Itachi Uchiha

Surrounding Konoha are lush, verdant forests and clear, flowing rivers.

A small path has been carved out between these woods and the river.

Usually, this road is bustling with travelers and tourists, all eager to experience the unique scenery of Konoha, the greatest village in the Ninja World.

Unfortunately, with the war having just ended, the area remains somewhat desolate.

Tap, tap, tap...

A series of footsteps echoed, and two figures appeared at the end of the path.

Both figures were clad in black cloaks embroidered with red clouds, their heads shielded by conical straw hats.

They radiated an aura that warned any stranger to keep their distance!

As they walked, two ninjas suddenly blocked their path.

They were Konoha's elite jonin, Asuma Sarutobi and Kurenai!

"You aren't from the village... what exactly are you here for?"

Asuma Sarutobi held a cigarette in his mouth, his gaze locked firmly onto the pair.

"Long time no see, Mr. Asuma, Ms. Kurenai!"

A polite greeting emanated from beneath one of the straw hats; the voice was low, yet magnetic.

"Since you know us, does that mean you were once ninjas of this village?"

Asuma Sarutobi couldn't help but feel surprised to hear that the stranger recognized him.

One of the two figures opposite them seemed to hesitate for a moment, but eventually, he tilted his straw hat slightly, revealing half of his face.

It was the face of a young man, his complexion slightly pale, with deep lines extending from the corners of his nose down to his jaw.

But what drew the most attention were his eyes!

His irises were blood-red, with three comma-like symbols floating around the pupils, resembling an abyss ready to swallow anyone whole.

Seeing this face, the pupils of Asuma Sarutobi and Kurenai trembled violently.

This is...

Itachi Uchiha!

Click—click—click—

Itachi Uchiha slowly removed his straw hat, tossed it to the ground, and began unbuttoning his cloak one by one.

"..."

A smirk tugged at the corner of Asuma Sarutobi's mouth, but cold sweat was already streaming down his face!

"Are you acquaintances of Mr. Itachi? Then I shall introduce myself as well."

At this moment, the other tall figure standing beside Itachi Uchiha spoke slowly.

His voice was incredibly raspy, sounding like a monster.

"Kisame Hoshigaki, I look forward to working with you in the future..."

This strange man also removed his straw hat, revealing his face.

!!!

The freak possessed a face strikingly similar to a shark, his skin a blue-gray hue, and as he grinned, he revealed rows of razor-sharp teeth.

Although Kisame Hoshigaki spoke with politeness, Asuma Sarutobi did not seem to appreciate the gesture.

"There won't be a future; I'm going to take you both down right now!"

"Hahaha..."

Kisame Hoshigaki let out a raspy laugh, glancing at Itachi Uchiha beside him as he chuckled:

"Mr. Itachi, it seems the people of this village really despise you."

At this, Kurenai, who had been staring intently at Kisame Hoshigaki, seemed to recall something.

She parted her red lips:

"I know you too, Kisame Hoshigaki, a former ninja of the Hidden Mist Village, a rogue ninja wanted by nations across the Land of Water for the suspected murder of a daimyo and acts of national sabotage."

"You are S-rank criminals on the most-wanted list!"

Asuma Sarutobi's gaze turned icy cold. He looked at Itachi and continued:

"To think you'd dare enter this village after causing such a grave incident—you've got guts!"

"Mr. Asuma, Ms. Kurenai... please, stay out of my way. I do not wish to kill you!"

Itachi Uchiha remained polite as he spoke, but a chilling intent had already begun to seep into his tone.

Asuma Sarutobi puffed on his cigarette, his eyes sharp and cold, and sneered:

"That doesn't sound like something a man who slaughtered his own kin would say. At the very least, I know you wouldn't be here without a purpose... What is your goal in showing up here so leisurely, dressed like that?!"

Kisame Hoshigaki grinned, but the smile was cold and stiff.

He reached behind his back, drew the peculiar weapon tightly wrapped in white bandages, and slammed it directly into the ground.

Instantly, gravel flew everywhere, kicking up a cloud of dust.

"This guy is quite annoying. Do you want me to kill him?"

"It seems we won't be able to leave the village peacefully... but don't go too far. Your techniques are very conspicuous."

After receiving Itachi Uchiha's reply, Kisame Hoshigaki nodded slightly.

Then, the muscles all over his body bulged, and he instantly charged toward Asuma Sarutobi!

He raised his right hand high and swung his bizarre weapon directly at Asuma Sarutobi.

Asuma Sarutobi dared not be careless; he poured chakra into the weapons in his hands—they resembled brass knuckles, but with blades extending from the bottom.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The two clashed repeatedly, locked in an inseparable struggle!

On the other side, Kurenai was not idle either. A strange smile curled at the corners of her mouth as she quickly formed hand seals.

Gradually, her body vanished before everyone's eyes.

Bang! Bang! Bang... Bang!

Kisame Hoshigaki brought his blade down in another fierce strike, which Asuma Sarutobi barely managed to block by holding his chakra blades with both hands.

However, under the crushing force of Kisame Hoshigaki's immense strength, the great blade slowly pressed closer to Asuma Sarutobi's arm until it finally made contact.

"Hehehehe, my Samehada... isn't meant for cutting, it's meant for shredding!"

As he spoke, he pulled his right hand back with force.

Sshhh—

The white bandages on Samehada tore open, revealing rows of eerie, jagged barbs.

Blood began to gush from Asuma Sarutobi's shoulder.

Just as Kisame Hoshigaki intended to press his advantage, the soil beneath his feet began to creep upward, wrapping around his legs.

Behind Itachi Uchiha, a large tree sprouted, its branches extending to bind his body firmly against the trunk.

Yet, Itachi Uchiha remained expressionless as he slowly looked up.

Kurenai's body emerged from the tree, a kunai clutched in her hand, thrusting toward Itachi Uchiha.

"Heh..."

A sneer of disdain touched the corners of Itachi Uchiha's mouth.

A red light flashed within his Sharingan, and suddenly, the positions of the two shifted.

Kurenai's body appeared where the tree had originally bound Itachi Uchiha, while Itachi Uchiha stood beside the tree, watching her coldly.

"Genjutsu of this level is useless against me."

Sshhh—

A long blade extended from Itachi Uchiha's robe, striking toward Kurenai with the speed of a thunderbolt.

Kurenai's eyes widened, as if she couldn't believe her own genjutsu had been reflected.

But she reacted with lightning speed, dispelling her genjutsu at the Thousand Jun moment.

Though she suffered the backlash and blood trickled from her lips, she managed to duck in time, narrowly avoiding Itachi Uchiha's lethal strike, losing only a few strands of hair.

Seeing Kurenai dodge his attack, Itachi Uchiha did not hesitate; he spun around and kicked directly at her.

This time, Kurenai had no time to dodge and could only cross her arms in front of her face to block the blow head-on!

The immense force sent Kurenai flying several meters back, and she fell into the river with a splash.