Ambush

Genjutsu worked in a really simple way, but, as Zeus predicted, it was rarely used in battles. Most ninjas were more focused on real-life battles, instead of playing some mind games. However, Zeus thought of them as nothing but fools.

Mind was perhaps most vulnerable during battle, and managing to install fear or distraction may prove fatal to the other person. Thus, Zeus continued to go through the scrolls, trying to create his own application of genjutsu. The idea had already taken seed within him, but Zeus had some difficulty applying it to real life because of its complexity.

To create a proper genjutsu one had to control the chakra flow of a target's cerebral nervous system, thereby affecting their five senses, and Zeus already knew how to do that. However, Zeus wanted his genjutsu to have an amplified effect of indisputable fear, thus causing it to be more complicated to complete.

Though, Zeus enjoyed this ordeal, as it was a different kind of hardship compared to battles. Time passed promptly and Zeus kept trying to do it, until eventually, he understood that he had no more chakra left. Sighing, Zeus stood up and left his little hut by jumping out of the window.

Instead of rushing back home, Zeus decided to take a longer walk, enjoying the spring weather. It was cold, but not overly so, just how Zeus liked it. Eventually, as he walked further, Zeus felt a presence in the distance. It was one that he recognized.

Sneaking in through the shadows, Zeus diminished his presence as he stumbled upon Itachi standing in the middle of five trees. With clear and precise movements, Itachi threw the shuriken's in his hands, each of them landing perfectly on the tree trunks.

Zeus raised his eyebrows. Now that he thought about it, Itachi was in fact really talented. Zeus already knew enough about this world to make such a statement. Of course, despite being exceptional, Itachi couldn't compare to Zeus at all, but that was simply because Zeus wasn't actually who he appeared to be.

'Let's see whether he senses this.' Zeus snickered, taking out a kunai from his pocket. Just when Itachi once again jumped into the air, Zeus threw the kunai straight toward the youth. Surprisingly, Itachi reacted immediately, his sharingan eyes flickering towards the approaching danger.

Throwing a shuriken to collide with Zeus's, Itachi promptly landed on the ground, frowning towards the bush where Zeus was hidden. Raising his hands into the air, Zeus walked out of his hiding. The initial frown on Itachi's face vanished as soon as he saw Zeus's white hair.

"Sorry, Itachi, I just thought it would be fun to test you," Zeus admitted, walking closer to where Itachi stood and looking around at his little setup.

"It's alright." Itachi dipped down to grab the fallen kunai, whilst taking a glance at a headband hanging on Zeus's belt. "So, you have become a genin already. Congratulations."

"Oh, I am actually a chunin already. It's just that I dislike wearing that green vest." Zeus answered.

Itachi raised an eyebrow in response, but promptly put it down. "Honestly, considering how powerful you are, that is not much of a surprise. In fact, you may even beat Kakashi's record and become a Jonin earlier than he did."

"Kakashi Hatake?" Zeus asked, his mind resurfacing their previous battle with clarity. Seeing Itachi nod, Zeus smiled. "I knew that man wasn't that simple. At least that makes it less humiliating since he wasn't a complete no-name."

"You have met him?"

"Yeah, whatever, it doesn't matter." Zeus shrugged it off, then scanned Itachi's body, searching for a headband as well. "What about you? Aren't you at least a genin?"

"I have actually just entered the academy, so I don't think I will become a genin any time soon," Itachi answered, scratching the back of his head with a shy smile.

"Hmmm, it is whatever, I believe you are receiving better training from Fugaku than you would after becoming a genin anyway," Zeus explained, expressing his actual thoughts.

Itachi produced another smile, glancing downwards for a moment. "That's rather amusing since my friend has stated the same thing."

"Then you have quite an intelligent friend." Zeus smiled as well, ducking to pick up his kunai and turning around. He was about to leave when he heard Itachi talk again.

"Wait a bit, Zeus. I have actually wanted to ask you a question." Itachi said and Zeus turned back around, prompting him to continue. "With you being the adopted son of the current Hokage, I wondered what you think of the current situation between Uchiha and other clans."

"So, you just want to know which side do I support?" Zeus asked bluntly, putting a finger on his chin as if he was in deep thought. "I don't really fancy dividing us into two groups, considering that we are still part of one village, but I would say that I support the Uchiha."

Itachi frowned, hearing Zeus's response, not expecting such an answer. "Why the Uchiha? Shouldn't you support your own brethren?"

"Just because you are of the same blood doesn't mean that you have support that side. People always have different opinions. I simply believe that this hatred aimed towards you without any actual evidence of your untrustworthiness is ridiculous, to say the least." Zeus answered, then beamed a shiny smile. "Besides, all of you red-eyed bastards are quite powerful and fascinating, especially your father."

"That's...an interesting perspective." Itachi seemed deep in his thought, clearly ignoring the latter part of Zeus's sentence. "So then, what do you think would be a way to stem this conflict."

Zeus thought for a good minute before sighing. "I should probably not say this, but the best way to do that is to change the current Hokage. Yes, Hiruzen might be strong, but he has lost his grip on the village and is easily manipulated. It would be even better if an Uchiha became a Hokage, but it has to be someone that is trusted by both sides."

Itachi listened to Zeus's words with great intent before nodding. "That...actually might work."

"Of course, since I was the one who thought of that." Zeus smiled, turning around and waving his hand. "I am a freaking genius after all."

Zeus heard Itachi chuckle in the background and then he activated Overlock, disappearing from the spot. He had stayed long enough, so he might as well come back home promptly. Rushing through the forest for a few minutes, Zeus suddenly felt another presence hidden behind the tree. Extending his senses, Zeus frowned, feeling even more figures in the vicinity.

Stopping, Zeus hung on the tree, his bloodshot eyes staring at Danzo, who had revealed himself from the shadows. The man stood unbothered and quiet, just like he always does.

"What is the meaning of this, Danzo?" Zeus scowled, glancing over the proximity one more time, seeing hundreds of figures reveal themselves. He had already been encircled. They were good.

"Don't take it personally. I am doing this for the sake of the village." Danzo coldly answered, causing Zeus to furrow his brows.

"Damn, you ugly old man, I knew that something was wrong with your head. How would doing this help the village in any way?" Zeus cursed under his breath, feeling the Root members coming closer with each passing second. However, suddenly, Zeus exploded from the spot, appearing just in front of Danzo and kicking him in the jaw.

Unfortunately, it was just a substitute, yet Zeus only smiled. The adrenaline once again rushed through his blood, as he stared at the approaching tide of enemies. There were so many of them that Zeus lost count.

"I knew it, you are uncontrollable and dangerous." Danzo came out from behind another tree. "I have made the right decision once again." With that, Danzo hit his leg against the ground, causing all the Root members to rush forward.

***

Insert Gif: Ambush