The sea.
Uchiha Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki stood upon it.
The two wore black cloaks patterned with red clouds.
As partners, they had already carried out several missions together.
Itachi's personality was arrogant.
Kisame, on the other hand, was a traditional Bloody Mist Village ninja.
So... there was basically no such thing as "cooperation" in their tactics.
Every time they set out.
Either Kisame Hoshigaki made a move alone, or Itachi did.
"Hehe~ Mr. Itachi, this time... it's my turn, right?"
According to the order of turns.
Kisame would make a move for this mission.
"However... I might not be Lord Orochimaru's opponent... After all, he's one of the 'Legendary Sannin.' The Seven Ninja Swordsmen and the like... simply can't compare to him."
Kisame was hinting to Itachi.
If they fought, he might be the one who lost.
Of course, how much truth there was in those words depended on whether Itachi believed him.
As far as Itachi was concerned.
Kisame Hoshigaki had been sent by Uchiha Obito to monitor him.
With his extremely huge chakra amount, Kisame Hoshigaki was highly suited for prolonged battles.
The Great Sword: Samehada could even absorb the five elemental types of ninjutsu in the traditional sense.
To monitor him.
He was an extremely useful Tool Person.
"Likewise."
Itachi shook his head.
"The last time I was able to subdue Orochimaru, it was only because he underestimated the power of the Sharingan... This time, he'll definitely be prepared..."
Itachi's words were also half true and half false.
The attitudes of both men expressed one thing...
—Slacking off and lying flat.
Thus.
The two, understanding each other without words, slowly entered Orochimaru's territory...
Splash.
Before long.
A figure surfaced from the sea.
Green hair and a sinister, mocking face.
It was Tenchi, one of Lord Orochimaru's