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"I really didn't expect you to master the Flying Thunder God Technique!"
"Just lucky, that's all. I have to thank the Hokage for giving me this jutsu, or else I wouldn't have been able to learn it."
That night, in a private room at a yakiniku restaurant in Konoha, Yuugao's eyes carried a hint of disbelief.
As his teammate, she considered herself familiar with and trusting of Shuuzawa.
But this guy always seemed to cause a stir, constantly redefining how people saw him! The Flying Thunder God Technique?
That was a jutsu invented by the Second Hokage and perfected by the Fourth! Calling it the Hokage's technique wouldn't be an exaggeration.
After all, aside from the Hokage, no one else had managed to learn it. Compared to Yuugao's amazement, Shuuzawa was much more modest.
However, he had to admit that he had underestimated the impact of the Flying Thunder God in Konoha!
He could understand why Hiruzen Sarutobi was so shocked and delighted.
After all, anyone would be stunned to see someone as young as Shuuzawa, with no guidance, mastering such an incredibly difficult jutsu.
The significance of the Flying Thunder God for Konoha made it something to celebrate.
Yet, in the short time since the exam ended, it felt like he had become famous overnight in Konoha.
People recognized him no matter where he went and immediately started telling their friends about Shuuzawa using the Flying Thunder God.
The situation left Shuuzawa feeling both amused and exasperated.
"Don't be so humble. This jutsu is incredibly difficult. Even with guidance, not everyone can learn it," Kakashi said, shrugging with a smile.
His teacher had once tried to teach the technique to Genma Shiranui and a few others.
Unfortunately, none of them had the talent for it. Even with Minato's instruction, they never truly grasped it.
But soon, Kakashi's expression turned serious.
He lowered his voice and asked, "Now that you've learned this jutsu, is there any trouble from the other side?"
"Don't worry. Shuuzawa is a member of the Anbu now. We have the Hokage's protection."
Tenzo immediately understood what Kakashi meant and spoke up with a grin.
However, Shuuzawa nearly lost his composure when he heard that. The exam hadn't ended yet when Ryoma Aburame came looking for him.
That bastard Danzo was very interested in Shuuzawa's mastery of the Flying Thunder God. To secure his 'inheritance' from Danzo, Shuuzawa decided to humor him for the time being. Fortunately, dealing with him wasn't too troublesome—after all, Danzo was a man brimming with 'confidence.' Besides, it wasn't without benefits!
[Defeat Uchiha Itachi and make him realize the disgrace of Root]
[Mission Rating: A]
[Reward: 1 Free Point]
[Completed Mission: Ensure Uchiha Itachi remains unharmed]
[Mission Rating: S]
[Reward: 2 Free Points]
"Alright, enough of this. It's time to celebrate." Shaking his head, Shuuzawa said with a grin before turning to Kakashi with a mischievous look.
"By the way, Kakashi-senpai, I saw Gai-senpai looking for you earlier."
The mere mention of Gai made Kakashi's scalp tingle. "Gai is a great guy… just a bit too intense sometimes."
"Gai-senpai is actually pretty admirable," Yuugao nodded. Having all been students from the same generation, they were familiar with one another.
"I think Gai-senpai is just pursuing and living his dream."
Shuuzawa tilted his head and thought briefly before casually saying, "I've heard stories about Gai-senpai's past, and honestly, I respect him."
He wasn't just making things up—Gai's story was genuinely inspiring.
Few could endure years of rigorous training like him, polishing his body to the point where it could withstand the power of the Eight Gates.
As a civilian-born ninja, he pushed Madara Uchiha—who had reached Six Paths-level strength—to acknowledge him as the strongest in taijutsu.
That alone spoke volumes!
Shuuzawa trained hard, but he was self-aware—he had certain advantages. "Gai-senpai truly deserves respect," Yuugao said with admiration.
Kakashi, his one visible eye curling into a crescent, agreed.
"Yeah. He's always had a clear dream and has never stopped working toward it. He's always been an incredible guy."
Shuuzawa glanced at Kakashi. Though he no longer carried the cold detachment of the past, one had to wonder if he was still 'living for Obito.'
His demeanor, especially in the future when he trained Team 7, carried undeniable traces of Obito's influence.
If Obito had truly died, it would have been one thing—he would have been a hero who saved Kakashi's life.
But Obito wasn't dead. He had orchestrated the Nine-Tails attack and was now walking freely in Konoha!
Was he planning something against Itachi or Shisui? Or did he have other motives?
Obito was foolish in many ways, yet his strength undeniably made him highly dangerous. Truthfully, Shuuzawa didn't like him.
As one of the biggest backstabbers in Konoha's history, his betrayal was nearly as ridiculous as Itachi's.
"Even though I have the Flying Thunder God to counter Kamui, dealing with the Mangekyou Sharingan is best done with another Mangekyou."
Each Mangekyou Sharingan ability was unique, but they were all on the same level.
Shuuzawa had long believed that the best counter to space-time techniques was genjutsu!
No matter how well someone hid in Kamui's dimension, their eyes still needed to see their opponent, right?
With that thought in mind, he couldn't help but recall a certain Uchiha who may or may not exist—one buried underground for over a century yet still alive.
Shisui was an option, and Shuuzawa could certainly use him against Obito.
However, Obito inherited too many abilities from Madara, and Shuuzawa wanted someone completely aligned with his interests.
Shisui and Shuuzawa were merely colleagues; in truth, Shuuzawa was assigned to keep an eye on Shisui.
That was why he had his sights set elsewhere. Having played the game, he was well aware of how absurdly powerful that particular individual was.
But the real question was whether that person existed and, if so, where exactly they were buried.
"What a hassle…" Shuuzawa sighed, shaking his head. Yuugao, noticing the shift in his expression, asked, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Shuuzawa quickly returned to reality and looked at Yuugao seriously. "I was just thinking about something, senpai."
"Me?" Yuugao blinked, caught off guard by his words.
Shuuzawa chuckled. "Yeah. I just think you look better with your hair down than tied up."
"Brat, are you messing with me? And how many times have I told you—just call me Yuugao!"
Laughter filled the private room of the yakiniku restaurant. Meanwhile, over in the Uchiha compound, Fugaku Uchiha's expression darkened.
"Danzo."
Fugaku was in a foul mood. He had just received troubling news. His son's humiliating defeat had already left him displeased. But now…
He never believed his son could stand against the Flying Thunder God Technique.
As the clan leader, he was well aware that in history, Uchiha Izuna, the younger brother of Uchiha Madara, was slain by the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, using that very technique.
At that time, Izuna even possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Itachi was only ten, nearly eleven years old, so it was natural that he couldn't defend against it.
However, he believed his son would never repeat the same mistake.
In his view, Uchiha Izuna did not lose because the Mangekyō Sharingan was weak.
It was because he had let his guard down! The Mangekyō Sharingan was one of the Uchiha Clan's most formidable powers.
But now, Itachi was forced to face the Flying Thunder God and was completely overpowered in front of everyone.
How could Uchiha Fugaku possibly feel at ease? "Even if this was a regular assessment, did they really have to push Itachi this hard?"
Fugaku was in a foul mood. When they returned home, Itachi delivered another shocking news that left him utterly speechless.
The examiner—the young man who had mastered the Flying Thunder God—had asked Itachi a crucial question.
That question immediately gave Uchiha Fugaku an answer. That boy did it on purpose. Konoha did it on purpose. This was an act of retaliation!
"Itachi, I will ask you one more time. Are you certain he said that?" Taking a deep breath, Fugaku asked solemnly.
"Yes, Father," Itachi replied earnestly, sitting across from Fugaku with his head slightly lowered as he repeated the words.
"He asked me if I still remembered the Root shinobi I had once defeated."
Then, after a moment of hesitation, he looked up and asked, "Father, what exactly is Root?"
"Root..." Uchiha Fugaku hesitated.
He wasn't sure if he should reveal the truth to Itachi now. There was simply too much at stake!
However, one thing was clear: Danzo had always harbored deep hostility toward the Uchiha Clan.
Fugaku still couldn't forget how Danzo directly intervened on the night of the Nine-Tails' attack and prevented them from providing reinforcements.
Later, Danzo presided over the post-attack restructuring of Konoha's shinobi forces, forcing the Uchiha Clan into the isolated outskirts of the village.
These events created numerous lasting problems.
For instance, many people speculated that the Uchiha Clan was somehow involved in the Nine-Tails' attack—why else had they not joined the battle?
Additionally, their forced relocation sparked immense discontent within the clan, giving rise to radicals gaining more influence.
Everything, all of it, was Danzo's doing! Thinking about this, Uchiha Fugaku burned with anger.
Yet, he never once questioned whether he had contributed to the situation.
"I can't answer that for now," he said, forcing himself to remain calm.
"There are too many things involved." He looked at his son and continued seriously, "Perhaps you will understand in the future. But for now, it is too soon for you."
"I see. I understand, Father." Itachi nodded and did not press further. He had long been accustomed to this type of response.
From childhood, his father had always emphasized that true shinobi could only rely on themselves.
As a result, Itachi developed the habit of analyzing, thinking, and making decisions on his own.
His father's silence was nothing new. However, after some thought, he asked, "Then, Father, should we inform Shisui about this?"
"Shisui is in the Anbu, and he is on the same team as him. I believe he can handle it," Fugaku said after contemplating, shaking his head.
Shisui served as a bridge in the Anbu, allowing information to be relayed to the Third Hokage.
For now, it was best not to change anything. "I understand, Father."
Seeing his father's decision, Itachi did not argue. He nodded, then stood up. "I will take my leave now."
"Mm. Get some rest." Uchiha Fugaku nodded slightly, watching his son's departing figure as his fists clenched.
"Third Hokage, what exactly are you planning?" In front of his son, there were things he refrained from saying, but his mind was swirling with thoughts.
Shigenari Shuuzawa was one of Danzo's subordinates—did the Third Hokage not know this?
Why assign one of Danzo's men to evaluate his son if that was the case? Why pair Danzo's operative with Shisui? Unless…
"They still don't trust us, do they?" Uchiha Fugaku closed his eyes.
He had always sought to resolve tensions through peaceful means. Yet, this was the outcome he received, and it was beginning to shake his resolve.
...
The moonlight cast a hazy glow over Konoha's cemetery, where Uchiha Obito stood silently before a gravestone.
This was the resting place of Nohara Rin—the kind, strong-willed girl he remembered so well.
Witnessing Rin's death had left him utterly broken. However, he had not forgotten her wishes. That was why he did not take Rin's body, instead allowing Konoha to honor her as a hero and bury her here.
"Soon... The time when we meet again isn't far away, Rin." Obito's voice was soft, but his brows soon furrowed.
From the ground beside him, a monstrous Venus flytrap-like figure emerged. The white half of its face grinned and spoke.
"Obito, I've completed the investigation. In a few days, Uchiha Itachi will be assigned a mission. I believe this could be your chance."
"Oh? He's leaving the village?"
Obito was slightly irritated at being interrupted during his 'spiritual conversation' with Rin, but he quickly suppressed his emotions and asked,
"What about that Shigenari Shuuzawa brat? If he has a mission, things could get complicated."
"It seems he doesn't have any missions coming up," Black Zetsu interjected with a sinister chuckle. "Even if he does, it's within the village. I think we could deliberately draw his attention when the time comes. That should be enough."
"Hmm." Obito nodded. Creating a distraction and luring Shigenari Shuuzawa to the scene.
If they were discovered, it would only make things more chaotic, which suited him just fine. If everything went as planned, then it would be even better.
No matter the outcome—whether he gained control of Shisui or obtained his eyes or whether the seeds he had nurtured began to sprout—it was all in his favor.
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