Your Lies | Itachi Uchiha x Reader

Chapter 20

POV – Hangetsu:

We were deep in the disputed lands—far from the Land of Water. I couldn't shake the unease creeping into my chest.

Almost two of our three teams were completely wiped out. Team A was annihilated. Only a quarter of Team C remained. Somehow, Team B—my team—was untouched so far. Our leader, Tsurugi, was in charge of the overall mission, and I was with him. But that didn't put me at ease.

The Akatsuki knew we were here. They knew what we were trying to do. A clash was inevitable... and it was coming fast.

Tsurugi had already sent a plea to the Mizukage for backup, but no reinforcements had arrived. I couldn't help wondering if they were coming at all.

If Y/n knew how many Mist shinobi had already died, she'd lose it. She never would've let me come if she knew what was waiting.

༄༄༄༄༄༄༄

"Tsurugi," a sensor-type ninja called, pushing through the ranks. His face was pale. "I'm detecting ominous chakra nearby... It's close. Very close."

"Where?" Tsurugi asked sharply.

"...Everywhere?" the ninja muttered. "It's spreading—two epicenters." He paused. "One of them just disappeared. Half the chakra's gone entirely."

"Chakra suppression," I muttered. "They're close. And they know we're here."

"Men! Stay sharp," Tsurugi ordered, lowering his voice to a whisper.

A rustling bush made us all flinch. Every shinobi in the squad turned, weapons raised.

A mouse scurried out.

A decoy.

"Where's the remaining chakra signature now?" I asked.

"It's approaching. Fast," the sensor murmured. "And... it's awful. It feels monstrous."

We all felt it then—that sickening chakra, slick like oil and sharp like glass. I knew it instantly.

Kisame Hoshigaki.

"I know who it is," I said darkly.

"Well, well," a familiar voice echoed from above. "Took you long enough."

Kisame lounged on a thick tree branch, grinning like the shark he was. That grin was never a good sign. It always meant one thing—he was ready to tear someone apart.

"Hangetsu, isn't it? We keep running into each other," he said, hopping down with a thud. His massive sword, Samehada, stayed strapped to his back. "Nice seeing you again."

He grinned wider. "Can't believe I haven't killed you yet."

The squad behind me was frozen—staring, silent.

I stepped forward. "Kisame. Still running your mouth, I see. I'm going to knock that smile off your face."

He chuckled. "We'll see. I wonder what he thinks about that."

He wasn't talking to me anymore. His eyes were on someone behind us.

I turned.

Itachi Uchiha sat casually on a large rock, slowly rising to his feet as he brushed back his hair.

"Let's get this over with," he muttered, disinterested as ever.

He never changed. Cold. Empty. Detached. Where Kisame took pleasure in fighting, Itachi only tolerated it.

"Tsurugi," I warned, "these two aren't the main threat. They're stalling. Stay focused."

Tsurugi nodded tightly. "Understood."