Return of the Uchiha Prodigy

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The silence stretched as Shikaku's gaze sharpened, his keen mind analyzing Itachi's every move. His tone was steady, almost casual, as he shifted the conversation.

"But what I want to know is this: if you hadn't provoked Deidara into retreating, what was your plan after angering him?"

Itachi glanced at him briefly, suppressing a flicker of admiration. Shikaku Nara… perceptive as always. The senior strategist had seen through his tactics without hesitation. Itachi's earlier moves had been calculated to exploit Deidara's temperament—his obsession with proving the superiority of his art and his explosive temper.

"Use genjutsu," Itachi replied evenly. There was no point in feigning ignorance; Shikaku would see through any half-truths.

A spark of interest flickered in Shikaku's eyes, though his expression remained impassive. "Genjutsu, huh? That's a gamble. Especially against someone as volatile as Deidara."

Itachi nodded slightly. "It's a risk, but a necessary one. His emotional instability makes him vulnerable to illusions. If successful, it would create an opening."

Shikaku studied him for a moment, then gave a slight nod of approval. "A sound plan. Still risky, but effective."

Izumi's voice cut through the conversation, filled with a mix of awe and curiosity. "Who was that little girl? She was so fast... I don't think even with my Sharingan I'd have kept up with her entirely."

"She's from Iwagakure," Shikaku answered, his tone firm. "Her name is Kurotsuchi—granddaughter of the Third Tsuchikage. Her skill isn't surprising, considering her lineage."

The mention of the Tsuchikage made both Izumi and Aoki Yu stiffen slightly. Itachi remained quiet, his gaze distant. Kurotsuchi's ability had been remarkable, but she wasn't his concern. His focus lay on understanding their enemy's strategies—and on keeping his companions alive.

Aoki Yu's voice broke the contemplative silence. "It's not just her. You two are extraordinary for freshly graduated genin. It's almost like you've been on the battlefield for years."

Izumi grinned sheepishly, but her chest puffed out with pride. "Itachi's the real genius. I'm just trying to keep up."

Shikaku's lips quirked into a faint smile, but his tone was brisk. "Flattery aside, we need to move. The enemy won't stay on the backfoot for long."

"Understood," Itachi said, his tone calm but firm. Izumi and Aoki Yu echoed the sentiment, their expressions turning serious.

Without another word, the group resumed their mission, racing through the dense forest toward their objective. The lingering tension from the skirmish dissipated, replaced by focused determination.

Itachi's mind remained sharp, assessing every possibility. His Sharingan flickered as he scanned their surroundings, always vigilant. The past is fragile… every step matters. I can't afford to make a mistake.

Ahead, Shikaku led the way, his movements deliberate and purposeful. Despite the pressing urgency, his calm demeanor reassured the others. In the fleeting glance Itachi exchanged with him, there was a quiet understanding—a shared commitment to ensure the mission's success, no matter the cost.

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Several kilometers away from the battlefield, the dense forest was shrouded in a canopy of shadows.

Swish!

Huitu landed with precision, his hands gripping Deidara and Kurotsuchi firmly as he navigated through the gap between two massive trees. The rustle of leaves gave way to the soft thud of feet hitting the ground as he released them.

Kurotsuchi landed lightly, her movements graceful despite the tension in her posture. Deidara, on the other hand, immediately crossed his arms, glaring at Huitu with visible irritation.

"Why did we retreat?" Deidara snapped, his voice sharp. "With my art, there's no way we'd lose to a bunch of Konoha brats!"

His indignation was palpable. As far as Deidara was concerned, retreating before a loss was not just unnecessary—it was insulting. Turning his head, he scoffed dramatically.

"Are Konoha's ninja so terrifying that we have to run before we even see what they're made of? Don't tell me the old man sent you because he's too scared to face them himself."

Huitu met Deidara's outburst with practiced calm, his stoic demeanor unmoved by the younger man's taunts. "Leave Nara Shikaku aside for now. You faced those two Uchiha head-on. You know they're no ordinary genin."

Deidara's scowl deepened, but he didn't argue.

Kurotsuchi stepped forward, brushing stray leaves from her shoulder. "He's right. Those two… they both had Sharingan. Their teamwork was impressive—almost as good as ours, Deidara-nii."

Her words carried a rare hint of unease. The memory of the encounter replayed in her mind: the precision of Itachi's movements, the clarity in his crimson eyes. He had read their tactics as if they were written on parchment.

"When did Konoha start producing kids like that?" Kurotsuchi muttered, her brow furrowed. "And why don't we have any intel on them?"

Huitu exhaled, the weight of his thoughts visible in his expression. "The only explanation is that they've just graduated." His sharp gaze narrowed. "We know the timing of Konoha's Academy schedules better than anyone. Those two must be fresh genin."

"Fresh genin?" Kurotsuchi's eyes widened. The idea seemed absurd.

"Exactly," Huitu replied. "But don't let their inexperience fool you. Konoha's Academy doesn't produce weaklings—especially not from the Uchiha clan."

"Tch," Deidara scoffed, his frustration bubbling to the surface. "Graduates or not, it doesn't matter. If you hadn't stopped me, I would've reduced them to dust!"

"You really don't see it, do you?" Huitu's tone turned sharp, his patience wearing thin. "That boy—the one who fought you—he provoked you on purpose."

Deidara bristled at the accusation but said nothing.

Huitu pressed on. "He was baiting you, testing your limits. He's dangerous, Deidara. Recklessness against someone like that will get you killed."

"Dangerous? Him?" Deidara sneered, flipping his golden hair dismissively. "He can plot and provoke all he wants. In the face of my C3, he's just another pest scurrying for cover."

Huitu sighed, recognizing the futility of the argument. Deidara's confidence was as unshakable as his devotion to his so-called "art."

"Next time," Deidara declared, his voice filled with defiance, "I'll show him the true beauty of my explosions. Konoha's brats won't even have time to scream before they're turned into ashes."

Kurotsuchi smirked faintly, shaking her head at his dramatics. "You're such a show-off, Deidara-nii."

Deidara's expression softened, his trademark grin returning. "It's not showing off if it's true. My art—my ninjutsu—is unmatched."

Huitu didn't respond, his focus shifting back to their surroundings. There was no telling when the Konoha team would strike again. For now, their priority was regrouping and analyzing their next move.

The forest seemed to close in around them, the shadows deepening as the trio stood in silence.

The Uchiha… Nara Shikaku… Konoha's new generation is full of monsters, Huitu thought grimly. We can't afford to underestimate them again.

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