Chapter 86 : Fight Me!

"You?"

Uchiha Ran gave a serious look at Kisame, a true ninja with a strong sense of duty.

"Kakuzu, Hidan, Deidara, Sasori, and Itachi, they're all willing to follow me and continue working with Akatsuki. How about you?" Uchiha Ran asked with a smile.

"Do you mean I'm less worthy than them?"

Kisame placed Samehada behind him, his shark-like grin growing wider.

Uchiha Ran was undeniably powerful, thanks to his Mangekyō Sharingan, but Kisame couldn't resist the feeling of being trusted.

Just as he felt powerless when he first encountered "Madara."

The shinobi who hailed from Kirigakure believed that even if they perished in battle, it was preferable to mere survival.

"What?" Uchiha Ran's expression reflected his confusion as he touched his forehead. He then spoke, "Kisame, my apologies if I'm mistaken, but did I misunderstand something?"

"What do you mean?" Kisame's countenance froze in puzzlement.

The others also displayed varying degrees of curiosity and bewilderment.

"Shouldn't you prioritize your comrades, those you can trust most?" Uchiha Ran mused in puzzlement. "In Akatsuki, aren't you the one they can rely on the most, right?"

"Since other members have joined, I am certain you'll be part of this group," Uchiha Ran continued.

Kisame's expression became increasingly animated upon hearing this.

Deidara and Hidan exchanged intrigued glances.

How dependable was this Hoshigaki Kisame, often ensnared by Uchiha Itachi's Genjutsu? 

However, Ran's precise understanding of each member's nature and his ability to offer the right advice demonstrated his extraordinary insight. With both elegance and strength, he displayed a masterful touch. 

This, though, didn't make them resist, but rather made them more willing to follow Uchiha Ran. It wasn't about being strong or wise; it was about leading them.

So, Kisame from the Land of the Mist, was as reliable as he claimed to be?

"I don't even know what I'm pursuing, what I'm holding onto," Kisame admitted. "Why do you think I'd be willing to sacrifice for my comrades?"

After several changes of expression, Kisame grinned at Uchiha Ran.

Kisame's expression changed several times before he grinned at Uchiha Ran. The feeling of being trusted was indeed gratifying, but he couldn't help but wonder why Uchiha Ran was so sure of him.

"Why do I think so?" Uchiha Ran rubbed his temples in thought. 

I can't explain that I am a transmigrator, but I've seen in the anime that there are things you can't hide, and in order to protect information about your fellow Akatsuki members, you chose to summon the Great Shark to sacrifice yourself. 

Even Guy-sensei greatly admired you, vowing to never forget you. Being a comrade, it's something you feel in your heart. No amount of words can convey it. 

"There are no words for me to explain."

"But Kisame, I trust you."

Uchiha Ran looked deeply into Kisame's eyes, and Kisame returned the gaze.

"Hahaha!" Kisame suddenly burst into laughter, placing Samehada back behind him. "I get along with you Uchiha clan members quite well."

"Uchiha Madara, Obito disguised as Uchiha Madara, Mr. Itachi, and our new leader," Kisame continued. "I used to cherish my comrades, but the ruthless rules of Kirigakure forced me to kill them. I thought it was a false world. Now I understand it wasn't the world that was false, but the falsehood of the Hidden Mist Village. In Akatsuki, I've found the truth. Don't worry, leader; I'll protect Itachi and everyone."

Kisame's sudden declaration left Kakuzu and the others feeling somewhat uneasy. No one expected such a revelation from the man with shark-like features.

Uchiha Itachi observed Kisame with interest, seeing him for the first time as a comrade rather than just a fellow member of the Akatsuki.

"The future is in our hands," Uchiha Ran said. "I'll go to the Rain Shinobi Village's Central Tower next to assign you your next tasks."

Uchiha Ran smiled, nodded, and then vanished in the blink of an eye.

"Phew," Deidara sighed in relief. "This new leader is much easier to get along with than Pain. The best part is how he appreciates my explosive art. He seems to understand what I want."

"I didn't expect him to know what I needed," Sasori said with a hoarse voice.

"I'm just here for the money!" Kakuzu's eyes gleamed with greed. 

"That's the Kyushu Chamber of Commerce for you. In just four years, it's become the top chamber of commerce in the ninja world, a money-making giant. As its vice president, I'm swimming in an ocean of wealth. Amazing!"

"I don't care about money; I just want to preach," Hidan declared. "I appreciate the leader's support for my cause. It's better than having a place to live."

"It's surely Jashin-sama's favor," Hidan said. "And I think our leader might be the incarnation of the Jashin-sama. How else could he be so all-knowing and all-powerful, able to defeat me in seconds?"

Hidan brandished his massive sword and appeared fervent in his devotion to Uchiha Ran.

The others exchanged bewildered glances at Hidan's unconventional speech.

"Let's head to the Central Tower," Deidara suggested. "We should also consider the guy named Nagato, Uzumaki Nagato, our former leader who's been lurking in the shadows. There might be conflicts with the new leader."

Uchiha Itachi's mouth twitched. These were indeed a group of eccentric individuals, and Uchiha Ran had chosen them without hesitation. But then again, so had he.

"Mistakes were made, and there's nothing more to say. To resurrect my mother, I only need to control a Jōnin, but for my father, I need a Kage-level powerhouse. I'll do it myself. Once my parents are revived, I can guide Sasuke properly. I can even become a spirit to support Sasuke's power. But before that, Sasuke needs to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan."

Uchiha Itachi followed the others to the central tower.

At that moment, the Golden List live broadcast room lit up, focusing on Uchiha Sasuke.

"Sasuke!"

Uchiha Itachi stopped in his tracks.

"What's wrong, Itachi?" Kisame asked, puzzled.

"It's nothing," Uchiha Itachi replied, but his attention remained on the Golden List live broadcast.

At the same time, countless people poured into this live broadcast room.

[Senju Hashirama: First!]

[Sarutobi Tobirama: This scene feels quite familiar.]

[Namikaze Minato: First Hokage, Second Hokage, this is the grandest arena in Konoha.]

[Uzumaki Kushina: What is this grand arena for?)

[Senju Tobirama: I built it for holding the Ninja Selection Exams. At that time, brother, you were not around.]

[Senju Hashirama: Oh, I see. But why does this grand arena not seem that grand to me?]

[Tobirama: Big Brother, I've told you, you shouldn't judge everything by your own standards.]

[Namikaze Minato: Haha! From what I've learned, First Hokage, you possess a pseudo-sage body and a top-level Wood Style kekkei genkai. It's beyond what ordinary folks can compare to.]

[Senju Hashirama: Well, who's streaming now?]

[Sakura Haruno: Hi First Hokage, it's me who started the live broadcast, hehe.]

[Senju Hashirama: The young girl ranked twenty-ninth, you're doing great. You know that we old folks miss Konoha, and you're broadcasting exclusively for us.]

Sakura was a bit embarrassed.

She started the live broadcast on Uchiha Sasuke's commission.

Just after the previous match, the "Fourth Kazekage" expressed his hope to continue the Chūnin Exams, and the matter of the Gold List would be discussed after the exams were over.

Uchiha Ran, who temporarily took Hokage's position, was absent, and the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, stood up before Nara Shikaku could talk about the Gold List and agreed to the "Fourth Kazekage's" proposal.

And so, the fourth battle began.

Before entering the arena, Sasuke entrusted her, saying: "Sakura, wait a moment, and make sure to broadcast it. I want my parents to see how much I've grown and make Itachi aware that I'm not the same as before. Let him fear me!"

Sasuke-kun's request, how could she refuse?

Naturally, she agreed.

And she'd let the entire ninja world witness Sasuke-kun's power!

But now, it seemed that the First Hokage had misunderstood something.

[Senju Tobirama: I always feel like you've misunderstood something, brother.]

[Sakura Haruno: Well, First Hokage is right. I'm just broadcasting from Konoha for everyone, and the next thing I'll be broadcasting is Konoha's biggest event today: the Sand Shinobi vs. Konoha Shinobi in the Chūnin Exams Finals Qualifier 4th Round, featuring Uchiha Sasuke-kun against Gaara, the son of the Fourth Kazekage.]

Haruno Sakura wasn't foolish and hadn't made the mistake of disliking the Uzumaki family's hair before.

[Uchiha Fugaku: Sasuke, let me see how far you've come.]

[Uchiha Sasuke: Father, I won't let you down!]

Sasuke continued following the Gold List chat area.

Letting Haruno Sakura broadcast live was his way of showcasing his strength to the entire ninja world.

But it wasn't for his sake; it was for the Uchiha clan.

"I want to restore the glory of the Uchiha clan at this moment."

Uchiha Sasuke quickly formed seals.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball!"

*BOOM!*

A fireball with a diameter of more than ten meters struck the sand coming at him like waves.

"Is this guy jealous of my good looks?"

Genma Shiranui, who had just announced the start of the battle from the arena's edge, raised an eyebrow and clamped the scroll in his mouth, just in case. If it weren't for his instantaneous speed, he felt he might have been caught in the explosion.

"I better move to the high platform. I can't leave the contingency in the battle to Kakashi and the Fourth Kazekage's students."

*BOOM!*

The enormous fire erupted, creating a sea of flames that obstructed the audience's view.

"Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire!"

Taking advantage of the blocked line of sight, Sasuke swiftly moved, forming seals with his hands. Once the seals were complete, he leaped into the air, launching a series of fireballs at Gaara.

Unfazed by all of this, Gaara maintained his expressionless demeanor and simply waved his hand in Sasuke's direction.

*BOOM!*

A sand barrier rose without warning, effortlessly blocking the fireball attack.

Simultaneously, Sasuke retrieved a kunai and bit into it.

Seeing this, Sasuke hurled the kunai toward Gaara.

*BOOM!*

The kunai flew into Gaara's mouth, and an explosive tag detonated, turning it into a sand shower.

Witnessing this, Gaara waved his hand once more.

This time, three sand arms emerged.

Sasuke, still in mid-air, was left dumbfounded.

How could this guy be so unreasonable?

Isn't this what he did when dealing with Haku?

"It seems like the Second Missy is showing off, but she's in for a rude awakening."

Uchiha Ran sighed inwardly as he watched the scene.

He then glanced at Uchiha Madara, who had a constipated look on his face.

Sasuke had declared "For Uchiha" before the match began.

"Even though they're both Indra's reincarnations, the second one is really suffering."

For a moment, Uchiha Ran sympathized with Sasuke, then said, "Madara, I need your help with something."

"What's that?"

"Fight me."

"Huh?... Huh?"

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