MTL NOVEL Chapter 11: Chapter 11: Perhaps Graduating Would Be Wise
By the riverside.
Qingchuan sat quietly contemplating life.
Itachi was setting up camp while Shisui tried catching fish.
Him.
Left to wait in silence.
Though visibly enthusiastic, Itachi's arms seemed barely cooperative.
Starting the fire took considerable effort.
The original Itachi wasn't known for physical stamina or vast chakra reserves.
After the massacre night, illness would plague him relentlessly.
Until his final act of demonstrating oceanic depths to Sasuke before perishing.
Yet the current Itachi showed no trace of that future.
Patricide. Genocide.
Whether this Itachi would tread the same path...
Qingchuan didn't know.
Nor did he care.
He was bound to shed the skirt sooner or later.
Regardless of circumstances, his main mission remained unchanged.
Survive the massacre night.
Yes.His goal had always been simple,Merely survive. Nothing more,As for sins committed along the way...
Screw that!
Haruko was Haruko. He was himself!
No connection whatsoever!
Soon.
An embarrassed Shisui emerged with several large fish.
Being caught spying wasn't exactly dignified.
Yet Shisui quickly regained composure. "Let me handle this, Itachi-kun."
After brief hesitation: "Then... I'll trouble you, senpai."
Shisui displayed practiced skill.
Gutting and roasting with fluid motions.
Casually initiating conversation while cooking: "Did you two skip class together?"
"Not exactly." Itachi shook his head. "Only... I skipped."
He now recognized this person.
Uchiha Shisui. The Teleportation Master. Clan prodigy and village hero.
"Don't look so worried." Shisui grinned. "You're not the first using Shadow Clones for school."
Itachi's tension visibly eased.
Shisui turned to the silent figure. "What about you?... Haruko?"
"Haven't started lessons yet?"
Qingchuan turned to meet two pairs of curious eyes. "Me?... Not old enough yet."
Truthful words, not excuses.
Itachi entered school early.
In peacetime Konoha, not every child needed ninja training.
Moreover... He had no interest in playing school games.
Better spend time honing skills.
"Pity." Shisui sighed. "A lovely girl like Haruko would be popular in school."
Itachi's eyes suddenly sharpened.
An inexplicable sense of crisis!
Indeed...
Haruko rarely went out, preferring quiet.
Only practicing kenjutsu or occasional shopping.
But next year... school age.
He'd be second-year then!
Would Haruko use clones to skip classes too?
If unwilling...
What should he do?
"I have no plans for ninja school."
Qingchuan's calm voice refocused attention.
"Pointless time-wasting. Current training suffices."
Shisui's expression shifted. "But without graduation, you can't become a ninja."
"All that effort wasted. Doesn't that bother you?"
Itachi nodded fervently.
He'd been contemplating joint study plans.
"We'll see." Qingchuan dismissed. "The fish is done, senpai."
Shisui relented under the reminder.
His probing meant no harm.
Merely understanding juniors' thoughts for future interactions.
Tasked with monitoring the Uchiha.
A clansman torn between loyalty and duty.
Silently bearing the weight.
Seeking to mend clan-village relations.
Yet finding this Uchiha generation uncommunicative.
Hence focusing on this "golden duo"...
Lunch commenced.
Shisui's cooking skills proved exceptional.
Enhanced by Itachi's mysteriously produced chili powder, the fish became ambrosial.
Even spice-averse Qingchuan found appetite awakened.
Yet...
The schooling matter demanded consideration during meal.
Zan Ken Sō Ki training required acceleration.
Today's spar revealed truth:
Combat accelerates cultivation best.
Combined with cross-dressing bonuses...
"Itachi-kun."
Post-meal.
After Shisui's repeated apologies and departure.
Walking home, Qingchuan suddenly spoke.
"Hmm?"
"Not enough chili?"
"No." Qingchuan's expression darkened. "Regarding Shisui-senpai's suggestion."
"Perhaps... attending ninja school for graduation."
"Could you assist me?"
"Of course!" Itachi agreed instinctively.
Then froze mid-step.
Attend ninja school...
For graduation?!