Chapter 43: The Battlefield Situation Is Getting More and More Complicated, Melon-Eating Spectator Karin
That clear, cold voice suddenly rang out.
It directly startled all five people present.
Because they hadn't noticed at all that someone had silently appeared right beside them!
Even Uchiha Itachi was given a fright.
Although he wasn't a sensor-type ninja,
his strength was overwhelming, and that naturally made his perception far sharper than an ordinary shinobi's.
Yet even so, he still hadn't detected the two people who suddenly appeared.
So.
He turned his head toward the source of the voice.
There were two figures over there.
Both wearing bamboo hats, dressed in black one-piece dresses, and draped in black cloaks.
One was standing on a tree branch, quietly watching this side.
The other was sitting on a branch, legs swinging idly while munching on watermelon.
When she noticed Itachi and the others looking over,
she actually smiled at them.
"Black-Robed Organization."
The term flashed through the minds of everyone present at the same time.
"What's going on?!
Who's behind us?!"
"Kakashi, can we open our eyes now?!"
Asuma and Kurenai were panicking badly right now.
First Kakashi collapsed and wouldn't speak, just panting heavily.
It sounded like he had suffered serious mental damage,
or like he had released an extremely terrifying technique and his body was overloaded.
And then—
a cold, unfamiliar voice suddenly came from behind them.
The voice was completely strange,
yet also strangely calm.
From Itachi's reaction, they could tell this person was strong.
Therefore, they were certain.
This powerhouse definitely wasn't from Konoha!
An enemy in front, condition unknown.
An unknown powerhouse behind.
They were freaking out.
"…"
Kakashi was panicking too.
He had originally planned to keep Asuma and Kurenai from opening their eyes.
But now a new enemy appeared behind them.
Should they open their eyes?
Or keep them closed?
Kakashi was at a complete loss.
"Could it be…
we're really going to die here today?!"
That thought flashed through Kakashi's mind.
But at the same time, a tiny thread of doubt lingered in his heart.
"In the Tsukuyomi world, three days passed, but in reality it was only an instant?
Still…
Itachi clearly had the chance to kill me.
So why didn't he?"
Kakashi wasn't the only one puzzled.
Kisame was confused as well.
"You took that technique head-on and your mind didn't shatter?
Kakashi, your reputation is well-deserved.
But…"
He glanced sideways at Itachi.
"Itachi-san, overusing those eyes carries great risk for you too.
You took such a huge gamble using that technique…
so why didn't you just finish Kakashi off?
Now look—we've got two people from the Black-Robed Organization showing up."
"Two people from the Black-Robed Organization?!"
Asuma and Kurenai jolted at the same time.
Kakashi was also shocked.
But he felt so awful right now that he didn't even have the strength to turn his head.
So he still had no idea who had arrived behind them.
"I never expected…
people from the Black-Robed Organization would show up here!
This is bad…
the situation is getting more and more complicated.
I wonder when the ANBU will arrive…"
"What is your purpose for coming here?"
Kisame stepped past Kakashi's group and looked toward Karin and Izumi in the distance.
His gaze lingered especially long on Karin.
Because the red-haired girl's current behavior was simply too arrogant!
She was actually sitting on a tree branch eating watermelon!
Watching them like this was all just a show!
"Watching the show, of course~"
Karin grinned and casually tossed away a piece of rind.
They had been following the whole time.
They just stayed hidden.
Karin had used her Kagura Mind's Eye to completely conceal her chakra,
and at the same time used Wood Release to hide her body inside a tree.
Completely silent spectators.
As for Izumi… she was even more impressive.
She simply went invisible and stood there watching the drama from start to finish.
No one had noticed her at all.
"Watching the show?"
Kisame blinked.
He was very dissatisfied with that explanation.
By now Kakashi had recovered just a tiny bit of strength.
He recalled that, so far, the Black-Robed Organization hadn't done anything particularly outrageous.
They had never carried out any destructive acts against Konoha.
On the contrary—
they often helped the village.
Relatively speaking,
the Black-Robed Organization was far friendlier than the Akatsuki.
So for the moment, Kakashi decided to ignore them
and instead turned his attention toward Itachi.
"The thing you're looking for… is it Sasuke?"
"No."
Itachi didn't look at Kakashi. His gaze went straight to Izumi.
Instinct told him this woman felt very familiar.
But no matter how he tried, he couldn't remember who she was.
"It's the Fourth's legacy."
Kakashi's heart sank.
"As expected… it really is Naruto?
But it's okay.
Naruto has not only Jiraiya-sama watching over him, but also his master's wife.
These Akatsuki people shouldn't be able to catch him."
With that thought, Kakashi spoke up:
"I know you two aren't the only ones taking action.
The name of your organization… is it Akatsuki?"
"Akatsuki?!"
Everyone present froze for a second.
Itachi and Kisame both glanced toward Karin and Izumi.
Normally, according to protocol, they should capture Kakashi and interrogate him about how he learned that name.
But right now…
looking at the red-haired girl happily eating melon in the distance,
both of them felt an extremely absurd sense of dissonance.
"What exactly are these people after?"
They were puzzled.
Yet at the same time, they didn't dare act rashly.
Because they could tell—
those two were very strong!
"That's right~
Kakashi~
They are indeed Akatsuki~
Their public leader is called Pain."
Karin took off her bamboo hat and wrinkled her small nose.
"Hey!
You! The shark guy!
You reek of rotten fish and shrimp!
So stinky!"
The corner of Kisame's mouth twitched.
He looked at the faint battle intent appearing on Karin's face.
"You're that Uzumaki girl who defeated Orochimaru, right?"
"Yup~"
"A worthy opponent to test my blade against."
Kisame swung Samehada once.
"Itachi.
What do we do now?"
"You take Kakashi. I'll kill the other two.
Ignore the Black-Robed Organization people for now.
Finish quickly and withdraw!"
"Got it!"
Kisame let out an excited laugh and charged straight at Kakashi.
However—
he had barely made it halfway when a powerful kick sent him flying.
"Konoha Strong Whirlwind!"
"Who's there?!"
Kisame struggled a bit before steadying himself, then looked toward the new arrival—the weird guy dressed all in green.
"The proud Green beast of Konoha!"
The newcomer flashed a toothy grin at Kisame.
His gleaming white teeth sparkled in the sunlight.
"Might Guy!"
"What kind of outfit is that?
Shouldn't it be 'strange rare beast' instead of 'Green beast'?"
"Don't underestimate that man."
Itachi spoke slowly.
At the same time, he felt much more at ease.
His goal for coming here had been completely achieved.
And he had successfully stalled until Guy arrived.
Now he had a legitimate reason to let Kakashi's group go and withdraw.
The operation could be called perfect.
The only slight imperfection…
was the two people from the Black-Robed Organization not far away.
"You two…
who exactly are you?"