However.
They believed Bai Hao's words—as long as they entered Konoha Village, they would be able to sense Itachi!
And indeed, it was true.
They hadn't even entered Konoha Village yet.
When they sensed two strange figures.
One possessed an enormous Chakra, like a human Tailed Beast.
The other possessed a very cold, yet very pleasant, Chakra.
It was Uchiha Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki, as stated in the mission card!
Chapter 40: Uchiha Itachi's Goal, Akatsuki Appears! [Third update for fresh flowers and collection]
"Ding~"
"Ding~"
Itachi and Kisame entered the Village under the cover of thick fog.
They walked slowly along the road.
Observing everything around them.
"The Village is quite severely damaged, isn't it~"
Kisame said nonchalantly, "The villagers are really going to be busy~"
Itachi remained calm, not speaking.
His visit to Konoha this time was actually for personal matters.
That was to intimidate the Konoha High-Level Executives.
He heard that Sarutobi Hiruzen was close to death.
Once Sarutobi Hiruzen died, there would be no one left in Konoha Village to protect Sasuke.
Therefore.
He specifically returned to intimidate the Konoha High-Level Executives.
To let these Konoha High-Level Executives know that he was still alive and incredibly powerful.
However.
These were all personal matters.
Besides personal matters.
There were also some "official matters."
That was to confirm who the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki truly was.
Sarutobi Hiruzen had not lied; the news that Naruto was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was indeed sealed off.
The world only knew Naruto as the Demon Fox Brat.
But did not know that Naruto was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
Hence, this probing attempt by Akatsuki.
In the original work.
Orochimaru, who knew many pieces of Konoha intelligence, only discovered Naruto's identity when Naruto got angry and revealed his Nine-Tails Chakra.
Perhaps.
It was to prevent Naruto from being discovered by Akatsuki, indirectly protecting Naruto.
Perhaps.
It was to prevent Naruto from disrupting his Konoha Crush Plan.
Perhaps.
It was for some other reason.
That an additional Seal was placed on Naruto's Nine-Tails Seal.
Preventing its Nine-Tails Chakra from leaking out anymore.
Originally.
Itachi and Kisame only had this one mission.
But because a Black Organization suddenly appeared recently.
So.
Itachi and Kisame gained an additional mission to investigate the Black Organization in Konoha.
Of course.
This mission was merely a secondary task.
If they couldn't find anything, they would give up.
"Itachi, where should we go first?"
"To find the whereabouts of the Nine-Tails."
The two strolled along the streets of Konoha.
Gathering intelligence through Genjutsu.
And casually wandering.
Not long after.
When the fog in Konoha dispersed, the two also gathered some accurate intelligence.
"Through questioning those who survived the Nine-Tails attack back then.
It can be confirmed."
Itachi looked up slightly and slowly said, "Naruto Uzumaki is the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."
"Indeed~"
Kisame chuckled with emotion.
"I didn't expect that Third Hokage to play such a trick.
Who would have thought.
That the Demon Fox Brat, cursed by everyone, would actually be the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki!
He publicly revealed the top-secret information to mislead everyone.
If it weren't for your excellent Genjutsu, Itachi, we definitely wouldn't have obtained such information.
Truly impressive.
However, regarding the Black Organization's intelligence.
We didn't get much useful information."
"Do you want to eat dango?"
Itachi looked up at a dango shop not far away.
He was very familiar with that dango shop.
He used to go there often when he was little.
With Sasuke.
It made him feel very nostalgic.
Then he secretly glanced at Kakashi behind him.
He immediately decided to enter the dango shop to eat dango, to delay the time for capturing Naruto.
"Dango?"
Kisame was a bit stunned.
He didn't expect Itachi to have such leisure.
However, thinking about their own strength.
He didn't care anymore.
"Alright~"
So, the two of them came to that dango shop together and began to eat quietly.
...
Not far outside the door.
Kakashi suddenly saw these two men in "strange clothes" and immediately felt a bit strange.
So, he quickly followed them.
"Could they be Akatsuki?
Yes!
No mistake, it's Akatsuki!"
Kakashi's eyes became serious.
A few days ago.
Jiraiya suddenly found him and told him some information about Akatsuki.
At the same time.
He also wanted to take Naruto away and train him himself.
This would not only help Naruto train but also protect him.
However, when Kakashi mentioned that Naruto and the other two were training with Bai Hao.
Jiraiya was shocked.
He didn't expect that such a miraculous Genin as Bai Hao had appeared in the Village.
Then he personally went to Bai Hao and took Naruto away.
Bai Hao naturally released him very readily.
At the same time, Kakashi also went to Bai Hao to ask for Sasuke.
The purpose was to train Sasuke's Sharingan.
And today.
Kakashi had arranged to meet Sasuke at the dango shop.
And take Sasuke to train.
But, what he didn't expect was.
He actually met Akatsuki here!
"What is their purpose in coming?
Could it really be for Naruto?!"
Kakashi quietly approached the entrance of the dango shop, preparing to listen to the two people's conversation.
However.
Itachi and Kisame were both very vigilant.
In a place like a dango shop, they didn't say any crucial information at all.
Just casual small talk.
Which made Kakashi a bit impatient from waiting.
"This won't do!"
Kakashi was a bit anxious.
Just at this moment.
Asuma Sarutobi and Kurenai Yuhi slowly walked over.
"Yo~"
"You two~"
Kakashi put down his perverted book and greeted them.
He wanted to use this opportunity to lure Itachi and Kisame out to fight.
And take the chance to gather information.
"Looks like you two have a good relationship~"
"Starting your date so early?"
"Idiot!"
Kurenai quickly retorted, "I'm just here to buy dango, entrusted by Anko!"
"Kakashi, what are you doing here?"
"Nothing much~"
Kakashi shook his head, "I came to buy offerings, and also to wait for someone."
Having said that.
He glanced at the dango shop.
Then he deliberately said, "Waiting for Sasuke."
"You actually wait for someone?"
Asuma was a bit curious, "That's rare!
But, the offerings are for Obito, right?"
"That's right~"
Kakashi said, staring at the dango shop.
Just at this moment.
Sasuke walked over with a puzzled expression.
"Kakashi?
You're actually early?
That's a first~"
"Sometimes I'm a bit early~"
Sasuke sensed that the atmosphere was off.
Moreover, Kakashi, Asuma, and Kurenai were all looking at the dango shop.
So, he also turned to look.
He found that on a table near the entrance of the dango shop, there were unfinished dango and hot red bean soup.
But no one was there.
"I hate natto and sweet things."
Sasuke thought those things were eaten by Kakashi, so he said directly.
"Ah? Really?"
Kakashi replied absentmindedly, then turned to look at Asuma.
Asuma nodded.
Then he and Kurenai chased after Itachi and Kisame.
Chapter 41: Uchiha Itachi, Who Acted Very Hard [Fourth Update for Fresh Flowers and Collections]
"Kakashi."
"What happened?"
Sasuke frowned immediately upon seeing this.
He felt something had happened here.
And Kakashi seemed unwilling to tell him.
"A few spies have entered the Village."
Kakashi looked at Sasuke with some embarrassment.
"Sorry, Sasuke~"
"Today, you should go train with Bai Hao first.
I need to go catch those two spies~"
"Alright."
Sasuke didn't doubt him.
He nodded and walked towards Bai Hao's bookstore.
Meanwhile, Kakashi swiftly headed in the direction Itachi had left.
…
"You two don't seem to be from this Village, do you?"
Asuma and Kurenai stopped Itachi and Kisame.
"What is your purpose in coming to Konoha?"
"Long time no see~"
"Mr. Asuma, Miss Kurenai."
"Since you know us, does that mean you were once a Ninja of this Village?"
Itachi heard this and remained silent.
Instead, he slowly lifted his straw hat.
Allowing his three-tomoe Sharingan to be seen by others.
"You… you are…"
After seeing those eyes.
Asuma and Kurenai were both stunned.
Seeing this situation.
Itachi then took off his hat and partially unzipped his trench coat.
Completely revealing his face to Asuma and Kurenai.
"Absolutely no mistake…
Uchiha…
Itachi!"
Asuma and Kurenai's expressions instantly became serious.
"Are you acquaintances of Mr. Itachi?
Then let me introduce myself."
Kisame, standing beside him, also slowly took off his straw hat.
"Kisame Hoshigaki.
Please take care of me from now on~"
"There is no 'from now on'."
Asuma said, looking at the two in front of him with an even more cautious gaze.
"I will eliminate you now."
"Mr. Itachi, it seems the villagers really dislike you~"
"I know you too."
Kurenai suddenly spoke to Kisame, "Kisame Hoshigaki, a former Ninja of the Hidden Mist Village.
Because he murdered a daimyo and engaged in national destruction.
He became a rogue Ninja wanted by the Land of Water."
"You are both S-rank major criminals on the wanted list."
Asuma followed up, "Itachi.
You caused such a serious incident.
And you still dare to enter this Village, you've got guts!"
"Mr. Asuma, Miss Kurenai."
Itachi spoke very politely, "Please do not obstruct us.
I do not wish to kill you."
"That doesn't sound like something you, who killed your own comrades, would say~"
Asuma continued to probe Itachi's purpose for coming to the Village.
"At least I know you wouldn't appear here so leisurely dressed like this without any purpose.
Itachi.
What exactly is your objective?"
Itachi silently looked at Asuma, not speaking.
Kisame, beside him, grew a bit impatient.
He drew his Samehada with a swipe and slammed it onto the ground.
"This guy is quite annoying!
Should I kill him?"
"It seems we cannot leave the Village peacefully now~"
Itachi slowly said, "But, don't go too far.
Your Moves are too noticeable."
"It's decided then~"
At this point.
The atmosphere between the four suddenly turned cold.
Then Kisame, without a word, swung Samehada and attacked Asuma.
Asuma, seeing this, quickly took out his Chakra Blades to block.
While the two were fighting.
Kurenai also used her best genjutsu from the side.
However.
All her actions were seen through by Itachi.
"Hmph~"
Kisame watched as his large sword pressed down on Asuma.
He immediately let out a cold snort.