Chapter 63: Itachi got cornered...

Sasuke lifted his head with difficulty, forcing out each word:

"I will definitely…kill him…with my own hands!"

In fact, even if Senshi hadn't spoken, Itachi felt that what he did to Sasuke this time was pretty much enough.

For the near future, his foolish little brother would certainly have the drive to train desperately.

So Itachi withdrew his leg, completely ignoring Sasuke.

Sasuke, from beginning to end, glared daggers at Itachi. If not for his severe injuries limiting his movement, he would have gotten up again to fight Itachi with all his might.

Seeing that Sasuke had been released, Karin hurriedly ran over.

Noticing his severe wounds, she prepared to use Healing Technique.

But then Karin felt a bit awkward.

In the past, whenever Senshi asked her to practice medical ninjutsu, she would always be studying cooking instead.

Like today, while Sasuke was diligently training, Karin went to the little river and started fishing.

"Ah, shoot—Sasuke's really hurt, and he's such an important client to Senshi."

"Senshi, what do we do?"

Karin hastily looked to Senshi for instructions, thinking that if he said so, she could let Sasuke bite her to heal.

Unexpectedly, Senshi looked quite unconcerned, waving a hand and remarking:

"Don't worry about it, ichi-ni-san. This is just how these brothers say 'hello'—friendly sibling greetings."

"You'll see. One day, after Sasuke grows strong, he'll beat Itachi half to death in return."

Uchiha Itachi, meanwhile, aimed a guarded gaze at Senshi.

"Uzumaki Senshi, what's your purpose in coming to Konoha?"

For such a dangerous person to appear in the village, Itachi worried about Sasuke's safety while also worrying for Konoha itself.

From what he learned via Kisame, Senshi could crush and subdue Kirigakure's tailed beast single-handed.

Should Senshi wreak havoc in Konoha, no one would be able to stop him.

Hearing Itachi's question, Senshi casually set Karin down and, rather bored, flicked his fingers:

"And what business is that of yours?"

He cared not for Itachi's concerns.

As a professional mercenary, Senshi wore a perfectly amiable smile for his paying clients—but for someone like Itachi, who had no money to offer, there was no need for courtesy.

He certainly didn't expect any high-paying requests from Itachi.

Senshi's words made Itachi, usually expressionless, frown a bit.

He simply didn't know Senshi's agenda in coming to Konoha.

All that was clear was that Senshi had arrived, become Sasuke's tutor, and also gone around the Land of Fire's black market. Apart from that, Itachi didn't know what Senshi had done.

He had noticed a section of forest, destroyed by a lightning technique—likely Senshi's doing.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but once again marvel at Senshi's Lightning Release talent.

Under Senshi's guidance, Sasuke would surely grow to an inconceivable level!

While Itachi was pondering, Senshi yawned idly and asked in return:

"What about you, Ichi-ni-san? What're you doing in Konoha?"

"Weren't you here just to beat my client—and student—to a pulp?"

"Should I consider that you're picking a fight with me?"

Itachi quickly recovered his usual calm.

He answered in a steady tone:

"I was just passing by, taking a look."

With that, he turned away, intending to leave. He didn't want excessive contact with Senshi, let alone a confrontation.

If they came to blows and Senshi injured him badly, Sasuke might climb up to finish him off, thus ruining his plan entirely.

Likewise, Senshi had no intention of fighting Itachi. Sasuke hadn't requested any "beat-Itachi" commission, so what would be the point?

Just as Itachi was walking away, Senshi's eyes suddenly lit up with an idea.

A dark-red swirl portal appeared, blocking Itachi's path.

Immediately, Itachi's stare grew vigilant.

Senshi, with a playful expression, chuckled:

Far off, Karin watched Senshi's expression and wore a sly little grin—clearly Senshi was about to trap someone again.

Sure enough, Senshi turned to Itachi and said:

"You gave my client a beating and frightened my little assistant, Karin. Did you plan to just leave it at that?"

Those words made Itachi more on guard. Before he could think any further, Senshi leaned in slightly, lowering his voice:

"Ichi-ni-san-san, you wouldn't want your foolish little brother learning your secret, would you?"

Instantly, Itachi's expression changed dramatically.

"Itachi: !!!???"

Though it seemed unbelievable, he had a feeling Senshi really did know something.

This made sense, given that Kakuzu, Orochimaru, and Kisame had all said Senshi possessed an information network beyond common understanding.

Itachi feigned composure: "Secret? I have no secret."

But Senshi continued without letting him off:

"Of course I'm talking about that deal you made with Konoha's…"

He abruptly cut off. Clearly, Itachi understood exactly what he meant.

At those words, Itachi's face took on a look of utter shock.

He glanced sideways at Sasuke and Karin. Karin was healing Sasuke, who winced under her not-so-practiced Healing Jutsu. Neither of them was paying attention. Only then did Itachi let out a breath.

He took a deep breath and said:

"Say it—what do you want?"

He decided to handle this crisis for now. Senshi evidently knew about his arrangement with Konoha's top brass. Should that come to light, it would ruin the game he'd set up for Sasuke's growth.

Seeing Itachi yield, Senshi smiled.

"I'm short of a partner on missions right now."

(At that moment, far away in Amegakure, the shark-faced Kisame sneezed. He still had no idea that he'd effectively lost his partner without even being on scene.)

Itachi pondered a while.

He recalled Kakuzu, who had the Earth Grudge Fear technique that made him near-immortal. Yet even Kakuzu couldn't bear working with Senshi, regularly emerging with dark circles and a hollow gaze as though drained.

And Kisame had told him about nearly being sold off by Senshi in Kirigakure. This post was downright hazardous: let someone else do it!

Hence, Itachi shook his head firmly:

"I refuse."

But Senshi obviously wouldn't let him off so easily. He needed an assistant.

Given that this assistant was Uchiha Itachi—a local who could handle things in Konoha's black market—he was the best possible candidate.

Senshi gave him a cunning look:

"Ichi-ni-san, you're sure? Then don't blame me."

Senshi faced Sasuke in the distance and raised his voice:

"Sasuke—! I've got a big secret you might want to—"

"Wait!"

Itachi pinched his brow, vexed.

This fully unscrupulous approach left him no room. He had no choice but to surrender.

With a weary sigh, he asked:

"What do I need to do?"

Senshi, seeing Itachi's capitulation, knew it was because he had leverage with Sasuke. He grinned:

"Simple. I need you to gather up all the black-market jobs around Konoha."

Itachi: "??????!!!"

Shocked, Itachi echoed:

"All the black-market jobs around here?"

Sure enough, the Land of Fire was among the Five Great Shinobi Nations. Konoha was the strongest shinobi village. Hence the black markets in Land of Fire were the largest in the ninja world. So…all?

Yet Senshi was unwavering:

"Yeah! Ichi-ni-san!"

"We're picking up every single black-market commission in the Fire Country, near Konoha!"

Senshi cheerfully slung an arm around Itachi's shoulder, all smiles:

"Come on, we can chat as we go."

Watching Senshi walk off with an arm around Itachi, Sasuke stood there dumbfounded.

"That big secret…? Today's lesson…?"

His expression turned sullen.

"He's obviously in league with Itachi! Liar!"

Meanwhile Karin, noticing Sasuke's face darkening, piped up soothingly:

"Relax, that guy who beat you won't have a good end. You saw Senshi's face—Itachi's in for big trouble!"

But Sasuke didn't cheer up:

"Tch. Anyone close to Itachi is unreliable."

That set Karin off:

"Hey! That's not fair. Senshi's a super-reliable ninja!"

She folded her arms, adding:

"As long as it's not pinned to a job, Senshi's always reliable!"

Her summation was downright perfect. Sasuke snorted:

"What difference does that make?"

He still wore his scowl, but some part of him was grudgingly forced to agree that Senshi's training had quickly raised his skill.

He simply hated that Itachi had shown up, that Senshi had parted without finishing the lesson…plus the notion that they seemed suspiciously friendly.

While Sasuke was fuming and Karin was complaining, a dark red swirl-portal appeared behind them.

In a flash, Senshi walked out with a faint cough. Startled, both kids jumped.

"Thwap! Thwap!"

He flicked his fingers in two quick moves, giving them each a little smack on the head. Then, with a genial grin, he chided:

"You two brats, how can you talk behind Teacher's back like that?"

Karin shot back:

"But I wasn't—!"

She secretly griped It was all Sasuke, I was just telling the truth!

Of course, Senshi had never genuinely been angry at these two. He'd come back now for two reasons:

1. Leave a Wood Clone to protect them both.

2. Assign them new training tasks.

"Pop!" Senshi clapped his hands together with a commanding little shout:

"Wood Style: Wood Clone!"

Cracks split the ground beside him. A moment later, a Wood Clone identical to Senshi sprouted up.

That done, Senshi turned to Karin, patting her bright red hair:

"Karin, you'll stay here practicing the Healing Jutsu. Go fish some injured fish of varying severity, then try to heal them completely."

Karin immediately drooped. She'd never been very motivated in ninjutsu training. Senshi himself hardly ever gets injured. And if he does, I can let him bite me, so what's the big deal about learning medical ninjutsu? Isn't it simpler to refine my cooking?

"So…where're you going?"

she asked in a forlorn tone.

Senshi flashed a broad grin:

"I'm heading out with Itachi to the black market for some tasks."

Karin had known it—only the words "mission" could get him so fired up.

Having settled Karin, Senshi turned to Sasuke.

"Until I return, your main mission is to generate ten thunder orbs at once. This will push your mastery of the technique, your chakra reserves, and your fine control to the limit."

Senshi had laid out a stable path for Sasuke to develop, intending first to fortify his basics thoroughly. Once Sasuke's foundation was solid, Senshi would pass on more profound Lightning Release jutsu.

"Weak foundation leads to shaky results!"

Sasuke kept thinking about Itachi:

"…Hmph, liar!"

He turned up his nose, all standoffish.

Senshi, though, paid that no mind:

"As long as your fundamentals stay firm, I've got loads of Lightning Release techniques. You can learn as many as you like."

~~~

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