Kumogakure.
"Mr. Itachi, your Genjutsu is truly outstanding, even magical. Could it be that I've unknowingly fallen under your Genjutsu?"
Kisame Hoshigaki looked at the Kumogakure ninjas who completely ignored them and clicked his Uchiha Itachi in amazement. He had never met anyone who could use Genjutsu to this extent.
Let alone ordinary Genjutsu ninjas, even other Uchiha couldn't do it. After all, he had killed Uchiha clansmen with Mitsudomoe before, so it was nothing special.
Uchiha Itachi's steps remained steady, ignoring Kisame Hoshigaki's probing, and he continued to use Genjutsu to influence the surrounding Kumogakure, silently infiltrating the Kumogakure.
"If we go any deeper, it will be too late to retreat, Kisame. Let's begin."
Seeing that Uchiha Itachi did not answer, Kisame Hoshigaki grinned, not caring. Even if he had unknowingly fallen into Uchiha Itachi's Genjutsu, he was not confident that he could break free on his own. It was better to pretend that he knew nothing and complete the task of capturing the Tailed Beast first.
Furthermore, he had his own ideas regarding monitoring Uchiha Itachi...
" Water Release: Great Shark Bullet Technique"
In a heavily guarded factory in Kumogakure, Kisame used a large-scale Water Release Ninjutsu with impunity, taking advantage of the nearby river.
The gentle flow of water unleashed extraordinary destructive power in Kisame Hoshigaki's hands, easily tearing apart the factory's thickened walls and steel roof with Water Release Ninjutsu, revealing the ninja tool production line that was in operation inside.
To meet the enormous consumption of ninja tools by ninjas, and given that it was also the most profitable military industry, modern production methods like assembly line manufacturing had already emerged ahead of schedule, including steelmaking, molding, casting, and cooling...
Shuriken and Kunai were produced in the military factory, becoming the weapons in the hands of ninjas to reap lives.
Kisame Hoshigaki stood on the ruins of the factory, looking down at the villagers of Kumogakure who were scattering and fleeing. He suddenly felt an urge to go down and vent his anger.
"Itachi, don't you think they're noisy?"
Kisame Hoshigaki's unspoken message was clearly to silence them completely, so they would no longer be able to utter a sound of fear.
Uchiha Itachi turned his head to look in another direction and said in a calm tone:
"We've reached our goal; let's not create any unnecessary complications."
"We've arrived already?" Kisame Hoshigaki was astonished. How long had it been since he destroyed a military factory? Three minutes? Or four minutes?
Could the military factory be just a facade, and a vital facility of the Hidden Kumogakure actually be hidden there?
However, the Yugito Nii clearly did not intend to give Kisame Hoshigaki a chance to uncover the secret. A ghostly blue afterimage flashed by, Samehada's greatsword rubbed together, producing three dazzling sparks. Samehada let out a hoarse cry, twisting its body and shredding the bandages wrapped around it.
"Huh, can it make Samehada feel pain? It seems the target is indeed quite troublesome."
Despite saying it was tricky, Kisame showed no sign of nervousness, grinning as he watched the agile and mischievous kitten.
"Red auspicious cloud robes... You are members of the Akatsuki. Leave Kumogakure immediately, or it will be considered a war waged by the Akatsuki against Kumogakure!"
The Yugito Nii spoke sharply, but it wasn't hard to tell that they lacked confidence. Kumogakure was currently in an awkward position, needing to warn all ill-intentioned forces while avoiding direct conflict that would expose their weak internal strength...
Therefore, using force to intimidate the target and drive them out of the Kumogakure area as soon as possible has become Yugito Nii's most frequent task recently, even though she doesn't really like it.
As for the two strange men in front of them, dressed in red robes with auspicious cloud patterns, the information only mentions that they are members of the Akatsuki, a group of war mercenaries. Only Mabui could probably identify the specific members.
But if you had to describe this group in one sentence, they would be utterly wicked villains!
"War, how terrifying. Since the Kumogakure desires war, then let's start a war."
Kisame Hoshigaki raised Samehada, pointing it directly at Yugito, the Two-Tails Jinchūriki, who was crouching low like a ferocious cat.
Yugito emitted a low growl from Yugito throat, a final warning from the feline. Dark blue Chakra seeped continuously from Yugito's body, condensing into a Chakra Cloak covering his skin.
Both sides, believing they had a strong chance of winning, chose to confront each other head-on without hesitation.
As more and more Cloud Kumogakure gathered around, they did not intervene due to the exaggerated scale of the battle. Uchiha Itachi interrupted the battle-hardened Kisame Hoshigaki without any shame for standing idly by.
"That's enough, it's time to retreat. Kumogakure has already realized what's happening."
As Uchiha Itachi said, even if the Kumogakure was slow to react, they realized that this was not an ordinary attack or probe, but a premeditated action targeting the Two-Tails Jinchūriki.
Therefore, Kumogakure will definitely protect the Two-Tails Jinchūriki at all costs. However, Akatsuki's requirement is to capture the Jinchūriki alive, not to kill him with their full Jinchūriki. That's why Kisame Hoshigaki has dragged out the battle until now.
"Seriously, there's no other way, let's retreat."
Kisame Hoshigaki said with a disgruntled expression, "My Samehada just finished eating..."
Samehada chewed on the Chakra torn from the Yugito Nii, as well as an arm.
"Damn it! Don't even think about running away!"
The Two-Tails, engulfed in eerie blue Chakra flames, blocked the escape of the two. Completely unaware of Samehada's abilities, she had her Chakra Cloak drained in an instant, resulting in the loss of an arm...
Therefore, she will absolutely not let this culprit get away with it!
"Mr. Itachi, it seems the kitten isn't very obedient."
Kisame Hoshigaki onto his Samehada and walked out nonchalantly. The Kumogakure didn't even dare to stop him, after all, they had all witnessed Kisame with the monstrous Two-Tails in Taijutsu...
Uchiha Itachi, who had not yet made a move, looked at the menacing Two-Tails. His Uchiha Itachi Mangekyō Sharingan slowly rotated, and a tear of blood slid down from the corner of his eye.
" Tsukuyomi!"
The Two-Tails froze on the spot, its eerie blue flames slowly dying down. The once arrogant Two-Tails Jinchūriki suddenly looked like a cat whose fire had been extinguished, its ears drooping.
Kisame Hoshigaki and Uchiha Itachi left Kumogakure without any trouble, but this outcome was not favorable for either the Akatsuki or Kumogakure.
The Two-Tails Jinchūriki lost an arm, greatly diminishing his strength. The Akatsuki purpose was exposed, and he became a universally hated organization. However, the only gain he received was a portion of the Two-Tails 'Chakra...
"Mr. Itachi, are you planning to leave the Akatsuki?"
Although it was a question, Kisame Hoshigaki's tone was very certain.
"... That's right." Although he was surprised by Kisame Hoshigaki's reaction, Uchiha Itachi had no intention of hiding it, nor did he need to.
"I see. I hope to see Itachi-san again in the future. Also, when you use Genjutsu to control my body, please don't do anything too dangerous."
Kisame Hoshigaki stopped abruptly, staring directly into Uchiha Itachi's dazzling Mangekyō Sharingan...