Deep in the mountains and forests, the ruins of the Fire Temple.
Master Kūsuke led Asuma's team, who had arrived at the scene, into the ruins.
Dozens of coffins lay across the broken walls and ruins, exuding a faint sense of sorrow.
Asuma stared at the scene before him, his face grim.
Hearing Kūsuke's words,
Even the body of Chiriku was taken away by the murderer, and Asuma almost couldn't suppress his anger.
Behind him, Izumo Kamizuki flipped through the intelligence report in his hand.
"The bounty on the black market for the Chiriku is very high, and the killer is even carrying a body. We should be able to find out information by Bounty Station."
Kotetsu Hagane, who works in the Konoha Torture and Interrogation Force, added, " The Bounty Station a total of five bases within the Land of Fire."
"The nearest one is within an hour's drive."
Looking around at the desolate landscape, especially the clearly visible handprints on the ground!
Shikamaru, who had been taken along by Asuma for training, said in a deep voice, " Asuma- sensei, please don't act impulsively even if you encounter enemies."
"With just the four of us, we're probably no match for them."
"I think we should ask the village for help."
Asuma remained relatively calm. "Let's go to the Bounty Station to gather information first."
"If there is any news of the enemy, we will send a request for help to the village."
"Itachi-san, someone like you... would you really be saddened by the Hokage's death?"
Kisame looked at Itachi's indifferent face and asked softly.
Several days of travel
He's always lost in thought, looking like he's preoccupied with something.
This is nothing like the Itachi we always knew.
The only reason Kisame could think of for Itachi's actions was the recent chaos in Konoha.
Itachi didn't answer, but slowly took a step forward and asked in a deep voice:
" Kisame, Kirigakure is no longer the Village of the Bloody Mist and mist it once was. Why are you still in the organization?"
Kisame paused, turning to look at Itachi: "I don't know what you're thinking, you cold-hearted one."
"But you must understand the indescribable feeling of killing your own people."
"Since birth, we've been fighting like brothers; you and I are both beyond redemption."
Kisame grinned, self-deprecatingly saying, "Back in the Bloody Mist..."
"I killed my own men, I killed my own superiors, and in the end, I came to hate my own village."
"Now that Kirigakure's blood policy has been abolished, I should have no reason to continue my defection."
"But perhaps it's out of fear of the gaze of my former comrades. Or perhaps it's because I don't want to set foot again on that land where I buried countless of my comrades' bones."
"Right now, all I want is to be Kisame Hoshigaki of the Akatsuki, and all I want is to be your partner."
Although Madara's order was to monitor Itachi,
But after working together as a team for several years, Kisame felt that Itachi was someone he could respect.
Therefore, these words came from Kisame's true feelings.
There was unrest in the village due to the deaths of Third.
However, Kakuzu's influence also played Kakuzu in Itachi's unease.
Hidan has been replaced by that person, Kakuzu is also a company employee, and as for himself...
Knowing that Kisame was by their side was not only for teamwork, but also for surveillance.
But Kisame's past experiences and his loyal character are also important.
If possible, Itachi wanted to save his life.
" Kisame, those who have harmed their comrades never end well, right?"
Kisame chuckled and replied, "Yes, Itachi-san. People like us... are destined for a bad end."
Itachi nodded expressionlessly. "Let's go, we'll be at Yugakure soon."
In just a few days,
Every shop in Yugakure now has a sign for a new cult hanging on its door!
The golden lucky cat has become the totem of faith in Yugakure.
Some people didn't believe it before...
After staining several bathhouses with blood, now everyone's starting to believe.
Yugakure Gate
Kisame looked at Itachi with surprise and said uncertainly, "This is Yugakure, right?"
Kisame pointed to the golden cat hanging high in front of the door. "This damn thing, could it be the Jashin Hidan worships???"
"Shark Face, do you want to die?!"
"How dare you point at my beloved Lord Jashin in such a tone!"
On Haruma, carrying a giant scythe, he strode out of the door with an incredibly arrogant pigeon-toed gait.
Kisame slowly pulled out Samehada from his back and chuckled, "Kid, didn't anyone teach you how to greet your senior?"
Haruma looked at Kisame with a defiant expression, "Nobody's ever taught me, why don't you give it a try?"
"Etc."
Itachi stopped Kisame, frowning as he looked at Haruma: "Now is not the time for infighting. We'll need to cooperate for the next mission."
Kisame slowly lowered Samehada. "Itachi-san, I'll accept this as a favor to you."
Itachi didn't want Haruma to attack Kisame right now, so Kakuzu immediately asked Kakuzu behind Haruma:
"The angels should have already given their orders; have you chosen your next target?"
Regarding the mission reward, Haruma temporarily forgave Kisame's disrespect.
"Certainly."
With an excited expression, Haruma shouted, "Two groups combined, we're going to make it big!"
"One ticket is worth a year's worth of work; the leader and the Jashin should both be happy."
Seeing Haruma's expression, Itachi felt inexplicably uneasy. "Who is the target?"
Kakuzu and Hidan primarily earn their money through black market bounties.
Therefore, the "big jobs" that Haruma mentioned here should refer to the top few on the black market list.
Let's set off now.
Carrying his weapon, Haruma Tian led the way, saying, "Once we reach the Land of Lightning, you'll know the mission objective."
Itachi stood in front of Kisame, his gaze secretly sweeping towards Kakuzu.
Noticing Itachi's gaze, Kakuzu slightly shook his head, indicating that he also didn't know who the target was.
Itachi had no choice but to look away and follow Haruma's steps.
Kisame, unaware of the secret exchange between the two, simply looked at Kakuzu with curiosity, "Are the brats in your group always this arrogant?"
Kakuzu nodded in response, without saying anything more.
Whether it's Hidan from before, or Haruma now.
They're all even more arrogant than the last.
The first arrogant one has already been cut into five pieces and hung up like cured meat by the second one.
He glanced up at the ominous sign hanging high above... God.
Kisame grinned and walked at the back of the group.
At the front of the group, Itachi slowly approached Haruma's position. "Why did you attack Konoha?"
Orochimaru appeared disguised as the Kazekage, and afterwards, the Rinnegan also appeared.
If you were to say that Haruma wasn't behind all of this, even if you beat Sasuke to death, Itachi wouldn't believe it.
"He's just Sarutobi. Although he's the Hokage, he doesn't represent Konoha."
"Besides..."
Haruma glanced sideways at Itachi behind him, a hint of crimson flashing in his eyes. "Watch your tone when you talk to me."
"You're just an employee of the company, while I'm the boss. I don't need to inform you in advance what I want to do."
"It's only been a few years, and you've become quite presumptuous, Itachi."
The words, spoken lightly, carried an overwhelming killing intent and vanished in a flash.
Over the years, Itachi has also grown rapidly.
Even now, Itachi is confident he can remain undefeated against Kage Level powerhouse.
I thought that even if I wasn't a match for this person, the gap between us wouldn't be too big.
result,
That single, chilling glance brought a terrifying pressure that surged through my heart like a tidal wave...
Itachi's pupils suddenly contracted, and a bead of cold sweat slid down his forehead.
At a glance, it seemed like an insurmountable chasm.