In the afternoon, Ryo decided not to continue working at the Spirit House. Instead, he handed over the heavy responsibility of managing the shop to the four members of the Akatsuki.
The team divided into two shifts: Itachi and Kisame stayed to manage the storefront, while Deidara and Sasori headed to the back to keep watch.
They would rotate daily.
At first, Ryo still monitored them for a while, checking for any issues, but seeing that everything ran smoothly, he left and went to the backyard to focus on his training.
Time passed quickly.
In the blink of an eye, the sun was already nearing the horizon.
Just then, the doors of the Spirit House creaked open.
"Boss, I need some energy cubes."
Itachi, who had been quietly meditating, opened his eyes upon hearing the voice and replied, "Alright, just a moment."
He didn't even glance at the customer, already reaching to grab the cubes—
—but then a chilling aura surged through the air, followed by a cold voice:
"Itachi. Why are you here?"
Itachi's brow furrowed, and he looked up in surprise to see none other than his younger brother, Sasuke.
Kisame sensed the killing intent and opened his eyes too. "Itachi, what's going on?"
Itachi shook his head and stared at Sasuke. "All these years… and you're still the same pathetic weakling."
Sasuke clenched his teeth. "I will kill you, Itachi!"
Without a care for his surroundings, he began forming hand seals.
But how could his speed compare to two Kage-level shinobi? Before he could react, Itachi appeared before him and kicked him hard, sending him flying.
"My foolish little brother… still so naïve. You want to strike me? Do you have a death wish?"
He spoke coldly, his killing intent thick in the air.
Kisame looked at Sasuke, now sprawled outside the door, and asked curiously, "This is your little brother? Quite the character."
Itachi simply waved a hand. "Just a pitiful insect clinging to life."
Shaking with rage and pain, Sasuke rose to his feet, his eyes reddened, moist with tears. "Why? Why did you kill our parents? Why slaughter the clan?!"
Itachi's gaze was utterly devoid of emotion. "Why? I killed them. That's all. No reason needed. It was simply to prove my resolve."
"Prove your resolve…?" Sasuke's killing intent intensified. "You deserve to die! I'll kill you!"
He pulled out a kunai and charged once again.
Itachi raised his hand and sent Sasuke flying with another blow.
Smack—
In midair, Sasuke spat out blood, rolling across the ground.
As he struggled to rise again, Itachi's voice echoed coldly, "Still so weak… a pitiful crawling insect. You're not even worthy of being killed by me."
Kisame tilted his head. "Should I kill him for you, Itachi?"
He honestly couldn't understand. The brothers clearly hated each other, so why was Itachi hesitating?
Itachi shook his head. "No need. Let him live in his misery. Only that will prove my resolve… Besides, this isn't the place to kill him."
Kisame nodded in realization.
So all that talk earlier was for show. The real reason was the setting—this was Konoha, and more importantly, the Spirit House.
"I get it now," Kisame said with a grin. "Well, if we get another chance, I'll definitely help you finish him."
Itachi paused, slightly baffled. What even is this guy saying…?
He turned his gaze back to Sasuke.
Sasuke, meanwhile, stood up again. Hearing their conversation only fueled his rage further.
"ITACHI! I WILL KILL YOU!"
His Sharingan spun to life.
Chakra surged.
Electricity crackled—chirp chirp chirp—as Chidori formed in his hand.
Itachi's eyes briefly flashed with a glint of approval, though it vanished quickly. His tone remained cold: "Still can't see the difference between us? You really are hopeless."
"DIE!!"
Sasuke charged forward, Chidori blazing.
Kisame watched with mild admiration. "Your brother's got quite the potential for his age."
Itachi didn't respond. His gaze turned icy again. He calculated how to further fuel Sasuke's hatred without accidentally killing him.
It's really exhausting being a big brother…
Whoosh—
Just as Sasuke reached the door—
Ryo appeared, looking rather irritated.
He'd been training when he suddenly felt a massive chakra surge at the Spirit House.
What the hell is this? he grumbled inwardly.
I've manned the shop for so long, and the only real problem I had was when Gaara showed up…
Now it's only day one with these guys, and they're already fighting?!
How can I trust them with managing my other stores like this?!
When he saw that it was Sasuke causing the trouble, Ryo sighed deeply.
Of course… it just had to happen now, didn't it?
He waved a hand, releasing his psychic power and erecting a mental barrier that stopped Sasuke in his tracks.
Crackle—
Sasuke's Chidori struck the invisible wall, scattering sparks everywhere.
Realizing his attack was blocked, Sasuke frowned and quickly retreated, now on high alert.
"How long was I gone? You guys already started a fight?" Ryo said helplessly.
The three turned toward him.
"Boss," Itachi and Kisame said in unison, looking a bit embarrassed.
Neither had expected a scene like this on their very first day running the store.
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