"Do something! The longer Kakashi stays in that illusion, the worse it gets!" Asuma shouted, charging toward Itachi.
Yuhi Kurenai quickly weaved hand signs, casting an illusion targeting Uchiha Itachi.
Clang!
The sharp clash of weapons echoed through the clearing.
Kisame swung Samehada with ease, forcing Asuma back.
"You think I'm just here for decoration?" Kisame said, voice low and amused. "I won't let you interrupt Itachi-san."
Asuma gritted his teeth, his body sliding back across the surface of the water from the sheer force of Kisame's blow. His hands trembled slightly from the impact.
This guy... his strength is way beyond a normal jonin, Asuma thought grimly.
Meanwhile, Kurenai's genjutsu shattered like glass. Against Itachi, a master of illusion, she didn't stand a chance. Not even close. Perhaps her father, Yuhi Shinku, could stand his ground—but not her.
Kurenai staggered, eyes wide with fear. We're not even in the same league.
She looked at Asuma, and the sinking feeling in her chest grew heavier.
"Hah... hah…"
Kakashi finally stirred, dropping to one knee, panting, his hand covering his left eye. His face was pale, drenched in sweat.
"Don't! Don't look into Itachi's eyes!" he warned, voice hoarse.
"I mean it, don't look!" he repeated firmly.
Kurenai and Asuma quickly averted their eyes. But judging by Kakashi's condition, it was clear he was in no shape to continue.
They were on their own. Backup needed to come—fast.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, Kisame appeared in front of Asuma, grinning. "You scratched me earlier... now it's my turn."
Raising Samehada high, he brought it crashing down toward Asuma's head.
Eyes shut due to Kakashi's warning, Asuma reacted instinctively, raising his chakra-infused trench knives to defend himself.
But even with that, Kisame's power was overwhelming.
Boom!
The hit landed like a hammer, sending Asuma flying across the river. His body skidded across the water's surface, crashing into the bank. His condition was unclear—whether he was unconscious or worse.
"Asuma! Asuma!" Kurenai cried out, still unable to open her eyes. Even if their relationship wasn't romantic, they had history. They were comrades.
"Heh, that loser?" Kisame sneered, "I already smashed him with Samehada. Are all of Konoha's shinobi this weak?"
His voice was close now. Too close.
"It's your turn," he added, raising Samehada once more and swinging it toward Kurenai.
Her body froze.
She was a special jonin, yes—but one who specialized in genjutsu. In close combat, she was barely at chunin level.
And now she stood alone, helpless, against the very man who had just laid out an elite jonin like Asuma.
Her heart sank. She could feel the weapon cutting through the air toward her.
In her mind, Kaito's image surfaced. A soft smile crept to her lips.
What a shame....
Kisame noticed her reaction and chuckled darkly. "You're not even going to resist? Fine. Let's make this quick."
Bang!
A heavy, dull impact rang out.
Kurenai opened her eyes in shock.
A tall figure stood beside her, holding Samehada in one hand.
He moved with ease, his face neutral. His hair blew gently in the breeze.
"Are you alright, Kurenai-sensei?" he asked.
So cool! I'll definitely have his child! Kurenai screamed internally.
"I-I'm fine… thank you, Kaito," she stammered, cheeks flushed.
"I'm glad," Kaito replied warmly.
Then his expression shifted. His gaze sharpened as he turned toward Itachi and Kisame.
"Well, well... Itachi. Is that how you treat old friends when you visit home?"
Itachi's calm demeanor finally cracked. "It's you... Ayanami Kaito."
While they spoke, another figure arrived next to Kakashi.
"Kakashi! What happened to you?!" Might Guy asked, eyes narrowing in concern.
As Kakashi's rival and friend, Guy understood just how strong he truly was.
Now, seeing him like this... it was shocking.
He looked across the battlefield.
Itachi.
That explained everything.
"No wonder," Guy muttered. "Only someone like Uchiha Itachi could do this to Kakashi."
"Kurenai Sensei, take Kakashi and retreat," Kaito said calmly. "You two will only be a burden in the next fight."
He didn't say the same to Might Guy. After all, once Guy opened the Seventh Gate, his power could rival Kisame's.
In fact, in the original timeline, Guy had beaten Kisame using the Seven Gates.
At that moment, Kisame took a few quick steps back, landing beside Itachi.
"Itachi san, do we really need to fight? That kid's different," he said seriously, the usual mockery gone from his tone.
Samehada vibrated in his hands, reacting like it had smelled something it liked. It twisted beneath the bandages as if eager to feed.
Even though Kisame hadn't gone all out earlier, the fact that Kaito stopped Samehada's strike with one hand was enough to make him cautious.
"We're leaving. Don't forget why we came here," Itachi said quietly.
"Not fighting, huh? What a shame," Kisame replied with a disappointed sigh.
"They're not ordinary opponents. Let's go," Itachi muttered as he turned and vanished into the distance.
Kisame followed, disappearing just as quickly.
He and Itachi had been partners for years. He understood Itachi well.
The fact that Itachi used the words "very troublesome" meant these opponents were at least equal to them. Even Itachi didn't feel confident in a direct confrontation.
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(We on Chapter 160 on pat btw)