"Hmm…" Itachi said little, his face unreadable.
Izumi smiled softly and said, "Itachi, you're far too modest. I can already imagine it — a genius ninja in the Anbu at such a young age, destined to become Hokage-sama's capable right-hand man someday."
Itachi nodded slightly and replied, "Perhaps."
Then, unexpectedly, Itachi asked, "Izumi, why did you become a ninja?"
The question stirred something inside Izumi. She recalled a similar scene from the original novel—Itachi had asked her that very question before. Back then, he had said, "A girl like you doesn't need to experience the painful things of a ninja's life." Izumi had been furious at the implication, explaining that she became a ninja not only because her father was one but also because she wanted to follow the same path as the person she loved. Eventually, they had parted on bad terms.
Now, standing before Itachi again, Izumi's heart was different. She had changed — graduated from the Ninja Academy, promoted to Chunin, stronger and wiser. She answered simply, "I became a ninja to become stronger."
"Stronger?" Itachi repeated, curious.
Izumi nodded with a smile. "Yes, that's all there is to it. It's that simple."
Itachi remained silent, thoughtful.
"As long as you become stronger," Izumi continued, "you can accomplish anything. Every problem can be solved more easily."
Itachi's expression darkened slightly, a trace of sadness crossing his features. "Becoming stronger requires a lot of sacrifice. A girl like you doesn't need to experience the painful things of a ninja."
Izumi's mind raced. He still says that. She wondered what to say. Did he want her to become weaker and let others hurt her? She imagined him saying such things quite happily, as if he enjoyed underestimating her.
Her hand, which held a dango, paused mid-air. Then she took a bite and said quietly, "Everyone has their own path, Itachi. You can't look down on me just because I'm a woman, can you?"
"I'm not—" Itachi started, but before he could finish, Izumi stood up abruptly.
"I'll show you how amazing I can be in the future," she said firmly, then left without another word.
Itachi watched her leave, a pang of regret hitting him. He realized he shouldn't have said those hurtful words. He hadn't meant to wound her pride. But Izumi, though unaffected on the surface, was burning with anger inside. Being underestimated hurt more than she liked to admit.
As Izumi walked through the Uchiha clan compound, she was suddenly called out by an elderly woman.
"Oh, isn't this Izumi? Long time no see. You've become even prettier," the old woman smiled warmly.
Izumi blushed a little and replied shyly, "Oh, Granny Hazuki, you look younger and younger."
Her mind raced: When talking to an old lady, a compliment is always nice. To someone quiet, a simple greeting suffices. Does it work? Who cares? I've cared too much about what others think in my previous life. In this life, I want to be myself.
Granny Hazuki laughed softly. "Such a sweet talker, ha ha ha…"
Nearby, the tailor greeted Izumi, "Oh, isn't this Izumi? Long time no see!"
Izumi smiled and chatted briefly with the clan members, appreciating how much their relationships had improved over the years. At first, because her mother had married out of the clan and later returned, Izumi hadn't been well accepted. But over time, she had worked hard to build harmony, proving the clan wasn't as cold and distant as village rumors suggested.
Her efforts also meant helping others and standing strong against enemies — as when she fought alongside Shisui and showed her strength. Izumi hoped Shisui would soon awaken his full potential and stop being so reckless. With so many geniuses and powerful warriors in the Uchiha clan, the elders should be less likely to make rash decisions.
Suddenly, Izumi felt a strange tingling in her eyes. She rubbed them and smiled.
Since the last time she cried, she had felt this tingling sensation often. She understood it was a sign that her Mangekyo Sharingan was beginning to awaken. She had been nurturing her eyes with spiritual energy infused with Divine Ink for a long time. The abnormalities were increasing, and she was confident that, very soon, she would fully awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan.
When she returned home, she found her mother reading a book.
Izumi sat beside her and leaned on her arm to look at the title.
"100 Ways to Raise a Successful Daughter…"
Izumi laughed and teased, "Mom, you actually believe in this?"
Her mother, Uchiha Hazuki, closed the book gently and replied seriously, "Of course. It's my responsibility as a mother. You've grown up so fast recently. I'm not a ninja, so I can't help you with ninja skills, but I can support you in other ways."
Izumi rolled her eyes. "Oh, Mom, there's no need at all."
She stood, spread her arms wide, and declared, "Look at me! I'm smart, clever, strong, kind-hearted, well-educated, and have the right values. Isn't all of this thanks to your good upbringing?"
Hazuki squinted, studying her daughter closely.
"I see you've grown a lot," she said thoughtfully. "You've also reached that age now. Oh dear, I've been so negligent — I actually forgot something important. But you were hospitalized before, so I didn't notice."
Izumi frowned in confusion. "Huh? What do you mean 'reached that age'?"
Her mother's gaze dropped to Izumi's chest, which had developed a slight curve.
"Oh," Izumi murmured.
Hazuki stood up quickly, grabbed Izumi's arm, and said firmly, "Come with me."
"Where?" Izumi asked, bewildered.
"To buy a bra," Hazuki said seriously.
"Ah!" Izumi exclaimed, shocked as her mother pulled her along.
Much later, they returned home.
Izumi followed, feeling awkward and shy.
Her mother asked happily, "So, how does it feel?"
Izumi looked down at her chest, covering it with her hands. "It feels tight and uncomfortable. Like I've lost something."
"Alright! Who knows how big they'll get in the future. I'm really looking forward to it! I wonder if they'll be as big as mine. Maybe a little bigger," Hazuki said, proudly patting her full chest.
"But if you're a ninja, will big breasts be a burden?" she asked thoughtfully. "But Lady Tsunade has big ones, and it doesn't seem to be a problem."
Hazuki wrapped her arms around Izumi in a warm hug.
"Haha… Mom, why are you so excited?" Izumi laughed, finally relaxing.
"Oh, I almost forgot!" Hazuki said suddenly. "What kind of clothes do you want? Now that you're a Chunin, I want to prepare something special. Do you want a dress, a cheongsam, or something else?"
Izumi tapped her nose playfully. "Whatever you like."
Hazuki smiled brightly. "Then I'll buy them all for you tomorrow!"
Izumi thought for a moment. In the original story, she had worn a purple cheongsam, but right now, she was wearing a short cheongsam, so she seemed used to the style.
She nodded. "Alright, I'll listen to you, Mom!"
---
Izumi's growth was no longer just physical. She had grown in strength, confidence, and spirit. The path ahead was still long and fraught with danger, but with each step, she was becoming the ninja she had always wanted to be — powerful, independent, and ready to face any challenge.
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