"Uchiha Itachi…"
Now wasn't the time to fight him.
Yuichi pulled his gaze away and turned to the raging fire still spreading through the forest. If it kept burning unchecked, the entire woodland would be reduced to ash.
He formed a quick series of seals. Several Water Dragon Bullets surged forth, cutting through the flames. The fire wasn't fully extinguished, but at least it stopped spreading.
Yuichi then returned to the spot where Naruto had been hidden. A Wood Style clone emerged from the earth, carrying the unconscious Naruto in its arms. Without wasting another second, Yuichi disappeared into the forest with him.
···
Far away, Itachi had carried Kisame to a quiet creek and dropped him onto the bank.
Samehada still pulsed with chakra in Kisame's grasp, the great blade vibrating faintly as if alive. Itachi's eyes narrowed. He knew Samehada's abilities well, yet even it seemed changed after the battle.
His thoughts flickered back to the inferno he had just witnessed.
That boy's Fire Style… to overwhelm both Samehada and Kisame with sheer chakra output. Incredible.
Itachi had to see it with his own eyes to believe it. A ninja no older than Sasuke had unleashed power beyond comprehension.
Then a realization struck him. His eyes sharpened.
That child… could he be Konoha's Wood Style user?
The boy matched the rumors: the same age as Sasuke, wielding a monstrous amount of chakra, said to have inherited the Senju clan's physique. That level of chakra would explain such terrifying ninjutsu.
And yet… there was a contradiction.
A Wood Style shinobi should have water and earth affinities. But he burned Kisame with Fire Style… even through Samehada.
Kisame, still unconscious, groaned faintly. His body twitched as scorched skin began to peel away like a snake shedding its hide. Ten minutes later, he looked almost restored, steam rising from his body.
Slowly, he opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was Itachi's calm face.
"You… where am I?" Kisame muttered.
"Just a place to rest," Itachi said evenly.
Kisame pushed himself upright, anger flashing in his eyes. "Where's that brat?"
"If he were still here, you'd already be dead."
Kisame's face darkened. His fists clenched. "That damn kid… his chakra reserves are absurd. He turned B-rank ninjutsu into S-rank power!"
He reached for Samehada, feeling its scales shudder beneath his palm. Chakra still surged violently inside the blade. Kisame's lips curled back in a grimace.
"I can't believe it… me, one of the Seven Swordsmen, pushed this far by a child."
Itachi regarded him with quiet disapproval. "Unexpected, yes. But you should be grateful. If I hadn't intervened, you'd be a corpse now."
Kisame exhaled sharply, his anger faltering. "Tch… fine. I owe you one. But we need to find out who he is. A kid with that much chakra isn't normal. That kind of power… it's not something an ordinary Konoha shinobi should have."
Itachi stood, adjusting his cloak. His expression was unreadable. "Investigation is wise. But let me be clear, Kisame… we won't confront him again. Next time, I might not be able to save you."
···
Meanwhile, Yuichi was already on the move with Naruto slung over his shoulder.
Two hours later, Naruto finally stirred, blinking groggily.
"Eh? Did I… fall asleep or something?" he muttered in confusion.
Yuichi sighed and set him down. "We're here. Let's go."
Naruto rubbed his eyes. "Wait, what happened? Why was I—"
"Don't worry about it," Yuichi cut him off, masking his frustration. He was still bitter about letting his prize—Kisame—slip away.
Naruto frowned but didn't press further. Yuichi was clearly in no mood to talk.
They entered town. According to the casino owner, the legendary Tsunade was here.
Yuichi led Naruto straight to the gambling hall. But the boss informed them Tsunade had just left. Without hesitation, Yuichi pulled Naruto along in the direction she'd gone.
It didn't take long before they spotted her in a restaurant, drinking heavily. Beside her sat a dark-haired woman—that had to be Shizune.
Even without photos, Tsunade was instantly recognizable.
Yuichi's eyes narrowed. Found her. Easier than expected.
He glanced at Naruto. Better keep him away for now. If Tsunade's hemophobia acts up because of him, things could get messy.
He created a Wood Style clone and ordered it to take Naruto to an inn. Then Yuichi turned back toward the restaurant.
At the door, he adjusted his forehead protector so it caught the light, marking him unmistakably as a Konoha shinobi.
With steady steps, he entered. The room went quiet as eyes shifted toward him.
Tsunade raised her head from her cup, her golden hair glinting in the lamplight. Her sharp eyes locked onto Yuichi the moment he crossed the threshold.