Within the Land of Rivers.
"Rumble—" "Rumble—"
Massive peals of thunder continuously rumbled through the gloomy sky.
At the edge of a lakeside, outside an unremarkable wooden cabin, a tall figure stood with his head raised, staring at the distant sky.
"Crack!" "Crack!"...
At that moment, a blue-skinned figure slowly walked out of the cabin.
Strangely, every time he took a step, the wooden floor beneath his feet seemed unable to bear his weight and instantly shattered.
He had only just walked outside, yet he had already left a trail of shattered wreckage behind him.
The blue figure scratched his head in frustration. Grinning, he spoke in a hoarse, troubled voice.
"What a pain. Who would've thought that one day I'd be troubled by having too much power!"
Hearing his voice, the tall figure who had been standing outside the cabin slowly turned his head. His pair of emotionless emerald eyes swept lightly over him as he said flatly, "That is only because your control over your power used to be far too poor, Kisame."
As he said this, his gaze flicked lightly to his side.
"Whoosh!"
A black-haired figure suddenly appeared on the scene, his movements incomparably fluid.
The tall figure with emerald eyes glanced at the newcomer, then looked at Kisame and said calmly, "If you could perform like Itachi, I would not still be here accompanying you two."
Hearing that, Kisame scratched his head somewhat sheepishly. He gave the tall figure an embarrassed look and said hoarsely, "I'm truly sorry for causing you trouble, Lord Ulquiorra."
Ulquiorra did not say much in response. He merely turned back around and continued gazing at the gloomy sky in the distance.
Seeing this, Kisame's eyes widened slightly, and he asked curiously, "I've wanted to ask since the beginning... Have you