Naruto: Passerby and Returnee

Chapter 197 The Streets of Danba City

"I didn't expect to run into you here. We're quite destined, Mr. Crow." In the heart of the Land of Earth, which has absolutely no connection with the Land of Hot Water, a barefoot doctor with a roadside stall called out to two travelers.

Although the members of Akatsuki were all powerful, they couldn't live in constant fear. They disguised themselves and stopped swaggering around in their black robes with red clouds. Even Kisame's inhuman appearance was made to look more human. But it was because of this disguise that someone on the street openly called out to one of them, because the other person was disguised as "Karasu".

Itachi restrained Kisame, who was about to draw his sword, and mentally assessed the plausibility of this chance encounter. Where had they met last time? At the border of the Land of Grass. Akatsuki did indeed operate in small teams, and with their communication rings and the elusive Zetsu, they generally only gathered once a year. Because of his own selfish motives, when they returned from the Land of Lightning, they didn't travel through the Land of Fire, but instead crossed several small countries, "conveniently" passing through the Land of Rice Fields.

The Hidden Sound Village was almost upon them. He outwardly feigned indifference, but secretly released crows to search for Sasuke's trail. However, Sasuke had likely grown faster than expected, and the crows were spotted after only a few glances. He "saw" the lightning of Chidori suddenly extend, swiftly piercing the crow's chest. This must be a nature transformation of chakra.

Itachi felt both gratified as an older brother and couldn't help but think about their future, his feelings were extremely complicated. Even Kisame sensed it and asked him if he was feeling unwell.

He had once considered letting his body do as it pleased, just wanting to live long enough to fight Sasuke. Even if he claimed to have saved Konoha, he was still an outright sinner. Sometimes he truly wished he could be like some of the madmen in Akatsuki, indifferent to everything, but he couldn't. He could never forget the dying cries of his clansmen, nor the taste of being covered in blood. He liked standing in the rain, feeling the cleansing sensation, even though the rain wasn't good for his body. But he also knew it was just psychological comfort; rain couldn't wash away the blood.

Was his choice truly correct? Was leaving Sasuke alone too cruel? If Sasuke knew the truth, wouldn't he have sought revenge against Konoha?

Countless doubts and painful cries echoed in his heart, but ultimately, they were drowned out by his damned rationality. The Uchiha clan was gone; he had no choice but to continue. He had even considered the future, even the possibility of Sasuke's revenge. The eye already had a suitable custodian, but now was not the time to hand it over. Itachi unconsciously thought of the eye's owner, his old friend who had always been ahead of him. To this day, his old friend was still protecting him, in another way. Of course, he wasn't naive enough to believe that Madara feared only his power; the most powerful genjutsu, "Kotoamatsukami," capable of turning the tide of battle, was what Madara truly feared. If he could make Madara fall under the genjutsu of "protecting Konoha," perhaps he wouldn't have to worry about Sasuke going astray.

People shouldn't be read. After visiting Sasuke, they encountered the doctor who looked a lot like Shisui on the border of the Land of Grass, the one... Itachi never wanted to hurt.

During the time when he was filled with suicidal thoughts, it was this person with that familiar face who pulled him back. The quicksand doctor's medical skills had improved rapidly, and he was doing everything he could to help him recover. He couldn't bear to disappoint someone who resembled Shisui so much. So he cooperated with the treatment and was miraculously cured. He had initially thought the painful symptoms were bloodstain disease, but he never expected it could be cured? At that moment, Itachi even considered secretly taking a look at the prescription, just to prepare one for Sasuke, who might also get the disease. But then he remembered the doctor who was always exceptionally attentive during follow-up visits and constantly adjusted the prescription, and he immediately dismissed the idea. Perhaps keeping him alive was the best choice. With his case as a foundation, Sasuke would definitely suffer less if similar illnesses occurred in the future.

This is the main reason why he retained the memories of quicksand; of course, that face is also a secondary reason.

"Dr. Quicksand, you've wandered here again?" Kisame gave up on fighting, but not on talking. His tone was sarcastic, full of wariness towards this guy who appeared from time to time. But even Zetsu couldn't find anything strange about him; this guy really did seem to be traveling all over the world.

"I've long heard that Danba City in the Land of Earth has the world's best medical academy, so I came here specifically to hear about it. I didn't expect to run into you all here." Liu Sha's expression was flawless; he was genuinely happy. Then, he suddenly became nervous and asked, "Could it be that Mr. Crow's illness has relapsed?"

"No." Itachi didn't know why he answered so quickly, so he continued, "We were just passing through."

Liu Sha blinked, the only part of his face that didn't quite resemble Shi Shui's, but when those eyes looked at him with a mixture of worry and gentleness, the two seemed indistinguishable.

"Then... can I have a follow-up appointment? Don't worry, this is after-sales service, it's free."

...He simply couldn't refuse it.

"Have you been staying up late and traveling lately? And your meals haven't been regular either. Although you're better, your constitution is still too weak, so you can't just do whatever you want. Samehada-san, you're Karasu-san's companion, right? It's essential to always care about your companion's health! You can't just take advantage of your strength and drag Karasu-san along to your recklessness." During a medical consultation, the doctor is the most powerful. Ryusa had no idea that the two people opposite him were the formidable S-rank rogue ninjas, and he still disciplined them when necessary.

This is the second reason why Kisame hates the Quicksand Gang: why should he take the blame for Itachi's own willfulness? He's wronged! But he can't say anything in front of others, so he can only nod with a sour face and get rid of this person as soon as possible.

In short, their original plan to cross the no-man's-land overnight fell through. Quicksand, still itching to get his hands dirty, prescribed medicine, but instead of taking it directly, he mixed it with food and took it like a meal. It must be admitted that this doctor's progress was always readily apparent; he was constantly researching new things and never stopped.

So, they were naturally allowed to stay, and Liu Sha cooked the meal. Liu Sha rented a small house; the house wasn't big, but the yard was quite large, perfect for processing medicinal herbs. He even had a young apprentice, who seemed to be a local, and was quite wary of the two guests, like a timid cat.

Itachi watched the child wander around the quicksand, his little braid swaying behind his head, and felt a little annoyed. But he hadn't felt this way when he came to quicksand before; the small courtyard in the Land of Hot Water was the only place where he could relax a little.

Why is that?

He chose to stop thinking about it and closed his eyes.