Chapter 30: Itachi—"Kisame, Shut Up"

"Is that Sunagakure's One-Tail, Shukaku?" Kisame asked, his sharp eyes fixed on the massive beast in the distance. Fear? Not even a trace.

"Bringing a Tailed Beast to the summit, Kazekage-dono? Your intentions don't seem all that pure either," he added, his trademark smirk in place.

"But isn't the current jinchūriki of Sunagakure just a little kid? Even if Shukaku has taken control for now, how much power can it really muster?"

Kisame swung Samehada onto his shoulder confidently.

"Don't be fooled by how my Water Release is getting absorbed by the sand. I only need to stall for a few minutes. My comrades can take down that Tailed Beast with ease." He chuckled, exuding confidence. "Deidara, Itachi—they're not amateurs."

"Oh? What do we have here? A massive water dome in the middle of the desert?" came a booming voice, sharp and aggressive.

"I hate water! It makes my body heavy and slow," Shukaku growled. "But no matter! I'll crush it! Sand Burial!"

A tidal wave of golden sand surged up, blotting out the sun as it came crashing down onto Kisame's Water Release.

"Retreat!" the others called out, scattering to avoid being caught in the deadly collision.

When the sand settled, it was clear: Shukaku's power far exceeded their expectations. It had easily absorbed Kisame's attack and retaliated with overwhelming force.

"Impressive," Kisame admitted. "But it doesn't matter. My comrade Deidara is an expert at dealing with Tailed Beasts. Even Shukaku in its full form wouldn't stand a chance." He turned to Deidara with a cocky grin. "Isn't that right?"

Deidara's reply was casual but cutting. "Kisame, hate to disappoint, but I'm just a clone here."

Kisame froze, his smirk slipping. "...What?"

"I figured I'd let the real me sit this one out. Maybe it's because I didn't want to deal with Itachi, hmm?" Deidara teased, his tone light but sharp. Kisame sighed, shaking his head.

"It doesn't matter. Shukaku's strength aside, there's no way Rasa can fully control it. The hatred between humans and Tailed Beasts runs too deep."

His point was proven as Shukaku turned its rage toward Rasa and the retreating Sunagakure shinobi. The beast's voice boomed, wild and furious.

"Rasa, you wretched human! You dare to seal me? I'll kill you today!"

Kisame grinned, thoroughly entertained.

"See what I mean?"

But Rasa was prepared. His voice was cold and steady as he addressed the enraged Tailed Beast.

"Shukaku, if you don't stop, you'll regret it. I've placed a sealing tag within Gaara. The moment I activate it, Gaara will die—and you along with him. You may revive eventually, but I doubt you'd want to experience such an unpleasant death."

"You cowardly human!" Shukaku roared, its frustration manifesting in a swirling storm of sand that whipped around the battlefield.

Rasa continued, his tone calm but menacing. "I've temporarily enhanced Gaara's body. For now, you can unleash your full power. Instead of whining, why not enjoy a little destruction?"

Shukaku's response was venomous. "Rasa, I swear, if I get the chance, I'll kill you!"

With a sweeping motion, it unleashed towering waves of sand toward Kisame and the others. The ground trembled as the sheer scale of the attack dwarfed anything a mere human could hope to counter.

"Fall back!" Itachi commanded sharply, his composure unshaken as the group scattered to evade the colossal onslaught.

"Now Shukaku and Rasa are working together," Deidara observed with a wry smile.

Kisame opened his mouth to reply, but Itachi cut him off. "Shut up, Kisame."

Kisame blinked, then shrugged. "Fine, fine."

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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