(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited smoothly. https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)
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Among the Konoha shinobi, Itachi often thought of Colt, second only to his younger brother, Sasuke.
It was simply because of Colt's terrifying medical ninjutsu.
As Itachi aged and frequently used his Sharingan, his body deteriorated.
If Colt hadn't treated him years ago, his condition would be far worse now. He might not have even survived to see Sasuke grow up.
"Itachi-san, do you know this kid?" Kisame asked, noticing Itachi's pause. He abandoned his fight with Kakashi and approached his partner.
The five shinobi faced off, with Colt leading one side and Itachi on the other. Tension filled the air as they stood on the water's surface, chakra keeping them afloat.
"Watch out for his Genjutsu. Even Kurenai fell for it," Kakashi warned, eyeing Kisame warily.
Kurenai, known as the Genjutsu expert among the Jonins, stood behind Colt, recovering from the effects of Itachi's illusion.
"Kamiyo Colt, Konoha's prodigy. He possesses a medical Kekkei Genkai, rivaling Tsunade's abilities," Itachi explained calmly, surprising Kisame.
Tsunade's medical ninjutsu was renowned throughout the ninja world. For Itachi to claim this kid was her equal was shocking.
"You flatter me. Tsunade-sama is incredible; I can't compare to her at all," Colt said modestly.
"However, your actions, Itachi, still amaze me to this day. Killing your innocent clansmen, and even your parents? As expected of the ninja world's most devoted and filial son."
His words dripped with sarcasm, referencing the infamous Uchiha massacre that had shocked the entire shinobi world.
Itachi felt a pang in his heart but his face remained neutral.
"It was merely to test my abilities."
"Kamiyo Colt, if you can't see through this, you're not worthy of being my opponent."
Colt snorted, "You want a measuring stick? I'll go grab Sasuke now, and you can show me."
"Colt!" Kakashi exclaimed, bewildered by this exchange. As a Jonin sensei, he was surprised by Colt's provocative words towards the dangerous missing-nin.
Itachi's composure cracked slightly.
His Intelligence suggested they weren't that close of teammates, yet Colt had taught Sasuke the Chidori. Their relationship should have been fine. Why did it seem like they shared a deep grudge?
"Everyone should leave now, and I'll you all live. But Colt, you're the only one I can't ignore," Itachi warned, his Sharingan spinning ominously.
"Enough talk. You bullied and destroyed your own clan; I've been itching to take you down ever since," Colt retorted, quickly forming hand seals.
[Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet!]
The nearby water churned, and five water dragons emerged, rushing at Itachi and Kisame from different angles. The massive constructs roared as they bore down on the Akatsuki members.
"Now we're talking!" Kisame grinned, excited to face such a powerful Water Style jutsu. As a former Mist ninja, he relished the challenge.
[Water Style: Water Explosion Jutsu!]
After completing his hand seals, Kisame's massive wave crashed into the water dragons, destroying them. The collision sent water spraying in all directions.
A mysterious smile played on Colt's lips.
"Explode!"
Shadow clones hidden within the water dragons burst forth, exploding in front of the Akatsuki pair.
The cunning strategy caught both off guard.
The blast sent Kisame flying back dozens of meters, slightly injured.
Itachi, however, had only been a clone, dispersing into a flock of crows.
"You're not very kind to your teammates, are you?" Colt called out, looking at a tree on the shore where Itachi's real form appeared.
Only then did Kakashi and Kurenai realize where he'd been hiding. They marveled at Colt's ability to see through Itachi's deception.
"I trust Kisame. He doesn't need my help," Itachi stated, placating his disgruntled partner.
The bond between the Akatsuki members was evident, despite their fearsome reputations.
As Kisame moved to continue the fight, Itachi stopped him.
"Your ninjutsu is too destructive. Let me handle this."
As he spoke, Itachi's left eye morphed into the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Kakashi tensed immediately, recognizing the dangerous dōjutsu.
[Tsukuyomi!]
Colt didn't resist at all.
With his sword Kaminari supporting him, his consciousness was pulled directly into the Tsukuyomi realm.
The legendary sword, known for its ability to manipulate lightning, seemed to offer some protection against Genjutsu as well.
In truth, Colt's current spiritual attributes would allow him to forcibly resist the Tsukuyomi's power, even without the Mangekyō. He simply wanted to compare his own Tsukuyomi space to Itachi's.
In an instant, Colt found himself bound to a wooden cross, with Itachi standing before him, a kunai in hand.
The red sky and black moon of the Tsukuyomi world loomed ominously overhead.
"This space is under my complete control. Even if three days pass here, only a second will have passed in reality," Itachi explained.
"Kamiyo Colt, endure the pain that follows in silence."
Colt remained unfazed, surveying the space before shaking his head in disappointment.
It was all so boringly similar, no different from his own Tsukuyomi realm.
"I guess it was pointless," Colt sighed, his tone almost bored.
Before Itachi could process Colt's words, he realized the younger shinobi's eyes had also transformed into the Mangekyō Sharingan. The impossible sight shocked the Uchiha prodigy to his core.
The entire Tsukuyomi space shattered like glass, the pieces falling away into nothingness.
"What?!" Itachi cried out in pain as the Genjutsu's backlash hit him.
Blood trickled from his left eye as he staggered.
Kisame quickly steadied his partner.
"Itachi-san, are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Itachi said through gritted teeth, covering his left eye. "We're leaving. My Genjutsu was... destroyed."
Questions raced through Itachi's mind.
How did Colt possess the Uchiha's Sharingan? It seemed that Colt had a greater control over it than even him and this defied everything he knew.
Kisame, ever loyal, supported Itachi as they retreated. The shark-like ninja knew when to cut their losses, especially with his partner injured.
Kakashi moved to pursue but was stopped by Colt.
"Let them go. We need to check on Naruto first."
Remembering the Fourth Hokage's legacy, Kakashi hurried off.
"You're right!"
He also needed to report today's intelligence to the village elders without delay. The appearance of the Akatsuki in the village was a grave matter.
Only Kurenai and Colt remained at the scene.
The water's surface returned to its calm, no longer disturbed by the intense battle.
"Are you okay?" Colt asked, noticing Kurenai's bruised arm.
Without thinking, he took her hand and began healing the injury. His medical ninjutsu worked quickly, erasing the bruise.
Kurenai stared at Colt as he worked, noting his mature demeanor despite his youth.
As a seasoned jonin and Genjutsu specialist, she found herself impressed by his skills and composure in the face of such dangerous opponents.
Recalling their time "living together" before the Chūnin Exam, she asked, "Can I come over for a drink tonight?"
Colt found the invitation strange; she'd never asked before, she just showed up.
Still, he replied, "Sure, whenever you want to, you're welcome to come."
That evening, Colt's eyes widened as Kurenai arrived carrying several times her usual amount of alcohol.
The kunoichi, known for her love of sake, had really outdone herself this time.
'What is this about?'
As they drank, the atmosphere grew increasingly tense.
Colt, unsure of what was bothering Kurenai, remained silent. He pondered the day's events, wondering what had prompted this unusual behavior from his fellow shinobi.
Kurenai, for her part, seemed to be wrestling with something internally as she continued to drink.
The usually composed Genjutsu expert appeared conflicted.
"Do you think I'm old?"
Kurenai suddenly asked after finishing her third bottle of sake. Her cheeks were flushed from the alcohol.
Caught off guard, Colt remained silent for a bit, before he shook his head.
"Not at all! I think you're absolutely fine."
"Then... do you think I'm beautiful?"
Colt's gaze moved over Kurenai's curvaceous figure and long slender legs.
As one of Konoha's elite jonin, she kept herself in peak physical condition.
He nodded firmly.
"Absolutely beautiful and sexy!"
With Hinata and Ino not yet grown, Kurenai was undoubtedly Konoha's most attractive kunoichi.
Her reputation as both a skilled ninja and a beauty was well-known throughout the village.
"Then what are you waiting for?" Kurenai winked at Colt suggestively, her inhibitions lowered by the sake.
Colt's mind went blank, unsure how to respond to this unexpected turn of events. Despite his prodigious skills as a shinobi, he found himself at a loss in this new territory.