Until We Meet Again (Part 3 to the TBT Trilogy)

Chapter 11

The trek back to Konoha was uneventful, but Hana's thoughts were anything but.

She moved through the trees on autopilot, muscle memory guiding her steps, but her mind replayed that single, warped voice again and again—you keep holding onto that bracelet like it'll protect you.

Why was he so focused on it?

Did she even want the answer to that question?

She stepped through the gates just past dusk, nodding faintly at Kotetsu and Izumo without stopping. The sky was still gray, like it hadn't moved since she left. Neither had the unease in her chest.

By the time she reached the Hokage's office, she'd rehearsed her report twice—but her stomach still twisted as she knocked on the door.

"Enter," Tsunade called.

Hana stepped inside. Her boots didn't make a sound on the hardwood floor.

"You're back earlier than expected," Tsunade said, eyeing her. "That usually means either the mission went too well...or went sideways."

"I gathered enough to confirm the group's location," Hana said, handing her the updated scroll. "They were camped just past the western border near the old bamboo grove. Three of them. Masked. Coordinated."

Tsunade didn't say anything for a moment as she scanned the scroll. Then: "Did you engage?"

"No. I did what you asked. Observed. Listened."

"And?"

Hana hesitated—just for a breath.

"They mentioned Konoha being vulnerable after Asuma's death. That now was the time to strike. But the part that stood out... one of them said they had someone keeping eyes on the inside. Said things would 'fall apart from the inside out.'"

That got Tsunade's full attention.

She looked up, sharp-eyed. "You're sure that's what they said?"

"Word for word."

Tsunade exhaled through her nose, setting the scroll down with a quiet thump.

"We've suspected it," she admitted. "But this confirms it. Someone's leaking information."

Hana's stomach dropped a little further.

"Have you told anyone else about this?" Tsunade asked.

"No. Not yet."

"Keep it that way for now. If there's a traitor, we don't know how high it goes—or how long they've been passing intel."

Hana nodded slowly, jaw clenched. "Do we have suspects?"

"Not yet," Tsunade said, but her tone was grim. "But trust me—we will."

The warmth of her apartment didn't feel like comfort. Not tonight.

Hana stood at her sink, washing the grime of the mission from her hands, but her reflection in the window above the basin didn't look any cleaner. Just... distant. Eyes half-focused. Mouth unsmiling. A ghost still dragging the weight of the graveyard behind her.

A knock at the door pulled her back.

She dried her hands, stepping toward it, and already knew who it would be before opening it.

Ryuken stood there, leaning casually against the frame with that usual half-smile. "Thought you'd be back by now."

Hana blinked. "You were waiting?"

"I figured you'd drop by Tsunade's first. Word spreads fast."

Of course it does, she thought, but forced a faint smile. "Come in."