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Pale Moon Island. Over twenty days passed.
Sasuke threw himself into preparations for the Third Bout.
Karin took care of his daily needs.
Suigetsu and Jugo still slept.
The White Zetsu paced its cell.
With funds secured, Orochimaru drew up blueprints for new experimental equipment. He tasked Kabuto with contacting skilled craftsmen across the shinobi world to begin fabrication.
Kabuto had another mission, too: to locate the target of Sasuke's Third Bout.
The disappearance of Suigetsu and Jugo hadn't delayed the Akatsuki's tailed beast hunt.
Land of Lightning. Mount Thousand Clouds.
SPLASH…!
With that explosive surge of water, a battle lasting three full hours finally ended.
Kisame emerged from the water. A woman with straight, tea-brown hair was slumped over Samehada, the greatsword slung across his shoulder.
The Two-Tails Jinchūriki, Yugito Nii.
Itachi, who had accompanied Kisame but not lifted a finger, waited at the mountain's base.
Kisame dumped Yugito unceremoniously on the ground beside Itachi.
"She's a woman, after all," Itachi said. "No need to be so rough."
Kisame grunted. "If you judge by appearances, you're dead wrong. That woman's Fire Cat Jutsu was a real pain. Her claws hurt like hell…"
Itachi turned. "The Leader's orders have arrived. We rendezvous at our Land of Lightning base—Heaven's Gate Gorge."
"Another three days and nights of hard travel? Well, at least the quota's met. We can take it easy now…"
Hiss… hiss…
From a nearby haystack, a small snake poked its head out. Its tongue flickered, watching the two men's retreating backs.
Tap.
Itachi's footsteps halted. His peripheral gaze shifted toward the haystack.
Hsss!
The little snake darted back into hiding.
"What's wrong?" Kisame asked.
Itachi considered for a moment. "…Nothing. Let's keep moving."
Three days and nights later, at Heaven's Gate Gorge. The Two-Tails sealing was complete.
Kisame met with Zetsu to dispose of Yugito's body, then walked out of the cave.
"Those two new brats were absent this time, huh. Seems even the Leader doesn't know where they are. Strange…"
Outside, Itachi stood in the rain, his Sharingan fixed on the sky. His back seemed frail. Lost.
"Standing in the rain like that will worsen your condition," Kisame remarked, stepping into the downpour to stand beside him.
Itachi's voice was soft. "Just for a moment."
Kisame's voice grew low. "I think the disappearance of Suigetsu and Jugo is connected to your brother. Ah… though I suppose he's not really your brother anymore, is he?"
Itachi's Sharingan gaze was deep, calm. "No. Sasuke is still Sasuke. But something has happened to him. Something beyond our understanding."
Kisame trusted Itachi's judgment implicitly. His voice rumbled. "If that's true… you need to be extra careful. He has eyes like yours. He wields the power of Hashirama Senju. He seems to possess techniques far beyond his years. If you were in perfect health… you might still hold your own. But…"
Itachi was smart. Kisame didn't need to finish.
That 'but' hung in the air between them, heavy with meaning.
The you of now… might just fall to Sasuke.
Itachi's thoughts churned. Truth be told… dying by Sasuke's hand is the ending I've always wanted. Just waiting for him to come to me. Dying honorably by his blade… maybe that would be fine.
But… what has happened to Sasuke? What is he carrying? How much of this involves Orochimaru? What is their goal? If I don't figure this out… even in death, I would not rest easy.
So. I cannot fight unprepared. I will push Sasuke to his absolute limit. Only then will I find my answers.
"Kisame," Itachi said, the rain dripping from his chin, "I have a feeling my meeting with Sasuke is not far off. So… I need time to prepare. We should part ways for a while."
It was the decision Kisame had expected. "Ha. So even you can't face this with your usual calm. Fine. Our mission for the Akatsuki is done. We've got no pressing tasks. Do what you need to do. If the Leader asks, I'll say we got sick of each other's faces. Taking a break to avoid internal conflict."
"…Thank you."
A faint, rare smile touched Itachi's lips. He added, "And Kisame… be careful on your own. We cannot rule out that Sasuke's target is all of the Akatsuki."
Kisame laughed, a booming sound that cut through the rain. "HAHAHAHA! Now that would be a welcome challenge! Honestly, I'm curious too. Just how capable is your little brother? If I do run into him… and I get a little serious… you won't hold it against me, will you?"
Itachi didn't answer. He turned, reached up, and patted Kisame's massive shoulder. His words were laden with meaning. "Take care. I hope, in the near future… we both see our true selves."
Swish.
A twisting spatial vortex deposited Kabuto back on Pale Moon Island.
"Target's location confirmed. In the Heaven's Gate Gorge region of the Land of Lightning. Itachi seemed to detect my surveillance… but chose to ignore it."
Orochimaru pondered. "How unexpected. The Third Bout accounts for possible interference from Itachi. Truly, he is Itachi. He has plans we cannot foresee. But this is fine. With Itachi's involvement, this Third Bout gains even more variables. After all… Itachi is my personally chosen opponent for Sasuke-kun's Fourth Bout!"
Kabuto adjusted his glasses. "And how is Sasuke-kun's progress?"
"Come and see…"
The cliff face where Sasuke trained was pitted. Gouged. Torn apart by terrifying slashes and stabs.
Kabuto gasped. "Ah…! Is that the Rasengan he used to destroy two of Kakuzu's hearts?"
Orochimaru grinned. "Used unconsciously last time. Impressive power. Sasuke-kun has decided to make it a standard technique. The Rasengan does have distinct advantages over the Chidori. Its unique properties when infused with various nature transformations, for example. Infused with Hashirama's unique Wood Release power—the 'White Rasengan.' Even in its semi-finished state, its power rivals the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken."
"Incredible. In the blink of an eye, he's surged ahead again."
"And that's not all," Orochimaru purred. "Sasuke-kun seems to have put considerable effort into mastering the Jiongu technique as well. A fitting application for his style…"
Sasuke approached, clad in a pure white kimono, Karin at his side.
Orochimaru announced, "Your opponent this time is no stranger. The Akatsuki's South Star… Kisame Hoshigaki."
Sasuke's expression grew distant. "Him. In my past life, we worked together due to… a certain twisted fate. I never saw him truly fight."
"That man is called the 'Tailless Tailed Beast.' He grows stronger against stronger foes, an opponent whose power is incredibly adaptable. Sasuke-kun," Orochimaru warned, a sly edge to his voice, "do not grow careless just because you possess both the White Cursed Seal and the Yang Seal."
Sasuke's voice was low, firm. "Of course not. Anyone qualified to be Itachi's partner… I could never underestimate him."
Orochimaru's smile widened. "Well then… let's go. To Heaven's Gate Gorge in the Land of Lightning. To welcome our Third Bout!"
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