Meeting Uchiha Itachi Again

Issui four members of the group, who were traveling at a fast pace, spotted Temari slowly making her way back. They Issui out to Temari and stopped in front of her.

"What's going on here?" Temari asked, somewhat puzzled. She hadn't expected that guy to be among them. The powerful man who had dealt such a heavy blow to Sunagakure, the man Sunagakure called the Demon God, was actually here too. Kakashi had also come along. What had happened to make them all come out together?

"Ah, I forgot you don't know, but this morning we received news from Sunagakure that an unknown enemy has invaded the Sunagakure, Gaara was captured. We're heading to Sunagakure to provide support..." Kakashi said simply.

"What? Gaara has been...!" Temari exclaimed in surprise. She couldn't quite believe it. Gaara had been captured by an unknown enemy. What was going on? No wonder she had felt uneasy. So that's what happened.

"Yes, Sunagakure has already sent a rescue mission to Konoha. Our team of four is heading to Sunagakure Gaara." Issui nodded.

"Okay, I understand. I'll go with you..." Temari could no longer contain her emotions and had no desire to travel slowly. Her only thought now was to return to Sunagakure as soon as possible.

"Alright, everyone, let's continue..." Kakashi said.

Upon hearing this, Naruto immediately rushed forward. He couldn't wait any longer and didn't want to waste even a moment.

"Naruto, don't rush like that, keep up the formation!" Sakura said to Naruto, who was moving quickly forward, her tone somewhat displeased.

"No, I must save Gaara. We're the same kind of people. I understand how he feels..." Naruto said resolutely. No one could stop him from saving Gaara!

"Sakura, don't worry, let's speed up. Gaara can't wait that long. As for the formation, Kakashi-senpai and I are here, so don't worry too much. Ninjas don't necessarily have to follow orders; they need to be flexible and adaptable..." Issui said, speeding up to catch up with Naruto.

Sakura nodded. She understood Naruto's feelings, but... never mind, that's just Naruto. He can never change. Why worry so much? With Kakashi-sensei and Issui-kun around, nothing unexpected will happen.

Temari quickened her pace to catch up. Konoha's actions greatly increased her goodwill towards them. Gaara was fortunate to have a friend like Naruto...

In the dark yellow desert, two figures, one tall and one short, were slowly slumping, while a huge white bird flew slowly overhead.

"We're almost out of the Sunagakure border, hurry up, I don't like keeping people waiting..." the short man said in a rough voice.

"I see. It was you again, Brother Scorpion. It took you so long to finish fighting that weakling..." The tall man said with a hint of dissatisfaction.

"You've met an interesting opponent, but you're no different..." the short man said casually.

On the morning of March 5th, Konoha Year 63, at the entrance of Sunagakure.

Issui five of them quickened their pace and traveled for nearly a day and a night, finally arriving at the outskirts of Sunagakure on March 5th.

"Great, Gaara, you have to hold on, I'll definitely come to save you..." Naruto said, slightly excited.

"Let's all follow me into the village first and find out some details before we set off. Otherwise, tracking without any leads could waste a lot of time," Temari said.

"You must be the Konoha support team. We've been waiting for you. Temari has arrived too." Suddenly, two Sunagakure ninjas ran up from the front of the village and said.

"Um, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. We encountered a sandstorm on the way..." Kakashi said, scratching his head.

"No, please come this way. It's urgent, let's talk as we walk..." the two Sunagakure Villagers said modestly, leading the way into the village.

"Hmm..." Everyone nodded.

"How's the situation in the village...?" Temari asked.

"On the night of March 2nd, Lord Kazekage was captured by the enemy, and Lord Kankuro went to pursue him. However, when we found him along the route he had taken, he was already lying on the ground, with puppets scattered all over the place. It was finally confirmed that Kankuro was poisoned by the enemy and is currently being rescued..." a Sunagakure said quickly.

"What? Kankuro is injured too..." Temari with some concern.

Soon everyone arrived at the emergency room where Kankuro was...

Just like in the anime of the previous life, Chiyo mistook Kakashi for White Fang. As soon as Kakashi appeared, Chiyo attacked Kakashi, but Naruto blocked her. Then Ebizo stopped Chiyo and confirmed that Kakashi was not White Fang. Only then did everyone officially begin the meeting.

Sakura, having studied Medical Ninjutsu under Tsunade for three years, had developed a high level of medical skill. Sakura used her Medical Ninjutsu to heal Kankuro. After Kankuro woke up, he gave Kakashi a fragment of Sasori's clothing. Kakashi summoned the Seven Ninja Dog and tracked Akatsuki to a secret location in the Land of Rivers using their scent. Finally, the group set off for Akatsuki's base in the Land of Rivers the following morning. Of course, this time, Kakashi's four-person team included the Chiyo.

"The enemy has tracked us down. There are two groups of enemies. One group is led by Might Guy from Konoha, and the other group is led by Kakashi from Konoha. Oh, and there's another powerful guy here too..." Zetsu suddenly said.

"Their intelligence..." Pain said calmly.

"Might Guy is Jonin of Konoha, skilled in Taijutsu, and quite formidable. Don't underestimate him. Kakashi is no pushover either..." Itachi explained.

"Hmm, who is the other powerful person you mentioned?" Pain nodded.

"Another one, I believe Itachi and Kisame will also remember, is Konoha's Issui Kanna, a boy who uses the Eye of Heaven Kekkei Genkai. He is very powerful and has a small reputation in the Shinobi World, known as the Demon God..." Zetsu said.

"Hmm, it's him. That's really troublesome. Who of you will deal with them? The Shapeshifting Technique can retain 30% of the original body's power..." Pain said.

"I'll go, I have some grudges with that rare beast to settle..." Kisame stared at Kai.

"I'll deal with Kakashi and that boy..." Itachi said calmly.

"Alright, it's decided then. Your goal is simply to delay the opponent..." Pain said.

"Clear..."

The group of people were walking forward, and suddenly they noticed a man in front of them. He was wearing a black trench coat embroidered with several red clouds, a brown hat with wind chimes on his head, a ring with a scarlet mark on his hand, purple-black nail polish on his fingers and toes, and a scratch on his forehead. The most eye-catching thing was his scarlet eyes, each with three black magatama.

"Stop..." Kakashi jumped to the ground, stopping everyone from advancing.

"Uchiha Itachi, it's you, Itachi. Do you remember what I said last time?" Issui said quietly, looking at Itachi in front of her.

"Hmm, I don't remember clearly, but it seems like you're not going to let me go. Although you're very strong, if you want to get past me, you'll still have to fight me a bit..." Itachi's eyes darted around quickly.

"Kakashi-senpai, you guys go ahead, I'll handle this guy..." Issui said calmly.

"Alright, take care of yourself..." Kakashi glanced at Issui, nodded, and led Naruto to rush past Itachi.

"Don't ignore me, Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!!"

The moment Kakashi and the others set off, Itachi unleashed Fire Release Ninjutsu to stop their advance.

"Don't forget me, Earth Release: Double Suicide Decapitation Technique!!" Suddenly, Issui emerged from the ground beneath Itachi and pulled him back underground.

"Bang..." The itachi, who had been pinned to the ground, suddenly turned into a puff of white smoke and disappeared.

"Don't pretend I don't exist! Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!!" The next moment, Itachi appeared in front of Kakashi and the others, and a large number of fireballs rushed towards them.

"So fast, get out of the way..."

The Fire Style technique was incredibly fast, and Kakashi was caught off guard. He hadn't expected Itachi to be able to attack them while dealing with the Issui Release, so he quickly shouted for everyone to stop.

"Earth Release -- Swamp of the Underworld!!"

As soon as Itachi stepped onto the ground, the once flat land turned into a yellow swamp, and his body gradually sank in.

"Splash..." Gradually, Itachi's body turned into a pool of water and merged into the swamp.

"Fire Style: Dragon Fire Technique!!"

Suddenly, a steel wire came through from behind Issui, binding his body into a ball, and then a large amount of flames climbed up the wire.

"Boom..." The moment the flames touched the Issui's body, a huge explosion occurred.

Earth Release: Tearing Earth Turning Palm!!!

Suddenly, Issui figure appeared behind Itachi. He concentrated his Chakra in his palm and slammed it into the ground, cracking the earth. The shattered earth completely covered Itachi's figure.

Looking again at the spot that was just attacked by flames, a burning wooden stake has appeared. It's Substitution Technique!

"Your reaction speed is good, it's improved compared to before..." Itachi's figure reappeared beside Issui and said softly in his ear.

"Tch, stop playing these childish tricks. You're just trying to stall for time..." Issui said dismissively.

"Sigh, you guessed it?" Itachi said without the slightest panic.

"What? Aren't you going to continue stopping Kakashi and the others?" Issui asked.

"Don't worry, I'll go stop them right away..." Itachi said calmly.

"Oh, really? So, do you want me to let you go, or do you want me to let you go?" Issui asked.

"No, it's not..." Itachi shook his head.

"What is that?" Issui asked, puzzled.

"What you see of me is not a physical form; you have fallen into my Genjutsu. Admittedly, you are not afraid of my eyes, but those are only your Kekkei Genkai eyes, and your ordinary eyes can still be deceived..." Itachi said.

"No, impossible, how could this be? I remember your Ninjutsu really did have energy fluctuations..." Issui said, stroking his chin.

"This is the multi-layered Genjutsu that blends truth and illusion. The moment it's cast, it simulates the energy fluctuations of various Ninjutsu, making you feel like you're truly fighting. It doesn't damage the original terrain at all; it only alters other things. When the battle ends, the Genjutsu dissipates, and you believe it to be real, thinking that I didn't go after Kakashi and the others. In fact, quite the opposite, I went after Kakashi and the others a long time ago. You were just trapped in my Genjutsu world and have only just woken up..." Itachi said calmly.