The Terror of Shisui

"Long time no see, Kakashi, Asuma, Kurenai!"

The suspicious figure before them slowly lifted his hat, revealing a face they knew all too well.

"Shisui!"

"You didn't come all this way just to catch up, did you?"

Kakashi raised a Kunai and took a fighting stance, every muscle tense and ready to react.

Judging by their clothes, the two belonged to the same organization. Anyone in Shisui's organization was bound to be a formidable fighter.

Konoha had only just endured the Sand Ninja incident. If two more Kage Level fighters came with hostile intentions, the village would never withstand them!

"You want to know why we're here? We came to take something."

"What?"

"The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki!"

"What?!"

"Hand over the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and we'll leave, just as you'd like!"

"Genjutsu: Absolute Lotus!"

Shisui Uchiha and his companion suddenly found themselves trapped inside an enormous lotus. Its petals slowly closed around them, radiating danger.

"You're finished!" Confidence filled Kurenai Yuhi's delicate face.

"Look again!"

"How am I in there?!"

Kurenai Yuhi realized her Genjutsu had been turned against her. As the petals closed, a powerful force slammed into her mind.

She spat blood and collapsed to the ground.

"Kurenai!"

Kakashi had known it wouldn't be that simple. This was Body Flicker Shisui, a name feared throughout the Shinobi World.

"Kakashi, if you have a plan, say it now!"

Asuma gripped Flying Swallow, his face grave.

Of everyone there, Kakashi undoubtedly knew Shisui Uchiha best.

"I don't have one!"

"Uchiha Style: Gale Sword!"

Shisui Uchiha appeared behind Asuma Sarutobi without warning. His sword, wreathed in scorching flames, slashed down before anyone could react.

Battle instincts let Asuma twist aside by a fraction, but the blade still carved a wound into his arm deep enough to expose bone.

In an instant, Kurenai and Asuma, two of Konoha's Jonin, were out of the fight.

Cold sweat ran down Kakashi's face. He had no plan because Shisui Uchiha was the perfect Ninja, with no weakness to exploit. Only overwhelming strength could suppress him. Otherwise, no one could beat him.

"Mr. Shisui, you move fast. Even I couldn't react!"

The other man removed his hat, revealing a sharklike face and pointed teeth.

"Another S-rank Missing-nin—Kisame Hoshigaki of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist!"

Kakashi swallowed. He could not let them into the village.

"Asuma, can you still move?"

"I think so!"

"Take Kurenai and find Guy, Itachi, and Uchiha Fugaku for backup! I'll hold them here!"

Kakashi's eyes showed he was prepared to die.

"Earth Release: Earth Flow Rampart!"

Walls of earth rose on all four sides, enclosing Uchiha Itachi, Kakashi, and Kisame Hoshigaki.

"Lightning Release: Purple Electricity!"

Purple lightning sprang from Kakashi's hand as he lunged at Kisame Hoshigaki.

Strike first. Purple Electricity required no Hand Seals, allowing him to attack instantly.

Kisame Hoshigaki raised his greatsword to block. Its bandages tore away, exposing Samehada's dark blue blade and rows of barbs.

The Purple Electricity in Kakashi's hand vanished at once. Samehada retched and let out several growls.

"Did that hurt you?"

Kisame Hoshigaki looked puzzled too. He had never expected Samehada to find someone's Chakra unappetizing.

"Mr. Shisui, just watch from the side! I'll handle this one!"

Shisui Uchiha flipped away with the lightness of a swallow and landed in a tree to watch Kisame Hoshigaki fight.

That greatsword absorbs Chakra? I need to keep my distance!

Even if it can absorb Ninjutsu, how much can it take in that condition?

"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!"

A water dragon rose from the nearby lake, purple lightning coursing over its body.

"Water Release: Exploding Water Colliding Wave!"

After forming Hand Seals, Kisame Hoshigaki leaped into the air and poured a relentless torrent from his mouth, meeting Kakashi's attack head-on.

Kakashi felt a little relieved. How could Water Release at this level compare to his water dragon, strengthened with Purple Electricity?

But his relief vanished. Water kept pouring from Kisame Hoshigaki's mouth as though his supply would never run dry.

Before that sea of water, the little dragon was helpless. It was crushed and swallowed by the torrent.

Kisame Hoshigaki charged across the river he had created.

"Lightning Release: Purple Electricity!"

"What is that?"

A shark had appeared and was gnawing on Kakashi's arm. He quickly tore it off, but Kisame was already in front of him.

The greatsword came down. Despite its weight, Kisame swung it as though it were nothing.

Clang!

A short blade stopped it.

"Itachi!"

"Tsukuyomi!"

Itachi's Mangekyō opened instantly as he looked at Kisame Hoshigaki. Kisame staggered and had to lean on Samehada to keep from falling.

Itachi's strength is terrifying!

A Ninja Kakashi had needed every ounce of concentration to face had fallen so easily.

"Kisame, come back! You're no match for Itachi!"

Kisame Hoshigaki obediently retreated to Itachi's side.

"Itachi, long time no see!"

"You're a missing-nin. What are you doing back in Konoha? Aren't you afraid of dying?" Uchiha Itachi asked coldly.

"No one in Konoha can kill me!"

The pressure from Shisui Uchiha and Itachi collided. Kakashi had survived countless battles, yet even he could not keep fear from rising in his heart.

Just how strong are these two?

In the original story, Itachi had borne the twin burdens of destroying his clan and serving as a spy. Along with his use of the Mangekyō, those pressures had ruined his body.

This Itachi carried no such burden and had suffered no loss of ocular power. He was at his peak.

"Let's go, Kisame!"

Shisui Uchiha turned and left.

Kisame Hoshigaki followed him. "Why not destroy Konoha right now?"

"Destroying it would draw too much attention and expose the organization. The plan hasn't begun yet, so we can't do that. Testing them was enough!" Shisui Uchiha explained.

"Lord Hokage, you should strengthen Konoha's Barrier Ninjutsu. Don't make it so easy for us to get in next time!" Shisui Uchiha called back mockingly.

No one dared chase after him. Other than Uchiha Itachi, who could be sure of making it back alive?

That night.

Uchiha Itachi sat silently in the hall. A crow flew in and landed before him.

Itachi followed the crow and found Shisui waiting for him.

"Itachi, long time no see!"

"Yeah. It really has been a long time!"

Neither had much time to reminisce.

Shisui Uchiha told him everything: what kind of organization he had joined and what it intended to do.

"Collect all Nine Tailed Beasts!"

"An organization of ten S-rank Missing-nin!"

"Shisui, why don't you leave? It's too dangerous!"

"I'll be fine. Gathering intelligence is what matters most!"

Shisui then told him everything he knew about the Masked Man's abilities and those of his partner, Kisame Hoshigaki.

"That's vital intelligence!"

"I'd better get back. That Tsukuyomi of yours hurt Kisame badly enough to give me a chance to slip out, pass on the information, and see you!"

Shisui Uchiha left immediately, without lingering.

Brother Shisui, when you return, I'll clear your name!

Uchiha Itachi made that promise silently to himself.