Chapter 109: An Offer Refused
"So, you are Uchiha Itachi, correct?"
Aizen stood perfectly composed, not a single hair out of place. His gaze drifted past Hoshigaki Kisame as if the powerful swordsman were merely part of the scenery, and settled firmly on Uchiha Itachi. In his eyes was a glint of genuine interest, the look of a scholar finding a fascinating new specimen.
During his two months of careful integration into the village, Aizen had meticulously pieced together the intricate details of Konoha's history and power structure. Through subtle inquiries and the information he had gleaned from his temporary association with Danzō's Root organization, he had learned nearly everything of importance.
And the most compelling piece of information was that concerning Uchiha Itachi.
This prodigy of the Uchiha clan had graduated from the Academy at the age of seven at the top of his class. Even from a young age, he was said to have possessed a mind that could think on the level of a Hokage, able to see beyond the narrow interests of his clan and work for the betterment of the entire village. Everyone had held the highest hopes for him, hailing him as a genius who could one day rival the legendary Sannin. His path had seemed destined for greatness.
But everything had changed after he joined the ANBU.
Recruited by Shimura Danzō shortly after his induction, Itachi had been placed in an impossible position, forced to act as a double agent between his own Uchiha clan and the village he served. In the end, a conspiracy orchestrated by Konoha's highest leadership had culminated in a single, bloody night. The night Uchiha Itachi had raised his sword against his own kin, drenching the Uchiha compound in a river of blood and erasing their legacy in a storm of betrayal.
Shunshin!
With a faint rustle of air, a figure materialized beside Itachi. He carried a massive bandage-wrapped sword on his back, his body imposing and his shark-like features radiating a palpable, violent intent.
Hoshigaki Kisame.
"Well, well. An unexpected variable appears," Kisame grinned, his smile sharp and predatory. His eyes were locked onto Aizen, burning with a fiery, warlike spirit.
Kisame was impulsive and loved combat, his nature inherently brutal. He was ruthless in completing his missions, known for his cold-heartedness even towards his own companions. His aggressive and arrogant demeanor stood in stark contrast to Itachi's calm and collected composure.
"Stay calm, Kisame," Itachi's voice was flat, devoid of any emotion, as if he had surgically removed his own feelings. His cold stare remained fixed on Aizen. "You can sense his power. He is not one of Konoha's second-rate ninja." He then addressed Aizen directly. "You claim to be a Konoha ninja. Yet, what was your true motive for infiltrating the village?"
"Well, as expected of the Uchiha clan's genius. You are correct. I never belonged to Konoha, not from the very beginning," Aizen replied with an elegant, indifferent smile. "As for my motive? It is simply to find the most critical key to ascending the throne of this world. Though, I must admit, I did not expect the combined might of Konoha's shinobi to amount to so little. They are inferior to me alone."
Aizen gave a slight, almost pitying shake of his head, as if lamenting the weakness of ants.
"Hah! You're a funny one. You sound a bit like Deidara," Kisame snorted, hefting Samehada slightly. A thick, murderous aura began to emanate from him, pressing down on the surroundings. "But let me remind you, talking too big can get you killed early."
As a member of the Akatsuki, Hoshigaki Kisame's strength far surpassed that of most shinobi. The duo he formed with Itachi was capable of running rampant across the nations. With the Third Hokage dead and the One-Tail rampaging, Kisame was brimming with confidence, his killing intent boiling over.
Their mission was to infiltrate Konoha and capture the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Naruto Uzumaki.
Neither of them, however, had anticipated the sudden appearance of a wild card like Aizen. The fact that he had casually used a technique like the Black Coffin to defeat the Toad Boss had immediately put both Akatsuki members on high alert. It was precisely because of this display of power that Kisame, despite his bluster, felt a thread of caution.
Hearing Kisame's words, Aizen's brow furrowed slightly in mild distaste. "Talking is tedious," he stated calmly. "Let your actions speak for you."
From beginning to end, Aizen's attention remained solely on Uchiha Itachi, completely ignoring Kisame's provocations. In Aizen's eyes, the swordsman was as insignificant as transparent air.
"Uchiha Itachi, you who became a rogue ninja by slaughtering your own clansmen... It is truly commendable that you had the resolve to destroy your own glorious clan with your own hands," Aizen said, his eyes flashing with a spark of appreciation. He spoke in a measured, formal tone. "I am searching for capable partners. I wonder what your thoughts are on the matter, Uchiha Itachi?"
Once again, he focused entirely on Itachi, dismissing Kisame entirely.
"Greatness brings its own troubles," Itachi replied, his eyes like still, stagnant water, showing no ripples of emotion. "With great power comes isolation and arrogance, even if one began with the highest of expectations." His voice was cold and detached. "I made my choice long ago to abandon all expectations and emotions. So what meaning could the word 'partner' possibly hold for me now?"
He refused Aizen's invitation without a moment's hesitation, his response as cold and final as a tombstone. As he said, he was accustomed to a life of isolation, a path he had walked alone since that fateful night.
"Is that so? A pity," Aizen said, not angered in the slightest. A trace of genuine regret colored his words. "You are one of the few humans I find worthy of acknowledgment."
"Since you have refused my proposal," Aizen continued, his hand closing around the hilt of his Zanpakuto, "does this mean we must settle this with our blades?"
He slowly drew the sleek, sharp sword from its scabbard. He held it in a reverse grip, the blade pointing straight down towards the earth.
"Have you seen it?" Aizen asked, his voice dropping to a hypnotic murmur. "This sword is like emotion itself. Its only purpose is to cut away all unnecessary bonds, nothing more."
The release command left his lips, quiet yet absolute.
"Shatter, Kyōka Suigetsu."
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