Itachi merely swept a glance over Deidara before turning his gaze elsewhere. A moment later, he locked onto a concealed thicket.
A piercing sound tore through the air. Uchiha Itachi stepped back as a massive blade stabbed into the ground. A figure leaped out after it, a predator's grin spreading across his shark-like face.
"Kisame Hoshigaki has arrived. Brat of the Uchiha Clan, state your name." Gripping Samehada and raising it, Kisame pointed the blade at Itachi.
"This sword..." Itachi glanced at the blade, then at its wielder. "Uchiha Itachi of Konoha. The sword in your hand should be one of Kirigakure's Seven Swords. It seems your identity is far from ordinary."
Kisame chuckled. "You recognized my sword at a glance? Your knowledge surprises me, brat. But only prey like this is worth tearing apart with my own hands."
Deidara had already risen to his feet, and his breathing had steadied considerably. He asked in a low voice, "Kisame, why are you here?"
Kisame shot Deidara a glance and snorted. "Don't think you're the only one capable of sneaking into someone else's village. And if you want to die, there are better ways than strutting down their streets. If it hadn't been for me just now, you'd have died in your own explosion. You faced the Uchiha Clan without guarding against their genjutsu beforehand. Just like Sasori said—you've got the look of someone doomed to die young."
Faced with the merciless mockery, veins bulged on Deidara's forehead. He clenched his fists. "Bastard, you dead-fish-eyed freak, looking for a fight?"
"Still got the look of someone doomed to die young," Kisame added, then turned his gaze toward Itachi. "Our priority now is this Uchiha Itachi. I saw your fight earlier. Watch his Sharingan, and keep an eye on each other. The