First Encounter

Sunlight filtered through the lush leaves in scattered patches, dappling the grass.

Uchiha Itachi stood amid the shafts of sunlight, his eyes fixed tensely on Shisui and Konan in the distance.

"Worried?"

Hanfu's Shadow Clone stood off to the side with his arms crossed, looking completely at ease. "Have some confidence in yourself, in Shisui, and, most of all, in me!"

"Captain..."

Itachi turned his head. A rare hint of embarrassment showed on his face beneath the mask as he said quietly, "Thank you."

Back when Shisui had defected from the village to carry out a mission, Itachi had joined the Anbu to investigate. During that time, he and Hanfu had clashed more than once, until they'd become complete strangers. Thinking back on everything that had happened, Itachi couldn't help feeling he owed Hanfu an apology.

Hanfu's Shadow Clone smiled confidently, then turned to Tenzo and the other subordinates behind him. "If a fight breaks out, don't get involved."

Konan might not be one of Akatsuki's strongest fighters, but she still had a massive advantage over his rank-and-file subordinates. Besides, her Paper Release was clearly suited to fighting groups. A free-for-all would put his subordinates at a serious disadvantage!

"Yes, sir!"

Tenzo and the others answered loudly.

With Hanfu and Shisui, the team's captain and vice-captain, leading the way, there was no need for them to get involved.

Just then!

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...

Beneath the dappled sunlight, paper fluttered like snow all around Konan. It spread outward, steadily forcing Shisui back.

So the talks had fallen through. They were going to fight?

Hanfu's Shadow Clone immediately took out an Explosive Tag. Pressing his right hand against its back, he silently inscribed the Flying Thunder God Formula.

Beside him, Itachi's eyes narrowed. He's using an Explosive Tag right off the bat?