With a sudden burst of force, Nagi struck—sending Kisame flying backward.
Kisame stabilized himself midair, narrowing his eyes.
"Itachi-san… is it him?"
Itachi Uchiha stepped forward calmly, stopping beside Kisame.
"So you've finally appeared… Uchiha Tajima. Though I doubt that is your real name."
The Akatsuki had originally dispatched KaShiranui Kūzu and Hidan after receiving intelligence about a Jinchūriki in the area.
However, reports surfaced of a Konoha proctor wearing a fox mask.
Obito recalled his own past embarrassment and ordered Black Zetsu to investigate.
The moment Black Zetsu arrived in SunagaShiranui Kūre, he spotted the familiar fox mask. Before he could even sense the chakra signature, the masked figure turned toward him. Realizing he had been detected, Black Zetsu immediately retreated underground.
He reported back that a powerful shinobi wearing a fox mask was present.
Nagato, intrigued, decided to attempt recruitment first. If that failed—eliminate him. After all, such a figure would inevitably interfere with their Jinchūriki hunt.
KaShiranui Kūzu and Hidan were unsuitable for recruitment diplomacy. Deidara was accompanying Sasori in the Land of Iron to procure puppet materials.
Thus, Nagato dispatched Itachi and Kisame instead.
"What are you talking about?" Nagi replied calmly. "I am merely a Konoha proctor."
He had no intention of confirming anything.
"…Very well."
Itachi's tone remained indifferent.
"Our leader admires your strength and has sent us to invite you to join us."
Admires me? He hadn't even heard of me until Black Zetsu reported in. And recruiting someone with the Sharingan already activated?
Nagi understood Itachi's situation perfectly.
"You have the order reversed," he replied. "And judging by your eyes, you're not particularly sincere. I must decline."
Meanwhile, Ameno—still in Nagi's arms—had already been healed through Medical Ninjutsu.
"So you refuse?" Kisame grinned, adjusting SamehEida. "Then lie down with the rest."
Ameno quickly warned Nagi:
"Be careful! That large man's sword absorbs chakra. And his Water Release is extremely powerful. The one beside him is Itachi Uchiha."
Nagi nodded.
"Thank you. Now go protect the others. Leave this to me."
"…Understood. Please be careful."
Realizing she would only hinder him here, Ameno hurried to drag Shiranui Kūra and the others to safety.
Kisame charged first, SamehEida cleaving downward.
Nagi sidestepped and struck him again, sending him flying dozens of meters.
Kisame wiped the blood from his lip.
"That's some palm strike…"
Abandoning close combat, he formed hand seals.
"Water Release: Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave!"
A lake surged forth, crashing toward Nagi and the others.
"Water Release: Water Formation Wall!"
A massive cylindrical barrier of water rose instantly, enclosing Nagi and the injured examinees.
The torrent battered it endlessly—yet the wall did not waver.
Ameno exhaled in relief and continued healing.
Kisame smirked.
"Impressive Water Release. Looks like I've found a worthy opponent."
He slammed his palm into the lake.
"Water Release: Thousand Feeding Sharks!"
A thousand sharks erupted from the water, charging Nagi.
[Mei Terumi: What extraordinary Water Release—and chakra reserves.]
[Ao: No wonder he's called the Tailed Beast without a Tail.]
[Chōjūrō: The wielder of SamehEida truly lives up to his reputation.]
[Gengetsu Hōzuki: Such strength… and yet he defected. Curse that masked man.]
[Fuguki Suikazan: ...]
Nagi brought his palms together.
"Water Release: Water Shockwave!"
The Water Formation Wall began rotating violently, transforming into a colossal water tornado.
The charging sharks were sucked in. Under the crushing suction and rotational force, they were shredded instantly.
When the vortex dissipated, both the thousand sharks—and Kisame's artificial lake—had vanished.
Itachi's Three-Tomoe Sharingan flashed.
Nagi froze momentarily.
Kisame seized the opportunity and lunged forward.
Ameno, watching anxiously, cried out and launched:
"Medical Water Release: Water Mosquito!"
Droplets surged toward Nagi. Beyond detoxification, the technique disrupted chakra flow—capable of breaking lesser genjutsu.
But Kisame was faster. SamehEida crashed down—
"Proctor!" Ameno shouted.
At the moment of impact, Nagi dissolved into a flock of crows.
The scattered birds reassembled—into Itachi's form.
"…What?!"
Both Kisame and Ameno were stunned.
Itachi's gaze sharpened toward a distant point.
"Impressive genjutsu. But do you truly believe yours succeeded?"
Nagi's voice echoed calmly.
"That remains to be seen."
"…Is that so?"
Suddenly—
Nagi found himself immobilized.
The sky turned dark crimson. He was bound to a massive cross.
"Do you still think so?"
Itachi's eyes shifted—Mangekyō Sharingan.
Holding a blade, he approached.
"In the world of TsuShiranui Kūyomi, I control all factors—time, space, even mass. For the next seventy-two hours, you will endure unending pain."
The blade plunged into Nagi's chest.
"Ah—!"
Blood splattered. Agony tore through him.
Another stab followed.
[Naruto Uzumaki: Nagi!!]
[Sasuke Uchiha: Nagi!! Damn you, Itachi! I won't forgive you!!!]
The Rookie Nine watched in horror.
[Kakashi Hatake: Calm down. Nagi understands the Mangekyō Sharingan. He won't fall so easily.]
[Naruto Uzumaki: But Kakashi-sensei—!]
[Kakashi Hatake: Naruto, you've seen the future. Trust him.]
[Ōnoki: In TsuShiranui Kūyomi, seventy-two hours pass in an instant. Even if someone notices, it's too late to break it.]
[A (Fourth Raikage): The Mangekyō Sharingan… formidable indeed.]
[Mei Terumi: Then is Nagi truly in danger?]
[MEidara Uchiha: Hmph. As if Tobirama would fail to teach his student how to counter Mangekyō genjutsu.
Or perhaps…
When exactly did you assume this boy was ever caught in genjutsu?]
[Izuna Uchiha: As expected, Brother.]
[Tajima Uchiha: Impressive.]
[Butsuma Senju: A remarkable brat.]
[Ōnoki: Nani?! Don't tell me it's—again?!]
PS: I've been releasing chapters daily . Honestly, it hurts seeing almost no support on Patreon after all that work.If you're enjoying the fic, even a little, supporting me would mean a lot. It helps a student stay independent .
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