195. Itachi And Kisame

A day later.

Even though it was only a day after the Third Hokage's funeral, the day had started to return to normal even though it was a bit gloomy.

When the bright sun began to shine on the Konohagakure village, two foreign figures were there wearing black coats with red cloud patterns. The Konohagakure residents didn't seem to notice those two despite them walking normally through the street.

When those two were resting at the tavern, Kakashi immediately knew who they were, which was evident from their clothes. Those two were Itachi and Kisame. Kakashi had thought that the two of them didn't come the day after the funeral, but he seemed wrong. Kakashi wanted to tell Izumi and the others, but the signal on his phone wouldn't work while the mission was still going on.

Kakashi could handle it if it was just Kisame, but with Itachi's presence, he wouldn't be able to win against them. When he was in doubt, he heard familiar voices.

"Luffy, where are you going?"

"I want to find that durian head."

It was the voice of a girl wearing a gothic dress. Meanwhile, the other person was a young man with a straw hat on his head. No doubt, both of them were Rori and Luffy.

"Naruto? Why are you looking for him?"

When Rori mentioned "Naruto", Itachi and Kisame flinched their fingers.

"That durian head could summon such a big monster. Tabane said that I should ask him directly whether he agreed or not. If not, then I will beat him until he agrees. I want to get a giant frog as well. Frog meat is so delicious, hehehe." Then, Luffy grinned from ear to ear.

*Smack*

But then, he got a slap from Rori.

"What are you doing, Rori!!?" Luffy complained by rubbing his head.

"That should be my line, idiot! That frog wasn't food. If you want to be taught only that you want to eat frogs, then forget it! Moreover, Naruto was off somewhere. He and his teacher went to the next town to find someone."

"Ehhh. Then, I'm gonna look for him?" Luffy prepared to rush. But, Rori grabbed his collar.

"Go back with me or I'll force you!"

"I refuse!" When he just refused, Luffy suddenly felt pain all over his body.

"Ahhh, it hurts. What did you do?"

"I put a curse on your body. If you follow my words, I will dispel it."

"Ah, that's unfair."

Then, Rori dragged him away, and left everyone around dumbfounded.

Their voices were too loud. And no doubt, Itachi and Kisame also heard them.

Kakashi sighed in relief. Good thing they came in time.

Not long after, he saw Kurenai and Asuma who were clearly dating. Asuma who saw Kakashi greeted him.

"Kakashi, what are you doing here?"

"Oh, how rare to see you guys together. Dating?"

With Kakashi's slightly teasing question, Kurenai denied it with her reddened cheeks.

"It's not like that, we just happen to want to buy the same thing."

"My eternal rival, let's compete!"

And to his surprise, he heard Guy's voice from behind who unexpectedly approached Kakashi and asked to compete.

Kakashi ignored Guy and said to Asuma.

"Well, I'm gonna look for Sasuke and talk about something. He saw how strong the youngsters from Kaiyougakure village were, which made him decide to go with them to become stronger." While speaking, Kakashi's gaze turned to the tavern. The three of them glanced inside and immediately understood what Kakashi meant. Even so, Kurenai still asked about what she heard earlier.

"Is it okay to just let Sasuke go with them? It's true, they're so powerful, but we're just getting to know them recently."

"Isn't it alright? It's an opportunity for him to see how big the outside world is and how powerful people out there are. I believe growing outside is better for him."

"Well, I can't object since you and Sasuke already decided."

"Let's not talk about that anymore, they're already slipped away."

After Kakashi said that, they all looked toward the tavern and there were only drinks left, while Itachi and Kisame had already left.

— — — —

At the same time inside Konohagakure village.

Two people were walking through Konohagakure's gate. One is an old man with long white hair who carries enough things, the other is a boy with spiky yellow hair who carries a large bag filled with things as if he wants to go hiking. No doubt, they are Jiraiya and Naruto.

After they got out of Konohagakure village, Naruto started to ask.

"Hey, hey, perverted hermit, what Jutsu do you want to teach me? Is it powerful?"

Then, with a sullen face, Jiraiya said.

"Can you not call me a perverted hermit? I'm a Sage, you know."

"Sage? How is it different from a hermit?"

"Of course it's different. Sage is a title for a wise person like me."

Jiraiya changed his expression while pointing proudly at himself. However, Naruto denied it instantly.

"Then you are a hermit. You're not like a sage at all."

"No-no way!"

Jiraiya's expression back to sullen again.

"More importantly, tell me, what do you want to teach me?"

"Jeez, you are an impatient brat. I promised to teach you, but on the condition that you come with me to find someone."

"Who are you looking for? I bet it's a woman."

"Hehe, you know me very well, aren't you? We're going to look for a very very beautiful woman."

"You know her?"

"Of course, she's the same age as me."

Jiraiya stunned Naruto with that words and made him think.

"Isn't that mean, she's already grandma? How the heck did he say beautiful?" Naruto said inwardly.

After that, Naruto said,

"I don't care about her anyway. I just want to train to get stronger. Hey, perverted hermit, can you teach me on the way?"

"I told you, I'll teach you, but accompany me to find that woman first. Besides, the training I want to give you is no ordinary training."

"No ordinary?"

Naruto got excited after hearing that it was no ordinary training.

"Yes, but it will be 100 times more difficult than training the Rasengan, so, you should prepare yourself."

"O-one hundred times?"

*gulp*

Practicing the Rasengan alone was hard enough for him, if it was 100 times more difficult, it was no wonder he felt a bit alarmed.

— — — —

Meanwhile.

Kakashi, Asuma, Guy, and Kurenai stood in front of two people who wore Akatsuki's iconic outfits.

"Long time no see, Kakashi-san, Asuma-san, Kurenai-san, Guy-san. How do you do?"

Hearing the words of one of the Akatsuki members, Asuma's eyes widened and responded.

"From the way you talk, you seem to know us already."

"Is he Orochimaru's spy in this Konoha just like Kabuto?"

"Probably not. If he is, then he wouldn't say "long time no see". Moreover, I don't really know this voice. Who are you?"

Guy and Kurenai also started to get curious about the person who covered his entire face with a hood, and what Kakashi said next really surprised them.

"I didn't expect you to come back here again, Itachi."

"As expected of you, Kakashi-san. You recognize me instantly." After saying that, Itachi lifted the hood and uncovered his face. His irises looked red as blood with three Tomoes surrounding his pupil, the Sharingan.

"Hoho, so you're Itachi's acquaintances? Then let me introduce myself. My name is Hoshigaki Kisame."

Another man who wore Akatsuki's outfit lifted his hood. He had a distinctive shark-like appearance, complete with pale, bluish skin. He had small, round, white eyes, 3 sets of gills under his eye, and sharp triangular teeth.

Asuma, Guy, and Kurenai were so surprised by the presence of the missing-nin from Konohagakure and Kirigakure. They were also quite surprised that Kakashi had recognized Itachi from the start.

"You guys, don't ever look into Itachi's eyes unless you want to fall in his Genjutsu! Even I, who has Sharingan, can't withstand his Genjutsu since our level is different. And you Kurenai, don't use any Genjutsu against him, it's pointless." Kakashi immediately warned his three friends not to be reckless. Kakashi's face also looks serious when warning them.

Kurenai wanted to protest because her outstanding ability was Genjutsu. However, seeing how serious Kakashi was and knowing the Sharingan could see through all illusions, Kurenai followed his advice.

"Let me confirm something, Itachi! What are you here for? What is your purpose?"

Itachi still looked calm despite Kakashi and the others being on standby to deal with him.

"Well, I'm not coming here to make trouble with Konohagakure. So please just let us be."

But, at that moment, they heard a footstep.