That's it?
Kazuki found the situation amusing.
Just because of a single remark Shisui had made before his death, Uchiha Itachi had now come to him, seeking answers?
Was this the infamous brother complex and younger sibling complex that seemed to run in the Uchiha family?
Itachi, in particular, embodied this trait to perfection.
At that moment, Kazuki suddenly recalled the mission assigned by his system.
The Uchiha clan's Fire Release techniques were renowned throughout the world, far more powerful than ordinary fire-style jutsu.
And standing before him was none other than Uchiha Itachi.
Wouldn't he be the perfect person to help him complete this task?
"I can tell you everything I know, but I need you to do me a favor first," Kazuki said after a brief pause.
"Go on," Itachi replied.
Kazuki pulled out a kunai and held it up. "If you can burn this kunai with Fire Release ninjutsu, I'll tell you everything."
Burn a kunai with Fire Release?
What kind of strange request was that?
A flicker of doubt flashed through Itachi's eyes, but he didn't question it. After all, this task was trivial for someone like him.
The Uchiha clan's Fire Release techniques could generate temperatures of thousands of degrees—easily hot enough to melt metal in an instant.
"Fine, I'll help you."
Itachi nodded, placed the kunai on the ground, and began weaving hand seals.
"Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu!" (Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!)
A roaring sphere of flames engulfed the kunai.
But when the flames dissipated… the kunai remained completely intact. Not even a hint of red-hot glow.
"What?"
Itachi's usually calm demeanor wavered slightly.
His sharp eyes narrowed in surprise.
"The quality of this kunai is impressive. It's even better than the ones sold by Uchiha weapons shop," he remarked indifferently. Without further hesitation, he formed more hand seals and unleashed another jutsu.
"Katon: Hōsenka no Jutsu!" (Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!)
Then another.
"Katon: Haisekishō!" (Fire Release: Ash Pile Burning!)
And another.
"Katon: Ryūka no Jutsu!" (Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique!)
One after another, Itachi unleashed a barrage of high-level Fire Release techniques.
Kazuki watched closely.
As expected of an ANBU member.
He made a mental assessment of Itachi's current strength.
He was already on the level of a Jōnin, and if he awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, he could easily eliminate three or four high-level shinobi in an instant. His talent was truly terrifying.
And he was only thirteen.
A true prodigy.
But…
Kazuki was confident.
By the time he reached this age, his own strength would surpass the current Itachi!
"Are you messing with me?"
Itachi's usually composed face darkened, and a trace of irritation seeped into his tone. His breathing was slightly heavier—he had just released multiple B-rank and C-rank Fire Release techniques in quick succession.
Even for him, the chakra expenditure was not insignificant.
If it weren't for his need to uncover the truth behind Shisui's death, he wouldn't have agreed to entertain Kazuki's bizarre request.
More importantly, none of this made sense.
Burning a kunai with fire-style jutsu…
What kind of ridiculous test is this?
"Hahaha… Don't worry, take a break first," Kazuki said, rubbing the back of his head awkwardly. He hadn't expected this mission to be so troublesome.
Even with Itachi's immense skill in Fire Release, his attacks still hadn't produced the energy that the system required.
At the same time, Kazuki felt fortunate to have enlisted Itachi's help.
If he had attempted this alone, who knew how long it would take to gather the necessary Fire Release energy?
Itachi's expression softened slightly.
Without saying a word, he sat down cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began meditating to restore his chakra.
Half an hour later, his eyes opened.
He exhaled calmly and stood up.
Then, without hesitation, he formed the same hand seals again.
"Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu!" (Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!)
"Katon: Hōsenka no Jutsu!" (Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!)
And the cycle continued…
…
After repeating this several times,
half a day had passed.
Kazuki, waiting idly by the side, was starting to feel drowsy.
Just as Uchiha Itachi was about to give up,
a crisp "click" suddenly echoed in the air.
The suffering in front of him was finally over.
Great!
For a brief moment, Uchiha Itachi almost jumped in excitement,
as if he had just completed an immensely difficult and important task.
However, being the composed and mature person he was,
he quickly suppressed the urge.
Only a faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
Then, realization struck him.
Wait… why was I using Fire Release on a kunai in the first place?
"Wow! You really did it!"
Kazuki, hearing the system prompt, immediately jumped up.
He walked over, patted Itachi on the shoulder, and praised him with enthusiasm.
"Well done, brother!"
Uchiha Itachi: "…"
Since when were we so familiar with each other?
Kazuki, however, paid no mind to Itachi's inner turmoil.
He had always been easy to get along with,
and anyone who helped him was naturally considered a friend.
"Thanks for this," Kazuki said with a smile.
"As for what you want to know about my relationship with Shisui, I'll explain everything."
With that, he began recounting his past meeting with Uchiha Shisui.
"Are you just trying to survive…?"
After listening to Kazuki's story,
Uchiha Itachi fell into deep thought.
Kazuki observed his expression.
It was clear that Itachi was still weighed down by the rumors surrounding Shisui's death.
However, in the original timeline, the last person Shisui saw before his death was none other than Itachi himself.
Shisui had entrusted him with Kotoamatsukami, his most powerful genjutsu,
before choosing to take his own life by jumping into the Naka River.
But judging from Itachi's reaction now…
something was different.
If things had unfolded exactly as they did in the original story,
then Itachi wouldn't be searching for clues about Shisui's death—
he would already know the truth.
Instead, he had come to him for answers.
"When was the last time you saw Shisui?"
"On Hokage Rock," Itachi answered truthfully.
"He said he was going to meet with Lord Hokage… If he succeeded, he could…"
Itachi trailed off,
choosing not to reveal the rest.
This was a matter between the Uchiha clan and the village—
a secret not meant to be shared.
Kazuki nodded.
Even without Itachi saying it,
he was well aware of how strained the relationship between the Uchiha and Konoha had become.
After a moment of contemplation,
he looked at Itachi and smiled.
"I don't think Shisui is dead."
"…What?"
Shisui had been both a mentor and a close friend to Itachi.
The weight of his loss had shaped Itachi's resolve,
forcing him onto the path he now walked.
But now—hearing the possibility that Shisui might still be alive—
a flicker of hope ignited in his dark eyes.
"If his body was never found, then there's no confirmation of death, right?" Kazuki pointed out.
"If Shisui truly survived,
then he must have had his own reasons for disappearing.
And for you… all you need to do is continue believing in him."
Itachi was silent for a moment.
Then, slowly, he nodded.
For the first time since Shisui's disappearance,
the suffocating weight pressing on his heart seemed to ease.
If Shisui was still alive…
then he still had a chance.
His path remained unchanged.
He would continue forward—
just as Shisui had told him to.
After parting ways with Uchiha Itachi,
Kazuki returned home and began working on the new Hidden Mask designs he had obtained.
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