"Well, this works out fine. A brief moment of peace is always a good thing!"
"Kazama, you've really opened my eyes this time. To think you took down Hidan and Kakuzu single-handedly! Those two are top-tier even among the Akatsuki. Even I couldn't take them both out at the same time. It seems your strength has grown far beyond when we first met!"
"Eh, it's alright. My skills are just average, nothing too crazy."
Hearing Itachi's praise, Kazama felt a bit happy but also a touch embarrassed.
After all, Kazama was a humble guy by nature. He never tried to show off.
But his strength was so overwhelming that people often mistook his humility for arrogance.
"Just average? If this isn't strong, what kind of strength are you aiming for?"
Seeing Kazama's modest attitude, Itachi couldn't help but feel exasperated.
"By the way, Kazama, I'm really sorry about this time. Hidan and Kakuzu were originally on a mission in the Land of Lightning. Capturing the Two-Tails was a spur-of-the-moment decision, so I didn't know about it in time to warn you."
"So it was a last-minute thing!"
Hearing Itachi's apology, Kazama finally understood why Itachi hadn't tipped him off about the Akatsuki's movements.
It nearly led to Yugito Nii being taken away by Hidan and Kakuzu.
"No worries. Since it was unplanned, no one could've predicted it. But now that this has happened, I bet the Akatsuki will plan more carefully when capturing Tailed Beasts in the future. You'll be able to give me a heads-up then."
"Thanks for understanding!"
Hearing Kazama's words, Itachi let out a sigh of relief.
After all, Kazama had made a deal with him: stop Orochimaru from harming his younger brother in exchange for intel on the Akatsuki's Tailed Beast hunts.
But now, Kazama had already dealt with Orochimaru, while Itachi had failed to keep tabs on the Akatsuki's plans.
Naturally, Itachi felt guilty about it.
"How's my little brother doing lately?"
"Uh, about that…"
At Itachi's question, Kazama scratched his head awkwardly.
He hadn't been back to Konoha in a while, so he had no clue about Sasuke's recent situation.
"Don't worry, I'm heading back to Konoha now. I'll let you know about Sasuke as soon as I can."
"Thanks a lot!"
After parting ways with Itachi, Kazama headed straight to Team 7's training grounds.
As soon as he arrived, Naruto and Sakura were practically bouncing with excitement.
Especially Naruto, who immediately showed off his Fūton: Rasenshuriken in front of Kazama.
"What do you think, Kazama? This jutsu you taught me—I'm getting way better at it!"
"Not bad! But if you could throw that Fūton: Rasenshuriken at an enemy, that'd be even more impressive."
"Throw it? How do you even do that?"
At Kazama's suggestion, Naruto tried tossing it a few times, but every attempt flopped.
"Take it slow, no rush."
"Hmph! With Kakashi gone, what, you think you're the teacher now?"
Unlike the others, Sasuke wasn't thrilled to see Kazama. Instead, he smirked and started mocking him.
"Kazama, you're just a student like the rest of us. What makes you think you can teach anyone? Talking about throwing that jutsu like it's a shuriken? You really think you can just toss a ninjutsu out like that? That's impossible!"
"Whoa, that's insane!"
Right as Sasuke kept tearing into Kazama, something happened.
Kazama casually performed the Fūton: Rasenshuriken, flung it out with ease, and then called it back to his hand.
"So, Sasuke, want me to show you again?"
Seeing Kazama effortlessly throw the jutsu, Sasuke felt his face burn with embarrassment.
vote and visitm ypatreon
belamy20