Two black-robed figures wearing cloaks adorned with bells saw that Su Mu's story had concluded and turned to leave.
The crowded populace was in a chaotic uproar.
Mizuki Yugao, leading her two teammates, kept a close watch on their target's direction.
"Absolutely do not make a move here later; there are too many villagers."
Mizuki Yugao said cautiously.
The previously clear sky was suddenly obscured by dark clouds.
In the dense jungle, the two black-robed men stopped simultaneously.
Mizuki Yugao and her two Anbu teammates suddenly leaped from the trees, blocking their path.
"Routine check, take off your cloaks!"
One of the Anbu ninjas stared coldly at the two men and said.
Suddenly, Mizuki Yugao clearly saw the rings on the hands of the two black-robed men.
Vermilion, South.
"Maintain vigilance!"
Mizuki Yugao drew the long sword on her back with caution.
"A former prodigy of the Uchiha clan, I never expected you to actually join the Akatsuki!"
As these words were spoken, Mizuki Yugao's two teammates beside her froze.
"You mean the one who personally slaughtered his own clan... Uchiha Itachi?!"
"Long time no see, Yugao."
A familiar voice came from beneath the cloak.
The crisp sound of bells jingled.
Uchiha Itachi slowly removed the cloak from his head.
Within his pair of scarlet eyes, the Mangekyo Sharingan subtly revolved.
The surrounding birds seemed startled and instantly flapped their wings, flying towards the sky.
Mizuki Yugao inadvertently looked up, and at some unknown time, the trees were already covered with crows!
"You think you can stop me with just this? Aren't you being a bit too confident..."
Itachi's body slowly dissipated with the pecking of the crows.
Mizuki Yugao and her two teammates were stunned to find the surrounding world turn red.
"Is it... a genjutsu?"
"When did this happen..."
The crisp sound of bells rang out again, and cold sweat trickled down Mizuki Yugao's forehead.
She suddenly recalled the scene of Uchiha Itachi removing his cloak earlier.
It was at that moment...
"Release!"
A familiar voice suddenly sounded in her ears.
At this moment, Mizuki Yugao and her teammates jolted awake from the genjutsu.
Turning their heads, they saw Kurenai Yuhi and Asuma had arrived.
"Miss Kurenai, you are as beautiful as ever."
Itachi's expression was blank. He looked at Asuma, standing beside Kurenai Yuhi, and let out a cold laugh.
"I am here for only two things."
"One is to search for the legacy left by the Fourth Hokage..."
"And the other..."
Itachi suddenly exuded a powerful killing intent.
Kisame next to him immediately swung his Samehada and charged forward.
"Kurenai, get ready!"
Asuma roared, gripping his twin blades and blocking Kisame's attack.
Itachi already knew that Sasuke had defected from Konoha.
The very day Su Mu announced the 'Weapon Compendium' of the ninja world.
But had the promise Hiruzen Sarutobi had made to him vanished with his death?
Then he would vent his anger upon his son...
Kurenai Yuhi rapidly sprinted towards Uchiha Itachi, forming hand seals simultaneously.
In an instant, multiple vines extended from the large tree that suddenly appeared behind Itachi, binding him tightly.
Immediately, Kurenai Yuhi revealed a satisfied smile.
"Is this the genjutsu you pride yourself on?"
Uchiha Itachi looked coldly at Kurenai Yuhi, his Mangekyo Sharingan spinning.
*Shua!*
In the blink of an eye, the two swapped positions.
The one now bound to the tree was Kurenai Yuhi.
"Kurenai!"
Asuma exclaimed in shock.
Itachi turned and slowly walked towards Asuma: "Kisame, stand down."
"Let's see what you've got, Mr. Itachi."
Sheathing his Samehada sword, Kisame retreated to the side in a few steps.
"Stop putting on an act. You will not leave Konoha today!"
Asuma stared at Itachi and said coldly.
At this moment, Itachi had already entered Asuma's attack range.
Asuma's brow furrowed. Gripping his twin blades, he struck and severed Itachi's body.
The surrounding air seemed to be enveloped by a gray world.
Itachi's body was immediately covered by crows.
Asuma froze for a moment.
Because the environment around him had undergone a drastic change.
He was now standing in front of Kurenai Yuhi's house.
"How could this be..."
"I clearly..."
Asuma hesitated for a moment before walking in.
The door was unlocked, and a strange sound suddenly came from within.
He intended to go inside and see, but just as he reached the doorway, he saw Shisui Uchiha walking out from inside with a beaming smile.
"Uchiha Shisui?!"
Asuma's expression changed drastically, and a drop of cold sweat ran down his forehead.
"It's Asuma, you've come at just the right time."
Uchiha Shisui looked at Asuma with a peculiar gaze, his lips curling upwards unconsciously: "I must say, your taste is excellent."
"Kurenai Yuhi..."
"So juicy..."
The surrounding scene shattered into fragments.
Asuma returned to reality, gasping for breath.
Looking around, Uchiha Itachi and Hoshigaki Kisame had disappeared.
And Kurenai Yuhi and Mizuki Yugao had both been knocked unconscious.
He slowly walked to Kurenai Yuhi's side and squatted down, his mind filled with Uchiha Shisui's words from just now.
"So juicy..."
"So juicy..."
On the streets of Konoha.
Su Mu bid farewell to Tsunade and the others, deciding to return.
Apart from Tsunade and Naruto, Jiraiya would accompany Su Mu back to the inn.
After all, the story had to continue, and he also needed to go to Duanshan Street to publish new books.
Tsunade was truly unable to leave her post; Konoha desperately needed her now.
Conveniently, Tsunade agreed to take on the position of the Fifth Hokage and would quickly hand it over when a new candidate was found.
The enthusiastic villagers escorted Su Mu out of Konoha.
Just as he walked out of the gates of Konoha.
At that very moment, directly in front of him, the figures of Uchiha Itachi and Hoshigaki Kisame slowly appeared.
"Innkeeper Su, have you been well?"
Uchiha Itachi looked at Su Mu expressionlessly, unlike Hoshigaki Kisame beside him, who wore a fawning smile.
Because he still remembered the last incident; the story of "Gonggong's Fury Against Buzhou Mountain" had made him a sensation in the ninja world.
Although he had been in a rather embarrassing situation then, he truly admired Su Mu. Now, whenever he saw Su Mu, he was filled with respect.
"It's Uchiha Itachi!"
The guards prepared to rush forward to help Su Mu, but were suddenly stopped by Tsunade: "He can handle it alone..."
Uchiha Itachi looked at Su Mu and said calmly, "I still remember witnessing your abilities last time. I haven't forgotten."
"Would you agree to a fight?"
"Let's consider it a sparring match."
Su Mu couldn't help but laugh. So, Uchiha Itachi had come looking for trouble with him.
It was likely because of the exposé of the 'Weapon Compendium' of the ninja world last time.
He had planned everything while working undercover in the Akatsuki, including nurturing his unpromising younger brother.
For that, he had massacred all his clan members.
Yet, the burden he carried was exposed in just a few words by Su Mu.
Now, Sasuke was lost...