[ Text doesn't transmit Kisame's laughter. But just as Kisame can all but hear his partner's flat tone, Itachi may be able to imagine the eager thread of a giggle lacing Kisame's words. ]
Well, it has been a while, hasn't it? I'd hate for my skills to go rusty. And what better way to test the area's limitations?
One or two who are skilled with blades. But if I use ninjutsu, it isn't much of a match. I don't think their home dimensions have anything like chakra.
No, but I have met some powerful still with other abilities. I was even defeated in a past dimension — though at the time I did not have the Sharingan.
Combat and war seems a common feature in many others' original worlds.
[ For some reason, the thought of Itachi losing a fight still strikes Kisame as bizarre. It shouldn't; he knows it shouldn't. Itachi is dead. Even so… ]
That must've been quite the match.
[ Perhaps tellingly, he doesn't follow with, "I'd loved to have seen it." ]
Yes, they do. Though I hadn't given it much thought. It's easier to imagine a dimension with war than one without, don't you think?
Someone from a peaceful world may not consider the lack of violence unusual, so they would not likely think to mention it.
[He can read behind Kisame's comment on Sephiroth. It inspires a complicated feeling—strange to have such steadfast loyalty on his side, after everything, and also a bit undeserved. Or so it feels.]
No. He doesn't recall the incident, and he harbors no ill will toward me regardless of that. Unless you wish to spar with him yourself.
When you put it that way, it makes sense. I think I'm still adjusting to the idea of combat without weapons.
[ Something that betrays a personal limitation. Between his skill with ninjutsu and his sheer volume of chakra, Kisame could kill his opponents from a distance with ease. And yet, he thinks of himself first and foremost as a swordsman, and he fights as such. ]
There are two, in particular, that stand out. Eunhyuk Lee is the first; he's not a fighter, but he has an intriguing mind. The second is Yuta Okkotsu. He possesses a strange energy, though it's too unlike chakra for me to sense how powerful it is. [ Also, he wasn't in his right mind when they met. ] I intend to measure it soon.
[ He doesn't mention meeting Sasuke or Sakura. It seems unnecessary; Itachi knows far more about them than he does. ]
[An intriguing mind, a strange energy. He commits the two names to memory. He and Kisame should do this regularly, he thinks - there are few others whose judgment he trusts more. And it's far easier to talk like this than to reflect on their previous encounter in person.]
Let me know what you discover in the process. There appears no end to the complexity of energies and abilities from other worlds.
... One is Guanshan Mo. A normal civilian, but he doesn't behave like it. [Reflecting on Guanshan causes him to frown, plagued by persistent emotion he can't really name.] His actions are often inconsistent with reason.
He is also close with another man, Rokurou Rangetsu. Someone I suspect will be much more familiar to you and I. He may also be a worthy opponent for you on the battlefield, though I have not seen him in combat. He claims to be a war demon.
[ It doesn't escape Kisame's notice that they have both mentioned one civilian and one potentially capable fighter. Is that coincidence? Or are they covering their bases, so to speak? ]
A war demon, eh? Is he anything like the demons in Hell? Or do you think it's more of a title?
[ Zabuza comes to mind: long dead, but still remembered as a "demon." ]
By appearances, he seems an ordinary human. Or he did so when we met. I believe his "demonic" qualities refer to his abilities, but he also doesn't consider himself human by our definition. He called himself a monster good only for fighting.
[ The question comes as a mild surprise, though Kisame knows it shouldn't. He has lived without Itachi at his side for some time now; he ought to be accustomed to it. And yet, a part of him is still unused to having separate schedules. ]
Mornings are always nice. But my plans are all flexible these days, so there aren't any bad times.
[It is strange, isn't it? He's not always sure how to navigate their new dynamic - but glad that Kisame is here with him, nonetheless. He would take that over nothing a hundred times.]
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Well, it has been a while, hasn't it? I'd hate for my skills to go rusty. And what better way to test the area's limitations?
[ In other words: "Yes, please." ]
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Then consider it done.
It's true, there is less opportunity for the sort of combat we're accustomed in these dimensions. Have you yet found other sparring partners?
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Combat and war seems a common feature in many others' original worlds.
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That must've been quite the match.
[ Perhaps tellingly, he doesn't follow with, "I'd loved to have seen it." ]
Yes, they do. Though I hadn't given it much thought. It's easier to imagine a dimension with war than one without, don't you think?
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[His feelings about Sephiroth remain... complex. He wonders what Kisame's perception of him might be if they were to meet.]
That's true. I am more surprised when conflict isn't present in other worlds.
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Do you think this Sephiroth will be an issue?
[ An innocuous question on the surface. That seems more sensible than using these devices to ask more plainly, "Shall we kill him?" ]
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[He can read behind Kisame's comment on Sephiroth. It inspires a complicated feeling—strange to have such steadfast loyalty on his side, after everything, and also a bit undeserved. Or so it feels.]
No. He doesn't recall the incident, and he harbors no ill will toward me regardless of that. Unless you wish to spar with him yourself.
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[ The sort of people that, until now, Kisame has mostly dismissed as uninteresting. ]
I hadn't considered sparring with him. [ Just killing him. ] I wonder if he still has those other abilities here?
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And seeing as we have our abilities, I suspect he should be even stronger in this world.
Have you met anyone of interest here yet?
[Pooling information may be smart.]
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[ Something that betrays a personal limitation. Between his skill with ninjutsu and his sheer volume of chakra, Kisame could kill his opponents from a distance with ease. And yet, he thinks of himself first and foremost as a swordsman, and he fights as such. ]
There are two, in particular, that stand out. Eunhyuk Lee is the first; he's not a fighter, but he has an intriguing mind. The second is Yuta Okkotsu. He possesses a strange energy, though it's too unlike chakra for me to sense how powerful it is. [ Also, he wasn't in his right mind when they met. ] I intend to measure it soon.
[ He doesn't mention meeting Sasuke or Sakura. It seems unnecessary; Itachi knows far more about them than he does. ]
What about you, Itachi-san?
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Let me know what you discover in the process. There appears no end to the complexity of energies and abilities from other worlds.
... One is Guanshan Mo. A normal civilian, but he doesn't behave like it. [Reflecting on Guanshan causes him to frown, plagued by persistent emotion he can't really name.] His actions are often inconsistent with reason.
He is also close with another man, Rokurou Rangetsu. Someone I suspect will be much more familiar to you and I. He may also be a worthy opponent for you on the battlefield, though I have not seen him in combat. He claims to be a war demon.
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A war demon, eh? Is he anything like the demons in Hell? Or do you think it's more of a title?
[ Zabuza comes to mind: long dead, but still remembered as a "demon." ]
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Does he interest you?
[Itachi already knows the answer.]
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[He almost leaves it there. A quiet, mild comment, easy to disengage as always. But something else pushes him on:]
When would be the best time to visit your new training grounds?
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Mornings are always nice. But my plans are all flexible these days, so there aren't any bad times.
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[It is strange, isn't it? He's not always sure how to navigate their new dynamic - but glad that Kisame is here with him, nonetheless. He would take that over nothing a hundred times.]