This Uchiha Itachi is very lonely

Surrender without a fight?

There was no sarcasm in Itachi's tone, but these four simple words undoubtedly aroused the fighting spirit of the two Uchihas.

But soon, their fighting spirit was extinguished by Itachi's next words.

Isn't the focus not on the results, but on each other's improvement and understanding in the process?

This sentence sounds very ordinary, but whether it is Uchiha Qi and Uchiha Shanchang who have not yet fought against each other, or Uchiha Zen who have already fought against each other, they are a little stunned by these words.

If other Uchiha people said this, they might think it was bragging and contrived.

But when these words came out of Itachi's mouth, coupled with his calm face from beginning to end, they actually felt that they were very sincere.

People in the Uchiha clan are generally somewhat arrogant in character, especially those who become ninjas and those who awaken the Sharingan. Their arrogance will become more and more arrogant as their strength increases.

Even when friends talk to each other, they will occasionally ridicule each other, compare each other's strengths, tasks performed, etc...

The Uchiha themselves are aware of these things, but it is like a family tradition, motivating each other to grow up as quickly as possible.

But Itachi, at the age of five, easily defeated these genin, and he didn't look arrogant at all.

He is very humble and polite...

…

"Itachi, do you usually practice alone?"

As late at night approached, Itachi accompanied Uchiha Teru and others for a brief treatment at Konoha Hospital, and then prepared to have a late-night snack together.

On the way, Uchiha Zen asked Itachi curiously, "Because my father is also a member of the Konoha Guard, so I have heard him mention it."

"The clan leader often stays at the Konoha Guard Station in order to go on duty and does not go home."

Itachi nodded, "Well, father is very busy at work."

He didn't explain in detail, just replied casually.

"Eh?"

Uchiha Rin, whose arms were wrapped in bandages, looked at Itachi in surprise, "So...Itachi, did you become so strong by yourself?"

Itachi thought for a moment, "Although my father doesn't have time to teach me, he has a lot of books and scrolls at home."

"Then it's better to be self-taught."

Everyone looked at Itachi with some admiration.

Each of them had a brief sparring session with Itachi just now, and the result was...

They were older and successfully graduated from the ninja school and were easily defeated by Itachi.

Even from the beginning to the end, they had no chance to launch an effective offensive against Itachi.

And among them was Uchiha Teru.

Originally he didn't want to fight, but under Itachi's fierce gaze, he had to bite the bullet and play, becoming the one with the most complicated injuries among the others.

His injuries were all on his face.

Compared to Uchiha Rin, who had a broken hand, Teru's cheek looked a little bruised and swollen even after treatment.

"But I have something to ask for your help with."

Having said this, Itachi stopped and looked at them solemnly.

Uchiha Zen and others also stopped.

"No, no, no, no, if you want our help with anything, just ask."

Among them, Uchiha Teru waved his hand, "As long as we can help, we will do our best."

The others nodded and agreed with Hui's statement.

Anyway, after experiencing these several sparring sessions, they were very impressed by Itachi's strength and talent.

In Uchiha, the strong are always respected easily, not to mention Itachi's behavior all the time...gentle and elegant, making them feel as beautiful as a spring breeze in every word and deed.

Even those usually relatively harsh and sarcastic words were somewhat speechless in front of Itachi.

Itachi looked at them calmly, "I hope you can help me keep the secret and not publicize my strength too much."

Keep a secret?

"Why?"

Uchiha Teru was the first to ask, "Don't you want to show your strength in the clan and be respected by others?"

He was a little puzzled.

And the same goes for everyone else.

If they had Itachi's strength, they would be eager to set up a stage in the Uchiha and challenge the heroes of their generation in the clan with great fanfare.

After all, in Uchiha, only strength can gain respect, and only strength can win status.

"Strength is not the only reason for gaining respect from others, it is just one of the conditions."

Itachi thought for a moment, "In short, I hope you can help me keep the secret, or... this can also become an agreement between us."

"If you defeat me one day during sparring, then you don't have to keep my secret."

"On the other hand, if you have been unable to defeat me, then please help me keep this secret before I am unwilling to show myself."

Although he rarely has close friendship with the people in the clan, he is still very aware of some of the customs in the clan.

Therefore, Itachi did not choose to ask them to help keep the secret from the beginning, but waited until he had convinced them with his strength before speaking.

Although Uchiha Zen and others could not understand Itachi's request, they still chose to agree.

After all... they lost to Itachi.

"Wait... So what does this mean, can we still practice with you in the future?"

Suddenly, Uchiha Rin caught some of the key points in his words.

"certainly."

Itachi nodded, "You all have rich experience and have allowed me to see many different tactics."

"If we can have more sparring sessions with you, we can both improve."

"If that's the case, why should I refuse?"

He didn't want to expose his strength, so there were fewer and fewer candidates to fight against.

Apart from Uchiha Teru, these people who know their own strength are the best sparring partners.

"Then tomorrow..."

Uchiha Zen looked at him hesitantly.

"Tomorrow I will practice in the forest outside Konoha. You can come with Hui to the specific location."

Itachi replied casually.

While they were talking, they had already arrived at the junction between the outer and inner areas of Konoha.

This food street is so lively no matter day or night.

After finding a random ramen restaurant, Uchiha Zen waved his hand and said that he was treating him today.

Immediately afterwards, the group of them ate until early morning before hurried back to the clan area.

They dispersed and went home.

On the way home, Uchiha Zen and others felt a little complicated.

In just one night, Itachi was no longer a child in their eyes.

On the contrary, his mature posture and tone made them feel solemn and serious when talking to their elders.

Especially Uchiha Zen.

He was the oldest and most experienced among them, so he saw many things that Duo Hui and others did not study in detail.

"Father, Uncle Qingmen."

When he returned home, Uchiha Zen saw his father and a sinister-looking man sitting on the wooden walkway between the courtyards, drinking.

The expressions on their faces were all melancholy, and they seemed to be in a very depressed mood.

"Why so late?"

Uchiha Maji frowned and looked at Uchiha Zen, who was applying burn ointment on his body, "Are you injured?"

"In the next period of time, our team plans to take a break."

Uchiha Zen explained respectfully, "So I had a small gathering with Hui and the others, and practiced sparring together. I suffered some burns in the process."

"It's better to get together more often."

Uchiha Aomen took another sip of wine and said, "It's almost time for you guys to join the guard force and take up positions. Stop fooling around with those people in Konoha."

Uchiha Zen's heart tightened, "I plan to apply for the chunin exam in a while, so..."

"Okay, okay, I'm not asking you to leave the team now."

Uchiha Maji waved his hand, "Go in and don't disturb me while I drink with your Uncle Qingmen."

"Father……"

Uchiha Zen suddenly thought of something and looked at Jianji.

But he opened his mouth and finally gave up what he was thinking, "Okay, you should go to bed early."