She didn't have time to say goodbye to Shikaku and Shikamaru. They were Ninjas and didn't care about such things; she'd be back in a few days anyway.
But this time she had to bring Sasuke along, because she had promised to take him to find Itachi. So she first asked around to find Sasuke.
When she found Sasuke, he was also looking for Kakashi.
"Is something wrong?"
"I've found Uchiha Itachi."
"Tell me quickly, where is he!"
As soon as that name was mentioned, Sasuke's eyes widened instantly, and his expression changed drastically.
"Don't get excited yet, follow me."
Kano led Sasuke directly to catch up with Jiraiya and Naruto. Kano had long kept an eye on Jiraiya's movements. If she didn't need to bring Sasuke, she could have reached Naruto's side with a single Shadow Exchange.
"By the way, what do you plan to do once you see your brother?"
While riding the extra-large Shadow Deer, she asked Sasuke curiously as he chased after them.
"Kill him."
"Uh, but you can't beat him. Why don't you try some other tricks? Like throwing lime, or using flash bombs to blind his vision."
"Where did you learn these tricks? You're not planning to use them on me, are you?"
"Would I need such petty tricks to deal with you? A Shadow Ninja would already wreck you."
"That's true."
Sasuke's serious demeanor was interrupted by Kano, and he wasn't as tense anymore.
"If we really see him, I hope you won't interfere in our battle."
"Yeah, I get it. You two have a good fight."
After a short delay in Konoha Village, the two picked up their pace and soon arrived at an inn. Bringing Sasuke to a room, she knocked on the door.
Sasuke, with scrolls wrapped around his waist, was ready. The moment the door opened, he would rush in and kill Itachi.
"What, dumped already? Are you back? I'm opening the door now."
Naruto thought it was Jiraiya returning miserably after failing to pick up women. Instead, the ones who came were Sasuke and Kano.
"Naruto?!" Seeing the person who opened the door, then looking at Kano, "Are you lying to me?"
"How could I? He will come looking for Naruto. Just wait here."
"Kano-chan, why are you here! And Sasuke, why are you following?"
"Didn't I promise to go on a date with you? Since you didn't come to find me, I came to find you."
This single sentence made Naruto's mouth curl up in a grin; he held his face and chuckled foolishly.
"Don't block the door, let us in."
"It's fine if Kano-chan comes, but why did Sasuke have to follow?"
"He's here to find someone. He'll leave in a bit."
"Does that mean after he leaves, it'll be just the two of us!"
"You're not wrong to think that. I'll accompany you these few days too, but you probably have some important things to do while you're out. It's good to balance work and play, but don't relax too much."
"Got it, got it."
The three entered the room. Naruto had been bored waiting for Jiraiya alone, but now with two more people, especially Kano, it wasn't boring at all.
She originally thought the three of them could play Fight the Landlord, but arrogant Sasuke wouldn't play with them, insisting on being ready to strike at any moment.
So she had to play cards with Naruto. Although Naruto kept losing, he seemed to be having a lot of fun.
Knock knock knock!
The knocking sounded again.
All three looked up at the door.
"Pervy Sage is back. I'll go open the door."
"You stay seated. I'm closer, I'll go."
Kano held Naruto down, put on her slippers, and went to open the door. She nodded to Sasuke, who understood her meaning.
When Kano opened the door, two people wearing red cloud robes stood there. Instead of being surprised, she showed an Anya-style smile and pointed at the two people in the room, saying to Itachi:
"Happy? I've brought together the two people you want to see most."
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