Starts In Konoha: Unlocking Shadow Clone

Outside Konoha Village, in a small tavern.

"Naruto, you're here already?"

Itachi was mildly surprised to see Naruto arrive so quickly. Considering the amount of matters Naruto likely had to handle before leaving, Itachi had expected him to take at least a day.

"What's the big deal? There are that old geezer Sandaime who can deal with the mess."

Naruto said casually.

Hearing this, Itachi was reminded of what Naruto had mentioned before, how even Sandaime was essentially his subordinate.

With that assurance, Itachi felt no need to worry about Sasuke's situation anymore.

Itachi thought for a moment and asked, "So, what are your plans next?"

"I don't have any plans. Just stick to your original one and treat me as a captured Jinchuriki. Simple as that." Naruto waved his hand.

Plans couldn't keep up with changes, and Naruto's main goal for leaving the village was simply to sign-in at different places. Where he went didn't matter much, so he decided to just follow Itachi.

It must be said that Itachi's strength is still quite reliable. With this servant on his side, Naruto can sign in with confidence along the way.

What's more, Naruto was actually quite looking forward about heading to the Akatsuki's base.

Without even thinking about it, he was certain he could earn some excellent rewards by signing in at the Akatsuki's base… it was, after all, one of the most iconic villain organizations in the entire Naruto series.

"Understood."

Itachi replied, choosing not to probe further.

The more time he spent with Naruto, the harder it was to gauge the boy's true intentions. Since Naruto had decided to play the part of a captured Jinchuriki, Itachi saw no reason to deviate from the plan.

…

After leaving the tavern, the two headed toward a small forest.

On the way, Itachi explained, "Hoshigaki Kisame and I are a duo, and we are tasked with this mission to capture you. I initially planned to return to the Uchiha Clan's territory to gather intelligence, leaving Kisame in the forest to wait. I thought it would only take half a day, but things got complicated. Kisame has probably grown impatient by now."

"Let him be impatient then. As long as he doesn't mess with me, I won't bother with him." Naruto replied indifferently.

When watching Naruto in his previous life, Naruto had been deeply impressed by Kisame. This man was a dreamer and an ambitious character, though tragically misguided, ending up on the wrong side and meeting a grim fate.

He remembered Kisame as someone with an arrogant and unrestrained personality. Itachi's words felt like a subtle warning to prepare him for Kisame's temperament.

But who is he?

He is Uzumaki Naruto!

No way would he tolerate any disrespect!

If Kisame kept his distance, all would be fine. But if Kisame dared to cross him, then Naruto wouldn't hold back.

As they approached the agreed meeting spot, Naruto spotted a tall figure in the distance before they even reached it.

When they got closer, Naruto saw that the person was dressed in the same Akatsuki's cloak as Itachi, with deep blue hair, shark-like facial features, and golden eyes.

The sharp, shark-like teeth resembled those of Zabuza. Kisame also wore a ring with the for 'South' on his left ring finger. On his back was a large object wrapped in bandages, which is unmistakably the legendary sword, Samehada.

This person is none other than Hoshigaki Kisame!

When watching the anime, Naruto didn't notice anything, but when he saw the real person up close, he was shocked.

If for no other reason, it's simply because Kisame is nearly two meters tall.

Naruto, who is only 1.5 meters tall, looks like a dwarf in front of Kisame.

While Naruto was still reeling from the sight of the 'giant', Kisame also spotted the two and couldn't help but complained, "Itachi-san, this isn't what we agreed upon. Why were you delayed so long?"

"The delay was worth it. I've captured the Kyubi's Jinchuriki." Itachi replied coldly, his tone starkly different from how he spoke with Naruto.

"Captured him? This little runt is the Kyubi's Jinchuriki?" Kisame looked at Naruto with interest and kept scanning him from head to toe.

That one sentence immediately pushed Naruto's buttons.

"Who are you calling a little runt? You think being tall makes you something special? I'm still growing, and when I'm older, I'll definitely surpass you!" Naruto snapped, glaring at Kisame.

Hearing this, Kisame chuckled playfully and said, "Oh, you're quite the spirited one for someone so small. But dreaming of growing taller? Too bad you won't have the chance. Once the monster inside you is extracted, you're done for. Hahaha!"

"Even if I never get the chance to grow up, I'm already better than you. Just look at my big, bright blue eyes… jealous, aren't you? Bet you can't have these in a million lifetimes." Naruto scoffed, refusing to back down.

Even if he grows up, his height will not exceed Kisame's. After all, there are very few normal people who can grow to nearly two meters. But his dazzling eyes? Now that was something to boast about.

When it comes to talking, Naruto definitely can't afford to suffer any loss.

"Who are you calling small-eyed?"

Kisame snapped, glaring at Naruto. He despised anyone mocking his eyes the most.

He turned his head and asked, "Itachi, this brat's already a goner. Why not let me give him some... special treatment on the way?"

As if to emphasize his point, Kisame licked his sharp teeth with a crimson tongue, radiating a menacing aura. The air around them seemed to grow colder, the sheer bloodlust chilling.

Kisame wasn't just trying to scare Naruto, as he was looking for payback in the battle of words. He couldn't stand losing to a brat.

If an ordinary person heard such words and felt such a thick cold murderous aura, they would be scared silly est, or even wet their pants.

Yet to his shock, Naruto remained unfazed, standing there as if Kisame's killing intent was no more than a breeze.

Not only that, Naruto smirked, ready with another jab, "You can't win an argument, so you're resorting to petty threats? That's pathetic. People weren't lying when they said muscleheads like you have nothing but brawn in their skulls."

As he said this, he turned his head to look at Itachi, shook his head sympathetically, and sighed, "Man, teaming up with a brute like this? You must've had it rough."

"You…"

Kisame fumed, struggling to find words. His pride and ego were taking hit after hit.

Desperate, Kisame looked at Itachi for support, only to see him nod thoughtfully and say, "Indeed!"

"What?! Itachi-san, what do you mean by 'indeed'? Are you saying I really am some hotheaded idiot like he said?" Kisame growled.

"What else?" Itachi responded calmly.

In the past, Itachi might have tempered his words. But he is Naruto's servant now, and based on Naruto's kindness to Sasuke, he has to stand on Naruto's side emotionally and logically.

"Hahaha!"

Naruto burst out laughing, clearly enjoying Kisame's mortified reaction, "Oh, come on, Kisame. Don't feel bad. You're not that bad. At least you're self-aware enough to know you're a meathead."

Seeing Naruto and Itachi singing the same tune, Kisame almost spat out a mouthful of blood, and he no longer had the arrogance he had just now...