II

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Arc II Chapter 10

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Their conversation ended shortly afterwards. Masasane was about to leave the tent.

"Masasane, can I have some of your time? I have something to discuss with you." Asami's commanding tone wasn't lost on Masasane.

“What's the matter, Asami?"

Asami paused. "Sensei, haven't you noticed all the little inconsistencies accompanying Mitsuoki and his friends?"

Masasane wondered. "What do you mean?"

"Haven't you noticed how Mitsuoki avoids major population centres? Haven't you noticed how often Mitsuoki decides to take little detours?"

Masasane scratched his head. "I thought the same, but strange things happen."

Asami disagreed. "They do, but not to this degree. Mitsuoki and the rest of his merchant friends are trying to avoid detection."

"And? This type of behaviour is far from uncommon. Many people appreciate secrecy."

"This is not a matter of simple secrecy, sensei.“

“Didn't you hear what the guards said back at the main gate? We were the third team that left for Iwagakure."

"I fail to see the problem."

Asami narrowed her eyes. Masasane didn't take her seriously.

"Sensei, who were these teams? What were their missions?" Asami glared. It was his duty to protect them, and not hers.

Masasane brooded. "I think one team escorted a wealthy lord, the other a group of high-ranking Iwa diplomats …"

"You don't think ..." Realisation struck Masasane.

"That we were tricked? That they use us as cover? Yes, I think so.“

“I have no definite evidence, but I suspect we escort the real Iwa diplomats while the other groups were decoys to distract potential attackers."

Masasane sighed. "Asami, stop overthinking things. You see enemies where none are."

"You don't believe me?" Asami gaped. Once again, Masasane dismissed her advice.

"Look, everything you tell me now is just speculation. Don't feel bad that I am sceptical, Asami."

"But don't worry, Asami, you can trust me. I am a jonin for reasons, and I am your sensei . You can count on me, I will protect you." Masasane smiled.

"But thank you for informing me, Asami. I will keep your warnings in mind." Masasane left.

"I hope so, Masasane. I hope so." Asami clenched her fist, visibly angry.

"It's not my survival I am concerned about." Asami did everything in her power, but everything wasn't enough.

The sun set and Asami crawled into her sleeping bag. The day made her tired and sleep came easily.

In the distance, a crow hid among the trees. The crow observed, biding its time.

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Amegakure's famous skyline of steel and iron decorated the horizon. Skyscrapers rose from the ground as far as her eyes could see.

The route Mitsuoki chose led them directly through Amegakure.

Ame's infamous rain accompanied them, never ceasing. It was raining, and raining, and raining, and raining. Everyone ended up getting soaked, except for Asami.

A lovely black umbrella coated with a thin layer of chakra protected Asami from the elements.

Asami didn't care, though. She had bigger worries than rain. Two figures followed them since they crossed Amegakure's borders.

No visual confirmation was made yet as they both avoided detection so far.

They kept their distance, but their enormous chakra presence betrayed them. Their potent aura stood out, giving away their position.

Asami grumbled, dissatisfied with the current situation.

"Asami?"

"What's up, Aritame?" Asami shifted her umbrella.

Aritame wore a heavy raincoat, soaked like everyone else. "I have a question, how are completely dry while the rest of us is wetter than wet?"

Asami smiled. “It's the umbrella.“

"The umbrella?" Aritame gave her a blank stare. He didn't believe her.

"You might not know, Aritame, but this is a very special umbrella …"

Distracted, Asami didn't pay attention, nearly missing the incoming attack, but she didn't.

Asami reacted in time and adopted defensive measures.

Her sharingan detected the approaching shuriken.

Her right hand formed a seal and her beloved chakra obeyed.

Her purpled chakra manifested, forming a protective barrier.

Her shield stood firm, withstanding the unrelenting assault, deflecting the hail of shuriken with minimal effect. Metal sparked and dust filled the air, but Asami and her team remained safe.

Her shield dissipated, dissolving into a fine purple mist.

Layers of hardened chakra saved Aritame, Yukihiro and Masasane, but the same couldn't be said of the rest of the convoy.

The attack subsided, revealing a scene of total carnage.

Corpses and limbs littered the ground, lifeless and torn asunder. Their blood stained the earth red. They died without having a chance. Nobody survived.

Aritame and Yukihiro unholstered their kunai, prepared to fight.

Two men appeared from the rainy fog. They both wore black robes adorned by red clouds.

Masasane paled. His hand trembled.

He recognised the enemy. This was. This was …

Asami narrowed her eyes.

"Tracking down the real ambassador took more time than expected, but third time's the charm." Kisame flashed his teeth.

Itachi didn't comment. He preferred silence, as usual.

Kisame sighed. "You know, you are no fun, Itachi. You should really try to liven up."

Asami didn't recognise the swordsman, but she recognised his partner.

This was going to be an ugly fight, a very ugly fight. Uchiha Itachi, Uchiha, ANBU, traitor, and clan killer.

Asami offered a benign smile. "Long time no see, Itachi. I hope life is treating you well."

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