A voice broke the silence between them: "Were you expecting me?"

Kaito looked around at the ANBU guards surrounding him, a tinge of caution behind his masked features.

An ANBU soldier spoke through clenched teeth, "Sir, your excellency! Please return Bee-sama to us."

"Here." Kaito tossed the unconscious figure to the nearby ANBU. Then, as quickly as he had appeared, he vanished.

The ANBU who caught Bee stared in bewilderment. "You're actually giving him back to us?"

Before another word could be spoken, Kaito had already vanished.

Another ANBU spoke with urgency, "Hurry—take Bee-sama to the hospital. I'll alert Raikage-sama's secretary, Mabui, immediately. The rest of you, return to the village and confirm if that masked man entered!"

"Understood!" the ANBU chorused before scattering.

---

In the Raikage's office, Mabui sifted through documents calmly, though internally she was deeply vexed—just moments ago, she'd learned the Raikage had been defeated. Now only Bee and Kaito remained within Thundercloud Canyon, and the orchestrated clash had ended prematurely.

"Mabui-sama, why provoke him? He's alone. If you push too hard, he could target our elite Cloud shinobi next," one advisor warned.

Mabui closed her eyes in exasperation. "If only we hadn't provoked him."

A woosh sounded as Kaito suddenly appeared before her.

"So it was you," Mabui's eyes darted in alarm, then settled into composure. "You emerged victorious from Thundercloud Canyon—correct?"

"Yes," Kaito replied curtly. "Your ANBU have taken Bee for treatment."

"And what brings you here?" Mabui pressed.

"I'd like to know—have the Konoha shinobi stationed at the Sand front returned?"

Mabui's brow furrowed. Rumor had it this man was Tsunade's fiancé; could he be seeking her?

"I'm not certain why," Mabui answered. "But about half a month ago, Konoha recalled its high-level forces. They returned to the village and haven't gone back out."

"And Tsunade?" Kaito asked quietly.

"She stirred controversy in Konoha, then disappeared—left the village entirely."

"She's back then," Kaito murmured, a slight smile appearing beneath his mask.

"do you know something?" she asked herself aloud, troubled.

"You will soon," Kaito said. "Are all Konoha's high-level shinobi present now?"

"Yes—Jiraiya, Orochimaru, Namikaze Minato—everyone."

"Understood. Thank you for your time." With that, Kaito dissipated in a whisper.

Mabui watched him go, pondering every detail of their exchange.

---

Aburame Ruins, Nightfall

Under a full moon that gleamed over Earth, Tsunade waited in the abandoned whirlpool ruins. She had been standing there for some time—or so Kaito thought—when he finally arrived, dusted and wearied from travel under moonlit skies.

Electromagnetic tingles revealed another chakra signature—it was familiar, unmistakably Tsunade's.

With a silent step, Kaito appeared before her. "I'm sorry. I was in the Land of Lightning longer than expected. Have you been waiting here for a long time?"

At his voice, Tsunade's body shook. Tears streamed as she ran into his arms, crying openly.

"It's all true… The Senju clan… they're gone. Every single one, beyond the two uncles left. All dead."

She sobbed, pressing into his shoulder, shoulders heaving with grief.

Kaito stood beside her, silent, comforting her gently as the memories overwhelmed her.

After a long moment, she quieted. A gentle snore drifted from her chest against his shoulder.

"Oh…" Kaito sighed softly.

He lifted her arms gently and carried her to a hidden camp nearby. As firewood crackled, he stayed close, letting Tsunade rest in the flickering warmth. Exhausted beyond measure, he fell asleep soon after.

---

Dawn

Kaito awoke to Tsunade's sleeping form still nestled beside him. He rose, gathered firewood, and set to cooking quietly.

Before long, the aroma of a warm meal drifted through the camp, drawing Tsunade awake.

She rubbed her eyes, smelling the food. "What's cooking? This smells wonderful."

Kaito smiled. Her sorrow had softened—she had regained composure.

"Breakfast." He served her a bowl, then one for himself.

"Mmm! Delicious," she said, wiping her mouth gratefully. She drank half the bowl at once, clearly hungry.

"What are your plans now?" Kaito asked as he sipped.

"We'll travel the ninja world," she replied, then hesitated. "But right now isn't ideal. The Third Great Ninja War isn't over, and I'm uncertain where to go—and I don't want to return to Konoha."

She looked at him sharply.

"Why the look?" Kaito feigned confusion.

"Where are the expressions? If you expect me to stay, you could at least give me something." Tsunade teased.

"If you want to stay here, you're welcome to. I'm not going to chase you away."

"That's enough," she beamed. "Your soup is stellar. Another bowl, please!"

She spat the next comment sharply: "By the way, why the mask? Are you self-conscious about your face? Scars?"

"Some things are better unseen," he replied quietly. "I don't belong in this world."

"Oh please! If you don't want to remove it... just say so!" Tsunade pouted in mock frustration.

---

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