Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki walked along the road leading toward Konoha's outskirts.
The residences around them gradually disappeared, and the flow of pedestrians grew noticeably thinner.
Both of them knew perfectly well that Konoha's Anbu had already set their sights on them.
From the perspective of carrying out their mission, remaining in the previously crowded commercial district would clearly have been more advantageous.
After all, if a conflict broke out, the civilians everywhere could be used as hostages to threaten Konoha's ninja, perhaps making it easier to force out the Fifth Hokage.
And obtain information about him.
Of course, there was also the risk of being completely trapped in Konoha.
Yet Itachi Uchiha barely hesitated before making his decision.
He led Kisame toward the outskirts leading out of the village.
Although Kisame did not quite understand why Itachi was doing this, he did not ask. He simply followed silently behind him.
Though there were fewer people in this area, quite a few Konoha ninja could still be seen. Just like the ninja outside the village, they were busy using various Earth Release Ninjutsu to construct new houses, build roads, and more.
Kisame bared his rows of sharp teeth and gripped the hilt of Samehada on his back. As he warily watched the ninja working on construction around them, he remarked, "Who knows what policy this Fifth Hokage put into place. They're doing all this boring work both inside and outside the village. Does this really make the village stronger?"
Itachi did not respond. His pitch-black eyes merely remained fixed ahead.
He could clearly sense the Chakra of Konoha ninja carrying unmistakable killing intent rapidly approaching from his direction.
Several of those Chakra signatures felt quite familiar as well.
The moment that thought crossed Itachi's mind, two figures suddenly appeared