Hostility from Allies

[You have successfully gained the favor of the Masked Tiger Man]

[This will lay the groundwork for outside support toward the prosperity and development of the Uchiha Clan]

[You have obtained Ninjutsu Scrolls x10]

[You have gained Ninjutsu Power: +3]

[You have gained Agility: +2]

[You have gained Personal Charm: +6]

A stream of data refreshed across the system panel. Looking at the rewards, Itachi was fairly satisfied.

He had turned danger into safety without following the usual script.

He could always reach unexpected heights. At least his efforts had not been wasted.

Still, trying to recruit an expert like that with his current strength was nothing but a fantasy. In the end, he still needed to improve his own power.

Without the right tools, one should not take on difficult work. Only by forging himself stronger could he resolve the Uchiha Clan's current predicament.

"What's going on?"

Several figures suddenly halted nearby, forming an encirclement from different angles around the center. They were from the Konoha Border Patrol Squad, but when they saw the assassination tactical special forces uniform—a black bodysuit beneath a white suspender vest—

They fell silent in fear.

Konoha's Anbu ranked above their unit. As the Hokage's confidants, they also possessed the privilege of acting first and reporting later. The patrol squad had no authority to question them.

"This has nothing to do with you. Disperse!"

Itachi put on his mask, danger emanating from his voice. The Chunin swallowed hard.

With that small frame, it was not difficult to guess who stood before them. Especially with that self-assured voice—Itachi Uchiha!

"Who says it has nothing to do with us? You brat, do you know how much damage you've done to Konoha's vegetation? This is all Konoha property!"

A voice that sounded vaguely infantile descended from above. Itachi's mouth twitched as he looked at the Azure Beast, Might Guy. His green bodysuit looked incredibly cool in manga, but in reality—

It was truly hard to compliment.

"What a hassle. I'll submit the relevant mission report to Lord Hokage. You can just file your reports as usual."

Itachi frowned as he spoke and was just about to leave when he suddenly sensed the gazes of those beside him. It was hostility that prickled against his back, their blazing stares stabbing into him like knives.

He had never imagined that the malice suffered by the Uchiha Clan—

Had reached the point where it made no distinction between young and old.

What teammates? They were practically mortal enemies!!!

But he would not develop Stockholm syndrome and be swept up in a feverish madness to slaughter his entire clan. What he would do was uproot every enemy who bore hostility toward them.

He would not allow such a tragedy to happen again.

Never again.

"What are you doing? Stop!"

A thunderous shout rang out.

Several figures darted through the air and appeared directly beside Itachi. They were Anbu members led by Kakashi. They could sense the hostility between the two groups before them; the air reeked of gunpowder, as though they might attack at any moment.

Kakashi looked at the lingering energy ripples around them. They were traces of residual chakra, yet still remarkably powerful. Had a conflict already occurred before they arrived?

These guys really never let anyone rest easy.

"Kakashi, you came at just the right time. This guy just now, he—"

Upon seeing that silver-white hair, Might Guy called out his close friend's name even through the mask.

"Hey!"

The busty beauty Oda Misuzu rebuked him, cold hostility in her voice. Those beside her immediately drew their kunai.

They watched him like tigers eyeing prey.

"Don't you know that outside, you cannot call Anbu members carrying out official duties by their names?"

That was practically a violation of an Anbu taboo.

To a certain extent, once someone knew their name, they could learn the corresponding information first. As for the Hyuga Clan senior whose name had been called out during a mission, his eyes had ended up left in an enemy's head.

The horrific fate of being beheaded, along with those shrill screams, was enough to make even a hero like the White Fang of Konoha wake up in spasms in the middle of the night.

"It was actually a misunderstanding. This is what happened—"

Itachi gave them an out from the side. If this matter became too serious, powerful people would inevitably start investigating what had happened here.

If they learned of Obito Uchiha's existence too soon, he would likely lose another trump card.

After all, Konoha's suppression of the Uchiha Clan had recently been tightening step by step. Under such high-pressure policies, many clan members had been voicing endless complaints.

The voices of resistance within the clan were becoming increasingly apparent. It seemed that day was almost here.

But at least before achieving his goal, a man had to endure. Anyone who could not hold back and immediately surrendered his weapons was probably useless and incapable of accomplishing anything great.

The same principle applied to pursuing girls. One had to feint at advancing while holding back, rubbing up against the threshold without entering. Only then would the other party gradually lower her guard. Some men even pretended to be little boys, played the abstinence card, and then secretly drew close to girls.

There were countless tricks like that.

In short, now was not the time to expose his ambitions.

(Now was not the time to kneel before the esteemed readers and beg for votes.)

"It really was a misunderstanding."

Kakashi feigned hesitation, but Itachi saw through it all. Whenever this man lied, he could not help touching his chin to ease his embarrassment.

As an exceptionally skilled ninja, Itachi naturally noticed such microexpressions in painstaking detail.

"Yes, yes, it was just a misunderstanding."

Itachi hurriedly played along, appearing utterly harmless. At the very least, he did not want so many people watching him. On the surface, Konoha's greatest genius, Shisui Uchiha, had been watched by those bastards precisely because he was too outstanding and brilliant!

Afterward, he handed over the corresponding intelligence scroll.

Everything was flawless. After all, in his previous life, he had watched dozens of episodes of Empresses in the Palace with his ex-girlfriend.

How could he possibly stumble over the schemes and intrigues of a brat barely in his teens like Kakashi?

"I didn't expect you to be so capable."

Oda Misuzu also thought of how this child, who had only just joined the team, had managed to handle things so perfectly.

Originally, she had assumed he was another spoiled young master from one of Konoha's powerful clans, shoved in to gain some experience and pad his credentials. But at least now, that clearly was not the case.

"What are you talking about, big sister? I don't really understand."

Itachi smirked mischievously at her, his tone frivolous. Since he was secretly transmitting his voice, he was not worried about a third person hearing them.

Perhaps this was a secret between him and this girl.

What, did she think she could tease him however she wanted just because he was a child? Did she want to use him as practice for dating within the Anbu?

Woman, you're playing with fire.

"What's so hard to understand?"

Oda Misuzu froze slightly, then a trace of blush flashed across her pretty face. She spat out "brat" and glared at him fiercely. If the captain had not been here, she really would have wanted to crack his head open.

Fortunately, the mask concealed it all. Like a secret tryst, none of it was noticed by the people around them.