The task list prepared by Yamanaka Haiichi was already completed, and the mission rotation schedule had been arranged according to Xia Li's instructions. It could be said that his father-in-law was extremely responsible and efficient in handling affairs.
Of course, this list was not handed to Xia Li, but directly submitted to the Third Hokage. That was a matter of principle.
Meanwhile, Hyuga Hiashi and Nara Shikaku had already gone to the negotiation site. Naturally, the location was chosen by Konoha, the victorious side. Although it wasn't inside the village, it was very close—close enough that Konoha could provide immediate support if anything went wrong.
From Xia Li's perspective, having Nara Shikaku alone would have been enough to handle the negotiations. However, one person wasn't ideal. If Ino, Shikaku, and another Yamanaka clan member had worked together, it would have been perfect—but that would have been a waste of manpower. So Hyuga Hiashi was chosen instead. As the head of a prestigious clan, his presence carried weight and was suitable for such an important task.
After seeing off Shikaku, Hiashi, and the accompanying ANBU and guards, Xia Li reminded them to bring a communication toad. If anything happened, it would immediately contact him.
Standing at the gates of Konoha, Xia Li looked at the two guards and frowned. Something about their presence felt off. It shouldn't be time for a shift change yet… were they already that exhausted?
Without thinking too much, Xia Li walked into the village. However, before going far, he suddenly felt the ground tremble, startling him.
What's going on?
He instinctively closed his eyes and entered a sensory state… and then—
He detected the disturbance. It came from a certain direction where many shinobi were fighting. Judging by the intensity of their chakra, they were all extremely powerful.
For a moment, Xia Li thought it might be Naruto—after all, the chakra was terrifying—but Naruto didn't carry his Flying Thunder God mark, and he should have been away with Jiraiya searching for Tsunade. So it couldn't be him.
Then who was it? Orochimaru had just left—had even stronger enemies arrived?
Without hesitation, Xia Li rushed toward the source. Something about it made him uneasy.
"Hey, Itachi, that's your younger brother, right? Is this really okay? And your body…" Kisame said, watching Itachi hold Sasuke by the throat.
"The Nine-Tails doesn't seem to be in the village. We're too late," Itachi said calmly, his Mangekyō Sharingan reverting to three tomoe.
"Hey, Kakashi… can we open our eyes yet?" Asuma and Kurenai asked anxiously.
"No… absolutely not…" Kakashi knelt on the water, sweating heavily, his eyes unfocused.
He hadn't expected that even with a Sharingan, he would fall victim to Itachi's genjutsu. Recalling what he had just experienced, fear crept into his heart. This was no ordinary illusion.
"Sasuke…" Kakashi tried to stand but couldn't.
At that moment, a flash of lightning shot toward Itachi. It pierced through his body—but only crows scattered, and Itachi reappeared in the distance.
As Sasuke fell helplessly toward the water, a figure suddenly appeared and caught him.
"Xia Li, don't look into his eyes!" Kakashi shouted in relief.
"I know," Xia Li replied. Though his eyes were closed, he could clearly perceive Itachi and Kisame.
Kisame stared at him, confused about how he had appeared.
"So this is the Flying Thunder God… You must be Xia Li of Konoha," Itachi said.
"So you're that famous Xia Li… seems your reputation isn't exaggerated," Kisame added.
"You're Sasuke's brother—the one who betrayed his clan… Itachi," Xia Li said coldly.
"Byakugan? Aren't you a Sharingan user?" Kisame frowned in confusion.
Itachi understood Xia Li's intent, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes.
"You used the Mangekyō on your own brother. Do you really love him that much? Or do you only have those eyes left? What if Sasuke awakens his own Mangekyō?" Xia Li said, deliberately planting doubt in Sasuke's mind.
"You know quite a lot," Itachi replied.
"I know even more. Your body is failing. The Mangekyō's side effects are severe—even for Uchiha. Don't die from illness before Sasuke gets his revenge."
Itachi fell silent, his gaze growing colder.
Then—
"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"
A massive fireball burst from his mouth.
But Xia Li had already sensed the chakra flow and dodged instantly using Body Flicker.
He handed Sasuke to Kurenai and said, "Asuma, take Kakashi. Leave this to me and Guy."
"Time for the Blue Beast of Konoha!" Might Guy shouted as he charged in.
"You take the shark face. I'll handle Itachi," Xia Li said.
"I'm used to fighting Sharingan users. I can fight without looking at their eyes," Guy replied.
"I don't need my eyes at all," Xia Li said.
Guy paused, then silently turned toward Kisame.
Xia Li's body crackled with lightning as he appeared before Itachi, striking him down.
But Itachi dodged using crow substitution.
Their battle intensified—Xia Li attacking from both front and back using Flying Thunder God kunai.
Even Itachi struggled. His body couldn't keep up.
Finally, he had no choice.
His Mangekyō spun—and a blazing red skeletal aura formed around him.
Susanoo.
Even sensing it, Xia Li could feel its overwhelming power.
He immediately retreated as the skeletal arm smashed down.
"Is that…?" Guy and Kakashi were shocked.
Sasuke, regaining consciousness, stared in awe and confusion.
Could he ever reach that level?
"Why are you using that now?" Kisame shouted. "It'll attract attention—and your body can't handle it!"
Sure enough, Itachi began coughing violently.
At that moment—
"Wind Style: Vacuum Wave!"
A compressed blade of air sliced through Susanoo and continued toward Itachi.
"What?!" Itachi was stunned.
Forced to retreat, he barely avoided it.
Then—
"Water Style: Great Exploding Water Wave!"
Kisame flooded the area, creating a massive lake and waves.
Xia Li frowned. Fighting in water wasn't ideal.
He teleported to safety.
Kakashi used Earth Style to block the waves, but collapsed from exhaustion.
When the water receded, Guy crawled ashore, soaked and panting.
As for Itachi and Kisame—
They had already escaped using the flood.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
for 30 advanced chapter, visit my patreon
'patreon.com/fatimasoomro123'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"