Back to Takeru's side. For the convenience of surveillance, Takeru hadn't gone to the secluded forest to train these past few days, but instead practiced with the three in the courtyard of the cabin.
Also, although Takeru's conversation with Gaara at the venue a few days ago was all heard by Ui, being clever, she didn't ask how Takeru knew these things.
Since Takeru didn't tell them, Ui wouldn't take the initiative to inquire about such personal secrets.
Just now, Takeru finally noticed Itachi and Kisame's arrival, so Takeru, who was still training, stopped. Besides Takeru, Itachi and Kisame were also discovered by Kakashi, Asuma, and others.
"Takeru-nii, what's wrong?" Noticing Takeru stopped after just a few hundred push-ups, Ui asked curiously.
"There's something I need to attend to. I'm going out for a bit. You all stay home and train properly!" Hearing Ui's question, Takeru said lightly.
"Eh? Takeru is going somewhere? I want to go too!" Hearing Takeru's words, Karin immediately spoke up.
"Sorry, Karin. It's not convenient to take you this time." Looking at the expectant Karin, Takeru shook his head. Hearing Takeru's words, Karin puffed out her cheeks, seeming a bit unhappy.
As he spoke, Takeru directly vanished from the spot.
"Takeru-nii …!" Watching Takeru, who had already disappeared from the spot, Ui softly called out, also tightly clenching the Kusanagi Sword in her hand.
That's right, the Kusanagi Sword Takeru confiscated was directly given to Ui.
After all, in terms of weapons, Takeru already had Twilight Moon and the Priest's Staff. Although the Kusanagi Sword's attributes were excellent, for Takeru, it was just so-so.
As for Ui, she had learned many assassination techniques before but never had a particularly good weapon, so Takeru simply offered the gift on someone else's behalf…
Although Ritsu and Karin were also very envious when they saw Takeru give Ui such a good weapon, they wouldn't say anything about Takeru's decision.
By a riverside, Asuma and Kurenai intercepted Itachi and Kisame, who were preparing to leave.
"You're not from the village. What exactly are you here for?" Looking at the concealed Itachi and Kisame, Asuma spoke directly.
"It's been a long time, Asuma-san, Kurenai-san." Faced with Asuma's questioning, Itachi was extremely polite, greeting the two with his magnetic voice.
"Since you know us, that means you were once a Ninja from this village?" Hearing Itachi call out his and Kurenai's names, Asuma quickly responded.
Upon hearing this, Itachi directly took off his bamboo hat. Asuma and Kurenai then noticed Itachi's face, the most striking feature being those Three-Tomoe Sharingan. Seeing this, the two were shocked.
"You… you are… Hmph, absolutely no mistake. Uchiha Itachi!" After the shock, Asuma uttered Itachi's name.
"Are you acquaintances of Itachi-san? Then let me introduce myself too. Hoshigaki Kisame. Pleased to meet you." Seeing this, Kisame also took off his hat, revealing his somewhat fierce shark-like face.
"There won't be any 'pleased to meet you' from now on. I'll kill you right now!" Asuma said with a cold smile as he looked at the two.
Takeru, who had just arrived, felt utterly speechless upon hearing Asuma's words, 'How drunk are you…'
Hearing him say that, Takeru wasn't in a hurry to come out, choosing instead to hide and observe from the shadows.
"Itachi-san, it seems the people in the village really hate you!" Kisame said lightly upon hearing Asuma's words.
"I know you too, Hoshigaki Kisame. Former Ninja of Kirigakure. A Missing-Nin wanted by various countries because of suspicions of assassinating a Daimyo and engaging in activities to undermine the state!" Kurenai quickly added.
"You are S-Rank criminals on the bingo book. Uchiha Itachi! You dared to enter this village after causing such a serious incident. You have guts!" Asuma continued.
"Asuma-san, Kurenai-san, please leave me alone. I don't want to kill you." Hearing Asuma's hostile words, Itachi sighed inwardly.
About the clan massacre, except for a very small number of people, everyone else was unaware. Itachi, who should have been the hero of the village for betraying his clan, became a rat crossing the street.
"Those don't sound like words from someone who killed his own clansmen. I at least know you wouldn't appear here dressed like this, leisurely, without any purpose. What is your objective?" Asuma demanded directly.
Hearing his words, Kisame beside him grew irritated. Compared to chatter, he preferred a real fight.
"This guy is quite annoying. Should I kill him?" Thinking this, Kisame even took the large sword from his back and slammed it heavily onto the ground.
"It seems we can't leave the village peacefully. But don't go too far. Your moves are too conspicuous." Hearing this, Itachi spoke calmly, though more than anything, he felt helpless inside.
"It's decided then!" Saying this, Kisame quickly swung his sword at Asuma. Asuma swiftly dodged, and his special Chakra Blades quickly equipped on his hands.
Compared to other swords, Asuma's Chakra Blades have four small holes on the hilt to accommodate four fingers besides the thumb. The hilt and blade are integrated, the external edge is sharp and serrated.
After equipping his weapon, seeing Kisame swing down again, Asuma quickly crossed his arms, using his Chakra Blades to block Kisame's greatsword.
On Kurenai's side, as Kisame and Asuma engaged, she quickly formed hand seals and soon cast Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death on Itachi.
'This is… a Genjutsu!' Noticing Kurenai's body disappearing in a strange way, Itachi watched with interest for a few moments, then activated his Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
Takeru, hiding in the shadows, noticed that although Kurenai's figure couldn't be seen with the naked eye, he could detect her presence through his Observation Haki perception.
It was similar to Ui's concealment, just temporary invisibility, but the person herself was still there, capable of attacking and being attacked.
In the stalemate between Kisame and Asuma, Asuma, who was blocking with both hands, was being suppressed by Kisame with just one hand.
'I'm actually being suppressed by the tip of his sword… what astonishing strength!' Seeing it becoming increasingly difficult to resist, Asuma frowned.
"My greatsword Samehada isn't for cutting, it's for shredding!" As Samehada got closer to Asuma's shoulder, Kisame suddenly twisted, directly injuring Asuma's left arm, blood flowing freely.
Although forced back, Asuma still showed a smile because he noticed Kurenai's Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death had already taken effect. Kisame's movements were now restricted.
Moreover, Itachi, who had been standing still, was also entangled by suddenly growing trees.
Then, Kurenai's figure emerged from the tree above Itachi, holding a kunai ready to attack Itachi.
"This is the end!" Whispering, Kurenai thrust the kunai at Itachi's neck.
However, Itachi merely narrowed his eyes slightly, and the scene instantly swapped. The person bound was no longer Itachi, but Kurenai.
"Genjutsu of this level are useless against me!" Looking at Kurenai bound by her own Genjutsu, Itachi said flatly.
'This is… a Genjutsu rebound?' Seeing this situation, Kurenai, who specialized in Genjutsu, quickly realized, her heart filled with surprise. Without further thought, she closed her eyes.
With a trace of blood trickling from the corner of her mouth, Kurenai opened her eyes again. In that instant, she had quickly dispelled the Genjutsu. Meanwhile, Itachi's kunai swung towards Kurenai.
At the critical moment, Kurenai crouched down, barely dodging Itachi's attack, losing only a few strands of hair.
Seeing Kurenai dispel the Genjutsu so quickly, everything was within Itachi's calculations. Then, Itachi kicked at Kurenai again. Although Kurenai blocked with her arms in time, the powerful force still sent Kurenai flying into the nearby river.
"Kurenai!" Seeing Kurenai's situation, Asuma shouted loudly.
"No time to look away!" Looking at Asuma, Kisame kindly reminded.
As for Kurenai, just as she stood up, Itachi's figure had already appeared behind her. "As expected of Kurenai-san. But…"
"But the one who ends here… is you!" However, behind Itachi, Kakashi's figure suddenly appeared and said calmly to Itachi.
On the shore, Kisame launched a fierce attack on Asuma. Asuma could only fight while retreating. Suddenly, Asuma seized an opportunity and swung his blade at Kisame's face.
Although Kisame dodged to the left in time, preventing the Chakra Blade from hitting him, a wound still appeared on his right cheek.
It turned out Asuma had used Chakra to extend the blade of his Chakra Blades. So, although the physical blade didn't hit, the extended Chakra still caused injury.