Hokage: I Confronted the Five Kage Before the System Arrived

Chapter 64: Itachi, Kimimaro

Nara Shikamaru remained calm throughout, and his plan was well-arranged.

However, he overlooked one point: though his team members each had great potential, given their age, they ultimately lacked experience and patience.

It was manageable for a short time.

But over an extended period, problems surfaced.

When the experienced Sound Four timely seized the opportunity and deployed their net, Shikamaru noticed but was a step too late in alerting the others.

*Swish!*

Huge, sticky spider webs descended from the sky.

"Got you!"

Above the web, Kidōmaru looked down cruelly at his captured prey.

The carnage feast officially began.

*Ding~ ding~ ding~*

Clear wind chime sounds echoed continuously through the forest.

Two figures swiftly darted through the forest.

During this, Kisame glanced at Uchiha Itachi's unperturbed face, and with a smile, he said, "Itachi, aren't you going to see your brother again? He's now a rogue ninja like you. I can handle Orochimaru’s minions alone."

Itachi replied indifferently, "I've already met him once. There's no need to be disappointed again."

"Such heartlessness," Kisame shook his head, a trace of confusion in his voice.

Initially, when teamed up with Itachi, he was somewhat unconvinced by him.

However, after spending some time together, although he never mentioned it, Kisame came to respect Itachi's abilities and character.

Itachi was not as cold-blooded and cruel as the rumors suggested.

Kisame couldn't quite figure out exactly what Itachi was like, as if there was a thick fog around him.

But one thing he did know for sure after partnering for so long.

Itachi's feelings towards Sasuke were far from indifferent.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have used Tsukuyomi on his brother during their reunion, like using a cannon to kill a mosquito.

While others saw it as unprecedented torture, Kisame knew his partner was cautious in using his Mangekyō Sharingan.

He could see that the "love" between the brothers was peculiar and deep.

"The Uchiha is truly a cursed yet enviable surname."

Casting a glance at Itachi's Sharingan, Kisame sighed internally and was about to say more when he suddenly halted.

At the same time, Uchiha Itachi also stopped, looking towards the left with his Sharingan.

*Cough cough*

Although suppressed, a light cough could still be heard.

Knowing he was exposed, the owner of the cough stepped out from the shadows, revealing his true form.

White hair, green eyes with red eye shadow, and two red dots on his forehead.

"That appearance..."

Kisame squinted, immediately thinking of the Kaguya clan from his homeland, a group of battle fanatics ultimately doomed to extinction.

"A surviving Kaguya orphan? Interesting," he thought playfully.

Beside him, Itachi, seeing the unique attire of the newcomer, thought of more.

The person was Kaguya Kimimaro.

Due to severe illness and unstoppable coughing, Kimimaro had to reveal himself from hiding, and calmly said, "Let's go our separate ways."

As Orochimaru's trusted confidant, Kimimaro understood the significance of the black and red cloud robes.

In other circumstances, he would risk his life to eliminate one or two Akatsuki members harboring deep malice towards Orochimaru.

However, understanding Sasuke's importance to Orochimaru, he didn’t want unnecessary trouble now.

Yet, Itachi's next words shattered his hopes.

"Orochimaru's new subordinate, I'll handle him. Kisame, take care of the others."

"I actually wanted to fight this guy, but since you said it first, Itachi, I'll leave him to you."

With that, Kisame left without delay.

In the area, only Itachi and Kimimaro remained.

Knowing that any movement couldn’t escape those Sharingan eyes, Kimimaro ceased futile actions.

"Forgive me, Orochimaru-sama..."

Thinking his luck had run out, Kimimaro took out a bottle of medicine and swallowed all the pills inside, which suppressed his disease, regardless of the cost.

Itachi watched without interference, expressionless, and asked, "Where is Orochimaru?"

Kimimaro didn’t answer.

With a strange flush appearing on his face, he lowered his gaze, focusing on Itachi's chest, and without wasting any time, extended his fingers rapidly.

"Dance of the Clematis: Flower."

Instantly, ten finger bones shot at Itachi like bullets.

"Seems I'll have to force you to speak."

With this calm remark, Itachi's form flickered, reappearing behind Kimimaro as if teleporting.

*Slash!*

Several sharp bones suddenly protruded from Kimimaro's spine, piercing through the figure behind him.

But instead of blood and flesh flying, there was a burst of crow cawing.

Turning his head, Kimimaro saw Itachi's body dissolve into crows.

Then—

*Boom!*

The crows exploded instantly.

The intense shockwave kicked up thick dust.

Kimimaro's figure was thrown back and, though he landed looking somewhat disheveled, his steel-hard bones left him mostly unharmed.

However, seeing the crows reappear, filling his vision, each with Itachi's image in their eyes, Kimimaro decisively activated the second stage of his curse mark.

*Cough cough cough!!!*

Coughing violently, Kimimaro's skin swiftly turned dark brown, black patterns appeared on his face, his back fully arched, and a strong bony tail grew out.

At that moment, a much stronger aura erupted from Kimimaro.

"Orochimaru’s curse mark?"

The crows converged, forming a humanoid Itachi who calmly observed.

Meanwhile, Kimimaro, having pulled out his spine to use as a whip, transformed into a bone-spiked monster, and with a pounce like a leopard, lunged at Itachi.

**Dance of the Camellia.**

Itachi threw several shuriken.

**Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!**

Enhanced by Fire Style, the shuriken carrying Phoenix Fire flew towards Kimimaro from all directions.

*Clang clang clang.*

With his exceptional taijutsu, Kimimaro either dodged, blocked, or simply took the hits with his bone-armored body, reaching Itachi without delay. His spine whip turned into a sharp spear, thrusting without giving Itachi any chance to evade.

*Slash!*

In the next moment, the bone spear pierced through Itachi's heart.