Itachi and Kisame were both growing uneasy.
Especially Itachi.
He still needed his body to stay intact, at least until Sasuke matured enough to inherit his eyes.
But if Yami arrived...
His already broken body would likely fare even worse.
Kisame was equally flustered.
He genuinely wanted to visit his boss—but not like this. If it turned into a full-blown confrontation, even if it was just for show, he would end up being beaten by Yami in front of everyone.
Swish!
Just as the two were considering whether to retreat for now, two more figures landed beside Kurenai and Yugao.
Kakashi had arrived—and on the way, he ran into Guy, who was passionately training with Lee.
Another powerful reinforcement joined the scene, boosting Kakashi's confidence.
Not to mention, the two women behind him were more than capable of "moving the crowd."
Quickly realizing the advantage now lay with them, Kakashi relaxed his stance. Looking at his old teammates and subordinates, he even had the mood to joke:
"Is this an Anbu Third Division reunion?"
"One against seven. You've really aged, haven't you?"
"Captain Kakashi, people always grow up."
Itachi calmly replied, "I've cut off meaningless attachments and drawn out the power hidden in my bloodline."
"What a unique perspective. I think bonds are what drive people to grow stronger."
Kakashi casually tucked one hand in his pocket. "But since you've cut off all those ties, why come back to Konoha?"
"The legacy of the Fourth Hokage."
Itachi's answer startled Kakashi. "I heard Orochimaru stirred up a mess during the Chūnin Exams. I came to make sure it doesn't interfere with my goal."
"Naruto...?"
Kakashi's expression turned sharp with hostility.
Sensing his rising chakra, Guy stepped forward immediately.
"Kakashi, if you've got questions, catch him first! Leaf Strong Whirlwind!"
Whoosh!
Kisame raised Samehada in front of him, catching Guy's powerful kick and sliding back several meters before stopping.
"Fast. Strong."
Kisame commented genuinely. "As expected of the strongest village, Konoha. Even a random guy with thick eyebrows is this strong. What's your name?"
"Konoha's proud blue beast, Might Guy! Come, fight me!"
Guy placed one hand behind his back and raised the other in a fighting stance.
"Then I should introduce myself too."
Kisame grinned, but Kurenai interrupted, "No need. I know you. Former Kirigakure Anbu, wanted for assassinating the daimyō and threatening national security. Hoshigaki Kisame."
After managing Anbu for Yami for so many years, Kurenai was well-versed in the shinobi world's threats. S-rank rogues like Kisame were always on her radar.
"What an honor to be remembered by Miss Kurenai."
Kisame smiled even wider. The boss's woman knew his name—wasn't that proof he'd been doing a great job?
So he swung his blade harder, temporarily suppressing Guy in raw strength.
Kisame's title, "Tailed Beast Without a Tail," wasn't just for his massive chakra. His power was terrifying even without transformations.
While they fought, Kakashi activated his Sharingan and took a battle stance against Itachi.
However, Kurenai didn't hesitate to activate her Flying Thunder God kunai.
With two younger sisters possessing Mangekyō Sharingan, Kurenai knew better than anyone just how dangerous those eyes were. She would never make the same mistake as in the original timeline and try genjutsu on Itachi.
If they were going to fight, they would go all out from the start.
Swish!
Two figures appeared instantly next to Kurenai. Yami had arrived—carrying a wounded Uzumaki Naruto.
Seeing the sudden change in location and the number of people in front of him, Naruto was still a bit dazed.
The fierce battle between Guy and Kisame on the river quickly caught his attention. "Eh? Who's the thick-browed guy fighting? Is he an enemy?"
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
Yami didn't answer. He yawned and casually exhaled a massive, searing fireball that lit up the sky.
"Guy, get out of the way."
At Yami's reminder, Guy quickly leapt back to avoid the blast. Kisame discarded Samehada and formed a hand seal. "Water Release: Exploding Water Shock Wave!"
The incoming torrent collided with the fireball, producing a thick wall of steam.
"Wind Release: Gale Palm!"
Yami waved his hand, dispersing the mist instantly. Itachi also took the chance to retreat to Kisame's side.
Looking at the solemn-faced Itachi, Yami smiled and waved, "Isn't this an old classmate? Why didn't you tell me you were coming back? I could've greeted you properly."
"Yami-sensei, who are they?"
Naruto was confused by Yami's tone. They had just been fighting—so why the friendly greeting now?
"What's their relationship?"
"They?"
Yami pointed to the pair and introduced them. "The sickly-looking one is the older brother Sasuke's always wanted to kill. The shark-faced one is Kirigakure's rogue ninja, Hoshigaki Kisame."
"Sasuke's brother?!"
Naruto stared at Itachi in shock.
On graduation day, Sasuke had said his dream was to kill someone. He hadn't said who, but Naruto later learned that his target was his own brother.
"Shimura, how are you?"
Itachi felt cornered. His expression turned solemn, and the tomoe in his eyes began spinning faintly.
"Yami," Kakashi said urgently. "Their target is Naruto. Why did you bring him here?"
"I was giving the kid some special training."
Yami waved lazily. "I brought him because I sensed Kurenai's signal."
Kakashi then noticed Naruto's injuries. His pupils shrank as he suddenly understood something, casting a hesitant look at Yami.
"Alright, Kakashi, use Flying Thunder God to fetch someone."
Yami didn't act immediately. Instead, he gave Kakashi an order.
"You serious?"
Kakashi's face twitched, uncertain of what Yami had in mind.
"Don't stall."
Itachi frowned, unable to follow their conversation.
Unable to disobey, Kakashi began forming hand seals. "Flying Thunder God Technique!"
Over at the training ground, Sasuke was wondering why Kakashi hadn't shown up yet. Suddenly, he felt a spatial pull.
Rip!
Half his clothes were torn as he was yanked into the stream.
He landed in the water with a splash, then quickly used chakra to steady himself.
Aside from Yami, Guy, Kurenai, and Yugao, everyone stared at Kakashi in disbelief.
This… is Flying Thunder God?
Kakashi's face turned red, though his mask hid it. Trying to save face, he said, "Got a problem?"
"As long as it makes you happy." Kurenai's mouth twitched.
"Sasuke… you've grown."
Itachi's eyes flickered as he looked at Sasuke, then returned to normal.
Still not enough. He was still not ready.
"Hahaha! Sasuke, how come you've only got half your clothes left?"
Naruto burst out laughing. Sasuke looked confused at first, then heard Naruto's voice and shot back,
"At least I'm not you. Look at yourself. Aren't your clothes half-burned?"
Sasuke had been jealous of Naruto lately. Naruto had been training under Yami, while he hadn't received any personal guidance from him in a long time.
"Stop flirting."
Yami gave them a mild scolding and pointed ahead. "Sasuke, I found a sparring partner for you. Interested?"
Sasuke looked in the direction Yami pointed, stunned for a few seconds. When he realized who it was, his Sharingan activated immediately, and his breathing quickened.
"Uchiha Itachi!!"
"Sasuke."
Itachi remained indifferent. "Volume does not equal strength. It seems you haven't spoken properly in years."
Yami glanced at him. "Are you questioning my teaching methods, Uchiha Itachi?"
"Go, Sasuke. Show him what you've got."
Yami didn't need to fan the flames. The moment Sasuke saw Itachi, his reasoning snapped.
He had only one thought left.
Kill him. Avenge the clan and his parents.
Even if it meant dying together!
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
Sasuke launched the fireball faster than ever. But it still couldn't compare to the one Yami used moments ago.
Its heat, force, and density didn't come close.
Kisame was about to step in, but Itachi raised a hand to stop him.
"He's still just a child. Let me help him understand fear."
Itachi fired a fireball in return. After only two seconds of clash, Sasuke's flames were completely overpowered.
Sasuke's control over fire chakra was far inferior.
"Chidori!"
The sound of chirping birds rang out. Covered in lightning, Sasuke pierced through the flames and lunged for Itachi's head.
Itachi's three tomoe spun, forming a strange Mangekyō pattern.
He casually tilted his head, narrowly dodging, and caught Sasuke's hand in a palm lock.
"Too weak. Far too weak."
Itachi stared him down with oppressive intensity.
"You, carrying the hatred of the clan—this is all the progress you've made? Or have you spent so long playing ninja games that you've forgotten the past?"
"No matter. I'll help you remember."
Sasuke panicked. Realizing what was happening, he closed his eyes to avoid Itachi's gaze—but it was too late.
Tsukuyomi activated.
Sasuke was forced to relive the massacre of the clan ten times in an instant.
In reality, only a second had passed, but Sasuke let out a sharp scream.
Itachi hesitated, but still raised his foot, preparing to kick Sasuke away to prevent further damage.
But before he could finish the motion, Yami appeared in front of him and kicked as well, clashing with Itachi.
Bang!
The powerful impact forced Itachi back. Yami caught Sasuke in midair and looked at his eyes—still only two tomoe. He clicked his tongue.
"Tch. So your genjutsu isn't even real enough to trigger the third tomoe."
He handed Sasuke to Kakashi and turned to Itachi, his once-gentle smile fading into cold clarity.
"Uchiha Itachi… you've really ruined my reputation in the education world."
"It seems I'll have to remind you just how humiliated you were last time… and how you barely escaped with your life."
Yami clapped his hands. The earth rumbled beneath them.
"Wood Release: Twin Rising Dragon!"
(To be continued.)