On a stretch of rocky desert in the Land of Wind, several thousand miles from Sunagakure.
A woman and a young man were walking on foot.
"By the way, Konan, where's the Akatsuki base?"
The two of them were Chen Xiaoxi, who had been in Sunagakure earlier, and Konan of the Akatsuki.
"The Land of Rain, in Amegakure!"
Konan answered without hesitation.
"Oh, Amegakure. We've still got a long way to go, then."
Chen Xiaoxi knew perfectly well where the Akatsuki base was. Still, it was better to pretend he didn't. He had joined the Akatsuki partly to grow stronger and partly to continue his mission and claim its rewards.
"Konan, looks like we've run into some familiar faces."
Just then, he spotted two people approaching in the distance.
Their clothes were distinctive: black robes embroidered with cloud patterns. They were the Akatsuki's signature cloaks.
The two came closer. One was Itachi Uchiha, and the other was his partner, Kisame.
"Can't believe we'd run into someone we know out here."
Kisame was just as bewildered.
The two of them were on a mission and had happened to pass through this area. They never expected to run into another living person in a place this desolate.
"Kisame, Itachi Uchiha!"
Konan hadn't expected to run into them here, either.
"Kisame, let's keep moving."
Itachi called out as if greeting them, then spoke to Kisame.
Kisame nodded and was about to leave when he noticed the black sword on Chen Xiaoxi's back. His eyes immediately lit up. "Wait, Itachi. Don't leave just yet."
"What is it?"
Itachi sounded a little impatient.
"That weapon of his looks unusual. I want it."
Kisame licked his lips excitedly.
Known as the Tailless Tailed Beast and the wielder of Samehada, he was interested not only in devouring chakra but also in all kinds of Ninja Blades.
At a glance, Chen Xiaoxi's sword was clearly no ordinary blade. It piqued Kisame's curiosity, and he wanted to get a closer look.
"It's certainly no ordinary Ninja Blade, but don't you already have a weapon?"
He glanced at the black sword and frowned. "Never mind. Don't cause trouble."
"Kisame, Chen Xiaoxi is with the Akatsuki now. Don't do anything reckless."
Konan was exasperated. The sword really was unusual; it had drawn the attention of two Kage Level fighters.
"No. I have to have that weapon."
"Hey, kid. Let me see your sword."
Ignoring Konan, Kisame walked over to Chen Xiaoxi and held out his hand.
"What's wrong with you?"
Chen Xiaoxi cursed at him.
Who just went around demanding other people's weapons? Didn't Kisame know how important a weapon was to a swordsman?
Who would willingly hand one over?
"I only want to take a look. Give it to me."
Kisame's voice carried a hint of command.
"Get lost."
Chen Xiaoxi cursed.
He wasn't exactly good-natured. If Kisame spoke rudely, he wouldn't just put up with it. Who said he had to treat these characters from the original story with kid gloves?
"If you won't give it to me, I'll just have to take it by force."
Kisame slowly drew Samehada, killing intent flashing in his eyes.
"Take it by force?"
He met Kisame's gaze. "Go ahead and try."
A powerful aura burst from Chen Xiaoxi—Bleach's Reiatsu. After killing Sasori of the Red Sands, he had gained a clear understanding of his own strength. He wasn't someone to trifle with anymore.
"You're asking for a beating!"
Kisame charged, swinging his blade down at Chen Xiaoxi's head.
If the blow landed, Samehada's powerful cutting edge would tear Chen Xiaoxi to pieces, killing him on the spot.
Kisame was a bloodthirsty man by nature. Anyone who joined the Akatsuki was willing to kill strangers without a second thought.
Even if this stranger had only just joined the Akatsuki, the organization didn't accept just any Tom, Dick, or Harry.
"Hmph."
Chen Xiaoxi snorted. His arm was coated in Armament Haki as he reached for the blade.
He caught Samehada's edge with pinpoint accuracy. The blade struck his palm with a clear metallic clang.
"What?"
Kisame froze.
He had never seen anything like it—not even in a dream. Someone had caught a Ninja Blade's slash with his bare hand.
"The slash lacked force, and your control of the blade was imprecise. Your skill is terrible."
Chen Xiaoxi shook his head in disappointment, then squeezed hard. "Break!"
Crack.
Fine cracks instantly spread across Samehada, then multiplied until the blade shattered into a pile of fragments.
Chen Xiaoxi had crushed the Ninja Blade to pieces with his bare hand!
"My sword!"
Kisame stared at the fragments on the ground, shocked and furious.
Samehada could absorb chakra and regenerate, so it wasn't a big deal if it was damaged. Even so, Kisame felt the loss keenly.
"You bastard! How dare you break my sword!"
Kisame glared at Chen Xiaoxi, ready to fight to the death.
"Forget it. You're no match for me. I wouldn't even need to draw my sword to beat you. I have no interest in fighting you."
Chen Xiaoxi sighed.
Kisame was indeed powerful. At full strength, he was only slightly weaker than Might Guy in the Seventh Gate state.
But even that level of strength wasn't enough to fight Chen Xiaoxi. One strike from Chen Xiaoxi would be more than he could handle.
Besides, they were in the desert, where Kisame couldn't bring the full force of Water Release to bear. Chen Xiaoxi didn't want to pick on someone who couldn't fight at full strength. That would go against his samurai code.
"You think I'm weak? You little brat!"
Kisame rolled up his sleeves and stepped forward.
"Kisame, stop."
Itachi called out from the side.
"What is it, Mr. Itachi? What did those Sharingan eyes of yours see this time?"
Kisame turned to look at him.
"The boy is right. You're no match for him. Don't cause trouble."
Itachi spoke calmly.
His Sharingan, which he kept activated, had already seen Chen Xiaoxi's movements. Kisame would never be able to handle an opponent like him.
"Well... all right."
Kisame hesitated for a moment, then obediently returned to Itachi's side.
He wasn't convinced, but he trusted Itachi's judgment. Itachi had never been wrong.
"I'm interested in you. How about a fight?"
Chen Xiaoxi looked at Itachi with keen interest.
"No need. I don't want to fight without reason. We have no quarrel."
Itachi shook his head calmly.
He was ill, and his eyesight was growing worse. Unless it was absolutely necessary, he didn't want to waste his remaining life.
"Tch. What a bore."
Chen Xiaoxi shrugged.
"Tell me, young man. Which ninja village are you from?"
Itachi asked.
"Chen Xiaoxi was someone I recruited in Sunagakure. I was ordered to recruit Sasori of the Red Sand, who had killed the Third Kazekage. But by the time I arrived, Sasori of the Red Sand was already dead. Chen Xiaoxi had killed him in a single blow, so I recruited him instead."
Konan explained as she looked at Itachi.
"Kisame, let's go."
Itachi said nothing more and turned to Kisame.
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