Unexpected Visitor
Karasu ventured down from his isolated mountain roost, feeling compelled to seek out his uncle. He stopped at the remains of his mother's house to pay his respects, surprised to see someone there. It was a man in a black cloak with red clouds outlined in white and a large sword held over his shoulder, his appearance looking more like a fish as Karasu got closer. The man made no move to attack Karasu, but the boy could sense an intense thirst for blood seeping out of the stranger.
"You must be Karasu," the strange man said.
"Who are you?" Karasu asked as he took a battle stance, his Kokuryutei Sharingan activating as black flames engulfed his hands.
"Your father was one of the very few people I've ever considered a friend," the man said, ignoring Karasu's reaction.
"I just thought I would come and bring the news to you and your mother that he has died, fighting Madara alongside his younger brother. The fight was too much for him, given his condition. His body gave out and Madara disappeared, I think Sasuke is trying to track him down," the man continued.
"You still haven't told me who you are," Karasu said, still in his battle stance.
"My name is Kisame, and I was your father's partner within the Akatsuki. We've worked together for a few years. I was the only one he ever told about you and your mother. Where is she?" Kisame replied.
"Dead," Karasu said bluntly.
"What happened?" Kisame asked, genuinely surprised.
"The Foundation killed her three years ago," Karasu answered.
"Your father thought Danzo might find out about the two of you eventually, but he would wait for news of his death," Kisame said, his voice almost sad.
Karasu continued to talk with Kisame for a while, asking him many questions about the father he never really got to know. Before leaving, Kisame invited Karasu to spar, hoping to test the boy's power for himself. He was confident in Samehada's ability to drain chakra. Karasu accepted, in the interest of learning more about the man that had been fighting alongside his father for the last few years.
They took up their ready positions, standing opposite each other in front of the burned-out house. Kisame watched carefully for the moment Karasu activated his Sharingan as they clashed, but the eight year old surprised him by holding his own without resorting to using his ocular powers. Karasu didn't seem to tire at all as he continued to clash with Kisame's Samehada, though Kisame could feel the blade absorbing chakra from him. He dodged a downward swing from Kisame, stepping in and striking his abdomen with a Gentle-Fist combo. Kisame began to feel the pressure as he lost sensation in his arms, Karasu's attack efficiently blocking his chakra. Kisame knew that if Karasu had been as serious as he was when they first met a short while ago, he would already be dead. He broke into a cold sweat as Karasu activated his Sharingan and slammed his palm into Samehada, tearing it from Kisame's grip, the animate weapon writhing in pain on the ground.
Kisame called Samehada back to him, fusing with it and becoming more like a shark. He trapped them within a massive bubble of water, hoping to prevent Karasu from using his flames. He watched in amazement as Karasu's body became covered in the black flames of Amaterasu, once more taking on the shape of a dragon. Karasu was now able to enter the full dragon state with Koku's black flames, using the wings and tail to rush through the water towards Kisame. The water around Karasu erupted into steam as he went, creating a bubble of superheated space that was quickly becoming filled with more black flames. Kisame couldn't dodge as Karasu slammed into him, sending him hurtling out of the water's edge, the bubble collapsing as he exited and continued through the air.
Kisame came to a painful stop against the thick trunk of a massive tree, panic rising as he looked up to see Karasu standing a few feet away. He winced as Karasu's hand shot forward, an awkward silence forming as Karasu dispersed his flames and offered his hand to Kisame to help him up. He knew that Itachi's son would go beyond any shinobi before him, and that none would likely ever surpass him. He told Karasu as much before leaving, giving Karasu his father's Akatsuki cloak and ring.
"He would've wanted you to have it. You can use it without feeling obligated to join, the group has disbanded since their failed attempt to destroy Konohanagakure," Kisame said over his shoulder as he left, raising his sword to salute Karasu's strength.
"Did Sasuke take my father's eyes?" Karasu asked before he got far.
"I believe so, yes. Why?" Kisame replied.
"It's what he would've wanted. We already figured I wouldn't be compatible with them," Karasu answered, pointing to his own eyes, which were like his mother's.
"Thank you, Kisame. I am glad you were there to fight alongside my father in difficult times," he added.
Kisame nodded before resuming on his own path, leaving Karasu standing by the ruins of his childhood home, his father's relics in his hands. He unfolded his father's cloak, noticing that it seemed heavier than it should. Itachi's old Anbu uniform was tucked inside, along with the small sword he had once used. His headband was also inside, a deep scratch across the Leaf Village's symbol. Karasu smiled as he ran his fingers over the metal plates, picturing how his father would have looked wearing it.
"Thank you, father," Karasu said, turning his face towards the sky and smiling.