Kakashi rushed back to Konoha with Tsunade and Shizune, reaching the village gate by early morning the next day. The Third had given him a week, but Kakashi had brought Tsunade back in less than two days—remarkably fast.
*Knock, knock…* Kakashi rapped on the Hokage's office door.
"Come in…"
"Sandaime-sama, I've brought Tsunade-sama back." Kakashi bowed respectfully.
The Third blinked. "Kakashi? So fast?" He was speechless, half suspecting Kakashi and Tsunade had arranged it beforehand.
Tsunade bristled. "Old man, from the look of you, it's like you didn't want me back. How about you keep the job… I'll take over when you drop dead."
Kakashi's eyelid twitched. As expected—Tsunade was still Tsunade.
The Third smiled. "Little Tsunade, you haven't changed at all. This old man's legs are getting slow. Since you're back, I'll trouble you to take the seat."
Tsunade curled her lip. "Since I'm back, I won't shirk it. You—go retire. Not seeing you out."
Three black stress lines popped on the Third's forehead. "Then it's settled. Come to the succession ceremony tomorrow… Oh, Kakashi, there's something to tell you."
"Yes, Sandaime-sama."
On the side, Tsunade felt a trace of annoyance. I'm the Hokage now—what are these two whispering about?
"Kakashi, your strength already surpasses mine. There are things I can let you know." The Third took a pull on his pipe. "You asked me about Itachi last time. I can confirm—it really was his doing."
Kakashi didn't argue, though he still wanted to deny it. The Third continued, "And it was a mission I and a few elders ordered him to carry out."
Kakashi stiffened. He'd already guessed from Itachi's answer that night, but hearing it from the Third still shook him.
"Danzō took the lead. I opposed it at first, but had no better way, and we ended up like this. His methods are cruel, but he was acting for the village."
Kakashi nodded.
"After Itachi left the village, he's been watching a group called Akatsuki. I told him to come back once I died, to keep Danzō from moving against Sasuke. That's no longer necessary, but Itachi's message says Akatsuki is collecting tailed beasts, and he happened to receive a mission related to that, so he'll be coming to Konoha soon."
"I've heard about Akatsuki from Jiraiya-sama—that's why he took Naruto to train," Kakashi said calmly.
The Third nodded. "Aside from those who made the decision, only you know about Itachi. When he comes, talk to him—but don't tip off the one at his side."
"Yes."
"And help Tsunade more. I trust her, but she's still a woman."
"Understood."
After their talk, Kakashi went to find Sasuke.
"Kakashi? You went out—back so soon?" Sasuke looked at him at the window, surprised.
Kakashi smiled. "Mission's done, so I came back. I'm here to let you meet someone."
Sasuke froze. "Who? Itachi?"
Kakashi nodded. "Sharp guess."
Sasuke's emotions spiked. "Where is he?"
"Don't rush. I'll tell you when he arrives. I'm warning you now so you're ready."
"…Got it." Sasuke's heart churned. He had always hated his brother, but after Kakashi told him the truth, he had too much to say to the man who carried all the sin.
After informing Sasuke, Kakashi went to Zabuza.
"Kakashi-dono…" Haku bowed respectfully.
"Kakashi, did you come to give me another job?" Zabuza lounged on the sofa, looking nothing like the killer he once was.
Kakashi chuckled, understanding well—thanks to the Third, Zabuza was enjoying Konoha's hospitality. He praised the Third's open-mindedness again. "This time, yes, I need your help. You and Haku stall someone for me."
Zabuza waved it off. "Kakashi, what are you saying? I'm basically your ally. No need to be polite with a small favor like that."
Kakashi was a bit speechless—Zabuza was straightforward. "Good. Get ready—when the time comes, you and Haku will block Kisame."
"What did you say?" Zabuza sprang off the sofa. "Kisame? The 'tailless tailed beast'… you want me to block him?"
"Aren't you strong? Can't handle a little thing like that? And you have Haku."
"Your provocation is pathetic… but it works," Zabuza grumbled.
"Thanks."
Kakashi flickered away… The next day, Tsunade successfully took office as the Fifth Hokage.
Some days later, two men in black cloaks patterned with red clouds and wearing straw hats appeared at Konoha's outskirts.
They entered a tea shop. Kakashi had already spotted them and stood at the door with Sasuke.
"Yo, Kakashi—you and your student sure are close. Still have time for tea?" Asuma, looking every bit the scruffy uncle, and the sultry Kurenai teased as they approached.
Kakashi said, "Not really. I'm just very interested in this shop today…" He flicked a glance at the two inside. Asuma and Kurenai followed his gaze and nodded.
Inside, one of the figures' hands twitched when he heard Kakashi's name. He vanished.
*Flicker—flicker—* Asuma and Kurenai disappeared as well.
"Kakashi… is one of them Itachi?" Sasuke asked.
"Mn… let's go." Kakashi and Sasuke vanished.
Asuma and Kurenai had already blocked the pair in the street. "You're not from Konoha. What's your purpose?" Asuma asked.
One of them spoke. "Long time no see, Asuma, Kurenai." He took off his hat, revealing a handsome face and a forehead protector with Konoha's symbol—slashed with a kunai.
Asuma stiffened. "Uchiha… Itachi… You dare come back?"
"Oh? An old acquaintance, Itachi," the man beside him rasped. "Then I'll introduce myself… Kisame." He lifted his hat—beneath it, a shark-like face. He drew the bandage-wrapped sword on his back.
Just then Kakashi and Sasuke arrived, remaining hidden.
"Kakashi-dono, over here," a woman's voice whispered near him.
"How long have you two been here?"
"Not long. Weren't we supposed to tail them for you? Why are you only just arriving—and why bring the kid?" Zabuza muttered.
Sasuke stared at Zabuza, puzzled. Why is Kakashi working with him? Wasn't he killed back then?
Kakashi caught Sasuke's doubt. "I'll explain later." Sasuke nodded.
Kakashi told Zabuza, "We three go out together. Sasuke stays hidden. I'll call him when it's time."
They looked to the fight. Kisame was trading heavy blows with Asuma, while Kurenai tried genjutsu on Itachi—only to be repelled and sent flying by a kick. Asuma's focus wavered; Kisame's sword carved a slit across him, forcing him back. He readied to reengage when a great water shark surged from the side.
"Suiton: Suikōdan no Jutsu (Water Release: Water Shark Bullet Technique)," Kisame intoned.
"Suiton: Suiryūdan no Jutsu (Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique)…" Zabuza's hands blurred through seals. A massive water dragon slammed into the shark, nullifying it into glittering droplets. Kisame and Asuma both stared, startled. Before Kisame recovered, puddles at his feet rose into faceted ice, encircling him. Within the ice, a masked figure appeared.
"Makyō Hyōshō (Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals)…"
Asuma blinked, eyeing the bandage-faced man blocking for him. "Demon of the Hidden Mist, Zabuza… What is going on?"
Zabuza said nothing, secretly pleased at Asuma's shock. He pointed toward the silver-haired man pressing a kunai to Itachi's neck not far away…
"Kakashi…" Asuma was dumbstruck. He hadn't expected Kakashi to be linked with an S-class missing-nin—let alone see that missing-nin help him.
Itachi glanced sideways at Kakashi. "So you're still alive."
Kakashi didn't answer. "Sasuke wants to see you. And there are things I want to discuss."
Itachi paused, then smoothed his expression. "So you know. Where's Sasuke?"
"Because I know, Sasuke wants to meet you. That might be for the best."
Itachi said no more, only, "Another place."
A croak—then the Itachi under Kakashi's kunai burst into a flock of crows and scattered.
"Sasuke, follow me," Kakashi called to the hidden boy. To Zabuza he added, "Zabuza, Asuma, Haku—be careful. Oh, and Kurenai's fine—just knocked out by the genjutsu backlash."
Kakashi flashed away toward the trail of crows. Sasuke chased close behind—Kakashi was clearly slowing down for him.
Kisame hefted his sword and eyed the layers of ice with idle curiosity.
Zabuza frowned at him. "Hey, interested in teaming up with me for a bit?"
Asuma laughed, feeling an odd thrill. "I'm curious too—what it feels like to fight beside an S-class missing-nin."
"Tch." Zabuza lifted the cleaver, tightening his grip…
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