Akatsuki

## Hidden Sound Village ##

Orochimaru was cursing Naruto.

During the battle, he had lost the ability to mold chakra in that arm. He could not perform any ninjutsu that required hand signs.

Even Kabuto could not heal it.

Of course, Orochimaru had a solution: changing bodies. But he wanted to wait for someone very special, and he could feel that person drawing closer and closer. He could sense all of Sasuke's hatred and desire for revenge. Soon, Sasuke would belong to Orochimaru. Most importantly, he possessed the Mangekyo Sharingan Orochimaru had always wanted.

"Only one person might be able to heal me," Orochimaru said, sweating profusely.

"Who?" Kabuto asked, adjusting his glasses.

"My former teammate, Tsunade Senju." Orochimaru's eyes gleamed. "Contact our spy. We leave now."

## Konoha's Dango Stall ##

Two cloaked figures were drinking tea and eating dango.

They were members of Akatsuki, also hunting the tailed beasts, though no one knew it.

"Did you hear the news?" one civilian asked. Both Akatsuki members focused on the conversation.

"What?" another civilian replied.

"That kid, Naruto Uzumaki, is Senju Naruto now. Apparently, he's the heir of the Senju Clan, the First Hokage's great-grandson," the civilian said.

"Did you hear that, Mr. Itachi?" one Akatsuki member asked his partner.

"Yes, Kisame. We must inform the boss," Itachi replied. Kisame nodded.

"Didn't you say he was an Uchiha because he has the Sharingan?" the civilian said. Itachi's eyes widened, revealing a pair of blood-red eyes with three tomoe.

"Interesting... How could Naruto have the Sharingan?" Itachi pondered. I'm certain I killed every member of my clan except my foolish little brother. Senior Kushina and Minato didn't have the Sharingan... Could it be the Nine-Tails? Possibilities flashed through Itachi's mind.

"What are you thinking about?" Kisame asked.

"How could Naruto be an Uchiha... It makes no sense," Itachi replied.

"Well, if you listened to what they were saying, you'd know... Apparently, that kid is Madara Uchiha's grandson," Kisame said. Itachi froze.

He never said he had a grandson... If he did, he would most likely use him to achieve his goals. Senior Kushina didn't give off chakra similar to an Uchiha's. That leaves Minato. Itachi thought. Minato never showed his Sharingan, but he might have... been deceiving us.

"Very interesting," Itachi said, and they continued listening to the conversation.

"It's fortunate the Third is retiring. He did so much for our village," a civilian said.

"Yes, Tsunade Senju has been chosen as the Fifth Hokage," another civilian said.

"It seems the title of Hokage has fallen to the Senju Clan once again," the civilian replied.

"I know," the other said with a laugh. "Lord Jiraiya and Naruto can find her and bring her back."

"Looks like we're lucky. The Nine-Tails just left town," Kisame said.

"Let's go," Itachi replied. They both stood and left the stall.

As they passed through the village and headed out, they encountered two familiar faces.

"You aren't from this village, are you?" Asuma asked warily, staring at the unknown men before him. "What are you doing here?"

"Long time no see, Asuma, Kurenai Yuhi," Itachi said in his monotone voice.

"If you know who we are, then you must be a ninja from this village," Asuma said. Itachi simply lifted his hat, revealing his blood-red eyes. The moment they saw them, they tensed.

"Itachi Uchiha?" Asuma asked. Itachi lowered his hat, letting his hair flutter in the wind as he faced the two chunin before him.

"You know these people, Mr. Itachi?" Kisame asked, removing his own hat as well. "Allow me to introduce myself. Kisame Hoshigaki. Pleased to meet you."

"You still dare show your faces after what you did?" Asuma asked.

"I'll take both of you down," Asuma said.

"Mr. Itachi, it seems you have quite a few enemies in this village," Kisame said with a laugh.

"I know who you are," Kurenai Yuhi said, staring at Kisame. "Kisame Hoshigaki, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist."

"You shouldn't have come, Itachi," Asuma said.

"Don't interfere with my work. I don't want to kill you," Itachi said.

"What did you come here for?" Asuma asked.

"You're very annoying," Kisame said, drawing his sword and slamming it into the ground, sending debris flying and dust billowing. "Should I kill them?" Kisame asked Itachi.

"Looks like we'll have to make a big fuss," Itachi said.

As Kisame raised his sword and tried to strike Asuma, Asuma drew his trench knives and blocked it.

Using Asuma's cover, Kurenai Yuhi formed hand signs and vanished into thin air.

Genjutsu? Itachi thought.

Asuma began to sweat as the sword forced him back. Kisame was far stronger than him, and he was only using one hand.

Kisame pulled back his sword, tearing Asuma's skin and making him grimace in pain. By then, Kurenai Yuhi had prepared her genjutsu.

"You're late, Kurenai Yuhi," Asuma said, touching his arm.

At that moment, the ground around Kisame began to melt, trapping him and leaving him unable to move. Behind Itachi, a tree suddenly grew from the ground, pinning him in place. Kurenai Yuhi appeared from behind the tree, kunai in hand, ready to kill him.

"This is your end," Kurenai Yuhi said, but moments later, she realized she herself had been nailed to the tree, watching Itachi charge at her with a blade.

Kurenai Yuhi bit her lip, using the pain to break the illusion. The instant she broke free, she ducked beneath Itachi's horizontal slash. Seeing her crouch, Itachi kicked her, sending her into the nearby river.

"Kurenai Yuhi!" Asuma shouted worriedly.

"Is that all?" Itachi said.

"But this is your end," another voice said from behind Itachi. He turned to face Kakashi.

Kisame began forming hand signs:

"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet."

A water dragon rose from the river and charged toward Asuma.

Suddenly, another equally powerful dragon appeared from nowhere and collided with Kisame's dragon, destroying both.

"What are you doing here?" Asuma asked.

"I thought you might need help," Kakashi replied.

Suddenly, Itachi rushed forward with shuriken in hand.

Kakashi leaped back.

"Water Release: Water Wall."

A wall of water rose around Kakashi, blocking the four shuriken.

Suddenly, an Itachi Shadow Clone stabbed toward Kakashi from behind, but Kakashi turned into a puddle of water—it was a clone too.

"Feel the terror of being dominated by the Sharingan!" Itachi said, his eyes slowly opening.