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"Red... you at least owe me an explanation. I'm sick of this inexplicable feeling," Asuma Sarutobi said, stopping Kurenai Yuhi in her tracks. After days of contemplation, he still couldn't figure out what had happened.
"Kurenai..." Asuma sighed deeply, then continued earnestly, "I don't want to be just a mother who can only take care of children. I'm tired of that helpless feeling—watching without being able to do anything. During the Nine-Tails attack years ago, I could only stay inside the barrier while everyone else fought. When the village was attacked recently, I could do nothing but watch as the meteor fell. And even…."
Kurenai hesitated for a moment, but eventually met Asuma's gaze and spoke. "Even back at the Rikka Hill Manor, I had my chance. If only I'd acted there..."
She trailed off abruptly.
"There? What do you mean?"
Asuma pressed, but Kurenai's expression turned serious. "Asuma, now isn't the time for this. I've spotted suspicious individuals. Follow me!"
Kurenai took off ahead, and Asuma hurried after her. Sure enough, they soon spotted a figure clad in the signature red-cloud-patterned black cloak turning corners to evade their pursuit.
After weaving through several alleys, they burst into an open street where two cloaked figures wearing wide-brimmed hats stood waiting.
"Asuma, something's not right."
"Yeah, we've been invited here. Someone deliberately lured us to this spot."
Kurenai frowned and decisively spoke. "If we were deliberately led here, things won't be simple. Asuma, please go evacuate the civilians nearby. I'll check on them."
Before she could finish, Asuma tossed the stub of his cigarette onto the ground. The smoke formed a special symbol that quickly drifted away. "Leave that to the ANBU. I'm not letting you face this alone."
"Kurenai…"
"Enough. Let's see who these people are."
Without further argument, the two advanced toward the cloaked figures.
Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki attempted to sidestep when they saw Kurenai and Asuma approaching, but Asuma stepped forward, blocking their path.
Itachi tilted his hat slightly upward. Neither he nor Kisame had made any effort to conceal their identities—they wanted Konoha's attention, so being intercepted came as no surprise.
Moreover, seeing Kurenai and Asuma lifted Itachi's spirits somewhat. At least he could confirm that this wasn't the "Earth Country" he feared it might have become. This was indeed his beloved Konoha.
"It's been a long time, Kurenai, Asuma."
"You're… Uchiha Itachi!" A bead of sweat rolled down Asuma's forehead. Years ago, the name Uchiha Itachi had been infamous throughout the shinobi world.
He had single-handedly participated in the Chunin Exams and earned promotion by himself—a prodigy unmatched by anyone. Even worse, at just thirteen years old, he committed the shocking massacre of the entire Uchiha clan!
Destroying a major clan like the Uchiha was something even great hidden villages couldn't guarantee success in, yet Itachi accomplished it—at only thirteen!
"Uchiha Itachi, I never expected you'd return. What is your purpose?" Kurenai asked gravely. This period was too sensitive; Konoha had just suffered heavy losses, and now S-rank criminals appeared almost immediately. It was impossible not to suspect foul play.
"Hey, hey, hey," Kisame chimed in irritably. "Looks like the party's already started, but don't forget about me!"
Removing his hat, Kisame grinned with sharp teeth showing. "I'm Kisame Hoshigaki. Nice to meet you."
Kurenai's focus shifted instantly. "Kisame Hoshigaki—I've heard that name before. You're an S-rank missing-nin from Kirigakure, responsible for countless heinous crimes. And Uchiha Itachi…" She glared at them fiercely. "What brings two S-rank criminals to Konoha?!"
Itachi calmly responded, "We're simply passing through. We haven't done anything and will leave shortly. Why not pretend you never saw us?"
Asuma lit another cigarette, his body tensing up as he prepared for battle. "Sorry, but during these sensitive times, we need to understand your intentions. You'll have to stay here for a while."
"If that's how you feel," Itachi said softly, "I didn't originally plan to kill you."
"Finally some action! I've been waiting for this," Kisame exclaimed, drawing Samehada from his back.
"Don't overdo it. We don't want unnecessary attention," Itachi cautioned.
"Hmph, got it."
As soon as Kisame finished speaking, Kurenai and Asuma assumed combat stances. Then—
Whoosh!
Kisame swung Samehada in a full arc, aiming directly at Asuma!
Incredibly fast!
Asuma crossed his arms above his head, using his knuckle-mounted chakra blades to block Kisame's strike!
But—
With a loud thud!
Asuma's pupils contracted as the ground beneath him shattered. His legs bent under the pressure, barely managing to hold back Samehada as it pressed against his shoulder.
Such monstrous strength!!
Gritting his teeth, Asuma braced himself. Kisame chuckled cruelly. "Hard to handle? But Samehada isn't meant to crush—it's meant to… shred!"
Kisame yanked Samehada back, its serrated edges tearing strips of flesh from Asuma's shoulders.
"Asuma!" Kurenai swiftly formed hand seals and disappeared in a blur, vanishing from sight!
"Genjutsu?" Itachi's Sharingan activated instantly, three tomoe spinning in each eye.
Kurenai's genjutsu merely concealed her visually—it didn't erase her presence entirely. There was no way such deception could fool the all-seeing Sharingan.
"I've got you!"
In an instant, Itachi vanished from sight, reappearing behind Kisame. His left hand shot out, grabbing Kurenai by the neck as she tried to ambush Kisame. Lifting her into the air, he held her firmly.
But Kurenai smiled faintly, her form flickering before transforming into a massive blooming lotus that enveloped Itachi within its petals.
Meanwhile, the real Kurenai crouched behind him.
"I know someone like me—without any bloodline abilities—can't compare to those born with kekkei genkai. But…" Her eyes hardened with determination. "Even someone like me has moments worth risking everything for! Take this! My ultimate technique—Magical・Fatal Lotus!"
A malicious face flashed briefly in her mind.
"I'll never rely on others! Even if it's just me, I'll definitely succeed!"
Kurenai slammed both hands onto the ground, channeling all her chakra into the earth below.
The enormous lotus began closing in on Itachi, accumulating energy for its final explosive release!
But—
Like a sudden TV channel change, Kurenai's vision glitched momentarily. When it cleared, she found…
Itachi standing calmly opposite her, while she herself…
was trapped inside the slowly closing petals of the Fatal Lotus!
Kurenai muttered bitterly, "Genjutsu… reflection…"
So, it still wasn't enough.
The closing petals blurred her vision. Biting her lip until it bled, Kurenai clenched her teeth in frustration. Tears streamed down her cheeks.
Once again, she was powerless, forced to stand aside and watch helplessly.
"Are you giving up already? Isn't it too early for that?"
Suddenly, a masked ANBU operative appeared before her. With one swift slash of his black blade, he cut through the Fatal Lotus, rescuing Kurenai. Then—
BOOM!!!
The collapsing Fatal Lotus erupted violently, the shockwave blowing back the ANBU's hood, revealing a lock of bright red hair…
Kurenai stared blankly at the ANBU, biting her lip tightly as tears slid silently down her face.
Frustration!
Pure frustration!
Why am I always so powerless?
Why?!
Power…
If only I had more power…
Mukai smirked slightly, retracting the sealing jutsu he'd been preparing to use.
Danzo had already stepped into the spotlight, destined to clash with the future Hokage in a life-or-death struggle. As the saying goes, when two tigers fight, one must fall. Whoever unifies Konoha's voice will become troublesome.
Only a triangle is truly stable. Kurenai, rise within Konoha. Don't disappoint me.
Meanwhile, Sasuke Uchiha, who had been escorted away by ANBU, suddenly heard the explosion. An inexplicable suffocating sensation gripped his chest. Clutching his heart instinctively, he broke free from the ANBU and ran toward the source of the blast.
On the other side, Kakashi Hatake sprinted alongside Might Guy. Looking toward the distant explosion, Kakashi urged, "Guy! Move faster! I have a bad feeling about this!"