Shadows of Growth

The next day, Itachi and Jinho ventured into a dungeon teeming with massive stone golems. As they entered, the air grew heavy with the scent of damp earth and ancient stone. Itachi, without hesitation, summoned his shadow army. The dark figures materialized silently, their forms a stark contrast against the rocky terrain. Jinho's eyes widened in surprise as he watched the shadows effortlessly dispatch the lumbering golems, their movements fluid and precise.

"Itachi... who are they?" Jinho asked, his voice tinged with awe and a hint of fear. His eyes darted between the shadows and Itachi, trying to make sense of what he was seeing.

Itachi, his face impassive, replied coolly, "Just think of them as my subordinates." His tone left no room for further questions, but Jinho's curiosity got the better of him.

"How are you able to summon them?" he pressed, his voice a mix of wonder and apprehension.

"It's a long story," Itachi said, his tone making it clear he didn't wish to elaborate. Instead, he changed the subject, explaining how his shadows were useful for hunting and mining mana stones. As they spoke, the shadows continued their work, effortlessly breaking down the golems and extracting valuable resources.

Jinho chuckled nervously, running a hand through his hair. "I feel like my job has been taken away."

Itachi smiled inwardly at this comment, recognizing the truth in Jinho's words. Over the next day, they completed all 19 raids together, with Itachi's shadows doing most of the heavy lifting. The efficiency of their work was unparalleled, and Jinho found himself both impressed and slightly intimidated by Itachi's abilities.

To celebrate completing the 19 raids, Itachi and Jinho went to a cozy restaurant tucked away in a quiet corner of the city. The warm lighting and savory aromas created a comfortable atmosphere, a stark contrast to the dungeons they had been exploring. As they enjoyed their meal, Itachi asked Jinho about his future plans.

Jinho thought for a moment, twirling his chopsticks absently. "You know, I'm not entirely sure," he admitted. Then, turning the question back on Itachi, he asked, "What about you? What's next for the great Itachi?"

The question reminded Itachi of the S-rank dungeon he still needed to raid. However, he decided to keep that information to himself. "I think I'll take a few days to rest," he said casually, taking a sip of his tea.

Jinho nodded in agreement. "That's probably a good idea. You've been pushing yourself hard lately."

Curious, Itachi asked, "What do you think of me, Jinho?"

Jinho's response was thoughtful, his eyes focused on something distant. "You're like a younger but also older brother to me. It's hard to explain. You have this wisdom about you, but you seem so... young."

Itachi smiled, his mind drifting to thoughts of Sasuke. He wondered what his little brother might be doing now, in a world so far removed from this one. The familiar ache of longing tugged at his heart, but he pushed it aside, focusing on the present moment.

The next day, Itachi decided to attend school in person rather than sending a clone. As he sat with his friends, the classroom buzzing with the usual morning chatter, he learned that Song-yi had decided to quit being a hunter after her harrowing experience in the red gate. Itachi understood her decision, respecting her choice to prioritize her safety.

Min-woo, on the other hand, expressed his desire to work in a field related to hunters. "I may not be cut out for combat, but I want to contribute somehow," he explained enthusiastically, his eyes shining with determination. "Maybe I could work on developing new equipment or strategies."

Jin-ah shared her own news, leaning in close to keep her voice low. "I almost found out about the man who's been paying my mother's hospital bills," she said, a mix of frustration and determination in her voice. "But he got away before I could reach him. It's like he vanished into thin air."

As they continued to catch up, Mr. Kim entered the classroom, bringing their conversation to an end. The day passed quickly, filled with lessons and the normal rhythm of school life.

After school, Itachi walked Jin-ah home. The setting sun painted the sky in hues of orange and pink, casting long shadows across the streets. They exchanged goodbyes, and Itachi returned to his apartment. He freshened up and ate dinner, allowing himself a moment of relaxation. As he rested, a message from the system appeared:

System Message:

[A hidden power lies within you, dormant yet waiting to awaken. Enter the Uchiha Trial Dungeon to face the challenges of your bloodline.]

Itachi stared at the message, surprised and conflicted. The prospect of awakening a hidden power was tempting, but he was wary of the potential consequences. He decided to sleep on the decision, his mind swirling with possibilities and potential risks.

The next morning, Itachi woke up late and sent a clone to school in his place. He quickly completed the daily quest from the system, his mind already focused on the day ahead. He decided to dedicate the entire day to training, pushing his limits and honing his skills.

He began with kenjutsu and shurikenjutsu, the sound of metal cutting through air filling his training space. As he practiced, he seamlessly integrated the two disciplines, his movements fluid and precise. Each throw of a shuriken was followed by a swift sword strike, creating a deadly dance of blades.

Next, Itachi summoned Igris and Baruka for a duel. He gave Baruka his dagger. The two shadows clashed, their weapons creating sparks in the air. While both were formidable, Igris's superior skill soon became apparent. Baruka, despite his best efforts, was overwhelmed by the knight commander's prowess. The ice elf's daggers were quick, but Igris's long sword gave him a reach advantage that proved decisive.

Observing the battle, Itachi made a mental note. If Igris was high S-rank, then Baruka was barely scraping the bottom of that tier. It was valuable information for future strategies, and Itachi began to consider how he might help Baruka improve.

Feeling invigorated, Itachi decided to test himself against Igris. Using only kenjutsu, Itachi engaged the shadow knight in a fierce duel. Their skills with their respective weapons were evenly matched, the clash of metal on metal ringing out in a frenzied rhythm. Itachi's integration of shurikenjutsu gave him an edge, allowing him to create openings in Igris's defense.

Deciding to end the battle quickly, Itachi infused his katana with lightning chakra. The blade crackled with energy, casting an eerie blue glow. With blinding speed, he moved to slash Igris. The shadow knight, in a desperate move, ignored his own defense and struck at Itachi. But at the last moment, Itachi's form shimmered and was replaced by a log – the classic substitution jutsu.

The real Itachi appeared behind Igris, his lightning-infused blade sliding through the shadow's throat. Igris, being a shadow, quickly regenerated and bowed to Itachi in acknowledgment of his defeat. The duel had been intense, pushing both combatants to their limits.

Satisfied with the kenjutsu training, Itachi dispersed his shadows and moved on to ninjutsu. He focused on his fire and water release techniques, pushing himself to improve their power and control. The air around him alternated between searing heat and cool mist as he cycled through his jutsu.

As he trained, Itachi experimented with combining his fire and water chakra, creating a potent boil release. The resulting jutsu was hotter and more devastating than his standard fire techniques, turning small patches of ground into superheated steam vents.

As he caught his breath, Itachi pondered the ease with which he could use kekkei genkai like boil release and storm release in this world. He suspected it might be related to the system's apparent desire to make him stronger. It was an interesting development, one that he filed away for further consideration.

Refocusing on his training, Itachi spent the next few hours practicing and refining various other jutsu in his arsenal. Each technique was executed with precision, his chakra control flawless. He worked on his genjutsu as well, creating complex illusions that would confound even the most perceptive opponents.

As evening approached, Itachi realized he had spent the entire day training. His muscles ached pleasantly, and his chakra reserves were nearly depleted. Feeling satisfied with his progress, he returned home, took a refreshing shower, and prepared a simple dinner.

As he ate, Itachi's mind drifted back to the system's message about the Uchiha Trial Dungeon. The prospect of awakening a hidden power was tempting, but he couldn't shake a feeling of unease. Whatever this trial was, he knew it wouldn't be easy. But then again, nothing worthwhile ever was.

With these thoughts swirling in his mind, Itachi finished his meal and prepared for bed. 

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Status

Name: Uchiha Itachi Level: 70

Job: Monarch Of Shadows

Title: Conqueror Of Adversity

HP: 15,000 MP: 5,000

Fatigue: 0

Strength: 150 Health: 120

Agility: 200 Intelligence: 130

Sense: 148 Ap: 13

Physical Damage Reduction: 46%