Uchiha Itachi drank in the sight of his home, seeing it after living five years as a missing nin. He was relieved that the damage due to the Sand-Sound Invasion was not as extensive as he had feared. Structurally, at least. He knew the Sandaime was dead, without leaving any successor. This put Konoha at a great disadvantage among the Great Five. War could start if Konoha did not acquire a strong Hokage soon.

This was the perfect opportunity to Danzo to become Hokage. Itachi knew it would put Sasuke in danger. This was the main reason for him to accept the mission to scout or capture the Kyuubi jinchiruchi. To remind Danzo that he is still out there and what would be the consequences if he went near Sasuke. That and to inform Konoha about Akatsuki's goals.

He spotted Hatake-senpai following him and Kisame with two other jonin Itachi didn't recognize.

He subtly guided them towards a training field where the collateral damage due to their fight would be minimal.

After the customary trash talk, he was ready to fight the Konoha ninja in a way that would cause minimum injuries and at the same time wouldn't blow his cover. It was a precarious balance to maintain.

That was when they were interrupted by Nara Shikaku and Might Guy.

"Jounin, capture or kill Hoshigaki. Uchiha, you are not needed to spy on Akatsuki anymore. Meet me at my office to report. Do not interfere with the fight." The Jounin Commander vanished with a shunshin, as if he hadn't just spoken the words that completely overhauled Itachi's life.

He followed the Nara before Kisame or the Konoha Jounin had time to him give him betrayed or shocked looks, respectively. He was too angry to be shocked. The Jounin Commander had ruined all his plans with a single sentence. With semi-publicly declaring him a spy, his chances of returning to Akatsuki were negligible, even if Kisame was killed.

(Not that he would go against the order. In the absence of Hokage, the Jounin Commander had the highest authority over Konoha Shinobi. And Itachi would always be a Konoha Shinobi, if nothing else.)

Itachi stealthily entered the office to find the Commander doing paperwork. He discreetly observed the room, never having been there before, as still was a chunnin when he had to leave Konoha.

"Tsunade-sama would be returning in about a month's time to take the position of the Godaime. The decision as to how to explain the Uchiha Incident and your return to the village would be up to her. If she doesn't wish to deal with the fall out, your return and ANBU identity would be kept secret." Shikaku-sama said.

Itachi didn't question his confidence in Tsunade-sama's return or his knowledge about his mission.

"I cannot return to Konoha." He simply stated.

"Why." It wasn't phrased as a question.

"Sasuke has to kill me to restore the Uchiha clan's honor."

Shikaku-sama looked at him for a long time before saying, "I'm sending you to psych ward for a month."