The night wind howled, the dilapidated base gate was half-open, and the rusty iron chains made a harsh scraping sound in the wind.
Uchiha Itachi stood on high ground, his Sharingan silently scanning the buildings below. His gaze pierced the darkness, clearly sensing the chaotic and violent Chakra within the base—it wasn't the aura of an ordinary ninja, but rather more like some kind of twisted monster.
"Looks like we've been tricked, Itachi-san." Kisame, carrying Samehada, grinned. "The Chakra here... doesn't seem like that of a normal person."
Itachi's expression remained calm, but a cold glint flashed in his eyes. "Orochimaru isn't here."
"And who are these guys...?" Kisame tilted his head, his shark-like teeth gleaming coldly in the moonlight.
"A sacrifice," Itachi said calmly, "Or... a trap."
Kisame laughed heartily, "What are we waiting for? Let's stretch our muscles!"
Before the words were even finished, a superhuman roar suddenly came from deep within the base, followed by the ground beginning to tremble violently!
Boom!
Several twisted figures burst through the wall. They had human outlines, but their skin was an eerie grayish-white, and their bodies were inlaid with woody proliferating tissue—they were clearly experimental subjects that had failed to fuse with the Hashirama Cells!
"Oh? That's interesting." A hint of excitement flashed in Kisame's eyes, and the bandages on his Samehada began to tear. "Looks like I'm going to have some fun!"
Itachi's Sharingan slowly rotated, the Mitsudomoe gradually connecting to form a complex pattern. "A swift and decisive victory."
The next second, pitch-black flames ignited in the night sky!
Mountain peaks several miles away
A small White Snake emerged from a crack in the rock, silently watching the distant Kakkō. In its pupils, the image of Amaterasu's flames burning everything was reflected.
"As expected... Amaterasu."
In the underground base, Orochimaru watched the battle through the White Snake's perspective, a sickly smile appearing on his face.
"What a beautiful flame... Too bad it can't reach me."
He turned and walked towards another room, where Sasuke was sitting cross-legged in the center of the barrier with his eyes closed, the Cursed Seal patterns around his body shimmering with an eerie light.
"Grow up quickly, my dear vessel..." Orochimaru licked his lips, his voice like a serpent's whisper, "Before your brother finds you."
Uchiha Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki stood before the ruins of Orochimaru's abandoned base, surrounded by the scattered remains of defeated experimental subjects. The air was thick with the stench of blood and decay, yet their expressions remained calm.
Kisame, carrying Samehada, grinned, revealing sharp teeth. "Itachi-san, these test subjects are troublesome, but not so bad. It's a pity the trail has gone cold again." His tone carried a hint of helplessness, but more so, satisfaction with the battle.
Itachi nodded slightly, a thoughtful glint in his crimson Sharingan: "Orochimaru's whereabouts have always been elusive; it seems he was prepared all along."
Kisame stretched and loosened his shoulders. "Since there are no new clues for the time being, why don't we go to the Land of Hot Water to relax? The hot springs there are the best in the Shinobi World; a soak will wash away all our fatigue." His tone was relaxed, as if the battle just now was merely a warm-up.
Itachi glanced at him sideways and said indifferently, "You seem quite relaxed."
Kisame chuckled, "The mission is important, but we also need to balance work and rest. Besides, the Land of Hot Water has a good intelligence network; we might be able to find out some useful information."
Itachi remained silent for a moment, seemingly weighing the pros and cons, before finally nodding. "Alright."
A hint of joy flashed in Kisame's eyes. "Then it's settled! I know a nice hot spring inn." He began planning the route with great enthusiasm, as if he could already smell the sulfurous aroma of the hot spring and the fragrance of delicious food.
The two walked away from the ruins side by side, their shadows stretching long in the setting sun. Kisame said as they walked, "Speaking of which, Itachi-san is always too tense. Relaxing occasionally is good for his health."
Itachi didn't respond, but his eyes lost some of their coldness. Perhaps, for those who spend years lurking in the shadows, even a brief rest is a luxury.
Kisame suddenly lowered his voice, a hint of teasing in it, "But don't fall asleep while soaking in the hot spring, I don't want to carry you back."
Itachi glanced at him indifferently. "Mind your own business."
Kisame loudly, his laughter echoing through the empty wilderness. The two figures gradually disappeared into the distance, heading towards the Land of Land of Hot Water. Perhaps, in those warm springs, they could temporarily forget their burdens and find a moment of peace.
In the misty mountains, the steam from the hot springs rose, mingling with the cool air to form a hazy white veil. The crisp sound of wooden clogs on the bluestone slabs grew louder as Uchiha Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki Earth Flow one after the other along the path of the hot spring town.
Kisame stretched and grinned, "I knew I'd have to come to a place like this, Itachi-san. Staying in the Land of Rain for too long is making my bones rot."
Itachi didn't respond, but simply raised his head slightly, his gaze sweeping over the shops on both sides of the street. As a famous hot spring resort, the Land of Hot Water already had many travelers coming and going even in the early morning. Vendors were hawking freshly steamed hot spring buns, and the air was filled with the aroma of sake mixed with sulfur.
"Let's find a place to stay first," Itachi said calmly.
Kisame shrugged. "Fine, we don't have any other leads anyway."
The two chose a secluded hot spring inn. The owner, an elderly man, greeted them with a smile, "Would you like a private room or a mixed bath, gentlemen?"
Kisame chuckled, "A private room, of course! We're not used to sharing a bath with other people."
The old man nodded and led them through the long corridor. The wooden floorboards creaked slightly, and bamboo tubes in the courtyard struck the stones with a crisp "thump."
In hot spring pool
On the steaming surface of the water, Kisame stretched out his body, his Samehada casually leaning against the edge of the pool, bandages loosely floating on the water. He let out a long sigh, a rare look of relaxation appearing on his shark-like face. "Ah--as expected, hot springs are the most comfortable."
Itachi sat by the pond, only his calves submerged in the water. He closed his eyes, seemingly lost in thought.
Kisame glanced at him and said lazily, "Itachi-san, shouldn't you relax a little sometimes? Being on edge all the time isn't good for your health."
Itachi slowly opened his eyes, his crimson Sharingan appearing and disappearing in the mist. He didn't respond, simply enjoying this moment of tranquility.
The surface of the hot spring water rippled slightly, and the sounds of other guests chatting and laughing drifted from afar.
Nighttime Hot Spring Street
The nights in the Land of Hot Water are even more lively than the days. Lanterns are hung high, the aroma of grilled fish wafts through the streets, and the boisterous shouts of drunkards echo from izakayas.
Kisame, carrying a jug of sake, Earth Flow leisurely down the street. "Itachi-san, would you like a drink? The sake here is quite good."
Itachi shook his head. "No need."
Kisame didn't seem to care, and took a swig. "Tsk, what a waste."
The two Earth Flow when suddenly, a commotion arose from the crowd ahead. Several ronin-looking men were surrounding a young girl selling medicine, their tone frivolous. "Little girl, is your medicine really effective? Why don't you come with us and try it?"
The girl lowered her head, her voice barely audible. "Please, please don't do this..."
Kisame glanced at it, his interest waning. "A boring show."
Itachi's gaze sharpened slightly—he noticed a section of a Sound Ninja Forehead Protector peeking out from the girl's sleeve.
"Wait a minute," Itachi said in a low voice.
Kisame followed his gaze, immediately understood, and grinned. "Oh? Looks like you're in luck?"
Itachi didn't respond, but simply walked forward slowly. The ronin, noticing someone approaching, turned around impatiently. "Hey, mind your own business—"
Before the words were even finished, their eyes suddenly went blank, and then they all turned and left as if nothing had happened.
The girl looked up at Itachi in horror. "Th-thank you..."
Itachi's Sharingan twitched slightly. "You're from the Sound Ninja?"
The girl's face turned deathly pale instantly.
Hotel room
The girl, controlled by the Genjutsu, knelt on the tatami mat, her eyes vacant.
"Lord Orochimaru's whereabouts... I really don't know..." she answered mechanically. "I'm just responsible for collecting medicinal herbs in the Land of Hot Water..."
Kisame sat cross-legged to the side, idly picking at his ear. "Another expendable pawn? Orochimaru, that guy, is really cautious."
Itachi remained silent for a moment before dispelling the Genjutsu. The girl collapsed to the ground, panting heavily.
"Get lost," Itachi said coldly.
The girl, feeling as if she had been granted a pardon, staggered out of the room.
Kisame sighed, "What a waste of time."
Itachi gazed at the night sky outside the window and said calmly, "At least I know that the Sound Ninja are active in the Land of Hot Water."
Kisame grinned. "So, what's next?"
"Wait..." Itachi closed his eyes. "They'll eventually give themselves away."
Kisame raised the sake bottle, tilted his head back, and took a gulp. "Alright, since there's a hot spring to soak in, I don't mind staying a few more days."
A night breeze stirred, causing the lanterns in the hot spring town to sway gently. The distant mountain shadows appeared exceptionally deep and mysterious under the moonlight, as if concealing countless secrets.