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Chapter 166 - Chapter 166: Reunion with Itachi and Kisame

Chapter 166: Reunion with Itachi and Kisame [Bonus for 100 PS]

Soon, the two Akatsuki members found shelter under a massive, overhanging rock formation. The space beneath it was large enough to accommodate them and their prisoner. Kisame unceremoniously dumped the unconscious form of the Four-Tails Jinchuriki, Roshi, onto the damp ground before taking a seat himself to rest. The old man was clearly in bad shape.

"He looks half-dead. You should be more gentle with the elderly," Itachi remarked, his voice devoid of inflection as he observed Roshi's condition.

"You wouldn't say that if you'd fought him," Kisame retorted with a grunt. "A Jinchuriki who can merge with the Four-Tails and use Lava Release isn't weak. You didn't have to face him head-on; you don't know how tough it was."

It seemed Kisame had insisted on handling the capture alone, hence Itachi's clean robes and calm demeanor.

"Is that so... he was strong."

"Whatever. Who asked me to go solo? I fought him nearly to a standstill, all for your grand plan," Kisame said, a trace of excitement in his voice.

"You're too excitable, Kisame."

"Heh. I'm just getting impatient. I want to collect all the Tailed Beasts as soon as possible. The Three-Tails, the Six-Tails, Kumogakure's Eight-Tails, and Konoha's Nine-Tails are still out there. Hidan and Kakuzu's target was the Two-Tails, but they got sidetracked with their bounty hunting and let your little brother's team snatch her first. Speaking of which, your brother is something else. To have killed those two immortals... He might become a real obstacle to our plans."

"The Leader has stated he will handle such matters personally. It is not our concern. Our task is only to capture the Jinchuriki," Itachi replied, his Sharingan briefly glancing at Kisame before closing again as he rested.

"Is that so? If the Leader himself acts, your brother might be in real danger. Not that you'd care, I suppose. It would just tie up a loose end for you."

Itachi offered no response, maintaining his silence.

Kisame chuckled to himself and turned to watch the heavy rain pouring outside. "When will this let up? It's strange weather for this region..."

Suddenly, Itachi's eyes snapped open, the tomoe of his Sharingan already spinning. Simultaneously, Kisame's playful expression vanished, replaced by sharp alertness. A powerful, familiar chakra signature was approaching them rapidly.

"Well, well," Kisame grinned, hefting Samehada. "I'm very familiar with this chakra. Samehada seems to like it too; it's already trembling with excitement. It seems he's coming straight for us. What a coincidence, meeting him here."

"No," Itachi corrected calmly. "He is not coming for us. He is coming for the Four-Tails Jinchuriki."

"True enough. But I put a lot of effort into catching this old man. I won't just hand him over to your dear little brother... Uchiha Ren."

Indeed, the chakra rushing toward them belonged to Ren. He made no attempt to conceal his presence as he moved through the forest, homing in on the Flying Thunder God mark he had placed on Itachi years ago. Soon, he emerged from the sheets of rain, his cloaked figure stopping before their shelter.

Kisame wore a predatory grin, his small eyes fixed on the newcomer. Itachi remained impassive, as if Ren's appearance was of no consequence.

Seeing Itachi, Ren's lips curled into a faint, mocking smile. "Well, well. If it isn't my dear older brother. Fancy meeting you here. It's been a while. I hope you've been... well?"

"Enough with the pretense," Kisame cut in with a sneer. "We know why you're here. It must be for the Jinchuriki at our feet. I have to admit, I'm impressed you found this place. Your intelligence network is remarkable."

"Oh? Since we're all being so direct, I'll skip the pleasantries," Ren said, his smile turning cold. "How about you do me a favor and hand over the old man? It would save us all a lot of trouble."

"Heh. I'm afraid not," Kisame laughed. "This is prey I caught with considerable effort. I can't just give him to you so easily."

"Tch. I thought you might say that." Ren snorted. His hand moved to the hilt of the sword at his waist, the blade known as Ryūko. "In that case, I'll just have to take him myself."

"Oh? Let's see if you can!" Kisame's grin widened. He flicked his wrist, and the bandages wrapped around Samehada fell away, revealing the sword's unique, scale-covered, and barbed body. "We only exchanged brief blows last time. Now, let's finish what we started!" He glanced back at Itachi. "Itachi, stay out of this. I want to handle him myself."

"Do as you wish," Itachi replied flatly. "But he is not an opponent to be taken lightly. The two of us together might still struggle against him. Are you certain you want to fight alone?"

"Heh. You underestimate us too much. But no matter. Samehada is too excited now. Let it have its fill first!" Kisame roared, then lunged forward, swinging the massive Samehada in a wide, brutal arc.

"Hmph!"

Facing the charge, Ren simply snorted. In one fluid motion, he drew Ryūko from its sheath. As he channeled chakra into it, the blade glowed with a fierce red light. He met Kisame's attack head-on.

*CLANG!*

The two legendary swords collided with a shower of sparks. The instant Samehada made contact with Ryūko, Ren felt his chakra being rapidly siphoned away. Frowning at the sudden drain, Ren pushed forward with a burst of strength, forcing Kisame back a step, and then leaped away to create distance. He stared thoughtfully at the living sword in Kisame's hand.

The battle between the Eagle and the Shark had begun in earnest.

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