136-140

Chapter 136: Guy's Frustration  

Seeing that the person he assumed to be Kakashi remained still, and mistaking those around him for enemies, Guy was just about to explain. However, when he caught sight of Itachi’s incredible speed, his eyes gleamed with excitement, and he decided not to clarify.  

Having been locked away for over half a year, with only push-ups to keep him occupied and no opportunities to spar, he felt this was a significant loss.  

Now, facing an opponent whose speed seemed on par with his own, Guy couldn’t help but feel thrilled at the challenge.  

Even though he had never seen or met this person before.  

In a flash, the two exchanged blows. Guy’s direct kick collided with Itachi’s fist, leaving a slight discomfort in Guy’s leg.  

This made him realize that Itachi’s strength was formidable.  

Given that a fist is naturally shorter than a leg, and a punch typically isn’t as powerful as a kick, the fact that Itachi could withstand the impact showed his resilience. However, Itachi also felt a bit of recoil from the encounter.  

Neither of them had any intention of stopping. Mere fractions of a second later, their fists and feet clashed again.  

Fist against fist—Guy’s punch was solid and firm. When Itachi went for a hard counter, a sharp pain coursed through his hand, but he gritted his teeth and said nothing.  

Retracting his fist, Itachi launched a hook with his other hand.  

Noticing Itachi’s move, Guy mirrored his actions.  

Since he specialized in taijutsu, encountering someone who fought solely with taijutsu made him so ecstatic that he almost wanted to cry with joy. The pure exhilaration made him feel like shouting to release his pent-up excitement. This feeling was too satisfying!  

...  

He vaguely remembered over half a year ago when he had collapsed from exhaustion, unable to even graze his opponent’s clothing.  

That unparalleled speed in forming hand signs, the substitution technique faster than his reactions, and those crows... They were nothing short of his nightmare.  

Finally having the chance for a face-to-face confrontation, he was interrupted by a giant figure.  

Someone who could take his punches head-on… and then there were those bizarre flames...  

...  

After yet another punch collided, Itachi’s fist faltered slightly. His honest thought was, How the hell is his fist so tough?  

It was like punching solid stone or iron.  

Compared to Itachi, whose lips twitched involuntarily, Guy remained calm and composed.  

Unwilling to admit defeat, Itachi, whose fist had just recovered slightly, swung again toward Guy’s face.  

Seeing Itachi rely on punches, Guy refrained from using his signature kicks.  

The primary reason was the close distance. While kicks were more powerful, they were slower in tight quarters.  

Itachi’s speed was so great that even a slight mistake would leave Guy vulnerable to a hit.  

Itachi wasn’t the type to give him time to prepare for a proper kick—unless he backed away and restarted his charge.  

But Guy worried that if he backed off, Itachi might lose interest in sparring with him.  

After all, they were just warming up, and his blood was only beginning to boil.  

“Who are you?”  

Seeing that the two weren’t fighting too aggressively—despite their blinding speed, they were clearly in control—a woman stepped forward instead of stopping them. She stood before Kakashi, curiosity evident on her face.  

The white-haired man before her had sharp eyebrows, starry eyes, and slightly messy white hair that framed his smooth forehead. Though his face was partially covered by a mask, his handsome and striking features were still evident.  

...  

Asuma hadn’t come, which left her slightly disappointed. However, she was intrigued by the person who had rescued them—especially this cold yet dashing man.  

He was from the same village, yet she had never seen him before. Her curiosity piqued, and with nothing better to do, she decided to ask him a question.  

“You’re strong. I thought I was the only one in Konoha who trained so hard in taijutsu…”  

After exchanging a few more blows, Itachi’s fists began to feel numb. He couldn’t help but reflect that his physical conditioning still had some room for improvement.  

Itachi looked at Guy, standing calmly just five meters away, and couldn’t help but feel a wave of admiration.  

Just as Itachi was about to continue the fight—a rare and exhilarating moment of fist-to-fist combat—he heard Guy begin his trademark, over-the-top flattery.  

Shaking his numb, bruised hands with some effort, Itachi felt the discomfort gradually fade.  

"..."  

Facing the man who stood before him like a towering mountain, Itachi found himself momentarily at a loss for words.  

When watching Naruto (the anime), Itachi used to think that Konoha’s Guy only knew ninjutsu. However, as he watched further, he realized: in Konoha, only Guy truly mastered taijutsu.  

For a moment, his mind wandered.  

Guy, noticing his new sparring partner suddenly go quiet, felt a bit frustrated. Was it something he said?  

To Guy, anyone who shared his love for taijutsu—especially someone from the same village with similar dreams—was automatically a brother-in-arms, closer to him than any other type of ninja.  

He’d hoped to take this opportunity to get to know Itachi better. After all, if they became rivals, it would mean more sparring opportunities in Konoha!  

When Kakashi inevitably avoided a challenge, this new friend could step in instead.  

Guy glanced at Kakashi, only to find himself slightly disappointed; the person in front of him wasn’t someone he recognized.  

Just another ninja with a similar build and style...  

Still, meeting this passionate new comrade was an unexpected joy.  

“Forget it. Let’s go. Fighting here isn’t ideal.”  

Noticing Guy glancing around curiously, and seeing the growing crowd of onlookers, Itachi’s fighting spirit subsided, and he spoke up.  

“All right…”  

Guy had been eager to resume the fight, but hearing Itachi’s words, he finally noticed the surrounding situation. His fiery enthusiasm began to cool.  

His respect for Itachi deepened.  

The fact that Itachi could observe their surroundings even during battle meant he wasn’t fighting at full strength.  

What’s more, Guy realized that while Itachi’s speed and physicality were impressive, his techniques were slightly flawed, and his raw strength hadn’t been fully developed. It was clear he had potential in taijutsu, but wasn’t solely focused on it.  

This only reinforced Guy’s belief that Itachi’s overall power might be far greater than his own.  

“What’s your name?”  

As Itachi turned to leave, Guy quickly closed the distance in two steps, instinctively reaching out to put a hand on his shoulder. But Itachi, as if he had eyes in the back of his head, nimbly avoided the gesture.  

Guy didn’t seem embarrassed, though; his thick skin made up for the awkwardness.  

“Asura. You don’t need to introduce yourself. I already know you’re Might Guy, the Taijutsu Master, and Konoha’s Blue Beast.”  

Noticing Guy about to launch into one of his enthusiastic introductions, Itachi preemptively cut him off.  

Hearing Itachi’s words, Guy’s already flushed face turned an even deeper shade of red.  

This guy is even harder to get along with than Kakashi!  

He didn’t even let Guy introduce himself properly to make a strong impression and build camaraderie.  

Depriving him of that moment—so unfair!  

Once again, Guy found himself thinking that Kakashi was the only one who truly understood him.  

Guy gazed wistfully at Asura’s retreating back, his thoughts drifting to Kakashi…  

“What’s your name? I’m Might Guy, Konoha’s Blue Beast! Thank you for coming all this way to save us!”  

When they got closer to Kakashi, Guy finally shouted the introduction he’d been holding back. He was partly addressing Kakashi, but it was also for Itachi’s benefit.  

He hoped this burst of passion and youth would leave an impression on them both.  

“Asura…”  

Kakashi, hearing Guy’s loud proclamation, didn’t respond.  

By now, he was completely used to Guy’s dramatic antics.  

But when Kakashi spoke the name “Asura,” Guy’s face changed immediately.  

The calm, composed tone was so familiar…  

That unshakable composure was something only his best friend Kakashi possessed!  

Chapter 137: Water Style: Water Mirror Technique   

“Do you know Kakashi?”   

Guy took a few steps toward Kakashi, passing by Itachi and stopping beside him. He asked tentatively.   

He was very interested in this “Arganzo,” but not so much in Itachi.   

“Kakashi? Who’s that? I don’t know him,” Kakashi replied flatly.   

He spoke with an expressionless face, not betraying the slightest emotion—calm and composed as ever.   

“Uh… this…”   

Guy, staring intently at Kakashi’s face, felt disappointed when he heard Kakashi’s response.   

He had hoped to uncover something but couldn’t figure out a thing.   

---   

“Guy, they came all this way to save us. Stop bombarding them with questions—it’s rude,” said Kurenai, standing nearby. Her face showed some displeasure as she addressed Guy.   

“Oh…”   

Hearing Kurenai’s words, Guy, who had been about to continue asking questions, lowered his head in disappointment.   

It had been so long since he last saw Kakashi, so long since they had a man-to-man duel...   

“I’m sorry for my rudeness… Thank you for coming to rescue us,” Guy said, bowing deeply to the two of them, his tone sincere.   

“It’s nothing, really…”   

Seeing that Itachi remained silent and disinterested in interacting with them, Kakashi reluctantly accepted Guy’s bow, scratching the back of his head with one hand and waving dismissively with the other.   

A flash of insight crossed Guy’s eyes before it quickly disappeared.   

He stood up as though nothing had happened, taking a deep look at this so-called “Arganzo.”   

---   

“How did you convince that stubborn Mizukage to let us go?”   

As they walked along, Itachi and Kakashi led the way while Guy and Kurenai followed two steps behind.   

The atmosphere was a bit awkward, so Kurenai stepped forward to walk beside Kakashi, looking at him as she asked the question.   

In her mind, she imagined the handsome face hidden beneath Kakashi’s mask. She found the thought amusing.   

To put it simply, she was full of fantasies about what Kakashi looked like under the mask.   

“You’ll have to ask Asura about that. I’m not sure,” Kakashi replied, feeling a bit uneasy under Kurenai’s gaze.   

Her stare gave him goosebumps.   

He didn’t like that kind of look—it was familiar, eerily similar to someone else’s gaze.   

---   

“You’re his teammate. Surely you know what he did?”   

Kurenai glanced at Asura, who returned her look with an apologetic expression before she turned her gaze back to Kakashi.   

Itachi observed this scene and felt a subtle mix of emotions.   

People nowadays, he thought, are a bit shallow…   

After all, Kakashi hadn’t even revealed his face.   

What if the face under that mask was ugly or covered in scars?   

That would be… a bit awkward.   

---   

Later that night, the four of them sat around a campfire, leaning against the trees.   

Since their group had grown, Kakashi didn’t use Wood Style to create shelter.   

Instead, the four of them camped under the open sky.   

Guy soon began doing one-handed push-ups beside the fire, moving at an incredible speed, like an emotionless machine pounding away.   

“What’s for dinner?”   

Watching Guy train, Kurenai sharpened her nails with a kunai, while Kakashi softly asked Itachi.   

Deep down, he was hoping to have Itachi’s delicious roasted chicken again.   

Just thinking about the aroma made his mouth water.   

---   

“Whatever you want to eat, go get it yourself,” Itachi replied, clearly annoyed.   

Hearing this, both Kurenai and Guy, still doing push-ups, perked up their ears, intently listening to their conversation about food.   

Everyone wanted to eat, but nobody wanted to do the work, pretending they weren’t hungry…   

Such is human nature.   

“Uh…”   

Disappointed, Kakashi’s face fell. Not being able to eat that roasted chicken was a great tragedy.   

But the hunger gnawing at his stomach left him no choice but to let go of his dream meal.   

At that moment, all he wanted was to fill his stomach with something tasty.   

---  

"Aganzo, are you going to look for food? Let me join you." 

Just as Guy saw Kakashi preparing to look for food alone and planned to use the opportunity to chat, Kurenai moved even faster than him. In an instant, she stepped in front of Kakashi, leaving Guy speechless. 

He silently thought it was a pity. 

"Alright, fine." 

Kakashi thought for a moment and did not refuse. Having someone to help was better than doing all the work himself. 

"What kind of food are we looking for? Do you actually know how to cook? That’s so impressive..." 

Kurenai moved closer to Kakashi, less than a fist’s distance away. The faint fragrance from her body drifted into Kakashi’s nose, making him feel slightly distressed.  

This kind of youthful scent was quite alluring.  

However, his mind quickly conjured up another figure. The fragrance was slightly different but still carried the same captivating aroma. This brought a mix of bittersweet emotions to his heart.  

After all, Kakashi was someone whose life was already full of bitterness.  

"Just something simple," he replied. 

After a brief pause, Kakashi came back to his senses and spoke indifferently, his tone even colder than before. The air around him seemed to freeze over, emanating a frosty chill. 

Kurenai felt the sudden drop in Kakashi’s demeanor and was at a loss. She couldn’t understand why his mood had shifted so suddenly.  

After thinking it over, she concluded it might be because Kakashi didn’t enjoy talking much, and she might have been too noisy.  

With that in mind, Kurenai fell silent and followed quietly beside him, like a calm and steady companion.  

Even though she felt a bit uncomfortable inside, her figure seemed lonely and frail from behind.  

No one can be happy knowing they’ve annoyed someone else.  

Especially for a beauty like her, who was always welcomed and adored wherever she went. She had never faced such cold indifference before.  

--- 

The subtle emotional undertones between the two went unnoticed by both Itachi, who sat by the campfire, and Guy, who was doing push-ups.  

After their voices and shadows disappeared into the distance, Guy pushed himself up and stood.  

"Ashura! Let’s have another sparring match! While they’re off looking for food, let’s go all out and have a sweaty duel!"  

Guy raised a thumbs-up at Itachi, his pearly white teeth reflecting the firelight. His whole demeanor was a little comical.  

Guy’s words left Itachi momentarily stunned. His gaze, which had been vacant while staring at the fire, gradually sharpened.  

Turning his head, he looked at the excited and energetic Guy, letting out a faint sigh.  

"Fine..." 

Itachi slowly stood up, using the heel of his right foot to kick the tree he had been leaning against. With a swift motion, he lashed out with his left leg, aiming a fierce kick at Guy’s head, as if intending to take him down with one blow. 

"Bring it on!"  

Seeing this, Guy shouted and countered with a horizontal kick, his body twisting to meet Itachi’s strike head-on. 

Just as Itachi anticipated a direct clash of kicks, their legs barely missed each other.  

Instead, both aimed at each other’s exposed chest, seemingly willing to trade blow for blow.  

--- 

Itachi clenched his right fist and prepared to block with his left hand. His legs moved without hesitation. In moments like this, hesitation would lead to defeat, and falling into a passive position would only result in taking more hits.  

Itachi’s quick reactions impressed Guy, who noticed that even at night, Itachi’s vision remained sharp.  

While Guy relied on 30% firelight and 70% muscle memory for his movements in the dark, Itachi seemed unaffected by the dim lighting.  

Realizing this, Guy decided to take advantage of the situation. With a horizontal kick aimed at sending Itachi airborne, he planned to launch a series of follow-up attacks.  

Itachi, however, was momentarily frustrated by Guy’s sudden change in technique.  

It was too abrupt.  

With the distance already so close, if Guy’s kick hit an unguarded part of his thigh, Itachi would be limping for days.  

Guy’s experience in hand-to-hand combat was evidently far superior.  

While Itachi’s combat instincts were honed, they lacked the same level of refinement. Suspended in mid-air, he had limited room to maneuver.  

Even though his body was flexible and his eyes could see the attack coming, his movements couldn’t override biological limits in the moment.  

--- 

As Itachi calculated his next move, he didn’t have time to channel chakra to reinforce his leg for defense. A sharp pain shot through his thigh, making him suck in a breath. If the kick had landed a bit higher, it could have been catastrophic.  

However, the force wasn’t as heavy as Itachi expected.  

After a moment of numbness, the pain was quickly alleviated by his chakra.  

Yet before he could recover, Guy’s massive shoe sole filled his vision.  

One attack flowed seamlessly into another.  

Itachi’s body transformed into a log—he had used a substitution jutsu.  

If it were purely a hand-to-hand fight, he would definitely lose to Guy.  

Guy specialized in taijutsu. Competing in that alone would be pointless.  

Besides, Itachi couldn’t activate his Sage Mode or use his Sharingan recklessly.  

This undeniably affected his overall strength.  

Seeing that Itachi had turned into a piece of wood, Guy was momentarily stunned but quickly regained his composure, landing firmly on the ground.   

He stomped down, creating two deep craters in the earth.   

His eyes scanned the surroundings, and his ears were keenly attuned to every sound.   

Itachi's trace was already lost.   

"Whoosh..."   

A sudden gust of wind echoed. Guy's ears twitched, and he swiftly turned his body with lightning speed.   

Watching Guy charge toward him like a torrent, Itachi didn't hesitate.   

He kicked at the campfire, causing sparks to scatter, intending to extinguish the light source.   

But what happened next surprised him. Instead of the fire going out, it spread into a pile of dry grass nearby...   

The flames grew larger...   

This was truly absurd.   

In hindsight, he should have used a jutsu earlier. Even if it caused a fluctuation in chakra, he could have completed the technique before Guy got to him.   

Holding his breath and suppressing his chakra, Itachi's figure moved like a ghost, fading into the darkness.   

Meanwhile, the surrounding flames gradually began to spread.   

...   

The forest was becoming increasingly illuminated.   

Watching Itachi's figure disappear once more, Guy furrowed his thick brows.   

He couldn’t quite figure out what this “Asura” was up to...   

Wasn't this Asura supposed to have excellent night vision and dynamic sight? Why resort to something like this?   

The growing flames illuminated the forest, their light intensifying.   

A forest fire seemed imminent...   

"Water Style: Great Waterfall Technique!"   

Itachi's voice echoed from all directions, reverberating through the forest.   

The next second, streams of water surged from two directions, heading straight toward Guy, who stood amidst the scattered flames.   

"Two?"   

Hearing Itachi's voice, Guy was momentarily taken aback because the voice came from two directions.   

Then, the jutsu manifested in both locations simultaneously.   

The dense chakra shone as brilliantly as two stars.   

Guy found himself in a predicament.   

...   

The rushing water violently broke through trees, sending them hurtling toward Guy.   

But Guy didn't pay much attention. Leaping into the air, he landed gracefully atop the surging water, moving as if it were solid ground.   

To him, this kind of water-style jutsu moved at a snail's pace.   

Moreover, the strongest point of this technique was its frontal impact zone.   

"Gate of Opening, Gate of Rest, Gate of Life—Open!"   

Since Itachi was using jutsu and shadow clones, Guy activated three of the Eight Gates.   

He was ready to take them down one by one, ending Itachi's evasive tactics and his use of these frustrating long-range techniques.   

...   

Reaching the source of the water streams, Guy saw Itachi, who was still spitting out a waterfall.   

Without hesitation, he launched a kick toward Itachi.   

Even if he couldn't land a hit, interrupting Itachi’s jutsu would suffice.   

Itachi's speed had noticeably increased since earlier.   

Stopping his water spout, Itachi brought his hands together in a quick sequence of seals.   

The movement of his hands was dazzling, almost like an illusion.   

Seeing that Itachi was about to use another jutsu, Guy picked up his speed even further.   

Hand-to-hand combat was so much more satisfying—why insist on playing like this? It was truly irritating.   

...   

"Water Style: Water Mirror Technique..."   

Itachi stopped spitting water, and a mirror appeared in front of him.   

In the mirror, Guy's rapidly approaching figure was reflected.   

Guy was slightly taken aback. Why was Itachi creating a mirror at this moment? Did he want Guy to admire his heroic appearance?   

But in the very next second.   

The reflection in the mirror suddenly rushed toward him, breaking free from the mirror.   

Its speed was no less than his own, and even its moves were identical to his, down to the smallest detail.   

"An illusion? A trick?"   

Guy was stunned, unable to make sense of what was happening. What in the world was this thing?   

As he stood there, dumbfounded, the mirror version of himself launched a kick straight at his face. The sole of the shoe grew larger and larger in his vision...   

By the time Guy snapped out of it, the sole of the foot was already right in front of his eyes.   

…   

“Bang…”   

Even though he had no idea what had just emerged from the mirror, Guy clenched his fist instinctively and raised it to block the kick. His stance wavered under the force of the blow.   

“This strength…”   

Guy’s body was sent flying backward. His mind reeled, utterly disoriented.   

It was like he was fighting himself—completely absurd...   

Noticing that Itachi and the mirror version of himself hadn’t pursued him, Guy steadied himself as he landed on the ground, sliding back more than ten meters.   

“Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet Technique…”   

Guy kept his eyes fixed on the mirrored version of himself, strategizing his next move.   

But before he could act, the reflection dissolved, and the mirror disappeared entirely.   

In its place, a massive water dragon emerged behind Itachi.   

First, its ferocious dragon head materialized, followed by the vividly detailed dragon body, covered in glistening scales. The water dragon grew longer and longer…   

It looked as if it were about to ascend to the heavens, soaring into the sky…   

…   

As the water dragon grew in size and its imposing aura intensified, Guy’s expression turned grim. A sense of unease crept over him.   

A larger water dragon meant its attack power and range would be equally immense.   

Guy had seen the Water Dragon Bullet Technique before, but after witnessing Itachi’s other jutsu, he wasn’t sure how powerful this one would be. Was it faster? Could he dodge it?   

Just as these thoughts raced through Guy’s mind…   

“Moo…”   

The water dragon let out a thunderous roar, reminiscent of a bellowing bull. The sound carried an air of authority that was impossible to ignore.   

Its serpentine body coiled and twisted, its shimmering scales gliding fluidly. The sheer visual impact struck Guy to his core…   

…   

--- 

Chapter 138: Crimson  

Itachi was slightly surprised by the water dragon he had summoned.  

He had only refined his chakra and performed the technique as usual. Why was his version of this jutsu subtly different from others? It wasn’t just the fine detail in the dragon's scales; the water dragon itself seemed to possess life.  

But he hadn’t used Senjutsu...  

As he thought of Senjutsu, Itachi suddenly understood. Senjutsu had become synonymous with Ryūchi Cave—the domain of dragons. Could it be that his chakra had unknowingly been influenced and assimilated? This subtle transformation occurred whenever he used dragon-shaped jutsu.  

As for its power, that remained to be seen...  

Interrupting his thoughts, Itachi raised his hand slightly.  

The enormous water dragon, as if receiving a signal, began to sway gracefully, its every movement exuding a unique charm.  

...  

Guy, on the other hand, tensed up, feeling as though he were being stared down by an ancient, primal beast. The eyes of the water dragon, in particular, triggered an inexplicable unease deep in his heart—a faint sense of fear?  

Realizing this unusual emotion, Guy’s steam aura flared violently. A technique that came at the cost of one’s life could not afford hesitation.  

Thus, he ruthlessly erased the strange feeling from his heart and focused intensely on the dragon’s head, locking eyes with the water dragon.  

Like two ancient beasts confronting one another, the primal ferocity radiating from Guy was equally intense.  

Itachi grew slightly irritated watching Guy remain motionless.  

The real problem lay in Guy's speed—so fast that the odds of landing a hit with ninjutsu were pitifully low.  

Meanwhile, Guy, momentarily unsettled by Itachi’s initial display, now hesitated, preparing to counterattack. His attention was fully focused on the formidable jutsu before him, its sheer power impossible to ignore.  

...  

Finally, after a brief pause, the water dragon's swaying movements ceased. Its head lifted, and in an instant—like a flash of lightning—it charged at Guy, striking with incredible speed.  

This velocity far exceeded the last time Itachi had used the Water Dragon Bullet Technique.  

Guy, seeing the water dragon finally move, felt his taut nerves relax slightly.  

In his current state, time was critical—he couldn’t afford to wait indefinitely. If Itachi hadn’t launched his attack, Guy would have taken the initiative himself.  

As the water dragon’s massive head, spanning over ten meters in diameter, hurtled toward Guy, its claws gleamed ominously. The dragon’s writhing body and shimmering scales formed an intricate pattern, mesmerizing anyone who stared too long and inducing dizziness.  

...  

“Now!”  

Fixing his gaze on the dragon’s head, Guy shouted as it neared him.  

His body crouched slightly before springing upward. With a powerful leap, he soared thirty to forty meters into the air, resembling a superhero in flight.  

“Roar!”  

The water dragon missed its target, letting out a roar of frustration, its fury palpable.  

Itachi felt a peculiar sensation at this moment.  

The Water Dragon Bullet Technique, once uncontrollable after being unleashed, now seemed oddly responsive to his will...  

This defied conventional logic.  

However, the feeling was oddly familiar—reminiscent of the ethereal serpentine shadow that coiled around him when activating Senjutsu. Was it the same principle at work here?  

There seemed to be a shared origin.  

...  

High in the air, Guy searched for a suitable landing point to avoid the water dragon’s devastating power.  

As his body began to descend, his gaze darted around for sturdy trees to use as leverage. But then his eyes narrowed in shock.  

The water dragon, initially poised to crash into the ground, abruptly halted, its body undulating briefly before straightening. With a sudden burst of speed, it ascended skyward, hurtling toward the dumbfounded Guy.  

“Are you kidding me…”  

“Roar!”  

The dragon’s thunderous roar drowned out Guy’s muttered complaint, the deafening sound nearly rupturing his eardrums. It was absurdly loud.  

“Boom!”  

While Guy was momentarily dazed by the sonic onslaught, the dragon’s ferocious head rammed into him with terrifying force.  

Guy’s body was sent flying like a leaf caught in a storm, hurtling far into the distance until he became a tiny black speck on the horizon.  

Watching Guy get blasted away by his water dragon, Itachi formed a brief hand seal before his figure dissolved into a puff of white smoke.  

Elsewhere, the real Itachi—having just finished exhaling a stream of water—paused as the memories from his shadow clone flowed back to him. He stood still for a moment, mildly stunned.  

He didn’t expect that Guy would take care of his shadow clone so easily. 

However, Guy had only opened three gates, so it was natural for him to manage that.  

Even though his current strength was somewhat restricted, his abilities had vastly improved compared to his peak in the past. When utilized properly, they could be even more effective than before.  

If not used well, of course, it wouldn’t be as strong as before.  

...  

“Where’s Guy?”  

Before long, Kakashi emerged from the dense forest, looking surprised as he noticed Itachi sitting by a fire under a tree.  

“He should be back soon,”  

Itachi didn’t lift his head, calmly staring at the fire in front of him as he responded in a quiet tone.  

He seemed to be deep in thought about something.  

Hearing Itachi’s words, Kakashi looked at the surroundings, which appeared to have been ravaged by a torrent, leaving the trees and branches in disarray. He said nothing.  

What puzzled him even more was why there wasn’t any thick smoke rising from Itachi’s fire.  

After all, the nearby branches had been soaked from their fight.  

Burning wet branches would usually create thick smoke and be much harder to ignite.  

...  

Before long, Kurenai surveyed the area with a puzzled expression, confirming that this was indeed the spot they had passed through earlier.  

Though she and the others were fishing not far away, they had sensed the commotion from the fight between the two. She hadn’t expected the battle to be so intense.  

But... where was the other person?  

Kurenai fell into deep thought but wasn’t sure how to broach the question.  

“Can you cook fish?”  

Kakashi didn’t turn around as he used chakra to dry the ground, preparing to sit next to Itachi.  

Noticing Kurenai standing behind him with the cleaned fish in her hands, seemingly at a loss, he asked the question directly.  

...  

“I can…”  

Hearing Kakashi’s question, Kurenai’s body tensed. She stood a little straighter, as if she were responding to a superior’s orders.  

“Then start cooking. The sooner we eat, the sooner we can rest. We’ve got a long journey tomorrow,”  

Kakashi’s tone softened slightly as he spoke to her.  

After all, there was a difference in how he treated someone useful compared to someone who wasn’t.  

“O-Okay…”  

Kurenai quickly replied, flustered.  

Kakashi’s cool demeanor made her heart race. This version of Kakashi was incredibly attractive to her...  

Of course, it might also be because she was used to being the center of attention. Kakashi’s indifferent attitude piqued her curiosity and drew her attention to him.  

Subconsciously, she wanted to build a better relationship with him, to understand Kakashi more deeply...  

...  

Before long, the tantalizing aroma of roasted fish filled the air around the fire.  

The oil dripping from the fish sizzled as it hit the flames, causing the fire to flare up momentarily.  

Each time a drop of oil fell, the flames grew stronger.  

And with every flare, the roasted fish smelled even more delicious.  

Chapter 139: Hiruzen Sarutobi’s Astonishment  

"Slow down, slow down... Oh, my poor back…"  

As the group of three was about to dig into their meal, Gai's voice called out from a short distance away.  

Before long, Gai appeared, sitting atop a turtle and directing it forward.  

Smelling the aroma of food, he noticed everyone looking at him. Embarrassed, he quickly dismounted and dismissed the turtle.  

After all, overworking a turtle wasn’t exactly ideal…  

"This is such a blessing—to return home and immediately enjoy the smell of delicious grilled fish…"  

The atmosphere grew slightly awkward. Gai scratched his head and sheepishly spoke.  

"Gai, what are you doing? You weren’t helping with the meal, and now you’re making us wait for you too…"  

Seeing that Itachi and Kakashi had no intention of speaking, Kurenai quickly pretended to scold Gai, trying to ease the awkwardness and lighten the mood.  

"Ah... sorry, sorry. It’s just that Ashura was so powerful that I accidentally got sent flying…"  

Taking advantage of Kurenai’s intervention, Gai immediately tried to explain, looking even more embarrassed.  

However, his eyes lit up when he glanced at Itachi.  

Clearly, he’d found his silver lining.  

For most people, losing a fight was a shameful experience. But for Gai, it was a stroke of luck—it revealed his weaknesses, allowing him to better understand how to improve his abilities.  

Even better, Itachi was a Konoha ninja, which meant he could spar with him regularly in the future. The thought thrilled him to no end.  

Gai’s perspective was undeniably inspiring, if a bit... unusual.  

When Gai finally joined the group around the campfire, the four of them each took a grilled fish and began their meal.  

As dinner commenced, Gai became overwhelmed with emotion.  

"Ah… this is youth at its finest…"  

To him, after an intense and passionate battle, enjoying such a delicious meal was pure bliss.  

The other three looked at Gai, their expressions hard to describe.  

Although Kakashi was long used to this behavior, he pretended to wear the same puzzled expression as Itachi and Kurenai.  

"Ashura, Aganzo, let’s have a match full of youthful energy!"  

When nobody responded to him, Gai raised his voice and suggested a competition, seemingly unfazed by the awkwardness of it all.  

"No."  

Before Gai could elaborate, Itachi and Kakashi rejected the idea almost in unison.  

Competing while eating? That was just absurd.  

Hearing their responses, Gai looked a little dejected, but his eyes gleamed with a sharp focus.  

This Aganzo was just like Kakashi—the resemblance was uncanny. Despite attempts to conceal it, Gai recognized the subtle habits and mannerisms all too well. After all, no one understood Kakashi better than he did.  

If Aganzo really was Kakashi, then why the disguise? This question plagued Gai, leaving him thoroughly puzzled.  

The night passed uneventfully.  

After dinner, the four of them rested against the trees.  

While the others slept soundly, Gai tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep.  

His frustration and curiosity over Kakashi’s mystery, combined with the physical pain from Itachi’s attacks, kept him awake.  

Even with his formidable physique, taking a direct hit from such a powerful Water Dragon Bullet felt like being slammed by a wild beast.  

To Itachi’s credit, he had held back. Otherwise, Gai’s condition would’ve been far worse.  

Battles are often like this.  

A single misstep, and you could be taken down before you even have a chance to unleash your strongest moves.  

But if you use your ultimate technique too early, it might just get dodged by a substitution jutsu.  

The timing and rhythm of jutsu are an art—a true expression of strategy in warfare.  

Finally, after a restless night, dawn broke.  

The forest that had been silent gradually came alive with the sounds of morning.  

"You’re back."  

In Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the four figures before him, his expression filled with a mix of emotions.  

It hadn’t been long at all since they’d left, yet here they were, already returned.  

The team he’d sent to Kirigakure, on the other hand, had spent ten days to half a month negotiating, talking themselves hoarse, and achieving absolutely nothing.  

This only deepened Hiruzen’s dissatisfaction with the ANBU.  

They consumed so much of the village’s military budget and required extensive training, yet when it truly mattered, they failed to deliver results.  

Who could tolerate such a lack of value? 

Moreover, things aren’t like they used to be.  

In the past, the role of the Anbu was significant, but now the village is peaceful, and this force has no real opportunity to be utilized.  

“Yes, Hokage. Lord Hokage…”  

Four different voices rang out simultaneously.  

Itachi, as always, addressed him directly, while the other three used honorifics.  

...  

“Asura, stay. The rest of you can return and rest.”  

After some thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi set down his pipe and spoke in a calm tone.  

He planned to hear what Asura had to say first, then consult with Guy and Kurenai.  

Although Asura seemed capable, he was still a newcomer. Hiruzen preferred to hear Guy and Kurenai’s opinions. However, he didn’t want Asura to feel slighted after completing his task. Allowing Asura to speak first was a way to maintain morale—a principle Hiruzen had adhered to for years in his leadership style.  

“Understood, Lord Hokage…”  

...  

“Asura, how did your trip to Kirigakure go?”  

Hiruzen smiled kindly as he looked at the unassuming Asura in front of him.  

“Thank you for your concern, Lord Hokage. It went as expected. Kirigakure seems quite willing to cooperate, so there wasn’t much trouble.”  

Itachi’s response to Hiruzen’s inquiry was calm and composed, as though he were unaffected by the situation.  

“Then, can you tell me why several teams I sent before failed their mission, but as soon as you arrived, the Mizukage agreed to let us proceed?”  

Hiruzen’s sharp eyes locked onto Itachi, his gaze piercing and dark. His voice carried a cold, commanding authority.  

This was both a test and not a test.  

The speed and ease with which Asura completed the mission left Hiruzen unsettled. His deliberate tone was meant to probe further.  

At the same time, a shadow of doubt crept into his mind—could Asura have some secret connection with Kirigakure?  

In that instant, countless thoughts raced through his mind.  

One thought of trust. One thought of suspicion. A single moment of reflection could tip the scales either way.  

...  

“Was it that hard?”  

Itachi’s voice was calm as he stared down at Hiruzen from a higher vantage point, his gaze indifferent as he looked at the elderly man sitting behind the desk.  

This frail, thin old man—what could he possibly be thinking?  

For Uchiha Itachi to handle a mission was already a favor. And yet, here Hiruzen was, nitpicking and questioning. Did he even realize how close he was to courting disaster?  

Itachi thought these things but didn’t let them show. His expression remained composed, his eyes unreadable. His entire demeanor radiated confidence and pride.  

Itachi’s gaze caused Hiruzen to hesitate momentarily. It was as if an aging lion faced a vigorous young lion in its prime.  

For a brief moment, Hiruzen was actually overpowered by Itachi’s presence.  

Those eyes were too sharp, that aura too commanding. This was no ordinary person.  

Countless thoughts flashed through Hiruzen’s mind in an instant—thoughts that even included the possibility of elimination… 

Chapter 140: Six Months Later   

“Hehehe...”   

After a brief pause, Hiruzen Sarutobi let out an awkward chuckle, trying to ease the tense atmosphere.   

After all, this was a time when they were short on manpower.   

Even if he wanted to deal with Itachi, it would have to wait until the replacements were in place.   

Right now, Itachi seemed to show some promise, but he lacked the foundation and the power to pose a real threat.   

Promoting him to Jonin? That would depend entirely on Hiruzen's mood.   

With that thought, Hiruzen's mind finally settled.   

He could still control this situation...   

--- 

"Alright, you can go now. Just wait for further notice," Hiruzen said dismissively.   

Seeing Itachi's indifferent expression, Hiruzen felt a headache brewing. He waved his hand, signaling that this troublesome junior could leave.   

What had once been admiration for Itachi had now turned into a mix of wariness, impatience, and regret.   

If only he were five years younger, Hiruzen thought, such worries wouldn't weigh on him so heavily.   

Without realizing it, he had grown old. He had become hesitant and overly suspicious.   

--- 

“Back so soon?”   

As soon as Itachi entered the house, Kakashi opened the door to the guest room and looked at him in surprise.   

Based on his understanding of Hiruzen Sarutobi, a conversation with him usually lasted at least a few hours.   

“It wasn’t too bad,” Itachi replied nonchalantly, showing little interest in Kakashi’s question. He gave a casual response without much sincerity.   

--- 

Time flew by, and six months passed in the blink of an eye.   

After Itachi’s new identity as Asura raised Hiruzen's suspicions, Gai and Kurenai were brought in to fill the gaps in the ranks.   

As a result, while both Itachi and Kakashi were promoted to Jonin, they were essentially sidelined, left in a state of inactivity as if they’d been shelved.   

Since Hiruzen didn’t summon them, neither Itachi nor Kakashi took the initiative to accept missions.   

The two spent their days relaxing in the courtyard, drinking tea, watching sports, and enjoying the breeze—day after day of leisure.   

--- 

One day, while Itachi and Kakashi were barbecuing in the yard, a small snake slithered up to Itachi’s feet.   

Itachi’s expression shifted slightly. He set down the bowl of seasoning he was holding and walked toward the house.   

The snake followed closely behind, its body swaying as it trailed him.   

Kakashi, noticing the scene, narrowed his eyes briefly before returning to his relaxed demeanor. He grabbed the seasoning bowl Itachi had left on the table and continued basting the food.   

“So, Roran has been found…”   

In his room, Itachi murmured as he read the letter in his hand.   

He had thought it might contain news about the fusion of Naruto’s cells with Hashirama’s.   

But it turned out to be about the discovery of the Roran ruins.   

He didn’t feel particularly excited about Roran—it didn’t seem very interesting to him.   

Still, since it had taken so long to locate, he might as well take a look. After all, he’d spent the past six months in idleness.   

--- 

“Lord Orochimaru needs something?”   

When Itachi emerged from his room again, Kakashi asked softly.   

His voice dropped slightly when mentioning Orochimaru’s name, as if worried about being overheard.   

“We’re heading to the Land of Wind. There’s work to do,” Itachi replied, picking up a chicken wing from the grill and inspecting it.   

Noting that it wasn’t quite done, he flipped it over and placed it back on the grill.   

“Oh, so goodbye to the good times, huh?”   

Kakashi, now slightly out of shape from months of idleness, sighed softly.   

Life without missions had been too comfortable.   

He couldn’t remember ever being this lazy—he’d spent so many years running back and forth at Hiruzen’s command.   

Now, under Itachi’s lead, every day was filled with food, relaxation, and entertainment. Compared to his previous life of barely managing one or two meals a day, this was like heaven and earth.   

--- 

“Kakashi, this isn’t sustainable…”   

Itachi was silent for a moment before speaking in a calm tone.   

He couldn’t believe Kakashi had become even lazier than he was.   

If anyone had the right to laze around, it should be him—not Kakashi! Kakashi was supposed to be overworked like a dog. That would balance things out…   

“What are we going to the Land of Wind for? It’s just endless sand and desolate villages,” Kakashi said, pretending not to hear Itachi’s remark.   

He quickly changed the subject, diverting Itachi’s attention.   

He didn’t want to risk being sent to the desert to dig in the dirt while Itachi stayed behind in Konoha, watching the local beauties bustle about.   

As he continued thinking, Kakashi glanced with amusement at the commoner crouched on the ground. Beneath the thin fabric of her dress, her rounded posterior formed an exaggerated curve, as if it might break free at any moment.   

Of course, all of this was just Kakashi letting his imagination run wild.   

While other matters could be delegated to Kakashi, dealing with the Dragon Vein wasn’t so simple. There was no way they’d let Kakashi handle it alone.   

...   

After enjoying a delicious barbecue, under the commoner’s pitiful gaze, the two strolled leisurely out of Konoha Village.   

When Hiruzen Sarutobi first noticed the two frequently spending time together, he was perplexed and even assigned a few Anbu to keep an eye on them.   

However, the reports from the Anbu left him completely dumbfounded.   

They were too lazy.   

It was a complete waste of Anbu resources.   

The two spent their days idly watching maids bustle around. Occasionally, they’d help out in the village, but more often, they sat together in a small courtyard, watching a voluptuous beauty busily working right under their noses.   

If it were him, he’d definitely feel bad about it. After observing a few times, jealousy twisted his expression, and he eventually chose to forget about those two altogether.   

Two men, freshly registered and promoted to jonin, were essentially shelved and forgotten.   

Barring any surprises, Hiruzen Sarutobi wouldn’t be remembering these two anytime soon.   

...   

A day later, the two trudged into the Wind Country, covered in dust from their journey.   

They wore headscarves to cover their heads, sunglasses shielding their eyes, and carried packs on their backs. They looked just like passing merchants or travelers.   

“Itachi, you’re here…”   

Guided by the letter, Itachi brought Kakashi to meet their contact.   

As soon as they entered the small hut in the desert, they were greeted by a familiar voice.   

It was none other than Orochimaru.   

With his distinctive appearance, slitted pupils, and chilling voice, he was unmistakable.   

...   

“What brings you here? Weren’t you busy with something else?”   

Itachi asked, his tone tinged with surprise.   

From his perspective, Orochimaru should have been working against the clock to study the Hyuga clan’s Byakugan and the Kaguya clan’s Shikotsumyaku.   

After all, in his impression, Kimimaro should either be showing symptoms of his illness or have already been diagnosed with it.   

Although Itachi wasn’t privy to the details, he knew Orochimaru had always been fixated on the Shikotsumyaku, especially since Kimimaro was the last living person with the ability.   

“I’ve hit a bottleneck in my research, so I decided to take a break and refresh my mind. Besides, my current work is at a stage where all I can do now is wait for time to do its part,” Orochimaru replied with a faint smile, his tone calm and measured.   

At some point, Itachi had become his confidant, someone he trusted and confided in.   

Perhaps the only person with whom he could share secrets and have meaningful conversations.   

Even someone as brilliant as Orochimaru, who often reveled in solitude, found himself cherishing this inexplicable bond.   

Although Orochimaru thrived on his isolation, he couldn’t deny the strange comfort of these fleeting connections.   

---