Fujin thought, 'Hmm, someone is heading towards here. Is it Itachi or Konan or someone else?'
Unfortunately, Fujin couldn't sense who it was as his Space-Time Sensing Technique didn't allow him to identify chakra signatures. A moment later, he sensed another disturbance. A few seconds later, both of those entities entered his chakra field.
However, a peculiar expression appeared on Fujin's face. He muttered to himself, 'What's the use of being able to identify chakra signatures if my chakra field can't even detect that a couple of ninjas have entered it?'
Fujin's chakra field failed to pick up either of the chakra signatures. If not for the Space-Time Sensing Technique, he would have been in the dark about their arrival. Being able to hide themselves so well left little doubt of their identities.
Fujin looked at Kakuzu and said, "You are quite stronger than what we thought. We will have to reevaluate your threat."
Kakuzu was confused by Fujin's words. Fujin hadn't spoken a word since they started fighting. He couldn't help but wonder why he talked all of a sudden.
Suddenly, 4 Shadow Clones popped next to Fujin. A breeze could be seen flowing around Fujin. He disappeared within that breeze. Kakuzu immediately recognized, 'Wind Instantaneous Body jutsu? Why did he escape when he had the upper hand?'
Though the fight was a stalemate for a long time, Fujin held the initiative due to his Vacuum jutsus. Of course, that little advantage wasn't much of a threat for Kakuzu. He believed that he would gain the upper hand if the fight continued for a long time. Breeze began flowing around him as well, however, Fujin's clones immediately attacked him, interrupting his attempt to use the same jutsu to chase after Fujin.
One of the clones said, "Give it up. You can't chase after me anymore. Even though you can use Wind jutsus, they can't compare to my mastery of Wind jutsus."
Kakuzu knew that the clone was right. Though he had other advantages over Fujin, in terms of control over Wind jutsus, Fujin was in an entirely different league. Since he failed to give chase instantly, he understood that he wouldn't be able to catch up with Fujin anymore. However, he still didn't understand why Fujin escaped.
He asked, "Why did you escape?"
The clone shrugged and said, "What's the point of our fight? You don't dare to engage me in close range. And neither of us can hurt each other at mid-range."
Kakuzu agreed with the clone's words. Ever since they stopped fighting in close combat, neither of their attacks landed as both Fujin and Kakuzu were too fast. However, he couldn't help but wonder, 'If that is the case, then why did he fight for so long? Besides, without the Hyuga and the Inuzuka ninja, he can't track Hidan anyway.'
Seeing Kakuzu in thought, the clone asked, "By the way, what is up with your body? I'm pretty sure I slashed your heart. How are you still alive? And what's with all those threads? I haven't ever seen a body like yours."
Kakuzu watched the clone with a deadpan expression. Of course, he wouldn't answer the question and instead asked, "Is that so? Why did you attack me after you destroyed my heart then?"
The clone replied, "Well, sensei said that your body was very weird. I just wanted to make sure that you are dead. Fortunately, I made the right decision seeing how lively you are."
The clone's reply was very casual. It caused Kakuzu to be even more confused. He wondered, 'Did he leave some clones behind to chat with me? I expected them to use suicidal attacks. But it seems like they are content with wasting time. Besides, how could Renjiro analyze so much of my abilities in that short fight? He shouldn't have been aware of what happened after his Shadow Clone exploded.'
Having no intention to talk any further, Kakuzu was about to attack when he felt someone approaching. He looked back and saw Konan arriving. At that very instant, the clones launched Vacuum Bullets at Kakuzu.
However, despite getting distracted, Kakuzu was still very alert. He dodged all the incoming attacks. The Vacuum Bullets kept travelling forward towards Konan, who was approaching from behind.
She saw the incoming bullets and got out of the way as well, glancing at them as they passed her. She thought, 'Vacuum Bullets? Kakuzu's opponent is the Spectral Swordsman of the Hidden Leaf?'
Right after dodging, Kakuzu's Fire and Wind Masks used their combination jutsu on the clones. While the clones dodged, Konan gathered a large number of paper sheets into 4 chakram-like shapes and threw them at the clones who were dodging the Fire-Wind combination jutsu. At the same time, Itachi arrived from the opposite direction as well. However, he didn't attack and instead stood next to Kakuzu and Konan who were standing together.
Dodging the combination jutsu wasn't difficult. However, Konan's Paper Chakrams were very difficult to dodge as they chased them continuously. The clones had to use Vacuum Cannons to shoot down the chakrams.
After dealing with the jutsus, the four clones got together once again and stood opposite the three Akatsuki members. One of the clones muttered aloud, "Uchiha Itachi… How many rogue ninjas does Akatsuki have? And who is the lady?"
Konan wasn't wearing any headband. So Fujin shouldn't know anything about her under normal circumstances. Hence his clones acted ignorant.
Konan and Itachi were slightly surprised. They believed that Fujin should be able to sense how strong Konan was even if he didn't know her. As for Itachi, there was no explanation needed. In addition, there was also Kakuzu. Facing 3 rank S ninjas, there wasn't a hint of fear on Fujin's or his clones' faces.
Konan said, "The Spectral Swordsman of the Hidden Leaf. To not be afraid in such circumstances, it seems like everyone has still underestimated you."
Meanwhile, Itachi wondered, 'Suzuki Fujin… I still remember him asking Lord Third for a reward for breaking my record in the Chunin Exams. I didn't think he'd become so strong so quickly. I hope he'll be able to escape unharmed.'
Kakuzu understood the thought process of his fellow members and said, "All four of them are clones. That is why they aren't afraid. His main body escaped some time ago. He should have detected you two coming and decided to leave."
Konan and Itachi understood why their opponent was fearless. Both were also surprised by the fact that Fujin was able to sense them. Konan asked Kakuzu, "Why were you fighting him? Our mission doesn't involve him."
Kakuzu replied, "He has a large bounty. Besides, his mission was the same as ours. We would have had to fight either way. They gave up after encountering me. We just need to destroy these 4 clones and continue."
Konan and Itachi finally understood the entire picture. They were about to attack when one of the clones chuckled. He asked, "Gave up? Who told you that?"
Kakuzu was surprised. However, he immediately thought of a possibility. He thought, 'Wait! Were his orders false? Now that I think about it, his subordinates withdrew very quickly. Don't tell me that they just pretended to leave and instead went around me to continue their chase. In that case…'
Kakuzu's expression changed. Though he didn't particularly care about Hidan, getting played in such a manner by someone so much younger than him didn't feel good. Fujin's clone chuckled once more and said, "By now, my main body should have already caught Hidan. As for you three, we will kill you here right now!"
Immediately, the four clones flickered and entered into an intense combat with the three Akatsuki members. Of course, the clones weren't a match for the three of them. They just wanted to get a feel of Uchiha Itachi and Konan and experience their prowess first-hand. Apart from checking out their chakra signatures, that was the main reason why Fujin left his Shadow Clones behind.
