After settling two members of the Akatsuki with overwhelming force, the search-and-rescue squad pressed forward.
...
Inside a cave somewhere in the Land of Rivers.
On top of the finger statue.
The recently departed Kakuzu and Hidan reappeared as projections.
"Zero" said, "So you dealt with them this quickly? Seems that red-haired kid from Konoha wasn't much after all."
Hidan's face stiffened awkwardly.
"Actually, we were the ones who got dealt with… That guy used some unknown ninjutsu and caused a massive explosion. Turned the whole mountain into a crater. Pretty terrifying, honestly…"
The other Akatsuki members exchanged silent glances.
Hidan was notorious for his recklessness and insanity.
For someone like him to call someone "terrifying"… This was a first.
"Zero" said flatly, "You two zombie idiots couldn't fully utilize the Earth Grudge Fear technique, so it's no surprise you were taken down by a wide-range ninjutsu."
"We'll just have to wait for Kisame and Itachi's update next."
Kakuzu sighed. "Hopefully."
Truthfully, he actually had a bit of admiration for that red-haired kid.
Though it was their first time meeting, he felt… an odd sense of connection.
Something hard to explain.
It was the kind of feeling that made him want to do business with the kid.
...
Meanwhile.
Deep within a dense forest of the Land of Rivers, Uchiha Itachi and Hoshigaki Kisame exchanged a glance.
"Kakuzu and Hidan were taken out instantly," Itachi said.
"Instantly? Hah, guess that kid's gotten way stronger over these past three years…"
Kisame felt a lingering unease.
"It doesn't matter. Our goal is just to slow them down. We only need to stall for a bit… coughcough…"
Itachi's words ended with a muffled cough.
Kisame silently stepped in front of him, resting Samehada on his shoulder.
"Leave the fighting to me, Itachi-san. Better if you don't use genjutsu right now."
"Your body's getting worse and worse."
Itachi waved dismissively, unconcerned.
"Don't worry. I still have something to discuss with Shinju-kun later."
...
A few minutes later, rustling came from the forest ahead.
Shinju's nine-man squad emerged!
Kisame, Samehada hoisted over his shoulder, grinned wide, sharp teeth glinting as his voice boomed,
"Finally! Itachi-san and I have been waiting for you guys!"
Then he pointed Samehada toward Might Guy.
"Well, well. Look who it is! Konoha's rare beast!"
Guy squinted slightly.
Except for Kakashi, he never bothered remembering his opponents' faces.
Now, staring at Kisame's eager expression, he looked utterly baffled.
"You… I don't think I know you!"
Kisame: (￣┰￣*)
The hell? Getting brushed off like that was infuriating.
But… gotta keep the cool factor.
So Kisame forced a mocking tone.
"Hmph. Figures Konoha's 'rare beast' would have a small brain."
Hearing that nickname, Guy suddenly lit up in realization.
"Oh, I remember now! You're that guy from last time—"
Kisame's grin widened into a sharp, sinister smile.
"Finally remembered, huh?! ツ"
Guy hesitated. "Last time… what was your name again? Uh… I forgot."
Kisame: "…You messing with me right now?! (ꐦ ಠ 皿 ಠ)"
Without another word, Kisame started weaving hand signs furiously.
How dare this bowl-cut clown look down on him?! No way he was letting that slide!
"Water Style: Explo—"
Before he could finish, Guy suddenly slapped his forehead.
"You're Hoshigaki Kisame!!!"
Kisame: "…"
Konoha squad: "…"
(ー ー゛)
When it came to infuriating opponents, Guy-sensei was unmatched.
Kisame trembled with barely contained rage, practically about to explode, while Uchiha Itachi remained utterly composed.
Meanwhile, Shinju caught sight of Itachi on the other side and smiled warmly.
"Long time no see."
He had plenty of questions for this genjutsu master.
"It's been three years," Itachi said softly. "How's Uchiha Shisui's Sharingan treating you?"
Hearing that, Shinju's suspicions were confirmed.
The crow that had saved him on the Naka Bridge all those years ago… was almost certainly sent by Uchiha Itachi.
He had predicted that Danzo would try to use Kotoamatsukami on him!
"Thanks. It's been working beautifully."
Shinju nodded politely.
The next moment, the sclera of his right eye turned blood-red as a pinwheel-patterned Mangekyō Sharingan emerged.
Immediately, green light flared across his body as the skeletal form of Susanoo manifested!
This time, it wasn't just the ribcage like back at the training arena—it was a fully formed upper-body Susanoo skeleton!
Soon, sinew and armor layered atop the bones.
In no time, Susanoo's third stage appeared!
A green crystal-like Susanoo surrounded Shinju, armored and imposing, holding a spiraling blade in its giant hand!
Chiyo's jaw dropped. "Th-th-this red-haired kid… is he actually an Uchiha?! (⊙o⊙)"
"But why does he only have one eye?!"
Naruto chimed in, "It's a long story, Granny. You wouldn't get it."
"You little kid, who are you calling Granny?!" Chiyo snapped, bristling. "I may be old, but I know plenty about bloodline techniques and ninjutsu."
She eyed Shinju sharply.
"A red-haired boy with Susanoo? That's gotta mean there was intermarriage between the Uchiha and Uzumaki clans…"
The very next moment, Shinju slammed his palms together.
"Wood Style: Lesser Deep Forest Emergence!"
Massive trees erupted from the ground, quickly spreading into a dense forest of Wood Style!
This was Shinju's domain—an area completely under his control!
Chiyo froze in shock. Σ(っ °Д °;)っ
He could use Wood Style too?!
Just like the God of Shinobi himself!
Wood Style… combined with powerful medical ninjutsu… and Mangekyō Sharingan's Susanoo…
She realized, with growing unease, just how far behind she'd fallen.
A prodigy like this had emerged in the shinobi world—and she hadn't even known.
This red-haired boy's power… could shake the entire balance of the ninja world!!
Chiyo's thoughts trembled.
...
Across from Shinju, Uchiha Itachi muttered under his breath,
"A single eye… and you've already awakened Susanoo? You're not even an Uchiha by blood, and yet you've reached this level…"
With a subtle wave of his hand, countless crows enveloped his body.
Seeing this, Shinju immediately understood—it was Tsukuyomi.
Itachi was pulling him into a genjutsu space.
Exactly what he wanted.
Inside the illusion, Shinju asked without hesitation,
"That crow that saved me back then… you sent it, didn't you?"
"What exactly are you planning?"
Itachi nodded slightly.
"I did. My only goal… is to protect my younger brother."
Shinju frowned, finding that hard to believe.
"You massacred the entire Uchiha clan, left Sasuke alive, and now you say you want to protect him?"
Itachi didn't argue. Instead, he spoke calmly, following Shinju's line of thought.
"What happened back then… I won't explain further. I am, indeed, a rogue ninja of Konoha and a sinner who killed his kin."
"But, Shinju-kun, please believe me. I only want to keep Sasuke safe."
Itachi's tone shifted slightly as he continued.
"I want to ask you for one favor… as repayment for that crow."
Shinju's brow furrowed.
If not for that crow, he would've fallen under Danzo's control and become his puppet long ago.
Because of that, Itachi's request was one he couldn't easily refuse.
Shinju said quietly, "Go on."
Itachi lowered his gaze.
"Don't harm Sasuke. In the future, if he ever chooses a path that threatens Konoha… I hope you'll guide him back to the right one."