Chapter 149: Toyed by a Cat!

A human-beast combination? That's against the laws of nature!

Itsuki was firm on this point.

Besides, the size didn't even match!

Does he have to use his Susanoo form?

Isn't that a bit too much of a drain?

Even with the Eternal Mangekyo, it wouldn't hold up!

And the biggest issue—isn't this scene a bit terrifying?

Just imagining it hurts the eyes!

So, facing the odd Two-Tails, Itsuki's eyes were filled with suspicion.

But!

Itsuki quickly noticed the playful look in the Two-Tails' eyes.

"Damn!"

Itsuki cursed harshly, "You dumb cat, don't tell me you're..."

"What do you think?"

The Two-Tails sneered and said, "Do you think the world looks the same to a Tailed Beast as it does to you humans? Honestly, if it wasn't for your chakra signature, I wouldn't even recognize you. To us, all you humans look the same."

Itsuki's face darkened.

He had been toyed with by a cat.

Seriously!

Itsuki stared at the Two-Tails and 'curiously' asked, "You really think you can mess with me? Aren't you Tailed Beasts all supposed to be dumb?"

"What did you say?"

The flames on the Two-Tails reignited once more.

"Aren't you?" Itsuki said with surprise, "You all got sealed, isn't that the best evidence? If it were me, I definitely wouldn't be sealed."

The Two-Tails scoffed, "You talk big, but do you even know how strong Hashirama Senju was? He was way stronger than you. I had no ability to resist under him."

"Couldn't you have just waited for a chance to sabotage the Jinchuriki?"

Itsuki sneered, "If the Jinchuriki dies, you don't necessarily die too, right? Just betray the Jinchuriki when the time comes and run."

"Uh..."

The Two-Tails froze.

Itsuki pointed to the Eight-Tails and said, "Just like earlier, at the critical moment of the battle, you could strike back. Don't you think that'd be fun?"

"...You're not human!"

I'm here helping you fight, and you're teaching me how to betray you?!

If I get the chance, I'll definitely kill you.

"Tch!"

Itsuki snorted and looked into the distance.

"Hey, are you sure you don't need my help?" the Two-Tails asked curiously. "This time, Konoha only has 1,500 shinobi, but the other side has 3,000, double the amount."

"Wow, you can do math?" Itsuki pointed at the bodies on the ground. "Where do you see 3,000?"

There were already hundreds of bodies on the ground.

And what about those without bodies?

Both the Two-Tails and the Eight-Tails had unleashed their Tailed Beast Bombs more than once! If they hadn't taken out at least a thousand shinobi, they wouldn't be living up to their Tailed Beast status.

By this calculation, there were probably just over a thousand Cloud shinobi left.

Plus, the enemy was nearly scared out of their minds.

If the shinobi of Konoha, led by two Susanoo users, couldn't crush them, the village really didn't deserve to exist.

The Two-Tails reminded him, "Kumogakure still has some powerful shinobi!"

Powerful shinobi? That was an understatement!

Kumogakure had even more elite warriors. After all, they were famous in the ninja world for being a faction of fierce fighters!

Itsuki, however, remained unconcerned. "The Uchiha clan has even more powerful fighters."

"Boom!!"

Just then, the sound of battle came from afar, and a giant Susanoo was surrounded by black lightning.

"Black lightning? Darui?"

Itsuki froze. "He's here too?"

He hadn't noticed before.

But it made sense.

Itsuki was having way too much fun piloting his giant Susanoo, even dragging the Eight-Tails into a dance-off. Why would he care about some Darui?

At this moment, Darui wasn't even the Raikage yet.

His strength likely hadn't reached Kage level, and he had a low presence to begin with. Now, he was practically invisible.

Itsuki thought for a moment and focused his mind on the ring, sending out a signal.

In Amegakure, several individuals wearing Akatsuki rings noticed Itsuki's summons.

"What is it?"

Pain's figure appeared on his finger, staring at Itsuki.

Around him, others began to project their images as well.

"Wanna buy a Tailed Beast?" Itsuki asked Pain directly.

A Tailed Beast?

For sale?

Pain froze.

"Uchiha Itsuki, you're selling a Tailed Beast?"

Casually, Itsuki replied, "I've captured the Eight-Tails, along with its Jinchuriki, Killer Bee."

Pain looked deeply at Itsuki. "Seems like the battle on your side is wrapping up."

The Eight-Tails was Kumogakure's greatest asset.

Its capture signaled Konoha's victory.

This caught Pain off guard.

Kumogakure, the second-ranked ninja village, had been taken down so quickly by Itsuki?

How did he do it?

"More or less," Itsuki said indifferently. "So, you buying?"

"No, just bring it over. Akatsuki will take it."

Pain's voice was calm.

"What's that? You're going to take it by force?"

Itsuki sneered. "I wonder if you have the teeth for that."

"No." For once, Pain explained patiently. "Since you've already captured the Tailed Beast, I might as well tell you. The final mission of Akatsuki is for each member to capture a Tailed Beast. Looks like you're just finishing your task early."

His aura surged as he spoke. "When you joined Akatsuki, you all agreed. Akatsuki's missions must be completed."

"Hey, hey, we never heard anything about this!" Deidara protested.

Pain replied calmly, "Capturing Tailed Beasts is the third phase of Akatsuki's plan. We're still in the second phase."

The Akatsuki members fell into silence.

They were all quite shocked by this news.

The final goal of Akatsuki was the Tailed Beasts.

The calamity-causing Tailed Beasts.

Itsuki asked, "So, once we capture all nine Tailed Beasts, do we all become Jinchuriki?"

"No," Pain said, "The Tailed Beasts have other uses. I'll tell you more later. Not everyone is here yet, so I won't say much now."

He glanced around.

Only four members of Akatsuki were present.

Deidara, Sasori, Kakuzu, and Juzo Biwa.

"Fine!"

Itsuki wasn't too bothered. "Pain, I'll send the Eight-Tails over to you. After that, I'm done with this Tailed Beast business."

"Okay," Pain nodded.

According to intel, the Eight-Tails was one of the hardest Tailed Beasts to deal with. Most official Akatsuki members wouldn't stand a chance against it.

Itsuki's capture of it saved him quite a bit of trouble.

"Heh, they say the Two-Tails is in Hidden Fire, and now the Eight-Tails has been captured. Kumogakure is going to lose it," Sasori's raspy voice cut in. "Leader, be careful. The Eight-Tails is the Raikage's brother."

"Let him come."

Pain showed no concern. "If he comes to Amegakure, I'll deal with him."

None of the Akatsuki members cared.

None of them feared the Kage from the Five Great Villages.

Respect? Sure. Fear? Not a chance!

"Alright!" Itsuki's figure disappeared, leaving only his words lingering in the air.

"Great, you can help me lighten the load."

Load?

Pain chuckled.

What load?

Kumogakure had already been soundly defeated. They had lost two Tailed Beasts. If they didn't lower their heads in submission, they'd be crushed.

By the time Itsuki opened his eyes again, the battle between Kumogakure and Konoha had ended.

Itsuki used Flying Thunder God to teleport Killer Bee.

To Amegakure, where Akatsuki awaited. Itsuki had left a mark there.

Once Pain received him, Itsuki turned his gaze toward Konoha.

A cold smile curled on his lips. "Now, it's your turn!"

(Chapter End)