Chapter 143: Fuck the butterfly effect

"That was a good fight. I want to fight him," Itachi said.

"Me too; it's like he trained to counter all the Uchiha clan's techniques." Shisui said.

Fugaku Uchiha listened to his two best young ninjas and sighed. He replied, "It's no wonder."

Itachi and Suishi became attentive. 

Fugaku continued, "His grandfather is an elderly man who was born before the founding of this village. He is even older than the Hokage himself. He was alive when our clan was sworn enemy of the Senju clan. And since his clan was a subordinate clan of the Senju clan, he must have been taught many counter-techniques to deal with our clan."

Kenji was staring at Ryu after his recent loss to him, and his face contorted with anger. Ryu offered him a hand up, helping him to his feet, but he refused his help and stood by himself.

Fugaku looked at his son and said, "Ryu may be even stronger than you were at his age."

Itachi looked at his father and said, "Don't worry, father; I will work hard and make you proud. When I awaken my sharingan, I will best everyone, father."

Fugaku sighed and said, "Don't feel dejected. Make such instances to help make yourself motivated. Just look at Kenji and Akira. Both of them are working hard to beat him. Even Saya is getting strong just hanging around him." 

"Watch him and learn from him. Make him your milestone that you need to reach. and do not stop before you have reached him and surpassed him."

"Your midterms are tomorrow, right?" Fugaku asked.

"Yes, father," Itachi replied.

"Top this exam and apply for early graduation. There isn't much to learn from the academy anyway. You will become the youngest Genin in the history of the Leaf Village. You need to impress the Hokage and aim for becoming a chunnin in record time as well. Then only could you join the ANBU squad."

Fugaku looked at his son and asked, "You understand how important it is for the standing of the clan, right?"

"I understand, father," Itachi replied.

In the original story also, Itachi became a Genin at a very young age, but in this timeline, he was about to become a Genin six months earlier than in the original timeline. Unknown to Ryu, this butterfly has already spread its wings, and effects are unknown to everyone. 

After the midterm assessment of 1st-year students, Ryu was ranked number one talent in the 1st-year batch of the Ninja Academy. The news reached all the clan leaders and other important individuals. Ryu was not concerned, as he was protected for the time being by the Hokage.

Ryu went home and found his company employee watching properly around Hamur's Clan Main House. All these properties were owned by the Hamura Clan. 

Dan was instructing them on where to set up the lab and workshops. As a craftsman himself, he too was very excited that his grandson was keeping the tradition alive.

Ryu watched his grandfather, being busy with the company, and proceeded towards home. "Let's, grandpa, deal with it. I am sure the setup will be fine."

The next day, Itachi was standing, and next to him, two opponents were lying on the ground. He requested an early graduation, and to test his resolve, the midterm was specially made difficult for him.

He was made to fight with handicaps and with multiple opponents. But even with all the odds set up against him, he won the fight.

The people gathered to watch were not that cheerful and were not clapping as they did when Ryu won his fight. One could say they were speechless, but the discontent against the Uchiha clan due to the Kyubi incident was also the reason behind such a lacklustre response from the audience.

Surprising everyone, Hiruzen, the third Hokage, appeared before him.

"Itachi Uchiha," Hiruzen said.

Itachi bowed respectfully and said, "Lord Hokage."

"I have heard you requested an early promotion again."

"Yes, Lord Hokage," Itachi said.

"No doubt that you are more talented than your peers, but you are still too young; you have a few months remaining in your years. There may not be a squad of your age ready for you. Are you sure you will fit in with a squad of seniors?"

Itachi replied, "I am sure I will make it work somehow. I don't have much to learn here. I will focus on training during this period and hone my skills further."

Hiruzen sighed and said, "Okay, fine. I will allow you to graduate early. Work hard, and when you become a chunnin, come to me."

Itachi smiled and replied, "Thank you, Lord Hokage. I will not disappoint you."

Hiruzen smiled back and thought, "He is an exceptional talent among the Uchiha, and unlike them, he is very humble. Even the others from the Uchiha clan cannot hope to graduate early, even if they have awakened the Sharingan. Itachi is yet to awaken his Sharingan, but I suppose he will achieve that milestone when he starts taking missions as a genin squad." 

"Before the Uchiha clan exerts too much influence or Danzo gets involved with Itachi, I need to take him under my wing. Inviting him publicly to come to me as a chunnin will ward off Danzo for now, but I have to be careful. The Uchiha clan members are getting restless with the treatment they are receiving."

Fugaku watched from afar as Hiruzen talked to his son. After the exam, Itachi reached him and said, "Father, I have been promoted; I am now a genin."

"Well done, Itachi. As expected of my son," Fugaku said.

Fugaku watched his son, but his face looked happy, but it had a hint of sadness that did not escape Itachi's notice. Fugaku was feeling guilty for pushing the clan's responsibilities onto his son, and Itachi too understood his father's guilt all too well.

"Let's go home, son," Fugaku said.

As they left, Itachi noticed someone watching him. He was the same boy Itachi had been watching the previous day with funny hair. As he blinked in surprise, the boy vanished.

"What's the matter, Itachi?" Fugaku asked

"Nothing; let's go home. I am hungry," Itachi said.

The next day, Ryu is seen training in the academy training ground reserved for academy students. Ryu stopped and said, "Come out; I have already noticed." 

Itachi stepped out from behind a tree and walked up to Ryu. This is Ryu's first confrontation with the man, the legend himself.

Ryu smiled, "Well, well, Itachi Uchiha... I am honoured to meet you. I am a huge fan."

Itachi was taken aback by the unexpected compliment.

Ryu asked him, "Are you also here to fight me like Kenji and Akira?"

"No," Itachi replied.

"Well, that is a surprise. Every other Uchiha is always eager to beat me down. If you are training here, then I should say that you are no longer an academy student, and this place is reserved for academy students." Ryu said.

"I am not here to train either," Itachi said.

"If not to fight me or train here, then why are you here?" Ryu asked.

"I am here to talk to you. Although fighting you is also a tempting idea." Itachi said.

Ryu smiled and said, "Fighting you is also a dream come true for me. Like I said, I am a huge fan."

"You say it like I am a celebrity and you are a fanboy," Itachi replied.

"Hahaha." Ruy laughed.

Itachi thought, "Why is he acting like this?" According to what others talked about him, he is not like this."

"Ok, let's fight. We can always talk later," Ryu said.

At that moment the fanboy in Ryu vanished, and predatory instincts of a beast took over him, scaring even Itachi. He wasn't lying when he said fighting him is his dream come true.

"Are you sure you are not suffering from dual personality disorder? A second ago, you were saying you are a fan, and now you are like you are out for my blood," Itachi said.

"Well, if I really am a fan, then underestimating you would be like blasphemy towards you."

Itachi thought, "I don't think consulting him is a good idea. He is crazy."

"So how are we going to do this?" Ryu asked.

"How about the same rules as when you fought Kenji?" Itachi asked.

"Boring," Ryu said immediately.

"I am not going to fight my favourite character, bare ninjutsu."

"What character? You make it sound like I am a character out of a book. You are crazy."

Ryu laughed it out, "hahahaha."

"Ok, fine, no rules for this fight. But I will hold back as you are my junior."

"Oye. You may be a senior and already a Genin, but you aren't much older than me. Don't underestimate me. Are you sure you can hold back without eating dust?" Ryu stated.

Ryu thought for a few seconds and asked, "Can we do this in your clan's training ground? I don't want others to see me get serious."

"So you were holding back earlier, and no one has seen you fight seriously. In that case, holding back against you will be stupid," Itachi said, "and disrespectful."

"Now we are talking!" Ryu exclaimed with a wide smile. 

It was about to go down now. Itachi vs Ryu.

Ryu's thoughts were very ecstatic. He thought, "Fuck the butterfly effect."

"One has to die and be reborn here to get a chance like this. What's the probability of that happening? I am not going to miss this."

Shit was about to hit the fan and break the timeline now.

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Next chapter : Chapter 144: Itachi Uchiha Vs Ryu Hamura-Part 1

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