Uchiha Sasuke entered the sight of the ninja nations through this battle.
The bounty level was temporarily marked as 'A'.
Iwagakure, Land of Earth.
Itachi and Kisame, disguised, strolled through a bustling street.
"Mr. Itachi, have you heard?"
"I must say, that guy really doesn't fear death."
"To be jointly pursued by all nations, he's truly lucky to be alive."
Itachi remained silent, his thoughts unknown beneath his cloak.
Suddenly, an excited voice erupted from a nearby newspaper agency.
"Mr. Su's new book, 'Battle Through the Heavens,' has arrived! Only twenty thousand copies available today! First come, first served!"
As soon as the words fell, villagers from all households rushed down the stairs in a frenzy.
Itachi and Kisame both stiffened, immediately knocked aside by the surging crowd.
"Oh, Mr. Su's books are still as popular as ever."
"This reminds me of the old days with 'Gong Gong Angrily Collides with Buzhou Mountain'..."
"Mr. Itachi, shall we buy a copy to read?"
Kisame's gaze fixed on the books on the newspaper desk, a flicker of curiosity igniting within him.
At that moment, a villager carrying dozens of copies of 'Battle Through the Heavens' passed by them.
*Thump.*
Perhaps due to carrying too many, he didn't notice a few slipping to the ground.
Itachi slowly crouched down and picked up the books.
"Battle Through the Heavens..."
Itachi's brow furrowed slightly, and then he opened the first page.
Beside him, Kisame eagerly leaned in, trying to get a clear view of the book's contents.
The story within was captivating, and for a time, Itachi and Kisame were utterly engrossed.
Especially when they read the line, "Do not mock a poor young man."
The softest parts of both their hearts were simultaneously touched.
This made Itachi recall his younger brother, Sasuke.
If he had possessed such aspirations back then, he would surely be a powerful individual now.
However, having slain Orochimaru and entered the sight of the nations as an A-rank fugitive, Sasuke now possessed considerable resolve.
Kisame rested his hands on his shoulders, looking at Itachi with amusement. "Back then, who hasn't dreamed of being a righteous hero."
"Despite my current appearance, I was more rebellious than anyone as a child."
"'Do not mock a poor young man' suits me well. Mr. Su is truly remarkable."
Itachi closed the book, a faint smile appearing on his face. "As for me, I don't seem worthy to speak of my youth..."
"Mr. Itachi, you seem to be overthinking things," Kisame said, straightening his wrinkled black robe.
The sky was growing dark; they needed to hurry and find the Four-Tails Jinchūriki.
"Perhaps, but I don't think so, just like you, Kisame."
"When you were young, did you have any initial thoughts on the meaning of life?"
Itachi said softly, his head bowed.
Kisame slowly shook his head, then chuckled. "Unlike you, I just loved playing in the water back then, haha."
"But I experienced war at the age of four."
"I still haven't settled on a meaning for life, but I know this."
"Being responsible for one's life and doing meaningful things is not to live in vain."
"One day, you will understand."
Itachi's words carried a hint of sadness. With a deep sigh, he continued on their way.
Kisame chuckled good-naturedly and followed.
At the summit of a rocky mountain range.
The Four-Tails Jinchūriki, Roshi, sat cross-legged, facing the moon.
Beside him lay a copy of 'Havoc in Heaven'.
"I say, Roshi, don't believe in that bullshit about immortal cultivation. You have the time, why not just train your chakra more?"
Within Roshi's mental world, the Four-Tails, Sun Wukong, chattered incessantly behind him.
After a long while, Roshi opened his eyes slightly, picking up 'Havoc in Heaven' with a hint of confusion.
"The book clearly states that one can absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth into their body, and it can manifest divine power."
"I've already researched it; the spirit comes from the moon, but it's been hours, and nothing is happening yet?"
Roshi scratched his head in frustration.
"Damn it, I'm talking to you!"
Sun Wukong angrily pointed a finger at Roshi's head.
Roshi's brow furrowed, and an impatient expression gradually appeared on his face. "I say, you stinking monkey, you have the same name as the protagonist in the book."
"But you are worlds apart!"
"Both of you are Sun Wukong! Look at you! And look at him!"
"Your tusks are like green onions, what a poser!"
The Four-Tails was taken aback by Roshi's words and was about to retaliate.
Suddenly, two chakra signatures appearing nearby caught the attention of both Roshi and the Four-Tails.
"Southeast, there are two individuals!"
"They were able to find my location directly, their strength should not be weak..."
Roshi returned to his senses and stood up, looking behind him.
In the dim jungle, a beam of moonlight shone down as two figures leaped out with a whoosh, landing before him.
A faint breeze brushed the faces of the three.
Under the angle of the bright moon, their gazes gradually lengthened.
Itachi removed his cloak and brushed back his disheveled hair. "Four-Tails Jinchūriki, finally found you..."
Kisame let out a cold laugh and instantly shed his black robe.
Then, the Akatsuki cloak adorned with red clouds appeared before Roshi.
Roshi's pupils contracted slightly, a sense of dread creeping into his heart. "It's the Akatsuki."
News of the Akatsuki's hunt for Tailed Beasts had long reached his ears.
He had also received information about their strength and profiles from Ōnoki.
But this was the first time he had encountered them.
Suddenly, Kisame spotted 'Havoc in Heaven' at Roshi's feet and grinned mockingly. "An old man like you, still dreaming of being a monkey?"
"Mr. Su just released 'Battle Through the Heavens' today. Are you sure you don't want to buy a copy?"
After speaking, Kisame suddenly looked annoyed and touched his head. "I almost forgot, you probably won't have the chance anymore..."
Roshi roared in fury, flames of lava emanating from his body.
"Be careful, Roshi, don't let yourself be provoked!"
"This will cloud your judgment!"
The Four-Tails suddenly warned Roshi.
"I don't need you to tell me!"
"Just a stinking fish! I'll burn you now! It'll be a nice meal tonight!"
Roshi said, then charged at the two of them indignantly.
Itachi's brow furrowed, preparing to act, but Kisame leaped forward first. "Let me test the waters!"
Under the boost of lava release, Roshi's speed seemed to increase.
The moment Kisame stepped forward, he dragged out Samehada from his back.
"Delicious chakra, can you feel it!"
Kisame licked his lips excitedly, brandishing Samehada towards Roshi and swinging it down fiercely.
Roshi sneered, his wrists slamming directly into Samehada.
*Clang!*
The impact produced a crisp ringing sound, which surprised Kisame.
Itachi began analyzing Roshi's abilities through his Mangekyo Sharingan.
"His entire body is enveloped in high-temperature lava, which is highly effective when combined with taijutsu."
"Anything he touches seems to melt, and that layer of lava simultaneously enhances his defense."
"Kisame, don't let him touch you..."