"Well, I have to admit we picked a good time to sneak in wouldn't you agree?" asked a man in a black cloak with a red cloud and a straw pattern with a sword on his back.

"I agree, with the commotion of Orochimaru's attack we'll be able to get our target without any problems." said another man in an identical outfit.

"Well, in that case let's move quickly." the first man said. "We wouldn't want to miss our chance."

"That might not be as simple as we thought." the second man said calmly. "Come out, I know you're there."

"Pretty good, so who are you two supposed to be?" Asuma asked jumping down in front of the two men.

"My apologies, an introduction is in order." said the first man before taking off his hat. "My name is Kisame Hoshgaki."

"Kisame Hoshigaki, an S-ranked missing-nin from the mist." Kurenai said as she appeared next to Asuma. "So that would make you a rogue ninja as well."

"It's been a while Asuma, Kurenai." The second man said.

"You know us?" Asuma asked. "Oh I see, it has been a while."

"Wait, you don't mean that's him do you?" Kurenai asked as the man removed his hat.

"Itachi Uchiha, I never imagined you would be coming back to the village." Asuma said. "Let me guess, you're after Naruto."

"How would you know about that?" Itachi asked.

"We have more information on you Akatsuki, and we have no intention of just letting you take Naruto." Kurenai said.

"Well, in that case it seems we have a fight on our hands." Kisame said calmly while drawing his blade. "This won't take long."

Suddenly a thick mist began to surround the four shinobi.

"What, that jutsu is one of the hidden mist." Kisame said in disbelief. "You two shouldn't be able to perform it."

"They can't, but a former mist ninja can." said a voice from behind Kisame.

"I guess you can't believe everything you hear, I heard you died." Kisame said while turning around. "Zabuza Momochi."

"Far from it." Zabuza said coldly. "I'll handle Kisame, so you two take care of that Uchiha."

"Right, and thanks." Asuma said before Zabuza and Kisame jumped towards the water.

"Asuma, we both know how this fight is going to end." Itachi said calmly. "I have no intention of fighting you."

"Is that so?" Asuma asked. "Well unfortunately the feeling isn't mutual."

The moment he said that Asuma ran towards Itachi and launched a kunai at him.

"That won't work on me." Itachi said as he threw a shuriken to block the kunai.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"I'm impressed, you definitely live up to your name." Kisame said. "However, so do I."

"Is that so, well it won't help you." Zabuza said making hand signs. "Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu."

"Not quite, Water Style: Water Shark Bomb Jutsu." Kisame said just before his jutsu overpowered Zabuza's.

"Your pretty good, it's just too bad you're dying here and now." Zabuza said before drawing his blade.

"Alright, I suppose that is the most fitting way for us to settle this." Kisame said while drawing his sword. "Although keep in mind my blade is denser than yours."

"l know, but that's not going to matter here." Zabuza said. "Now then, why don't I teach you something impressive."

With those words Zabuza ran towards Kisame and their swords collided.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Now, Asuma thought. "Fire Style: Burning Ash."

"A n impressive idea, but useless before my eyes." Itachi said before vanishing.

"I should have known, the Sharingan gives him heightened perception, he saw my hand signs before I launched my attack." Asuma said as a kunai appeared at his neck. "You haven't lost your touch."

"No, but you have." Itachi said while lowering his kunai. "Impressive, your speed at casting illusions is remarkable Kurenai, but it won't help here."

The moment Itachi said that his Sharingan began to spin, breaking through Kurenai's genjutsu.

"Well, Kakashi and Guy." Itachi said calmly. "This almost feels like a reunion."

"Drop the formalities Itachi, we won't hand Naruto over to you and the Akatsuki." Kakashi said. "Guy you help Asuma and Kurenai, I'll help Zabuza with the other one."

"Right, be careful Kakashi." Guy said.

"I know, you too." Kakashi said before jumping down to the water.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"I've got you now." Zabuza said calmly.

"What do you mean by that?" Kisame asked. "Neither of us can make a move without giving the other one an opening."

"Maybe not." Zabuza said. "Of course I can always do this."

The moment he said that Zabuza started forming hand signs with only one hand. (1)

"What, how in the world are you doing that?" Kisame asked in disbelief.

"I guess Haku wasn't the only one to pick up a few things while you were with him." Kakashi said.

"No, I guess he wasn't." Zabuza said. "Water Style: Giant Vortex Jutsu."

"Nice try, but water jutsus won't help you against me." Kisame said calmly.

"I know, but then again there's more than one use for water." Zabuza said coldly.

"I agree, Water Style: Super Wat…" Kisame started to say when he suddenly stopped.

"My one original jutsu, the Lightning Blade." Kakashi said pulling his arm free. "The water amplified my jutsu's power."

"Impressive, I never imagined I would lose here." Kisame said before coughing up blood and sinking below the surface.

"Well, one down and one to go." Zabuza said.

"That's true, but Itachi won't be easy to take down." Kakashi said.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Kakashi, I'm impressed." Itachi said. "I never imagined you would be able to take down Kisame."

"He overestimated himself, and paid for it." Zabuza said. "Now then, you're next."

I didn't want to have to use this yet, but it's my only chance, Itachi thought. I only hope I can catch them both.

The moment he said that Itachi focused his chakra into his eye. "Tsukuyomi."

"What, Kakashi, Zabuza are you two alright?" Guy asked just as the two jonin collapsed.

Now's my chance, Itachi said before teleporting away.

(Itachi and Kisame attempted to invade the leaf village, but Kisame died and Itachi was forced to retreat. Next chapter the preparations for selecting the fifth hokage will begin. As always any reviews or critique is appreciated.)

(1) (Zabuza likely trained Haku for years prior to meeting squad seven, it's highly likely he picked up on the adaptability of one handed seals.)