Izumi had no idea that the system's unique properties would later lead to an event he would be deeply grateful for.
"As for the Character System," the system continued, "it's simple enough. Once it's activated, characters will appear. If you complete the tasks they issue, they will never betray you. Their loyalty will be absolute."
Izumi blinked at that. There was an old saying: you can never truly see into another person's heart. In the shinobi world, that was doubly true. Who could ever guarantee that a comrade would be completely trustworthy? The Character System removed that uncertainty entirely. Without question, this would become one of his greatest assets.
All the effort he had put in lately suddenly felt worthwhile. Still, he couldn't help wondering what exactly Itachi was thinking. He had assumed it would take a lot more persuasion to help Izumi Uchiha fulfill her wish, but to his surprise, the matter had been resolved almost effortlessly. Could it be… that Itachi liked her too?
Shaking his head, Izumi pushed the thought aside and returned his focus to mastering Phoenix Sage Fire. The entire afternoon passed without him leaving the training grounds—and curiously, neither Itachi nor Shisui showed up to train.
By evening, Izumi headed home. His parents were still away, as they almost always were. Sometimes he couldn't help but wonder if they'd bought him as a "bonus item" along with their shuriken.
The next morning, Izumi returned to the training grounds. By late morning, he had finally managed to release a fully-formed Phoenix Sage Fire technique. The moment he succeeded, another mission notification popped into his head:
"Chain Mission: Learn Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique. No time limit."
Seeing that there was no time constraint, Izumi decided not to rush. Dragon Fire might be classified as C-rank, but its destructive power was close to that of a B-rank technique. It wasn't the sort of thing Shisui or Itachi would be quick to hand over. Without the pressure of a new deadline, his motivation began to slacken—until an unexpected figure appeared before him.
"Uchiha Izumi. Come with me."
The voice came from a silver-haired man wearing a mask.
In Konoha, a mask like that could only mean one thing: ANBU. But why would ANBU be after him? And more importantly—whose ANBU? The Third Hokage's? Or… Danzō's?
If it was the Third, that was fine—Hiruzen Sarutobi wouldn't harm him. But if it was Danzō… Izumi felt cold sweat bead on his forehead.
"May I ask who's looking for me?" he ventured, wishing more than ever that Shisui or Itachi were around. If they were here, he wouldn't be in such a vulnerable position—and at the very least, they could inform others if something happened to him.
"You'll know when we get there."
Izumi sighed and nodded. Without further ceremony, the ANBU hoisted him onto his shoulder and leapt away, heading quickly toward the heart of the village.
At that moment, Izumi prayed with all his might that the one summoning him was the "peeping tom" of the Hokage's Office, not Danzō. If it were the latter, his life could very well turn into a tragedy from that day forward.
Whether it was luck or answered prayers, the ANBU carried him into the Hokage Tower. Inside the office, behind a desk piled with documents, sat the Third Hokage himself—Hiruzen Sarutobi—quietly reviewing paperwork.
"Lord Third?" Izumi asked, puzzled. He couldn't imagine why the Hokage would have his eye on him.
"Uchiha Izumi, there's no need to be afraid," Hiruzen said, setting down his pen and smiling warmly. "I have no intention of harming you. I merely wished to ask—would you be interested in enrolling at the Ninja Academy?"