2

Boom!

A surge of heat washed over Asuka's back, prompting him to halt and pivot to survey the source of the disturbance.

Turning around, he beheld the sky above Nanga Shrine ablaze with crimson flames. Fireballs erupted intermittently, resembling a distant and chaotic fireworks display.

Seemingly, the old men's words failed to sway anyone.

"That..."

Amidst the commotion, a child's voice reached Asuka's ears from the nearby grass. Following the sound, he discovered three children holding cameras, their faces fraught with fear as they gazed towards Naka Shrine.

"Big...big...big brother, is the enemy coming?"

Approaching the children, Asuka reached out to tousle their heads, a smile gracing his lips as he reassured them.

"No, that's the Uchiha clan's shrine. They are discussing matters."

Really?

Despite his explanation, the children cast dubious glances at Asuka, their eyes fixed on the unsettling display of fireballs in the sky.

No matter how you slice it... it doesn't look like a normal discussion. It's genuinely frightening.

However, the good-looking big brother probably wouldn't lie to us.

"Right!"

Asuka peered down at the trio and their cameras, curious.

"Aren't you from the Uchiha clan? Why are you here?"

"Well..."

The child with the camera shook the device toward Asuka. Panic on his face gradually shifted to excitement as he explained, "Hokage-sama's wedding day is approaching. Today, we wanted to find a place with a great view to shoot a short blessing video as a gift for Hokage-sama. Big brother, would you like to join us for a while?"

Um?

A blessing short film...

Having never crossed paths with Namikaze Minato, why would he extend well-wishes...

Surveying the expectant gazes of the three children, Asuka smoothed his hair and agreed.

"Sure."

As the camera began recording, he gestured towards the lens and conveyed the blessing he had formulated.

"Congratulations to the Fourth Hokage-sama, Kushina-sama, on your marriage."

"All right!"

With that, he waved to the three children and departed the scene. Returning to gather his belongings, he prepared to slip away during the Fourth Hokage's nuptials. Little did he know, the security wasn't as tight as he had anticipated.

...

In Konoha, where simple folk customs intertwine with beautiful scenery, the fusion of science, technology, and tradition renders it a village that captivates with just a single glance.

Of course, Asuka harbors no desire to leave either.

Devoid of any convenient plugins and possessing an innate talent that lags behind those prodigies who wreaked havoc in Konoha by the age of eight, Asuka finds himself handicapped by his own lack of eloquence. Even after traversing eighteen years, words often elude him, a weakness that proved perilous on the battlefield, where his attempts to navigate through situations with words ended in a kunai's blade piercing his side.

Furthermore, even if he were to transform into an Uchiha Itachi, who's to say a second Uchiha Itachi won't emerge?

This uncertainty is a formidable foe, and the linchpin lies in the hands of Konoha's elders.

After eighteen years of rigorous training, he remains uncertain of his ability to best Danzo. Certainly, he can't challenge Sarutobi Hiruzen now...

"Kushina-sama."

Amidst his thoughts, Asuka is jolted back to reality by the respectful greetings of villagers. Turning toward the source, he spots Kushina with her long red hair, standing in the street, a basket of baby supplies in hand, warmly engaging with the community.

Observing the maternal glow surrounding the red-haired woman, Asuka's lips twitch twice, and a sense of urgency settles in his heart.

"Is Uzumaki Naruto on the way?"

As he passes Kushina, he exchanges pleasantries and proceeds to purchase some food before heading home.

Kushina is pregnant, indicating less than ten months have elapsed since the Night of the Kyuubi.

...

A month later, on the morning of the wedding day.

Boom!

Dropping the package on the table, Uchiha Asuka surveys the empty room and sighs inwardly.

In the past month, he liquidated all his assets, exchanging everything for kunai, explosive tags, and other weapons from Granny Cat. Items purchased by a rebel ninja command a higher price than those for a regular ninja, and the shady black market merchants exploit this with unscrupulous pricing.

Unfortunately, the house cannot be sold, leaving him with limited funds to acquire essentials.

Throughout the month, he witnessed Kushina's belly swell with the growing life inside, a tumultuous mix of anxiety

A month later, on the morning of the wedding day.

Boom!

Placing the package heavily on the table, Uchiha Asuka surveys the empty room and sighs softly. In this month, he sold everything he could, exchanging all the money for kunai, detonating charms, and other weapons with Grandma Cat.

Every purchase by a rebel ninja bears a price several percent higher than that for a regular ninja, courtesy of the unscrupulous black market merchants. They bank on the notion that if you dare not stir trouble, if you dare to make trouble, others will gladly report it.

Regrettably, the house cannot be sold, leaving him with insufficient funds to purchase necessities.

Throughout the month, he watched Kushina's belly swell day by day, a maelstrom of emotions— anxiety, restlessness, fear, sadness—swirling within him. Although he has never even touched Kushina's hand, the child in her belly is not his...

But he is an Uchiha...

Post the Night of the Nine-Tails, the Uchiha clan's survival prospects are grim. Deprived of divine perspective, there's no explaining the Sharingan appearing in the Nine-Tails' eyes.

And throughout the ninja world, children know that the Sharingan belongs to the Uchiha family.

In a few years, the filial son, Itachi, will once again brandish his butcher's knife.

Gazing out at the clan land through the window, recalling this scenery he had grown weary of, Asuka takes out the Konoha ninja's exclusive forehead protector and mutters to himself.

"Don't worry, I will burn paper for you during the holidays!"

Having said that, he begins to study the forehead protector in his hands.

After all, as a rebel ninja for the first time, his experience is lacking. Should this thing be worn horizontally or vertically?

[Ding]

[Host information detected, counterattack system started]

[Name: Uchiha Asuka]

[Age: 18 years old]

[Identity: Uchiha clan ninja]

[Strength: Jonin]

A mechanized sound resonated in Asuka's ears. Instinctively, he withdrew a kunai, scanning his surroundings with a vigilant expression. However, upon hearing the voice within his mind, Asuka was momentarily stunned, uncertain whether excitement or helplessness filled his heart. "Is your system waiting for me to decide? Can I be bound after becoming a rebel ninja?"

Regardless of the triggering conditions, the system still needed activation.

[This system is a counterattack system, aiding the host in overpowering Naruto Uzumaki and becoming the strongest in the ninja world]

[Would you like to accept the novice gift package?]

Glancing at the brief introduction, Asuka's eyes sparked with curiosity. Just by perusing the summary, he sensed the system's potent capabilities.

It promised to make him the strongest in the ninja world.

With excitement, Asuka eagerly opened the novice gift package.

"Accept!"

As he uttered the command, several items materialized on the otherwise empty table.

Taking a few deep breaths, he picked up the exchange coupon-like item that appeared and read the bold writing.

"The [Honey Mustard Flavored Fried Chicken for the Whole Family] is a favorite among kids.

Quantity: Unlimited.

How to use: Crush it to summon."

Staring at the item, Asuka remained speechless for a long moment.

Was there any necessary connection between this and becoming stronger?

If memory served him right, consuming too much fried chicken could lead to weight gain.

He proceeded to examine the other items, reading their introductions.

"The Ninja School textbook knowledge learning accelerator card (3 days), one day can be used as a month, saving you more time for practice."

"A detailed explanation of the Ninja School's Will of Fire course. It contains notes and experiences from various teachers at the Ninja School. If you memorize it, you will be completely free from Danzo's prying eyes."

"A comprehensive list of the habits and hobbies of each teacher in the Ninja School. Memorize it and use it flexibly. Even if you skip classes and practice in the future, the teacher will turn a blind eye."

"A miniature camera with no battery and limited capacity. You can use it to record every minute and every second of Ninja School."

? ? ?

Asuka gazed at the items on the table with a quizzical expression and voiced his confusion.

"System, I admit that the novice gift package you gave is pretty good... but have you noticed that this thing seems to be only used by Ninja School students?"

"System, what strength do I have now?"

As soon as he spoke, the mechanical voice resonated again.

[Jounin!]

"Did you give me the wrong gift package for newbies? It's been eight years since I graduated from Ninja School. Why did you give me such a gift package?"

[After inspection, it is correct.]

"My strength?"

[Jounin!]

"Who is using the novice gift package you gave me?"

[Ninja school student!]

"Did you pronounce it wrong?"

[No mistake!]

"Heh~heh~"

Asuka stared at the items on the table in silence. Setting down his backpack, he turned and walked towards the village park.

Deciding to delay his defection plans, especially since the Fourth Hokage was hosting a banquet, he decided to grab a meal first.