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."