The sea was quiet.
Waves broke gently against the small black vessel as Itachi and Kisame cut across open water. It was a simple ship—fast, maneuverable, built for covert travel. Exactly what their mission required.
Konan's intelligence network had passed the information along that morning:
A Big Mom Pirates ship had entered a nearby stretch of sea, heading in their direction.
And Nagato had sent them to intercept.
Kisame stretched lazily across the railing, Samehada twitching on his back.
"So… we're really hunting down one of the Yonko's ships now? Wild. Think they're here to cause trouble?"
Itachi didn't answer immediately. His gaze stayed on the horizon.
"We won't know until we make contact."
Kisame snorted.
"If they're here for a fight, that's fine by me. Haven't cut loose since the Admirals."
Itachi glanced at him and then said
"We aren't attacking unless necessary."
Kisame grinned."Sure, sure. Unless necessary."
The wind shifted. Itachi opened his eyes fully.
A large silhouette emerged through the morning fog-massive, decorated, with a flag proudly presenting the name Smoothie.
Even without seeing her, Itachi could feel the presence on board.
Kisame whistled.
"Someone strong's on that ship… heh, not bad. Samehada are you ready to feast?"
Itachi: "Stay alert."
The Big Mom ship slowed as their smaller vessel approached, clearly aware it was being intercepted.
Kisame adjusted Samehada's grip, who was wildly squirming in his hand.
"So what's the plan, Itachi?"
Itachi stepped onto the railing.
"We board. We speak. And we see why a Yonko's crew has come looking for the Akatsuki."
Kisame's grin sharpened.
Kisame: "And if it turns ugly?"
Itachi: "Then we end it quickly."
The smaller ship closed in, cutting through the waves toward the looming giant of the Big Mom Pirates.
Before they could draw any closer, a tall, slender silhouette rose above the railing of the opposing ship. Charlotte Smoothie stepped forward, her shadow stretching across the deck, voice carrying effortlessly over the ocean.
Smoothie: "Akatsuki! Mama has a message for you!"
Her expression remained calm, but her tone held a razor's edge.
Smoothie: "Mama intends to invite your members to one of her tea parties. She expects your presence."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Smoothie: "And Mama says things won't go well for you… if you refuse."
Kisame's grin widened, sharklike.
"Oh yeah? And what exactly happens if we don't go?"
Smoothie's expression shifted slightly.
Smoothie: "Mama doesn't take 'no' kindly. Refusing her hospitality is… dangerous."
Kisame grinned and said "I might just go ahead and refuse to see wha-"
He was cut off by Itachi who said
"I'll let our leader know. We can't make any decisions like this on our own."
Smoothie calmed down after Itachi stepped in, noticing that they at least had someone sensible onboard that ship.
"All right. We only came to deliver the invitation. We'll leave this area afterwards."
Smoothie then tossed 9 envelopes over to their ship and then ordered her crew to disembark.
Itachi and Kisame stared at the envelopes for a moment, before Itachi decided to seal them and keep them for later when they returned.
Kisame asked
"Should we call Nagato now and tell him, or just wait until later?"
Itachi stared silently for a few moments before saying,
"We'll tell him in person when we arrive back. There's no need in calling over something so trivial."