Chapter 56: The Teaming Up of Two Uchiha
Jiraiya was a bit panicked. He had always maintained a good image in front of his disciple... This diary written by Orochimaru greatly damaged his reputation.
What Orochimaru's notebook recorded, although they were all trivial matters from the Sannin's youth... most of it was Jiraiya's past dark history.
"This..."
Itachi felt that if he said he hadn't seen it, it would truly insult his teacher's intelligence, especially since the crow on his shoulder was hopping around cheerfully.
Seeing that Itachi wasn't even willing to insult his intelligence by giving him an out, Jiraiya felt somewhat disheartened for a moment, "I should still go find Orochimaru..."
Just kidding...
Among Konoha's Sannin, Jiraiya valued friendship the most. If he could remain indifferent after seeing this notebook and photo frame treasured by Orochimaru... then he wouldn't call himself "Gallant."
"Itachi, you stay in the village and continue training, prepare for the Chunin Exams. I'll come back to check on you anytime!"
"...Teacher Jiraiya..."
Uchiha Itachi was in a daze, not quite understanding the emotions between them. He could only look towards the Third Hokage with a pleading gaze.
Only when Jiraiya pushed open the door did Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly speak to stop him, "Jiraiya!"
"Orochimaru has already gone astray. The mistakes he has made cannot be tolerated by the village... Jiraiya..."
"He won't come back!"
Jiraiya suddenly gave a thumbs-up and laughed heartily, "I am the White-Haired Child of Konoha's Sannin! As long as I have perseverance, I will definitely persuade him to come back!"
"..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi was speechless for a moment. He was also deeply pained by his disciple's mistakes... He had raised them like a father. If Jiraiya could really bring Orochimaru back...
As the Third Hokage, he might not be unable to give Orochimaru a way out... Hmm... Danzo had been getting more and more unsightly lately.
After Jiraiya left, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the little boy still standing in place, "Itachi, before the Chunin Exams, you'll be temporarily assigned to Shisui's squad!"
"Yes!"
"After you pass the Chunin Exams, if Jiraiya still hasn't returned, then join ANBU with Shisui!"
The Third Hokage's arrangement was very reasonable; no one could find any fault with it... except for that man who wanted to transfer Shisui to Root...
Uchiha Shisui was Kagami's descendant. Whether he joined the Hokage's direct ANBU or Danzo Shimura's Root, it was their way of promoting an old friend's junior.
Recently, due to Jiraiya's departure, Uchiha Itachi was in a gap period. Temporarily having the moderate Shisui as Itachi's superior wasn't considered a waste of talent either.
This matter actually made both Uchiha very happy... They could hang out together whether they were on or off duty!
The crow was stunned... The Third Hokage's arrangement was simply too much in line with both their wishes; it was just too smooth!
Before being promoted to Chunin, Uchiha Itachi went out on missions with Shisui every day... After being promoted to Chunin, Uchiha Itachi directly entered ANBU, fulfilling his agreement with Fugaku.
Kitahara secretly guessed if someone had enabled a cheat...
This life continued until the end of the year. Uchiha Itachi eagerly awaited the joint Chunin Exams, but the specific date was repeatedly postponed, seemingly indefinitely.
It seemed there were subsequent problems in the Land of Grass, and the Hidden Stone Village was causing trouble. Itachi could only temporarily enjoy his ninja life under Shisui's care.
Early morning.
"Sasuke, be good at home!"
Uchiha Itachi tapped Sasuke's forehead and left with the drowsy Kitahara in his arms... Because today, he and Shisui were heading to the eastern border for a mission to deal with the recent Hidden Mist ninja invasion.
So after Kitahara learned this news, it agreed to go on the mission with them... If it tried to sleep in, even if it had to be carried, it would be carried away... Itachi had taken that to heart.
So serious, so straightforward... Hopeless...
"Ha! Itachi, why did you bring Kitahara out?"
Shisui was already waiting outside the door. Seeing the sleeping crow in Itachi's arms, he couldn't help but laugh, "The weather is so cold, how did you manage to get it out of bed?"
"Kitahara promised last night." Uchiha Itachi opened the backpack behind him, and Shisui helped him stuff the crow inside...
"Besides, we don't know how many days we'll be out on this mission..." The little boy organized his ninja tools while talking about family matters, "Last month we were out for two days..."
"As a result, Sasuke was too lively, often chasing Kitahara around, crawling... While Mom was just in the kitchen cooking, the house was turned upside down by those two..."
"...Caw..."
As if hearing someone speak ill of it in its sleep, the crow casually retorted and went back to sleep.
Uchiha Itachi listened with a dark expression, "Alright, alright, it's all Sasuke's fault. Hurry up and sleep!"
"Itachi really doesn't have it easy..." Uchiha Shisui sighed with emotion and took out the received mission scroll.
"The ninjas at the border outpost are still delaying the invading Mist ninjas. We must rush there at full speed today... We must intercept them at the border and not allow them to return to the Land of Water with intelligence!"
Uchiha Itachi frowned, "Just the two of us?"
Invading ninjas from the Hidden Mist Village were generally not small in scale, often using a sea vessel to carry several squads of ninjas to infiltrate the Land of Fire. Two people were really stretched thin.
Moreover, the ninjas at the Land of Fire border outposts were not strong. They were barely qualified for reconnaissance missions. Once a battle occurred, it was hard to say if they could play any significant role.
In contrast, the Hidden Mist Village basically had elite ANBU paired with supporting Chunin squads acting together, and they always had support troops ready on the coastline. It could be said they came and went as they pleased.
"We are just one of the squads..." Uchiha Shisui chuckled lightly, looking at the cautious Itachi and continuing, "I met Captain Ibiki Morino yesterday. He will support us with ANBU."
Uchiha Itachi nodded, "It seems our mission this time is to assist ANBU..."
"Ha!" Shisui put away the mission scroll and walked ahead, "Don't doubt your own strength, Itachi, you are very strong!"
Last month, when they were clearing out invading rogue ninjas, facing a troublesome Kekkei Genkai rogue ninja inside, Uchiha Itachi activated Sage Mode, appearing like a divine punishment. A giant dragon head directly destroyed the enemy's will to fight.
The problem was...
Uchiha Itachi hadn't yet realized his own strength. Perhaps this was related to his previous encounter with Orochimaru... In his leisure time, the little boy still diligently practiced taijutsu and sage art.
Uchiha Itachi knew in his heart that Kitahara hadn't yet acknowledged his strength and might even feel this was just the beginning for a ninja...
After all, the adorable mushroom cloud Kitahara had once released had left too deep an impression on him...
In addition, Jiraiya had once seriously taught his disciple basic ninja knowledge and ninjutsu information, so Uchiha Itachi's ninjutsu combat skills and battle awareness were growing rapidly.
Even if Itachi were promoted to Jonin now, Shisui wouldn't be surprised...
Unknowingly, the little brat who used to diligently practice shuriken beside him had already become a reliable ninja...
(End of this chapter)