Killer Bee spent one day at his teacher Aki’s place before preparing to head back to the village.

"If I don’t get back soon, my hot-headed older brother is gonna lose it, yo~."

"Ah, don’t forget to keep training your sense of flow even after you go back."

"Thankyou, yo~ Master."

After saying goodbye to Aki, Killer Bee set off on the road back to his village.

When he reached the Land of Iron, the cold climate got to Killer Bee a bit.

"It’s seriously cold, yo~ Looks like I need a bowl of curry to warm up, wei~."

Killer Bee found a small shop by the side of the road leading to Kumogakure. Pushing the door open, he saw three familiar faces.

Omoi sprayed out the food he had just put in his mouth in surprise.

"Lord Killer Bee?!"

Samui’s whole team exclaimed in unison.

"Huh? What are you guys doing here? You good-for-nothing, you dummy.~"

Killer Bee wasn’t idle either, taking a seat on a stool next to Samui and ordering the curry he’d been craving, planning to listen to them while he ate.

Samui told Killer Bee everything that had happened after he was captured.

Killer Bee broke out in a cold sweat.

"If my brother was that worried about me, he’ll definitely beat me up if he finds out I snuck out. You good-for-nothing, you dummy."

"You really did something reckless, Master. Lord Raikage even cried from worry."

After Karui said that, Killer Bee looked like he was about to ascend to heaven from fright right then and there.

"It’s a good thing my bad premonition didn’t come true."

Omoi was also visibly happy to see his teacher was okay.

"Samui, let me go to Konoha with you. Yo~."

Killer Bee was afraid he might be locked up if he went back now. Even though it was bound to happen sooner or later, later was definitely better.

"Of course you can, but I need to report the current situation to the Raikage first."

As she spoke, Samui stood up and walked outside, intending to use a lizard to send the message that Killer Bee was safe to the Raikage.

"No way, Samui! I’ll get beaten to death by my brother if I go back like this!"

Killer Bee immediately latched onto Samui’s leg, crying out in despair.

"This is so embarrassing, Master~."

Killer Bee’s antics drew the attention of everyone in the shop. Samui couldn’t do anything with him, especially since they weren’t in their own ninja village. Having the three of them around would keep Killer Bee safer on the outside anyway.

After resting there for the night, the four of them continued on their way towards Konoha village.

Meanwhile, over here, Sasuke and Kisame had tracked down Killer Bee’s teacher, Aki.

"Hey, old man, have you seen Gyuki?"

Kisame kicked Aki, sending him flying into a tree, then walked over and asked.

"Who’s Gyuki? I don’t know any guy like that."

"Move. Violence won’t make a person like this talk."

Sasuke stepped in front of Kisame and used the Sharingan’s genjutsu to force Aki to reveal Killer Bee’s whereabouts.

"That Gyuki guy is planning to go back to his village."

Aki slumped to the ground.

"That’s a handy eye. But it’s still far worse than your brother’s."

"You’re not worthy of saying Itachi’s name."

Kisame’s hand had already gripped Samehada, but maybe because he thought of Itachi, or perhaps because of Obito’s orders, he let his hand drop.

"Well, fighting you now isn’t the smartest move. If Gyuki makes it back to his village, our mission will be much harder to complete."

With that dispute over, the two continued on their way.

Sasuke and the others had arrived just one night late, missing Killer Bee by a hair. Thankfully, Killer Bee had met up with Samui’s team on the road. Otherwise, with Kisame’s strength and Sasuke helping, defeat would have been certain.

On the Konoha village side.

Hatake Satoru met the arriving Shisui and the other two in the forest by the village entrance.

"I’ll head back to the village first then. Don’t worry, I’ll keep this a secret."

"Ah, I appreciate it."

Hatake Satoru still didn’t like dealing with Kakashi’s talking ninja dogs, but Pakkun was reliable. He had agreed to help keep the secret that Kakashi was still alive.

"How’ve you been lately, Itachi? You look pretty energetic."

Hatake Satoru greeted Itachi with his usual sunny expression.

"Ah, thanks to Sasori and Shisui, I’ve recovered well."

"You called me back to the village because something big is about to happen, right?"

"The Akatsuki’s plan to collect the Tailed Beasts is nearing its end. Nine Tails is Nagato’s mission."

"He might invade Konoha directly, trying to capture it right inside the village."

"What do you want me to do? I’m afraid I won’t be much help as I am now."

"Of course I’m not asking you to fight him. Come back to the village, we can talk more on the way."

"Let’s get you a disguise first."

Hatake Satoru pulled an eyepatch identical to his own from his pocket, except this one for Itachi was red.

"You really know how to push people around."

Shisui couldn’t help but grumble.

Shisui and Sasori also changed into Suna-nin clothes. The four of them swaggered right into Konoha village.

"The reason I called you back isn’t to have you fight him."

"I spoke with him once during the Six-Tails capture. He was having doubts. If he finds out you’re still alive this time, he might really betray the Akatsuki and come to our side."

"...Hmm. Since you had Shisui bring me along, there must be a real chance of success. I’ll do what I can."

"You’re definitely cuter than your little brother, Itachi."

Hatake Satoru regretted saying that as soon as the words were out. Itachi was sure to ask about Sasuke now.

"Speaking of which, how has Sasuke been lately?"

He’d guessed right.

"Uh... To be honest, I haven’t seen him since after the Gyuki capture. He’s probably been given a new mission."

"But he hasn’t transplanted your eyes yet. I don’t know if after the fight with Gyuki he might..."

"That sounds like his style. That man would definitely arrange lots of battles to overuse his eyes. So he’d agree to the transplant."

"That might be it. I’ll try to talk him out of it for you next time I see him."

"If he still refuses, I can always take the eyes back and give them to you, you know."

That really sounded like something Hatake Satoru would do.

"That won’t be necessary. As long as his eyes are still used for battle, they’ll go blind someday. He needs them more than I do."

That actually made sense. Even if Itachi got his eyes back, he could barely see anymore. And he didn’t need to fight now.

"Well, well. Your eyes, your call."

Hatake Satoru didn’t press the matter.

"Let’s go to my clan’s secret room first."

Shisui made an excellent suggestion.

Hatake Satoru had originally planned to put them up at his own house. He’d even thought about how to explain it to Kakashi.

This way, they wouldn’t have to worry about being noticed by the Anbu.

Watching the familiar, comfortable dynamic between the other three, Sasori felt a little out of place. Ever since Granny Chiyo died, he hadn’t had anyone he was that close to.

Even though he’d stopped relying on Granny Chiyo when he grew up, and didn’t feel much about her death, seeing these three still made Sasori wish he had bonds like that with someone.

...