In a quiet corner of Konoha Village, near the river, Kakashi confronted Itachi and Kisame.
Beside Kakashi stood two special jonin, Yamashiro Aoba and Bizu Raito.
"You're not from the village, and you're wearing the same uniform as Fujiwara Kirito. Are you part of the same organization? What's your purpose here in Konoha?" Kakashi asked, his expression serious.
"Long time no see, Mr. Kakashi, Mr. Aoba, Mr. Raito," Uchiha Itachi said calmly.
"You know us? That means you, like Fujiwara Kirito, were once a ninja of Konoha. Who are you?" Yamashiro Aoba stepped forward, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Kakashi.
Itachi slowly lifted his hat, revealing a pair of scarlet, three-tomoe Sharingan. Kakashi and the others' pupils shrank as cold sweat trickled down their foreheads.
When Itachi removed his hat and unfastened the collar of his Akatsuki robe, Yamashiro Aoba spoke with difficulty, "There's no mistaking it. You're Uchiha Itachi."
"It seems you already know Mr. Kirito and Mr. Itachi, so allow me to introduce myself." Kisame removed his wind chime hat, speaking with mock politeness. "Hoshigaki Kisame. Pleased to make your acquaintance."
"There's nothing to be pleased about," Bizu Raito, a former guard of the Third Hokage, stepped forward. "Your ally Fujiwara Kirito caused chaos in Konoha and tarnished the Third Hokage's memory. I won't let you leave here alive."
Kisame chuckled. "Haha, it seems Kirito left quite the impression on you. I heard your so-called 'Third Hokage' was just a figurehead, hyped up as 'the strongest Hokage'—even claiming to surpass the God of Ninja. No wonder Mr. Kirito had no respect for him."
"You bastard!" Raito roared and charged forward, but Kakashi stopped him with a raised hand. "Calm down, Raito. Don't fall for his provocation."
Kakashi turned to Kisame. "Hoshigaki Kisame, I know you. You're the freak of the Mist, wielder of the great sword Samehada and one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. You're wanted by multiple nations for assassinating the Daimyo of the Land of Water and sabotaging its government. You're an S-rank criminal."
"It's an honor to be recognized by the famous Copy Ninja. Even though you lost to Kirito recently, you must have skill to have beaten Zabuza. Samehada hasn't faced a worthy opponent in a while. Let's see what you've got." Kisame unsheathed Samehada, looking to Itachi for approval. "Shall we fight?"
"It seems we can't avoid a confrontation," Itachi said calmly. In truth, he intended this encounter to intimidate Konoha's leadership, reminding them that he was alive and deterring any actions against Sasuke. He also sought to deliver information about Akatsuki's plans to capture the tailed beasts.
"Then let's begin." Kisame swung Samehada and rushed at Kakashi and the others.
With a sharp metallic clang, Samehada was barely blocked by Bizu Raito's black sword. Yamashiro Aoba summoned crows to disrupt Kisame's movements and joined the battle.
Meanwhile, Itachi and Kakashi stood apart, staring at each other.
"What's your purpose here?" Kakashi asked in a low voice.
"Just looking for something," Itachi replied nonchalantly.
"Looking for what?" Kakashi pressed.
Itachi glanced at Kisame and answered slowly, "The legacy of the Fourth Hokage."
"Naruto?" Kakashi thought back to his conversation with Jiraiya before the Chunin Exams. "Why are you after Naruto?"
Itachi remained silent. He suddenly stopped Kisame, who was fighting Aoba and Raito. "That's enough, Kisame. Any more, and this will never end."
"I was just starting to have fun," Kisame said, sweeping his blade to force back his opponents. He knocked down several attacking crows and retreated to Itachi's side.
Aoba and Raito, unable to gain the upper hand, also regrouped with Kakashi.
Kakashi drew a kunai and demanded, "Answer me."
Itachi closed his eyes briefly and replied cryptically, "Unlike Kisame, I won't waste time."
When he reopened his eyes, the three-tomoe Sharingan were spinning ominously.
Kakashi's expression changed. He quickly closed his right eye and shouted, "Aoba, Raito, close your eyes! It's the Sharingan!"
The two jonin immediately shut their eyes, avoiding direct contact with Itachi's gaze.
Just as Kakashi was about to be caught in Itachi's Tsukuyomi, a figure suddenly appeared between them. "Enough. Stop it," the newcomer said.
Kisame's expression darkened. "Another helper? How rude of you to hide in the shadows. Show yourself, or I'll force you to."
The figure, wearing a magician's outfit and an eyepatch over his left eye, didn't respond. Instead, he canceled his transformation jutsu, revealing a slightly older, familiar face.
Itachi's eyes widened as he recognized the man before him. Beneath his matured features and the chakra flowing through him was an undeniable truth.
It's him.
A faint smile appeared on Itachi's face. This was Sasuke—grown up and possessing the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan. His plan had succeeded.
"Why the disguise?" Itachi asked softly.
Uncle Sasuke didn't reply. Instead, he looked down, lost in memories of his time with his brother.
Kisame, growing impatient, said, "So you're ignoring me?"
As he moved to strike, Itachi stopped him. "That's enough, Kisame. Any further fighting is unnecessary. We're leaving."
Kisame hesitated but relented. "Fine. Whatever you say."
The two Akatsuki members disappeared without another word.
Kakashi turned to the mysterious man. "Who are you, and why did you help us?"
Uncle Sasuke glanced back. "There are others besides Akatsuki targeting Naruto. Find a way to protect him."
Leaving those cryptic words, he vanished, following the direction Itachi and Kisame had taken.
(End of this chapter)
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