CHAPTER 164: CHAPTER 164: ITACHI, CHASING AFTER THAT SHADOW

Qingchuan marveled at how small the world was.

First Gato, then Zabuza, and now even Haku had appeared.

Silently, he cast a Binding Spell on Zabuza, who remained trapped in the restroom.

Rikujōkōrō reappeared.

Qingchuan planned to meet this future comrade.

As for Zabuza?

He could stay in the restroom a little longer.

Until he regained his agility, at least.

And so, amidst the faint yet furious curses echoing from the restroom,

Qingchuan’s gaze shifted back to the small figure searching for food in the trash can.

The child looked hungry.

They searched diligently, careful to keep their sleeves pulled up high.

Soon, the child found half an apple.

It was partially rotten, but upon closer inspection, a good portion of it could be eaten.

The child pursed their lips, ready to clean it up and satisfy their hunger.

After all, they had been hungry for so long...

A few more moments wouldn’t make much difference.

However, as the child looked up,

they saw a smiling woman gazing gently in their direction.

The child was startled.

"Hello there."

"H-Hello."

The child lowered their head, looking at the half-rotten apple in their hand, suddenly feeling ashamed.

Qingchuan raised an eyebrow.

What a natural talent!

Unlike himself, who had been forced to crossdress,

Haku seemed born for it.

No.

Just one look, and Qingchuan had made up his mind.

He had to find himself a companion!

He was close to discarding the skirt.

Once he finished collecting the Tailed Beasts, he wouldn’t need this training buff anymore.

Then, he would be as free as a bird. As one of the few kindred spirits in the ninja world, he would have Haku!

These trying times were too lonely without a companion!

He glanced at the Shinigami Inheritance side quest.

There were... two slots left.

Although he certainly needed to reserve one for Sasuke, it was likely that more slots would become available later.

Plus, he couldn’t return to Konoha just yet, so giving Haku a slot wouldn’t be a problem, would it?

No sooner said than done!

Qingchuan’s smile grew wider.

He bent down, pointing at the half an apple in the child’s hand.

"Haven’t you eaten yet?"

"N-No..."

The child lowered their head even further.

They had recently left their mother’s care.

And hadn’t yet adjusted to this new life.

"Would you like to come with me? At least you won’t go hungry."

Qingchuan asked softly.

He had no intention of trying to reason with Haku the way he had with Gato and Zabuza.

If a guy like Zabuza could kidnap Haku, then surely he, Qingchuan, could do it!

Sure enough,

the child looked up, staring at the woman with a lost expression.

Qingchuan said nothing more.

He took the half apple from the child’s hand, threw it in the trash, and took the child’s hand, heading straight for the nearby city center.

The child didn’t resist, silently following the woman...

And in the nearby restroom,

a certain Hidden Mist Jonin remained locked in place.

The cursing continued to echo within the confined space, mixed with the stench...

Meanwhile,

at the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rain.

Itachi stood once again in that spot.

Still following that shadow, but this time...

His forehead protector had a scratch across it.

A sign that he was now a Rogue Ninja.

Representing the start of his heavy descent into darkness.

But Itachi didn’t care.

This was the best outcome for Konoha and for the Uchiha.

And so long as he could find that shadow...

He would be satisfied.

Facing the wind, Itachi sat down on a stone slab.

Haruko had once sat here, waiting to be accepted by that organization, also waiting for him.

Now, he was here.

However,

waiting for him was a man carrying a large sword, dressed in the same outfit as that woman.

Itachi recognized him immediately.

He was surprised:

A member on Konoha’s ANBU danger list, one of the former Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, was also part of this organization.

It was Jūzō Biwa.

Jūzō Biwa sized up the new recruit, his expression one of disdain.

"For such a skinny kid, I heard you were able to assassinate the Hokage and get away clean?"

"Hard to believe, huh?"

He was arrogant and provocative.

Itachi’s expression remained calm, silently looking at the man as if he were already dead.

"Lead the way."

He said coldly, before walking straight ahead.

Even on a new spying mission,

Itachi had no intention of associating with this man.

He was sure Haruko wouldn’t like him either...

But suddenly, the large sword appeared in front of him, blocking his path.

"What do you mean?"

The crimson Sharingan flared to life, and Itachi’s voice was cold as he spoke.

The killing intent...

Jūzō Biwa was taken aback.

For such a small kid, his eyes were sharp and intense.

Interesting.

He sheathed the sword, slinging it back.

Jūzō Biwa walked in a different direction, ignoring him.

"Don’t expect to go back to the organization so soon... You’re not good enough yet."

Jūzō Biwa turned, grinning to reveal his sharp teeth.

His expression was unsettling.

"Let’s go to Kirigakure and grab someone."

"After that, the organization will consider whether to accept you."

Itachi frowned.

As he thought,

it wasn’t easy to join this mysterious organization.

What was Haruko doing now?

Taking a breath, he steeled his resolve.

Itachi slowly followed the figure ahead.

Don’t worry.

I won’t make you wait much longer.

Haruko.

———— 🌟🌟 ————

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