Akatsuki base
Itachi and Kisame had just returned from an observation mission.
Because the work of collecting tailed beasts had not yet started, Pain would arrange for some members to observe the positions and strengths of the Jinchūrikis from time to time.
This was to ensure that when the capture of tailed beasts officially begins, it can be completed quickly and accurately without wasting time searching for their locations or underestimating their strength.
Normally, these missions took five or six days. But this time, Itachi and Kisame were delayed for over ten days.
The delay was because they had received instructions from Zetsu midway, and Pain had assigned them another task.
With their work completed, the two finally returned to the base to rest.
This time, their rest period would be nearly half a month.
Most Akatsuki members followed a similar pattern.
They would complete a mission and then rest for ten days to half a month.
The only exception was Kakuzu, who was always busy.
For Kakuzu, rest was a waste of time and more importantly, a waste of money.
The others, however, were only interested in completing their missions and had no special attachment to the work itself.
If rest was an option, who would choose to work?
"Itachi-san, I'm leaving first." Kisame said, heading toward his room.
He had something to report to the Akatsuki's hidden boss—Madara.
And this was not something that others should know.
Although Pain already knew about Kisame's secret allegiance to Madara, Kisame himself still believed that he was hidden.
Kisame is an honest man in his own way, despite his terrifying appearance.
"Well, go ahead." Itachi replied.
Then, he turned to walk toward his own quarters.
At that moment!
"Itachi!"
???
Itachi, who had only taken a few steps, froze in place.
His eyes widened in shock as he turned toward the familiar voice.
In his line of sight, a figure he knew all too well was running straight toward him.
"Sasuke... how?!"
Even with his usual stoicism, Itachi's face showed visible shock.
He never imagined that he would meet his little brother at the Akatsuki base.
What kind of strange twist of fate was this?
Had Sasuke joined Akatsuki?
"Chidori!"
Upon spotting Itachi, Sasuke lost the last shred of self-control.
His eyes burned red as lightning chakra surged into his hand, producing a screeching sound like a thousand birds chirping.
Flash!
In an instant, his figure blurred, and his lightning-clad hand pierced straight into Itachi's body.
"I killed him?!"
Sasuke's eyes widened in disbelief.
But a second later—
Caw~! Caw~! Caw~!
A flock of crows scattered in all directions.
Sasuke frowned, and the next moment, he flickered away.
Boom!
Itachi reappeared in the spot where Sasuke was standing a moment before.
"My stupid little brother. It looks like you've improved a bit over the years." Itachi said coldly, his crimson Sharingan spinning.
"Hmph! You're not the only one getting stronger. I'm working hard too!" Sasuke snapped back.
Kisame paused mid-step, and observed the scene with interest.
"So that's Itachi-san's little brother? Did he join the organization too?"
At that moment, Tobi arrived, huffing and puffing as he ran to Kisame's side.
"Yo~! Kisame-san! How's it going?" Tobi greeted cheerfully.
Kisame glanced at him indifferently and said nothing.
Unbothered, Tobi continued, "Wow~! Sasuke really went after Itachi-san. If I knew this would happen, I wouldn't have told him that Itachi-san was back."
Kisame raised an eyebrow at this and said, "Wait! Did he actually join the organization?"
"Ah? Yeah, Sasuke is a disciple of Menma-san. He's been hanging around with me lately!" Tobi answered, sounding oddly proud.
"So… he's Menma's disciple?" Kisame muttered, frowning slightly.
Three people, all from the same clan, but clearly not on friendly terms.
It was no secret that Sasuke hated his older brother.
Even a blind person could sense his murderous intent toward Itachi.
But why would Menma accept someone who despised his own kin?
While Kisame pondered this mystery, Sasuke and Itachi had already begun exchanging blows.
They were using a mix of ninjutsu and genjutsu.
Itachi, however, held back. He only used his regular Sharingan instead of his Mangekyō Sharingan.
Even so, Sasuke was struggling. This infuriated Sasuke.
Despite his intense training, Itachi still overpowered him without resorting to his more advanced techniques.
If Itachi unleashed the full power of his Mangekyō, Sasuke knew that he would lose instantly.
'Why is this guy so strong?!' Sasuke thought bitterly, glaring at his brother.
Meanwhile, Itachi observed Sasuke with a sense of pride.
At just twelve years, his little brother had already reached the level of an Elite Jōnin.
'Father… Mother… do you see this? Sasuke will surpass me one day.' Itachi thought quietly.
But his hands showed no mercy.
On the receiving end, Sasuke grew more frustrated with each passing moment.
Swish!
Sasuke suddenly rushed toward the outside of the base.
"My stupid brother, come catch me if you can!"
As Sasuke sped off, he turned back and taunted.
Swish!
Itachi gave chase without hesitation.
"These two brothers seem serious this time." Kisame muttered.
He shook his head but still followed.
After all, if Itachi needed his help later, he'd be there.
But that's bot likely.
After all, that's Itachi!
Outside the Akatsuki base
Seeing Itachi catching up, Sasuke smirked.
The training ground—
This was where Sasuke usually practiced.
Originally, it was an empty space, but due to his recent focus on Water release, several large and small pools had formed.
Upon arriving, Sasuke stepped onto the water and rushed to the opposite bank.
Itachi followed without hesitation.
"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!"
Reaching the opposite shore, Sasuke turned and unleashed a Fire release toward his pursuing brother.
Itachi nonchalantly said, "My stupid little brother! This kind of ninjutsu is useless against me."
He dodged with ease and hurled a large shuriken.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball!"
Unfazed, Sasuke launched another Fire release, instantly evaporating an entire pool of water.
The Itachi consumed by the flames vanished, revealing a charred branch.
A second Itachi appeared, closing in on Sasuke.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Their kunai clashed repeatedly, the sound of metal striking metal echoing through the air.
Sasuke glanced at the sky and realized that the timing was perfect.
He leaped back, forming a hand seal.
"Stupid brother, let me show you the results of my recent training!"
"Lightning release: Kirin!"
CRACK!
From the stormy sky, a colossal lightning beast took shape—a roaring Kirin made of lightning.
Itachi, who was unable to dodge the blinding speed of the attack, was engulfed by the descending beast!
"Itachi-san!!!"
Kisame, who had arrived just in time to witness this scene, was stunned.
He had never expected Sasuke to wield such a powerful Lightning release.
"Yo~! Sasuke's using Kirin again." Tobi said with a chuckle.
But under his mask, Obito felt uneasy.
Something about the name Kirin always bothered him, though he couldn't quite find out why.
After all, it was just an S-rank Lightning release.
How could it pose any threat to him?
"Huh? Kirin?"
From inside the base, another voice muttered.
Standing in the doorway, a figure gazed toward the distant forest where the lightning beast had struck.
"What is Sasuke doing with Kirin?"
Sensing the chakra signatures in the forest, the figure identified four distinct presences.
Two belonged to Sasuke and Tobi.
And the other two…
"Itachi and Kisame? They're back?"
Without hesitation, he vanished from sight.
In the forest training ground
The intense lightning storm finally subsided.
Sasuke's heart pounded with excitement as he stared ahead—hoping that Kirin had finished off his brother.
But—
As the smoke cleared, a crimson skeletal frame emerged, shielding Itachi.
"Susanoo!"
Sasuke's face darkened.
He knew it wouldn't be that easy to kill Itachi.
Realizing he couldn't evade Kirin, Itachi had summoned the third form of Susanoo with his Mangekyō Sharingan to block the devastating strike.
The towering figure stood firm, its ethereal armor crackling with residual lightning.
Sasuke clenched his fists in frustration and envy.
He wanted to unlock the Mangekyō Sharingan. He wanted to wield Susanoo's power.
But…
He had only recently awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan. Mangekyō was still far out of reach.
"Nice Lightning release. Sorry, it didn't work on me."
Itachi said coldly from within Susanoo's protective embrace.
Sasuke snapped back, "Hmph! So what? At least I forced you to use your Mangekyō. One day, when I awaken my own, I'll kill you!"
"One day?" Itachi sneered.
"My stupid little brother. Why do you think I'll give you the chance to surpass me in the future?"
"Because of my teacher!" Sasuke declared confidently.
"Your teacher?"
Itachi's brow furrowed.
He still hadn't figured out how Sasuke had entered the Akatsuki base so easily. Something wasn't adding up.
At that moment—
A calm voice interrupted.
"I am his teacher."
Itachi's head snapped toward the sound.
At the forest's edge, a lone figure stood on a tree branch, looking down with a cold gaze.
"You…"
Itachi's expression darkened.
The man standing there was none other than—
"Menma."
"So? Got a problem, Itachi?" Menma said indifferently.
In the blink of an eye, Menma vanished.
He reappeared right in front of Itachi's Susanoo.
With a devastating punch, he struck the Susanoo's chest.
Crack!
The Susanoo's armor splintered under the blow, sending Itachi flying hundreds of meters away before he finally crashed to a halt.
"What do you think you're doing to my disciple, Itachi?"
Menma stood motionless. His expression was cold as he watched Itachi struggle to his feet.
Blood and tears were streaming from Itachi's eyes.