--- After all, among these hot-blooded youths, Itachi Uchiha's actions felt like a naked provocation! Moreover, there were truly many specta
---
After all, among these hot-blooded youths, Itachi Uchiha's actions felt like a naked provocation! Moreover, there were truly many spectators this time. If their performance wasn't good, they might suffer social death.
"Now! Test begins!" As everyone took their positions, the assessing teacher checked the time and then gave the order. Of course, his body remained in an alert state. The moment Itachi Uchiha showed any sign of being unable to resist, he would stop the match immediately. The Uchiha clan's face still needed to be given.
Instantly, the twenty-four candidates rushed towards Itachi Uchiha, the kunai in their hands already gleaming faintly. Yes, they wanted to strike first. If they were the one to defeat Itachi Uchiha, presumably their future treatment would definitely be different? Promotion and salary increase, becoming CEO, marrying a rich and beautiful woman wouldn't be an issue.
"Katon! Gōkakyū no Jutsu (Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique)!" Just as the first batch of people reached Itachi Uchiha, Itachi directly leaped backward, his hands already quickly performing the hand seals for the Great Fireball Technique. The speed, like playing a piano, unseen seals, made even Danzō exclaim involuntarily. And as Itachi Uchiha's ninjutsu completed, chakra gathered in his throat, spewing a huge fireball forward from his mouth.
"What!?" When had these candidates ever witnessed a Great Fireball Technique of this level? One after another, they used the little chakra they had to perform the Body Replacement Technique to dodge. Instantly, the training ground was filled with tree branches used as replacement materials...
Seeing the power of this Great Fireball Technique, the villagers outside couldn't help cheering. They had watched other graduation assessments before, but rarely one as exciting as now. Only a few old villagers who vaguely remembered Kakashi's graduation back then had their eyes light up.
"Itachi!!!" Outside the field, Izumi Uchiha couldn't help shouting. But after seeing Mikoto Uchiha's half-smiling expression, she couldn't help lowering her head, avoiding her gaze.
Soon, under Itachi Uchiha's performance, one candidate after another was swept out by Itachi Uchiha. Not even much time passed before only Itachi Uchiha remained alone on the training ground.
"Assessment concluded. Examination results excellent. Approve Itachi Uchiha to pass the assessment," The assessing teacher said somewhat surprisedly. He truly hadn't expected Itachi Uchiha to actually pass this seemingly impossible assessment.
As the teacher's voice fell, the villagers outside the training ground began applauding one after another. Itachi Uchiha's reputation among the villagers was already quite good, so they were happy to see this scene.
"Very good. Good child. May I ask if you are willing to join our Root?" Just as the voices on the field were overwhelmingly positive, Danzō suddenly stood up. And came directly beside Itachi Uchiha, looking at him with appreciation filling his eyes. However, before his words finished, another voice directly interrupted him.
"Itachi Uchiha!!! I've come for a duel with you!!!" Just as Danzō was still somewhat confused, Deidara leaped out directly from behind Shinji, quickly rushing towards Itachi Uchiha's direction.
"Deidara!" Itachi narrowed his eyes. Didn't expect Deidara to actually rush towards him at this time. Soon, Deidara passed Danzō and arrived before Itachi Uchiha. The two stood facing each other.
Watching this scene, Danzō's face looked as ugly as if he had eaten shit. Someone actually came out to cause trouble at this time? But after seeing clearly this person was Deidara, Danzō could only forcefully suppress his anger and sit back down. He knew Deidara was Shinji's person. And he didn't look at Shinji's face, because he knew it definitely wouldn't look good.
The people present wouldn't care how ugly Danzō's face was at this moment. Instead, they watched the situation in the field with relish. They all recognized Deidara was the appearance Itachi Uchiha used the Transformation Technique to become just now. Meaning, these two knew each other.
"Itachi, you've never beaten me before, right? This time I'll give you a chance, let you fight me once more," Deidara said provokingly. At the same time, his expression also began to become somewhat serious. Playing is playing, joking is joking. He knew Itachi Uchiha improved every day. If he hadn't obtained an Explosion Fruit from Shinji some time ago, greatly increasing his strength, perhaps he would have been surpassed by Itachi Uchiha some time ago. So, in Deidara's vision, today was Itachi Uchiha's graduation moment. He wanted to suddenly appear on stage at this time, giving him a feeling of being caught off guard. However, this effect was still achieved. Clearly, no one present expected this point.
Moreover, after hearing Deidara's words, everyone was somewhat astonished. Itachi Uchiha, who performed so stunningly just now, actually never won against Deidara even once? After all, Deidara looked about the same size as Itachi Uchiha. And Itachi Uchiha was already a well-known genius far and wide. Yet now everyone discovered there was an even more talented Deidara? Thinking of this, everyone's interest began to appear.
"Itachi! Go! Beat Deidara down!" However, what surprised Shinji was that the first one to stand up and cheer for Itachi Uchiha was actually the usually shy Izumi Uchiha! At this moment, she cupped her hands into a trumpet shape, continuously cheering for Itachi Uchiha with her mouth.
"Sigh, looks like the grudge runs deep," Shinji shook his head helplessly. This wave from Izumi Uchiha had no sincerity at all, only past grievances. After all, Deidara seemed more like Itachi Uchiha's... Ahem...
"Since the two want to compete, then this old man will serve as the referee this time," Having not gotten the result he wanted just now, Danzō started getting restless again. He stood up from his chair, clapping his hands as he came to the edge of the training ground.
"Lord Danzō, you'd better lean back a bit. Otherwise, you might get accidentally injured," Shinji saw Danzō walk over and kindly advised.
"Accidentally injured? Hehe, Boss Shinji, how could a duel between Genin possibly injure me?" Danzō said dismissively. Was he kidding? I am a Kage-level powerhouse; mere Genin-level individuals want to harm me?
"Then Lord Danzō should be careful," Seeing Danzō completely unappreciative, Shinji could only helplessly shrug. Giving you a chance, yet you don't take it. Remember, the current Itachi Uchiha and Deidara couldn't be generalized as mere Genin. Especially, wasn't Konoha famous for its unprovokable Genin?
However, Danzō remained defiant. Deidara and Itachi Uchiha weren't affected by external factors at all. The two just looked at each other.
"Deidara, this time I will definitely win," Itachi Uchiha stated calmly, but his eyes already held a feeling of fire. Mikoto Uchiha beside felt a rare sensation. After all, Itachi Uchiha rarely showed this kind of expression.
"Impossible, Itachi. I've prepared a big gift for you this time," Deidara showed an excited expression. These days, beside En no Gyōja, he learned a lot about the art of explosion. Seeing Deidara so eager to learn, En no Gyōja also taught Deidara several control techniques. Based on these techniques, Deidara specifically developed a new ninjutsu, and this was his gift to Itachi Uchiha!
"Then, take your positions. Match start!" Danzō said from the edge of the training ground. He was also very curious what ability Deidara actually possessed to make Itachi Uchiha, who was only one year younger, never win even once!
Following Danzō's order, Itachi Uchiha launched the first attack! "Katon! Gōkakyū no Jutsu (Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique)!" Itachi Uchiha took a deep breath violently, then large amounts of flame surged towards Deidara's direction. Seeing this fire momentum, the candidates below looked relieved. So Itachi Uchiha held back just now!
"This intensity of Great Fireball Technique!" Beside the field, Neji Hyūga looked shocked at the Great Fireball Technique Itachi Uchiha used. Yes, today he came over with his father Hizashi Hyūga. Earlier, Neji was relatively calm. But now, after seeing Itachi Uchiha's Great Fireball Technique, his heart was completely shocked. This level of Great Fireball Technique, Neji saw for the first time. Let alone the other villagers beside the field. One after another, they looked at Deidara with a trace of pity.
"Clay Explosion!" However, just when everyone thought Deidara definitely couldn't withstand this Great Fireball Technique from Itachi Uchiha. Deidara acted. Raising his hand, streams of clay continuously shot out from Deidara's hand. And quickly, when the clay contacted the Great Fireball Technique, they exploded one after another. Violent explosion fluctuations enveloped the entire training ground. Streaks of smoke continuously appeared in the center of the training field.
"This!?" Danzō looked somewhat surprisedly at the side of the field. He was closest to them; naturally, he could feel the power contained within these explosions. It seemed not inferior to Itachi Uchiha at all. Thinking of this, Danzō's brow furrowed high. This wasn't good news.
Regardless of what Danzō thought here, the villagers present couldn't stand still anymore. These explosions were so close; some debris contained within the explosions seemed about to affect them soon. Instantly, the training ground seemed somewhat agitated.
"Karin," Seeing the commotion outside the training ground, Shinji just whispered softly.
"Understood, Lord Shinji," Karin nodded lightly, then quickly arrived at the edge of the training ground.
"Fūinjutsu! Shikoku Fūin (Four Symbols Seal)!" Several blue lights appeared beside Karin, respectively arriving at the four corners of the training ground. Soon, a blue barrier enveloped the entire training ground. Itachi Uchiha and Deidara, being enveloped, just glanced once then immediately turned their gaze back to each other, seemingly nothing could shake their duel.
Danzō, sealed inside the Four Symbols Seal together with them, wanted to curse his father. You sealed, fine, but what's the deal with sealing me inside too? Bullying the elderly?
However, Karin paid no mind to others. The moment the Four Symbols Seal appeared, Karin returned behind Shinji, seemingly this action just now was just a very ordinary matter.
"Tired?" Shinji looked smilingly at Karin. Using this sealing technique presumably already drained the chakra from Karin's body?
"Hehe, then Lord Shinji, let me lean on you?" Karin chuckled hehe, then without waiting for Shinji's reply, directly leaned her body against Shinji. Seeing Karin's action, Shinji just helplessly shook his head, then reached out to support Karin's body so she wouldn't fall down. Feeling Shinji's warmth, Karin blushed somewhat shyly.
Watching Karin's action, Jūgo, who had been beside, just wanted to say: this really was planned.
...
Just as Karin was feeling shy here, Deidara and Itachi Uchiha attacked again. The two didn't use any fancy ninjutsu anymore, but directly rushed up. Bang bang bang, the sound of fist meeting flesh echoed continuously. And the villagers beside the training ground also quieted down upon seeing the seal, calming down to appreciate the duel between the two. Who wouldn't want to watch a fight without danger? Moreover, Itachi Uchiha and Deidara, whether in taijutsu or ninjutsu, the appreciation value was top-notch. This let everyone present enjoy a splendid visual feast.
But anyone with discerning eyes could see the one leading was Deidara! After all, Deidara, possessing the Bomb-Bomb Fruit, could cause explosions anywhere on his body. Even during close combat with Itachi Uchiha, explosions occurred. This forced Itachi Uchiha to use a portion of his chakra to protect his body.
"How about it, Itachi! This is the gift I specially prepared for you!" Deidara laughed loudly. He regarded Itachi Uchiha as his greatest opponent, so going all out was the greatest respect for Itachi Uchiha!
"..." Itachi Uchiha didn't reply, but diligently searched for opportunities.
"Deidara fell into the trap," Shinji suddenly said.
"What?" Karin leaning against him asked somewhat confusedly.
"The chakra flow on Deidara's body changed. Is that the meaning, Lord Shinji?" Jūgo stated calmly.
"Yes. The chakra on Deidara's body has become disordered."
"Meaning... Deidara has been controlled by genjutsu?" Karin said somewhat surprisedly.
"Yes. Look at Itachi's eyes," Shinji pointed towards Itachi Uchiha. Following Shinji's direction, Karin saw Itachi Uchiha's eyes! Unknown when, the two-tomoe Sharingan had clearly appeared in his eyes.
"Two-tomoe Sharingan!" In the field, Danzō, who had been dodging explosions, suddenly exclaimed失声 (shīshēng - lose one's voice/exclaim). Seven years old, two-tomoe Sharingan! Such heaven-defying data! Potential! Danzō saw endless potential in Itachi Uchiha. Opening the two-tomoe Sharingan at this age, what level Itachi Uchiha could reach next, even Danzō couldn't say for sure. But he now felt even more strongly that he definitely had to bring Itachi Uchiha into his fold. This level of Uchiha! Only he could grasp!
Outside the field, Shinji looked at Itachi Uchiha's two-tomoe Sharingan, a smile appearing in his eyes. In the original story, Itachi Uchiha opened the one-tomoe Sharingan at the age of eight. And this time, with Shinji's help, Itachi Uchiha advanced this record by one year! And it changed from one tomoe to two tomoe!
As Itachi Uchiha opened the two-tomoe Sharingan, the situation on the field seemed to suddenly change. Deidara's eyes instantly became confused, seeming controlled by Itachi.
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