Starting with Naruto, I'll become stronger through my own efforts.

Uchiha Izumi recounts how she encountered danger during a mission and then narrowly defeated the enemy.

She said proudly, "Although it was scary, I still managed to defeat the enemy with Hua Hua and protect our employer."

Xia Zuo shook his head and said, "So, you took another risk. Don't you know this will make Aunt Miko angry?"

Izumi said worriedly, "Sigh, Mom is always worried about me and tells me not to take risks. But I'm a ninja, what ninja doesn't take risks?"

Xia Zuo pointed to himself.

The girl huffed, "Brother, you don't count! What kind of ninja graduate is still only taking D-rank missions almost a year after graduation?"

Xia Zuo laughed dismissively, "Haha, in my opinion, being a ninja is just a job. As long as you earn enough to live on, there's no need to take risks."

Uchiha Izumi pouted, "Tch, big guy, you're looking more and more like an old man!"

"No, many veteran ninjas are also carrying out dangerous missions. You're not even as good as an old man, big guy. You're such a waste of your size."

Natsume and the girl next door were bickering, and Inuzuka Hana listened without saying a word, but silently ate most of the dessert.

After the two girls finished enjoying their tea and snacks, Uchiha Izumi and Inuzuka Hana left together.

Less than ten minutes later, Uchiha Izumi quietly slipped back.

Her eyes crinkled with laughter as she asked, as if seeking praise, "Brother, aren't I smart?"

Xia Zuo shook his head and said, "Have you forgotten that I also have classmates?"

"Although I haven't kept in touch with them much since graduation, they still remember that I was just average height, but now I'm abnormally tall."

"Your actions have created a conflict between the image of me that Hana Inuzuka has and the image of me that my classmates have."

Uchiha Izumi was dumbfounded: "Huh? Did I do something wrong?"

Xia Zuo smiled and said, "It's alright. Everyone is seen differently by different acquaintances. Occasional conflicts won't cause any problems."

"But don't do this kind of thing anymore. The more you do it, the greater the chance of making a mistake."

Uchiha Izumi breathed a sigh of relief: "Oh, I understand. I won't act on my own again."

"Brother, you..."

Xia Zuo nodded: "I understand. I won't tell Aunt Miko about your adventure."

"You're right. Since we've become ninjas, we have to face danger head-on."

Uchiha Izumi completely relaxed and thanked them.

Xia Zuo recalled his meetings with Uchiha Shisui over the past two days and said, "I noticed that Uchiha Shisui has been in a bad mood these past two days."

"I guess it's because the conflict between the Uchiha clan and the village has escalated, which is bothering him."

"The ability to stop water in an instant proves that danger is very close."

Sensing danger, Izumi Uchiha anxiously suggested, "Brother, I don't think we can wait any longer. Mom and Dad won't listen to me."

The little girl's face turned serious, and she suddenly pulled out a large hammer: "It seems we have no choice but to use the final plan."

"Brother, just sacrifice one leg and trick them into coming back to take care of you. At least that way you can avoid the most dangerous time."

Xia Zuo glared at her and scolded, "Quan, you silly girl, just say I have some health problems. I've grown a lot taller all of a sudden, and now I'm having some difficulty taking care of myself. Can't you ask them to come and take care of me?"

"How cruel! Are you really going to break my brother's legs?"

Uchiha Izumi hid the hammer behind her back and stammered, "I'm sorry, brother. I was just in a hurry. I didn't mean to break your legs."

Xia Zuo gritted his teeth in anger: "Pah! You even prepared a 12-pound sledgehammer, I believe you didn't think of that!"

"Alright, you go home and lie to people. I'll go clean up your old house right now."

Xia Zuo stood up, picked up his cleaning tools, and jumped over the wall into the Uchiha Izumi family's old house.

Quan chuckled, "Okay, I'll listen to my brother. Anyway, I won't be the one who gets scolded in the end."

Uchiha Izumi skipped home and, following Xia Zuo's advice, lied to her parents.

The two elderly people were indeed anxious. They quickly packed some clothes to change into and rushed to Xia Zuo's house.

Upon seeing Xia Zuo's sudden increase in height and the horizontal cracks on his body that had not yet healed, the two elderly people were heartbroken and immediately decided to stay in the old house for a while to take care of Xia Zuo's life.

So the brother and sister worked together and successfully tricked Uchiha Izumi's parents out of the Uchiha clan's territory, and even Uchiha Izumi moved back to live there.

Uchiha Izumi's guess was incorrect, and Xia Zuo was not scolded in the end.

Because what he said was true; his height was indeed abnormal, and the cracks on his body were real, though they almost healed.

After everything was settled in the evening and they had a sumptuous dinner prepared by Aunt Miko, the Uchiha Izumi family returned to their apartment next door.

Xia Zuo was finally able to calm down, changed into clothes that were easy to move in, and sneaked to his usual spot to seriously practice the Wood Release technique.

From that day on, he began to live a very regular life.

In the morning, she pretended to be sick, with cramps and bleeding from a horizontal wound, which terrified the Uchiha family.

Aunt Miko carefully bent Natsusa's toes, while Uncle Heishiro bandaged his wounds.

Uchiha Izumi, her heart pounding with fear, secretly asked, "Brother, are you really sick?"

Xia Zuo was also in pain, and he answered quietly through gritted teeth, "Actually, I'm still faking illness, but I have to make it look convincing so they can stay longer, right?"

Uchiha Izumi was relieved, then worried for Xia Zuo: "Brother, how long can you keep up this charade of being sick?"

"If it drags on for a month, Dad might be able to tolerate it, but Mom will definitely take you to the hospital."

Xia Zuo laughed: "Don't worry, my injury and cramps are real, so even if I go to the hospital, it won't be a problem."

"Moreover, the conflict between the Uchiha clan and the Third Hokage is becoming increasingly intense, and I judge that the annihilation of the clan is imminent."

"Izumi, be careful. Especially if the Uchiha clan suddenly summons you back to their ancestral home, be sure to send me a message."

Uchiha Izumi took a deep breath and nodded heavily: "I will, brother."

After finishing his morning routine, Xia Zuo continued memorizing ninjutsu information at home.

In the afternoons, he would train his body in his room, practicing physical skills and hand seals, and studying sealing techniques.

When it gets dark, Xia Zuo would sneak out to practice Wood Release.

During this time, he encountered Uchiha Shisui several more times, but the two only looked at each other without speaking.

A week passed quickly, and Wednesday marked the opening of the dimensional dream realm.

That evening, Xia Zuo hurriedly finished practicing Wood Release, cleaned up his tracks, and rushed home.

On his way home, he encountered Uchiha Shisui again.

This time, Shisui suddenly spoke up, saying, "I haven't told the Hokage about your matter."

Xia Zuo stopped and turned to look at him: "You agreed to my request?"

Uchiha Shisui didn't turn around, but he nodded heavily: "Yes, I agree!"

Xia Zuo said sincerely, "Thank you."

Uchiha Shisui said with a wry smile, "You're welcome. I won't be coming here anymore."

As soon as he finished speaking, he disappeared from Xia Zuo's sight.

Xia Zuo clicked his tongue: "Shrinking Body Stillness..."

"We'll meet again."