Thunder

The thunder roared overhead as rain fell in torrents across the village. Hiruzen Sarutobi entered his office, his robes soaked and clinging to him, droplets trailing behind as he moved. Without delay, he settled behind his desk, his expression stern as his eyes fell on the five shinobi kneeling before him. 

"Well?" he said, voice calm but laced with authority. "You requested an urgent meeting. Speak." 

One of the shinobi stepped forward, bowing low before answering. 

"Hokage-sama, we've encountered the wanted criminal… Itachi Uchiha. He was seen inside the village." 

Hiruzen's eyes narrowed. "Itachi…?" he repeated quietly. Then, more sharply: "Was he captured?" 

The shinobi hesitated, clearly troubled. "No, sir. Despite his condition—he was badly wounded—we managed to strike a fatal blow. We thought… we thought we killed him. But he survived. An Akatsuki operative arrived and aided in his escape." 

Hiruzen exhaled slowly, his shoulders easing just slightly. He's alive… A part of him, one buried beneath layers of duty, felt relief. Only he, Danzo, and the two elders knew the truth of that boy's burden. 

Still, his face remained composed. "Did he say why he returned to the village?" 

"We're uncertain," the shinobi admitted. "We're still piecing it together. But what we know is this—Itachi engaged in a violent battle near the outskirts. His opponent… was a boy. Akuma." 

Hiruzen's gaze sharpened instantly. "Akuma…?" 

The shinobi nodded. "Yes. We examined the battlefield. The destruction was… beyond belief. Itachi lost an arm. His injuries were severe. As for the boy—multiple fractures, torn muscle tissue. It's a miracle he's still breathing. He's been taken to the hospital, but his condition is critical." 

For a long moment, Hiruzen said nothing. His thoughts churned. 

Akuma fought Itachi… and survived? 

He knew Itachi's strength. Even in his prime, Hiruzen wasn't certain he could best the boy. And yet… Akuma had endured a battle with him? Not only that—but wounded him so grievously? 

It didn't add up. 

And why would Itachi fight him to begin with? He'd heard of the incident with Sasuke, yes, but Itachi was not one to act on impulse. There had to be something more behind it. 

Then there was Akuma himself. 

That child… was a mystery. An anomaly. His growth—both in ability and presence—was unlike anything Hiruzen had seen. That overwhelming pressure the boy exuded… it wasn't normal. It was something else. 

And now, to learn that he fought a shinobi of Itachi's caliber… 

What will he become in another year? Two? Ten? 

The thought unsettled him. 

But he was Hokage. He could not act on fear. He needed clarity—truth. 

"I want a complete report," he ordered, his tone even but resolute. "Every detail—every witness account, every scrap of evidence. I want to know exactly what happened." 

The shinobi bowed deeply. "Yes, Hokage-sama." 

As they departed, Hiruzen stood slowly, his expression unreadable. He retrieved his staff and turned toward the window, the rain still lashing against the glass. After a moment, he turned and walked out the door, only one destination in mind. 

Konoha Hospital. 

He needed answers. 

--- 

The cave was quiet, save for the relentless drum of rain pounding the earth above. 

Itachi leaned against the cold stone wall—skin pale, breath shallow. One arm was gone. One eye clouded over. His body looked like it had been through a war—bruises, deep gashes, blood dried and flaking. 

Kisame sat nearby, arms folded, Samehada twitching faintly beside him. It didn't like being apart from him, but it had reluctantly lent chakra to Itachi, accelerating the healing. 

He'd done what he could—bandaged the worst wounds, forced a few field meds down his partner's throat. Even got some water into him. 

But still… 

This was bad. 

Really bad. 

Itachi groaned, shifting slightly. 

Kisame glanced over, brow furrowed. "Hmph. Lucky I showed up when I did. Another minute and they'd have taken your eyes like souvenirs." 

No reply. Just a distant stare at the ceiling. 

Kisame sighed. "Mind telling me what the hell happened? You were supposed to talk to the kid. What was his name again?" 

Itachi's voice was barely audible. 

"…Akuma." 

Kisame raised a brow. "So that's him. Akuma, huh." 

He leaned forward, tone sharpening. "You look like death warmed over, Itachi. What the hell happened out there?" 

Itachi's breath hitched. His eye stayed on the ceiling. 

"…The boy," he murmured. "Akuma. He did this." 

Kisame stared at him, stunned for a beat. "That kid? The one who knocked Sasuke flat? He did this to you?" 

Silence answered him. 

Kisame frowned. "You're not serious. That brat did all this?" 

"…He's not a child," Itachi said quietly. 

Kisame's eyes narrowed. "What're you saying?" 

"I fought him," Itachi continued, voice weak, blood slipping from the corner of his lips. "I went all out. And he survived." 

Kisame was quiet for a moment, then let out a low breath. "You're telling me you fought seriously… and lost?" 

Itachi didn't answer. He didn't need to. 

Kisame stood and began pacing, footsteps soft but steady. "What the hell is he? A jinchūriki? Some kekkei genkai freak? Hidden Konoha weapon?" 

"No," Itachi said slowly, shaking his head. "I don't think so." 

Kisame stopped mid-step. "Say that again?" 

But Itachi pressed on, his voice distant, like reliving a nightmare. 

"He's something else," he said. "A force. Killing intent… in human form." 

Kisame gave a short, uneasy laugh. "He's starting to sound like someone I'd get along with." 

"No," Itachi said sharply. "He's not like you. Not like me." 

That stopped Kisame cold. 

"He's something new," Itachi whispered. "Terrifying. I stabbed him through the heart… and he kept going. He blew apart a mountain. He teleports. Bends elements. And he does all of it without having chakra." 

"…No chakra?" Kisame echoed, disbelief creeping in. 

"No hand seals. No signs. Just raw, unfiltered power," Itachi said. "He walks a path outside the shinobi world. A path of pure will." 

Kisame stared at him for a long moment. Then slowly, a grin crept onto his face. "You're not messing with me, are you?" 

"I wish I was." 

Kisame let out a low whistle, sitting down again. "Tch. Damn. This Akuma kid… he sounds like a real piece of work." 

Itachi's gaze dropped, voice barely a whisper. "We watch him. From the shadows. Learn everything we can. If he keeps growing… he'll be a threat." 

Kisame snorted. But he couldn't shake the image in his head—of a ruined mountain, the scent of scorched earth. 

"…Hard to believe," he muttered. "But I trust what I see." 

He reached into his pouch and tossed a blood pill into Itachi's lap. 

"Don't die on me yet," he said with a small smirk. "You still owe me a proper fight. And this Akuma kid? Yeah… I definitely want to meet him myself."