Kakuzo's mind raced as he tried to decipher the deeper meaning behind Kisame's abrupt question.
Turning on one's companions? That seemed... Right! Back when Kisame Hoshigaki had still been in Kirigakure's Anbu, one of his most widely known "deeds" had been mercilessly killing comrades who might be captured, all to ensure that mission secrets would not leak.
Could it be... Kisame wanted to find a sense of kinship here, from another "kindred spirit" who had also turned on his companions?
Though he himself had acted purely out of perverse pleasure, while Kisame had done it for the mission back then... perhaps motives did not matter. Perhaps the nature of the act itself was what resonated?
Kakuzo felt that in this situation, telling the truth might earn more of the other man's "understanding," or at least create some kind of resonance.
He tried to keep his voice calm, even cold. "...Do you need some special reason to kill a companion?"
No emotion could be heard in Kisame's voice. "...Why do you say that?"
Kakuzo spoke faster, trying to connect the logic behind his actions with the other man's "justified" past. "The strong devour the weak. That's all. Even if they are companions, I see no contradiction between that concept and killing them. What I've done... compared to what you did during your Anbu days, Senior, is probably far from enough, isn't it? Eliminating those 'companions' with no value, those who might even hold you back—isn't that the principle you've always upheld? Our methods may differ, but in essence..."
He did not get to finish.
The amused expression on Kisame's face vanished completely, replaced by an indifferent calm. "Mm, I understand." He cut Kakuzo off.
"Then we can begin."
Kakuzo froze. "What? Begin wha—"
Kisame raised his hands and began forming seals.