He has even mastered Haki, and you say this is Naruto?

Kisame turned his gaze to Sasuke not far away. That was Itachi's beloved little brother—and he had been beaten to this state by Zabuza. No wonder Itachi intervened.

"Itachi-san, should we teach Zabuza a lesson together? I've never liked that guy anyway,"Kisame grinned and flashed a mocking look at Zabuza in the distance.

"No need. We're here on a mission."Itachi calmly set Naruto down.

Naruto was injured, but nothing life-threatening—it seemed Zabuza had held back.

"I didn't expect even Konoha's upper echelon to collude with your so-called Revolutionary Army!"

Zabuza stood up in the distance—so this was Konoha's hidden card? Two high-ranking officers from the Revolutionary Army?

"Huh? Zabuza, what nonsense are you spouting? We're just delivering something for Shanks. Konoha? They don't deserve our attention,"Kisame snapped, clearly irritated. He and Itachi had their own code—they weren't like Kakuzu, who would sell out anyone for money.

"Huh?"

Zabuza was stunned by Kisame's reaction. Delivering something for Shanks?

Land of Waves, inside Gato's mansion.

Zabuza, Itachi, and Kisame sat down.

Zabuza had assumed Konoha and the Revolutionary Army were colluding. But the appearance of Itachi and Kisame turned out to be a pure coincidence.

Like Kisame, Zabuza didn't get along with him either—but he trusted his character. That guy had a sharp tongue, but he never lied.

"So in the end, these people are just Konoha's pawns. An Uchiha orphan, a member of the Uzumaki clan, and Hatake Kakashi."

Zabuza stared at Itachi. He was certain Itachi had intervened out of personal reasons, but now wasn't the time to bring that up—he still needed Itachi to clarify the current state of Konoha.

"The Uzumaki kid and the Uchiha orphan can be eliminated, but why would the higher-ups target Kakashi too?"

"Kakashi is an elite Jonin—sacrificing someone like him doesn't seem worth it."

Both Kisame and Zabuza looked to Itachi. Itachi could only respond.

He hadn't expected such an incident in the Land of Waves. If he hadn't shown up in time, the situation could have spiraled further.

He had originally wanted to go back to Konoha to warn Danzo to stay away from Sasuke—but now, that "warning" no longer seemed necessary.

"If there's anyone here who absolutely can't be sacrificed, it's Naruto. His identity is special—plus, he's from the Uzumaki clan."

"Besides, Zabuza, you and Shanks get along well, right?"

Itachi reminded him.

Zabuza suddenly understood something, his gaze darkening.

"That's right. For Shanks' sake, I wouldn't kill that brat. Besides, he truly lives up to the Uzumaki name—he's worthy of it."

"So then, it seems the Konoha higher-ups don't really care about Kakashi's life. In fact, his death here might even benefit certain people."

"The White Fang of Konoha—once a hero—was later scorned by the village. And he didn't die by an enemy's hand."

"So who can guarantee Kakashi's loyalty to Konoha? Or to its leadership?"

Itachi's tone was calm. He was loyal to Konoha, but not to its upper echelons. He knew the darkness that lurked there.

And it was precisely because of that understanding that he could walk the path he had chosen.

Naruto was a jinchūriki. Because he bore the Uzumaki name, even if he showed up here, he wouldn't be killed.

But the others? They weren't so fortunate.

Itachi also noticed the bond between Sasuke and Naruto. As Sasuke's brother, it warmed him to see Sasuke have a friend.

At the very least, Sasuke wouldn't fall into the abyss of revenge. He still had someone who cared about him.

But that very bond also made him dangerous.

The deeper Sasuke's connection to Naruto, the more likely he'd become a sacrifice.

Naruto's identity meant Konoha would never let him go—especially Danzo.

Knowing Danzo, Naruto was just an emotionless weapon in his eyes. If all those close to Naruto died one by one, the weapon would become easier to control.

If Sasuke, Kakashi, and even Sakura died here—it would only serve Danzo's interests.

And what's more—it would leave no evidence. Danzo never laid a hand on Sasuke directly.

Itachi's expression darkened, and his eyes were filled with killing intent.

"Is it possible Konoha didn't even know this guy's true strength?"

Kisame, who had been deep in thought, finally spoke.

Zabuza and Itachi turned to him.

Kisame quickly explained:

"When I first fought him, I was shocked. His strength would be formidable even within our Revolutionary Army—uh, I mean, Akatsuki. Taking out a Jonin from Konoha? Easy."

"And if it weren't for Kakuzu passing along the info, we wouldn't have known Zabuza was actually the captain of the Blade-less Pirates."

"Which means..."

"You're saying Konoha doesn't even have the ability to place spies in Kirigakure?"

"After the Bloody Mist policy, our village became a total mess. As the strongest of the Five Great Ninja Villages, Konoha can't even plant a spy in a place like that?"

Zabuza stood up. Both he and Kisame had lived through the Bloody Mist era.

Only Kirigakure natives knew just how badly things had fallen apart inside the village.

"Kisame, don't underestimate Konoha."

Zabuza said in a more experienced tone. Kisame clenched his jaw but said nothing.

Zabuza might not be smart, but he had a point.

Danzo had indeed placed a spy in the village—someone with a special bloodline.

But… that spy had been killed by the Fourth Mizukage. During that chaotic period, even their own people were killing each other. If you sent spies in? Might as well leave it to luck.

So in the end, Zabuza's analysis was entirely logical—but his conclusion was wrong.

Kisame, on the other hand, didn't analyze anything, but his conclusion was correct.

In the end, they naturally sided with Zabuza. The reasoning was right, even if the conclusion wasn't. So whose fault was it?

Obviously Danzo's. Who told you to send in a spy who ended up dead?

"Konoha's ANBU certainly has that kind of capability."

"Looks like we'll have to pay Konoha a visit."

Itachi handed something to Zabuza, then stood up to leave.

Kisame followed.

"Zabuza, next time we meet, let's fight again. I won't take advantage of you today."

"Next time, I'll show you my ultimate move."

Kisame grinned and quickly caught up to Itachi.

"Itachi-san, aren't you going to check on your brother?"

"No need. With Zabuza's honor, he'll take care of Sasuke."

"That guy's really changed. He's not the same grim figure he used to be. Is this the power of the pirates?"

Kisame remarked. The current Zabuza was a far cry from the one he once knew.

"You seem pretty interested in pirates."

A faint smile seemed to appear on Itachi's face. Kisame had changed a lot too, ever since meeting Zabuza.

"Heh. Being in our organization as a revolutionary is fine, but if I had to be a pirate... Itachi-san, you'd be my captain!"

"Alright."

Itachi nodded.

Kisame was stunned by that response and froze for a moment.

"But first, we go to Konoha."

Itachi's voice came from ahead.

Kisame finally snapped out of it and followed, despite being larger and fiercer-looking than Itachi. At that moment, Kisame followed him like a little brother trailing his elder.

"Who are we looking for?"

"Shimura Danzo."