It wasn't hard to figure out what had happened Kisame wasn't the type to toss away Samehada just to show off. That kind of flashy nonsense was more Zabuza's style.
Sasuke gave a small nod, his sharp eyes steady. "Understood. I've got a clearer picture of Kisame now."
Kakashi exhaled, his gaze drifting toward the scorched riverside. "And Itachi? What happened to him?"
"He's not dead," Sasuke replied quietly. "Kisame took him away."
His voice was calm, but there was no satisfaction in it. The fight had already ended. Sasuke had defeated Itachi once. The next time they met, he vowed, he would be even stronger.
He still remembered the image of the crimson skeletal giant Susanoo, the god of wrath born from the Mangekyō Sharingan. Even if that power was terrifying, Sasuke believed that his own technique, Oblivion Requiem, could counter it.
If Itachi had opened with that move, Sasuke might not have been able to hide his trump card for so long.
Kakashi frowned. "You mean even Kirin didn't finish him off?"
Sasuke didn't respond. He knew Kakashi had witnessed the entire development of Kirin. That jutsu's speed and power surpassed anything mortal lightning itself had become his weapon. For Itachi to survive it was beyond belief.
But Sasuke said nothing more. Itachi's survival had to do with the Mangekyō's secret techniques knowledge he wasn't ready to share. He only revealed everything to one person: Naruto.
Before long, more shinobi arrived, drawn by the thunderous destruction. The riverside was a graveyard of shattered stone and charred soil. Seeing the devastation, even the most battle-hardened veterans were shaken.
The Third Hokage arrived clad in his old armor, his face solemn as he surveyed the scene.
Even Sasuke used Kirin, he thought gravely. And they're all nearly spent. Who on earth could infiltrate Konoha and push them this far?
"What happened here?" Hiruzen asked in his deep, weathered voice.
Kakashi glanced around too many ears nearby. "It's complicated, Lord Third. We should report privately."
Hiruzen nodded, understanding immediately. "Then all of you, get to the hospital first. Once you've recovered, come to my office."
Before they could leave, a familiar voice cried out behind them.
"Sasuke!"
Lily came running, her red hair fluttering in the breeze. Her face was pale with worry. "You're hurt! Are you alright?"
She reached out to help him up, but the moment her hand brushed his arm, Sasuke groaned softly in pain. The backlash of the Eight Gates still wracked his body.
"Bite me, Sasuke!" Lily said urgently, thrusting her arm toward his mouth.
Her ability was unique those who bit her could absorb her chakra and recover quickly. But Sasuke shook his head. "No. We're in Konoha. I'll heal at the hospital."
He remembered what Naruto once told him: Lily's power came at a terrible cost. Her mother had died young, her hair turned completely white long before her final breath. Using that ability too often could shorten her life.
This wasn't a desperate moment. The enemy was gone. He wouldn't let her burn her life away for him.
Lily bit her lip hard. If only she were as strong as Naruto or Hinata, maybe she could help instead of watching helplessly.
When she had trained under Naruto, she'd been lazy. Now she regretted every skipped session.
Kakashi sighed and lifted Sasuke onto his back. "You really attract trouble and fans," he teased.
"Shut up," Sasuke muttered, closing his eyes.
Lily blushed and followed closely, her hands nervously clasped.
After treatment, Kakashi and the others were fine just exhausted from overusing their chakra. A few days of rest would set them right.
Sasuke, however, needed longer. Opening the Fifth Gate of the Eight Gates technique had torn through his muscles and nerves. Without proper treatment, he'd carry permanent scars. Unlike Naruto, his body didn't possess that monstrous self-healing ability.
Later that day, Kakashi and Asuma stood before the Third Hokage to deliver their full report.
"Itachi and Kisame?" Hiruzen murmured, eyes narrowing as he leaned back in his chair.
Pieces clicked together in his mind. Itachi once mentioned an organization called Akatsuki... so their goal really is to collect the Tailed Beasts.
Konoha was attacked did they mean to seize Naruto during the chaos? And Itachi, perhaps, wanted to observe Sasuke's progress while at it.
Hiruzen's expression darkened. Naruto is safe for now. Jiraiya's with him, and his strength is nothing to scoff at. But this Akatsuki... how many of them are there? Even Orochimaru was once among them. Are they all of kage-level power?
The thought left a cold weight in his chest.
"Send word to the other nations," Hiruzen ordered. "Distribute intelligence on Itachi and Kisame. The organization wears black cloaks patterned with red clouds. Their aim is to capture the Tailed Beasts. Warn every village each of their members is extremely dangerous."
This attack on Konoha was both a threat and an opportunity. By exposing Akatsuki to the entire ninja world, he could make it impossible for them to move in the shadows any longer.
Let them try to hunt beasts now when every hidden village was watching.
Every nation would guard its jinchūriki like a treasure once they learned the truth.
Kakashi nodded. "Understood, Lord Third."
After they left, silence filled the office. Hiruzen's gaze softened as he stared out the window toward the village below.
Should I tell Sasuke the truth about his brother?
Just then, the door creaked open.
"Hiruzen."
Danzo walked in, his cane tapping lightly against the floor.
"You should be in Root," Hiruzen said, weary. "What brings you here?"
"The Akatsuki are moving to capture Tailed Beasts," Danzo said bluntly. "Leaving Naruto outside the village is reckless. Have Jiraiya bring him back only then can we ensure his safety."
Hiruzen gave him a sidelong glance, already reading the ulterior motive behind those words.
Still trying to block Tsunade's return, aren't you, old friend?
He sighed quietly. Danzo's obsession with the Hokage seat hadn't faded even with age. It was time for their generation to rest to let the young take over.
"The boy is under Jiraiya's protection," Hiruzen said firmly. "He'll be fine."
Danzo's expression hardened, but Hiruzen's tone left no room for argument.
Outside, the sun dipped low over Konoha, casting long shadows across the village.
The storm had passed for now but everyone knew it was only the calm before another war.
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