Chapter 48: Asuma
They walked side by side, a comfortable silence settling between them.
There was hardly anything for Arthur to smile about, despite the bustle of the village around them. People who could experience what they were—merchants hawking their wares and children chasing each other through the streets—would drool to switch spots.
Arthur couldn't help but compare it to the isolation he went through while trapped in prison. Their walking together was only a reminder of the two different paths they were treading.
"So," Alex said, finally breaking the silence, "ya think Itachi and Kisame's still gonna come?"
Arthur's mind raced. He had forgotten about that part of the story.
After Orochimaru's attempt at invading the Leaf Village, the Akatsuki organization discovered the news. Pain, their leader, instructed one of their members to go and check the village's status as well as how Naruto was doing.
The member who chose to accept the task was Itachi, who was partnered with Kisame.
Now that Orochimaru hadn't attacked the village, the two were likely not going to show up. And if that doesn't happen, Sasuke wouldn't be reminded of how vast the difference between his and his brother's powers was.
Itachi, at the time, placed Sasuke under Tsukiyomi, a powerful genjutsu. Disregarding filler arcs, after Sasuke woke up, he was tempted into leaving the village to grow stronger than his brother.
These things were likely not going to happen anymore. Unless Orochimaru intervenes in some way,.
"Honestly," Arthur answered, "so much has changed that you guys are doing a great job at helping this world..."