Tatsuya didn't seem particularly surprised by the appearance of Itachi and Hoshigaki Kisa.
In the original tiline, Itachi's arrival had been ant to intimidate Danzo, signaling that he was still alive and that Danzo should not dare to harm his brother, Sasuke. However, thanks to the butterfly effect in this altered world, there was no longer any need for such a dramatic gesture.
If Tatsuya's theory was correct, Itachi's appearance was entirely a result of internal deliberations within Akatsuki. Beyond the two mbers from Konoha, the other Akatsuki mbers were likely scattered around, carrying out their missions as part of their broader plan.
Unfortunately for them, their ambitions were dood to fail. After all, Konoha in this world was far from the one described in the original tiline. Aside from the sorrow that Sarutobi Hiruzen's death brought to the Sarutobi clan, there was little to no emotional weight left.
Konoha had recently erged from two devastating wars, and now, with powerful allies from Kirigakure, Kumogakure, and Sunagakure by their side, the odds were overwhelmingly in their favor. Adding to their sense of superiority, the presence of the Black and the White Fang only served to underline the crushing might on Konoha's side. It was abundantly clear to everyone that this battle would be a one-sided affair, with Konoha's victory all but guaranteed.
But what no one expected was that Tatsuya, despite claiming he had business to attend to, wasn't particularly inclined to assist Konoha in dealing with the two intruders before them.
"Shark Man, where's your Sahada? Take it out; I want to see it," Tatsuya remarked casually.
Sahada, often referred to as the "Shark Skin" sword, is a living weapon that resembles a massive sword with jagged, shark-like teeth. It is said to be a sentient sword that feeds on chakra, and it has a deep connection with its wielder, Kisa.
Contrary to many other swords, Sahada doesn't just slice; it absorbs chakra, and in battle, it grows stronger with each strike. Sahada's true form is less like a traditional blade and more like a bizarre, spiny creature. Its unique characteristics make it a prized weapon of Kirigakure, and Tatsuya was particularly intrigued by the chance to study it up close.
Hatake Kakashi couldn't help but feel exasperated. Once again, Tatsuya had given soone a new nickna on the spot.
Terumi i and Kurenai, anwhile, couldn't hold back their laughter at Tatsuya's offhand remark about the formidable figure in front of them.
The previously tense atmosphere lightened noticeably, and even Minato had to admire Tatsuya's ability to diffuse the situation with his casual humor.
Kisa couldn't rember ever having t the man with the long silver hair and spiky, hedgehog-like appearance standing before him. However, what the man said left him puzzled.
After all, Sahada had yet to be revealed. Back in Kirigakure, very few people knew the sword's appearance. At that mont, the white bandages wrapped around Sahada's back hadn't even been untied, making it logically impossible for Tatsuya to have seen it.
Because of this, despite hearing Tatsuya's words, Kisa chose not to respond. The two sides found themselves at an impasse, which was not an ideal situation for resolving matters.
Minato, ever the tactician, raised an eyebrow and asked, "Why have you co to Konoha?" His tone was calm, yet calculated, seeking to extract any useful information from their unexpected visitors.
Tatsuya, however, hadn't expected Minato to ask such a question. He knew, full well, that the information Kisa and Itachi possessed wouldn't be of any real value. It was clear that the two of them weren't here for any aningful reason, making Minato's inquiry almost redundant.
On the surface, asking soone about the authenticity of Konoha seed like a pointless pursuit. Unless a shinobi had completely lost their mind, there was no way they'd reveal any crucial details.
"Shark Man," Tatsuya said, his voice still courteous at first, though his tone carried a hint of sothing more cutting, "Are you going to take it out yourself, or should I do it for you?"
His words were polite, but there was an unmistakable edge to them as if he were toying with Kisa.
Kakashi watched Tatsuya, his mind turning. When did he beco so interested in swords? he thought. Is he planning to claim Sahada for himself?
The sword Tatsuya already wielded was formidable—his sword alone was a weapon of imnse power. If he were to acquire another exceptional sword like Sahada, it would mark a shift toward a double sword style.
Coincidentally, Kisa also wielded a sword, and Tatsuya had always admired the way Kisa handled his weapon.
For both of them, the most fitting way to compete would be with their swords, an unspoken duel between two masters of their craft.
The people of Konoha had co to both admire and fear Tatsuya's black fang. His reputation with it was legendary, and Kisa would soon learn that facing Tatsuya in battle would be a test of far more than just skill.
Such a powerful force could easily tip the scales of any battle, becoming the deciding factor in an instant.
Whether this fight would be easily won depended entirely on Tatsuya's involvent. His participation or lack thereof would shape the outco, making him the critical elent in the conflict.
What he had asked Hoshigaki Kisa earlier was equally perplexing. If Kisa didn't draw Sahada, would Tatsuya seize the opportunity to take it himself?
"Konoha Black Fang," Kisa taunted, his voice laced with challenge. "If you're not going to draw your blade, would you care to try it against mine?"
Kisa studied him for a mont, realizing that the man before him didn't seem to have much of a connection with the people standing behind him. The distance between them was palpable.
The sight of Tatsuya with a woman at his side only added to the impression that he was the type to indulge in leisure, perhaps spending his ti drinking and enjoying life rather than honing his skills in ninjutsu.
Kisa, sensing no discernible Chakra energy from Tatsuya, imdiately assud he was just another character from the original world—likely one with a shallow approach to combat.
"Sharkman, co on. Show your pet sword."
With a smirk, Kisa drew Sahada from his back in one smooth, practiced motion. The white bandages wrapped around the blade unraveled, revealing the weapon in all its grotesque glory.
Sahada didn't resemble a sword at all. It looked more like an oversized, inverted triangular mace, its jagged black barbs enough to send a chill down anyone's spine.
But the most unsettling part was the long, red tongue that slithered from the top of the blade, licking its jagged fangs as though savoring the prospect of a hearty al.
The onlookers who saw Sahada for the first ti couldn't help but shudder. Was this a sword, or was it so kind of monstrous creature?
Kisa's smile only widened, his enjoynt of the mont palpable as he prepared for the clash.
When Tatsuya saw Sahada, he couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed. The sword was exactly as described in the original, and the resemblance to its wielder was undeniable.
It seed true, then, that those who are close to darkness often share its traits. Sahada, like Hoshigaki Kisa, was as Shark as it was dangerous.
After Kisa revealed Sahada, he swung it swiftly, aiming to strike Tatsuya. The distance between them wasn't great, and Kisa smiled, confident that the tall, bulky boy before him would soon beco Konoha's next casualty.
But when Sahada struck, it t nothing but air. Tatsuya had already teleported, and his speed far exceeded Kisa's. It was clear that Kisa had underestimated his opponent, assuming Tatsuya would be an easy target.
With a sharp turn, Kisa glanced at Tatsuya, still smiling, though disbelief flickered across his face. He raised Sahada again and charged forward, but the result was the sa. Tatsuya easily evaded the strike.
Each ti Kisa swung his blade, he had the disorienting sensation of almost landing a blow—only for Tatsuya to vanish at the last mont. It was frustrating, and each failed attempt only added to Kisa's growing irritation.
His focus was slipping. His mission, the one given by Akatsuki, seed distant now, and the only thing occupying his mind was the elusive figure of Tatsuya, slipping through his grasp like smoke. The more he tried to catch him, the more his attention was pulled away, and it was beginning to gnaw at him.
Itachi, standing off to the side, couldn't be bothered with the battle between Kisa and Tatsuya. To anyone with even a modicum of perception, it was clear that Tatsuya was simply toying with Kisa.
As the top-ranked mber of Akatsuki, Itachi's concern wasn't with the fight, but rather with Kisa's lack of focus. With intelligence like that, Kisa would've long since perished if not for his strength.
The others, however, had no interest in watching Tatsuya's ga. They were more concerned with the unexpected visitor who had appeared among them.
Uchiha Itachi, of course, wasn't about to divulge the real purpose of his visit.
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