Naruto: Fire-Release system

Chapter 125: Guess Why I'm Here to See You

The terms of the cooperation were quickly agreed upon, but could such a verbal agreement really be trusted?

"Do you think they're serious about working with us?" One asked after Obito left.

From the start, Two had handled all the negotiations with Obito, so neither One nor Three fully understood her intentions.

"Of course, they're not sincere," Two replied. "But does it even matter? I never expected them to genuinely help us."

She continued, "Their target is the jinchūriki and the tailed beasts. It doesn't conflict with our objective. If they make their move, the commotion they create will be much bigger than anything we could manage. All eyes will be on them, which will significantly reduce the difficulty of our mission."

Two's confident analysis convinced One and Three. They agreed her approach made sense.

With no further hesitation, the trio began covertly planting explosive tags around the Leaf, preparing to execute Obito's plan to create chaos in three days.

---

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

The day of the Chūnin Exams finally arrived, and dignitaries from various countries gathered in the Leaf to enjoy the event. The village's bustling streets, full of life, mirrored the prosperity it had enjoyed before its destruction.

"So oblivious," Uchiha Yi muttered, observing the scene. "It seems they've already forgotten their scars. Do they really want to experience disaster again?" He let out a small laugh. "The Leaf really is a magnet for calamity."

Having returned to the village, Yi immediately noticed the underlying tension. Something big was brewing, though the unsuspecting crowds of spectators had no idea.

"Yi-niisama, what's wrong?" Karin, noticing his subtle smile, rushed over to his side. As usual, she began chattering away about her experiences over the past few days, most of which were filled with complaints about the Leaf. Her sharp criticisms were delivered with a dramatic flair that made Yi chuckle.

Though amused, Yi had no intention of correcting Karin. After all, the Leaf had indeed wronged her and her mother. Her resentment was justified.

"Yi-sama!" Hinata greeted nervously, stepping out from behind Karin.

"How have things been here in the Leaf?" Yi asked, surprised by Hinata's initiative.

"Good," she replied softly, barely audible, before retreating behind Karin again. Though her words were few, her gaze lingered on Yi, her expression serene and content.

Yi nodded, acknowledging her answer. He wasn't particularly bothered by Hinata's shy demeanor, though he did notice she seemed more confident compared to before.

Setting aside his interactions with the girls, Yi turned his attention to something unexpected.

Uchiha Itachi was in the village.

Accompanied by Kisame Hoshigaki, Itachi walked through the ruins of the Uchiha clan's former compound. His steps were slow and deliberate, his expression unreadable.

For Yi, this development raised questions. Was Itachi acting under orders from Obito? Or was he pursuing his own agenda?

Initially, Yi had expected Obito to make a dramatic appearance at the Five Kage Summit to declare war, as he had in the original timeline. For this reason, Yi had lingered in the Land of Iron after returning from the moon, hoping to catch the show.

However, Obito never showed up, and the Summit devolved into predictable bickering. Losing interest, Yi returned to the Leaf, just in time for the Chūnin Exams.

Itachi's unexpected presence piqued Yi's curiosity.

He decided to send a shadow clone to investigate.

---

Itachi and Kisame continued through the ruins of the Uchiha compound, their silence broken only by the faint crunch of debris beneath their feet.

Suddenly, both halted as a figure appeared before them.

"Ah, if it isn't Yi! Long time no see," Kisame greeted with a forced grin, attempting to mask his unease. Yi's reputation had left an indelible impression on him.

"It has been a while," Yi replied nonchalantly. His gaze flicked to Kisame. "When you all fled, you didn't even call me. Not very brotherly of you."

His tone was light, but there was an undertone of accusation that made Kisame's already broad smile falter.

"Ahaha! Don't take it to heart," Kisame said quickly, beads of sweat forming on his brow. "It was a rushed departure. I'm sure 'Tobi' just didn't want to drag you into our troubles."

"Oh, so he still sees me as a comrade, does he?" Yi's lips curled into a sly smile. "By the way, why are you two here in the Leaf? Got a mission?"

Kisame hesitated, unsure if he should answer. "We…"

Before he could finish, Itachi raised a hand, stopping him.

"You're here for me, aren't you?" Itachi said, his calm voice cutting through the tension.

Yi chuckled. "Got it in one. But no prizes for guessing correctly." His smile widened. "Care to take another guess as to why I'm here?"

Itachi's lips pressed into a thin line. He had long anticipated this day. The destruction of the Leaf had been a clear signal that Yi's wrath would eventually come for those involved in the Uchiha massacre.

Itachi had hoped to delay the inevitable, but reality had little regard for such wishes.

---

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