Chapter 197: Susanoo and the Actor
"It's gone."
"Quick, go see who was fighting!"
The disappearance of the massive jutsu piqued the curiosity of the brave. Some ninjas with long-range visual techniques had already spotted two figures.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
"Awh man, that was a close one. Almost had me there. Good thing I have new tricks up my sleeve."
Tonbo Tobitake chuckled, looking at the duo. "You're Kisame, right? S-rank rogue ninja from the Hidden Mist. Not bad, not bad at all. But unfortunately for you, my skills are a level higher. Haha!"
As he spoke, he slightly loosened his soul-control over certain parts of Kisame's body. Kisame's head was now able to move. He turned toward Itachi, his expression remarkably calm. "Itachi-san, you should leave. He's controlling my body; he can't focus on both of us at once. As for me... I'm just a remnant of an era that should have vanished anyway. Dying in battle is a proper end for a shinobi."
Hmm?
Itachi's pupils suddenly quivered.
"What's this? Are you moved by me, Itachi-san? Haha! I always knew your emotions were a bit different from mine, but I didn't think the man who slaughtered the Uchiha clan could have a side like this." Kisame laughed, seeing the look in Itachi's eyes.
Inside the Mental Space.
Itachi's eyes trembled as he took in the scene before him. He was standing atop the Hokage Rock. Below, the residents of Konoha were busy with their daily lives. The warmth of woodsmoke and the bustle of life drifted up from the residential districts.
Three young figures were performing a task together below. Most importantly, a very familiar silhouette entered his field of vision.
"How is it? This is the Konoha of today. The people live in peace, everything is harmonious, and your little brother is safe," Tonbo said, appearing beside him and speaking softly.
Back in the real world, the moment Kisame had turned his head to speak, Tonbo had signaled Itachi. He successfully got Itachi to drop his guard and enter this mental construct.
Itachi regained his composed demeanor. "I see. I didn't expect the Third to tell you about... this."
"I'm here for intelligence on the Akatsuki. As for what Lord Third thinks, that's not for me to say. But if there's anything you want to know, I can answer you," Tonbo offered.
"No, that won't be necessary. I only ask that Senior doesn't tell Sasuke the truth. That is enough." Itachi watched Sasuke's figure, a long-absent tenderness appearing on his face.
"Heh, you really are a control freak. But as your senior, I can grant that one request. Let's leave it at that," Tonbo smiled.
Who would tell him the truth? In the future, we need him to have a daughter who can fight Otsutsuki! Without hatred, Sasuke's growth might stall. Besides, based on how she awakened her eyes, Sarada's potential seemed even higher than his. She would surely play a vital role against the Otsutsuki. Tonbo figured he'd keep things on track; his intervention shouldn't make the protagonists weaker.
Back in Reality.
"Eh? Itachi-san, you really are moved?" Kisame saw Itachi's reaction and thought: Why haven't you run yet?!
Shink!
Itachi's eyes spun into the Mangekyo pattern. Massive amounts of chakra erupted from his body as a crimson ribcage surrounded him. A gargantuan spectral image appeared, slowly solidifying into an armored energy construct.
"Impressive! I'll try one too. Water Style: Explosive Water Colliding Wave!"
Tonbo looked at the Susanoo with excitement. Controlling Kisame's body, he launched another tsunami at Itachi. Facing the wave, Itachi simply swung his blade, cleaving the ocean in half. He then swung toward Tonbo.
"What is that?" Kisame was shocked by Itachi's new move. To save him, Itachi had revealed his ultimate trump card? Itachi-san... you really are too kind!
However, Kisame's hands moved against his will, weaving signs. A geyser of water erupted beneath him and Tonbo, launching them into the air to evade Itachi's strike.
"Water Style: A Thousand Hungry Sharks!"
Another set of signs, and the sky filled with chakra-molded sharks diving toward Itachi.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A shield appeared on the Susanoo's arm, effortlessly blocking every attack.
"This puppet of yours is far too weak in terms of raw offense," Tonbo's voice suddenly rang out from behind the Susanoo. His right hand had turned pitch black.
"Iron Fist."
CRACK!
A punch slammed into the spectral ribs. Spiderweb cracks appeared on the Susanoo's energy armor. Itachi's brow furrowed. This level of physical strength... and what is that?
He clearly saw that where the fist met the Susanoo, branch-like patterns had appeared briefly before vanishing. Was that another technique?
Itachi didn't dally. Using the momentum of the punch, he retreated rapidly with his Susanoo. He sliced through the chakra threads controlling Kisame's soul and wove a final set of signs. Both of them dissolved into a flock of crows and vanished.
Caw! Caw!
The crows flew off, leaving Tonbo alone in the center of the devastated landscape.
"Being a spy isn't easy. You really have to study the 'Self-Cultivation of an Actor'," Tonbo muttered, scratching his head. It reminded him of his days undercover in the Hidden Rain.
Sizzle!
Countless neural threads swayed in his palm.
"But it's fine. I collected Kisame's biological data, info on Samehada, and some structural data on Itachi's Susanoo."
Acting was one thing, but loot was mandatory. During that punch, he had used the cracks in the Susanoo to probe its energy composition. Though time was short, the data was invaluable. That energy structure was vastly superior to his Cat-God Possession.
This mission had been a jackpot. He'd have enough research material to last a long time once he returned. With Samehada's data and the Susanoo's structure, he finally had a lead on the third stage of "Contact Evolution." He was piecing together the final parts of his ultimate jutsu. Once finished, he would have the power to face massive AOE attacks head-on without breaking a sweat.
Just wait. My most perfect jutsu... it will be completed soon. Tailed Beast Bombs? Ocean-level water styles? All trash...
Poof!
He used Earth Style to smooth over the signs of battle, scanned the perimeter one last time, and flickered away.
After a while, the onlookers poked their heads out. "That was... that was..."
"Stop stuttering, who was it?"
"I don't know."
"Then why are you talking?!?"
"I say what I want! You want to see if my shuriken is sharp?"
Among them, some recognized Tonbo. They were shaken. Konoha's Captain Tonbo had come all the way to the Land of Hot Springs and fought a fierce battle with an unknown enemy, leveling a forest in the process.
To the nobles of the Land of Hot Springs, this was now a "designated clearing." This intel was worth a fortune—the smart ninjas were already on the move to sell it.
Huff... puff...
Itachi brought Kisame to an Akatsuki hideout and set him down. Blood-tears leaked from his eyes. He leaned against the wall to rest.
"I never would have thought... Itachi-san, for my sake, you actually..." Kisame was genuinely surprised. Did Itachi actually care about him? It seemed impossible for the man who killed his entire clan, yet he felt a deep respect. This man was more likeable than any ninja he had ever met.
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