Chapter 201 No Sauce, Just Fire

Kisame escaped smoothly with Itachi's help, but the black flames clinging to Samehada didn't disappear. As the sword screamed in agony, Kisame, who had always considered himself invincible, found himself in a rare state of panic.

The black flames were no mystery to Itachi. He knew them well—Amaterasu, a technique the Uchiha clan had perfected. Itachi could easily extinguish the flames once they left Konoha, but Kisame's reckless actions just moments before were, in Itachi's eyes, a lesson in humility.

If the mission had been completed, Kisame would never have made it out of Konoha alive. The organization itself was not one of camaraderie. Most members didn't join to make friends; they joined for personal gain or out of necessity.

Kisame's behavior had been foolish, but he wouldn't ask for help in such a situation. After all, Obito had specifically tasked Kisame with keeping an eye on his every move within the Akatsuki ranks, making Kisame wary of showing weakness in front of his teammate.

As he watched Samehada writhe in pain from the black flames, Kisame could only dread the thought of losing his treasured sword. It was as if the weapon—once a proud companion—was slowly being reduced to nothing. The sharp thorns might soon melt away, leaving nothing but a charred remnant of what once was.

If Samehada had once been a weapon that resembled a shark, it was now on its way to becoming little more than grilled fish. The heat from the black flames had seared its surface, and the once-pristine sword was beginning to crack under the pressure. Of course, this dish was missing the necessary condiments, like a sprinkle of chopped green onions or a savory sauce—just a charred, burnt mess.

Kisame's normally steady demeanor cracked. His anxiety was palpable as he watched the weapon he held so dearly edge closer to destruction. It was clear he was out of options, and his gaze snapped toward the only person who could help.

"Itachi," Kisame called, his voice tinged with desperation. "What do we do? Samehada... It's burning, it won't last much longer!"

Itachi, ever calm, glanced at Kisame with an expression of indifference. With a deliberate movement, he unsealed a scroll, his fingers dancing in a familiar pattern as he prepared the next move. The black flames of Amaterasu were powerful—unstoppable—but they could be transferred.

"Don't worry, Kisame," Itachi murmured, his voice steady. "I'll contain the flames."

Without a word, Itachi's gaze turned to the black flames consuming Samehada, his expression unwavering. A calm wave of power radiated from him as he activated his Mangekyō Sharingan.

Kisame watched, breath catching in his throat, as the black flames flickered in response to Itachi's will. With a mere flick of his gaze, the black flames began to dissipate, the intense heat fading as they extinguished in an instant.

Samehada's tortured wails ceased. The sword's red tongue flicked out from between its jagged teeth, instinctively licking at the thorns along its handle as if trying to comfort itself, finding the pain still fresh but no longer unbearable.

Kisame let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding, his hand tightening around the hilt of Samehada as it slowly regained its composure.

"That... was too close," Kisame muttered. "I thought I'd lost you, old friend."

Itachi nodded silently, his gaze still fixed on the black flames that had now been extinguished, his expression unreadable.

Kisame, trying to lighten the tension, couldn't help but comment with a half-smirk, "You know, if this were any other day, I'd say we were just trying to cook up some kushiyaki-go, that is."

Itachi's response was calm, the faintest flicker of amusement dancing in his eyes as he glanced at Kisame. "Then next time, make sure you bring the sauce."

Kisame, though grateful for the intervention, was far from appreciative of Uchiha Itachi's actions. He had no desire to show gratitude, but at the same time, he dared not provoke Itachi.

After all, since Itachi could extinguish those cursed black flames, he certainly had the power to summon them again. Kisame was not foolish enough to walk into a situation where he could become an easy target for Itachi's wrath.

In a quiet corner of the battlefield, Black Zetsu muttered to himself, chuckling softly. "This Konoha black fang isn't without its weaknesses."

His words hung in the air, a hint of satisfaction in his voice. Eager to share this information, he couldn't wait to pass the news to someone with a "neurological problem."

After all, knowing Tatsuya's weakness would make dealing with him far easier in the future. It would be a significant advantage when the time came to execute their final plan.

Yet, they didn't realize that even though Tatsuya's weakness had been exposed, it was not so easily exploited. The women surrounding him were no pushovers; each of them was fierce in their own right. On top of that, Obito's fanatical devotion to Rin made any attempt to counterbalance Tatsuya impossible.

This battle also revealed the existence of the Akatsuki to normal Konoha civilians and people from all over the world who had come for the Chunin exams. The knowledge that such a group operated in the shadows would change the dynamics of their world forever.

Currently, the Akatsuki's presence in Konoha gave the nations a preliminary understanding of its activities. According to Tatsuya, Akatsuki intended to seize this opportunity to capture the Tailed Beasts. After all, Konoha now housed two powerful Jinchūriki—the Nine-Tails and the One-Tail—and the organization was eager to take action.

However, from Tatsuya's perspective, the unfolding events were puzzling. Obito, after his descent into darkness, was far from the clueless fool he once was. So why would he make such a fundamental mistake?

The timing seemed utterly illogical. With the Chūnin Exams drawing participants from all over the world, it was hardly the right moment for the Akatsuki to reveal itself. By doing so, they essentially declared their intentions to become enemies of every major nation. This reckless decision would only heighten resistance to their plan to capture the Tailed Beasts.

The leaders of Konoha, upon hearing Tatsuya's analysis, became more vigilant against Akatsuki's potential threat. After all, each Jinchūriki was a village's ultimate "weapon of war." Should conflict erupt, these Jinchūriki would undoubtedly be prime targets for capture.

Following the commotion, Tatsuya returned to the Senju clan's compound, stepping through the gates with a subtle sigh. As expected, Tsunade was far from welcoming. Her arms were crossed, her gaze sharp as she eyed him. "You again," she muttered, her voice laced with frustration. "Surrounded by wives all day, and you still find your way back here."

Tatsuya smirked, clearly unfazed. "You know you can't resist me, Tsunade," he teased lightly, enjoying the way her cheeks flushed despite her attempt to stay composed.

But before Tsunade could retort, Nawaki practically lunged at him, his grin wide and eager. "Aniki! Welcome back!" he exclaimed, clapping a hand on Tatsuya's shoulder with brotherly affection. "It's been too long since you've been around!"

Tatsuya chuckled, raising an eyebrow at the younger man's enthusiasm. "You're too eager, Nawaki. What's the rush?"

Nawaki grinned sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. "Well, you know, I've always wanted to make sure you felt welcome. You've got quite the reputation, after all." He paused, his eyes gleaming mischievously. "Wouldn't want you to forget who your real family is?"

Tatsuya couldn't help but smile, a warmth blooming in his chest. Nawaki's affection was as relentless as it was sincere, and despite the teasing, there was a real bond between them. "You're lucky I don't forget you so easily, otōto."

Tsunade rolled her eyes, clearly not amused. "You two are hopeless. Nawaki, you really need to stop idolizing him so much."

Nawaki shrugged, unfazed by his sister's reprimand. "What can I say? Tatsuya knows how to make an entrance."

Tatsuya turned back to Tsunade, his expression growing serious. "I'll never understand how you can resist me when your brother is this welcoming," he said, his tone light yet tinged with a hint of challenge.

Tsunade shot him a sharp look, though her lips quirked in the slightest smile. "You're impossible."

Later that night, as the world outside settled into silence, Tsunade found herself at Tatsuya's side once again. Despite her earlier protests, there was an undeniable pull between them, one that neither of them could resist. She gazed at him, her voice soft but commanding. "You know, you're insufferable. But that doesn't mean I won't enjoy tonight."

Tatsuya chuckled, sliding closer to her, his eyes dark with intent. "I knew you'd come around."

As the night went on, their shared moments were filled with a passionate intensity, Tsunade unable to deny the fire that always seemed to ignite when they were together. In the end, her resistance crumbled, leaving only the undeniable connection between them.

Meanwhile, the other wife trio had arrived at the outskirts, squeezing into the small wooden house where Tatsuya had once lived. While they were known for their arrogance, they were nowhere near Tsunade's level of influence. Without a clear target to compete with, there was little tension between them. The most heated moment came when Terumi Mei and Kurenai exchanged a few sharp words, only for Nohara Rin to step in and reconcile them.

This scene evoked memories of when the trio had first met Tatsuya. Back then, they had looked up to him, never imagining the complex relationship that would develop between them. Yet, if they could turn back time and relive their feelings for him, they would still choose to admire Master Tatsuya. They even joked about recruiting others to confirm their bond with him, making light of their unusual connection.

"I've had enough of this," Mei muttered, walking toward the door with an air of finality. "I need to train Haku to become the Sixth Mizukage. Konoha and Kirigakure's long-distance relationship is growing tiresome, and I'm tired of the constant travel."

Meanwhile, the recent appearance of Uchiha Itachi and Kisame in Konoha quickly became the talk of the village. Konoha's portrayal of the rogue Itachi wasn't exactly flattering. This stirred something in Sasuke, who had been planning to go out and train, hearing whispers of the events that had taken place.

When Sasuke tried to ask around, people avoided the truth, clearly uncomfortable with his connection to Itachi. Their jealousy of the Uchiha brothers was evident, and given Sasuke's growing talents, they likely feared his potential. Unable to get a straight answer from the townsfolk, Sasuke decided to confront Kakashi, knowing his former teacher wouldn't deceive him.

Later, Sasuke found Kakashi leaning casually against a post outside the Hokage's office. The usual lazy demeanor was gone, replaced by a rare sense of seriousness as Kakashi watched Sasuke approach. "You seem agitated," Kakashi remarked with a faint smile, but his eyes were sharp, knowing exactly what Sasuke had come for.

"I heard Itachi was here," Sasuke said, his voice tinged with frustration. "Why didn't you tell me? Why keep me in the dark?"

Kakashi sighed, a cloud of sadness crossing his face. "I had a feeling you'd come to me with this."

The tension in Sasuke's posture was palpable, his eyes narrowing. "So it's true? Itachi was here in Konoha?"

Kakashi nodded slowly. "Yes, he was. But the higher-ups in the village made sure you weren't informed about it. They didn't want you getting involved in matters that could distract you from your own training."

Sasuke clenched his fists. "That's not your decision to make! I should've been told."

Kakashi's gaze softened, but there was firmness in his voice. "I agree. But it wasn't my decision either. Konoha's higher-ups thought it was safer to keep you out of the loop, Sasuke. They're afraid of what you might do if you find out too much, especially about Itachi."

Sasuke's frustration boiled over. "I'm not a child anymore! I deserve to know the truth about my brother, about what happened to him!"

Kakashi studied him for a moment, his gaze heavy with understanding. "You're right. But there are things about Itachi and the Uchiha clan that are far more complicated than you might realize. If you want answers, Sasuke, you'll have to seek them out on your own. But you should be careful. The truth you uncover may not be what you expect."

Sasuke turned his gaze to the horizon, his expression hardening. "I'll find him. I'll make him pay for what he did."

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