Chapter 55: Itachi: Sigh, Tired. 

"Feels good to talk, doesn't it?" Kurama looked at Naruto with a smile. "You really put all your points into talking. If it were someone else, they probably wouldn't have said it so well."

Naruto was a bit sad, "I just feel that he's a lot like me."

"Indeed." Kurama agreed.

Both of them lost their parents at birth. Oh... Gaara's dad didn't die, but it doesn't make much difference. In fact, it might have been better if he had.

Continuing, both of them lost their parents at birth. Naruto's mother left chakra for Naruto to ensure he wouldn't be controlled by Kurama and to help him control Kurama at the right time.

Gaara's mother turned her feelings into sand to protect Gaara from harm from a young age.

Both of them were despised by everyone and grew up in the most hostile environment in the village. One grew up overly optimistic, while the other became a killer. Facing the same hostility, they had completely opposite outcomes.

Why is that? Kurama shrugged, "I'm still looking for the reason."

They met up with Jiraiya, who was carrying that familiar scroll and a small backpack, looking ready. Naruto didn't bring much, not even a backpack. Given his current condition, Jiraiya wouldn't let him carry one.

But actually, it doesn't make much difference. If the story is the same, they will soon meet Itachi and Kisame after leaving.

In fact, not long after Jiraiya and Naruto left, these two appeared in Konohagakure, right in Itachi's favorite dessert shop.

Both of them wore hats and Akatsuki robes, quietly drinking tea.

At this time, the Akatsuki organization hadn't been exposed, so almost no one in the ninja world, except those who had dealt with Akatsuki like Iwagakure, knew about this ninja group.

But that's not important. What's important is that Kakashi, who had just seen Naruto off, felt something was wrong. These two... one of them was fine, but the other was like a bundle of killing intent, with obvious chakra fluctuations and undisguised killing intent.

Even the ordinary people sitting next to them felt something was wrong and chose to stay away.

Honestly, Kakashi wanted to stop these two, but there were too many civilians around. If a fight broke out, it might hurt these ordinary people, so he had to be careful.

While he was quietly observing them, Asuma and Kurenai came to Kakashi.

"Kakashi? What are you doing here?" Kurenai asked.

Kakashi drank his tea, his face showing a flawless smile. "I'm waiting for someone. What about you two? Not hiding it anymore?"

Kurenai blushed slightly. "We just happened to meet."

Asuma didn't mind and took a puff of his cigarette. "Who are you waiting for?"

"Sasuke," Kakashi replied softly, glancing at the two people inside. He couldn't sense anything, but he could guess who they were.

Sure enough, when Itachi heard Kakashi's words, he paused slightly but didn't do anything strange. He just put down his cup and stood up.

Kisame, sitting opposite him, seemed to sense something and smiled, following Itachi out of the shop.

Kakashi's face darkened.

"You weren't late?" Sasuke's voice suddenly came, looking at Kakashi with a bit of surprise.

"Sometimes," Kakashi smiled, showing no sign of anything unusual. "You can sit here for a while. I'll come to train you in the afternoon."

Sasuke frowned. "I hate sweets."

"That's a pity," Kakashi said calmly, looking at Asuma and Kurenai behind him.

They were elite ninjas and understood Kakashi's meaning instantly. They recalled the two people who had just left, their faces growing serious, and they disappeared in an instant.

Sasuke was a bit puzzled but didn't say anything. With the Third Hokage just having passed away, there were indeed many small fry causing trouble, and the Anbu and Jonin were working hard to eliminate them.

On the other side, Itachi and Kisame, walking on the road, suddenly stopped. Their eyes under their hats looked ahead, where Asuma and Kurenai blocked their way.

Asuma smiled, but there was coldness hidden under his smile. "You two aren't from Konohagakure, are you? What are you doing here? Do you need any help?"

"Konohagakure people are really friendly," Kisame said in a very sarcastic tone.

Kurenai frowned. The killing intent from this man gave her a very bad feeling. "Who are you?"

Kisame didn't answer, just looked at Itachi.

Itachi sighed inwardly, his face showing no emotion. He raised his head slightly, revealing his face. His Three Tomoe Sharingan was instantly exposed to them.

 "Long time no see, Asuma-san, Kurenai-san."

"You are!" Asuma was shocked, then his face darkened. "Uchiha... Itachi!"

"Are you Itachi-san's friends?" Kisame smiled very innocently. "In that case, I should introduce myself too."

Kisame slowly took off his hat, and the "South" ring of Akatsuki reflected the light. The scratched Kirigakure Village forehead protector shone brightly in the sunlight: "Hoshigaki Kisame, nice to meet you."

Facing the suddenly alert Asuma and Kurenai, Itachi sighed again but still gently took off his hat, revealing the "Red" ring of Akatsuki.

"Uchiha Itachi." Asuma took a deep breath, full of caution. "After doing what you did, you still dare to show up in Konohagakure. You have guts."

"Asuma-san, Kurenai-san, please don't interfere. I don't want to kill you." Itachi's face was calm, and his Sharingan slowly spun, as if talking about killing them was just a casual greeting.

"That's not something someone who killed his own clan would say." Asuma sneered. "At least I know you wouldn't show up in the village dressed like this for no reason."

"What is your purpose?"

The scarlet Sharingan reflected Asuma and Kurenai's figures. Itachi didn't answer, just silently sighed for them, hoping they could survive Kisame's attack.

The next second, Samehada came crashing down like a heavy axe, aiming at Asuma and Kurenai. They quickly dodged and stood at a distance, watching Kisame who had suddenly attacked.

At this moment, Kisame's face no longer had a smile, and he looked at Asuma with impatience: "This guy is quite annoying. Should I kill him?"

Kisame's last sentence was clearly directed at Itachi.

Itachi felt helpless inside but showed a cold expression: "It seems we can't leave this village quietly. But don't go overboard, your moves are too loud."

The only person in Konohagakure who could still make them wary was Jiraiya. Itachi didn't know Jiraiya had already left the village, but he used this reason to keep Kisame from going too far.

Asuma and Kurenai were elite ninjas, and Kisame wouldn't be able to kill them without going all out.

But Kisame didn't seem to think so: "Got it."

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