In the Land of Hot Springs, deep within a forest that bordered a lonely country road, three shadows flickered through the trees.

"Is this the place?" Kakuzu's gravelly voice cut through the silence.

Kisame rested a hand on the hilt of his massive, bandaged sword. "The coordinates are correct, but… it's strange. Samehada isn't reacting. A target worthy of the Akatsuki's attention should have a massive chakra signature. My blade would be trembling with hunger if he were near."

"Hmph," Kakuzu grunted. "Perhaps even our leader can be mistaken."

Uchiha Itachi slowly opened his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the empty road. "Our target is a murderer who preys on travelers who pass this way. If he will not show himself, then we will lure him out." With that, Itachi flickered from the treeline, landing silently in the middle of the road. He began to walk at a slow, deliberate pace.

He had not gone far before a man with slicked-back silver hair appeared as if from nowhere, blocking his path. He wore a black leather jacket, and a sinister, three-bladed crimson scythe was strapped to his back. The man's grin was wide and manic. "Hey there! All alone? Say, you ever thought about joining the Church of Jashin?"

Uchiha Itachi paused, his expression unreadable as he sized up the man. "...The Church of Jashin? What is that?"

"Hmph! The Church of Jashin is the only religion that truly understands! Its only purpose is slaughter! Total, unadulterated carnage! It's the most exhilarating feeling in the world! What do you say? Doesn't that just make your blood boil?"

Hearing this, a shadow crossed Itachi's face. "I see. It seems that you are the one we are looking for."

The silver-haired man tilted his head. "Target? What target? What the hell are you talking about?"

"You are the killer who has been plaguing the Land of Hot Springs."

"Tsk!" The silver-haired man waved a dismissive hand. "Murderer? What murderer? I'm performing a holy ritual! A blessed sacrifice to Lord Jashin! These people should be grateful!"

Itachi ignored his perverted rant and spoke into the silence. "Come out. I have found him."

The next moment, Kakuzu and Kisame appeared at Itachi's side.

"Oh? Two more have arrived?" The silver-haired man laughed wildly, a crazed, ecstatic light in his eyes. "Not bad, not bad! Today is my lucky day! I get to offer three sacrifices to Lord Jashin at once! I'm sure he will be pleased!" As he spoke, he drew the crimson scythe from his back, pointing its wicked tip at the three Akatsuki members.

"Let me tell you something, I'm getting really pissed off! Calling my work 'murder' is blasphemy! And for that, I've decided I'm going to make your deaths agonizingly painful!"

"Hmph. All you do is talk," Kakuzu rumbled. "You're a brainless fool."

"Huh?" the silver-haired man roared, his face contorting with rage. "Damn you! Who are you calling stupid?! I'm a genius!"

Kakuzu had no patience for the noisy man before him. He turned to Itachi and Kisame, his voice a low growl. "He has the face of a man who will die young. I have already decided to kill him. Do not interfere."

"I don't mind, senpai," Kisame replied with a shark-like grin. "Do as you wish."

Kakuzu took a slow step forward, his gaze fixed on the silver-haired man. "Boy, you have offended me. I despise you."

"Hmph. The feeling is mutual. Now go to hell, you green-eyed freak!" As soon as he finished speaking, the silver-haired man swung his massive scythe, the blade whistling through the air as it arced toward Kakuzu.

"Green… eyes?" Hearing the taunt, Kakuzu's own green eyes narrowed fiercely. He lunged forward, his hands spread wide, and drove his fist directly into the silver-haired man's heart.

Thump!

The next moment, Kakuzu's fist had punched cleanly through the man's chest.

"Ghh!" The silver-haired man howled in pain, clutching the gaping wound in his chest. "It hurts! It hurts so much! You bastard! I'll make you feel this same pain! Damn you, you idiot!!!"

"Hmm…?" Seeing that his opponent was still very much alive, Kakuzu finally understood.

"Hah. I see," he said, lowering his head, a low, guttural chuckle rumbling in his chest. "No wonder the leader wanted you as my partner. It turns out… we are two of a kind."