Around Konoha, lush forests stretched alongside clear, flowing rivers.
A path had been carved between the river and the woods.
Usually, the path was full of pedestrians and visitors enjoying the unique scenery of Konoha, the Ninja World's largest village.
Unfortunately, the war had just ended, and the area was still rather quiet.
Tap, tap, tap...
Footsteps sounded, and two figures appeared at the end of the path.
Both wore black cloaks embroidered with red clouds and hats that concealed their faces.
They gave off an aura that warned everyone to keep their distance!
As they walked, two shinobi suddenly blocked their way.
They were Konoha's elite jonin, Asuma Sarutobi and Kurenai!
"You're not from the village... What are you here for?"
Asuma Sarutobi had a cigarette between his lips as he stared intently at the two.
"Long time no see, Mr. Asuma and Miss Kurenai!"
A polite greeting came from beneath one of the hats. The voice was somewhat low, but rich and resonant.
"Since you know us, does that mean you used to be a shinobi from this village?"
Asuma Sarutobi was a little surprised to hear that the other man knew him.
One of the two figures seemed to hesitate, but in the end he slowly raised his hat, revealing half his face.
He had a young man's face, slightly pale, with a deep crease on either side running from the corners of his eyes beside his nose down beneath his eyes.
But the most striking feature was his eyes!
His eyes were bloodred, with three comma-shaped marks around each pupil, like an abyss ready to swallow anyone who looked into them.
Asuma Sarutobi and Kurenai's pupils trembled violently at the sight of his face.
It was...
Itachi Uchiha!
Clack—clack—clack—
Itachi Uchiha slowly removed his hat and tossed it to the ground. Then he began undoing the buttons on his chest one by one.
"..."
A smile tugged at Asuma Sarutobi's lips, but cold sweat had already begun running down his face!
"Are you acquaintances of Mr. Itachi? Then allow me to introduce myself, too."
The tall figure standing beside Itachi Uchiha spoke slowly.
His voice was extremely hoarse, almost like a monster's.
"Kisame Hoshigaki. I look forward to working with you..."
The strange man also took off his hat, revealing his face.
!!!
He had a face remarkably like a shark's and blue-gray skin. When he grinned, his teeth were razor-sharp.
Though Kisame Hoshigaki spoke politely, Asuma Sarutobi didn't seem inclined to return the courtesy.
"There won't be any 'working together.' I'll take you down right here!"
"Hahaha..."
Kisame Hoshigaki let out a raspy laugh. He glanced at Itachi Uchiha beside him and said with a grin,
"Mr. Itachi, it seems the people in the village really hate you."
Kurenai, who had been staring at Kisame Hoshigaki, suddenly seemed to remember something.
She parted her red lips.
"I know you, too, Kisame Hoshigaki. You're a former shinobi of the Hidden Mist Village, a fugitive wanted by the Land of Water and other nations on suspicion of murdering the daimyo and engaging in acts of sabotage against the country."
"You're an S-rank criminal on the wanted list!"
Asuma Sarutobi's gaze was ice-cold. He looked at Itachi Uchiha and continued,
"You caused such a serious incident, yet you still dare enter this village. You've got nerve!"
"Mr. Asuma, Miss Kurenai... please don't interfere with me. I don't want to kill you!"
Itachi Uchiha still spoke politely, but a chill had begun to creep into his voice.
With a cigarette between his lips, Asuma Sarutobi shot him a cold look and scoffed.
"That doesn't sound like something you would say, considering you killed your own people. At least I know you wouldn't come here without a purpose... What are you doing here, dressed like this and strolling around so casually?!"
Kisame Hoshigaki grinned, though his smile was cold and stiff.
He reached behind himself and drew the strange weapon tightly wrapped in white cloth, then slammed it straight into the ground.
Stones flew everywhere, and a cloud of dust billowed up.
"This guy's pretty annoying. Want me to kill him?"
"It seems we won't be able to leave the village peacefully... but don't go overboard. Your techniques are too conspicuous."
Kisame Hoshigaki gave a slight nod after hearing Itachi Uchiha's answer.
His muscles swelled, and he lunged at Asuma in an instant!
He raised his right hand high and hurled the strange weapon at Asuma Sarutobi.
Asuma didn't dare take him lightly. He channeled chakra into the weapon in his hand, which resembled brass knuckles but had blades extending from the underside.
Bang, bang, bang!
The two fought back and forth, neither able to gain the upper hand!
Meanwhile, Kurenai was busy as well. A strange smile appeared on her lips as she swiftly formed Hand Seals.
Gradually, her body vanished before everyone's eyes.
Bang, bang, bang... Bang!
Kisame Hoshigaki brought his blade down in another powerful strike. Asuma barely managed to block it with both hands gripping his Chakra Blades.
But under the crushing force of Kisame Hoshigaki's strength, the great blade crept closer and closer to Asuma Sarutobi's arm, until it finally made contact.
"Hehehehe, my great blade Samehada... isn't meant for cutting. It's meant for shaving!"
With that, he yanked his right hand back.
Rip—
The white cloth around Samehada tore, revealing row upon row of strange barbs.
Blood gushed from Asuma Sarutobi's shoulder.
Just as Kisame Hoshigaki was about to press his advantage, the soil beneath his feet began creeping upward, wrapping around his legs.
Behind Itachi Uchiha, a tree began to grow. Its branches stretched out and bound him tightly against the trunk.
But Itachi Uchiha remained expressionless. He slowly raised his head and looked up.
Kurenai gradually emerged from within the tree, gripping a Kunai and thrusting it at Itachi Uchiha.
"Heh..."
A disdainful smile touched Itachi Uchiha's lips.
A flash of red crossed his Sharingan, and suddenly the two of them switched places.
Kurenai appeared where the tree had originally bound Itachi Uchiha, while Itachi Uchiha appeared beside the tree, watching Kurenai coldly.
"That level of genjutsu won't work on me."
Whoosh—
A long blade slid out from beneath Itachi Uchiha's cloak, then shot toward Kurenai with lightning speed.
Kurenai's eyes widened, as if she couldn't believe her genjutsu had been reflected back at her.
But she reacted swiftly, dispelling her genjutsu at the very last moment.
The backlash made blood trickle from the corner of her mouth, but she still managed to duck in time to avoid Itachi Uchiha's deadly strike. Only a few strands of her hair were cut off.
Seeing Kurenai evade his attack, Itachi Uchiha didn't hesitate. He spun around and kicked straight at her.
This time, Kurenai had no chance to dodge. She could only cross her arms in front of her face and take the kick head-on!
The tremendous force sent Kurenai flying several meters. With a splash, she fell into the river.