Such a lovely girl. What a waste!

"Itachi's Genjutsu has been broken?" Kisame fell straight down, landing steadily beside Itachi with a thud.

"Kakashi also possesses the Mangekyō Sharingan." Itachi rarely spoke up to explain, otherwise he would have simply shown Kisame a stiff profile.

Kisame had only asked casually, but he was slightly taken aback when he heard Itachi's answer.

Is it the Mangekyō Sharingan?

As Itachi's partner, Kisame had a general understanding of Itachi's abilities. The Mangekyō Sharingan was Itachi's greatest secret and his most powerful weapon.

Kakashi Konoha, the Little White Fang Hatake Kakashi...

"I actually prefer another opponent!"

Kisame is proficient in Taijutsu and Ninjutsu, but not so good at Genjutsu. If he were to fight Kakashi, who has the Mangekyo, he would probably lose badly.

Therefore, Kisame chose Guy as his opponent; he was a shrewd fellow.

Itachi remained silent, but his gaze fell directly on Kakashi, clearly indicating that he had agreed to Kisame's opponent assignment.

"Kai, watch out for that guy's weapon!"

As soon as Kakashi finished speaking, Guy leaped into the air and unleashed a Konoha Whirlwind kick at Kisame, who was also charging forward.

Two powerful forces collided violently, unleashing a deafening explosion of energy!

In an instant, dust rose from the forest, and withered leaves tumbled wildly in the whirlwind, soaring straight into the sky like a long dragon formed from the leaves.

"So heavy!" Kisame suddenly felt his arms sink, the power flowing into his whole body, causing his feet to sink three-tenths of an inch into the ground.

Kai stepped onto the massive Samehada, propelling himself into the air. He then used the momentum to leap and spin rapidly, delivering a powerful kick directly at Kisame.

Sensing a deadly force hurtling through the air, Kisame instinctively raised his arm...

Bang!

A heavy force came from his arm, and Kisame's body was actually forced to take a step to the side!

"Water Release: Water Shark Bullet Technique!"

Kisame's Kisame surged forth instantly, which was then injected into the moisture in the air, rapidly condensing it into a giant Sharks water bullet!

Just as Kai was about to kick out a second time, his eyes narrowed as he sensed the killing intent emanating from the air. He immediately changed his movement, his toes touching Samehada, and before the barbs could protrude, he used the momentum to escape.

What appeared to be a lengthy exchange actually took only ten seconds.

Neither side was injured. Overall, Kisame suffered a minor loss, getting kicked by a kappa with Green Skin and an incredibly stupid Watermelon -shaped Kappa.

"I'm extremely annoyed!" Kisame grinned, revealing a wicked smile.

Kisame's fighting spirit is as high as a mountain spring. He is an extremely warlike person. Injuries in battle will not slow down his offensive pace. On the contrary, they will make people's blood boil.

A bloodthirsty gaze, paired with that Sharks -like face that sends chills down your spine whether it's laughing or crying...

Kisame seems to be a born ninja, a ninja born to kill!

Suddenly, a gust of wind swept a dark Body Flicker Technique into Kisame's presence.

"Let the battle end here, Kisame!" Itachi stepped aside, blocking Gai and Kisame from their fight, his calm voice carrying an undeniable tone.

"Huh?" Kisame was taken aback at first, but when he saw that it was Itachi Uchiha standing in front of him, the tense killing intent around him relaxed.

"This is so boring, my body was only just getting warmed up!"

Despite saying that, Kisame still put away Samehada as instructed and stood quietly to the side.

"We have no reason to fight, let's not do anything unnecessary." Itachi's words were directed at Kisame, but also at Guy, Kakashi, and the others.

Meeting was purely accidental, and so was clashing.

Tsunade and the others were in a hurry to get to the Land of Iron, and Itachi didn't want to stay here for too long either.

After all, he couldn't have too much contact with the people of Konoha.

That man...

So shrewd!

Bang!

Itachi raised his hand and threw a smoke bomb, which crashed heavily to the ground and exploded, instantly engulfing the two people in place in a large amount of smoke.

"Trying to run?!" Kai lifted his foot and immediately charged forward.

Kakashi's expression changed slightly, and he shouted, "Don't chase them, Guy!"

Upon hearing the sound, Kai stopped in his tracks. It wasn't that he wasn't going to give up, but rather that Itachi and Kisame had already vanished from sight.

As the smoke gradually dissipated, only the four of them remained in the clearing in the woods.

At this moment, Tsunade, who was treating Asuma, slowly withdrew her hand.

"The wound has been treated. Don't do anything strenuous for a while..." Tsunade paused, then added, "Guy, you take Asuma back to the village first!"

"This... cough cough." Asuma struggled to his feet. It was all his fault for being so eager to save people that he was careless and got injured.

He raised his hand to stop Kai, who was about to help him up, saying, "Protecting the Lord Hokage is the priority. I will inform them of the situation here when we return to the village."

The primary task is to send out another Elite Squad for support.

The Hokage's whereabouts have been leaked, making the Five Kage Summit in the Land of Iron extremely dangerous!

There were only four people in the team to begin with. If Guy were to escort Asuma back to the village, Tsunade would only have Kakashi protecting her.

Asuma will absolutely not back down on this point!

"I am the Hokage, you must carry out orders!" Tsunade could see what Asuma was thinking, but she was worried about Asuma returning to the village alone.

Even though this is within the Land of Fire, if Asuma, who was already seriously injured, were to encounter those two again, he would almost certainly die!

Just as the two sides were deadlocked, Asuma looked to Kakashi for help. Kakashi was the Anbu Captain, and Tsunade would definitely consider his suggestion!

After hesitating for a moment, Kakashi decided to take a compromise approach.

"My Shadow Clone will escort Asuma back, then the group will stop in the Town ahead and wait for reinforcements to arrive!"

As Kakashi finished speaking, everyone looked thoughtful.

This seemed like a good idea. Tsunade, Kakashi, and Guy stayed in the Town ahead, partly to wait for reinforcements, and partly to be able to support Asuma at any time.

Kakashi's clones and Asuma will know immediately if they are attacked by the enemy.

"Okay, let's do it that way!"

In a peaceful and harmonious village within the Land of Fire.

Two figures emerged from the Forest, one on the left and one on the right, their light footsteps landing on the path at the village entrance.

"The environment is quite nice! Itachi really knows how to choose a place!" Tōka took a deep breath and immediately felt refreshed.

The village is surrounded by green mountains and forests, and a crystal-clear stream flows through it, bringing the snow and ice from the towering mountains to the north into the village.

Schools of fish swam by in the water, and every now and then you could spot a large shrimp.

Located in the central part of the Land of Fire, far from the political center of Konoha, and not subject to pressure from major powers on the border.

Only one sentence flashed through Tōka's mind: the most ideal place to live!

"Let's go, I wonder if that girl still remembers me!" Tōka calmly withdrew her gaze and walked into the village.

The quiet village is not xenophobic, and traveling merchants occasionally pass through.

Tōka and Black Zetsu, two strangers, entered the village. Only an old man smoking at the village entrance glanced at them, and the villagers paid no attention.

It would be a lie to say I wasn't surprised by such a reaction.

These people...

That's incredibly inattentive!

Izumi Uchiha definitely possesses the strength of Jonin, with Three Tomoe Sharingan in both eyes.

The White Zetsu, who was in charge of reconnaissance, did not dare to get too close. After confirming that Izumi Uchiha lived in the village, he relayed the information back to Black Zetsu.

"I don't know the exact location!" Black Zetsu waved his hand and said when he saw Tōka's gaze fall on his face.

Tōka raised an eyebrow slightly, remaining silent.

Ice Blue aura danced like flames in his eyes; ordinary villagers do not possess chakra.

The chakra within the bodies of the Uchiha Clan's Jonin...

Very obvious!

Buzz!

The field of vision suddenly magnified countless times, and Tōka could see the entire village in its entirety!

"Found it!"

Jonin's chakra stands out like a bright lamp in a dark, empty square among ordinary people—clearly visible and immediately noticeable!

Tōka vanished from the spot in Body Flicker Technique, and Black Zetsu slowly merged into the ground as well.

In the quiet mountain behind the village, Izumi Uchiha, as an outsider, was not able to integrate so quickly. She liked the environment but was also aware of her identity.

Living alone on Small Mountain behind the village, far from the village center, would prevent one from bringing danger to the village.

Today, time has proven that Izumi's initial choice was correct.

"Good afternoon, Miss!" Tōka's figure appeared like a ghost, the illusory figure gradually becoming clear and then solidifying!

Upon hearing Tōka's voice, Izumi's heart skipped a beat; it would be impossible for her not to be startled!

Then, Izumi instinctively dodged and created some distance.

As her body moved through the air, she flicked her fingertips to pull out Kunai hidden in her clothes, her body arching like a shrimp.

The peaceful life hadn't dulled Izumi's ninja instincts; in the blink of an eye, she was ready for battle!

Such speed, or rather, such bizarre movements!

Izumi possessed the strength of Jonin, and she was confident in her sensory abilities, but the figure in front of her appeared directly behind her.

If the other person hadn't spoken, she wouldn't have noticed at all!

What if this guy suddenly launches a sneak attack...?

Thinking of this, Izumi couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat. She narrowed her eyes slightly, and the three black Tomoe in her scarlet pupils began to rotate.

"It seems you don't remember me anymore." Tōka pressed her hand to her chest, her voice filled with sorrow.

"You are..." Izumi stared intently, the stunning beauty before her seemingly...

A figure, equally beautiful and enviable to women, from many years ago, gradually... surfaced in Izumi's mind, under that inky black night.

A boy as bright and beautiful as the moon appeared before her.

"Senior Tōka?" Izumi exclaimed in disbelief. Tōka was her savior; how could she possibly forget Tōka?

"Aren't you going to offer me a cup of tea?" Tōka glanced at the stone table in the courtyard and asked with a smile.

"Uh... quick, quick, sit here." Izumi quickly put away the Kunai in her hand, turned around and ran into the house.

If Izumi's heart hadn't already been set on Itachi, Tōka's appearance that night alone would have surely moved her.

Although she couldn't like Tōka, Izumi still had feelings for Tōka.

The feelings of not seeing each other for years turned into joy the moment Tōka appeared, and Izumi had long forgotten Itachi's warning.

I guess that's what personal charisma is...

Hiding in Small Mountain Forest, watching the courtyard, Black Zetsu curled his lip in disdain. So what if she inherited her Mom's beauty?

Black Zetsu grumbled inwardly, "Why do everyone's friendly eyes turn wary the moment he appears?"

It's as if he's the one who does all the bad things in the world!

Snort!

A bunch of idiots who only care about looks! That guy is the most cunning and treacherous one! He's been sold out and doesn't even know it!

The two sat down at the simple stone table and benches, which exuded a rustic beauty.

Izumi was dressed in ordinary casual clothes, which was somewhat similar to Tōka's style. Her youthful face had already lost its naivety.

Every gesture she makes perfectly showcases the beauty of a young girl.

"Senior Tōka, you..." Izumi put down her teacup, sat down to the side, opened her mouth as if realizing that asking such a question was inappropriate.

Two slight blushes appeared on her face, and she changed her question, "Did Tōka- senpai come to see Itachi?"

After leaving the village, Itachi joined the Akatsuki Organization, the same organization that Tōka was in. Apart from occasional missions, Itachi would stay in the village.

That's all Izumi knows, because Itachi didn't tell her anything.

However, this mission seems to be taking a little too long...

"Not really, do you live with Itachi?" Tōka noticed that there were about three or four rooms in the yard, decorated simply and plainly.

But it has all the necessary furniture; it's quite well-off.

"Um... this..." Izumi lowered her head somewhat embarrassedly. She didn't know whether Tōka meant what he said on the surface or what he meant in another way.

She and Itachi did indeed live together, like neighbors; Itachi's house was on the left, next to the fence, and her house was in the middle.

The two are separated by only a wall...

The girl's delicate fragrance filled the air, and Tōka had already guessed the answer. He sighed inwardly, "That Itachi really doesn't understand romance!"

She sensed the mocking glint in Tōka's half-smiling eyes.

Izumi's face flushed bright red with a "plop," like boiling water.

She quickly changed the subject and asked, "Senior Tōka, if you're not here to see Itachi, then what brings you here..."

"Itachi hasn't been back for a while, has he?" A dark glint flashed in Tōka's eyes, then he put away his teasing look and revealed a warm smile.

"Yes, missions never used to take this long." Izumi's joy was overshadowed by worry; she was indeed a little worried about Itachi after not seeing him for several months.

"The mission is a bit tricky..." Tōka looked hesitant, under Izumi's tense and worried gaze.

Tōka remained silent...

The atmosphere became somber.

"What's wrong with Itachi?" Seeing Tōka's expression, Izumi couldn't sit still any longer. She pressed down on Tōka's arm as he put down his teacup and asked anxiously.

"Hmm... I got a little injured." Tōka pursed his lips, secretly marveling at how fragrant the tea from the beautiful woman was; it tasted sweet in his mouth and smelled wonderful to his nose.

But his face had a heavy expression, as if he dared not look Izumi in the eye.

He wants to see you!

These four simple words, imbued with an almost imperceptible power of the Six Harmonies Divine Technique, entered Izumi's ears like a magical Demonic Sound.

Her defenses crumbled instantly!

Itachi is injured, and he wants to see me...