"Did I hear that right, Kazama? You can transform into Tailed Beasts—and not just one, but both Shukaku and Matatabi?!"
"You heard me right, Lord Third. I was lucky enough to gain the powers of both the One-Tail and Two-Tails. If you don't believe me, I can transform again right now."
"No, no, please don't! I'm too old to handle that kind of shock!"
Kazama's abilities had completely shattered the Third Hokage's worldview. Normally, mastering the power of even a single Tailed Beast was enough to dominate a region. But Kazama? He wielded the powers of two Tailed Beasts—and could control them perfectly without losing his sanity. Even the Third Hokage couldn't help but envy Kazama's talents.
"Itachi! Kisame! You've finally shown yourselves!"
At that moment, Kazama's Wood Release clones, scattered across the village, detected Uchiha Itachi and Hoshigaki Kisame entering Konoha. They were already clashing with Kurenai, Asuma, and Kakashi.
Kazama knew the plot from the manga: after Orochimaru's attack on Konoha, Itachi and Kisame would show up. On the surface, their mission was to capture the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Uzumaki Naruto. But in reality, Itachi was there to gauge Konoha's current strength, to see if the village could still protect his younger brother, Uchiha Sasuke.
Since Kazama needed to absorb ninjutsu to unlock the Fallen Heart Flame, he saw this as the perfect chance to take on both Uchiha Itachi and Hoshigaki Kisame.
"You may have a Sharingan, but the Uchiha clan are the true inheritors of its power. You're destined to lose!"
Itachi's strength was overwhelming. In a single exchange, Kakashi was trapped in the Tsukuyomi illusion. Asuma and Kurenai were battered and bruised by Kisame's relentless attacks.
"Then let's see if my Sharingan can match yours!"
In a flash, Kazama arrived at the scene, activating his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan.
"You little punk. I knew you'd show up," Kakashi said, breathing a sigh of relief. His own Sharingan was no match for Itachi's, but he was confident Kazama's Mangekyo could hold its own.
"An outsider with a Mangekyo Sharingan?!"
Even the ever-composed Uchiha Itachi was stunned by Kazama's eyes.
"Hmph! Some nobody thinks he can crash our party!" Kisame snarled at Kazama.
"Kisame, don't forget our mission is to find the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. No need to waste time on these guys," Itachi warned.
"Relax, Itachi. Taking out this clueless punk won't take more than a few seconds!"
Kisame unsheathed the massive Samehada from his back. "I've always been jealous of the Sharingan's power. If I take this kid's eyes, you won't mind, will you, Itachi?"
Seeing Kisame's confidence, Kazama smirked coldly. "My target was Itachi, but since you're so eager to die—and even want to steal my Sharingan—I don't mind crushing you first and taking your Samehada."
"Haha! A piece of trash like you thinks you can beat me? You're dreaming if you think you'll take my Samehada. Maybe in your next life!"
Kisame charged at Kazama, swinging Samehada with deadly force.
"Damn it! Kazama's no match for Hoshigaki Kisame! We need to call the Anbu, now!" Asuma shouted.
"No need, Asuma. Kazama's got this handled," Kakashi replied calmly.
"What?!"
Asuma and Kurenai were floored by Kakashi's words.
"Have you lost it, Kakashi? Kazama's just a Genin! He's barely been on any missions. How could he possibly stand a chance against an S-rank rogue ninja like Hoshigaki Kisame?!" Asuma protested.
"Yeah, Kakashi, aren't you overestimating this kid?" Kurenai added.
They didn't know Kazama was the one who saved Konoha earlier, so naturally, they doubted his strength.
"You're the ones underestimating him. Kazama's power has already surpassed ours," Kakashi said firmly.
"No way! He's just a Genin, he—"
BOOM!
Just as Asuma and Kurenai were convinced Kazama was doomed, they saw the S-rank rogue ninja Hoshigaki Kisame sent flying backward. Samehada he'd been wielding was nowhere to be seen.
Across from him, Kazama stood casually, twirling the massive Samehada in his hands, inspecting it with a grin.