Evil Uchiha Itsuki

"Why do you think?" 

Guren's face showed anger as she unleashed her Crystal Release, forming a long dragon that roared towards Itsuki. 

*Whoosh!* 

The dragon passed through Itsuki. 

Itsuki's figure gradually faded. 

When he reappeared, he was already behind Guren. 

"Don't get so worked up!" 

Itsuki placed his hand on Guren's delicate shoulder, standing behind her and watching the massive destruction caused by her Crystal Release with an amused tone. 

"Flying Thunder God?" 

"No, it's just the Body Flicker Technique!" 

Guren's pupils contracted. 

The most basic Body Flicker Technique, but he had mastered it to such a level? 

Her strength wasn't weak, yet she couldn't even react. 

The gap in their abilities was too vast. 

"Guren, why are you so angry with me? Did Orochimaru say something?" 

Itsuki spoke softly, "You don't believe him over me, do you? That would hurt my feelings." 

"Shut up! How dare you compare yourself to Lord Orochimaru?" 

*Boom!* 

Everything around Guren was crystallized. 

But Itsuki merely tapped his toe on an 'ice mountain' formed by her Crystal Release, looking down at her from above. 

"It seems reasoning won't work." 

Itsuki looked at Guren, a playful smile forming on his lips. 

In Guren's eyes, Itsuki transformed. 

He turned into countless crows flying around her. 

"Hmm!" 

"An illusion?" 

The next moment, Guren found herself bound by the Wood Binding Technique. 

A large tree grew from behind her, its branches tightly wrapping around her. 

Crows perched on the branches, staring at her with amusement. 

At that moment, it felt like countless Itsukis were watching her. 

Guren grew furious, and chakra surged through her body, but she couldn't change her situation. 

She bit down hard on her tongue, but to her shock, all she tasted was blood, and nothing changed. 

"How is this possible?" 

Guren couldn't believe it. 

She and Itsuki had known each other for a long time, even having a close relationship. 

Years ago, Itsuki was Orochimaru's disciple, and she felt challenged, but during their first confrontation, he had utterly defeated her. 

Itsuki never coddled anyone. 

Unless that person was Danzo! 

Afterward, Itsuki began teaching her. 

He taught her how to become Orochimaru's most valued subordinate. 

Unknowingly, she had almost been lured into bed by him. 

Thankfully, she resisted at the last moment. 

However! 

Itsuki's actions never felt displeasing. Everything seemed natural. 

They continued to interact as friends. 

Until Orochimaru and Itsuki went their separate ways. 

During this time, Guren and Itsuki kept in touch, though not often. 

This was their first face-to-face meeting since Orochimaru and Itsuki parted ways. 

Guren had always believed that after years of hard work and rapid improvement, even Orochimaru had noticed her growth. 

She thought, without a doubt, that she had surpassed Uchiha Itsuki. 

But now, she had been ruthlessly slapped with the truth. 

Itsuki was still stronger than her! 

And the gap between them was growing. 

"Little one, maybe I've been too kind to you before." 

Itsuki moved closer to Guren, gently biting her ear as he whispered; 

"You... get away..." 

Guren's eyes showed a hint of both shyness and fear. 

She had always known that while she saw Itsuki as a friend, he had always wanted more. 

"Get away? If I leave, what will happen to you?" Itsuki spoke like a demon in her ear. "You've been abandoned by Orochimaru." 

"You..." 

Guren's pupils contracted violently. 

Itsuki's words stung. 

Orochimaru had indeed abandoned her. 

He had chosen Kimimaro, and later Sasuke, never giving Guren the attention she sought. 

"Hmph, don't feel bad. Maybe Orochimaru finds even Kabuto more interesting than you." 

Itsuki chuckled softly, biting her ear again, and said, "Should I take you right now?" 

"Get lost!!!" 

Guren roared in anger. 

This time, she actually broke free from Itsuki's illusion. 

"Hmm?" 

Itsuki was surprised and quickly dodged her raging Crystal Release. 

"Such intense anger, because of Orochimaru?" 

Itsuki frowned as he observed her. 

In a way, he admired Orochimaru. 

Orochimaru always had a keen sense of others' emotions. 

Guren, Kimimaro, even Sasuke—each of them willingly gave themselves to Orochimaru. 

Even Sasuke, despite killing Orochimaru later, had said more than once that if Orochimaru helped him get his revenge, he wouldn't mind giving up his body. 

This showed that Sasuke didn't completely reject Orochimaru. 

"Guren, do you know why Orochimaru never chose you?" 

Itsuki looked at her with amusement. "I've given you many answers before, but now I'll tell you the real one." 

"Because your potential is too low!" 

Guren's body stiffened. 

"First it was Kimimaro, then Sasuke. Before that, Orochimaru was more interested in me, Itachi, and Shisui. He values potential above all else. Guren, compared to us, you're just an ordinary person." 

Guren panted heavily, glaring at Itsuki with hatred. 

But! 

She didn't argue. 

Itsuki's words were true. 

Guren was smart enough to realize this long ago. 

"I know a way to increase your potential!" 

Itsuki suddenly thought of a brilliant idea, though he wasn't sure how it would turn out. 

"What?" 

Guren sneered, "You want me to sleep with you and train together?" 

"If you want that, I don't mind!" 

"Hmph!" 

"Alright, let's get serious." 

Itsuki looked at her intently. "Guren, would you be interested in becoming a Jinchuriki?" 

"A Jinchuriki?" 

Guren was taken aback. "You mean the Three-Tails?" 

"Exactly!" 

Itsuki smiled. "What do you think? Are you interested?" 

Guren's expression darkened. 

They had long known about the Three-Tails. 

After the Fourth Mizukage's demise, the Three-Tails had been freed. 

But! 

It seemed to be in a state of confusion, likely due to its recent rebirth. 

However! 

Orochimaru wasn't interested in the Tailed Beasts. 

So, they hadn't made any moves on the Three-Tails. 

Of course, there was another reason. 

The Three-Tails had remained submerged in a lake, making it difficult to capture even if they wanted to. 

Since Orochimaru wasn't interested in the Three-Tails, even if Guren became its Jinchuriki, it wouldn't matter to him. 

But! 

If she could use this to enhance her potential... 

A Jinchuriki! 

Guren's expression became conflicted. 

Becoming a Jinchuriki had both benefits and risks. 

So, her choice...

"I agree!"

Guren stared at Itsuki and said, "I agree to become a jinchūriki. What's your condition?"

"Obey me!"

"Impossible!"

Guren flatly refused.

"Then forget it!"

Itsuki waved his hand and said, "The Hokage of Konoha has his eyes on the Three-Tails. You should be careful."

"Konoha?"

"Yes."

"They're after the Three-Tails?"

"Yes."

"How could that be?!"

Guren scoffed.

What kind of temperament does Konoha have?

They're the kind of village that, even if stepped on, wouldn't make a fuss.

The number one ninja village in the ninja world!

When they hear there's a wild-tailed beast, what's their first reaction?

Run!

Turn around and run!

A village like that, who would feel threatened by them? How could they covet the Three-Tails?

Itsuki looked at Guren with interest and said, "I already captured the Nine-Tails. Konoha doesn't have a tailed beast anymore."

That one statement made Guren's face completely fall.

"It's all because of you!"

Guren growled through gritted teeth.

"So, your answer is...?"

"I agree!"

Guren scowled and said, "Just, you better be careful yourself. Don't let me end up killing you one day."

"Don't worry."

Itsuki replied meaningfully, "If anyone's doing the killing, it'll be me."

...

The Three-Tails is a freshwater turtle!

Yes, definitely!

Otherwise, it would have gone back to the deep sea long ago.

The ocean is so vast; if it hides in there, who could find it?

Don't even mention Deidara's bombs. Even if it blows itself up, the Three-Tails would be fine.

Only a lake!

Only hiding in a lake would make it vulnerable to Deidara's bombs.

It must be said, when the Sage of the Six Paths created the nine-tailed beasts, he made them very human-like.

He was afraid they wouldn't get captured by humans.

Led by Guren, the two arrived at the entrance to a massive lake.

"The Three-Tails should be here!" 

Guren frowned and said, "But how do we summon it? A turtle with strong defensive power hiding in the lake... there's no way to get it out."

Get Deidara to bring some bombs?

Ha, yeah right!

Even if Deidara agreed, making such a move would alert the Akatsuki members that they were after the Three-Tails.

"Summoning Jutsu!"

"Bang!"

With a muffled noise, a huge red snake appeared before Itsuki.

"Itsuki, what do you need?"

Garaga opened its single eye and stared at Itsuki.

"How was the last battle?"

"I'm very satisfied!"

Garaga smiled, pleased.

He and Manda had teamed up to fight the three frogs of Mount Myoboku, forcing them to hop around in disarray.

Garaga was inherently battle-hungry.

However!

He wouldn't fight for someone unworthy.

Itsuki had defeated him, learned sage arts, and even helped boost his strength, earning his respect.

He was willing to fight for Itsuki.

"As long as you're happy."

Itsuki chuckled and said, "Now, there's an even better fight for you waiting."

"Itsuki, ordinary opponents can't satisfy me anymore."

Garaga's voice carried a strong battle intent.

"A tailed beast!"

Itsuki pointed towards the lake and said, "The Three-Tails is in there."

"Haha, that's more like it!"

After a brief moment of surprise, Garaga burst into laughter, saying, "That's definitely a worthy opponent."

"Plop!"

He immediately dove into the lake, swimming quickly toward the bottom.

"This..."

Guren was a bit stunned and asked, "Will this work? Isn't that a snake from Ryuchi Cave? Can a summoned beast even take on a tailed beast?"

"Garaga's combat strength isn't much less than a tailed beast."

Itsuki smiled slightly and said, "In water, his power will be even greater. With the Three-Tails not in its best state, it's hard to say who will win."

...

After Garaga entered the lake, in the distance.

Several figures approached rapidly.

It was none other than Jiraiya's team.

However.

Unlike the original plan, each of these individuals had a mark on them.

Anyone familiar would know that those were Flying Raijin marks.

This meant the Second Hokage was keeping an eye on them and could assist at any moment.

In fact!

If it weren't for Konoha's current dire situation, the Second Hokage might have already come in person.

"Stop!"

In the team led by Jiraiya, Nara Shikaku, and Hatake Kakashi, a middle-aged man called out in a low voice.

The group immediately halted, looking at the man.

"Inoichi, what's happening?"

Jiraiya asked solemnly.

The man was Yamanaka Inoichi, one of Konoha's top sensory ninjas.

"Something's off!"

Inoichi's expression was tense as he said, "I just sensed an enormous chakra."

"A tailed beast?"

Jiraiya looked excited and said, "It must be the tailed beast."

"But!"

Yamanaka Inoichi sighed and said, "There's also a powerful chakra approaching it quickly."

"Two sources?"

Everyone was startled, asking, "Could there be another tailed beast coming?"

"Impossible!"

Jiraiya firmly said, "There's no such thing as tailed beasts gathering together."

"Normally, of course not."

Nara Shikaku's face darkened as he said, "But what if someone made it happen?"

"On purpose?"

Everyone had the same thought pop into their minds: "Hidden Fire Village!"

Before they came, Uchiha Itsuki had sent a provocation letter.

This forced the Second Hokage to modify the plan.

Now, seeing the enemy appear in front of the Three-Tails, it didn't seem so impossible.

"Move out!"

Jiraiya growled, his face contorted, "This time, we can't lose."

"No matter who the enemy is!"

"We must capture a tailed beast for Konoha!"

"We must!"

"Yes!"

Everyone responded in unison.

However.

In the crowd, a few people had a different glint in their eyes.

Now they're in a hurry.

Where were they before?

Where were they when we were fighting so desperately?

Where were they when Uchiha was being targeted?

Where were they when Hiruzen Sarutobi was monopolizing power and squeezing Konoha dry?

Now that everything can't be undone, here they are, crying and shouting.

Does it even matter?

Anyway, among the crowd, a few people found Jiraiya utterly uninteresting.

"Boom!!!"

A massive water column shot up into the sky.

The immense energy wave was palpable from far away.

Itsuki and Jiraiya, both at almost the same time, thought of the same words.

"Three-Tails!"

"Go!"

Jiraiya quickened his pace.

Guren said excitedly, "It's definitely the Three-Tails. Let's go!"

"Don't be in a rush."

Itsuki didn't seem the least bit concerned and said, "It's just making an appearance. Take it easy."

Guren frowned but didn't argue.

She relied on Itsuki for everything; she wouldn't dare offend him.

What she didn't know was that Itsuki was pondering something.

In the original story, everyone was so excited at first.

But then, after Yukimaru left, everyone seemed to lose interest in the Three-Tails.

What's going on here?

Without Yukimaru, will there be trouble now?

(End of this chapter)