The atmosphere in the alley turned strange.
The Akatsuki member stood there like an invisible wall, making it hard to breathe.
Uchiha Rìtiān's mind raced.
This man said he knew the Uchiha Clan's future... what exactly did he mean?
Did he know about the Uchiha Clan Massacre?
No, the massacre resulted from the escalating conflict between Konoha High Command and the Uchiha Clan. It was only year forty-nine of Konoha now. That was still a long way off.
Wait, this man was from the Akatsuki... could Obito have sent him?
Uchiha Rìtiān was startled. If it was Obito, his purpose was obvious.
To recruit him in preparation for the future massacre.
Uchiha Rìtiān kept his expression unchanged, but he had already begun weighing things up.
"The Uchiha Clan's future?" Uchiha Rìtiān feigned confusion. "Isn't that something we create ourselves?"
The man paused, then smiled.
"What an interesting kid."
"But some things can't be changed through effort alone."
He took a step forward, and Uchiha Rìtiān's body instantly tensed.
"Don't be nervous. I mean no harm." The man stopped. "I only came to give you a warning."
"A warning about what?"
"Watch out for Danzo." The man's voice grew low. "That old bastard has had his eye on your Uchiha Clan for a long time."
Uchiha Rìtiān narrowed his eyes. "Why are you telling me this?"
"Because... we have a common enemy," the man said slowly. "That old bastard Danzo isn't just an enemy of your Uchiha. He's our enemy too."
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend, isn't that right?"
Uchiha Rìtiān sneered inwardly. Friends? The Akatsuki were never friends.
You just want to use me.
Still, he had to keep up appearances.
"Why should I believe any of this?" Uchiha Rìtiān asked with a frown.
"You don't need to believe me." The man smiled. "You only need to know that when you have nowhere else to turn, you can come to us."
He pulled a ring from inside his clothes and tossed it to Uchiha Rìtiān.
The ring was black, engraved with the character for "zero."
"This is a token. If you change your mind, take it to Amegakure. Someone will meet you there."
Uchiha Rìtiān caught the ring. It felt cold in his hand.
When he looked up, the man was already gone.
He had come and gone without a trace. His strength was unfathomable.
Uchiha Rìtiān gripped the ring, his brow furrowed.
The Akatsuki were already trying to recruit me? That was fast.
Still... this also showed that I really had been making too much noise lately. Even the Akatsuki had noticed.
Ding! Special item obtained: Akatsuki Liaison Ring. Hidden quest triggered: Play all sides. Quest requirements: Maneuver between the three factions of Konoha, Root, and the Akatsuki to gain the greatest benefit. Quest reward: To be determined.
Uchiha Rìtiān raised an eyebrow. A hidden quest too?
Interesting.
He put the ring into his storage scroll and clapped his hands.
Who cares about those three factions? Whatever comes, I'll deal with it.
You think you can push me, Uchiha Rìtiān, around?
When he returned home, Miwako had already made dinner.
"You're home, little Rìtiān? Go wash your hands and eat!" Miwako said with a smile.
Lie sat at the dining table, looking at Uchiha Rìtiān with a serious expression.
"Little Rìtiān, I heard you went to see Danzo today?"
Uchiha Rìtiān's heart lurched. How did Dad find out?
"Uh... yeah. Lord Danzo wanted to discuss something with me," Uchiha Rìtiān said vaguely.
Lie slammed his hand on the table. "Reckless! Don't you know what kind of man Danzo is? What good could possibly come of him summoning you?"
"Did you offend him? Tell me. Your dad will go get you justice!"
Warmth filled Uchiha Rìtiān as he watched his agitated father.
His blunt, straightforward father might not have been very bright, but he truly treated him well.
"Dad, don't worry. Everything's fine," Uchiha Rìtiān said with a smile. "I was discussing business with Lord Danzo. I didn't offend him."
"Business? What business?" Lie looked puzzled.
"Those ninja tools I invented. Root wants to buy them from me."
Lie's eyes widened. "Root... wants to buy your ninja tools?"
"That's right! From now on, your son is Root's official supplier!" Uchiha Rìtiān said proudly.
Lie opened his mouth, but for a long while, no words came out.
This son of his... really did always manage to do something unexpected.
Miwako's eyes lit up. "Really? Doesn't that mean you'll make a lot of money?"
"Of course!" Uchiha Rìtiān thumped his chest. "Our family will have more money than we could spend in several lifetimes!"
Miwako immediately beamed. "My son really is amazing!"
Lie was still a little worried, but seeing how confident Uchiha Rìtiān was, he said nothing more.
"Just be careful. That man Danzo... is unfathomable," Lie cautioned.
"Don't worry, Dad. I know what I'm doing."
After dinner, Uchiha Rìtiān returned to his room and began training.
He sat cross-legged on his bed and circulated his chakra.
Ever since defeating that branch-family member of the Hyuga Clan, his Sharingan had remained at the peak of the one-tomoe stage, only a step away from two-tomoe.
Progress on the system's two-tomoe quest had already reached 60%.
Just another 40%, and he could upgrade.
Uchiha Rìtiān opened his eyes, his Sharingan gleaming in the darkness.
Two-tomoe... just you wait!
For the next half month, Uchiha Rìtiān attended school while building his business empire.
The Chakra Flashlights and hand warmers sold like hotcakes, bringing in a fortune every day.
The name "Uchiha Rìtiān Technology" had truly made its mark.
And Uchiha Rìtiān himself had become a prominent figure at the Ninja Academy.
From first-years to sixth-years, everyone knew the name Uchiha Rìtiān.
After all, he was the only elementary school student in all of Konoha who could drive teachers crazy, challenge older students to fights, and do business with Konoha High Command.
After school one day, Uchiha Rìtiān was packing his bag when Itachi suddenly approached him.
"Uchiha Rìtiān, are you free?"
Uchiha Rìtiān paused. Itachi was coming to me? That was rare.
"Sure. What is it, Itachi?"
"Shisui wants to see you," Itachi said calmly.
Uchiha Rìtiān's eyes lit up. Shisui Uchiha!
The legendary Body Flicker Shisui!
Was he finally going to make an appearance?
"Sure! Where are we meeting?" Uchiha Rìtiān asked eagerly.
"Naka Shrine."
With that, Itachi turned and left.
Watching Itachi walk away, Uchiha Rìtiān rubbed his chin.
Shisui wanted to see me... what could it be about?
He had a feeling that his life as a ninja was about to enter a new stage.
Meanwhile, in the woods around Naka Shrine.
A young man wearing Uchiha Clan clothing leaned against a tree, a gentle smile on his lips.
He had short black hair and bright eyes.
It was Shisui Uchiha.
"That interesting kid Itachi mentioned... so he's Uchiha Rìtiān?"
"I'm rather looking forward to this."
Before you continue