As these things tend to work out, he finally had an issue that demanded Kisame's skills. He knew, truthfully, that he couldn't hoard someone as powerful as a former swordsman of Kiri all to himself, and thus, in spite of his condition, he firmly sent him on his way.

That left him with ANBU, who had never been particularly adept at keeping track of him in the first place, and he'd slipped that leash to go sit on the monument. The Hokage monument that is, to get some air away from -everyone-.

He missed Kisame, and was far from thrilled that the man likely wouldn't be back any time soon.