Hoshigaki Kisame is a very bold man.
Because his target has always been Konoha's most powerful force, Akihara Kagura; any powerful ninja in the Ninja World will inevitably set their sights on Akihara Kagura.
"Mr. Asuma, Miss Kurenai."
Uchiha Itachi calmly gazed at Sarutobi Asuma and Yuhi Kurenai: "Step aside, I don't want to kill you here..."
"That's not something someone like you would say!"
Sarutobi Asuma smiled slightly at the corner of his mouth, wielding his Chakra Short Blades, ready to engage in battle with them: "After causing such a serious incident in the village, nearly triggering a new Tailed Beast Chaos, I'd rather kill you here!"
"Is that so?"
Hoshigaki Kisame moved first, his Shark Skin Greatsword slicing through the air, aiming at Sarutobi Asuma's shoulder!
The bandages wrapped around the Shark Skin Greatsword instantly burst apart, and the sharp points of Shark Skin pierced Sarutobi Asuma's shoulder, bringing up a spray of blood!
However, in the next second!
A series of vines shot up from the ground, growing into a large tree that enveloped Hoshigaki Kisame's body, and the vines didn't even spare Uchiha Itachi standing nearby!
"Is this... Wood Release?"
Hoshigaki Kisame looked at the scene with some surprise.
"No."
Uchiha Itachi allowed the vines to coil around his body and looked up with an unruffled expression: "It's just Genjutsu... Such a level of Genjutsu is useless against me."
In an instant!
The Genjutsu was broken by Uchiha Itachi!
Even Yuhi Kurenai was countered by her own Genjutsu!
A sharp kunai flashed out of Uchiha Itachi's sleeve, charged at Yuhi Kurenai, and broke through her defenses with two strikes, kicking her into the river!
Sarutobi Asuma was shocked!
Meanwhile, Hoshigaki Kisame suddenly exerted force, wielding his Shark Skin Greatsword to push Sarutobi Asuma back repeatedly, catching him off guard!
Luckily!
Kakashi Hatake arrived just in time.
Kakashi Hatake used a Shadow Clone to quickly save Sarutobi Asuma, while his real body landed in the river, standing in front of Yuhi Kurenai, facing Uchiha Itachi head-on!
"Uchiha Itachi."
Kakashi Hatake had his hands in his pockets, looking at this former subordinate: "Tell me, what is your purpose in coming to Konoha?"
"We're here to find something."
Uchiha Itachi looked calmly at Kakashi Hatake, contemplating his objective, and continued in a cold voice: "And also, to find someone to test out my power again."
"Akihara Kagura?"
Kakashi Hatake furrowed his brows.
"Isn't there a more suitable candidate than Konoha's most powerful force?"
Hoshigaki Kisame hoisted his Shark Skin Greatsword and landed beside Uchiha Itachi: "I thought Itachi-san would disagree with my opinion!"
"Before leaving Konoha, I lost to him."
Uchiha Itachi's expression remained calm, as if what he was saying was straight from his heart: "To kill a former opponent and test the power I've gained after years of training is only natural..."
"Are you... serious?"
Kakashi Hatake's pupils changed slightly.
Could it be that Uchiha Itachi really acquired new powers outside? Otherwise, why would he have the confidence to challenge Akihara Kagura, as Uchiha Itachi had been defeated by Akihara Kagura three times, each time without any resistance...
"Interesting."
A voice floated down from the sky.
Everyone who heard the voice instinctively looked up to the heavens!
"Flying in the sky..."
Even Sarutobi Asuma and Yuhi Kurenai, as Konoha ninjas, couldn't help but be shocked by Akihara Kagura's ability to fly!
"You this guy..."
Kakashi Hatake had expected it.
Because this flying ability comes from the Super Lightweight Rock Jutsu of The Hidden Rock Village's Third Tsuchikage, which Kakashi Hatake had long seen.
"Is this Konoha's most powerful force?"
Hoshigaki Kisame's eyes trembled slightly, but his hands quickly formed a hand seal, grinning: "Come down first! Water Release: Water Shark Bomb Jutsu!"
A torrent of water surged into the sky, transforming into a giant shark-shaped water bomb that lunged at Akihara Kagura!
"Fire Release: Great Flame Jutsu."
Akihara Kagura unleashed a blast of flame, even a mere C-level Fire Release, instantly enveloping the entire shark water bomb and melting it into steam!
Akihara Kagura's body slowly descended, landing beside Kakashi Hatake, who gestured gently: "You all go continue patrolling elsewhere, leave them to me!"
"Kagura..."
Kakashi Hatake frowned, wanting to urge caution: "Don't be careless, Itachi hasn't..."
"Take Jonin Asuma to treat his injuries first!"
Akihara Kagura waved, signaling for Kakashi Hatake and his group to leave immediately: "With you here, it hinders me; with only the enemies left, I can have a good time with them..."
"Be careful."
Kakashi Hatake could only remind with a word, immediately taking Sarutobi Asuma and Yuhi Kurenai to leave the place, though still feeling uneasy.
In the center of the river.
Only three people remained standing on the water.
Hoshigaki Kisame grinned, wielding his Shark Skin Greatsword and charging at Akihara Kagura first: "Your Chakra, Shark Skin likes it very much!"
As Hoshigaki Kisame moved, the bandages wrapped around Shark Skin cracked and fell apart, revealing the true form of the Shark Skin Greatsword, a shark with its mouth full of sharp teeth lunging at Akihara Kagura!