Naruto: The Beautiful Uchiha is Actually Me?

Chapter 77 I have a plan! Do you believe me?

"I thought Yan Yi would be back in a month, I didn't expect you to be back so soon!" Itama was in a great mood, he could finally talk to Yan Yi after being cooped up for a week.

"Haha...I came back early because something came up."

Upon hearing this, Yan Yi remembered what her father had just told her, but seeing the adorable black and white-haired little boy in front of her... Yan Yi felt sad again.

Although he was smiling, Itama could tell that Yan Yi was clearly disappointed, and even his smile seemed forced.

Itama was puzzled, thinking she had said something wrong, and quickly asked, "Yan Yi...? Did I do something to upset you...?"

When Yan Yi came to her senses and looked into his eyes, she felt even more heartbroken...

"No, no... I'm the one who should be apologizing..." Yan Yi said, lowering her head as tears began to well up in her eyes.

Banma was startled by Yan Yi's sudden crying... The person he cared about most right now was the boy in front of him. Ever since he was locked up here, it seemed like the world had drifted away from him, and only Yan Yi had been coming to keep him company and talk to him.

It seemed that Yan Yi was all he had in his world. The longer he spent alone, the more he realized how important Yan Yi was.

He used to live a relatively free life within the family, but now that he's locked up, he has to focus his attention more intently on Yan Yi.

Banma was a little anxious, and without caring about his slightly dirty sleeves, he awkwardly wiped away Yan Yi's tears.

"Yan Yi... don't cry. You can tell me what's wrong."

Unable to hold back her emotions, Yan Yi threw herself at the boy opposite her again, hugging him tightly, crying and speaking incoherently.

"...I'm sorry, Itama, but my father still...still wants you..."

His voice was a little hoarse, and he didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was clear.

Hearing these words, Itama felt a jolt, and his body began to weaken...

He roughly knew what Yan Yi was going to say, and he also roughly understood that as a member of the Senju clan, being captured by the Uchiha would ultimately mean certain death.

Even though Itama had already given himself psychological suggestions to make himself less afraid, he was still just a little boy. It was too much of a stretch for him to be prepared to face death calmly.

"me..."

Itama wanted to say that he didn't want to die. But this wasn't a choice he could make... He was now a prisoner, even in shackles.

Thinking about it carefully... can I even be considered alive now? Do I still have any aspirations for the future? Is there still a trace of reluctance and expectation for my family in my heart?

None of that mattered anymore; all he cared about now was Yan Yi. He still wanted to play with Yan Yi, be her best friend, and face any difficulties together...

These things that only exist in fantasy are things that Itama wanted to pursue, but he had no chance to do so.

Fear...of course I'm afraid. But even more than that...I feel regret.

I really want to be true friends with Yan Yi, the best kind, the kind where we don't have to care about anyone's opinions, the kind where we can live together.

I really, really want to...

After regaining his composure, Itama realized that while he regretted those events, he didn't want to put Yan Yi in a difficult position.

Since things have come to this, all we can do is try to accept it calmly.

"Don't be sad for me, Yan Yi. If I affect you... I'll be even sadder. Actually... it doesn't seem so bad, if you did it yourself..." Itama's expression was indescribable, a mixture of regret, relief, and even a hint of satisfaction...

Upon hearing Banjian's words, Yan forgot all about being heartbroken. He shook his head frantically and said to Banjian, "No, I don't want you to die!"

Holding him, the more I felt his heartbeat, the less I wanted to let that warm little flame go out...

He was so heartbroken that he had difficulty breathing, and after catching his breath for a long time, he continued, "My father gave me two choices..."

"Um..."

Itama simply responded quietly, accepting whatever decision Yan Yi made without hesitation.

"My first choice is to kill you with my own hands... My second choice is... to put a curse mark on you. Once this mark is on you, it can never be removed. You will be stuck in the Uchiha clan for the rest of your life, and you will have no future."

This was practically mental torture for Yan Yi. He didn't want to burden Itama with such a terrifying experience; he was clearly a good kid...

When Itama heard the second option, he was clearly stunned. So, besides certain death, was there any way to survive?

But once the curse mark is placed... it's permanent...

"Yan Yi, if I choose the second option, will I... be able to survive?"

"...Yes."

Yan Yi couldn't bear it. Although the second option seemed to offer a chance to save his life, Yan Yi was equally unwilling to let him accept such a fate.

That's too cruel... way too cruel!

He's so young, is he really going to be forced to cut off all his future possibilities? If he makes this decision, he'll never be free again!

How could Yan Yi possibly bring herself to do such a thing? It would be far more painful than simply killing him.

"Yan Yi, I'm willing! Just choose the second one! So what if it's a cursed seal? I'll accept being locked up for the rest of my life! As long as you can come to see me like you do now... I'm willing!"

Itama was very excited. He didn't think about the future at all. All he knew was that he wanted Yan Yiduo to stay with him for a while... even if it was just a visit once a week.

"This isn't fair to you... Do you really want to accept this...?"

Yan Yi was extremely unwilling; this was too cruel and excessive, and he didn't want to accept it!

Is there really no other way? Is it just a matter of forcing Itama to endure that kind of cruelty?

Itama was unaware of Yan Yi's thoughts; he simply held onto Yan Yi tightly and refused to let go.

"Yes! Although I don't understand the specifics, and it's a little embarrassing to say... I can feel it myself, I really need you! Just like now, I want to be closer to you, even closer..."

Itama blushed and quickly added, "I know I'm being weird, but I really feel this way! And right now, it seems like we don't have a third option."

Although the first half of Itama’s words resonated with Yan Yi, because it wasn’t just him who felt this way, but he himself did too!

But the second half... a third option?

"Ah!" Yan Yi suddenly realized what was happening and shouted.

Itama was a little puzzled, wondering what Yan Yi was thinking.

Yan Yi remained stunned for several seconds, frantically recalling every detail of his conversation with his father earlier that day—his father's gaze...the complete dialogue.

Disassembling, analyzing... and finally reassembling, in just a few seconds, after only briefly considering some possibilities, Yan Yi came up with an opportunity that made him somewhat happy!

"No, Itama! We still have a chance! Although this is probably our only chance... but if we succeed, you can leave here!"

Yan Yi grasped the blind spot in her father's words: the "give yourself some time to think." In other words, this so-called time for reflection was not short. The choice wouldn't be fulfilled until after the first battle.

Judging from their stance alone, it's clear Father is going all out! This battle will likely be on an unprecedented scale...

Hearing Yan Yi mention a chance, Itama's eyes lit up, but then... he suddenly realized he wasn't particularly happy. If he were free, he would have to return to the Senju clan...

Over there, I think I was also put in solitary confinement before... In contrast, here I have Yan Yi, and he still cares about me! That kind of care is a little different from the care my brothers give me... but I actually prefer this kind of care.

Yan Yi understood.

Whether his father did it intentionally or unintentionally, he did leave himself some room to maneuver...

During the lull between the full-scale Uchiha mobilization and the end of the first battle, there were no ninjas left behind to defend themselves, giving Itama the opportunity to leave.

Yes, Yan Yi is going to help him escape from prison!

"Itama! I have a plan! Do you believe me?"