Chapter 73 — When I, Konoha, Want to Come, Come; Want to Leave, Leave?
Before dawn.
It was drizzling lightly in the morning over Konoha.
It wasn't until around seven or eight that the rain finally stopped.
The sun rose.
The warm rays shone down upon the earth, making people feel peaceful and comfortable.
But not everyone was feeling well.
On the high wall of Konoha stood two people, both wearing cloaks patterned with red clouds on a black background and wide-brimmed hats, overlooking the entire village below.
"Hey, Mr. Itachi, is this your hometown?"
The taller of the two, carrying a massive sword wrapped in white bandages on his back, sighed in a hoarse voice.
Needless to say—
It was none other than Uchiha Itachi and Hoshigaki Kisame.
"It doesn't look like the situation is very good. Although Orochimaru's strength isn't impressive, his skill in schemes and sabotage is considerable."
"Yeah… a once-prosperous village—how pitiful."
Uchiha Itachi spoke faintly, yet not a trace of pity could be heard in his calm, emotionless tone.
"It's really not like your style, Mr. Itachi. Sure enough, even you must feel a bit nostalgic for your hometown, right?"
"Maybe."
Uchiha Itachi raised his head slightly, revealing a pair of scarlet Sharingan eyes beneath his hat.
Hoshigaki Kisame chuckled.
"Although you said that, Mr. Itachi, I don't believe it at all. After all, you're the—"
"If it's meaningless talk, don't say it. Let's begin the mission."
Uchiha Itachi's calm voice cut him off.
Hoshigaki Kisame shrugged and fell silent.
He wasn't a fool—he knew Itachi's emotions were complex right now, and it would be unwise to provoke him.
Indeed, as Kisame guessed, Uchiha Itachi's feelings were very complicated.
At the last Akatsuki meeting, upon learning from Nagato that Orochimaru and the Sand had attacked Konoha, Itachi couldn't help worrying about Sasuke's safety.
Although Akatsuki had heard of Konoha's severe damage, they hadn't planned to move.
Catching the tailed beasts had to be done in order. If they attacked the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki too early, other villages would tighten their defenses around their own Jinchūriki, and become wary of Akatsuki—hindering future captures.
So Nagato had no intention of targeting the Nine-Tails yet.
But Itachi convinced him otherwise.
Even if they weren't going to capture the Nine-Tails immediately, they could at least gather intelligence. That would make things easier later.
After some thought, Nagato agreed and sent Itachi and Kisame to Konoha to scout the Nine-Tails' host.
But in truth, that was only an excuse.
Itachi's real purpose was Sasuke.
First, he wanted to remind Konoha's higher-ups—especially Danzo—that he was still alive, and to uphold their agreement to protect Sasuke.
Second, he wanted to push Sasuke to grow stronger as soon as possible.
Itachi's body, ravaged by an incurable illness, was nearing its limit. He didn't know how much time he had left—maybe a year, maybe three—but it wasn't much.
So, he planned to use himself as fuel for Sasuke's hatred—to make Sasuke's Sharingan evolve through emotion, and ensure his brother could protect himself when he was gone.
At least, that was Itachi's plan.
He didn't know that Sasuke had already grown strong—strong enough that even Killer Bee had failed to kill him.
The two S-rank missing-nin strolled calmly through Konoha's streets.
With Itachi's genjutsu leading the way, no one noticed them.
Eventually, they stopped before a familiar shop—a dango shop.
It was still early, and no customers were inside.
They sat down at a table, ordered tea and sweets, and waited quietly.
When the dango arrived, Itachi picked up a skewer, bit off a piece, and chewed slowly, eyes half-closed, as though tasting not food, but memories.
His slightly mature face, his deep gaze, his long lashes—all softened in that moment.
It had been five years since he last returned to this village.
He wondered how Sasuke was doing now.
"Mr. Itachi, the dango's delicious, and the tea's good too. No wonder so many people want to live in Konoha… but I haven't seen many ninja around today. From what I've heard, the village's current acting Hokage is someone called Su Li. He seems quite famous. Do you know him?"
Kisame took a sip of tea as he asked.
"No impression," Itachi replied flatly. "Kisame, we're not here to cause trouble. Don't get distracted. If we draw attention, it'll complicate things."
"Hah. Even if we're discovered, so what? If that Orochimaru guy could assassinate Konoha's Hokage in public, I doubt the current Konoha is very strong."
Kisame grinned.
At that moment—
A man appeared in the doorway.
Silver hair. A mask covering half his face. Forehead protector tilted over his left eye. Arms crossed lazily as he leaned against the doorframe.
Hatake Kakashi.
Unlike the original timeline, this wasn't coincidence.
Kakashi was waiting here on purpose.
"As the agent predicted… they've really come."
He had noticed the two figures immediately—especially Kisame's massive frame, impossible to miss in the quiet shop. And the cloaks…
Kakashi recognized them instantly.
Su Li had already warned him:
A mysterious organization, the Akatsuki, operated in secret across the ninja world.
Nine core members—each one an S-rank threat. Together, they could overthrow any of the five great villages.
They accepted missions from countries big and small, doing the jobs no one else could take.
Morality was irrelevant; if you could pay, they would act.
Among them were defectors and legendary criminals—Uchiha Itachi, who slaughtered his clan,and Orochimaru, one of the Three Legendary Sannin (though he'd long since left Akatsuki).
Judging by their appearances, Kakashi knew exactly who these two were.
"Itachi Uchiha… and Hoshigaki Kisame."
Kakashi's expression turned grim.
He'd grown far stronger over the years, but against these two, he couldn't afford to underestimate anything.
While Kakashi watched them, Itachi and Kisame also noticed him.
"Oh? Mr. Itachi, looks like Konoha's not as soft as I thought—they found us already," Kisame chuckled, setting down his teacup.
"You two aren't Konoha ninja," Kakashi said as he stepped forward. "What's your purpose sneaking into the village?"
"It's the Copy Ninja… Hatake Kakashi," Itachi said quietly without turning his head. "If possible, let us go. I don't wish to kill you."
"Oh? The Copy Ninja, huh? Sounds fun!" Kisame laughed, unsheathing Samehada.
"Don't be reckless, Kisame."
"Relax, Mr. Itachi."
With Itachi's silent permission, Kisame grinned and swung his sword toward Kakashi.
Given Samehada's weight and Kisame's strength, "slash" wasn't quite right—it was more like smash.
Kakashi, not being a brute-force fighter, didn't block. He dodged fluidly.
His movements were quick—almost ghost-like.
Kisame's blade hit only air.
"Mr. Itachi, can I use jutsu? This guy's too slippery."
Kisame's real specialty wasn't the sword—it was Water Style ninjutsu, backed by his monstrous chakra reserves, earning him the title "tailless tailed beast."
Against a fast opponent like Kakashi, he preferred large-scale Water Techniques.
"No. Too loud. You'll draw reinforcements," Itachi said calmly. "Let me handle him."
"Tch, fine then." Kisame sighed, forming hand seals anyway.
"Water Style: Water Clone Jutsu!"
Four clones appeared, surrounding Kakashi from all sides, while the real Kisame stood outside the ring with Samehada ready.
"Water Style: Water Shark Bullet Jutsu!"
The four clones launched shark-shaped blasts of water toward Kakashi.
Kakashi couldn't help but envy that kind of chakra output.
"So much chakra for ninjutsu…" he muttered.
"Pierce—Yan Lingmaru!"
Lightning flared as Kakashi drew his Zanpakutō and sliced through all four water sharks in a single sweep, the blade's arc continuing straight toward Kisame.
"What—?!" Kisame was stunned.
Clang!
A kunai whistled through the air from behind Kakashi, aiming straight for his heart.
Kakashi twisted mid-strike to dodge, sparing Kisame's life by a hair.
"You're careless, Kisame."
"Sorry, Mr. Itachi. Didn't expect him to pull out a sword from nowhere."
"Space–Time ninjutsu…" Itachi murmured, eyes narrowing. "As expected of the Copy Ninja."
Even with Sharingan active, it was barely possible to follow Kakashi's movement speed.
"Mr. Kakashi," Itachi said quietly, "please, if you can—just let us go. I don't want to kill you."
"That's not something I'd expect from a man who slaughtered his clan," Kakashi said, smiling beneath his mask.
He didn't answer further.
In truth, Kakashi could probably win here. But Su Li had given strict instructions—
Notify me immediately when you find Uchiha Itachi and Hoshigaki Kisame.
Kakashi didn't know Su Li's plans, but he followed orders.
He didn't need to defeat them—just stall them.
"Hey, Mr. Itachi," Kisame muttered, "why don't we just make a scene?"
"It's pointless. This is Konoha's territory. Reinforcements will come soon. Even if we win, it means nothing."
Itachi's voice was cool. His goal was already achieved—Konoha's higher-ups knew he was alive. The next step was finding Sasuke.
There was no reason to linger.
"Then, Mr. Kakashi, goodbye."
"Tch… fine." Kisame grinned, glaring at Kakashi. "Copy Ninja Kakashi, I'll remember you! Next time, we'll have a proper fight! Water Style: Water Shark Bomb Technique!"
Two massive water sharks wrapped around Itachi and Kisame, and they dove into the waves—vanishing.
But just then—
"When I, Konoha, wish to come, we come. When I wish to leave—who dares?"
A crushing pressure fell from the sky.
Instantly, both Itachi and Kisame's hearts seemed to stop.
The sharks holding them collapsed into scattered droplets.