The road between the Land of Flowers and the Land of Earth was long, two days at least, even though Itachi and Kisame paid a carriage to take them quicker. Kisame was bored and tried to initiate a discussion with Itachi. "So, Itachi-san, do you want to know more about Han of Iwagakure?"

Itachi knew he had to pretend to be interested, as to not arouse suspicion. "Tell me!"

"Well, during the Third Shinobi World War, Iwagakure and Kirigakure banded together against Konohagakure until the Mist shinobi decided to betray their Iwa allies. So, they killed almost all their important leaders, including the leader of the Explosion Corps at the time, Gari of the Explosion Release. That man was next in line to become Tsuchikage and he was very respected by his soldiers, so they decided to get revenge against us." Itachi was saddened. He was traumatized by the events of the Third War and that turned him into a pacifist. He remembered very well: he was only four when he saw many Leaf shinobi being butchered like cattle. Kisame continued. "So, after a battle of ours versus the Leaf, we were tired and then, we received a message from Iwagakure. They said that they will come with supplies, as they let bygones be bygones about our betrayal. They sent one guy, as not to raise suspicion. That man was Han. Five minutes took him to kill five hundred Chunin and Jonin from our village. We were crippled so we capitulated."

Itachi was not shocked. One who betrays an ally should expect to be betrayed as well. "Kirigakure's history is very bloody, covered with betrayals. You were right to leave them, Kisame. You deserve to be in a family like ours, who care about their comrades!" I must say these things. I must sound like I am extremely convinced that the Akatsuki's ideology is correct.

Kisame smirked. "Yes, Itachi-san! Akatsuki gave me the… sincerity I needed as a shinobi."

Itachi knew that underneath his blunt exterior, Kisame was an honest shinobi, with an unbreakable Nindo, his own shinobi code.

At an inn, Itachi and Kisame ate and rested. The Uchiha was alone in his room and closed his eyes. He remembered the precious face of Sasuke, his beloved younger brother. He also remembered what Shisui told him the day he committed suicide that he must protect the village and the Uchiha name at all costs. Shisui… I couldn't protect our clan, but at least I protected their reputation. The village is safe, even though I am viewed as a traitor. But that doesn't matter for me. I forsook all claims on honor the moment my sword tore through a clansman's flesh. Now, I must commit another murder, against a man I don't even know. Even though he is a Jinchuriki, how is he like? Does he have children? Does he have a wife that will mourn him after I capture him? Yes, he killed many shinobi during the war but who didn't? It was either his village or the others. It's not like he did have a choice. But I have a choice. I could renounce the mission, desert the Akatsuki and stop the bloodshed. But HE will destroy Konoha and kill Sasuke. No, I must do it! I am sorry… I must do it!"

Itachi opened his eyes and activated his Sharingan who in turn changed into the Mangekyou Sharingan. Itachi's vision was blurry and he was in a lot of pain. So it's worse now. At this rate, I think I have another two or three years left in me. Enough to do that…

The Uchiha deactivated his dojutsu and exited his room. Outside the inn, a lovely little lake glittered in the sun. Itachi smiled, as he loved beautiful vistas. A small hare ran towards the lake and took a sip from the water. Itachi got sad. I think that man is like this hare… Just a being that tries to live and to thrive in this shinobi world. And I must end his existence, like I did to my clansmen. I must capture him alive just for the Akatsuki to extract the beast from him and kill him. So I am the one who will erase his life." The Uchiha was full of remorse, but he knew that he must do it. He reentered the inn and went straight to Kisame's room. The blue-haired shinobi caressed his sentient sword, Samehada. "Kisame, are you ready to go?"

"Just a moment, Itachi-san! I have something for you!" Kisame opened a drawer and handed Itachi a book. "While you slept, I went to a nearby town where I met a contact who had information on the Five-Tails. You have everything here!"

"Thank you, Kisame! I appreciate! I will go to my room and study it. I will come for you when I am ready and we will leave!"

"Of course, Itachi-san!"

Itachi was torn. Now, his questions would have an answer. He will know what being he would have to bring down. He stood on the bed and opened the book at Han's bio: Han of Iwagakure. Born on May 10, aged 37. 228 centimeters tall, weighting 114 kilograms. Married to Byatsuchi, aged 32 with one child, Ken, aged 10. Itachi almost cried. So the man really had a wife and a child. He will take a husband and a father from his family. After tomorrow, Byatsuchi will become a widow and ten years old Ken will become an orphan, just as he did to Sasuke when he murdered their parents. Itachi continued to read: Became Jinchuriki of the Five-Tails at age 6 at the request of his uncle, the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki. Can combine the Fire and Water natures to use Boil Release. Recommend extreme caution. Also, he is immune to Genjutsu, due to being a Jinchuriki that can control his beast to a degree. Itachi thought: So, he is immune to Genjutsu. I guess Tsukuyomi is off the table. It's good, actually. I won't have to torture his mind more than I will torture his body…" Itachi closed the book and went to his partner's room. "I am ready!"

"Fine. Shall we go then?"

The two Akatsuki members entered their carriage that would take them to the Land of Earth.