Some enemies don't wear the face of an enemy.
Kai's Asura's Chakra heightened his senses.
The moment danger struck—
he warned Itachi and moved like a hunting leopard, instantly retreating.
Itachi reacted just as fast.
With a sharp burst of speed, he flashed five to six meters away.
Black mist spread where they had just stood.
The fish in the bucket—
floated belly-up within seconds.
Not poison—
a sedative.
A cold, emotionless voice echoed from the forest.
"Quick reactions."
Two figures emerged from the dense trees.
Both wore dark gray uniforms and animal masks.
Their gazes were icy as they locked onto the two boys.
One was tall and heavily built.
The other lean, a short blade strapped to his back.
"ANBU… no—Root."
From the details of their attire, Kai immediately identified them.
His guard shot up.
Root operatives—
at minimum, Chunin level.
Many were even Jonin.
Yamato.
Sai.
Both had come from Root.
Dangerous.
Very dangerous.
Kai narrowed his eyes.
Who were they targeting?
Him—
or Itachi?
But one thing was certain—
if they were acting openly, without concealment…
then either—
they were absolutely confident—
or—
they had the backing to withstand the Uchiha's retaliation.
Neither was good.
"We are members of the Uchiha," Itachi said coldly, stepping forward. "As Root shinobi, why are you attacking us?"
The Root operatives sneered.
They didn't answer.
Originally—
they had planned to use Orochimaru's sedative gas to knock them out and take them away.
But—
the boys had reacted too quickly.
The first attempt had failed.
The taller one—codenamed B—spoke coldly:
"According to intelligence, you two are spies from another village."
"You are to be captured and interrogated."
Danzō's order—
was to capture Fugaku's child.
Sasuke was too well-protected.
So—
Itachi became the primary target.
And Kai—
recent intelligence indicated Fugaku valued him highly.
Taking both—
would push Fugaku over the edge.
Exactly what Danzō wanted.
As for the aftermath—
Root would handle it.
They always did.
Watching them approach—
Itachi's eyes sharpened.
"Then show me the Hokage's arrest warrant," he demanded.
By Konoha law—
without clear evidence—
capturing a "spy" required the Third Hokage's authorization.
The only response—
was a mocking chuckle.
Itachi's heart sank.
Root existed to protect the village.
So why—
were they targeting him?
For the first time—
his belief wavered.
Sensing the imminent danger, Itachi whispered,
"We're not their match. Split up and run."
"At least one of us—"
He paused.
"…?"
Kai—
was already seven or eight meters away.
Itachi stood there—
momentarily frozen.
The wind rustled past him.
Today—
after everything Kai had said—
Itachi had begun to see him as a bond.
And now—
"Run already."
Kai's voice carried back on the breeze.
The fragile boat of friendship—
capsized instantly.
"…Heh."
One of the Root operatives chuckled.
"If I let you escape, what face would Root have left?"
Whoosh—
Whoosh—
The two split into afterimages, chasing their targets.
…
Itachi moved swiftly through the forest, using the Body Flicker Technique.
Suddenly—
danger surged behind him.
His instincts screamed.
He pushed off the ground—
dodging right.
A blade flashed past.
Slash!
A tree as thick as a grown man's thigh—
was cut clean through.
A fraction slower—
and that strike would've taken him.
"Where do you think you're going?"
The blade-wielding Root operative—D—blocked his path.
His tone was mocking.
Like a cat toying with prey.
Itachi lowered his stance.
Kunai in hand.
His eyes—
sharp as a hawk's.
From his observations—
his opponent was at least Chunin level.
And he—
was only slightly above genin.
There was a gap.
But—
he would not surrender.
Fight.
To the end.
Seeing resistance, D's eyes turned cold.
He surged forward.
His blade flashed—
dozens of strikes in an instant.
A master of kenjutsu.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Kunai and blade collided—
sharp metallic echoes ringing through the forest.
"…Not bad," D thought, mildly surprised.
This kid—
was strong.
But—
"Still not enough."
He vanished—
reappearing behind Itachi.
One slash.
Bang!
A log.
"Substitution?!"
D reacted instantly—
turning—
and cutting through the real Itachi midair.
But—
Itachi had already formed hand seals.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
Flames roared forward.
D's expression shifted slightly.
The kid's combat flow—
was seamless.
But—
he was still just a child.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!"
A roaring dragon surged forth.
Fire and water collided—
steam exploded outward.
The battle continued.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
But Itachi—
was reaching his limit.
His body was still developing.
His chakra—
insufficient.
One Fire Release—
had already drained most of it.
He knew—
this couldn't last.
He had to end it quickly.
But urgency—
led to mistakes.
D seized the opening.
With the flat of his blade—
he struck Itachi's chest.
Boom!
Itachi was sent flying several meters.
He hit the ground hard.
They needed him alive—
otherwise that strike—
would've killed him.
Pain exploded in his chest.
His face turned pale.
His body trembled uncontrollably.
"…Should've just come quietly," D sneered.
"Would've saved you the beating."
"…Was it Danzō?"
A cold voice—
cut through the air.
D froze.
He turned.
A man stood there—
black hair, Jonin vest—
eyes burning crimson.
Three tomoe—
spinning.
In an instant—
D collapsed.
Foam at his mouth.
Trapped in genjutsu.
Fugaku.
Mikoto had mentioned Kai and Itachi went fishing.
With rare free time—
he had come to check.
And arrived—
just in time.
"Father…"
Itachi struggled, pointing weakly.
"Another one… went after Kai…"
Fugaku's killing intent—
erupted.
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