplicable jealousy.

She was worried something might happen.

Colleague!!!

To Chishang Nan and the others, that word was like thunder on level ground. There were only two Uchiha Clan members who had joined the Anbu.

One was the freak known as Shisui of the Body Flicker, and the other was the prodigy known as Itachi of the Demon God.

Especially Itachi—rumor had it that he could take on Orochimaru alone. That was one of the legendary Konoha's Three Ninja!!!

"You... you're not...?"

Chishang Nan could already feel sweat soaking his back. They had really kicked an iron plate this time. So their boss's broken hand definitely hadn't been some accidental coincidence.

Itachi paid them no further attention. With the matter settled, he brushed off his sleeves and left, hiding his achievements and fame.

He simply couldn't be bothered with this bunch of trash.

"Vice Captain, it's been a long time."

Another Anbu ninja arrived after hearing the commotion and nodded slightly to Itachi Uchiha. This successive confirmation nearly left them unable to breathe.

He was a Jonin!!

And the Anbu's vice captain, which meant the person they had just offended...

Fuck.

"Hello, everyone—so, shall we begin?"

Itachi greeted them with a smile. Inadvertently, a row of neat yet chillingly white teeth was revealed. With a thump, they felt their hearts suddenly constrict.

Chishang Nan and the others would probably have nightmares tonight.