Return of the Morning Mist

Morning mist on the river, and two silhouettes in black coats patterned with red clouds walk into a Konoha still counting its dead. Kurenai and Asuma intercept the intruders at a teahouse and the polite small talk curdles fast: the taller one carries a bandaged greatsword and a Mist headband scarred through; the shorter one, when his hat lifts, wears a face every Leaf jonin knows. Itachi Uchiha has come home, and the question of what he wants lands heavier than any opening attack.