In the Village Hidden in Leaves...
Ever since the shocking events during the Chunin Exams and the death of the Third Hokage, the village was in a prolonged period of recovery.
All across the village, repair work was going on full swing. Busy crowds could be seen everywhere on the streets.
The villagers of Konoha, though grieving, did not lose hope. After all, this wasn't the first time Konoha had faced a crisis since its founding. Knowing that Konoha had survived three occurrences of The Great Ninja World War, how could it possibly be defeated by someone like Orochimaru?
Amidst this energetic atmosphere, two mysterious unexpected visitors quietly arrived at Konoha.
On Ichiraku Street, two men wearing straw hats and cloaks marked with red clouds on black approached unhurriedly.
They were none other than Akatsuki's Uchiha Itachi and Hoshigaki Kisame, infiltrating Konoha to capture Naruto Uzumaki, the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki.
Though it was supposed to be a covert infiltration, there was no way they could slip through unnoticed dressed so visibly.
Thus, near the banks of the Konoha River, they encountered Konoha's elite jonin squad, leading to an intense battle breaking out between the two sides.
One side stood Itachi and Kisame; on the other, Kakashi, Might Guy, Asuma, and Kurenai.
During this battle, Uchiha Itachi displayed overwhelming strength, easily defeating both Kurenai and Kakashi using Genjutsu. Particularly against Kakashi, he dragged him into the world of Tsukuyomi and tormented him continuously for seventy-two hours straight.
Meanwhile, Kisame was about to engage Might Guy in what might've become a three-hundred-round brawl with the beast-like ninja when Itachi called him off.
"Kisame, don't waste time here—we mustn't forget our mission."
After reminding him thus, Itachi turned and walked away.
Kisame chuckled slightly, regretfully sheathing Samehada before falling into step behind Itachi.
Guy and Asuma didn't try to stop them. Their companions' injuries concerned them far more than chasing after their enemies.
Just then— Whoosh! In a flash!
Izumi Uchiha appeared from around a street corner, leaping onto the water surface and landing directly in front of Itachi and Kisame.
"Another one? These Konoha shinobi really never quit."
Kisame glanced at Izumi, dismissing her immediately upon noticing she was only a thirteen or fourteen-year-old girl. He lazily performed a few hand signs, then swept his arm forward—a shark made of water surged toward Izumi.
Facing Kisame's attack, a faint smirk lifted Izumi's lips. Her hands flashed through the seals with lightning speed. With a mighty roar, a colossal dragon composed of water erupted from behind her, surging straight toward the shark.
[Water Release: Water Dragon Shot]
Boom.
Under the impact of the water dragon, the shark was effortlessly swallowed whole. Immediately afterward, Kisame looked genuinely startled, hastily raising Samehada to defend himself, but both he and his sword were sent flying backward by the strike, crashing into the water below.
What?!
Witnessing this scene, Might Guy and Asuma both wore expressions of shock. They'd already experienced just how powerful Kisame was—never did they expect this "shark guy" to be knocked aside by a teenage girl.
Moreover, the girl wasn't someone the others had ever seen before among the Konoha ninja.
Among the Konoha group, the only one aware of Izumi's true identity was Kakashi, who currently remained unconscious.
Itachi glanced at the water surface and saw his partner Kisame rising up, looking somewhat disheveled but otherwise unharmed.
Then he turned back, watching Izumi with slight suspicion in his eyes. After a long silence, he finally broke it:
"Izumi, we meet again."
"Yes, Itachi, we meet again."
Izumi replied coldly.
At this moment, both of their minds drifted back to those innocent youth-filled days of their adolescence — to those carefree days when they had shared Three Coloured Pills together.
Unfortunately, since that terrifying Night of the Clan's Destruction five years ago, all beautiful memories had become things of the past. They could never return to how things once were.
"Am I imagining it," Itachi asked suspiciously, "or have you not aged at all? You still look exactly the same as five years ago."
The Izumi before him remained the same vibrant and beautiful young girl as before, while over these years, his health had continuously declined, deepening the creases around his mouth.
Even though they were the same age, she looked as fresh as ever while Itachi aged before his time.
"It seems you must've been heavily overusing your [Mangekyou Sharingan] abilities," Izumi didn't directly answer Itachi's question, instead pointing out his physical condition with slight mockery. "That's why your body is so exhausted. The day you go blind can't be far away anymore."
"I wouldn't mind killing you here and now," Izumi continued, her tone shifting, "unfortunately my teacher said you're destined to play an important role in future shinobi history. He advises against interfering lest we incur backlash from the world's power."
After saying some words Itachi couldn't understand, she then added — with an expression growing more puzzled — as if explaining for his benefit:
"That's why I came today — to teach you a proper lesson."
As her voice faded, Izumi's pitch-black pupils transformed into a chilling crimson hue. However, unlike Itachi's Mangekyou pattern, hers was much more complex in design, exuding an air of mystique and nobility.
"[Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan]!"
Itachi shuddered violently and exclaimed aloud.
"Precisely."
Izumi's gaze was as cold and aloof as a god's.
Instantly.
Splash!
Uchiha Itachi knelt on the surface of the river, blood trickling from both eyes like tears. His breath rasped like a broken bellows, barely keeping him conscious.
What just happened?
Might Guy and Asuma stared at each other in stunned disbelief. Moments ago, Uchiha Itachi had seemed nearly invincible. Now, this mysterious girl from his own clan had taken him down effortlessly.
He hadn't even managed to fight back.
Mr. Itachi!
Kisame rushed forward from the side, releasing dozens of chakra sharks toward Izumi. While keeping her occupied, he quickly helped Uchiha Itachi rise.
With one wary glance at Izumi, he carried the wounded Itachi and swiftly fled the scene.
Effortlessly neutralizing Kisame's ninjutsu, Izumi did not pursue. Instead, she turned her gaze upon Might Guy and the others.
Instantly, both Guy and Asuma grew extremely tense — their hearts pounding like they might stop beating altogether.
"Even now, Kakashi still hasn't realized he's already awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan. No wonder he lost to Itachi."
Izumi sighed, shook her head, and then turned around, drifting away gracefully.
Her task was done. Now she only needed to wait for Master Heiyan's return. Once Master Heiyan and his four apprentices reunited, they would head toward an even more distant future.
Meanwhile, at Tanukichou Street...
Tsunade was back—again.
Not long ago, just as she was about to leave the Land of Fire with Shizune, she received devastating news from the Leaf Village—Orochimaru had attacked, and the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was dead.
One was her childhood buddy; the other, her respected teacher.
Tsunade couldn't ignore this tragedy, so in the end, she changed her mind and turned back.
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