27. Started 18 August after a week of exams I need a break. I've been demoralised…
Dear Evanelle (Guest),
Thank you!
Dear Guest,
Too high a praise ;) but much appreciated
Will get in an hour of writing today, we'll see if I get around to finishing Truth.
The ANBU recovers a moment too late, and Uchiha Itachi slips out of his grasp in a murder of crows.
Tenzo casts his sight upon the fugitive's partner, the same time the Mist ninja notices him.
"Lord Haruno, if I may be so rude to ask more of you, could you grant Mist the right to Hoshigaki Kisame?"
The young Council Member doesn't say yes too quickly, the ANBU speaks faster, hoping his words alone will be enough to stall such an agreement, "Haruno-sama, Hoshigaki Kisame is an S-rank Missing-nin. Even if the Mist is accepting enough to retake him, I politely request that we screen him first before granting him diplomatic immunity."
"Yamanaka screening?"
He watches their potential prisoner for movement of flight, before nodding.
Some form of silent communication passes between the Mist team leader and Head Haruno, before the Mist team leader claps a none-too-gentle hand to Hoshigaki's shoulder.
"Kisame-kun would be pleased to subject himself to a screening that will ascertain he means no ill will to Konoha."
The Missing-nin nods, and Tenzo frowns under his mask.
Can someone have a change of heart so quick?
"Will you tell me why Itachi-san came home, and why you came here?"
Before his commander intercedes on his behalf, this time Hoshigaki speaks for himself.
"I will, if you'd tell me more about the orange-masked man."
She smiles, turning to begin walking.
"If you want to talk about things like that, would you like to try asking Sasuke yourself?"
He as an ANBU is duty bound to follow mutely, back in the direction of the Akimichi store.
Tenzo has his reservations about letting an S-rank roam the streets like this, but he has seen traumatised ANBU and he's not so sure he would recommend Head Haruno allow the Uchiha child to speak about his family's murder with a friend of the murderer.
Inwardly recalling that nearly catatonic child and the one having a fit, scolding him and Senpai for being late when they didn't understand – the Uchiha were the police force of Konoha and the ANBU were not being just lax in the execution of their duties, they simply hadn't expected the entire clan to have been wiped out so easily.
Another figure flash steps towards them at high speeds and Tenzo nearly groans but retakes his position at the front of the group, what now?
Fly away silver hair and the single uncovered black eye wide, looking the Haruno head up down from a respectful distance, for the Lord has stopped moving.
He returns to his flanking position, bowing, not that Senpai noticed him in his panic and he remembers, Ah, Kakashi-senpai became a sensei, didn't he?
That even tone that carelessly dismisses the worry he can see in Senpai's eye.
"Sarutobi-sensei and Yuhi-sensei are walking to the hospital. You didn't bring Sasuke, though, Sensei? You just missed Itachi-san."
As an outsider, looking in, he thinks, Senpai is now rusty. Less than ten minutes was the confrontation. I reported in three, yet Senpai took more.
A quiet kind of self-pride to mask over how he is shaken by his most-respected senior's weakness.
Could I end up connected to people like that? Maybe if I became a sensei? To be so invested in someone else's well-being, to recover what it means to be human.
Throughout, the Mist quartet keeping quiet, though the Mist Hunter-nin watches the exchange with an intensity Tenzo can't decipher.
Senpai recomposes himself.
"He didn't hurt you?"
Shaking head as a 'no', and he holds his tongue technically a death threat isn't a 'hurt'.
"Please bring Sasuke to one of his preferred snack spots and send Biscuit. There's someone I'd like him to meet, tell him his brother misses him, and that he was correct then."
With that – not even a hug and Lord Haruno continues walking slowly.
Ample time for him to have stopped his student and yet they must simply be too aware of their audience by now.
Senpai gives him a meaningful look, before moving to find his other student.
Tenzo wonders, What does it mean to care enough to drop it?
"ANBU-san, secure the facilities for us."
Inoichi-sama taking control over easily – he reads minds after all.
Gesturing to a wait staff who leads them to a private room.
Turning to Sakura and telling her, "Only their leader should follow us in."
The red-headed lady flicks her fingers without Sakura's intervention and the other two ninjas step back.
"We shouldn't be long."
Seating Hoshigaki-san at the table.
"Just standard ones, Inoichi-sama. Hoshigaki-san and I are going to find Lord Hatake."
Almost implying it to be an issue of their clans so the clan head hurries and restricts his questioning.
Hand stretching out, glowing blue and resting on his head.
"Do you mean any ill will to the Leaf or the Mist?"
"No."
"Have you committed crimes towards the Leaf or the Mist while as a Missing-nin?"
Mei-san attempts to stop him from replying, but he goes ahead, "I have killed ninja who attacked my partner and I. We did not discriminate on the village, so I do not recall. My organisation has also carried out loads of subversive actions. If I haven't been caught, then it ain't a crime, right?"
If Inoichi-sama was caught off guard, he didn't show it. He looks amused.
"Tell me about your organisation. Does it have plans that threaten the Leaf or Mist?"
"I doubt Itachi will go ahead with our current task given my defection. Short term, there isn't anything."
So while he can trust that the Missing-nin is truthful, he can't trust that he's knowledgeable.
"Will you remain loyal to the Mist, and not act out aggressively for the duration of your stay here?"
"As long as the Mist retains my loyalty, I will act as our Mizukage-sama orders."
He's satisfied with Hoshigaki-san's honestly, but looking to Mei-san, as if expecting her to give him an order, and Sakura nods lightly.
"We will exercise our power within the restrictions of the immunity Lord Haruno has granted. We will not bring purposeful harm to the Leaf or its inhabitants. Hoshigaki Kisame is now a member of Kiri once more."
Addressing Sakura like Hoshigaki-san is their captive, she smiles wanly because she knows he questions her loyalty, "Then I release him into your care. I am satisfied that he is not a threat to Konoha. However, I am certain Sannin Jiraiya-sama will be very interested to speak to Hoshigaki Kisame-san. Please ensure that happens."
The door swinging open and Biscuit barking, "Boss is waiting, Sakura-san! I've been here for five minutes, boss should be reaching the tea house by now."
Her chains casually holding open the door as the other three exit the room.
"Which tea house, Biscuit?"
She nods in acknowledgment as Inoichi-sama closes the door behind him.
"I will bring Hoshigaki-san back to your hotel in time for dinner, Mei-san. You can go to the hotel to find Lord Tsubaki, ask for Supervisor Yakushi and tell him I sent you. If you wish, of course. Otherwise I'll bring you all later."
Sensei's dog takes that as conversation over and hurries out the door.
Sakura grabs Hoshigaki-san's hand in an uncharacteristic move and pulls him out the door, as Mei-san yells after, "Take your time, Kisame-kun, Haruno-sama!"
Though he does not protest her hand holding onto his, he offers, "No matter how tight you squeeze, I won't die, you know Haruno-san-sama."
He trips over the honorific as she loosens her grip.
"You dying would be the last thing I want, Hoshigaki-san. I'm holding onto you so you don't disappear before Sasuke gets to see you."
They turn down a street as Biscuit bounds ahead, the crowd parting not for the nin-dog but for the towering blue-skinned ninja running after said dog.
Oh, it's the teahouse where I trained.
"I can't disappear, Haruno-sama. Mizukage-sama said she needed me. Besides, it'd be interesting to meet Itachi's kid brother. He doesn't talk much, but when he does it'd likely be to mention a memory of his brother."
Biscuit stops up ahead, barking at them to hurry a bit, and Hoshigaki-san grumbles under his breath.
"Dog bossing us around…"
Sakura half turns to comment on his pettiness but he swings her up onto his shoulder and she grips his shoulder to not fall off.
"Careful the sword on my back, Haruno-sama, Samehada bites."
She remembers he's like Zabuza, with one of the Swords of the Mist, just another of those famed swordsmen a village lost because it lost itself.
"When Mei-san announces herself as Mizukage, you won't have to maintain the contractor formality anymore, Hoshigaki-san."
He moves quickly, longer legs covering a great distance, closing the gap between them and Biscuit in a minute.
"Formality's a stuffy thing, but if Mizukage-sama uses -sama on you, I can't go any lower. Causes diplomatic problems."
The dog barrels through Suzuki-sensei's teahouse doors without much decorum, and the lady herself steps out.
"I think the young Uchiha is ready to murder your sensei, given a sample of the excuses he's made to keep the boy here. They're in what was your training room."
The lady takes the chance to give Hoshigaki-san a once over.
"Well, he has exotic looks. I'm surprised you brought someone home dressed like a male clan head, kid."
Sakura brushes it off, greeting sensei with a soft hug, "Not mine, brought him for Sasu-chan."
She feels him, humming with frustrated and petulant rage, next to sensei's false patience and false cheer.
Knocking on the door, "Sorry for the wait…"
His rage fades and he switches to look at her.
"Sakura-chan! Today, sensei dumped me with Gai-sensei for half an hour and I got filled with youth, then he brought me here and told me it's your fault. And then now he tells me Itachi-nii misses me and that I was right about something…"
Voice tapering off because that's not something one should joke with, expecting her to scold Kakashi-sensei, but she nods.
"I'm sorry, it took a while, but there's someone who I think you'd want to meet. His name is Hoshigaki Kisame, and he knows your brother."
Hoshigaki-san bends to enter the door and Sasuke struggles to make that kind of link.
But the Mist-nin smiles, all his sharp teeth.
"Darn. You've got the black eyes kid."
She bows at sensei, before telling the two that they'll be left in peace.
"You're not staying, Sakura-chan?"
The question in Hoshigaki-san's eyes and she nods.
"I trust Hoshigaki-san to keep you safe. Besides, both of you know that orange-masked man. This isn't a conversation where I have a place, Sasu-chan."
His eyes glaze over quickly, Hoshigaki-san moves faster.
"We can talk about that later, Sasuke. May I call you Sasuke? Itachi talked a lot about you."
"Sure, I'll call you… Kisame then? But really?"
Sensei stepping out hesitantly, his resistance his only message, I don't think this is a good idea, Sakura.
"That's good. Yeah, he's reminded of you everywhere I swear. One time we passed through a farm and he picked up a cherry tomato. He suddenly remarked that he thought of you."
"Ah… those are my favourite."
She looks down at the ground, and as she closes the door, Sensei remarks, "You're happy."
Sakura lifts a kimono sleeve to hide her upturned lips, as if embarrassed to have been caught smiling.
"Sasuke deserves to be happy. He sounds happy now. He's missed Itachi-san since the day he left. Tea, Sensei? Does Biscuit want anything to eat as a thank you?"
"The rice one Suzuki-san served the first lady by the door smelled nice, he'll be fine, I'll feed him a puppy snack if you feel he was good."
She guides him to a booth further back, will the dull hum of the street in the background, just enough to prevent him from eavesdropping on Sasuke and Hoshigaki-san.
"I'll be back with the tea."
Suzuki-sensei watches her with a keen eye as she scoops out the tea.
"85 degrees, 3 to 5 minutes steeping. Remember to swirl the pot before serving, and watch out for your sleeves."
She nods obediently, walking over to the hot water boiler set for 85 degrees.
"From the Land of Rice, Sensei?"
The lady kicks back in her chair, humming in agreement.
"Agrarian societies still produce the best. That's hand-loved tea. Now, you'd best hurry along. Who knows what your team leader is up to?"
Sakura fills a small dish with azuki amanatto and another with a few pieces of yatsuhashi, placing them all onto the wooden serving platter by the modest clay teapot and tea cups.
"Three minutes before the tea is bitter!"
"Hai."
She hurries up the steps, a chain scrunching up her kimono skirt so she doesn't trip.
Down the corridor, past their room and hearing Sasuke exclaim, "He didn't!" and Hoshigaki-san's low chuckle.
No, she can't erase the smile on her face.
Balancing the tray on one hand so she can slide open the door, Kakashi-sensei's reading one of his books again.
"Sensei, genmaicha from the Land of Rice."
He politely dog-ears his book, before helping to turn over the cups.
Just in time, she pours and the tea is a moment from the four-minute mark.
A warm yellow tea, with the taste and smell of roasted rice, a slight tinge of a pleasant char wrapping the green tea.
"You haven't completely lost touch with tea-serving I see."
Sakura nods, "I do take tea with Hiashi-sama and Hinata-chan occasionally."
She half turns away from him to drink her tea, remarking, "Not everything tastes nice smelling of roasted grains, Sensei."
"I'm done."
The amanatto is gone as well, and she sighs.
"Tea is supposed to be drunk slowly."
"Are we going to stay here until they finish their chat?"
She finishes her tea and moves onto the matcha yatsuhashi.
"I'm surprised you aren't insisting on listening to them, Sensei."
He rolls a cinnamon yatsuhashi into a small swiss roll, before covering his mouth and eating the whole thing.
"And I am surprised you aren't insisting on deducing how I eat."
Sakura collects the cups.
"I'm not particularly interested, Sensei."
They take one more strip of yatsuhashi each, and he stands to open the door.
"Neither am I in baby Sasuke stories, Sakura-kun."
She pays for the tab, and for the cost of both rooms, Suzuki-sensei promises to send word once they come out.
They're walking together towards the hotel where the Kiri-nin are staying, and she asks.
"How far away are the Aburame, Hatake-sama?"
And with a change in honorific, it's a change in context and content.
"It's a concerning distance. And it's not like the Uchiha, because of suspicion, but because the clan itself feels unimportant in Konoha."
"Do you feel important to Konoha, Hatake-sama?"
He stuffs his hand in his pocket, along with it his book.
"Well, Haruno-sama, the Hatake Clan has a seat on the council solely as respect for a founding clan. It diminished greatly after the first war, and you know how we are now."
Sakura's quiet for a moment.
"You're important to Sasuke."
"Because I'm the only who can train him in the Sharingan?"
It's a wry tone to his voice and she extends an invisible chain to coil around his free hand.
An awkward movement since it's his left hand, and she's walking on his right.
She knows, her hands folded behind her back, that Sensei is a man of too many regrets.
"You're important to Naruto."
"He has Jiraiya-sama."
This one he counters coolly, so Sakura thinks Sensei is insecure. Like Naruto.
Like me.
"You're important to the Aburame."
He arches his eyebrow.
"What, not going to tell me that I'm important to you? Dearest Sensei is hurt, Sakura-chan."
-chan, not -kun.
She looks up at him.
"Sensei is important to all of us. But Hatake-sama is not important to Haruno-sama. Because Haruno-sama has no intention of using Hatake-sama."
They walk through the doors of the hotel, and she flips again.
"Sensei, do you want to see Haku again?"
He takes it in stride as she nods at the counter staff, "Haku? Zabuza's apprentice?"
"Yes, he's here with Mei-san. I hired them to escort Tsubaki-sama back to Mist."
"Boil and Lava-release, Resistance leader Terumi Mei?"
"Godaime Mizukage Terumi Mei, in fact. Just not yet inaugurated."
The counter staff calls out then, and Sakura excuses herself, conveying the Mist team's acknowledgment.
"Ah, please also later, assure them that their bill will be covered by the Haruno Merchants. They should be staying for about a week. Ready another room for them, they are expecting another member."
Kakashi-sensei has whipped out his book, she makes a casual inquiry.
"Did the Mist team not go to the hospital?"
"No, sir. The Lady went to the hotel's sauna, the males asked for the tourist map."
The lift 'dings' and she notes that the ninjas have changed into lighter clothing.
"Haruno-sama, the sauna was as good as you said!"
She treats her casually – Sakura supposes they are on their way to being good friends.
"I'm glad. If you start one in the Mist, I will have to try it out in turn."
Mei laughs, eyes closing, "I'm afraid it might be too hot for you!"
Eye-patch wearing Ao shudders next to her, "She means hot all right…"
They step out into the sun as Haku steps between Ao and the triggered Mizukage-to-be.
"You're wearing the same mask, Haku-kun," she remarks, and the boy nods, "I am, Sakura-sama."
Kakashi is reminded of their stint in Wave, and he's drawn back to old memories.
"You look well, Hatake-san," comes that sudden remark in turn, and he scratches the top of his head, acting his part of harmless old man, eye creasing.
"Maa, life goes on, Haku. You look well. How's Zabuza?"
"Zabuza-sama is doing very well, he's helping to run Kirigakure," the pride in his voice is unmistakable.
"You aren't doing too poorly, protecting your Mizukage."
At this, Haku disagrees, "Mei-sama is a strong ninja who doesn't need protecting. I'm here because Sakura-sama requested me."
No one contradicts that, so they walk on
The hospital is sort of centre of the village, displaced closer in the direction of the Hokage tower then the gate. Not too close near the mountains, not the first target from the gates.
They walk a distance in relative silence.
"Haku, you won't be allowed to keep your mask on in the hospital, so you'll have to leave it at the front desk. We don't want the ANBU on duty to misunderstand."
"I understand."
The arrangement shifted through the course of their fifteen-minute brisk walk, Haku shifted forward to speak with her, and Kakashi-sensei shifted back to make small talk with Ao.
Those two were alike, with their mismatched eyes.
"You know that Tsubaki-sama came to Konoha seeking treatment for his youngest child, right?"
She continues without pause for him to elaborate on what he knows, "I think he may be related to you, Haku-kun."
But the child shuts down that possibility, "I've been alone since I was nine and I had no siblings."
Sakura has scoured texts and she knows the Yuki Clan originated in the Land of Snow.
Instead, she offers, "Hirai looks pretty, just like you."
She knows it's cruel to get his hopes up like this, that's the only reason Haku doesn't ask her for more details.
Senpai bows lightly as she walks their whole group towards the VIP lift.
"You've been signed in."
She murmurs her thanks and Kabuto-senpai politely takes Haku's mask.
They push open the door, and there's a sloshing sound.
Between Sakura's initial surprise and chains snapping up to catch the disposable plastic cup that fell off the door edge, Haku freezes the water.
Lord Tsubaki starts, and hurt flashes across Haku's face, but little Hirai only claps.
"Oooh pretty! Can you make it snow too, nii-san?"
Their eyes met and Haku made it snow on the kid's head.
In the backdrop of Hirai's giggling and attempts to catch the snow, Tsubaki-sama offers Mei-san his greetings, sensei listening keenly.
Sakura watches Haku form snowflakes for Hirai and Kakashi-sensei sidles up, "You funded a rebel insurgency that overthrew a government."
She corrects him softly, "I paid a mercenary to kill Gato, and he funded his rebel insurgency."
"Technicalities. The council won't be happy to hear this. Does Nara-sama know?"
"He may have guessed, but I'm guessing he's too drunk to put two and two together yet."
Haku brushes the snow off his yukata as Hirai tugs on his sleeve, Tsubaki-sama apologises for his reaction and introduces the boy.
"Hirai, you said your name was Yuki Hirai, right?"
"That was my daddy's name, but he said not to tell it to anyone!"
They look in on a stilted reunion because Haku's not sure what to say.
"Looks like today is a good day for a family reunion, Sakura."
She looks out the window.
"I try not to dwell on the dead. Let's try to stop more people from dying. Therefore, I propose, sensei. You approach the Aburame with this information and ask them what they think. If Aburame-sama is anything like Shino is, then it will pay off and we can bring the Aburame back into the fold."
Sensei leaves to do just that, and Sakura rethinks her earlier statement.
It was as much a case of Haruno-sama using Hatake-sama as the other way around, or they could think of it as working together.
She prefers calling it that.
Tsubaki-sama and Hirai play in the corner with Haku, and Sakura asks Mei for once, "What would you like from the Leaf?"
Because they can't talk things like that through Tsubaki-sama like they could of a love for saunas or the Resistance's success.
"I want many things, Kiri would want even more, but Haruno-sama, how much can you get for us?"
Sakura is only a child but she can kill and the village respects that.
"I will get you as much as you are willing to give. If you create for us an embassy in the Mist, I will build you one here. If you station a permanent ambassador, I will supply communication scrolls with the pre-written seal array. If all you want is a peace treaty, I'm sure the council would be willing. If you want mutual defence treaty, if you want a full treaty, then you must establish yourself quickly, that I may brandish your name as the face of the new Kiri."
"My inauguration will be in a month. Will Konoha have a new Hokage by then? But beforehand, Haruno-sama, we are welcoming to all that you have suggested. If possible, then we want all of it. The physical embassy, the permanent, ninja ambassador, the treaty. And Kiri will extend to Konoha the same."
She's banking on Naruto's persuasiveness and Sensei's political clout – words leaving her lips sealing the deal like they will happen, "Very soon Senju Tsunade-sama will named. Sandaime-sama is twice retired, his medical condition remains uncertain but we do not have an acting Hokage. The paper work is being dealt with by the Jonin Commander, I will arrange a meeting if you'd like. The suggestions are not unreasonable, I am certain I can convince enough people to support them."
There they are, furthering their own political agenda but at heart neither hold malicious intent.
"If you are certain, then I will not damage your credibility by approaching key players in your stead, Haruno-sama."
Ao cuts in as their conversation appears to end, "Mizukage-sama, Yagura…"
"Ah yes… Haruno-sama, it may be a weird question, but are there Uchiha other than Uchiha Itachi who are alive but rouge?"
Sakura suspects but she's not certain. Someone who helped Itachi kill the Uchiha would likely have been Uchiha. Someone who had a measure of hatred for the Uchiha, for the village, and thus was a rouge.
"That is something I want to ask Hoshigaki-san, he may know someone like that. But what relation does such an Uchiha have to do with your Yondaime? Was he really being manipulated as rumours said?"
Ao replies rather shortly that his Byakugan told them it was a Sharingan's genjutsu. "We suspected the Leaf, but the Uchiha were massacred, and the colour of that chakra is not Uchiha Itachi's. Yagura… Yagura was a fine shinobi, he was a good Kage till he changed and now we have him in a holding cell wasting away because I can't break the genjutsu's hold on him."
"Bring forward your inauguration, Mei-san, and invite a Konoha delegation as your first overture of peace. Request that I head it, I will hire my team for protection and hopefully Kakashi-sensei will be able to break the illusion."
"Logically speaking, Kakashi-san, Haruno-sama is not a fool. If Kiri offers us a peace deal, I am in support of it. You cannot be suggesting that you suspect Haruno-sama of collaborating with Kiri to harm our village? Haruno-sama is your student, you should know better than most that she thinks, correctly, that brokering a peace deal is the perfect solution."
Kakashi walks on this tight rope, trying to pull the Aburame back into Konoha politics and attempting to not malign his cute student's good name.
"Haruno-sama thinks like a civilian at times. She is young and knows less of politics than we have seen. I merely question if the Bloody Mist can be trusted so easily."
Shibi-san frowns, "It can be raised at the next council session, but Konoha will accept such an offer. I would not discourage it."
"But would you encourage it?"
"It's something worth believing in. I would volunteer in fact."
So to the Aburame clan head, Kakashi looks contemplative – he personally feels more involved than ever, knowing something the other clans might not know yet.
Kakashi knows, typical of Aburame loyalty, Shibi-san will approach Tsume-san.
And his job is done for the moment, because the clan head will be validated in his importance, and the clan itself will better see their importance to the village.
Just as well, a little messenger bird brings a message from Sakura's tea etiquette teacher, They're leaving for the hospital.
He tucks his book securely in his back pocket and walks up to the roof.
We've had a bit of confusion over who knows Tobi as Tobi, or when Tobi controlled Yagura, or if Kisame knows Obito and stuff, but for consistency, I'll lay out the version I'm running with.
Obito is saved by Madara, aged 13/14
Rin dies, aged 13/14
Yagura gets the Sanbi (Let me wing it here) about age 17
Obito becomes Tobi, aged 18 (Let's just say 3/4 years is enough to become god-like powerful with one Sharingan.), Madara dies.
Yagura masters the Sanbi, becomes Yondaime Mizukage at 14 (Same as Gaara) 19 (Because 2 years to master a tailed beast proves he was the strongest Mist nin?)
The Bloody Mist is supposed to begin under Yagura, but since it's also supposed to have gone on for 8+ years before Tobi comes into the scene, The Bloody Mist has been in place since Yagura got the Sanbi. Zabuza's mass killing stopped the Bloody Mist, but that was when he was 7ish, so when Kakashi was 8. Canon wise Kakashi is supposed to be younger than Obito, so Obito is 18 when he attacks Konoha with the Kyubi, Naruto and Kakashi have a 13 year gap, so Kakashi is 13 when that happened.
[Zabuza is 8, Kakashi is 9, Tobi is 12 when Yagura is 5 and abolishes the Bloody Mist doesn't make sense.]
Zabuza is 8, Kakashi is 9, Yagura on his own accord abolishes the Bloody Mist as his first action in office. This is a case of, before Tobi he was a decent leader. Age 19.
When Yagura is 19, Obito is 14.
Yagura 23, Tobi is 18, and begins his manipulation, Kakashi is 13 and in ANBU.
Current time, Kakashi is 26/27, so Yagura is 36, Tobi is 31, Mei is 31. (Mei went through the Blood Mist under the previous Mizukage, when she was 9.)
This makes post-time skip by the wiki inaccurate though.
I apologise if this has confused anyone, but just wanted to put it out there.
I'm personally not very clear on the timeline myself.
We'll see Tsunade next chapter, I think, so it'll be back to Naruto. I do enjoy writing the politicking in Konoha, I wanted to find a comfortable way to write the Aburame back in.
Who do you all want to see more of? Shikamaru, Ino, Chouji, Kiba, Hinata, Shino, respective parents, Kabuto?
As a final note, Kisame knows Tobi is Obito and has a Sharingan, but he did not know Tobi participated in the Uchiha Massacre. The same way Itachi wouldn't tell Kisame about the reason he killed his clan, Kisame wouldn't tell Itachi how he came to be in Akatsuki so no Tobito stories.
I intend for everyone involved to learn about this, and I will enjoy pulling Akatsuki apart by its ideological divides.
Review even if it's just to say hello, that's how I know you're still with me!
See you soon, (End of the month, I'll try for one more chapter in place of NaNoWriMo Prep month)
Off to rest now, A Math exam in 6 hours!
(With this we also officially hit 100k words :))
Kayo
