https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-216-Even-More-Formidable-Than-Itachi/12553554/
Chapter 215: A Twisted Taste
Chapter 215: A Twisted Taste
"When I first glanced at you with my Sharingan, I thought Itachi had returned," Kisame Hoshigaki remarked as he opened his eyes, gazing at the approaching Sasuke Uchiha, who bore a striking resemblance to his brother. There was a hint of emotion in his voice.
It was a pity that the visitor wore the Uchiha clan's attire instead of the black and red cloud uniform.
"Do you hold Itachi in high regard?" Sasuke inquired, his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan fixated on Kisame, who was relaxing in the hot spring.
He detected a note of respect in Kisame's tone.
"Of course. It's hard not to respect someone like Itachi," Kisame acknowledged, a fleeting memory flashing in his eyes as he nodded.
After his momentary reminiscence, Kisame came back to the present and rose from the hot spring, saying, "Would you mind if I put on some clothes?"
Sasuke shifted his gaze and nodded. He then turned his back to Kisame.
Stepping out of the hot spring, Kisame quickly donned his Akatsuki uniform. With no intention of backstabbing Sasuke, he continued, "Now, let's get to the point."
"Although it may sound redundant, I still want to ask. You are Itachi's younger brother, Sasuke. What brings you here?" Kisame inquired, already knowing the answer.
Sasuke turned around and calmly stated, "Submit, or die."
"As expected," Kisame sighed.
"Although I'm curious about the incentive, it's quite unexpected that Elder Hai is now targeting Akatsuki. Not long ago, I had a pleasant chat with him," Kisame commented, lifting Samehada, which had been soaking in the hot spring alongside him, and hoisting it onto his shoulder.
Ignoring the droplets of water that continued to fall from Samehada, Kisame faced Sasuke, whose features bore a striking resemblance to Itachi. A slight twitch appeared on Kisame's shark-like face as he added, "Sending you here from far away to be my opponent. This arrangement seems to have a twisted sense of humor to it."
"There's no need to dwell on trivial matters," Sasuke replied coldly.
He locked eyes with Kisame and asked one more time, "Submit? Or die?"
Kisame shook his head calmly. "As your senior, I don't intend to show weakness in front of a junior."
Sasuke nodded in understanding.
"Since that's the case..."
Clang!
Sasuke unsheathed his ninja sword and wasted no more words as the battle commenced.
"Kakuzu, we have two unexpected guests," remarked Hidan, his tone unaffected as he and Kakuzu faced the pair who had suddenly appeared before them, blocking their path in the Iwagakure Mountains, perpetually shrouded in rock showers and polluted air.
"I can see that," Kakuzu replied.
"Hey, you two!! Interested in joining the Cult of Jashin? We've got all sorts of perks!" Hidan enthusiastically pitched.
"They won't be interested," Kakuzu interjected.
"Why won't they join? I can make them believers," Hidan argued.
"You won't be able to," Kakuzu stated flatly.
"And why is that?" Hidan asked, his irritation growing.
"Because they are my targets," Kakuzu explained, brushing aside Hidan's attempt to butt in. He opened his ninja pouch and pulled out a thick bounty list.
After a quick scan of the couple's faces, Kakuzu swiftly extracted two fresh sheets from the bounty list, compared them, and confirmed their identities:
"Uchiha Maga, bounty of 60 million ryo."
"Uchiha Izumi, bounty of 62 million ryo."
"That's a total of 122 million ryo. This is a huge deal, and we can't let it slip away," Kakuzu emphasized.
Hidan scoffed at the mention of money. "Money is trivial. Kakuzu, as an atheist, don't cheapen a person's worth with something as base as cash. One's faith is priceless! It's something you'll never earn in your lifetime. Understand?"
"You can keep your faith. These two are mine," Kakuzu retorted impassively.
"We rarely come across such high-quality prospects. What's the harm in letting me spread the word just this once?" Hidan pressed, unwilling to back down.
"You heretic, forever pasted to the wall! My patience has limits!"
"Limits can be stretched."
"Kakuzu, aren't you afraid I'll turn on you?"
"Good, your bounty has been posted at the exchange for quite some time."
"..."
With their uninvited guests right before them, Kakuzu and Hidan suddenly began to quarrel, on the verge of coming to blows.
Across from them, Izumi Uchiha watched the duo's performance, puzzled.
"Are you sure you haven't mistaken us for someone else? These two don't seem to be in their right minds," Izumi remarked.
"Whether they're in their right minds or not, it's not their fault," Maga Uchiha said, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "I'm actually more curious about something else now."
"What is it?" Izumi asked, looking over at him.
Maga's face turned serious as he asked, "Why is your bounty 2 million ryo higher than mine?"
They were both Uchiha, of similar ages, and had even unlocked the Mangekyo Sharingan.
Those offering the bounty couldn't possibly know the outcome of their internal clashes.
So why was Izumi's bounty 2 million ryo higher than his? Maga was perplexed.
Hearing this, Izumi was speechless. She hadn't expected her companion to be concerned about something like this.
She sighed and said, "If you think your bounty is too low, you can go to the exchange and add to it yourself."
"Good idea!" Maga's eyes lit up. "I can add 3 million ryo to my bounty and surpass yours, Izumi."
Izumi: "...Do you have the money?"
"I don't," Maga admitted, his head drooping low after a moment of pride. "I gave all my money to my wife."
Izumi and Maga continued their conversation.
Just then, Kakuzu and Hidan, who had been arguing and about to fight, suddenly stopped.
"Kakuzu, it seems our acting didn't work this time. They didn't take the bait and are even chatting casually, completely disregarding our efforts!" Hidan turned to look at the two Uchiha, clearly displeased.
Hidan and Kakuzu often quarreled, that was true.
But many times, they would also intentionally start bickering and almost come to blows in front of their enemies.
They did this to see the look of delight on their enemies' faces as they eagerly awaited the two allies to start fighting, only to be disappointed when they realized they had been fooled.
It usually worked quite well...
But this time, it seemed their ploy had failed.
"Then let's not delay any further and get straight to it," Kakuzu said coldly.
With his years of experience, he could tell that the two Uchiha meant business. There was no need to waste time with words.
However, before Kakuzu took action, he offered a word of warning: "Be careful, they both possess the Mangekyo Sharingan."
"The same eyes as Uchiha Itachi? Got it," Hidan acknowledged.
Hidan wielded his Bloody Crescent Scythe, and together with Kakuzu, they swiftly closed in on the Uchiha duo.
"They're quite decisive," Maga commented with a chuckle.
Since that was the case, it was time for battle!
"I'll take Hidan, you take Kakuzu," Izumi instructed.
Maga nodded, and in the next second...
The two Uchiha closed their eyes and reopened them, their Mangekyo Sharingan fully activated.
(Thanks to "Yu Jue Jing Ming" for the 7,512 coins and "Book Friend 20210610010116806" for the 100 coins!)
(End of Chapter)
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