Just as Ge Liang and Kisame were about to clash over a disagreement, Itachi spoke up.
"Sorry, boss, Kisame just speaks without thinking. I hope you don't mind."
At these words, Kisame looked at Itachi in disbelief.
I treat you as a teammate, but you treat me like an idiot... I'm angry!
￣へ￣
"I don't care if he's an idiot. I just want to know why you're looking for me. Can't you see I'm about to close?"
"Sorry, we just have something we'd like to discuss with you, so... won't you invite us in?"
"Oh, really? There's a path to heaven, but you don't take it; there's no gate to Hell, yet you insist on barging in. If you're not afraid to die, then come in."
Ge Liang stepped back, making space for Itachi and Kisame to enter.
After the two entered, Ge Liang closed the door.
"Speak, what do you want with me?"
Sitting on the sofa, Ge Liang asked directly.
"I hope you, boss, won't hinder us from capturing the Nine-Tails."
"That's it?"
"That's it!"
Upon learning the purpose of Itachi and Kisame's visit, Ge Liang shook his head and cursed, "Are you two sick? What does your capture of the Nine-Tails have to do with me, Ge Liang?"
Hearing Ge Liang curse, Kisame immediately wanted to make a move, but Itachi stopped him.
To be honest, Ge Liang really hoped Kisame would make a move; that way, he'd have a reason to take him down.
Ge Liang greatly admired Kisame.
He was a traitor yet also a very loyal person, full of confusion but also hope for this world.
Perhaps knowing he couldn't change this world, he wanted to see another world that was created, which was why he was loyal to Obito.
He was an excellent Ninja, hiding all his thoughts, goals, and stances, loyal and perfectly completing every mission.
Compared to Itachi, who slaughtered his entire clan, Kisame possessed more qualities of an ordinary person, which was one reason Ge Liang admired him.
And the team of Kisame and Itachi was also very interesting.
Kisame declared his identity from the start, "Sharks eat their comrades, be careful of me." Itachi replied, "You too." This essentially meant, "I am a spy monitoring you." "I know." The two had a special understanding, an interesting combination where Itachi knew Kisame was a spy, and Kisame knew that Itachi knew he was a spy.
For such an interesting person, Ge Liang really wanted to keep Kisame, to let him try a normal life and not live so exhaustingly.
Of course, these were just some of his immature thoughts. If Kisame made a move, he would keep him; if Kisame didn't, then he wouldn't either... "Actually, we overheard in the Village that your relationship with the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki seems quite good."
The reason Itachi was so wary of Ge Liang was also due to the attitude of Kakashi, Kurenai, and Asuma towards his intention to capture the Nine-Tails during the day.
Hearing that he wanted to capture the Nine-Tails, the three of them were not only not vigilant but also looked relaxed, almost openly mocking them.
Such a strange attitude naturally aroused Itachi's suspicion, which is why he and Kisame, despite the danger, gathered information about Ge Liang in the Village.
Ever since Hiruzen Sarutobi died, matters concerning the internet cafe were no longer kept secret. Not only did some Chunin know about the internet cafe, but even Genin knew that Konoha had a mysterious internet cafe.
However, due to limited time, Itachi only found out that Ge Liang was a mysterious person, and even the Third Hokage showed him respect, which is why he brought Kisame to talk to him at night.
"My relationship with Naruto is indeed good, but it's limited to that of a customer and a boss. I won't stop you from capturing him; you just need to know that I am neutral."
At these words, Kisame breathed a sigh of relief.
Don't let his arrogant words fool you; he was actually just testing Ge Liang. If Ge Liang showed even a hint of weakness, Kisame would have attacked him.
Unfortunately, Ge Liang's arrogance far exceeded his imagination.
Sigh, Itachi and I are S-Rank Rogue Ninja, can't you give us some Face?
Kisame didn't know if Ge Liang truly had the strength or was just bluffing, so when Itachi called him stupid, he naturally restrained himself.
Now it's fine. Hearing Ge Liang's neutral statement, whether he was bluffing or not, he wouldn't confront him.
However, Kisame seemed to be celebrating too early.
"...However, if I may be frank, with your two strengths, trying to capture someone in the current Konoha is probably impossible."
"What did you say?"
Kisame flared up again. Before, it was a test; now, he genuinely wanted to kill Ge Liang for daring to look down on them.
To be humiliated again and again, do I, an S-Rank Rogue Ninja, have no Face at all?
Itachi, don't hold me back, let me kill this Guy.
Huh? Itachi, why aren't you really holding me back?
"For Itachi's sake, I'll let you off this time."
Itachi:???
Ge Liang:???
Kisame's actions left both of them confused. One moment he wanted to kill someone, the next he chickened out... Indeed, the Akatsuki Organization is full of talented individuals; it's a waste not to open a circus.
Ahem, ahem~ Back to the main topic.
Actually, what Ge Liang said wasn't meant to insult them; it was the truth.
Compared to the original work's Konoha at the same period, this Konoha was not just a little bit stronger.
Kakashi, who was instantly defeated by Itachi in the original work, successfully 'Awakened' his Mangekyo after being tormented by the pixel bird.
Even if he was still at a disadvantage against Itachi, it wouldn't be as bad as in the original work, right?
Guy's improvement wasn't that significant, but with Tenten's Guanyin Spell as support, as long as he didn't open more than five gates, Tenten could 'heal' him for sustained combat.
An infinitely five-gated Guy, I ask you, aren't you afraid?
Kakashi VS Kisame, Five-Gates Guy VS Uchiha Itachi.
In Ge Liang's opinion, these two alone would be enough to hold them off, not to mention Konoha also had a bunch of Anbu who could use the Sword Control Incantation and other Jonin.
If pushed, Guy could open the Eight Gates, and Jiraiya could enter Sage Mode. Even if the Six Paths of Pain came personally, they wouldn't fare well.
Moreover, as time goes on, Konoha's Ninja will become even more powerful. If an RPG like Dragon Ball popped up in the internet cafe and everyone exchanged for Saiyan bloodlines to become Super Saiyans, even the Ōtsutsuki Clan would be beaten to a pulp.
"By the way, Itachi, there's something I don't know if I should tell you."
After hearing the answer he wanted, Itachi was about to retreat, but Ge Liang's words caught his attention, and he really wanted to know what Ge Liang had to say to him.
"Hmm, what I'm about to say might affect your plan, so are you sure you want to hear it?"
Damn it, what kind of person is this? He piqued someone's curiosity and then asked if they really wanted to hear it?
Itachi was good-tempered; if it were Kisame... heh, never mind.