The only reason Izumi had been able to injure Shisui this time was because Shisui had underestimated him—and because, deep down, Shisui didn't want to hurt a four-year-old child. While Shisui was not the type of shinobi to drop his guard, against someone as small as Izumi, it was hard for anyone to truly go all out.
"Not a bad tactic."
Itachi, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke. This startled Izumi—Itachi wasn't cold exactly, but he was far from talkative. Getting praise from him was a rare achievement.
Ding. "Side mission complete. Gained 30 Itachi Uchiha favorability points. Current favorability: 50/100."
Izumi let out a sigh of relief. Honestly, he had no idea what to think about this system anymore. Other protagonists got golden-finger systems that actively helped them; his seemed more like a second-hand, knock-off version—one designed purely to mess with him.
"Itachi-nii, Shisui-nii already taught me one jutsu. Shouldn't you teach me one too? Look, I've already mastered Great Fireball—this is the perfect time to learn something new!"
Itachi studied Izumi for a moment, then gave a slight nod. Without a word, he performed the seals and demonstrated Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique.
The moment Izumi saw it, his eyes lit up. Taking the scroll from Itachi's hands, he immediately began studying it in detail. He only had a day to master Phoenix Sage Fire—if he failed, he wouldn't complete the mission.
Shisui and Itachi glanced at him once, then let him be, walking deeper into the training ground as they usually did. But before they left, both cast a glance toward a certain tree. Behind it, a small, slender figure hid—her gaze locked solely on Izumi.
Lost in his training, Izumi didn't notice the time slipping by. Before he knew it, it was noon. As expected, Izumi Uchiha arrived again. But today was different—this time, she brought food entirely tailored to Itachi's tastes. Even the usually impassive Itachi blinked in mild surprise.
Knowing exactly what Izumi Uchiha was feeling, Shisui quietly excused himself the moment she appeared. Izumi (the boy) crouched nearby, spying shamelessly. The awkward pair—taciturn Itachi and flustered Izumi Uchiha—shared lunch together, neither realizing the girl's true feelings. With Itachi's personality, if she didn't say it outright, he'd likely never understand.
Finally, as the meal ended, Izumi Uchiha pulled out a letter from who-knows-where. Bowing her head, she blurted out, "Itachi, I like you!"
Before Itachi could react, she bolted away at a speed that could rival Might Guy with the Eight Gates open. Watching this, Izumi couldn't help but sigh. Sure, girls being shy was normal—but this was a bit over the top.
"Itachi-nii," Izumi called, stepping out from his hiding spot. He knew full well that Itachi had noticed him long ago. "Izumi-neesan really likes you. Once she found out your favorite foods, she's been practicing them every day. And when she learned you liked sanshoku dango, she skipped class today just to line up for them."
Itachi just looked at him, his expression unreadable, before turning to the letter in his hand and reading it carefully.
As for Izumi (the boy), he quietly slipped away. Matters between Itachi and Izumi Uchiha wouldn't be resolved in a single day—and if they could be, his scheming system would've definitely slapped a time limit on it.