I Scold Myself

Aoba found a secluded spot to change his clothes and switch back to his alternate identity, preparing to continue. However, he immediately sensed that someone was watching him. He slightly furrowed his brow, then changed direction and headed towards the forest outside the town.

Upon reaching the forest's depths and still unable to shake off his follower, Aoba quickly realized he was being targeted. He stopped and said in a deep voice, "Why do you skulk and follow me like this? Come out!"

Caw... caw...

As a group of crows flew in, a person whom Aoba did not expect appeared before him.

Had it not been for the mask, Itachi would have immediately recognized the person.

Standing face to face with Aoba, Itachi had a flicker of disappointment in his eyes. A person's voice and appearance can change quickly, but their aura is hard to hide.

Itachi sensed a deeply hidden murderous intent and bloodlust on the stranger, utterly different from the aura that Aoba emitted.

This was different from the person he was looking for.

However, the stranger's attire...

"Why would someone from the Akatsuki appear here? State your mission, and I might let you go," he said, provided the mission had nothing to do with Konoha.

Aoba had unwittingly chosen a path leading to the Land of Fire, which prompted Itachi to this misunderstanding.

Moreover, Itachi harbored no good feelings towards the Akatsuki, as Aoba had nearly fallen into their hands before, even having his ninja swords stolen...

So, Itachi did not mind taking this opportunity to avenge Aoba.

It would be ironic if Aoba knew what Itachi was thinking then; would this count as setting himself up?

"So, you are just a young one from Konoha, yet you speak boldly."

Aoba had no real mission, and to keep his cover, he continued with his alternate identity.

He also wondered why Itachi was here.

It didn't seem like he was on a mission, as missions typically avoid unnecessary complications. Why would he target him?

Could it be that Itachi was also here for the 'Water-Splashing Festival'?

It seemed unlikely.

Unquestionably, he hadn't come out just to find him...

Unknowingly, Aoba had already figured out the truth.

Then, at that moment, the dog system sprung into action.

Ding!

A ridiculous mission has been issued!

Mission Name: I Scold Myself!

Description: Scold Aoba in front of Itachi.

(As long as you self-deprecate harshly enough, no troll can hurt you!)

Mission Requirement: Provoke Itachi's anger.

Mission Duration: 1 hour.

Mission Reward: Advanced Skill Card x1.

Mission Failure: The [Crimson Swordsman] skin will be replaced with the [Muse Musician] skin.

...

What the heck!

What kind of absurd mission is this?

Was I scolding myself?

The reward is tempting, but the penalty is frustrating...

He doesn't want to become a poor 36D, especially if he loses the [Crimson Swordsman] skin for his alternate character.

This is unbelievable!

So, he pinched his nose and said, "I heard that your Fifth Hokage abandoned you and ran away. But I'm quite interested. How about I take a loss and manage Konoha for that useless Aoba?"

"Indeed, as rumored, the Akatsuki are full of arrogant fools," Itachi said coldly and calmly.

"What, are you angry? I'm just speaking the truth. Such trash as Aoba, I could beat with one hand!"

"To think such a person could become Hokage. It seems Konoha is nothing special after all."

"Also, I heard Aoba was a spy embedded in Konoha. Ostensibly dedicated to Konoha but secretly engaging in all kinds of deceit and wrongdoing, even mocking the disabled and the foolish..."

"Enough! He is not someone for you to insult!"

Itachi, enraged!

A kunai suddenly appeared eerily at Aoba's throat...

And he then slashed open Aoba's throat.

At that moment, the distant Itachi slowly disappeared.

With a thud, Aoba fell.

Itachi's gaze was still icy cold.

From the moment he appeared and the opponent saw him, the guy had already been silently caught in his illusion.

Itachi had intended to extract some information before acting, but the insults hurled at Aoba made him lash out in anger.

No one can demean Aoba in his presence!

This is the price!

But Itachi didn't realize that although the enemy on the ground had received a fatal wound, the wound was healing incredibly fast.

Was Aoba careless?

Impossible!

No one knew Itachi's strength better than he did.

Itachi's illusion isn't something you can just be wary of beforehand, plus he couldn't use the [Reflective Bell] and 'Prince,' so Aoba simply didn't resist, pretending to be caught in the illusion.

Then he quietly activated his thoroughly disguised [Absolute Defense] to protect his vital areas.

Because [Absolute Defense] is a fluid protection, Aoba had intentionally allowed himself to be injured.

After all, the mission was 'easily' completed, and he didn't want to fight Itachi, so he just played dead.

But he underestimated how much his actions were tempting fate...

Not only had Itachi cut his throat, but he was also preparing to finish him off. Kunai aimed directly at his heart to stab it down.

Aoba was helpless; this couldn't continue.

So he immediately activated [Instantaneous], and the furious chakra flow instantly sent Itachi flying.

"Careful boy, I never slay the nameless. State your name."

Aoba stood up, touching his now-healed neck, deliberately saying so.

Itachi, having distanced himself, displayed a wary look. He was confident he had cut the opponent's throat, but the opponent had suddenly 'resurrected.'

Was it a mistake in attacking the vital spot, or does he possess some peculiar ability?

Itachi wasn't sure, but whether it was the former or the latter, he didn't believe the opponent could 'revive' even if burned to ashes.

No longer probing, his Sharingan activated instantly, and immediately, a tear of blood ran down from his right eye.

"Amaterasu!"

Damn!

Aoba, seeing Itachi activate the Sharingan, muttered trouble under his breath, then using the super-fast speed brought by [Instantaneous], he immediately avoided Itachi's line of sight.

Then, a swath of black flames passed through his afterimage left in place, burning the trees behind wholly!

Even though Aoba was confident in his defensive capabilities, he wanted to avoid directly facing an Amaterasu attack.

Don't be fooled by how it seems in the original story as if Amaterasu never burns anyone to death; in reality, Amaterasu has a terrifying ability.

With a whoosh!

Aoba appeared behind Itachi and smashed down with a punch.

But it was only a flock of crows that flew up...