Chapter 27 Sharingan Duel:
Earlier that morning, before Jiraiya had even met with the elders, it was a foggy time. A lone guard stood vigilant. He noticed something.
"This fog is getting thicker," he said.
Then suddenly two figures approached through the fog. The guard could just barely make out their shapes. Covering in concealing apparel, black cloaks with red clouds on them and straw hats over their faces. One of them had a strange large blade wrapped in bandages on his back. They approached the gate.
"Hey!" the guard said, looking to identify them.
A single eye became visible from under the hat of the smaller of the two and the guard went silent. He groaned and fell over as he was hit with a powerful genjutsu.
"Good thing there was a little fog," the larger man said. "Made it easy to use for me to use my Hidden Mist Jutsu without suspicion."
"Yes," the smaller said. "Now, we get inside and find Naruto Uzumaki."
…
They waited for the village to become busy, not interacting with anyone but Itachi new a restaurant that Shinobi often talked at. They might just get lucky overhearing someone there. If it took too long they would simply take a prisoner and interrogate him.
"I'd like it better to go straight for the capture option," the large of the two men said.
"Patience Kisame," the smaller man said. "We'll wait for a wait for a few hours and if nothing comes up, then we will do it that way."
"Very well Itachi," Kisame said.
"Don't use my name while we are here," Itachi coldly muttered.
"But of course, my apologies," Kisame said.
Soon a pair of shinobi walked together behind them. The new pair didn't notice them, at least not at first. They were looking straight ahead, off to the side of the two rogue ninja in disguise.
"Well, Kakashi," Asuma said. "Fancy meeting you here."
"Oh I was just on my somewhere," Kakashi said as he looked at Asuma and his companion Kurenai.
"Are those flowers?" Kurenai asked.
"Yeah," Kakashi held them up for her to see.
"Are they for Obito?" she asked.
"Yes," Kakashi said. "And Rin."
"Just don't take too much time sulking in front of your old teammates graves," Asuma said. "You have your own team to look after."
"Well, about that," Kakshi rubbed his head. "They're going on their own mission right now, with Master Jiraiya."
"One of the Sannin?" Kurenai asked, intrigued.
"Heh, the last Sannin loyal to our village," Asuma said.
"Well they're actually going to find Lady Tsunade," Kakashi said.
Asuma chuckled. "I'd love to see the looks on Naruto and Sakura's faces when they meet her! Of course Sasuke probably won't have much of one as few things ever seem to faze him."
The mention of Sasuke's name caused Itachi to grip his tea cup a bit tightly, cracking it ever so slightly. It was a small sound, but each of three Jonin heard it and glanced at the two cloaked figures.
"Oops, sorry about that," Itachi said looking to shopkeeper.
"Eh no problem, a little glue and it shouldn't have any problem holding together," the keeper said.
"I think we're just about done here," Kisame said.
Kakashi narrowed his eye at the sound of the smaller man's voice. It was sinisterly familiar.
"I think we had better go," Kakashi said. "Have things to do after all."
The look in his one visible eye was enough to alert Asuma something was up. They made to move but as soon as they glanced back, the two were already gone. That told each of them something was definitely up.
Kakashi checked one area of the village while Asuma and Kurenai tried another near the river. They were the lucky pair that found the two.
"You're not from around here are you?" Asuma asked as he and Kurenai faced them. "What are you doing in this village?"
Instead of answering, the smaller of the two addressed them. "Its been a long time, Asuma, Kurenai."
"Seeing as you know our names, I take it you're a ninja from this village," Asuma stated.
The leader of two slowly reached up his hand to his hat, revealing a pair of black eyes that were greatly familiar. Soon those eyes turned red. Both the Jonin's own eyes widened.
"It can't be… you're…
The figure took his hat off all the way to reveal his features. He had long black hair tied back and wore a headband with dark cloth bearing the Hidden Leaf Symbol with a scratch going through it, a clear account of renouncing loyalty.
"Itachi, Itachi Uchiha," Asuma said.
Itachi merely glared at them as his partner reached up to his own hat.
"Are these friends of yours Itachi?" he said, pulling the hat off. "I suppose I should introduce myself.
He revealed himself as well. A bizarre looking man with an odd skintone of blue, sharp teeth, and gills on his neck. He looked like a mix of man and shark. On his head he also wore a head band that bore a scratch on it, over a set of vertical lines.
"Hope we can get acquainted later," he said with a mocking grin. "I'm Kisame Hoshigake."
"We know all about you Kisame," Kurenai said speaking for the first time. You're a wanted S-rank criminal and a rogue Ninja from the Village Hidden in the Mist. Suspected of espionage and the murder of a feudal lord."
"I have to say I never thought you'd show your face in our village again, Itachi," Asuma said. "After what you did."
"I'd advice you to stand aside, I have no desire to kill you," Itachi said.
"That's rich coming from a man who murdered his own people," Asuma said in amusement.
Kisame drew his sword, letting it drop down on the ground. "Itachi, this guy is getting on my nerves. Can I kill him?"
He gestured to Asuma. There was no change in Itachi's cold expression.
"Well, I guess we're not going anywhere without a fight," he said. "Just not to make a mess."
Kisame grinned. "They're as good as dead."
The two pairs of ninja prepared for battle. Kisame struck first, and Asuma drew his chakra blades, blocking the massive blade. Kurenai seized on the opportunity to weave a quick hand sign. Her body began to disappear starting at the legs. Itachi watched and quickly realized it was genjutsu. Kisame pressed his attack, bearing down on Asuma with just the tip of his blade much to the Jonin's surprise. He overpowered him and suddenly something emerged from beneath the bandages covering the sword.
"My massive blade Sharkskin," Kisame said before he struck.
The thing under the bandages was revealed to be a series of downward facing sharp scales. The scales cut into Asuma's shoulder.
"It doesn't slice, it cuts you to ribbons," Kisame finished.
He raised his blade to deliver the killing blow to his wounded opponent, but suddenly a tree emerged from the ground below and wrapped its vines around him, immobilizing him. The same was quickly done to Itachi who looked up and saw Kurenai emerge from the top of the tree, drawing a Kunai.
"Its over," she said bringing down her blade.
Itachi merely smirked as their positions reversed. Now he was the one free while Kurenai was immobilized by the tree.
"A genjutsu of that level won't work on me," he told her, then struck.
The blow wasn't serious, only drawing a bit of blood.
He used a genjutsu reflection? Kurenai thought in surprise. Incredible.
She disengaged the genjutsu and freed herself then dodged Itachi's next blow to her head. Though her hair still got cut by the smallest amount as she ducked. Itachi was quick though, getting down almost instantly after she ducked and sending out a kick. She put up her arms to block it, but in addition to his speed he was also remarkably strong. The kick sent her flying backward onto the water. He appeared behind her before she could react. Her eyes widened as she realized she was outmatched.
"Its over, Kurenai," Itachi said coldly.
"Actually," a new voice said.
Relief filled Kurenai as she saw Kakashi behind Itachi. Meanwhile on the land nearby, Asuma and Kisame were dueling. Kisame struck with his blade which Asuma dodged and then got close, striking with his shorter blades. Kisame stepped back out of range with a smirk, but was surprised when he felt a cut on his cheek.
"What?" he exclaimed.
Looking at the knives, he noticed the faint blue aura of chakra that went through them, increasing their range just enough for that attack to land. Kisame growled and weaved a hand sign to finish this. Then suddenly a new person appeared alongside Asuma.
"Water Style: Water Shark Bomb Jutsu!" his voice along with another's said.
Two of the same jutsu, a shark head made of water suddenly shot toward each other and cancelled each other out.
"What? The same jutsu as mine?" Kisame exclaimed.
The water explosion cleared and he had a good look at his new foe. He grinned at the masked ninja who had a sharingan in one eye.
"Well, and I hear I thought I'd never see someone else like Itachi with those crazy eyes," he said. "Kakashi the Copy Ninja."
"Thanks Kakashi," Asuma said.
"No problem," Kakashi said looking at their two foes. "So, looks like we got real lucky today. None other then Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki."
"Well, you know my name," Kisame said. "I'm honored."
Kakashi looked at the sword. "I take it that bizarre excuse for a blade is one of those Seven Swordsmen of the Mist swords? The one called Sharkskin?"
Kisame laughed. "That's right! You know I heard you and Zabuza had it out a while back?"
Kakashi nodded. "Yes, we did. I'm not the one who killed him though. His own boss did that."
Kisame shrugged. "Either way you'll make an intriguing opponent."
"Kisame stop it!" Itachi said. "We can't waste time fighting everyone we come across. Don't forget our goal."
Kisame sighed. Kakashi however, tried to press the conversation. The Kakashi standing next to Asuma, the Shadow Clone, spoke first.
"So you have something you're after? Alright lets hear it, what is your goal?"
The clone spoke the words and vanished, Itachi turned to the Kakashi next to Kurenai, the real one, apparently.
"We seek something in this village," Itachi said.
"And what would that be?" Kakashi asked.
Instead of answering, Itachi merely drew a set of shuriken. Kakashi leapt back, weaving a hand sign to defend himself.
"Ninja-Art Waterwall!"
A wall of water flew up around him just in time as several other areas of the river shot up at him from Itachi's own attack. His speed was incredible with jutsu, even with his Sharingan, Kakashi hadn't been able to see a single hand sign.
"Very good," Itachi praised. "You almost anticipated my attack."
Suddenly another Itachi was behind Kakashi and stabbed him in the back with a kunai. "Almost."
A shadow clone, Kurenai realized. His speed is too great.
Fortunately Kakashi simply turned into water. A water clone.
Kisame grinned, feeling his people would be honored that someone had managed to copy their techniques so thoroughly.
The real Kakashi then appeared underwater beneath Kurenai, offering her kunai which she'd dropped when Itachi kicked her into the water. She smiled and took it.
"Thanks Kakashi," she said brandishing it at the nearest of the two Itachis.
Suddenly he leapt out of the water and seized her by the waist.
"Get back Kurenai, that one's the Shadow Clone!" he said getting back.
He reacted just in time, cause the Shadow Clone near them blew up. Asuma shouted their names and dove into the area on top of the water as the explosion caused a brief rainstorm. Kisame likewise took the opportunity to stand beside Itachi.
"Watch it, this kid was the top of his class and made Anbu Black Ops at the age of thirteen," Kakashi said turning back to their opponents.
"Okay, we get it! He's really tough," Asuma said.
"Tough? You haven't even seen half of what he can do!" Kakashi said, remembering how he himself had Itachi's captain when he'd joined the Anbu.
Itachi looked at Kakashi and closed his eyes. "You know Kakashi, for someone who is not an Uchiha, you've mastered the Sharingan quite well. But even so, someone who is not an Uchiha can never use it to its full potential."
Kakashi shuddered. He knew Itachi was right. Thanks to him not having the same bloodline as the Uchiha it took up massive amounts of chakra for him to use the Sharingan.
"Which means you can never use the most powerful arts," Itachi said closing his eyes and opening them.
Kakashi's eyes widened as he saw something terrifying in those eyes. It couldn't be!
"Don't look at his eyes!" he warned his comrades who gasped.
Asuma and Kurenai closed their eyes.
"What's going on Kakashi?" Kurenai asked.
"He's using a powerful jutsu!" Kakashi said. "You look in his eyes its over! I have to face him eye to eye, my Sharingan against his!"
"Yes," Itachi confirmed. "But you will lose. Only someone with the Sharingan and Kekkai Genkai can defeat me."
The two sharingans found each other and Kakashi was suddenly in a black version of the Hidden Leaf. He was pinned to a board and Itachi was there with a sword.
"You should have been wise to simply avoid my gaze as well," Itachi said. "Now you will suffer, this genjutsu world created by my Tsukoyomi allows me to torture you here for three days. I can't kill you, but you will experience pain."
He then stabbed Kakashi. The jonin was left gasping for breath.
"This is just pain," he said defiantly. "You can't kill me. I can take this."
"You sure about that?" Itachi seemed to ask from multiple directions.
Kakashi looked and saw the whole area had filled up with copies of the enemy. They all came at him with their swords. Screams echoed through the genjutsu would as time moved incredibly slowly. The moon above them went down and was replaced by the sun three times.
Then finally, after endless agony, Kakashi was set free.
He fell to his knees on top of the water they were all standing on.
"Can we open our eyes now?" Asuma asked.
"No," Kakashi said. "Just a moment longer."
"What happened? One second you were telling us to close them then you collapsed?" Kurenai asked.
Kakashi sighed inwardly. Three days in that world and less then a moment had passed in this one.
He turned to their opponents. "You never did answer my question though. This thing you've come for… is it Sasuke?"
"No," Itachi said. "We seek the legacy of the Fourth Hokage."
That shocked the three Leaf Jonin. But Kakashi had heard something from Jiraiya about a group of around ten big time rogue ninja banding together with a certain goal.
"The Nine Tails Spirit inside Naruto? That's what you're after?" He asked.
He didn't need to hear their answer.
"You aren't the only ones are you, there are more out there aren't there? You call yourselves the Akatsuki right?"
Now it was Itachi and Kisame's turn to be shocked.
"What? Akatsuki?" Asumi said in confusion.
"Kisame," Itachi said. "We'll take Kakashi with us, the other two are of no use to us. Kill them!"
The shark man charged toward them, blade raised. Asuma and Kurenai couldn't react in time and Kakashi was still affected by the torture he'd endured in the other world. Fortunately a new face appeared in a whirlwind of green. A swift kick was landed on Kisame's chest and knocked him back. Might Guy appeared in front of the trio of Jonin.
"Well, who have we here?" Kisame asked.
"I'm Might Guy! Master of Taijutsu!" Guy declared loudly.
"Might Guy?" Kisame repeated with a laugh. "Mighty stupid looking Guy is more like it!"
"Don't underestimate him," Itachi cautioned.
"You have to make such a dramatic entrance Guy," Kakashi said.
"Well figured I'd lend a hand," the green wearing shinobi said.
He looked at Itachi and recognized him. Then suddenly Kakashi went limp and lost his focus, the chakra keeping him on top of the water vanishing and he began to sink. Guy quickly pulled him out before he could sink to the bottom and put him over his shoulder as he lost consciousness.
"Guy close your eyes!" Kurenai said. "He's using a powerful visual jutsu!"
"No need to worry, I know about Sharingan," Guy said. "I've spent a long time training to fight Kakashi here. Just look at his feet and you'll be okay."
The two other Jonin opened their eyes and did as they told him.
"Alright but that trick's a lot easier said then done," Kurenai said.
"We haven't had all your training, Guy," Asuma stated.
"You're right, it takes skill and practice to anticipate an opponents attack from their feet," Guy said. "And I don't have the time to teach you. I already notified the Anbu Black Ops, they should be here soon."
Kisame prepared for battle but Itachi spoke up.
"No Kisame, we've wasted enough time. We have to go."
"Eh," Kisame growled. "Fine, but if our pasts ever meet again I will be sure to cut you to ribbons!"
The two highing ranking criminals then vanished in a puff of smoke.