Departure and a Wager
A few days later, Fujimoto Tōma finally returned to Konoha in person.
Sasuke was about to honor Itachi's invitation, and this was not something Tōma could leave entirely to a clone. His Sage Art–enhanced shadow clone was strong, yes—but if the situation escalated to the level of Nagato or Uchiha Obito, it wouldn't be enough.
Tōma didn't expect Nagato to interfere. Itachi wouldn't allow that.
Obito, on the other hand, was another matter entirely.
Tōma trusted Itachi in one very specific way: Itachi would never ambush Sasuke, never set traps for him, and never let Akatsuki interfere directly. In that sense, he was painfully sincere—almost obsessively devoted to his younger brother.
But Itachi's restraint didn't bind anyone else.
Obito was not the type to respect agreements he hadn't personally made. He could very well be watching from the shadows, waiting to interfere.
That alone made this trip unavoidable.
And for safety's sake, Tōma chose to go himself.
"Everything ready?" Tōma asked when he finally saw Sasuke again.
Since the day he had left, Tōma hadn't disturbed him once. Now, standing before Sasuke, he could clearly feel the difference.
Sasuke was stronger.
Not just sharper—but deeper. More settled.
"Of course," Sasuke replied calmly, confidence woven into his tone.
Tōma nodded. "Good."
Then Sasuke hesitated. "If you're coming with me… what about the village?"
Tōma smiled faintly. "There's a secret I never told you. Most people in the village have been dealing with my shadow clone this whole time."
Sasuke blinked, then accepted it. "That's… convenient."
"A special kind of clone," Tōma said lightly.
After a pause, he added, "The letter didn't mention the location. You know where to go, right?"
"Yes," Sasuke replied. "An old Uchiha hideout."
"Then lead the way."
With Sasuke guiding them, the two moved swiftly through the Land of Fire. The hideout lay within the country's borders, and at their speed, they reached it before long.
At the entrance stood a familiar figure.
Black cloak. Red clouds.
But it wasn't Itachi.
It was Hoshigaki Kisame.
"Itachi is inside," Kisame said, eyeing Sasuke, then flicking a glance at Tōma. Sweat beaded faintly on his brow. "But per his instructions, only Sasuke is allowed to enter."
"Go," Tōma said simply.
Sasuke nodded once. "I'll be back soon."
He stepped past Kisame and disappeared into the hideout, leaving the two of them alone.
Tōma exhaled quietly.
"I'm honestly surprised you came with him," Tōma said, studying Kisame. "That took guts."
Kisame gave a rough laugh. "I was asked to guard the perimeter."
Despite his words, his body was tense, coiled like a drawn blade.
"No need to be that stiff," Tōma said dryly. "If I wanted you dead, being nervous wouldn't help."
Kisame fell silent—then, after a moment, relaxed.
He knew Tōma was right.
That last encounter still lingered in his mind. Four of them hadn't been able to bring Tōma down—and afterward, Kisame realized something unsettling.
Tōma hadn't gone all out.
If Nagato hadn't been present, none of them would have walked away.
Facing Tōma alone now, Kisame knew exactly how fragile his position was.
"I'm here for the same reason you are," Tōma said quietly. "To make sure this stays a fair fight."
His voice carried a rare heaviness. "Those two deserve to settle this themselves."
Kisame glanced at him, then chuckled. "You're not bad, you know that?"
Tōma shrugged. "High praise."
"Not worried Sasuke might lose?" Kisame asked suddenly.
"I trust him," Tōma replied without hesitation. "He'll come back alive."
Kisame snorted. "I trust Itachi. I've fought alongside him for years. No one understands how terrifying he really is better than I do."
"Maybe," Tōma said, eyes narrowing slightly. "But Sasuke isn't someone you should underestimate."
He paused, then added casually, "Want to make things interesting?"
Kisame blinked. "A bet?"
"I haven't decided the stakes yet."
Kisame stared at him. "…You usually plan things before proposing them."
Tōma thought for a moment. "Simple, then. Whoever's right, the other does them one favor."
Kisame considered it. "Any favor?"
"Nothing unreasonable."
After a brief pause, Kisame grinned. "Fine. I like my odds."
Tōma nodded. He hadn't decided whether Kisame was someone worth pulling to his side—but this left the door open.
Then Tōma's senses expanded outward.
Inside the hideout, Sasuke and Itachi had finally met.
But Tōma's attention shifted elsewhere.
Two presences lingered at the edge of his perception.
He clicked his tongue softly.
"Looks like Itachi's standing in Akatsuki isn't as solid as it seems."
Kisame frowned. "What do you mean?"
"If this were truly his decision alone," Tōma said, "he wouldn't have invited you to guard the area and let others tag along."
"…Others?" Kisame asked quietly.
"Yes."
Kisame fell silent again. He didn't look surprised—just resigned.
Tōma relaxed slightly.
Two presences meant Obito and Zetsu.
Manageable.
As long as Obito didn't drag Sasuke into his warped space, nothing here posed a real threat.
Among Akatsuki's current members, only Nagato truly concerned Tōma.
And Nagato wasn't here.