Communicating with Animals

"Konoha really is impressive."

At the underground bounty exchange, Sasori, wearing an Akatsuki uniform that made him look incredibly bloated, mocked softly.

"I've met this child before. He was a good kid. I never expected him to end up taking this path too."

Orochimaru, also dressed in the uniform, ignored Sasori's mocking tone. A sinister smile appeared on his face as he spoke with some emotion.

"The Uchiha Clan—such a troublesome Lineage—was wiped out by a twelve-year-old brat. An S-rank rogue ninja at twelve... truly remarkable."

Seeing that his annoying partner was ignoring him, Sasori immediately lost interest.

"Orochimaru, you're no slouch either. You assassinated the Kazekage at such a young age. If that achievement were exposed, the entire ninja world would be shocked."

Orochimaru extended his long tongue and licked his lips, smiling with an effeminate menace.

Seeing Orochimaru's irritating appearance, Sasori could not be bothered to respond.

He hated effeminate men the most.

"Another member has joined the organization. Go make money diligently..."

A masked man with green eyes spoke in a cheerful voice. Holding a small notebook, he stuck a finger into his mouth, moistened it on his tongue, then flipped through the pages.

He made reading notes look like counting stacks of cash.

"We should go!"

Just as Kakuzu was becoming absorbed, a voice came from nearby.

Kakuzu paused slightly.

"What an annoying bastard!"

Kakuzu muttered softly, his patience with this partner dropping another notch.

If he got the chance, he would kill this trash partner too!

"Itachi, what do you think about this mission?"

Juzo and Itachi walked out of Pain's office.

"I think while standing."

Itachi walked ahead without looking back.

He merely replied indifferently.

Sensing that Itachi had become like a different person the moment he accepted a mission, Juzo felt somewhat helpless...

"Um..."

Looking at Itachi ahead of him, Juzo had not wanted to say anything, but he still spoke softly.

"What is it now?"

Itachi turned back to look at Juzo, asking somewhat impatiently...

"You're going the wrong way..."

Questioned by Itachi's impatient tone, Juzo felt a little depressed...

But he still spoke softly...

Juzo's words made Itachi pause slightly, and his footsteps came to a stop.

"Oh. You know the way, so you lead..."

Itachi spoke calmly, without the slightest embarrassment.

As though he had no idea what shame was.

Juzo felt a sense of foreboding. Being partnered with such a solitary, shameless brat would be difficult, wouldn't it...

Of course, what he did not know was that Itachi was doing it deliberately.

He simply did not want anyone to see through his true personality and expose his inner thoughts.

Besides, constantly acting like an expressionless man was not much fun either...

Having finally come to this world, he wanted to enjoy life properly. If he wore an expressionless, mature, aloof face all day, no pretty girls would like him, right...

Of course, more importantly, he felt that with his current strength, as long as he did not encounter an overly troublesome opponent, he should not be in much danger. So he had gotten a little carried away...

After all, in the current ninja world, their organization was probably the most dangerous force...

"The target of this mission is a ninja with a bounty on his head. Our task is to find him and bring his head to the bounty exchange."

After the two left the Hidden Rain Village, Juzo did not hurry onward. Instead, he explained the details of the mission to Itachi.

"Oh."

Itachi had no intention of interrupting. He merely responded indifferently to show that he was listening.

Juzo suddenly lost all interest in talking...

Watching Juzo continue on ahead without speaking, Itachi casually took out a conical hat, put it on his head, and adjusted it.

He was probably wanted now as well, and the bounty on him was likely not small.

It was best not to expose himself if he could avoid it.

After all, the Akatsuki were not the only ones in the ninja world who worked as bounty hunters and killed wanted ninja.

He was still a rogue ninja. Once his trail was exposed,

Konoha would take action as well. That would be rather troublesome.

The two traveled at an unhurried pace, as though they were sightseeing.

After traveling for several hours, Juzo stopped.

"What is it?"

Seeing Juzo stop ahead of him, Itachi had not sensed anyone nearby, so he was somewhat puzzled.

"Why did you put on such an ugly hat..."

Hanzo had turned around, ready to answer Itachi, when he saw that Itachi had somehow put on a conical hat. He looked bewildered.

"This hat is pretty good. It not only blocks the sun, but also hides my face well. As a rogue ninja, it's better to be careful."

Itachi responded to Juzo's words indifferently.

"You're quite cautious, kid."

Hearing Itachi's words, Juzo gave him a light compliment.

"There's simply no need to invite trouble."

"Let's rest for a while. At our speed, it'll take about two days to reach the destination."

Hanzo did not respond to Itachi's words.

He did not like that ugly hat, so he did not wear it when he was out in the wilderness.

Only when passing through more populated areas would he take the hat from his sealing scroll and put it on.

Of course, even if he wore the hat, the exaggerated Executioner's Blade on his back would mercilessly betray his identity...

At most, it provided a bit of psychological comfort.

"What a tedious stretch of traveling... It would be nice if we had a summoned beast to ride..."

Hearing Juzo's words, Itachi spoke with some feeling.

Juzo did not respond to Itachi's remark.

All of his strength revolved around the Executioner's Blade.

Summoned beasts were merely external tools to him, so he was not particularly interested in them.

"Can you cook? We've been walking for so long. Shouldn't we eat something?"

Itachi formed hand seals and produced some water, taking several satisfying drinks before feeling hungry.

"Why bother cooking? It's too troublesome, and lighting a fire in the wilderness can easily cause trouble. Just chew some soldier pills. They're nutritious."

Remembering the taste of soldier pills from his memories, Itachi's face turned green.

"You eat them. I'll go find some cute little animals and communicate with them..."

Watching Juzo begin eating soldier pills, Itachi felt deeply disgusted.

Those things were expensive and tasted awful.

They were fine in an emergency, but eating them regularly was truly unbearable...

"Oh, right. These are some supplies I bought for you..."

Seeing Itachi about to leave his sight, Juzo took out a small scroll and tossed it to him.

Hearing Juzo's words, Itachi paused slightly and caught the scroll he had thrown.

Then he opened it.

Inside, he found kunai, explosive tags, and other supplies.

"You just defected, so you probably didn't have much money on you. I got these for you, but remember to pay me back."

Seeing the items in his hands, Itachi was about to say something.

Then he heard Juzo's words and felt a slight warmth in his heart.

"Then, thanks."

The corner of Itachi's mouth lifted slightly, revealing a faint smile.

"Remember to pay me back. I just don't want your combat strength to be affected, only for it to affect my performance later."

Hearing Itachi's words, Juzo spoke casually.

Itachi did not continue the conversation. With his back to Juzo, he raised one of the kunai Juzo had given him in a wave, picked a direction, and walked away. His figure soon vanished into the forest.

"That kid... he really is still just a kid..."

Watching Itachi's departing back, Juzo murmured quietly.

Then he remembered the little animals Itachi had mentioned. The soldier pill that had seemed reasonably edible moments ago instantly became hard to swallow...

"Wait for me. I'm going to communicate with some little animals too..."

Juzo hurriedly got up and chased after Itachi in the direction he had left.