Chapter 158 – Itachi and Kisame
Yusuke immediately understood what Temari meant, and he didn't feel the need to explain himself.
A turquoise-blue flame flickered to life in his palm. With a flick of his wrist, he sent it drifting toward Gaara's unconscious body.
Temari flinched. For a brief moment, she thought he was going to finish her brother off. But instead—she watched in disbelief as the blue fire gently wrapped around Gaara, healing his wounds instead of burning him.
She remembered that strange flame. She'd seen it before—when Yusuke used it to heal Rock Lee during the earlier rounds of the Chūnin Exams.
That same mysterious power, which looked like fire but felt warm and soothing—it was his own form of healing chakra.
As the last of the flames faded, Yusuke turned away and began walking toward Kakashi and the others. Behind him, Gaara stirred, slowly opening his eyes.
"Why… did you save me?" Gaara asked weakly, confusion flickering in his pale eyes.
"Why?" Yusuke stopped and glanced back over his shoulder. "Because I felt like it."
He didn't save Gaara for any noble reason. He did it because the boy reminded him of Naruto.
In truth, Gaara's life had been even harsher—born into solitude, burdened with the hatred of his village, and driven to madness by sleepless nights.
Yusuke wasn't a saint. But he wasn't heartless either.
Gaara gazed at him silently. For the first time, he saw something unfamiliar—kindness, perhaps, or maybe understanding. Whatever it was, it made the boy's chest tighten.
"Alright, children of Sunagakure," Yusuke said finally. "Go find your sensei. The Chūnin Exams are over. It's time for you to go home."
Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away, his coat fluttering lightly behind him.
He stopped by Kakashi's group and stretched lazily. "All done. Let's head back. Oh, and Gamabunta—give my regards to the Great Toad Sage and the others at Mount Myōboku."
"Yeah, yeah," Gamabunta grumbled, clearly reluctant.
Yusuke narrowed his eyes. "What's with that tone? You sound like you don't want to."
"I—I got it!" Gamabunta sputtered, panicking before hastily releasing the summoning technique. He vanished in a puff of smoke.
Yusuke laughed heartily. "Hah! Some things never change."
"You're such a pain, Niisan," Kakashi sighed, giving him a tired glance.
'You're one to talk,' thought Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke in unison, all rolling their eyes internally.
"Well then," Yusuke said, stretching his arms. "Let's head home. Though… two rather interesting guests just arrived in Konoha."
"Interesting?" Kakashi frowned. "Who do you mean?"
"You'll see soon enough," Yusuke replied mysteriously. "Go on ahead. I've got a few things to buy first."
He gave Sasuke a meaningful look—then vanished.
— — —
At that same moment, two figures were walking through the main gates of Konoha.
They wore long, black cloaks patterned with red clouds. Wide straw hats shadowed their faces. The villagers they passed could sense their overwhelming presence, though neither man made any effort to hide it.
Their steps were calm, deliberate—like they owned the very ground they walked on.
They didn't get far before two ninja blocked their path.
"Who are you?" Asuma Sarutobi demanded, a cigarette hanging from his lips as he eyed them warily.
"It's been a while, Asuma. You too, Miss Kurenai," said one of the cloaked men, removing his hat.
The moment his face was revealed, Asuma froze.
"You—Uchiha Itachi?!"
The scarlet glow of the Sharingan left no room for doubt. The traitor of the Uchiha Clan stood before them.
Kurenai's eyes narrowed. She immediately took a defensive stance, chakra flaring around her.
"And I suppose I should introduce myself as well," said the taller man beside him, removing his hat with a grin. His skin was bluish, his teeth sharp like a shark's.
"The name's Hoshigaki Kisame."
Kurenai's expression hardened. "I know you. One of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist."
Kisame chuckled, resting the massive bandaged sword on his shoulder. "Looks like we won't be leaving Konoha quietly after all, eh, Itachi-san?"
Itachi's voice remained calm. "When the fight starts, don't harm Miss Kurenai. Otherwise, we won't make it out of this village."
He didn't underestimate them—but he had no intention of creating unnecessary casualties, especially not her.
Kisame nodded in understanding. "Got it."
And then—the battle began.
Asuma clashed with Kisame, while Itachi faced Kurenai.
With his Sharingan, Itachi easily dominated her in a genjutsu duel. He was a master of illusions—his control was flawless, precise, and merciless.
Kurenai quickly realized the gap between them was impossible to bridge. Even as an elite jōnin, she was no match for someone whose power stood at the level of a Kage.
She also understood something else: Itachi could have killed her at any time… but he didn't.
That realization frustrated her even more.
Meanwhile, Asuma was being driven back. Kisame's Samehada slashed through his chakra flow, absorbing his strength every time their blades met.
"Samehada… truly a monster of a weapon," Asuma thought, gritting his teeth as sparks flew.
Then—
"Itachi," came a familiar, lazy voice.
A silver-haired man stepped onto the battlefield, a small orange book in his hand. His single visible eye glinted beneath his forehead protector.
The atmosphere immediately changed. Even Kisame could feel the air grow heavier.
"Kakashi-senpai," Itachi greeted with calm respect. "It's been a while."
"Kakashi! You're here!" Asuma shouted, relief washing over him.
Kisame turned, smirking. "So this is the famous Copy Ninja, Hatake Kakashi. I've heard plenty."
"Itachi," Kakashi said quietly, his gaze sharp. "You shouldn't have come here."
"Kisame," Itachi said softly, "don't underestimate him. He's not your average ninja."
"Oh? That makes it even more fun." Kisame grinned, his sharp teeth flashing.
Kakashi didn't flinch. "Hoshigaki Kisame. Wielder of Samehada. One of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist."
"So you've heard of me. I'm flattered."
"I've read a few reports," Kakashi replied dryly. "Hard not to remember someone with a face like that."
The jab hit home. Kisame's grin twisted into an annoyed scowl.
"You've got a sharp tongue, Copy Ninja." He swung Samehada, the air around him rippling.
But by the time the blade reached him—Kakashi was gone.
"Body Flicker Technique?" Itachi muttered, impressed. Kakashi's speed had improved significantly since the last time they met.
"Water Release: Super Shark Bullet Technique!" Kisame roared, releasing a massive shark-shaped torrent of water that tore through the street toward Kakashi.
In an instant, Kakashi copied the jutsu with his Sharingan.
"Water Release: Super Shark Bullet Technique!"
Two colossal sharks collided midair, but Kisame's attack devoured Kakashi's—it absorbed his chakra.
"Tch. So it really does eat chakra…" Kakashi thought, narrowing his eye.
He thrust his hand forward. Lightning crackled and formed a long, spear-like weapon.
"Lightning Blade: Chidori Sharp Spear!"
The lightning shot forward, slicing through the water shark and scattering it into mist.
Kisame grinned. "Not bad. That would've skewered most opponents."
Kakashi exhaled softly. "This is a hassle. Let's end this quickly. I'm tired today."
Despite his calm demeanor, a faint tension filled the air. Ever since witnessing Yusuke's true power earlier, Kakashi had been restless. Compared to him, even the Hokage seemed… small.
Kisame's muscles tensed as Kakashi drew a kunai coated with crackling lightning.
But before either could make a move—Itachi's expression shifted.
"Kisame," he said quietly, his eyes spinning into the pattern of the Mangekyō Sharingan.
"Prepare to withdraw."
The very air around them trembled as the Mangekyō's power flared, distorting space with its overwhelming pressure.
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