Chapter 64

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Shikamaru remained calm and executed his plans meticulously. However, he overlooked one critical point: while his team members each had great potential, they lacked experience and patience at their young age.

For a short duration, this was manageable. But over a longer period, issues began to surface.

In the forest, the experienced Sound Four seized an opportunity and laid their trap. Although Shikamaru sensed something was amiss, he was still a step too late in alerting his team.

Swish!

Giant, sticky spider webs descended from the sky.

"Got you!"

On the web, Kidomaru looked at his captured prey with a cruel smile. The bloodbath had begun.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

Clear bell sounds echoed through the forest.

Two dark figures darted swiftly through the trees. Kisame glanced at Itachi's expressionless face, as if the sky falling wouldn't faze him, and said with a grin, "Itachi, aren't you going to see your brother one more time? He's now a missing-nin like you. I can handle Orochimaru's minions alone."

Itachi replied coldly, "I've already seen him. There's no need to be disappointed again."

"You're really heartless," Kisame shook his head, a hint of confusion in his tone. Initially, when teamed up with Itachi, he had been somewhat defiant. But after spending some time together, though he didn't say it out loud, he had come to respect Itachi's abilities and temperament.

Itachi wasn't as cold-blooded and ruthless as the rumors suggested. His face seemed to always be shrouded in a thick fog, and Kisame couldn't quite figure him out. However, one thing was clear after all this time: Itachi didn't disregard Sasuke as much as he claimed.

If he did, he wouldn't have subjected his brother to the Tsukuyomi technique when they reunited, which to others might seem like unprecedented torment. But Kisame knew that Itachi was very cautious in using his Mangekyō Sharingan. He could see that the "love" between these brothers was unconventional and profound.

"Uchiha is truly a cursed yet enviable surname."

As Kisame's gaze briefly met Itachi's Sharingan, he was about to say something more when he suddenly stopped.

At the same time, Itachi also halted, his Sharingan focusing to the left.

Cough, cough.

Despite trying to suppress it, a light cough echoed through the forest. Knowing he was exposed, the owner of the cough stepped out from the shadows, revealing himself.

White hair, green eyes, red eye-shadow, and two red dots on his forehead.

"Such an appearance..."

Kisame's eyes narrowed, thinking of the Kaguya clan from his homeland, known for their combat prowess, ultimately leading to their downfall.

"A remnant of the Kaguya clan? Interesting," he mused.

Beside him, Itachi recognized more from the stranger's unique attire. The person before them was Kimimaro, a loyal follower of Orochimaru.

Forced to reveal himself due to his illness-induced cough, Kimimaro's eyes swept over Itachi and Kisame in their black and red cloud-patterned cloaks. His face remained calm as he suggested, "How about we part ways peacefully?"

As Orochimaru's confidant, Kimimaro knew the significance of the Akatsuki's attire. In other circumstances, he wouldn't hesitate to fight, even at the cost of his own life, to eliminate Orochimaru's enemies. But now, understanding Sasuke's importance to Orochimaru, he wanted to avoid unnecessary trouble.

However, Itachi's next words shattered his hopes.

"Orochimaru's new subordinate, he's mine. Kisame, handle the rest."

"I actually wanted to fight this guy. But since you asked first, I'll let you have him."

Without further ado, Kisame swiftly departed.

In the designated area, only Itachi and Kimimaro remained.

Knowing he couldn't escape Itachi's Sharingan, Kimimaro decided not to waste any more time.

"Lord Orochimaru, forgive me..."

Accepting his grim fate, Kimimaro pulled out a bottle of medicine and swallowed all the pills inside, ignoring the effects of his bloodline disease.

Itachi observed, his expression unchanged, and asked, "Where is Orochimaru?"

Kimimaro didn't respond. After his cheeks turned a strange shade of red, he lowered his gaze, focusing on Itachi's chest. Not wasting any more time, he attacked.

Ten Finger Drilling Bullets!

In an instant, ten bone bullets shot from Kimimaro's fingertips toward Itachi.

"It seems I'll have to make you talk."

Itachi left this remark before his body flickered, reappearing behind Kimimaro.

Slash!

Several sharp bones erupted from Kimimaro's back, piercing the figure behind him.

Instead of blood, a flurry of crows emerged. As Kimimaro turned, he saw Itachi's form disintegrate into crows.

Boom!

The crows exploded, creating a powerful shockwave that threw Kimimaro backward. When he stood again, he looked considerably worse for wear.

With his bones as hard as steel, the actual damage was minimal. But seeing the crows reappear, each carrying Itachi's image in their eyes, Kimimaro knew he faced a formidable opponent. He activated his Cursed Seal Level 2.

Cough, cough, cough!

Kimimaro's skin turned dark brown, black patterns appearing on his face, and a powerful bone tail grew from his back.

A far more formidable aura emanated from Kimimaro.

"Orochimaru's Cursed Seal, huh?"

Itachi's crows gathered, forming his body as he observed Kimimaro's transformation.

Without wasting any more time, Kimimaro drew his spine like a whip and charged at Itachi, now resembling a bone-covered beast.

Dance of the Clematis: Vine!

Itachi threw several shuriken.

Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!

Enhanced with fire chakra, the shuriken streaked toward Kimimaro like blazing petals.

Kimimaro deflected or dodged them effortlessly, continuing his charge without losing momentum. In a blink, he was before Itachi, his bone whip transforming into a sharp spear, striking directly at Itachi's heart.

Slash!

The bone spear pierced Itachi's heart.

(End of Chapter)