Chapter 161 – Sasuke Meets Itachi
"Yusuke-nii, look at Kisame," Itachi said softly, glancing toward the frozen figure of Hoshigaki Kisame encased in ice.
"Oh? I almost forgot about him," Yusuke replied casually, waving his hand.
The thick layer of ice shattered into glittering shards, freeing Kisame.
As soon as he was released, Kisame's gaze trembled with fear. He had witnessed everything—the moment Itachi, the man once feared across nations, had been completely overpowered.
Never in his wildest imagination had he believed that Itachi Uchiha could lose like that.
"Thank you, Yusuke-nii," Itachi said, his voice calm yet filled with a quiet reverence he couldn't hide.
"You're a troublesome one," Yusuke muttered, tossing something in Itachi's direction.
Itachi caught it and blinked. "What's this?"
"Three sticks of dango. Bought them on the way here," Yusuke said offhandedly.
A faint warmth stirred in Itachi's chest. It had been so long since anyone had shown him such a simple, human kindness.
Kisame snorted. The image of the cold and stoic Itachi eating sweets was something he could barely picture. But more than that, he couldn't understand this man—Hatake Yusuke. Why would someone this powerful bother to help them, then let them go?
"So, what now? Planning to return to Konoha?" Yusuke asked suddenly. "The current Hokage is Tsunade."
Both Itachi and Kisame froze.
Itachi's eyes flickered with a mix of shock and emotion. With Tsunade as Hokage, Sasuke's safety would no longer be a concern.
"There's no need. I can't go back, Yusuke-nii," Itachi said quietly. "I'm a sinner."
Yusuke shrugged. "So what? Konoha doesn't belong to a handful of people. If anyone has a problem with you, they can take it up with me."
Itachi shook his head. "That won't be necessary. I have no intention of returning."
Kisame exhaled, secretly relieved—but at the same time, something like envy twisted in his chest.
"Alright," Yusuke said with a faint smile. "I'll respect your decision."
He waved dismissively. "Don't worry about your sister-in-law—I'll let her know you're fine. For now, the two of you should relax. It's been a while since you've set foot in this village, hasn't it? Don't worry, no one will dare touch you while I'm here."
That statement made Kisame uneasy. The man in front of him was truly an enigma.
In every hidden village, a missing-nin was considered an enemy to be executed on sight. That was why he and Itachi always traveled in disguise. But this man… spoke as though the rules of the world didn't apply to him.
"But remember," Yusuke added, his smile fading slightly, "if either of you cause trouble, I'll handle it personally."
Itachi's lips curved faintly. "You have my word, Yusuke-nii."
"Good." Yusuke nodded. "Now, have fun while you can."
And with that, his figure vanished in a blink—reappearing beside Tsunade.
"Do you think Naruto's in danger?" Tsunade asked, brows furrowed.
"Relax. Kakashi's with him," Yusuke replied without hesitation.
He knew better than anyone—Kakashi's current strength surpassed even Nagato's half-formed Rinnegan. And Nagato's body, in its frail state, could never endure a prolonged battle anymore.
"Then what about Uchiha Sasuke?" Tsunade asked again.
Yusuke chuckled lightly. "Don't worry. Itachi's a total brocon. He won't kill his little brother—just rough him up a little."
Tsunade shot him a sharp look. You're one to talk, she thought silently.
"Speaking of which," Yusuke continued, smirking, "you're the most relaxed Hokage Konoha's ever had. Still making the old man Hiruzen handle your paperwork, huh?"
"Ugh, please," Tsunade groaned. "He's the one who forced me into this position—in front of both Grandpa and Great-Uncle! And besides, I am Konoha's princess."
"Yes, yes, my sweet Princess Tsunade," Yusuke teased, producing another stick of dango. "Here. I brought snacks."
"Hmph." She snatched one, taking a bite. "Not bad. Konoha's dango really is something special."
"Of course. I went out of my way to find these," Yusuke said, biting into his own.
"Swallow first before you talk! Honestly… an adult man still addicted to sweets." Tsunade rolled her eyes.
"I used to hate sweets," Yusuke said with a small laugh. "But the Limitless technique drains my mental energy. Gotta replenish it with sugar sometimes."
It was true. Maintaining Infinity—and constantly keeping his Observation Haki active—consumed immense focus. Over time, even he had developed a taste for sweets.
"But you don't even need it anymore, do you? Not since you awakened the Six Eyes," Tsunade said, raising a brow.
(The Six Eyes—a name Yusuke had proudly given his natural eyes himself, in true chuunibyou fashion.)
"Maybe not," Yusuke admitted. "But habits die hard. And besides, they're delicious."
Tsunade huffed. "Hmph. Then teach me that Limitless technique of yours. I want to be invincible too."
"Invincible?" Yusuke chuckled. "That technique doesn't make me invincible. Even if you mastered it, I'd still find ways to beat you."
Tsunade clicked her tongue. "Tch. Even if I could, I wouldn't. Fighting you's boring anyway. When's the last time you were even injured?"
"You're just jealous," Yusuke replied smoothly. "But you're right—these days, even without Infinity, my body's practically indestructible."
In truth, he only used Infinity during fights to keep his clothes intact. His physical resilience alone now surpassed even the Third Raikage's legendary defense.
— — —
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the village, Asuma was deep in conversation with Might Guy about the recent reappearance of Uchiha Itachi.
Neither noticed the young man eavesdropping nearby—Sasuke.
The moment he heard Itachi's name, fury blazed in his chest.
Without hesitation, he sprinted toward the location Asuma had mentioned. The words Akatsuki and tailed beasts echoed in his mind.
"I'll kill you, Uchiha Itachi!"
The two Jōnin didn't even realize he was gone.
Sasuke raced through the trees, his Sharingan spinning.
Moments later, he saw them—Itachi standing before Naruto, calm as ever.
"Uchiha Itachi!" Sasuke shouted, his voice burning with hatred.
Naruto froze, his eyes widening in shock. That's… the man Sasuke swore he'd kill.
From the shadows, Kisame stepped forward, eyeing Naruto curiously. "So this is the kid with the Nine-Tails, huh? Not what I expected."
"Come with us, Naruto," Itachi said coolly.
"Itachi-san," Kisame whispered, glancing at him, "aren't you worried about that man?"—clearly referring to Yusuke.
But Itachi's eyes held calm certainty.
Kisame sighed. "You really have a strange sense of humor, Itachi-san. So this is just to scare the kid, huh?"
Resting his hand on Samehada's hilt, he started walking toward Naruto.
"Itachi!"
The voice stopped him cold.
Without turning around, Itachi replied softly, "It's been a while, Sasuke."
Kisame turned, raising a brow. The young man who appeared looked like a reflection of Itachi himself.
"Uchiha Itachi…" Sasuke's voice trembled with rage.
Naruto stared between them. "That's him… the one you've been talking about all this time."
"Those eyes…" Kisame muttered. "They're just like yours, Itachi-san. Who is he?"
"My younger brother," Itachi answered simply.
"You've awakened your Sharingan," he said to Sasuke, eyes unreadable. "Good."
"You already know why I'm here," Sasuke hissed. "I hate you. The only reason I'm alive… is to kill you."
Itachi tilted his head slightly. "Then show me—how much have you grown since our last meeting?"
"I'll kill you, Itachi!" Sasuke shouted. Lightning burst from his hand, forming the blade of his Chidori.
But before he could strike, Itachi caught his wrist effortlessly, his expression cold and distant—his eyes filled with quiet disappointment… and something else.
A trace of sorrow.
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