Kisame Hoshigaki was immensely pleased. When schemes reached Mingye's level, they became so open and aboveboard that even if he sold you out, you would never notice. Jiraiya, who was investigating Akatsuki and Orochimaru, would never have imagined, even in his dreams, that he was the one being watched and controlled. What was even more impossible for Jiraiya to know was that Mingye was not merely monitoring him—he wanted to slaughter all of Mount Myoboku.
"If Mingye hadn't forbidden Jiraiya's death, honestly, I'd really like to find out whether one of the legendary Three Sannin truly lived up to the legend! Take this!"
He tossed a vial filled with blood to Kabuto. After speaking, Kisame Hoshigaki watched as Kabuto Yakushi opened it, dripped a drop of blood onto a square piece of paper, and saw the paper turn black the instant it touched the blood. Kabuto Yakushi immediately threw the paper onto the ground, took out a mirror, and handed it to Kisame Hoshigaki.
"The latest order from my lord is that Sasuke must be provoked even more viciously. When cracks appear in this light, it will mean Sasuke has truly awakened. Before then, my lord hopes you will show sufficient curiosity! Let him grow!"
Kisame Hoshigaki nodded. If Sasuke was to grow, the anger within him had to be provoked without limit. At this stage, having Itachi meet Sasuke seemed like an excellent plan. As for his own curiosity, a suitable display of it would leave no trace at all; even Itachi would never spot any flaw.
"Is that so? That works too. I'll carry it out. If there's nothing else, I'll be taking my leave."
"Farewell!"
Yellow sand swept through the sky. Even though the rocks blocked it outside the narrow pass, the weather within Sunagakure still left