Return of the Uchiha Prodigy

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A piercing cry echoed above the battlefield, followed by the flapping of wings. A sleek black crow descended from the sky, landing gracefully on Itachi's shoulder. Its dark feathers shimmered under the light as it folded its wings, watching the scene unfold with sharp, intelligent eyes.

Shikaku Nara's gaze shifted toward the young Uchiha, his mind racing. So the fireball earlier wasn't just an attack... it was a distraction. He studied Itachi carefully, noticing how calm and composed the boy was. To think he formed a Shadow Clone mid-jutsu without any hesitation...

Nearby, Kurotsuchi stood frozen, her wide eyes locked on Itachi. "Did he really do all that... in one move?" she muttered, barely able to believe it. Her voice carried a mix of awe and disbelief. In her mind, no one of her generation—no one even close to her age—should have been capable of pushing Deidara to such limits.

Meanwhile, Deidara sat slumped on the ground, his usually confident expression replaced with shock. His chest heaved as he caught his breath, blue eyes fixated on the dark-haired boy standing before him. He's my age... maybe even younger... yet he overwhelmed me so completely.

A swirl of emotions danced in Deidara's gaze: horror, confusion, and reluctant admiration. But instead of anger, his lips twisted into a grin. Slowly, he tilted his head back and let out a loud, wild laugh that echoed through the clearing.

Itachi remained silent, his onyx eyes briefly flickering toward Deidara before turning away. He began walking back toward Shikaku and Izumi, his movements smooth and deliberate, as though nothing of importance had just transpired.

But Deidara's voice rang out, halting him mid-step. "Hey!"

Itachi stopped and glanced over his shoulder. Deidara was on his feet now, shaky but defiant. His grin stretched wider, his pride refusing to be extinguished so easily. "I didn't think a guy like you existed in Konoha." His voice held a strange mix of grudging respect and manic determination. "This is... exciting."

"You lost," Itachi said simply, his tone calm yet unyielding.

Deidara's grin didn't falter. "I know that. And I'll say it: my life is yours now. Do what you will."

Itachi's gaze remained unreadable. "I have no use for your life," he replied, his voice carrying a weight far beyond his years. "Just don't interfere with my missions again."

Deidara blinked in surprise, then narrowed his eyes. "You're letting me live? Don't regret it. I'll kill you one day, Uchiha!" His voice was laced with madness, but underneath it was a burning resolve.

Itachi turned fully to face him, his dark pupils swirling into the crimson pattern of the Sharingan. The air between them grew heavy, a silent challenge emanating from his gaze. "I'll be waiting," Itachi said quietly, his words cutting through the tension like a blade.

Deidara's piercing gaze locked onto the boy before him. His voice dropped into a low, measured tone. "What's your name?"

"Uchiha Itachi," came the quiet reply. Itachi's voice carried no arrogance, only an unsettling calmness that seemed to weigh heavily on the air.

"Uchiha Itachi..." Deidara's lips twisted into a smirk. "Don't forget what I just said. Your life will be mine sooner or later!" His words were sharp and deliberate, making no effort to mask the malice in his intent.

Itachi regarded him with an unwavering gaze, his tone unchanging. "With the way you are now, you will never be able to kill me."

Deidara stiffened, his smirk faltering for just a moment. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"You're so focused on defeating me that you treat your life as disposable," Itachi said, his voice devoid of malice yet cutting all the same. "But you haven't considered what happens to your comrades when you act so recklessly."

Deidara's eyes narrowed. "What are you trying to say?"

Itachi's gaze shifted briefly to the forehead protector tied around Deidara's head. "If this had been a real battlefield, your ego would've gotten them killed."

Deidara clenched his fists. He hated how those words stung more than the pain in his body. "You think you know me?"

"You want my life, don't you?" Itachi stepped forward, his voice steady. "Then figure it out. Grow stronger as a ninja of Iwagakure, and when that day comes, I'll accept your challenge."

Deidara froze. Itachi's words were a challenge, not to the boy he was now, but to the shinobi he could become. Something about Itachi's calm confidence made it impossible to argue.

Itachi's Sharingan spun briefly as he added, "But remember this—so long as I live, you will never surpass me." With that, he turned, walking back toward Shikaku and Izumi without looking back.

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Shikaku raised an eyebrow as Itachi approached. "You handled that well. I don't think we'll be seeing any trouble from him for the rest of this mission."

"He won't interfere," Itachi confirmed, glancing toward Deidara. "His pride wouldn't allow it."

Izumi, standing close by, let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. Her eyes lingered on Itachi, relief and admiration shining in them. You're incredible, Itachi...

Shikaku nodded. "Then let's move. We still have a mission to complete."

The three of them disappeared into the trees, leaving the Iwagakure team behind.

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Deidara stood rooted to the spot, his fists trembling. His gaze never wavered from the direction Itachi had disappeared. "Uchiha Itachi of Konoha..." he muttered, his voice low and full of venom. "I'll kill him."

"Brother Deidara..." Kurotsuchi's voice wavered. She stepped forward, hesitant. "Are you... okay?"

He didn't respond. The young girl glanced at their leader, Huitu, who placed a hand on her shoulder. "He'll figure it out," the older ninja said, a small smile on his lips.

"But the mission failed... Grandpa will—"

"The failure is my responsibility," Deidara interrupted, his voice steady but quieter than usual. He turned his back to them, unwilling to show his face. "I'll report to the Tsuchikage myself."

Kurotsuchi stared, taken aback. "Brother Deidara, you..."

Huitu watched the boy carefully, his expression thoughtful. Itachi's words got to him... he realized. Maybe this mission wasn't a complete loss after all.

Deidara clenched his fists tighter, his resolve hardening. Next time... Next time, I'll show him. I'll show everyone.

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