Chapter 66: Kurenai-Sensei, I'm So Scared!

"Nani!" Asuma and Kurenai were startled. "You are...!"

Itachi took off his hat.

"Uchiha Itachi! It's really you!" Asuma exclaimed in shock.

"Are you two acquaintances of Mr. Itachi?" Another figure removed his hat, revealing a menacing, shark-like face—it was Kisame Hoshigaki. "Then let me introduce myself properly..."

"No need!" Kurenai interrupted suddenly, her gaze fixed nervously on Itachi.

Kisame: "...Do side characters have no rights to an introduction?"

"My name is Hoshigaki Kisame. I hope we get along well in the future..." he said sarcastically. However, the two in front of him continued to focus entirely on Itachi.

Kisame: "..."

Without another word, Kisame pulled out his massive Samehada and hurled it at Asuma.

The battle erupted instantly.

"Looks like we won't be leaving Konoha peacefully," Itachi muttered. "Don't overdo it. Your moves attract too much attention."

Asuma swiftly blocked with his trench knives, standing protectively in front of Kurenai, while she began forming hand seals. "Genjutsu: Tree Binding Death!"

Kisame suddenly grinned. "Samehada is not for chopping—it's for peeling!" With a swift pullback, a chunk of flesh tore from Asuma's arm.

A massive tree erupted from the ground, ensnaring Kisame and Itachi. A red figure materialized from the tree's branches, kunai in hand, aiming directly for Uchiha Itachi.

Itachi remained unfazed.

In an instant, Kurenai realized something was wrong—their positions had swapped. Now, she was the one bound to the tree.

"Damn it! He reflected my Genjutsu!" she gasped.

Itachi pulled out a shuriken and dashed toward Kurenai. She was about to disrupt the illusion by reversing her chakra flow when—

Boom!

A hand caught the shuriken mid-air.

"You are...!" Kurenai's heart pounded. A familiar figure overlapped with Naruto's in her mind. She shook her head. "Impossible..."

"Yo, Itachi! You came back to Konoha and didn't even say hello?" Naruto grinned at him.

"Uzumaki Naruto," Itachi acknowledged, his tone serious.

"Hey~" Asuma muttered, still shocked. "Isn't this Kakashi's student? Are Genin this terrifying these days?"

"It's been almost a year since our last meeting in the Land of Waves, Itachi. Oh, and Shark Face over there! You two still look the same," Naruto said with mock disappointment. "Same outfits, huh? Don't you guys ever wash your clothes?"

Itachi and Kisame: "..."

Before the fight could escalate, Kakashi appeared in front of Naruto.

"Naruto, why are you here? This is dangerous! Step back and stand behind Kurenai-sensei!" Kakashi commanded.

Asuma, Kurenai, Kisame, and Itachi: "..."

"Eh? Why are you guys looking at me like that?" Kakashi asked, confused.

"It's nothing! Sensei, I'm so scared! Quick! Quick! Go kick their asses!" Naruto wailed dramatically, stepping behind Kurenai. His eyes flicked down—damn, what a figure.

Kurenai frowned, staring at Naruto. This shameless brat reminded her more and more of someone… "Damn it… he really is that bastard's son!" she cursed internally.

Naruto, utterly confused, blinked at Kurenai. What the hell? Why does she look like she wants to kill me?

Meanwhile, Kisame resumed attacking Asuma while Kakashi engaged Itachi. Suddenly, Kisame stepped back and began forming hand seals.

"Water Style: Water Shark Bomb Jutsu!"

A massive water shark rose from the nearby river, only to be intercepted by Kakashi's copied jutsu.

At the same time, Jiraiya was searching for Naruto all over the village.

Weird… he's not by the river, not at the hot springs either… Jiraiya lifted the curtain of Ichiraku Ramen, checking inside. By this point, Naruto had already thrown himself into the "hero saves the beauty" act. Jiraiya scratched his head and walked away.

Back at the riverside.

"Why are you in Konoha, Itachi?" Kakashi asked, his voice grave.

Itachi remained silent. I'm here for my brother… but I won't tell you that.

Naruto suddenly interrupted, "Hey, Kurenai, look! They're having a staring contest!"

The tense atmosphere shattered instantly. Everyone turned to glare at Naruto, their expressions blank.

Naruto shrugged innocently.

"Itachi's little brother sure is entertaining. I kinda want to slice him up!" Kisame grinned, brandishing Samehada toward Naruto.

Immediately, Kurenai stepped in front of Naruto, her instincts kicking in. To her, he was still just a Genin, and she subconsciously ignored how he had just saved her moments ago.

"Ah! Kurenai-sensei! I'm so scared!" Naruto clung to Kurenai's waist dramatically.

Asuma's face darkened to a dangerous shade of purple. His eyes burned red with rage. This brat… I feel like I'm wearing a green forehead protector.

Kurenai sighed in exasperation. He's exactly like that bastard…

"Enough, Kisame! We don't have time for this. The longer we delay, the more reinforcements Konoha will send," Itachi said.

"Kakashi-sensei, we're just looking for something," Itachi stated. "We don't intend to linger in Konoha longer than necessary."

His gaze flickered toward Naruto—who was still hugging Kurenai.

Kakashi lunged at Itachi. Just as he did, Itachi's hand emerged from his sleeve, shuriken at the ready.

"Not good!" Kakashi swiftly formed a defensive jutsu. "Water Style: Water Wall!"

The projectiles clashed against the water barrier. However, before anyone could react, a kunai lodged itself into Kakashi's chest.

Itachi appeared behind him.

Kakashi's body melted into water—another substitution.

Naruto yawned as he held onto Kurenai. Man, is this a Russian Matryoshka fight? The Clone and Substitution Jutsu are way too broken in this anime…

Suddenly, Itachi's Sharingan spun rapidly, forming the Mangekyō Sharingan.

"Tsukuyomi."

Kakashi screamed as he collapsed to the ground.

Kisame appeared beside Itachi. "If you overuse those eyes, your body won't hold up, Itachi."

Kakashi struggled to lift his head. "You're here for Sasuke, aren't you?"

"No. We're here for the Fourth Hokage's legacy." Itachi's gaze landed squarely on Naruto.

Naruto was still clinging to Kurenai.

Kurenai: "He's gone! Let go!"

Reluctantly, Naruto released her. "Damn, such a golden opportunity wasted…" he muttered, shooting Kisame a death glare. Kisame shuddered slightly.

"Naruto…" Kakashi mumbled, recalling what Jiraiya had told him.

"Kakashi, listen. Akatsuki is an organization of S-rank missing-nin, all targeting Jinchūriki. Uchiha Itachi is one of them!"

Kakashi looked back at Itachi. "Akatsuki..."

Itachi and Kisame stiffened.

"Itachi, we should take Kakashi with us and eliminate the rest," Kisame suggested.

Just then, a voice rang out from the distance.

"Hey~! Naruto!"

Itachi narrowed his eyes and signaled Kisame.

With a swirl of smoke, both Akatsuki members vanished into the night.

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