Synthesis Ninja system

Shiro slowly emerged from the mist, revealing a bright smile. 

"Itachi, this guy shares your last name."

"The Uchiha clan has been completely wiped out by me. This person must be an imposter, disguised as a Konoha ninja!"

"Konoha ninja? Let me take care of him!"

Shiro was startled. Hoshigaki Kisame had the strength of a Kage-level ninja, and if he attacked, Shiro wouldn't last more than a few rounds! He quickly raised his hands in surrender. 

"Wait! I'm not a Konoha ninja!"

Uchiha Itachi frowned slightly and then urged, "Kisame, attack."

Hoshigaki Kisame, following Itachi's order, immediately drew his Samehada sword and charged toward Shiro.

**Ding-dong! A choice mission has been triggered!**

1. Surrender! Reward: Intermediate Taijutsu Mastery! 

2. Survive for 10 seconds against Hoshigaki Kisame! Reward: +1 Synthesis Attempt! 

3. Survive for 30 seconds against Hoshigaki Kisame! Reward: Three-Tomoe Sharingan!

Shiro's mouth twitched.

Hoshigaki Kisame had Kage-level strength, and surviving 30 seconds against him would be harder than defeating ten Jonin.

However, after seeing the reward, Shiro couldn't help but get excited.

"Fortune favors the bold! I choose number three!"

Suddenly, Shiro felt an intense pain in his eyes, but he had no time to adjust. He immediately began retreating, forming hand signs rapidly. 

"Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!"

"In front of me, using Water Style? You're a thousand years too early!"

Seeing that Kisame had no intention of dodging, Shiro smirked and quickly formed more hand signs. 

"Earth Style: Earth Dragon Bullet!"

The water dragon and earth dragon merged, turning into a mud dragon! Since Kisame didn't dodge, the mud dragon hit him directly.

Though the mud dragon wasn't very powerful, its sticky nature slowed Kisame down significantly.

Seeing this, Uchiha Itachi frowned and disappeared with a Body Flicker Technique.

**Ding-dong! Due to Uchiha Itachi's forced intervention, the mission has been updated: Survive for 10 seconds against the combined attack of Uchiha Itachi and Hoshigaki Kisame!**

A herd of alpacas raced through Shiro's mind!

Itachi and Kisame had long been in sync in battle. With one attacking from long range using genjutsu and the other close up, absorbing chakra, Shiro—a mere Chunin—would be lucky to survive even one second, let alone ten! 

"Kisame, stop stalling. Let's end this quickly!"

**Ding-dong! Recognizing Genjutsu: Sharingan! (Bloodline Limit Condition Met!)**

Itachi paused, surprised that his genjutsu, which had never failed, didn't work on this kid! But when he saw Shiro's eyes, he understood.

Genjutsu: Sharingan was one of the most basic uses of the Sharingan, and most ninjas couldn't resist it. However, if the opponent also had the Sharingan, its effectiveness diminished greatly.

"An Uchiha in hiding?" Itachi's killing intent weakened as he turned to Kisame and said, "Your attacks are too flashy. Let me handle this."

With that, Itachi swiftly approached Shiro.

**Ding-dong! Recognizing Ninjutsu: Shadow Clone Explosion!**

Shiro's heart sank, and he quickly retreated!

Boom! 

The explosion shook the ground violently.

Shiro wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. Thankfully, the system had alerted him; otherwise, that explosion would have seriously injured him.

Suddenly, Shiro felt a surge of killing intent from behind.

Itachi's figure appeared, kunai in hand, aiming for Shiro's back.

Bang! 

With a puff of smoke, Shiro disappeared.

"A shadow clone? Impressive for someone so young," Kisame chuckled. "Itachi, how does he compare to you back then?"

"He's stronger than I was."

"What? Is this kid really that good? I can't wait to test him myself!"

"Leave him to me," Itachi said, his eyes turning serious.

Shiro smiled bitterly. At eleven, Itachi had witnessed the death of Shisui and awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan, gaining access to the powerful genjutsu Tsukuyomi.

There was no way Shiro could be stronger than him! However, Shiro knew that if given enough time, thanks to his system, he could surpass Itachi.

Itachi's killing intent gradually faded, but Shiro still felt a chill down his spine.

**Ding-dong! Mission time is up!**

Shiro's heart leaped with joy. After a moment's thought, he shouted, "Uchiha Itachi! I won't let you harm Sasuke! Even if it costs me my life!"

Itachi froze, his hand halfway up, his body trembling.

The chilling feeling vanished instantly, as if nothing had happened.

"Kisame, that Sasuke... he's your brother, right?" 

"We've wasted too much time here. Let's move. Don't forget our mission," Itachi said sternly, ignoring Kisame's question.

Unhappy, Kisame glared at Shiro before sheathing his Samehada. 

"You got lucky this time. Next time, I won't let you live!" he growled.

Itachi deactivated his Sharingan, stared at Shiro for a long moment, then disappeared.

Shiro let out a deep breath. If Itachi hadn't had a soft spot for Konoha and Sasuke, he would've died today.

When he fought Orochimaru before, he hadn't realized how terrifying Kage-level ninjas were.

Now, after facing off against one, he understood the vast difference in strength. From physical reactions and combat awareness to enemy perception and chakra reserves, he was no match for them!

Still, this encounter had been rewarding for Shiro.

Not only had he awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan, but he had also stolen two of Itachi's techniques! Most importantly, he had shown Itachi where he stood, which could lead to future benefits.

Shiro smiled and looked in the direction Itachi had disappeared. 

"Kakashi, I feel for you. But only through failure can a ninja grow."

With that thought, Shiro dragged his exhausted body toward the rendezvous point.

He sat down at the designated gate, and after a short while, a figure appeared.

"Uchiha Shiro, you didn't bring any luggage?" Jiraiya started, but upon seeing Shiro's injuries, he changed his tone. "What happened to you?"

Shiro awkwardly glanced down at his tattered clothes.

During the fight, his outfit had been shredded by the exploding shadow clones, leaving him looking like a beggar.

"I ran into the Akatsuki on my way here!"

(New book launched! Please add to your collection and vote!) 

(End of chapter)