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Ye dou fell silent once more. He knew the streets and alleys of Konohagakure like the back of his hand, but that familiarity came from years of avoiding the main roads. He had no reason to walk openly when the ignorant villagers constantly cast judgmental glances his way.
Seeing his hesitation, Uchiha Itachi already understood what was going on.
"This is the Uchiha clan district. There are only two ways through: one is by passing directly through our territory, and the other requires a long detour, winding like a maze."
"There's also a third way—cutting straight through the forest, like Maito Gai! But only beasts can navigate that path by scent alone."
At that, the small mongoose on Ye dou's shoulder let out a snort, seemingly reminded of a certain "Konoha's Noble Blue Beast."
Itachi ignored the remark and turned to his younger brother. "Let's go, Sasuke. If we stay out too long, Mother will worry."
"Eh? But, Brother, you promised to train with me today!" Sasuke protested.
"Tomorrow," Itachi replied simply.
Seeing Sasuke's disappointed expression, Itachi glanced up at the sky, then turned around, taking his younger brother's hand as they prepared to leave.
"Wait."
Ye dou's sudden voice made them stop. He turned and looked straight at Itachi, his gaze unwavering.
Sasuke scowled. He had already found this guy irritating, but now, hearing the commanding tone, he became even more annoyed.
"What do you want?"
"You ate my rice ball."
Ye dou ignored Sasuke completely, his eyes locked onto Itachi.
Itachi blinked. "I asked you first."
"I don't recall agreeing."
For a moment, Itachi was speechless. If Ye dou had refused outright, that would have been one thing—but staying silent could be taken as implied consent.
Rubbing his temple, he sighed. "Fine. What compensation do you want?"
Ye dou didn't hesitate. "Teach me the Shadow Clone Jutsu."
"Hey, brat, don't push it!" Sasuke snapped before his brother could respond.
Even Itachi was slightly taken aback. The Shadow Clone Jutsu was a B-rank ninjutsu, originally developed by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. More than that, it was sealed within the Forbidden Scroll because the damage suffered by clones was transferred back to the original user. It required significant chakra reserves to use effectively.
The only reason Naruto Uzumaki could spam Shadow Clones was because he had the chakra of the Uzumaki clan—known for their immense stamina—and the boost from the Nine-Tails.
Despite its risks, the Shadow Clone Jutsu remained an invaluable technique, and B-rank jutsu weren't something handed out lightly. Even within the Uchiha clan, their signature Great Fireball Technique was only C-rank, while Madara Uchiha's massive-scale fire jutsu, the Great Fire Annihilation, was considered the pinnacle of Fire Release techniques.
For Ye dou to casually demand a B-rank technique over a mere rice ball… no wonder Sasuke was fuming.
"You think a rice ball is worth a B-rank jutsu?" Itachi asked, unimpressed.
"It's worth it," Ye dou said without hesitation, his expression dead serious. "That wasn't just any rice ball—it was made by the heiress of the Hyūga clan. There's nothing like it in the entire shinobi world. Limited edition, one of a kind."
Even so, no one would buy that logic!
As calm as Itachi usually was, he couldn't help but inwardly sigh. In all his years as a shinobi, he had never seen anyone this shameless.
"If you won't give me the Shadow Clone Jutsu, I can lower my request," Ye dou continued.
"Go on."
Itachi assumed Ye dou had asked high on purpose to negotiate down to something more reasonable. A classic tactic in bargaining.
But he had underestimated just how brazen this kid was.
"I have Fire Release chakra but no Fire-style jutsu. The Uchiha clan's Great Fireball Technique would suit me perfectly."
Sasuke almost choked.
The Great Fireball Technique was their clan's signature move! And this guy just thought it would "suit him"?
Itachi's expression didn't change, but his answer was immediate. "I won't give you the Great Fireball Technique."
"Then we have nothing to discuss."
Without hesitation, Ye dou pulled out a kunai and slashed his palm, letting fresh blood drip onto the ground.
"What are you doing?!"
Ignoring the reactions, Ye dou spoke to himself in an exaggerated tone, "The prodigy of the Uchiha clan has fallen for the Hyūga heiress. Over a mere rice ball, he heartlessly injured a poor orphan of Konoha—"
"Stop, stop, stop! Say no more!"
For the first time, Itachi looked genuinely flustered.
Now, he finally understood.
This kid was robbing him!
And the worst part? It might actually work.
If a rumor like that spread, given how much Konoha already distrusted the Uchiha clan, Itachi's reputation would take a serious hit. If people believed he had a thing for Hyūga girls, he'd have to walk around Konoha carrying the label of a "weird pervert."
The thought alone sent a chill down his spine.
"...Fine," Itachi relented at last. His normally dark eyes shifted, and suddenly, three tomoe spun into place within his irises.
The Sharingan.
The Uchiha clan's legendary dōjutsu, one of the Three Great Dōjutsu of the shinobi world. And not just any Sharingan—Itachi's had fully matured into the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, a level most Uchiha didn't reach until much later in life.
Ye dou's lips curled slightly.
He had won.