Five minutes later found four ninjas and a ninken traveling through the forest at great speed. The missing-nins traveled to the side and at a distance from Kioshi, Emi, and Koru, following their lead, but not putting themselves at their backs or getting too close. They'd formed a temporary alliance, but they were still enemies. Basic ninja protocol for the situation was implemented.
"Kioshi! This is crazy!" Emi cast mentally, still not comfortable with the situation. "I know you and Itachi shared a special bond, but you can't let the past cloud your judgment! He's not the teammate we once knew!" Itachi had been a taboo subject that she had avoided talking to Kioshi about since the massacre. Apparently, that had been a mistake. Her old genin teammate had obviously been uninformed about something.
"It's the best thing I could think of," Kioshi projected back in defense as they ran. "As you said, we can't afford to delay. Having two S-ranks join us is the best outcome we could have hoped for! This way we might actually have a chance at killing Orochimaru. We're only so strong alone. Simply getting to Sasuke in itself will be difficult. Who knows what forces or traps are in store."
"And what if the Akatsuki are in league with the Sannin!?" Emi challenged. "Have you ever thought of that!? Your strength is known to many. Itachi and the blue guy might just want extra insurance and will attack you once you are surrounded by more enemies!"
"They said that they hated Orochimaru…," Kioshi shrugged.
"Oh, and we should just go on that should we!?" Emi projected sarcastically. "Has life as a ninja really taught you so little?"
Kioshi sighed. Emi usually didn't get this demeaning unless she was extremely stressed. Meeting Itachi again must really be having a strong effect. This was understandable. Emi knew nothing about the Uchiha's true loyalty, so the points she was making were entirely logical in her view.
Maybe something favorable should be said. The tension was good for Itachi's cover, but it wasn't very good for confidence. "Emi, do you really believe Itachi could have changed so drastically?" He asked seriously. "He might have done terrible things, but I know goodness still remains. Besides, this is Sasuke we are talking about. If I'm positive about one thing, it's our old teammate's love for his brother. Why else would Sasuke be spared that night? You saw Itachi tense up before agreeing, didn't you? Well, that was because I told him the real reason we were tracking Orochimaru. Trust me, I think his worry and hatred towards the snake is real."
Emi frowned, looking towards the Uchiha with a contemplative look. The clenched fists, and habit of getting slightly ahead of them at times supported the statement.
"Maybe you're right," Emi sighed. "I just don't want you to get hurt."
"I'll keep my guard up," Kioshi assured. "Don't worry."
000000000
It took them a few more hours before the scent and chakra trail became strong enough that it called for a stop.
"We are close," Emi stated. "Orochimaru and his subordinates passed by this area only an hour ago."
"Don't extend your aura," Kioshi warned the Akatsuki members, feeling the Itachi start to do just that. "Orochimaru just attacked Konoha, so he's likely expecting pursuit, but not from you. The snake might run or do something drastic if he senses all of us."
"Very well," Itachi stated blankly, though Kioshi could tell there was hidden anxiety behind the words. The Akatsuki member was barely holding himself back from searching for signs of his brother. Auras could only be felt when close. Sasuke was either unconscious, compliant, or restrained by an imprisoning seal, because his chakra residue hadn't been detected the entire trip.
"Emi says he was alive at this location." Kioshi translated across mentally, hoping to offer some comfort to his friend "Dead bodies had a different scent."
"A lot could have happened since then," Itachi rebutted.
"I know, but let's be smart about our approach. Haste often causes more damage than good."
Itachi grimaced as if remembering a certain mistake in the past.
Despite the serious situation, Kioshi couldn't help but smile slightly at this. It felt nostalgic to be together once again. Jiraiya must have kept his word and told Itachi of Kioshi's knowledge and opinion on the massacre because the Uchiha was doing little to hide his feelings at the moment.
Unfortunately, the small heart-felt exchange didn't go unnoticed. "Hey, what are guys talking about?" Kisame interjected. "You seem to be sending genjutsu's at each other like two old lovers or something. If so, don't leave me out of it!"
Despite the shark man's joking nature, there was a hint of suspicion behind the words. It was probably best to stop further private discussion. Kioshi and Itachi both immediately turned cold towards each other and faced forward toward the ridge stiffly.
"Yeah. Definitely some history there," Kisame chuckled.
"Scan the area already," Itachi growled to Kioshi in response, ignoring the shark man.
"Only four low-ranked guards," Kioshi replied dully, inwardly not offended by the harsh tone, understanding the need to get back into character. "Neither seems to be sensors, so I will likely be able to sneak up and kill them without chakra."
Itachi grunted. "Then get on with it. Stop wasting time."
Kioshi nodded and they all continued walking forward at civilian speed, keeping their physical chakra sealed. After they snuck up to the figures, quick hits to the temples caused unconscious and death before the action could be realized.
"Both of you expand your auras," Kioshi told both Itachi and Kisame as they continued. "I believe Orochimaru and other deadly enemies are beyond."
Expanding one's aura was different from extending one's aura. Instead of condensing chakra in a far-off scan, the technique dispersed it out equally in all directions, which hid you from sensors instead of making you one.
Kisame's eyes narrowed at the order. Itachi refused to comply as well. Most S-Rank still took a second or two to bring back their auras from this state. It left you vulnerable to attacks since you couldn't use spiritual chakra while hiding in such a way.
"I already told you that this is to prevent Orochimaru from fleeing." Kioshi hissed to their disobedience. "I promise I won't try to kill you without proper warning."
Kisame folded his arms, not convinced. "Yeah, sorry kid, but I don't trust ya. All this sneekin around ain't my style anyway. Let's just rush the base."
"And risk the target getting away?" Kioshi challenged.
"We'll stay here and wait for your signal," Itachi compromised. "Flare your chakra three times to notify us to approach."
It was a standard Konoha signal. Not exactly stealthy, but it was better than nothing.
"Fine," Kioshi growled. "Wait too long though and I won't share any of the rewards."
"Ah, you're no fun," Kisame smirked.
"I'm not trying to be," Kioshi sighed.
He, Emi, and Koru then turned and walked away. "Kioshi, I get that their support might be useful," Emi projected privately. "But Itachi seems to have a hold over the fish man's battle-driven desires. If our old teammate is smart, which I know he is, then he will likely hold himself and his partner back until you tire yourself out against the Sannin. It's the oldest strategy in the book. They will then swoop in and kill both of you. You should approach the situation with caution."
"What exactly do think I should do differently?" Kioshi asked. "Fighting the Akatsuki first or last makes no difference. At least this way they have the option to help."
"Just make Sasuke the priority," Emi said. "Don't fight any unnecessary battles."
"That's been the plan from the beginning," Kioshi said. "We try to do things as quickly as possible. Once we have Sasuke then we will retreat if necessary."
"Okay," Emi said.
When they reached the far ridge beyond, Orochimaru's subordinates showed signs of detecting Kioshi's scans. Stealth was out the window. Even without risking the Akatsuki exposing them, remaining undetected was a long shot to begin with. It was hard to hide from someone who was expecting pursuit, and infiltration was hard without information and planning. This took time- something Sasuke didn't have.
When the two Konoha ninjas and Ninken came closer and peered through the bushes down to the lower landscape, four Sound ninjas were waiting out on a flat piece of desert ground along with Sannin. The last was a surprise. It seemed like Orochimaru was going to personally involve himself in the conflict.
"Stay close to me," Kioshi projected.
Emi nodded, understanding the danger. Even without TV knowledge, the four ninjas that stood with the S-ranked traitor gave off the air of elites.
Kioshi recognized them as the sound four.
"Do you smell any explosives of mechanical traps ahead?" He asked Emi.
"No," the Inuzuka projected back.
Caution was warranted, especially when being baited by an enemy.
"Hirano…" Orochimaru silkily exclaimed once they were within talking distance. "What a pleasant surprissse." From the resigned but irritated undertone, Kioshi figured his presence was neither of those things.
"Orochimaru," Kioshi greeted back, turning from the form and looking over to some ground far off to the side. "Why don't you come out and speak to me personally? It can't be too comfortable lodged in such a dark claustrophobic space."
There was a slight pause at this, then the clone that had been speaking in front of him melted into mud, merging with the ground. A second later, a long white snake slithered out of the hole that Kioshi was staring at.
"It seeeemes that rumors of your sensing abilities are not exaggerated," the snake replied as it bulged and morphed into a human.
"I could say the same about your own skill set," Kioshi replied with some disgust at the grotesque transformation. Despite some of the unsettling abilities, there was some respect for Orochimaru's skill in deception. The snake had even moved the majority of his aura to reside around the clone. It was only when Kioshi really focused on it, that the illusion was realized. Clones couldn't be controlled without some connection to the user. With enough focus, Kioshi was able to follow the spiritual chakra back to the source.
"I'm here for Sasuke Uchiha," Kioshi proclaimed. "If he is still alive and you give him to me immediately then I will leave."
Orochimaru smiled without humor. "Are you sure that you are the one to be making such deals, Kioshi-kun? Do you really think you have what it takes to defeat me?"
"Yes," Kioshi stated frankly.
"You'll regret insulting Lord Orochimaru in such a way!" Tayuya, the red-haired sound member shouted in indignation, offended by the confidence. "You are no match for our Lord!"
"Perhaps…" Kioshi acknowledged. "But then again, maybe he is in more danger than he realizes." Deciding now was as good a time as any, Kioshi flashed his chakra out in three powerful pulses.
The sound ninjas tensed, thinking it was an attack, but Orochimaru only tilted his head to the side curiously, recognizing the signal for what it was. "So you didn't come alone, Kioshi-kun. How troublesome. I thought the Hokage's death would have at least delayed a coordinated pursuit."
The irritated expression on the snake's face soon shifted to puzzlement, then shock, then terror as one of the quickly approaching signatures became recognizable.
"No…" The snake exclaimed. "NO! It can't be. He would not work with you!"
The snake had probably been expecting Kakashi or a group of jonin to approach. Itachi was different. If things were like the TV show, then the older Uchiha had been Orochimaru's last target for the Sharingan. Obviously, the attack hadn't been successful, and the snake looked fearful of further repercussions.
It wasn't long before both Akatsuki members appeared in a flash behind Kioshi.
"Is this it?" Kisame mocked with a small frown at the five-man opposition. "I was expecting a small army at least."
"You guys can take on the enemies here," Kioshi replied. "I'll flush out any more in the base." Beyond Orochimaru was a cave opening in a hill that lead underground. Kioshi hadn't focused on it enough to know all that it contained, but it was the place they would likely find Sasuke. The snake had really risked it all, leading them to a main point of operation.
He flashed forward before there could be any protest, causing the sound ninjas in front of them to break apart in an effort to avoid a chakra-condensed attack. Emi and Koru followed in his wake, a golden energy shield flaring around them.
Fighting side by side with the Akasuki members would be difficult when a lack of trust and an illusion of a lack of trust needed to be maintained. And like he and Emi had agreed before, Sasuke was still the main priority. They couldn't risk something happening to the boy during the battle.
Itachi made no move to stop him. Kisame also didn't seem to mind being deserted. More fighting equaled more glory it seemed...
"Traps ahead," Kioshi said to both Emi and Koru, as they neared the cave entrance. To get past whatever the charged seals had in store, Kioshi eyes flared and a wisp was sent past the entities. That, along with another wisp was then twirled into a pair of linked portals, a human sized purple one appearing in front of them.
"Go through."
Emi and Koru didn't hesitate, having done this numerous times. They all appeared inside the cave beyond, teleporting past the obstacles.
"We don't smell any explosives or hear any mechanics," Emi informed afterward, knowing Kioshi's question before he asked it. They were back in their old roles from their genin days. She and Koru handled physical detection while Kioshi handled chakra detection.
A large explosion from outside suddenly shook the ground, causing both of them to brace themselves. And while they infiltrated, Itachi provided a distraction…
"This brings back memories…" Emi said with a sad wistful look on her face.
"Yeah," Kioshi smiled. "Though I think Itachi is throwing more than just fire balls out there."
"We better hurry," Emi nodded in conclusion. "We don't want this place collapsing on us."
Kioshi agreed, and the three of them headed deeper into the network. The base was large. Most of the winding pathways appeared ancient as if made long ago by a large earthworm. The only sign of human development was light sconces and square doorways leading into small and large rooms.
Kioshi sent out spiritual chakra in every direction to search for signs of life. Success was found in the lower levels. "I feel Sasuke. He's alive, but I think he's unconscious. There are two aura's right next to him. One has a dense presence of a natural sensor, and the other is pulsing out something strange, creating some sort of cage or barrier."
Emi nodded. "They're likely competent guards put up to guard the boy. They must know we are coming."
"Yeah," Kioshi agreed, as they continued.
More traps were detected and evaded as they made their way to the young Uchiha's location. Kioshi teleported or tunneled through most obstacles, so they were able to make it to their destination fairly quickly.
When they came to a tunnel filled with the strange chakra, Kioshi realized who they were up against. Cris-crossing bone spikes blocked the pathway from all directions like a giant overgrown rose forest.
This had to be Kimimaro's work. The young Kaguya member had been taken in by Orochimaru as a child in the anime. There was no reason to suspect it wasn't the same here.
The other guard was likely Kabuto. Natural sensors were rare, and the young silver-haired spy was the only other known talented person of Orochimaru's that they hadn't met yet.
"Stay close and keep your shield up," Kioshi told Emi as he created a few purple portals and began slicing through the bones before them. Doing this instead of teleporting would give Emi a path to retreat backward if necessary.
"Impossible. Nothing should be able to cut through," a soft voice replied in the room beyond.
"Do not come any closer or we'll kill him!" A different harsher voice then demanded.
Kioshi flashed forward anyway. The threat was a bluff. It was obvious Orochimaru needed Sasuke's alive to possess or experiment with.
The two guards were ill-prepared for his approach. Kabuto was fast enough to avoid a fatal strike, but a long sword slash appeared along the sound ninja's side as he was blasted away from the prisoner.
Bone spears tried to prevent Kioshi from doing more, but Kioshi quickly evaded, taking Sasuke away in a bridal carry. While dodging more strikes, he dropped the Uchiha into his dimensional realm to free his arms and mind. Then he went on full offense.
Kabuto and Kimimaro were not given any respite. Despite their youth or whatever sympathy Kioshi felt for them, they were both deeply loyal to Orochimaru. They'd likely seek revenge after this if left alive, which was something Kioshi didn't want to deal with upon everything else. Kabuto also became quite the menace and ally to Tobi in the original timeline. It was best to eliminate the threat now.
Kimimaro and Kabuto attacked Kioshi with full force, but it did little in preventing their fates. Kioshi was over Kabuto's speed threshold, despite the boy's quick reactions and taijutsu, and Kioshi's bloodline ability was able to absorb or get through all of Kimimaro's strong attacks and defenses.
It wasn't long until both two sound ninjas were decapitated. The boys didn't even have time to transform or implement their more powerful techniques.
"I'm glad you're on my side," Emi commented afterward in the silence, golden shield deactivating. "Though you do make me feel like a bit of a bystander at times."
"Sorry," Kioshi commented, though not entirely apologetic. Being strong was good. His bloodline and almost perfect memory really made him a terrifying force to be reckoned with. In fact, Jinchuriki, tailed beasts, or strong coordinated forces were probably the only things at this point that could defeat him. Even Tobi was becoming less terrifying. He just needed to make sure no one caught him by surprise.
"Let's go clear the rest of the base," Kioshi said, after another rumble shook the cave from outside. "We shouldn't leave behind any loose ends, and I believe there might be innocents locked up down here."
Emi nodded.
They spent the next few minutes going from place to place, storing away the remaining people felt within the base to be later dealt with in Konoha. Giving proper healing or punishment to the guards and freed prisoners would take time and could be postponed.
When Kioshi, Emi, and Koru finally came out of one of the tunnel exits into daylight, Kisame could be seen not far away fighting two remaining sound ninjas in their full transformation stages. The other two lay dead on the ground.
Perfect…The blue Akatsuki member had eliminated some of the opposition, but the man was still occupied. Now would be a good time to take Kisame out. Kioshi wasn't one to betray an alliance, but a conversation with Itachi was in order. A real one. That couldn't happen with the shark-man listening in. It would be best if the interference was… frozen…for a time.
"Emi, cover me," Kioshi said. "I'm going into meditation." If Kioshi planned on releasing Kisame from his dimensional realm after this, then the best way to proceed would be to make it seem like the attack came from another entity. Attacking stealthily would also help defeat the man quickly.
"What are you planning?" Emi asked, curious and confused. She didn't know of Kioshi's mental attacks so a clear purpose for meditating right now couldn't easily be seen.
"Just watch," Kioshi said. "Stay on guard and shield me if anyone attacks."
"Everyone seems to be focusing elsewhere," Emi commented with raised brows. "Is what you are going to do going to change that?"
Kioshi smiled at his teammate's subtle prod for more information. "Maybe. But hopefully, I'll be the only one attacking if all goes well."
Pure mental chakra could only be used effectively on one person at this distance. It took a lot more energy and concentration to split or do things across a wider range. That meant that the sound ninjas couldn't be included in the attack.
Not only would this make Kioshi vulnerable, but if he wanted to stay true to his word of not killing Kisame without warning, then he'd need to defend the man as well from the remaining sound ninjas once disabling him.
This would take every ounce of concentration. The shark man was right on the edge of his distance threshold.
Concentrating, Kioshi sent the projection of intense pain with pure mental chakra, while also sending out some wisps as a defensive and attack measure.
Because of the distance and complexity of the attack, the wisps were not fully concealed. This was unfortunate. Kisame might detect and recognize the energy. But Kioshi could simply say that the wisps were sent to save Kisame from the enemy. This would explain how Kisame wasn't killed after "losing consciousness."
If asked why Kioshi would ever do such a thing…Well, he was just a naive and good-hearted boy who felt loyal to his allies. Suspicion would be drawn, but the lie couldn't be proved.
When the pure mental attack reached Kisame, the shark-man screamed in agony, dropping his large sword under blinding white pain. While the man was distracted and unaware, Kioshi activated a large portal and swallowed the man whole.
The two sound ninjas who had just previously been fighting the shark man looked around in confusion and alarm. They immediately sent out waves of canceling energy.
Smart. Kioshi had just been about to absorb them as well.
Irritated, Kioshi sent out more wisps from his eyes and activated them outside the two ninjas canceling range before sending them in. The technique was unstoppable in this form. Energy consumption and speed was the only downside.
Luckily, the ability to store chakra helped with the first weakness, and Kioshi flashed across the ground and joined the fight personally to help end the fight more quickly.
The battle between Itachi and Orochimaru was still in progress, powerful chakra flares and vibrations being felt clearly in the distance. The snake seemed to be providing a hard challenge for his friend, so it was best not to delay.
There were many things at this point that could kill Itachi. The first was the emotional stress over Sasuke. That could cause fatal distraction. And then there was the Uchiha's blindness and lung disease if things were the same in this reality. It was possible Itachi wasn't in full health and couldn't fight to his full potential.
Kioshi had asked after Itachi in the past for this very reason. Jiraiya had simply said that the Uchiha said he was fine.
Fine. Yeah right. How could anyone be fine after being forced to kill their family and fighting and hiding for years without proper healing or support?
Due to Itachi's unknown status, Kioshi used his full speed and power to defeat the sound ninjas. It didn't take long to become the victor.
Once the task was completed, Kioshi flashed back to Emi and Koru, and they all headed toward the last remaining threat/threats, depending on whose perspective you were following and the outcome of the battle. The chakra of both Orochimaru and Itachi had stopped in Kioshi's struggle against the sound ninjas. Either could now be dead or alive.
Kioshi breathed out a sigh of relief once his spiritual scans detected Itachi's aura and the absence of Orochimaru's. His friend had either killed or chased the snake away.
When they crested the ridge, the Uchiha was seen standing over Orochimaru's destroyed body, his own cloak tattered and burnt with a bloody sword in hand.
When Itachi turned to face them, Kioshi could also see that blood dripped from the Uchiha's eyes and mouth. This first had to be from Sharingan overuse and the last was either from a recent injury, or it was as Kioshi feared and Itachi was indeed suffering from a fatal internal disease, the stress of the recent battle fanning its flame.
"Are you okay?" Kioshi asked.
Itachi glared back, his hat gone and his face and blood-splattered chest fully exposed. The Uchiha either was pissed about something, or he was just putting on an act for Emi and Koru.
"Where's Sasuke?" Itachi asked through genjutsu instead of answering.
"In my dimensional realm," Kioshi answered. "He's alive and intact."
Itachi's eyes softened slightly at this, then looked around searchingly. "And where's Kisame?"
"In my dimensional realm as well."
Itachi's brow furrowed. Kioshi could tell the worry and apprehension behind it wasn't entirely fake.
"Don't worry, he's alive," Kioshi assured. "I just wanted to talk to you alone for a few minutes."
"That was unwise," Itachi projected stiffly, almost in reprimand. "I will have to explain my partner's disappearance to the organization's leader. And if you let him go, I will be even more suspicious."
"I made sure the man didn't know who attacked him," Kioshi assured. "Besides, even if he does suspect it, we can just tell him that I did it in order to get leverage over you. That might actually be better. It's a win all around. You promise to leave us alone, and I let him go. That way we don't have to fight. Please. I haven't seen you in years… And you at least have to talk to Sasuke. He deserves that much."
Itachi shifted uncomfortably, giving off an air of both longing and reluctance. "I…I don't think I can."
"You can't hide from him forever."
"What about Emi and Koru?" Itachi projected back, briefly glancing at the two additional entities beside Kioshi.
"I believe they can be trusted," Kioshi replied. It was true. The Inuzuka pair could keep their mouths shut, and not telling them now would likely cause more problems than not at this point. Suspicions were already raised.
"Mind clueing us into the conversation, boys?" Emi interjected with a furrowed growl, confirming the fact. "Am I missing something here?"
Itachi was showing more heart-felt emotion than what was precedented, the grimace on Itachi's face making it clear he realized this was well.
"Itachi is not our enemy," Kioshi revealed, pausing for a moment to make sure explaining this was alright. Itachi looked resigned, so Kioshi continued. "He was ordered by the village to kill his clan to stop a civil war. The public does not know this because his status as a missing-nin provides him the opportunity to infiltrate the Akasuki organization as a spy."
"What?" Emi blinked incredulously.
"Itachi is a spy," Kioshi repeated again. "He's not a traitor."
Emi looked like she couldn't decide whether to be relieved, angry, or remain in disbelief at the information. "The village ORDERED the Uchihas to be killed! Impossible! The council members would never resort to such a thing!"
"I was mostly Danzo's doing," Kioshi said. "It's one of the reasons why I killed him."
Emi stayed silent again for a long while after this, looking back and forth between the Uchiha's and Kioshi's troubled and guilty expressions in quick succession.
"Truley?" she then finally asked, voice hesitant but hopeful.
"Yes," Itachi confirmed flatly.
Emi, either reading the distant mood, or not trusting enough to break down into tears, just bit her lip in reply.
There was an awkward silence after that.
"Maybe we should go to the shelter of the trees over there and sit down," Kioshi suggested, to ease the conversation in a different direction. "You look like you could use some healing Itachi, and I also need to tend to Sasuke."
The mention of his brother jolted the older Uchiha out of his stupor. "Yes, we should tend to him," he repeated in agreement, turning and walking quickly away in the forest's direction. "And if we are to speak, then it would be best to do it soon. I should spend as little time with you as possible."
Kioshi nodded, not offended. It was unhealthy for a spy to hang around allies for too long.
When they reached a flat area in the forest, the four of them stopped. Kioshi decided to heal Sasuke first as this would give the boy more time with his brother. He dumped Sasuke from his dimensional realm and extracted the drugs within him. The boy soon regained consciousness.
"What- Kioshi?" Sasuke mumbled droggly, focusing on the familiar face above him in confusion. "Why are you?... Where?... The boy's eyes then widened as he remembered, sitting up in alarm. "Threats! Within the village!"
"Yes, calm down, we know," Kioshi said placatingly. "You were attacked and taken away by Orochimaru. We came and rescued you."
The boy's confusion would have likely turned to anger or embarrassment at this, but it was at this time that his examining eyes landed on Itachi. Sasuke froze, staring at the place for a moment before pulsing out a powerful wave of canceling energy, likely thinking the impossible image was an effect of the drugs or a genjustu.
"W-what?..." he asked shakily afterward when the illusion didn't disperse.
"We met Itachi along the way," Kioshi explained. "He agreed to come help us once he learned you were in danger. We believe Orochimaru was after your eyes."
Sasuke was only partly listening to the explanation at this point. When Itachi couldn't meet the intense gaze anymore, the boy got up rushed at him.
Itachi flinched at the motion, thinking it was attack, before blinking in shock at suddenly being hugged. "It's really you?!" Sasuke said, voice cracking with emotion, squeezing hard and desperate.
"Yes.. It's…It's me," Itachi answered after a moment, still stunned at the welcoming reaction. He knew Sasuke knew the truth behind the massacre, but that should only cause more hate, right? Murdering their parents was unforgivable…
His fifteen-year-old brother didn't released him for good minute. When he did, Sasuke still shook with tear-filled eyes. Those tears quickly turned panicked once the cuts and burns on Itachi were noticed.
"You're hurt!" Sasuke exclaimed in outrage.
Itachi swallowed dryly, chest aching along with other body parts. "I'm fine," he said weakly.
"No, you're not!" Sasuke admonished. "Kioshi, help him!"
"Yes, I was planning on that, " Kioshi exclaimed wryly, looking at Itachi seriously, leavening no room for argument.
Sasuke guided his brother over to a tree to sit down. Kioshi followed as well, kneeling down next to his friend.
"You, don't have to do this," Itachi vocalized anyway.
Kioshi stared at the Akatsuki member with sadness and frustration. Was Itachi guilt-ridden to the point of actually thinking he didn't deserve aid?
"Hold still," Kioshi simply said, and began a medical scan. What he found was…. unsurprising…but gruesome all the same. The Uchiha's lungs were a mess. It was impressive that the Uchiha could still hide signs of the disease at all. Most would be bedridden by this point.
"Yeah this might take a while," Kioshi said, activating a portal, and letting essential ingredients for anatomy creation fall out from it.
"Why?! What's wrong?!" Sasuke asked in worry. From Kioshi's grim face and actions, it was obvious that there was more amiss than the visible burns and cuts.
"Itachi has some internal damage that needs to be fixed," Kioshi said, looking at Itachi in admonishment. Then continued privately. "You really should have come to me before now. I'm surprised this problem hasn't killed you."
Itachi didn't say anything in response, looking away blankly.
Kioshi shook his head again and started the long process of fixing and replacing damaged material inside his friend's chest. After that, he then focused on Itachi's eyes.
Itachi stiffened at this. "What are you doing?"
"You have areas within your eyes that are frayed and damaged," Kioshi said in answer.
"You… you can fix that?" Itachi asked, shocked, but not entirely disbelieving.
"Sasuke has let me study his eyes at times," Kioshi explained. "I also studied one of Shusui's eyes that I took from Danzo when I killed him. Which reminds me. Would you like to do a transplant of that instead? I've heard it will help to keep you from going blind again…"
"No," Itachi refused immediately. "Save the eye for Sasuke. He deserves it more than me. But make sure to wait until he his ready. An Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan can only be created on a person who has already mastered their Original Sharingan."
"Or I can just use your current eyes instead when the time comes." Sasuke glared. "Don't turn down this power. It will help protect you."
"Perhaps, but it is better to have two matching eyes for the transformation," Itachi still refused. "Shisui's other eye is currently elsewhere. My partner and organization will be suspicious with the amount of time I have already spent with you. We don't have time to retrieve it."
"I'll simply fix your original eyes for now then," Kioshi concluded, seeing no more reason to continue the conversation.
There was no further debate on the subject as Kioshi began to repair the intricate nerves and pathways of Itachi's eyes. Dojustus had layers of complex seals and designs inside, which became more extensive and elusive the higher it was in stage. Luckily, Kioshi didn't need to create a Mangekyo from scratch, as that was probably out of his capabilities at the moment.
Once he was done and Itachi tested and made sure everything worked properly, Kioshi then healed the burns and cuts along Itachi's body.
Itachi summoned a new cloak from a storage seal after this, covering up future evidence of battle. "Thank you," he said, looking a thousand times better.
"No, problem," Kioshi replied. "Come by any time. Seriously."
"Are you really going to leave again?" Sasuke said, picking up on the farewell tone. "I want you to come home. Haven't you already sacrificed enough?"
"I need to stick to my mission," Itachi said resolutely.
"I agree with Sasuke," Kioshi said. "Konoha would benefit more greatly with you actively working with us than with any information you can obtain in your current position."
"You're wrong," Itachi said. "The Akatsuki are planning something big, something they believe will control all nations. I am needed here. I have to find out more."
There was conviction and worry, but also panic behind the words. Kioshi could tell the last emotion wasn't entirely from Tobi's plans. Itachi was afraid….Afraid of returning to Konoha…
"Very well," Kioshi sighed, deciding not to push the issue for now. Facing old friends and memories might be too much to ask of the Uchiha right now. "Can you tell us anything that will help us prepare? Anything we should be aware of?" Canon was changing after all, so perhaps the spy position wasn't entirely useless.
"The Akatsuki leader does not seem prepared to openly attack villages," Itachi replied. "We are waiting for opportunities to steal tailed beasts away secretly. This seems to be one of the organization's main goals. Prepare Konoha's Jinchuriki and do not let him travel out without proper protection."
Kioshi nodded. Jiraiya had told them this a while ago. It was why the Sage had taken Naruto away to train. The action was risky, as it took the boy away from a fortified location, but making the target personally strong was also important. Jiraiya was also an S-rank protector, and the Sannin had effective summons that could be sent for aid if needed. The spy was also constantly moving, making it difficult for someone to plan a coordinated attack against the Jinchuriki.
After healing Itachi- Kioshi, Emi, and Koru did a perimeter check and cleaned up dead bodies while Sasuke and Itachi spent a few minutes alone.
Kioshi then released Kisame, who was outright pissed at being backstabbed and used as a hostage. But it didn't matter. Having Itachi honor-bound, both Akatsuki members let them go without retribution and would wait to fight them another day.
The Akatsuki members were still given half of Orochimaru's bounty, however, as a peace offering, that being one promise Kioshi decided to keep, knowing Konoha would pay him back. Hopefully, that would satisfy Kisame enough to not hold too long of a grudge.
Kioshi then left with Sasuke, Emi, and Koru back to the leaf village.