"All done?"
Kisame had returned to his normal size.
Itachi appeared beside Kisame and patted him on the shoulder.
Just moments ago, he had watched a massive shark comparable in size to a tailed beast sink its teeth straight into the Four-Tails!
"I was worried he'd die of exhaustion. I didn't expect to end up having to do this anyway."
Kisame hoisted Roshi's body with Samehada and slung him over his shoulder.
"It took some effort, but I still pulled it off..."
"You really can't underestimate anyone..."
Kisame nodded. He really had been too arrogant this time.
If he hadn't insisted on waiting for Roshi to surrender, this wouldn't have dragged on so long.
"Let's head back and report. Take it more seriously next time."
"Got it."
Kisame sighed. With the unconscious Roshi in tow, the two prepared to head back.
Just as they were about to leave, Zetsu emerged from underground.
"Thanks for your hard work, both of you."
Itachi lowered his head and glanced at the Aloe Head emerging from the ground.
"Oh! If it isn't Zetsu! Were you watching the whole time?"
"Yes. It was a spectacular fight!"
Zetsu climbed out of the ground and pointed in a direction.
"Follow me. I'll take you to the Experimental Base."
"All right."
The two followed Zetsu, heading toward Obito and Orochimaru's base.
"Xuanhui, it's only been two days, and you're already back?"
"We mainly went so Pakura could visit her old home. There wasn't much to do in Sunagakure, so we came back."
"Honestly..."
Minato handed Xuanhui the ANBU roster, asking him to keep his earlier promise.
He was supposed to help pick out a decent assistant for the Hokage.
Shikaku Nara was a strategist. What Minato Namikaze wanted in a Hokage's assistant was someone who could