There are moments, in life, in which a huge amount of emotions are concentrated, among other things very intense. As if those of an entire existence were all amassed in a few minutes of a given day; it almost seems as if a catastrophic storm unleashed all the fury of its lightning in a very few square meters and in a period of time lasting less than an hour. Very often in those moments we don't know how to act, we don't know what to say, we only have time to carry out the action we think is right. Almost always, on those occasions, there is little time to deal with those emotions that hit us in the face like a speeding train. There is no time to choose words, looks, the correct place to put your hands, body positions, the level of contact and distance with the people around us. On those occasions the words create a shapeless and extremely noisy skein inside the head that will take a lot of time to unravel, the right words will come out only later, usually when it's too late.

Kisame had never really found himself in such a situation; he had had so many strong and sudden emotions in his life and he had always found the right actions and the right words. It had happened the last night he had seen Madara, his words had hit the target with Obito, despite the disruption of that I love you. He'd realized it the night he'd met him in his office at Susanoo after talking to Itachi for the first time. Exactly what he had imagined had happened, his words from years before him had perhaps caused Obito to stop suddenly in the middle of a street with his eyes wide open, or had caused Obito to slip a glass from his hands. However from that day the change in him had begun to make its way to the end.

Kisame had found the right words to say to Sarana after the incident at Kiba's New Year's party. He had gleaned them talking to Tayuya about the divorce and the second track along with Naruto. Even the day he suddenly saw Sasori again, despite everything that had happened during their relationship in their youth, Kisame had understood exactly how to behave. He had known exactly what to say when inviting Naruto over to his house for dinner as both of them were now aware that their bond had evolved into something else. Kisame had been certain of what he had done in Obito's office and his actions once he faced the mysterious masked dancer.

But now, in that instant, Kisame was realizing that he didn't have the time to choose the right words and the best actions. He already knew they would come out later, once he could take the time that was now missing.

Itachi, will you give me a second chance to tell you these words? I can't express myself with my eyes like you do. Putting together the sentences that would be needed now I already know that it will take me some time, even just one day, but I don't like being left with words trapped inside that haven't had their chance, they would end up digging into my soul in such a way painful enough to make me lose my mind.

Kisame realized that this second chance would also be necessary for Obito, for the person he had become now. For that man who, like his cousin Itachi, had remained buried under years of stratified pain from which he had resurfaced thanks to that petite doe-eyed woman with extraordinary strength who was now there to hold his hand.

Also for her, Rin, Kisame would have wanted another circumstance, for her face that exuded goodness, simplicity and understanding. The expression was always the one with which, from behind the bar counter, he had explained to him why Sasuke was always at the same table on weekends.

He would have wanted it, a second chance, for those two dancers seen only in passing and who now had in front of him, one of them had eyes identical to those of Nagato of a color impossible to forget. The other certainly represented an important piece of Itachi and Sasuke's life.

Kisame would have liked a next time also for that big rough man with olive skin, but with very beautiful and particular eyes and hair, who had seen him make the decision to get on the train on the third track. After all, it was also thanks to him that he had succeeded, and yes, Kakuzu and Itachi were friends and perhaps that evening over a year before the stingy manager had been generous with the weasel, allowing Kisame to talk to him.

And you, Madara? How many layers of pain are you buried under? Did you manage to dig your way out? I know that you like to do everything yourself, however I would like to know how to find the right opportunity for you too. Maybe it will be different from how you've always imagined it, but our lives have moved on in recent years and there have been many changes in direction, whether we wanted it or not.

They were all on the narrow sidewalk under the old door of that building now, the infernal noise of the street filled the silence, perhaps preventing them from panicking. No one could deal with the right words and gestures now. No one had time for explanations even though Kisame recognized Shisui, Yahiko and Kakuzu and vice versa. Questions about what relationship he had with Obito and Itachi would still have to wait.

Yahiko, did you tell your brother the truth or will he have to take another violent ball in the face today?

Another question that should have been patient for now. Kisame had noticed, from what little he had seen him while he was visited by Tsunade, what problems Nagato had. They weren't caused by something wrong with the body but by that suffering as great as it was invisible.

"We absolutely have to go inside, Obito. Nagato is at home but I don't know if he doesn't want to open me on purpose or if something worrying has happened" Itachi had turned to his older cousin but it was clear that the request was for everyone.

"For me and Kisame it's child's play to knock down these four boards if we shoulder at the right point at the same time, I'll explain how to not make too much noise" stated Kakuzu referring to the door "Itachi, is the one of the apartment armored? "

"Unfortunately yes"

"Then we necessarily need a passepartout. But look if they had to install armored doors in a decrepit building like this, I find that even aesthetically they have nothing to do with it."

No one, given the situation, had time to wonder so many questions about Kakuzu's burglar knowledge.

"Thank you, Kakuzu, but maybe we can ring some other person to make us open this, for the other we have to think of something, Maybe Nagato, realizing that we are all here, opens us spontaneously" Rin had intervened with the most painless, absolutely in resonance with her personality and her way of doing.

That's how it actually went, Itachi had managed to get a lady to open the door using the excuse that he had forgotten his keys. The group climbed the old white stone steps that were so worn that they were slippery. They went up that stairwell made in that method no longer considered up to standard; it was one of those that revolved around a central empty space, it hadn't been used for several years to avoid accidents or nonsense. Their footsteps echoed in the bowels of the old building, Obito again had that unpleasant sensation that each step was so slowed down that it lasted several minutes.

That time I heard the roar of an engine and I already had a terrible premonition, this time I only hear our feet rumbling and the street noise muffled by the walls. However the sensation is more or less the same.

Obito swallowed, his jaw suddenly feeling dry and hoping he was wrong. He squeezed Rin's hand again.

"Itachi, did something happen? You know, it seemed a little strange to me that someone exactly like you had lost his keys."

A short lady in her seventies was standing on the second floor landing, she was wearing a blue dressing gown with a floral pattern on white. Her hair completely white, tousled, slightly thinning on her forehead and deprived of years of care and a decent cut. She watched them over her plastic-rimmed, scratched reading glasses nearly the same color as her dress. Her army-green irises weren't dulled by her age, but she rather she polished as glass spheres by the disappointments and tears she'd had to shed in her life as a result of them.

"Well, yes, it also happens to me that I forget something. Don't worry, it's all right."

The lady smiled showing off a row of still completely healthy teeth, she could see that she was not particularly convinced of seeing that group of seven people, however she nodded as she returned to her apartment.

Kisame had a lump in his throat, he seemed to perceive the feelings of every person present on the stairs at that moment. There was still no plan to arrive but now time seemed to expand with each step conquered. He had noticed Obito gritting his teeth and clenching his wife's hand even tighter, in their family the negative events had already been many and merciless, it was normal that now some nervousness on his part would show through. Yahiko was perhaps about to reveal an uncomfortable truth to his brother, however he was impassive and exuded self-confidence, it was also noticeable by the way he walked with his shoulders straight and his legs slightly apart.

Do you also wear a mask when in front of people to give yourself demeanor or are you serious about that? If this were the case, it wouldn't even be completely wrong, after all, problems must be tackled head-on and when they arise, it's pointless to rack your brains when you're still not sure of anything.

Shisui hadn't said a word since he arrived. Kisame had guessed that he was an extremely positive person but, unlike Naruto, faced with the difficulties of others he most likely did not feel up to giving advice and for this reason he stepped aside. Perhaps a slight inferiority complex haunted him since he was young without him realizing it.

Well, you should try Shisui. Perhaps the fact that you can elicit a smile could make both you and the other person feel relieved.

Itachi still tried to be calm and strong for everyone, like always; however, nothing concerning him could escape Kisame by now. He was trying not to aggravate Obito's concern and at the same time feeling guilty for calling and alerting him. The same was true for his cousin Shisui, Itachi regretted having upset his positivity. He was certainly worried because now Yahiko would be forced to give his explanations to Nagato. Kisame observed him from behind as he opened that procession, he concentrated on his beautiful low tail of a different black than that of the tight-fitting suit, the only object of his belongings to be left to him. Kisame observed his jaw line. He marveled at how he could manage, even in that situation, to climb the stairs in an elegant and calm way.

I see through you now, it is true that you are a crystal and like him transparent.

Itachi and Yahiko, the people closest to Nagato, stood under the third floor door. The dark haired rang the bell.

You do it graciously.

After a few minutes of getting no response, the redhead with the piercings started banging on the armored door, punching it and calling Nagato out loud. Itachi had turned disconsolate towards the rest of the group.

All right, I'm the only one who sees what you're feeling.

"Guys, somehow we'll open this door don't worry" Shisui had spoken looking instinctively at Kakuzu.

"I think the best thing is to call the mayor, he's a dear friend of mine and I know he'll do everything to resolve this situation" Kisame had already picked up the phone while everyone turned towards him.

Obito nodded slightly, he knew who he was talking about. Naruto was one of those people he hadn't seen since that infamous evening, yet in the elections he had been happy to vote in favor of him, the infinite merits of the blond were evident even then. Even Itachi couldn't forget that turquoise-eyed blond for whom he had performed in Susanoo's private room five years ago. The dark-haired had connected the facts when he had seen Naruto arrive at Kisame's gym with pastries and champagne. And now he saw that Kisame understood him, understood the words spoken by his eyes as always.

Naruto, you must never fear losing anyone, especially me. As you can see, you are a person who will always remain precious to everyone.

Naruto wasn't the type to be overwhelmed by so-called pain blows. Those who don't immediately feel hot when a relationship ends but who make themselves felt over time, as the days go by, when for most people nothing has changed while in a few hours your life has turned upside down. He wasn't the type also because this time it just wasn't like that. The relationship with Kisame was not finished overnight, he had embarked on a slow evolution of which both had been aware right away. Bonds formed at a young age are always bound to change because the people who have formed them naturally change as they grow up. When Naruto had known him, Kisame was a boy with a huge heart but full of difficulties. He had to juggle people who hindered him and didn't accept him, even if they were in good faith. Naruto, however, immediately understood that the biggest obstacle was represented by himself, he was held back by his fears of making mistakes and hurting people and for this reason he ended up losing sight of his true self. He had handed him the keys to happiness and now he could only be happy to see him finally take hold of the courage to open all those doors without being afraid anymore.

Why should I be grieved about this? A dear friend of mine has finally taken over his life thanks to me and this makes me infinitely satisfied. I like what our relationship has become. Kisame if you won't see sorrow on my face it's absolutely not because I didn't care about you anymore, quite the opposite.

Naruto smiled in the sun of that splendid spring, certain that from now on Kisame's life would be special and his too.

His friend wasn't the only person who needed his help. As soon as he assumed the office of mayor, he had decided to do something concrete for the young people of the city, which is why he had had an old building in the center renovated. It was large enough to house a large library, a job center and a distance learning centre, all strictly free. Naruto had even had the huge garden around him cleaned up into a beautiful park; on the ground floor there was also a bar and a restaurant. Wearing a smart white shirt tucked into jeans and brown leather moccasins, Naruto was on his way to check this job center for too long waiting lists to indicate something was wrong.

He liked to get around on foot, people naturally recognized him, greeted him and invited him for a coffee or even lunch. But this didn't bother Naruto at all, on the contrary, it was a source of immense pleasure for him. It was enough for him to leave every morning well in advance to be able to satisfy both his commitments and the many expressions of affection and friendship received along the way.

The boys he met in the red terracotta-paved corridors of the building welcomed him with joyful greetings and applause. Many people would have felt embarrassed to be popular, others would get too big on their heads becoming arrogant, but he didn't, he seemed born there for these things, he juggled fame while remaining humble.

He received nothing but smiles from the employees of the job center and this already made him understand that the activities were proceeding in the right direction, they already knew what he wanted to see and they kept lists of all the people who had been hired ready for the his inspection. The true leader is followed spontaneously and with joy by others, those who need to use force to be obeyed are not suitable for this job. Naruto realized with great satisfaction that anyone who had turned to that office had found a job after a week of waiting at most.

I don't feel like a protagonist because of this, these are very normal things that my position requires.

He walked back down the corridors that still smelled of fresh paint. He would also have visited the library and the distance learning centre, then perhaps he would have gone down to the bar certain that someone was looking forward to having a coffee in the company of the mayor. His phone rang constantly, only that when he was busy talking to someone he avoided answering right away so as not to be rude. He was about to do this again that day having already the manager of the library in front of him, he had only taken his cell phone out of his jeans pocket for a second to lower the volume of the ringtone but, seeing that it was Kisame who was looking for him, his mouth dropped softly while apologizing to the man in front of him: "forgive me but I think it's urgent."

Naruto listened very carefully to his friend's explanation on the other end of the line. The blond eyebrows furrowed slightly as he heard in the background someone calling Nagato's name loudly by banging somewhere, most likely a door. He also distinguished other voices realizing that the matter had involved several people, he also heard of a passepartuot and shouldering the door.

Kisame, I don't know who these people are, I've heard several rumors and none of them match anyone I know, but I know your special someone is right there with you right now, I feel you're doing your best to help them. Not only will I give you a hand in this matter which seems so serious, but I will come there to rejoice with you in your happiness. I'm increasingly sure that this person is extraordinary, given your intelligence it could not be otherwise.

"I understand, Kisame. I'm telling you the truth, there is a real risk, from what you've said about him, that this Nagato you're talking about has done something stupid. Don't let others see you panic, be as strong as you are, I know you can do it."

Without even realizing it, Naruto had started running through the corridors to get out of the palace. He hadn't even greeted the head of the library, just as he no longer paid attention to the people who smiled at him or who wanted to stop him to exchange a few words.

Forgive me, but I trust you and I know you will understand.

The cab he'd called was already waiting outside.