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As Inoiki wandered through the streets of Konoha, his gaze casually scanning the bustling activity around him, his steps faltered. Two figures approached from the opposite direction, their presence strikingly out of place.
Both wore long, black cloaks adorned with red cloud patterns, the material shifting slightly as they walked. Straw hats with small bells dangling from the edges obscured their faces, giving them an air of quiet menace.
Inoiki's heart skipped a beat, though his face betrayed nothing. He knew exactly who they were. Why now? he thought, frustration rippling through him. Of all times, why do I have to bump into them? This is going to be troublesome.
Maintaining his composure, Inoiki forced his expression to remain neutral, his eyes calm and unassuming. He stepped into their path, making it clear he wouldn't let them pass so easily.
Acting as though he didn't recognize them, he asked, "Who are you two? And what business do you have in Konoha?"
The two figures—Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki—stopped briefly, but neither responded. They simply exchanged a glance before turning and vanishing into the distance. Their departure was sudden, fluid, and deliberate, leaving no room for immediate pursuit.
Inoiki scowled, muttering under his breath, "Damn it, just answer the question. What's the point of running like that?"
Without hesitation, he took off after them, his movements swift and precise. It wasn't long before he caught up. The two figures had stopped on the surface of a wide river just in the middle of the village in one of the training grounds. Their feet rested lightly on the water's surface, chakra rippling faintly beneath them to maintain their balance. They turned to face him as he arrived, standing opposite them on the river.
Kisame's imposing figure loomed beside the calm and composed Itachi, their contrasting presences creating an unmistakable tension.
Inoiki stood his ground, his gaze sharp. "I asked you a simple question," he said firmly, his voice steady despite the unease creeping through him. "Why did you run?"
The river flowed quietly between them, the stillness broken only by the soft rustle of leaves in the wind. The confrontation had begun.
Both Kisame and Itachi removed their wide-brimmed hats in unison, revealing their faces. The bells attached to the hats jingled softly as they discarded them, but the sound was soon overshadowed by the cold intensity of Itachi's activated Sharingan. The crimson eyes swirled with a haunting power, their gaze sharp enough to cut through steel.
Inoiki remained steady, his expression calm as he met their gazes. He didn't fear Kisame much—his towering frame and predatory grin were intimidating but manageable. Itachi, however, was a different matter entirely. The Uchiha's mastery of genjutsu was legendary, and Inoiki knew the risk of falling into Itachi's illusions was high.
Yet, a part of him was curious, even defiant. He had always prided himself on his immense mental fortitude, a byproduct of his extraordinary psychokinetic abilities. If there's anyone in the world who can truly test my resistance to genjutsu, he thought, it's him.
Itachi was the first to speak, his voice calm and measured. "Be cautious," he warned, addressing Kisame. "Based on Zetsu's report, this boy must be Inoiki. His strength is considerable."
Kisame let out a low chuckle, his sharp teeth flashing as he grinned. "Strength? Bah! He's just a brat. How strong could he possibly be?"
Itachi's gaze didn't waver. "Don't underestimate him," he said coolly. "He's fought with Orochimaru and survived."
Kisame scoffed, shaking his head dismissively. "Hmph. We'll see."
Inoiki observed them carefully, his mind processing every detail—their postures, their words, their subtle shifts in expression. He fixed his gaze on Itachi, his tone even but laced with an edge of challenge. "The Sharingan, and a forehead protector of Konoha with a cut through it... A missing-nin from Konoha. There's only one man who fits that description." He paused for effect. "You must be Itachi Uchiha."
His words hung in the air for a moment before he turned his attention to Kisame. "And you," he said, his eyes narrowing slightly as he noted the scratched-out insignia of Kirigakure on Kisame's forehead protector, "you're from the Mist. Another missing-nin."
Kisame grinned wider, the amusement in his expression barely concealing his menace. "Well, since you're so curious, brat," he said, his voice dripping with mockery, "let me introduce myself properly. I'm Kisame Hoshigaki, the Monster of the Hidden Mist."
Inoiki dismissed Kisame's words with a sharp wave of his hand, his expression unchanging. "Who you are doesn't matter to me," he said coldly. "What does matter is why you're here and what your purpose is."
Before the words had fully settled, Inoiki's body underwent a striking transformation. A faint, sky-blue aura enveloped him, shimmering with raw energy. His hair lifted as if caught in an unseen wind, and an intense mental pressure rippled outward, surging toward Itachi and Kisame like a tidal wave.
The atmosphere grew heavy, crackling with invisible force. Yet, to Inoiki's annoyance, neither Itachi nor Kisame seemed fazed.
Kisame reached for the massive weapon strapped to his back, Samehada, its distinctive form wrapped in white bandages. He hefted it easily, the blade's sheer size and weight seeming almost insignificant in his hands. "Not bad," Kisame said with a grin, his sharp teeth glinting. "You've got some pressure there, kid. You're strong."
He turned to Itachi, his grin widening. "Let me handle this arrogant brat. He needs to be taught a lesson."
Itachi said nothing, his expression unreadable, but the slight tilt of his head signaled his agreement.
Without another word, Kisame moved. His speed was astonishing for someone of his size, closing the distance between them in an instant. With a ferocious yell, he swung Samehada in a wide horizontal arc, aiming to cut through Inoiki in one devastating strike.
Inoiki reacted immediately. Channeling his psychokinesis, he raised an invisible barrier just as Samehada came crashing toward him. The blade stopped mid-air with a resounding clang, the force of the impact causing ripples to spread across the shimmering barrier.
Kisame's grin didn't falter as he leaned into the strike, testing the barrier's strength. "Impressive," he said, his voice tinged with amusement. "Looks like you're not just talk after all."
Inoiki's eyes narrowed, his voice calm but laced with determination. "I told you—who you are doesn't matter. If you're looking for a fight, though, I'll make you regret it."
The standoff between them intensified, the clash of wills and power setting the stage for an explosive battle.
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