Hokage: I Confronted the Five Kage Before the System Arrived

Chapter 68: Kindred Spirits

Kimimaro suffered from a hereditary disease within his clan and was nearing the end of his life.

Uchiha Itachi noticed this from the beginning.

After all, they were too similar.

Both possessed powerful Kekkei Genkai, both suffered from incurable diseases, and both endured immense physical pain.

The only difference was that Uchiha Itachi could hold on for a few more years, while Kimimaro was already at the end of his rope.

Standing beside Kimimaro, looking at this descendant of the Kaguya clan who, like the Uchiha, had been exterminated, and the last known user of the Shikotsumyaku, Itachi felt as if he were looking at his future self.

“Cough, cough.”

The now weak Kimimaro noticed Itachi’s approach but didn't linger on it.

“I'm sorry, Lord Orochimaru.”

With this final thought, Kimimaro used his last bit of chakra.

Blood splattered.

A bone spike pierced Kimimaro’s heart and protruded from his chest.

At that moment, the man known as Kaguya Kimimaro died completely.

“Even at the end, he chose to keep Orochimaru’s location secret? Cough, cough.”

Itachi coughed lightly.

Understanding Kimimaro’s intent to protect his secrets from interrogation, Itachi hesitated for a moment before placing Kimimaro’s body in a deep pit and burying him.

After finishing this, Itachi donned his hat again, extended his hand, and a black crow flew from his palm, cutting through the sky towards the distance.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The sounds of shadow clones being destroyed mixed with the roar of lightning.

Facing the combined efforts of Naruto and Sasuke, Kisame was handling it with ease, even putting them in dangerous situations.

Unaware that he was experiencing the peak of his life by overwhelming both the reincarnations of Asura and Indra, Kisame had no interest in continuing the fight. He kicked the evidently perceptive but slow-moving Sasuke away, and swung his massive Samehada towards Naruto.

Compared to Itachi's brother, he found the Nine-Tails brat more to his liking.

Seeing this, Naruto was about to dodge when a green figure sped past him.

“Konoha Whirlwind!”

A powerful kick sent the unprepared Kisame flying.

Accompanied by a passionate shout:

“The Beautiful Blue Beast of Konoha has arrived once again!”

“Bushy Brows! You’re here!!”

Naruto looked at the newcomer in surprise, none other than the recently recovered Rock Lee.

Lee gave a thumbs-up with a gleaming smile:

“It’s not just me.”

In the distance, Sasuke, who had been kicked away by Kisame, noticed this scene and looked further afield. His eyes darkened, and without a word, he turned and left.

Unaware of Sasuke’s departure, Naruto soon understood what Lee meant by “not just him.”

“Chidori!”

The sound of a thousand birds chirping echoed again.

Like a hidden assassin, it burst forth with blinding light.

Kisame, just steadying himself, saw a more threatening lightning strike coming at him.

“It’s you!”

Kisame recognized the newcomer.

In the next second, a loud explosion occurred.

Amidst the dust, Kakashi’s figure emerged, leaping towards Naruto and Lee.

Unsettled by the Nara team's situation, Tsunade had not only sent the Sand Ninja and Lee but had also dispatched him immediately after he returned from a mission without a moment's rest.

“Kakashi-sensei!”

Relieved by the sight of him, Naruto pointed joyfully towards where Sasuke had been:

“Look, Kakashi-sensei, I found Sasuke! He was just helping me fight that shark-face guy.”

Kakashi’s gaze shifted quickly to see the empty area Naruto pointed to.

“Huh? Where’s Sasuke?”

At that moment, Naruto also looked over and widened his eyes in panic.

Where’s my Sasuke?

Naruto was about to go after Sasuke in a hurry.

Kakashi stopped him.

“The danger isn’t over yet.”

Nearby, the dust settled, and though Kisame looked a bit battered, his strength remained.

“Kakashi Hatake, it seems you don’t show any aftereffects from Itachi’s genjutsu.” Kisame hoisted Samehada onto his shoulder, eyeing Kakashi.

“Neither did I expect this,” Kakashi responded calmly, pulling out a kunai and preparing for battle.

Knowing Sasuke was nearby, Kakashi couldn’t afford to be distracted.

For the village, the importance of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki Naruto far outweighed Sasuke.

Thus, facing this sudden encounter with Akatsuki’s member, who specialized in capturing tailed beasts, he had to keep Naruto within his sight.

The wind rustled, bending the grass.

Kakashi, Lee, and Naruto all prepared for battle again.

Just as Kisame raised Samehada, a crow suddenly descended, landing on his shoulder.

Seeing this, Kisame retracted Samehada and asked the crow:

“Itachi, what’s up?”

From the crow came Uchiha Itachi’s voice:

“Orochimaru’s man has been dealt with, but I couldn’t extract any information. Capture one of the remaining targets alive.”

“Looks like that young man was quite skilled.”

Aware of Itachi’s capabilities, Kisame remarked, then looked at Naruto and the others:

“But I still have unfinished business. Remember that Nine-Tails brat? I ran into him again on my way here. And the Kakashi who fell to your genjutsu is also here.”

“Kakashi Hatake, huh…”

The crow’s eyes turned red, gazing at the Konoha ninja as if Itachi himself were present.

He said calmly, “Dealing with them will take time. I’m more interested in finding Orochimaru. His subordinates won’t hold out long.”

“I see.”

Recalling Itachi’s past conflicts with Orochimaru in Akatsuki, Kisame nodded and retracted Samehada:

“Then I’ll follow your lead and focus on the Orochimaru issue.”

Both subordinates; no need for unnecessary competition.

Since their leader, Pain, wasn’t rushing to capture the Nine-Tails, Kisame wasn’t in a hurry either.

His earlier actions were more opportunistic.

Now, with reinforcements on the enemy side, and uncertain outcomes, Kisame decided not to push it.

Swish!

Kisame’s figure blurred and vanished.

Seeing this, Lee asked Kakashi, “Kakashi-sensei, should we pursue?”

“No.” Knowing Itachi was likely nearby, Kakashi shook his head.

Unsure why they suddenly withdrew, he didn’t want to risk it.

“Our mission is…”

Before Kakashi could finish, Naruto leaped up:

“Sasuke!!!”

He dashed off in Sasuke’s direction.

“Our mission is…this.”

Kakashi sighed, completing his sentence, and chased after Naruto.