Kisame, who had been asked by Naruto to remain calm despite the situation, forced himself to do his best by slipping the phone back into his pocket with a gesture that was meant to exude naturalness. He gulped and his hand gave out, he couldn't ignore the excitement he heard in the blond's voice.

There is a real risk Nagato has done something stupid.

Why do I have to stay calm then, Naruto? You don't want to upset my special someone, do you? You understand that he is here. You expressed the desire to all go out together that evening at my house, it will be an honor for me to do so, once all this is resolved.

Itachi had raised his obsidian eyes and planted them in the blue ice of his own. Despite being imperturbable as always, Kisame managed to read everything in that look: apprehension for Nagato, a plea for help addressed to him, the desire to hide all this under her usual ice mask, and maybe…

You remember Naruto, right Itachi? The first time we met almost ten years ago, he didn't tell me everything that happened in that private room out of respect for me.

Kisame shifted his gaze in Obito's direction wondering if the short-haired brunette would have had time to deal with his relationship with Naruto that day, which remained pending as the one with him had remained on the last day when everyone had seen Madara. But perhaps this too was part of those second chances to look for later to give vent to all those words and actions that at the time had been overtaken by other priorities. The eldest of the cousins never lost that attitude and that formal and distinguished way of dressing. The light pink shirt with thin vertical light blue stripes, tucked into black jeans, would have looked strange on others, bordering on ridiculous, however on Obito he managed not to clash even with such a garment. Those who were on the third floor landing of that decrepit building were seven people whose fates had already linked them years before, their paths had already crossed in previous years. Small intersections of narrow streets which in most cases had not remained impressed but which had ended up leaving their mark more than a motorway.

Yes, it's easier to remain marked by the dusty mule track full of holes where you were born and grew up playing than the high-speed highways where dozens of people pass every second. The first is only yours while the second belongs to everyone and you don't own even the slightest pebble stuck in the asphalt.

Soon another significant person for everyone would arrive there. He wasn't just the mayor, but he was the one who had fixed up Kisame's life and who had instilled in him self-confidence allowing him to take that happiness to which he was entitled like everyone else. Because there is nothing wrong with being satisfied with your life and it cannot harm anyone.

His ex, if Naruto was to be described as such, was now best friends with him. The young man who had conquered the weasel after having desired it so much, offering Kisame, that very evening, the keys to his future. That person had probably been wondering, until that morning, what had happened to his one-time friend Obito and who was the girl who had left him after the accident; he would have recognized the stingy Susanoo manager and the other two dancers. Naruto would have all of his answers within seconds, just by stepping onto that landing. Before picking up the phone to call him, Kisame hadn't realized what devastating emotions he could have caused in his friend, he hadn't had time to think about this, he had only done his best to find the most appropriate solution for Nagato.

And for you, Itachi.

Kisame sighed, if those yellow and peeling walls had been able to absorb the intensity of the emotions that would have been released in a few minutes, their shapes would have remained imprinted black on the plaster as branded.

But you are the wizard of the keys, Naruto, you always have the solution for everyone and you will also have it for yourself. There will be second chances to fix and realize everything.

"Nagato, if you can hear me, open up. I'm your brother and out here you have a lot of friends waiting for you, even the mayor is coming, we're all worried about you" Yahiko had lost that tone of reproach he had had until a few minutes before as he pounded on the door.

He turned around, sinking his face full of piercings into his hands, leaning back against that inexorably closed door. He was wearing one of his usual vests with the collar turned up to show off all the jewels on his arms and a red necklace in the shape of a barbed wire. His shirt was gray-green, a color similar to the eyes of the lady downstairs, through the large rips he had on his jeans other piercings were visible even on his legs.

He started crying desperately: "Nagato, forgive me if I never understood you in my life. I was wrong, I understood my mistakes, don't I have the right to a second chance?"

Shisui had headed towards him without hesitation, had clasped him in his arms decisively detaching him from the door. The redhead had buried his face in his shoulder, on the immaculate white shirt making space under the collar of the black leather jacket, he kept sobbing calling his brother's name. Itachi also approached the two, his face was firm but pale and his movements as always calm and silent. Only Kisame could see that battle of emotions that transpired from his gaze: sweetness, understanding and a deep sense of guilt towards Nagato. Surely the thought of him now was aimed at Sasuke, another brother for whom that day would have represented a strong change. Itachi passed his hands behind the other two's heads squeezing them both gently to his chest, Kisame felt his heart melt seeing the transposition that was in that gesture.

You have a huge heart, Itachi, please don't hide it anymore.

The narrow old stairs resounded with footsteps.

"Mr Mayor, good morning, but then something serious happened. You know, late last night I heard a loud noise, maybe I'm wrong, but maybe it could be useful" the voice of the elderly woman downstairs.

Kisame had been right, she hadn't been too convinced by Itachi's words. Everyone was silent learning that new detail, however Kisame seemed to perceive their hearts tremble in unison.

"Don't worry ma'am, I'm just going there to solve it. When she sees me get off, in a little while, everything will be settled."

"Mr Mayor, good morning, but then something serious happened. You know, late last night I heard a loud noise, maybe I'm wrong, but maybe it could be useful" the voice of the elderly woman downstairs.

Kisame had been right, she hadn't been too convinced by Itachi's words. Everyone was silent learning that new detail, however Kisame seemed to perceive their hearts tremble in unison.

"Don't worry ma'am, I'm just going there to solve it. When she sees me get off, in a little while, everything will be settled."

Naruto inevitably looked at Rin, he'd never seen her but Obito hadn't let go of her hand since they'd arrived. She looked even more petite and thinner than she was in that flared black dress, the same color tights and flats, her light brown bob now, in contrast to her clothes, looked almost blond. She looked at Kakuzu's face and finally turned to the three who were embracing consoling the heartbroken redhead. Naruto not only recognized Itachi from the fact that he had always seen him wearing a mask, but the dark haired yes, he knew him well.

Nagato, maybe this time the unaware ace of the keys was you.

Naruto started talking without even saying goodbye to Kisame, yet this was one of those things that should have waited for a second chance: "These are Kurotsuchi and Akatsuchi, firefighters. They are not on duty today, they have come to resolve this situation, they can open the door in minutes."

"Please, my brother is in there, he needs help" Yahiko had turned desperately to that thin woman with straight black hair cut short and kept well ordered.

The steady look under the fringe combed over the left eye without covering it. It was clear that she was a practical person, she liked taking care of her hair but at the same time she wanted to avoid it bothering her. She wore a red one-piece suit with a black leather belt cinched at the waist from which hung a pouch containing her transceiver and a few other tools, she almost looked like a mechanic. She wasn't made up, just a touch of mascara to highlight her dark eyes, two tiny dark green glitter for her earrings. However graceful in her simplicity.

"He Don't worry, if he lets us work his brother will be out in a few minutes. Come Akatsuchi, let's begin" the tone of the beautiful woman was peremptory but reassuring at the same time.

The big, imposing man who had arrived with her. He took out of his suitcase for the tools that he carried over his shoulder, what looked like a kind of small drill with which he immediately began to pull the handle of the armored door out of the frame.

Not a fly flew on the landing, Yahiko had again buried his desperate face on Shisui's shoulder, now Itachi surrounded his shoulders with an arm concentrating his gaze on what Akatsuchi was doing, a brown bandana holding back his dark brown hair so that they didn't go in front of his round and soft face.

Obito and Rin held hands observing the scene seriously, Kisame noticed that Kakuzu had sighed crossing his muscular and olive arms on his shapeless gray t-shirt, he observed the three Susanoo dancers who consoled each other. Maybe that man, when it came to feelings, wasn't as stingy as he proved to be in his famous auctions, he too was probably misunderstood due to his gruff character. Kisame was certain that this was someone whose knowledge was worth exploring.

The best people often don't know they are. You Yahiko now feel guilty for not having given your brother everything you wanted and that was hidden under a mask of self-confidence perhaps not real. Obito, the person you are was too hidden by the pain you've had in your life. Kakuzu, you are a bit like my father, your true nature is only for those who have the patience and the desire to look beyond the armor. Naruto, today you are still putting yourself behind the needs of others and not just because you are the mayor but because this is you. I know you recognized Kakuzu, I know you would like to clarify that years-long void with Obito, and I am also aware that you have already framed my special person, however the fact that someone you don't even know now is in danger has become your priority. And you Itachi... it will be the most beautiful and fulfilling experience in the world for me to discover your heart a little at a time, in every moment you want to give it to me.

"A little more patience, I have to find the combination."

The woman had connected the instrument and started searching and calculating. There were four cylinders to be released, after a couple of minutes the first one clicked, coming out of the wall and withdrawing into the frame. Not a fly was flying when the second shot rumbled through the stairwell where tension cut with a knife. Everyone was holding their breath as they stared at Kurotsuchi at work. A person would normally have been terribly annoyed by this, being watched intensely while carrying out such a delicate task puts a strain on concentration, however that woman was evidently used to letting what was happening around her slip on her when there was something important to do, if she had entered the fire brigade so young there must have been a reason, she must have been thirty at the most.

Nagato, in all my life I've never been the brother you wanted and maybe it's also my fault if you've come to this, Stay with me, we'll make up for lost time, Whoever understands their mistakes also has the right to fix them, no ? Yahiko.

Maybe I haven't distinguished myself properly in my life, however it's never too late to be a good friend, There are things more important than money, you proved it to me first Itachi and Obito, and now you too, Naruto, I've missed too many things in life it's time for a change. Kakuzu.

Third shot.

It's true, I don't know where to put my hands on certain occasions, my life has been lucky compared to yours. I have always done everything not to leave you alone, even if I give the impression of withdrawing, I am always with you. Shisui.

You deserve something better. I will abandon the management of Susanoo and, with Rin, I will strive to find you better places, you deserve it. Madara, if you want you know where to find us, your family is here waiting for you. Obito.

Maybe it wasn't a coincidence that we all gathered here today, the relationship I had with each of you I have never forgotten and never archived in the safe of the past. make you understand that I have understood you and I am ready to start over where we left off. Naruto.

Fourth and last shot. Yahiko was about to run towards the door but was held back by Itachi and Shisui.

"Come, Akatsuchi, this damn needs the coup de grace" Kurotsuchi stood up unplugging the small computer from the lock and giving way to her imposing friend.

The big man moved the door in no time at all, even slightly crumbling the wall.
"Nagato, where are you? Answers!" Yahiko had broken into the apartment by racing through the room that served simultaneously as a living room and a kitchenette. He stumbled awkwardly into his brother's little shelter of duvets and pillows, then scuttled into the bedroom. He emerged seconds later panting with a pale, shocked face as he looked at the rest of the group who had entered the small house.

"It's not there, I don't see it anywhere! Nagato, what have you done?"

Yahiko had collapsed to his knees in despair. Itachi, with his usual calmness, had headed towards the cloud of duvets, searching inside it with his hands. Kisame and Kakuzu had started to look inside the large walk-in closet when they were called shortly after by Kurotsuchi: "Sorry, but I need two people who are strong."

Kurotsuchi led them towards the bathroom door, Rin had noticed that, even though it was ajar, it remained blocked by something. Meanwhile, Obito was checking the balcony to try to see if there were any traces in case Nagato had climbed onto the roof passing by. Naruto joined them and told Yahiko that he looked like he was going to faint at any moment. Kisame, Kakuzu and Akatsuchi slowly pushed the bathroom door, no one had openly admitted it, but everyone's fear and awareness was that it was Nagato's body blocking it. In the end they managed to open it just enough to pass, Itachi let out a moan covering his mouth with his hands, he staggered, Kisame ran to support him to prevent him from falling to the ground. Rin called Obito to come back from the balcony, no one had ever seen her delicate face shocked by so much horror. Blocking the door was not Nagato's body, but a piece of the window frame, the glass was shattered, the object with which it had been broken left on the ground, it was a kitchen chair.

"I don't know how he threw that chair with so much force, Nagato was so weak he could barely walk." Itachi was about to pass out, he felt the blood drain from his head. He had asked that question with a faint voice that only Kisame was able to hear.

Kisame didn't have time to answer him, the dark-haired man had already passed out, Kisame picked up Itachi before he slipped on the floor. Kisame had time to think that he was really too light before laying him down on the cloud of pillows and duvets that Nagato had always liked so much.

Itachi, this is the power that the mind has over the body, it gave Nagato a strength that he would never have.

Itachi panted not feeling his body anymore, he had the impression that it had vanished in an annoying tingling. The image he had seen would probably have ended up superimposing themselves on those cursed tracks that he had been seeing in circles for years. The shower cubicle ajar, the open water forming a puddle on the floor. It was red, and contrasted with the white tiles. A very thin hand peeked out of the window letting life drip away slowly on those tiles.

Itachi gasped not to pass out again, it could happen even if he was lying down now. He felt cold and it didn't come from the wet patch that Kisame pressed on his forehead, it came from Yahiko's heartbreaking cries, he saw him writhing on the ground with Shisui trying to hold him still in an embrace that at that moment had something to make it look like a shirt of strength, his cousin had an expression of apprehension he'd never seen warping his magnetic eyes.

Itachi was hungry for air because he no longer felt it enter him, he perceived the impalpable and thin body. He averted his eyes from Kisame's anguished face, leaning over him, to see Kakuzu and Akatsuchi carrying a bundle of white towels towards the bedroom, a lock of wine-red hair had escaped from the layers of fabric.

Naruto had stopped in the middle of the room talking excitedly on the phone, the voices seemed to reverberate so Itachi couldn't understand anything they were saying, he could only pick up urgent from Kurotsuchi's lips who was talking to her radio probably on the emergency line .