Capturing the Four-Tails, Akatsuki's Vermilion and South

"Tsk tsk tsk... Brother Sasori is angry, I'd better retreat a bit... Hmm." Deidara controlled the giant bird to circle in the air.

Suddenly, the Clay Giant Bird flapped its wings, creating a strong wind, and its massive body rode the wind upwards.

On the cliff, the three-way battle had now turned into a fight between two people, with the Kirigakure Assassination Squad completely abandoning the Rogue Ninja Zabuza.

The Boil Release: Skilled Mist Technique manipulation is extremely corrosive, surpassing even the Lava Monster Technique, and it cannot distinguish between friend and foe.

The instant Mei Terumī Akira Hand Seals the hand seals, the first, second, and third squads of the Kirigakure Anbu all retreated. Zabuza, having lost his siege, also realized that something was wrong.

After noticing Sasori confronting Mei Terumī, he made a decisive move and leaped off the cliff, his feet firmly planted with precise chakra as he stepped onto the uneven rock face.

Zabuza escaped right under the noses of three squads of the Kirigakure Assassination Squad.

Or rather, everyone's attention wasn't on him at all.

"I don't like waiting for others, and I hate being waited for." The Third Hokage's figure slowly floated into the air, controlled by Sasori's fingers connected by Chakra Threads.

"Therefore, our battle will end in an instant."

His voice was calm and low, and his handsome face showed no emotion whatsoever.

No one dared to doubt Scorpion's words, and no one dared to question Scorpion's strength.

Based on the Human Puppet in his hand, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, is hailed as the strongest Hokage of all time and a man praised as Shinobi Hero in Second Shinobi World War!

The atmosphere suddenly became oppressive, and a chilling aura, like a thick fog over the sea, spread and enveloped the Forest and the sea.

Sudden!

In the midst of this very serious scene, a cold, mocking laugh suddenly rang out.

The oppressive cloud hanging over everyone's hearts was instantly dispelled, and the Kirigakure Ninja Anbu who had been hiding far behind them all turned to look at the figure who had let out a soft laugh.

"The battle will indeed end in an instant, because you and your toy will be melted in an instant!" Mei Terumī licked her sexy, alluring red lips and narrowed her eyes dangerously.

Scorpions are not good with words and don't like to talk nonsense.

The momentum of both sides continued to rise...

Meanwhile, within the Land of Earth, in the Northern Region, lies a desolate landscape of Active Volcano.

Because of the frequent eruptions of the Active Volcano, there are no villagers living within a radius of 100 miles, and even the nearest one is on the other side of a high mountain 120 miles away.

"Is Black Zetsu's information reliable? This godforsaken place..." Kisame said sarcastically, placing one hand in front of his eyes as if gazing into the distance.

Itachi, dressed in Red Cloud Black Cloak, walked past Kisame expressionlessly, roughly estimating the distance in his mind; it would only take five days.

Kisame deliberately delayed, causing the time to be pushed back to the present...

Half a month has passed, and Itachi doesn't know Kisame is up to, but he knows what Kisame is thinking right now.

Capture the Four-Tails Jinchuriki as soon as possible!

It seems Kisame has received new orders. Itachi glanced at Kisame with a cold look, then slowly turned his head and looked towards the steaming volcano.

"It's understandable that Four-Tails beast would like a place like this." After a long while, Itachi finally spoke softly in response to Kisame.

Kisame was taken aback at first upon hearing this, then realized that Itachi was responding to him.

Despite having been a team for quite some time, Kisame still finds Itachi's way of speaking somewhat uncomfortable.

Perhaps Itachi's reaction time is only this long when the two of them are alone together...

Rustling...

The sound of shoes scraping against sand and gravel filled the air as the two walked along the crevices of the rocks into the desolate Yamanaka.

The surrounding temperature rose as they approached the volcano, and sweat trickled down their temples.

The breathing became increasingly labored and unnatural, and crossing the barren mountains consumed even more of my energy.

Glug glug...

Kisame took out his water bottle and gulped down a mouthful of water. Crystal-clear water droplets spilled from the corners of his mouth. Born in the Land of Water, Kisame had never felt that water was so wonderful.

How are we going to find that guy?

The volcano is quite large, a sprawling mountain range; hiking even a short distance in such a place will leave you drenched in sweat.

Kisame didn't want to waste time and effort if he couldn't pinpoint that guy's exact location...

He no longer wanted to stay in these scorched mountains.

"I'm not a sensory-type ninja." Itachi wiped the sweat that was about to drip into his eyes and said coldly.

Kisame's face stiffened, and he cursed Black Zetsu in his heart.

"In any case, let's check the locations marked on the intelligence Scroll first. If we can't find them, we'll leave this mountain range."

Itachi's words finally settled the matter, and the two followed the winding, narrow mountain path in the direction indicated on the intelligence Scroll map, towards the place where White Zetsu had last discovered the Four-Tails Jinchuriki.

The air felt as if it were scorched, emitting a pungent odor.

Beneath the largest Active Volcano, following the directions on the map in the Black Zetsu intelligence Scroll, Itachi and Kisame found a Cave.

The Cave doesn't appear to be naturally formed; rather, it's a cave that was carved out of the side of a volcano.

Kisame, unaware of the commotion inside the Cave, strode confidently toward entering when Itachi's voice suddenly rang out behind him.

Be careful, there might be a trap.

Kisame paused, thinking that better safe than sorry, he quietly walked inside. The Cave was simply furnished and could be seen at a glance.

Simple wooden tables, beds, and cabinets—furniture that is as simple as it gets.

A short while later, Kisame emerged from the Cave. "The Four-Tails Jinchuriki seems to be training in this area. This mountain range is quite large. Where should we look for him?"

"We came from the south, and we didn't detect any chakra fluctuations nearby." Itachi paused, a thoughtful look on his face, and looked eastward. "Across the mountains to the east lies the sea, where the abundant moisture is unsuitable for the Four-Tails Jinchuriki to train."

"Only the west and north remain."

"You mean we'll split up and search separately?" Kisame asked in surprise. Unlike Itachi, he didn't have the Sharingan!

While the Sharingan isn't as powerful as the Byakugan in terms of detection, it can clearly see chakra diffused in the air.

In many places, Itachi doesn't need to go in person; he can simply use his Sharingan to take a look.

"Do you have a better way?" Itachi glanced at Kisame indifferently and asked in return.

"Of course!" Kisame didn't want to wander around in this godforsaken place, so he grinned, revealing a creepy smile.

Under Itachi's questioning gaze, Kisame spoke leisurely, "Wouldn't it be better if you created a Shadow Clone to follow me?"

Shadow Clone can create bodies identical to the caster, and chakra is evenly distributed among each clone. The clones can use the Original Body's techniques.

In other words, Itachi's Shadow Clone can also use the Sharingan.

Bang!

A cloud of white mist exploded to the side, and a Shadow Clone that looked exactly like Itachi appeared on the spot. Upon seeing this, Kisame's smile widened to his ears.

The three figures split into two directions: Itachi went north, Kisame and Itachi's Shadow Clone went west.

Fifteen minutes later...

In Desolate Valley west of the Cave, where not a single weed grows, a huge Rock stands out prominently at the bottom, like a crane among chickens.

"Heh, you're quick-witted!" Kisame spotted the figure sitting on the Rock, training. He couldn't be 100% sure that this person was the Four-Tails Jinchuriki.

But in a place where not even a ghost appears, who else could it be but the Four-Tails Jinchuriki?

Itachi's Shadow Clone glanced coldly at Kisame, then immediately dispelled the Jutsu Formula. With a bang, the Shadow Clone vanished as white mist drifted by.

Once the Shadow Clone Technique is dispelled, Itachi's Original Body can then obtain the information received by the Shadow Clone.

Kisame slowly walked into the Desolate Valley, his feet treading on the slightly rough stones, looking eager and excited.

The closer you get to the Rock in the middle of the Desolate Valley, the clearer the figure sitting on the Rock becomes.

Roshi, the Four-Tails Jinchuriki, was a stubborn old man who, because of this, clashed with the Tsuchikage and left Iwagakure.

Roshi wore purple clothes and a breastplate, his hair was tied back in a small ponytail, and he had a long beard, giving him a resolute and steady appearance.

"Found you, Four-Tails!" A cold laugh interrupted Roshi's meditation.

As Jinchūriki, Roshi's strength is beyond doubt.

Even in this hot region, his perception was not weak. As soon as Kisame first saw him, Roshi discovered Kisame and Itachi's Shadow Clone.

"You are..." Roshi opened his eyes, staring intently at Kisame, his gaze sweeping over Kisame as he looked him up and down.

The Forehead Protector with a horizontal line across his forehead already identified Kisame as Kisame Rogue Ninja from Kirigakure.

As Wandering Monk, Roshi had been diligently training to control the Tailed Beast every day for many years, and had heard a little about what was happening in the Ninja World.

Kirigakure Rogue Ninja Kirigakure, wearing Red Clouds on a Black Background Coat, Samehada, and sporting a Sharks- like face.

Kisame Hoshigaki!

Originally a ninja from Kirigakure and a member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, he has a Sharks -like face, skin color, and sharp teeth.

He is skilled in using Water Release attacks and the unusual Samehada in his hand. Due to the astonishing amount of chakra within him, he is known as the Tailed Beast Without a Tail.

While traveling through the Ninja World, Roshi had been paying attention to information about noteworthy powerful individuals.

"Oh? It seems you know who I am?" Kisame noticed a slight surprise flash across Roshi's face, followed by a look of understanding.

"Kisame Hoshigaki, what do you want to do?" Roshi frowned, glancing around out of the corner of his eye. There was clearly another figure there just now.

At this moment, however, nothing was seen...

Akatsuki Organization is a Mercenary organization. Roshi had heard of it, but he didn't know their purpose and didn't have the time to find out.

However, he was met with a pair of cold, murderous eyes.

With a thud, Kisame took the Samehada from his back and plunged it headfirst into the sand and gravel.

"Water Release: Water Shark Bullet Technique!"

Before Kisame could finish speaking, in an instant, a massive amount of chakra merged into the air, condensing the water in the air into a giant Sharks -shaped water bullet.

Its ferocious face and sharp fangs told everyone that this Sharks was a man-eating beast!

Roar!!

The Sharks soared through the air and headed straight for Roshi on the Rock pillar.

"How can he Water Release in such a dry environment?" Roshi's pupils contracted slightly as he marveled at Kisame's strength, while his hands moved swiftly.

In the blink of an eye, the Hand Seals was completed.

"Lava Release: Granite!"

Puff!

The giant Sharks water bullet slammed into Roshi's defensive Ninjutsu, and the seemingly ferocious Sharks shattered into crystal-clear water droplets in an instant.

The water droplets fell on the dry ground and were swallowed up in moments.

"A wide-range defensive Ninjutsu Water Shark Bullet Technique couldn't even leave a trace?" This time it was Kisame's turn to be surprised.

The Water Shark Bullet Technique is extremely fast; it can shatter bones instantly upon impact with a person's body.

Roshi had anticipated that Kisame would immediately employ defensive measures, but he guessed that Rōshi was using speed to evade the Water Shark Bullet Technique.

"It seems Ninjutsu attacks aren't working." After testing the waters with one move, Kisame decided to try a different tactic.

Clang!

With a low hum, Kisame pulled Samehada, from the ground.

Whoosh!

Kisame's figure flickered and disappeared from the spot.

Instantly, Roshi felt a powerful force rushing towards him. Looking closely, he saw barbs piercing through the white cloth covering the blade, and a huge black shadow slashing down at his waist.

"Such speed, such power!"

Roshi's Taijutsu was not weak, but he did not want to directly counter Kisame's move, as each of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist of the Kirigakure possessed a special ability in their sword.

The most powerful feature of Samehada in Kisame's hands is its ability to absorb the enemy's chakra and then use the absorbed chakra as an energy source to heal its master and restore his stamina.

Roshi has the Four-Tails sealed within him, and he possesses a vast amount of chakra, so he doesn't worry about chakra depletion. However, he can't just give it away to the other party for nothing.

Roshi stumbled, and his body fell backward.

Samehada sliced through the robe at the waist of Roshi a sharp, tearing sound as the barbs ripped through the robe.

Roshi flipped over and leaped down from the tall Rock pillar, immediately creating distance between them.

Kisame's eyes darkened, and a fierce killing intent surged forth. He gripped Samehada tightly with his fingers, lifted Samehada, and leaped after it.

The force of the energy instantly created a howling wind, and as the wind howled, Roshi, facing upwards, naturally noticed Kisame chasing after him.

"Do you think you can escape?" Kisame sneered.

"Hmph, I'm not running away!" Roshi Budong, and with a backhand, he flung out a row of Kunai wrapped with Explosive Tag.

Ding ding ding!!

Kisame's body was in mid-air and falling rapidly, making it impossible for him to dodge. He quickly raised Samehada to block.

With a few simple sword-wielding movements, he easily deflected the Kunai that shot towards him.

Roshi never intended to defeat Kisame with just a few Kunai wrapped with Explosive Tag; his goal was merely to force Kisame back and slow down his relentless offensive.

When Kisame sheathed his sword to parry, it was already clear that he could no longer continue his continuous offensive.

Roshi reached out and held his hand upright in front of him.

Buzz!

Chakra gathers, Hand Seals complete!

"Lava Release: Scorching River Rock Technique!" Roshi took a deep breath, his chest visibly expanding, then he puffed out his cheeks as if to exhale.

Puff puff puff...

A series of fiery red Lava Ball rapidly spewed from Roshi's mouth, forming a fiery red curtain of light in the air.

Kisame's body plummeted straight down, and without a doubt, it would crash directly into this scorching Lava Ball.