**Chapter 101: In an Instant – The Most Agitated Version of Itsuki!**

Based on the current intelligence:

Not long ago, a conflict erupted between Konoha's Root division and the Hidden Cloud Village. Root was completely annihilated, while Hidden Cloud lost over 200 people! Later, Konoha's Anbu clashed with Hidden Cloud once more. Anbu, too, was wiped out, and Hidden Cloud suffered another 70 casualties!

Additionally, someone intentionally caused chaos in Hidden Cloud Village, leading to the disappearance of the Two-Tails. Among the clues, traces of a Wood Release user were found.

Wood Release is a technique that, for anyone in the know, immediately brings Konoha to mind.

Therefore, Hidden Cloud sent emissaries to Konoha for negotiations. 

Between the great villages, war doesn't break out immediately; everything hinges on interests. Why go to war when you can achieve your goals through peaceful means? Even if war is inevitable, isn't it better to extract something beforehand? Use their own resources to fight them—what a sweet feeling!

Furthermore, tensions have been rising between Hidden Cloud and Hidden Stone, as both sides have amassed large numbers of ninjas at their borders. Small skirmishes are frequent, and the threat of a full-blown war looms. 

The matter concerns the body of the Third Raikage, and neither side is willing to back down. Hidden Cloud doesn't mind being the one to ignite the Fourth Great Ninja War, but they don't want to immediately face off against two other superpower villages.

Just because they favor using brute force to solve problems doesn't mean they lack intelligence.

This was the situation.

As for why Uchiha Mikoto got involved... to be honest, even Itsuki was baffled.

Although Mikoto is beautiful, she's just an ordinary ninja—her strength is debatable, and she might not even be on the level of a Jōnin. Plus, as the first lady of the Uchiha clan, she has no reason to be on the battlefield; the Uchiha would never let her fight. 

All she needs to do is take care of the clan leader's home. 

That's the path most female ninjas choose after getting married. 

So, how could this negotiation between Hidden Cloud and Konoha possibly involve her?

Yet, things took an unexpected turn.

Hidden Cloud has always looked down on Konoha with disdain! 

This time, after losing the Two-Tails and experiencing internal turmoil, they lost over 300 ninjas in battles with Konoha's Root and Anbu forces. 

The losses were just too great. 

Hidden Cloud wanted to make up for it at Konoha's expense. 

So, during the talks, they immediately demanded compensation from Konoha.

Their attitude was completely unreasonable, as if they were negotiating with a small country, not another great village. 

Because Hidden Cloud only sent emissaries, the Third Hokage didn't personally attend the meeting. 

Instead, Homura Mitokado was tasked with organizing the talks. 

Not long ago, Itsuki had traveled outside Hidden Cloud Village, so the Third Hokage ordered Fugaku Uchiha to participate in the talks, hoping that if Konoha had to make reparations, the Uchiha would contribute as well.

However, the Third Hokage miscalculated!

He never could have predicted that Fugaku would come to the talks already furious, having been provoked by Itsuki beforehand.

So, when the Hidden Cloud emissaries started making outrageous demands, Fugaku responded strongly, nearly calling for war outright.

This attitude infuriated Hidden Cloud even more.

The Uchiha and the Hyūga! These are Konoha's two strongest clans. 

Even though the two clans' powers aren't exactly equal, the Third Hokage and his people elevated the Hyūga to prominence.

Besides, at a glance, both clans have about the same number of Jōnin, and they both possess powerful dōjutsu (eye techniques). So, drawing a parallel between them isn't out of the question, right?

At least, that's how Hidden Cloud saw it.

After all, it's only been a few days since Hizashi Hyūga died. His body's still warm, and the Hyūga clan hasn't dared to utter a word of protest!

That was the clan leader's own brother, the head of the branch family. Konoha was willing to sacrifice him. So, Uchiha, what makes you think you're so special?

In the heat of the argument, emotions flared—chaos, fury, and disdain all surged to the surface.

The Hidden Cloud emissary, hot-headed and reckless, blurted out: "What's so great about the Uchiha? Is your clan leader that powerful? If you don't send your wife to Hidden Cloud by tomorrow, we're going to war!"

His goal was to humiliate the Uchiha clan, to humiliate Konoha!

Uchiha Fugaku was not like Hyuga Hiashi. He didn't have a brother, and his son was his only heir.

So, the Cloud Village made a fatal mistake.

Instead of targeting someone less important, they went after Mikoto.

In their view, if the Hyuga clan's branch leader could "suddenly die" to prevent a war, why couldn't the Uchiha clan leader's wife "disappear"?

Itsuki didn't know any of this.

All he knew was that those bastards from the Cloud Village were trying to hurt his sister Mikoto!

Unforgivable!

Without paying attention to Itachi's shouts, Itsuki immediately used the Flying Thunder God technique and headed to the meeting spot.

"It's over!"

Watching Itsuki leave, Itachi's mind went blank, with only one thought running through his head.

Shisui, it's up to you. You must stop Itsuki.

He can't be allowed to go on a rampage.

At the very least, the Cloud Village emissaries can't all be killed.

That would make war inevitable.

I was stupid to come looking for Itsuki, knowing how he feels about her.

Itachi just didn't want to admit it.

After all, Mikoto was still his mother.

…

Shisui was extremely nervous!

No one knew what Itsuki intended for Uchiha Mikoto.

The only thing they did know was...

Mikoto was beautiful.

And Itsuki was a bit of a lecher.

The fact that the Cloud emissaries had asked for Mikoto had already infuriated Fugaku. If not for Mitokado Homura reacting quickly and standing in front of him, Fugaku would have attacked them on the spot.

So, what would happen with Itsuki's bad temper?

No one knew!

Shisui didn't even want to guess. His eyes widened, afraid that Itsuki might slip past him.

Suddenly!

Shisui sensed something.

"That bastard's here!"

Relying on instinct, Shisui reached out and grabbed.

Huh! He actually caught him!

Shisui looked at Itsuki's gradually materializing figure, staring at his shocked face. A sense of pride surged within him.

So, even you can be surprised!

Don't underestimate me!

With that thought, Shisui—AAAAH!!!

Amid a blood-curdling scream, Shisui became an accessory hanging from Itsuki's body.

Itsuki was moving at high speed, and Shisui clung to him like a flag flapping in the wind.

Whenever Itsuki made a turn, Shisui would crash around like crazy, until half his body went numb.

"You're really brave!" Itsuki remarked, exasperated.

He was racing to the meeting spot, and Shisui, half-asleep, had just reached out to grab him.

It was like someone standing still trying to grab someone sprinting at full speed. If you didn't get swept off your feet, it wouldn't make sense.

Besides, seeing how fast he was moving, did you really think he could stop?

He didn't even want to stop!

"Boom!"

Finally, they reached the meeting place.

Itsuki barged right in and shouted, "Hands up! Men to the left, women to the right, and Mitokado Homura in the middle!"

As soon as he finished speaking…

"Boom!"

Shisui crashed to the ground, his body convulsing uncontrollably.

All those turns Itsuki had made along the way left Shisui feeling like his body no longer belonged to him.

Unfortunately for him, no one was paying attention. All eyes were on Itsuki.

"Boom!"

Itsuki kicked Shisui aside and furiously marched toward the Cloud Village emissary.

Mitokado Homura, who had been standing between the emissary and Itsuki, quickly stepped aside in fear.

Fugaku: "..."

Wasn't this the same guy who was shouting that he'd kill anyone who tried to harm the Cloud emissary just moments ago?

Mitokado Homura: "Yeah, right. If I said that to Itsuki, he'd probably get rid of me for real."

Itsuki stopped in front of the Cloud emissary, looking down at him coldly.

"You little punk, you're the one who wants my sister Mikoto, huh? Heh, are your balls too big? Need me to pop a couple for you?"

Maybe it was Itsuki's overwhelming presence, but the Cloud emissary instinctively backed down.

He weakly asked, "Excuse me, who exactly are you to Lady Mikoto?"

Itsuki pondered for a moment.

Who am I to Mikoto?

A devoted puppy?

A third wheel in waiting?

A secret lover?

The most handsome guy in her dreams?

Got it!

With a calm and collected expression, Itsuki ignored Fugaku's cold stare and casually said, "I'm her... daddy."

(End of chapter)