"Then we have a deal?" Asked
Everything was a mess, destruction everywhere and although the scroll that she was found in the tower of the hokage months before the war began was a bit battered, she knew it was the best she could do at this point, in theory and she wasn't quite sure if this would actually work, but seeing everything happening around her, she decided try it anyway, then once again reviewed the contents of the roll and started to review the last parts of the plan again, still remembered that only minutes ago had back waiting for a silly, childish way that this moment wouldn't come, but seeing all that the war had caused, and what had happened and was still happening then she knew that couldn't afford to or not trying, she had always been weak, or at least is how she felt before and now seeing her former team in the distance, she felt again as the girl which everyone should be protect, and that couldn't going to see so many people dying, now she wanted to give the hand back even if it was with a vengeance. She would do for her precious people and her precious village and world, then like a signal he said something that pushed even more to feel that this was the right decision.
"You just made me waste my time" or they said it more like a confirmation that as a comment.
"I was just remembering this moment, so that if eventually I begin to doubt, this makes me keep going." she said brusquely, not allowed herself to hesitate at any time, it depended everything now, she had managed the way to convince him, only needed to be brave and then everything will be fine.
"Are you sure?" He asked skeptically, "I must remind you that once you take this step no turning back, in theory," he said "after all, conditions seem favorable for your group now, the war will end and ..."
"I have to do this, although the war is over, the cost is too high and I'm not willing to let everyone pay!" she said, feeling her conviction left her, after all he had or point and if it was possible that win this particular war in which she was no longer part of, but still and cost would be too high. Although Sasuke always would bear hatred and guilt for killing his brother after learning that was part of a mission, Shikamaru and Ino had lost their parents and even if not a direct result of the war, Chōji and them have lost his sensei, Kakashi-sensei always continue with that aura of loneliness and guilt for letting something happen to his best friend and others not being able to fulfill the promise that triggered a whole sequence of events, Naruto would remain an orphan a past that haunted him although denying that affect him besides that the guilt of braking the promise to herself to give back Sasuke to Konoha, to keep him away of the darkness, Gai-sensei would be incapacitated, Neji would remain dead, Sai still have his traumas and his unknown feelings, Yamato-taicho continues to have a troubled past because of Orochimaru, Itachi would be remembered more as the criminal he was once instead to be remembered as a martyr who suffered the consequences of following orders for the good of his people, Jiraiya-sama would died and guilt at the heart of her shishou for having sent him on that mission that wouldn't fade even with the best sake that money could buy, the weight of the war wouldn't be lifted from the shoulders of all these people, the lives that were lost in the field doesn't reach all be carved in stone monument, destroyed families, orphaned children, the destruction of villagers, the innocent ones, that and more was the price they had to pay to put all an end to this nightmare and she was not about to let that happen, not when given the choice.
"Remember the price" he said pushing her "so I blow to ask, do we have a deal?"
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Months earlier, she was on her way to the Hokage tower to deliver a report of medical records to her shishou. That was usual, part of her routine because for the actual hokage, the reports and things concerning the hospital occupied a large part of her time, after all it was thanks to her health reforms that so many lives were saved by the time she had been in charge. When she reached the folders were deposit it in the table and once this was complete her shishou ask her to fetch one of the files in the classified documents, she didn't dare to question her to see the bottles of sake, the scattered on the floor and the table files and attitude of her teacher really didn't bother to complain and just did, she was very grateful for the confidence that the woman deposited in her so that was where she had sent her and pulled the file ninja of the past hundred years, that wasn't doubt something that was unusual, and aroused curiosity in Sakura, it was obvious that her master knew something she didn't. And so she saw the numerous bottles of sake, the documents scattered on her desk, her petition and that the woman had dark circles around her honey eyes, by putting all the pieces together concluded that it was not good or pleasant news that was coming was if her shishou care of this. This was a classified file and when she saw it more closely noticed that the parchment was wrapped in a smaller one. Curiosity got the best of her and pulled out the small scroll form the large one, examining it carefully, and her curiosity got the best of her again, so she took it from where it was and was willing to see what it was when a sound outside said to her that it wouldn't be a smart idea, so she decided it was not a good idea to open at this time with her shishou waiting, so put it in her weapon bag with the spread returning later once satisfied her curiosity, but something takes her to make a copy of the scroll that she has now in her arms, the big one, and carefully she sealed inside a ordinary scroll with her basic knowledge of Fūinjutsu. She take the scroll now hollow inside and took it through the room to find her teacher looking at a no particular point in the room with a fixed and serious look, even she realized Sakura when she returned and made the request in the large table.
"Tsunade-shishou the document is here, is there anything else you need?" Casually curious gaze of senior woman Sakura said.
"No, you're free to go now," she said without turning.
Making her departure as quickly as possible to the place without showing any signs of anxiety or emotion, Sakura made her departure from the office with parchment into her bag of weapons, once she was away from the eyes of the guards in the tower made her way rushed to her house, where she opened the scroll in question quickly and without interruptions, called too much attention to the scroll doesn't present a label, but continued her research anyway observing the scroll that she had in her hands .
Once it was extended in front of her looked at it with curiosity and care, after all this scroll seemed so hidden from public view, hoping that Tsunade requested file wasn't of great interest at least one time, she didn't even know if her shishou was aware of this scroll special. So carefully look at what was inside, immediately realized that it was a sealing technique, and apparently incredible complexity as the hand stamps were failing, many complex, ten sequences in total it was also S class, that would explain in part because it was hidden, but not quite, if it was a forbidden technique, then where had been since it was not the best place to hide it or keep it away from prying hands, well after all it supposed to be only the hokage who can access to that part of the office, but then she realized the name of the jutsu, forgetting about her old worries and everything and nothing at once seemed to make sense "consumer seal demon of death" to read a little more on the parchment, Sakura noticed that these were the specifications of the jutsu in the lower roll, ready to find out what it was that this scroll was found, she avidly read the information that would take away her suspense.
She was reading for a while now when she reached the end of the specifications and implications of the seal, and she could come to is that if a complex seal should study a little more about Fūinjutsu to do it properly, but that would sound a bit crazy now that she knew the implications that would bring developing this technique, since what she read didn't sound hopeful, but quite the opposite. In short, the jutsu absorbs the soul of the enemy and the user once it has been called, those souls sealed with this Jutsu are condemned to suffer for eternity in the belly of the Grim Reaper to never rest in peace, there's souls sealed and sealant are intertwined forever linked by hate facing in combat and on until the end of time. The technique will end when the soul opponent is extracted from the body and sealed, or when the user wishes, thus taking part of its own soul. When that happens, death with a short knife will remove the part and sealed inside him. In the latter case the body part loses its soul doesn't contain Chakra and begin to rot, causing excruciating pain to the enemy. But despite all this at the look of her master in the office, she just knew things were not going well, after years of being her apprentice had learned to read her a little and what she found this morning didn't like one bit , not to mention that in the event that what affect his teacher was merely trivial, doesn't it discarded the amount that even were there no mention of akatsuki had not yet died loose enemies, is why with the determination to save her precious people decided to learn albeit as a last resort.
The preparation for this jutsu wasn't simple, even easy. In those months she spent as much time reading scrolls about Fūinjutsu and testing minor sealing jutsus, which were growing little by little, she focus training on her chakra to avoid wasting a lot in the label but not as if it mattered after all the souls and therefore the life of the person was taken once the jutsu was done, but still felt like she must pay attention to the littlest detail to avoid fail in performing this technique and therefore stupidly die helplessly nothing useful, though not like to admit it she didn't know much about sealing techniques so watching on parchment and the threat will surely approached, in her anxiety and nervousness, she realized that no matter how hard she try if , because if she didn't have time anything would matter, that's why she decided to find a teacher in this to guide her on her way to develop the technique correctly, albeit in fundamentals of Fūinjutsu, is true that she had books and open scrolls by all over the place with regard to information subject but knew it would be faster if she just take a teacher who instructed her in the art of the sealing techniques. Unfortunately, Jiraiya, whom she knew as one of the most skilled in this, lay dead by the hand that was once his student, Tsunade also knew about this, part of being a Senju or something, but she didn't dare ask her, this woman knew her too well to know that something was wrong with her, that's why she started reviewing in her mind who possibly knew this without arousing suspicion, until she remembered the Chūnin exams in which his former sensei had sealed the curse mark of Sasuke, but again, her plan was demolished because the man had been her teacher and then her teammate, he could also read her well and realize that something wasn't right, she didn't want to bother others with her explosive paranoia, that's why she decided to give up with her intentions to being an occasional apprentice. So she must depend of her breaks and free time to learn the technique for herself.
Obviously and natural, time passed and soon a month had passed since she was doing her research to learn what had the parchment found in the Hokage tower, lack of sleep and the small number of breaks have hitherto worth it, since it seemed increasingly clear development of technique without fail awkwardly in the attempt, but still knowing that possibly couldn't rely on this jutsu, or really didn't want to rely on that jutsu, she began training in other areas to avoid this circumstance, but also she read the copy that she made in the hokage tower of the big scroll, learning about the last hundred years . She was very aware that it was vulnerable to attack from a distance, as she undoubtedly was better in combat short-range, although this wasn't a problem when she was on land, she could be in serious problems if her enemy wasn't rarely on earth, especially if he was an expert in ninjutsu, since she didn't use it if it wasn't for medical purposes, that once again work in short distances, even if this could be used as an offensive weapon. That's why she began her training based on her chakra affinity, which turned out to be water, and then spread through the other, also in that time she take time for meditation to create her seal strength of a hundred, it should be useful if their fears were to materialize, besides of trying to improve her low endurance and speed.
But though she was busy, the patients keep coming, so wounded are dying if they are not cared for, the reports continue to fill her office and her duties still calling her. With all that had to be done in the hospital didn't have much time to train, that's why in this month had more than undoubtedly was very foolish for someone who was a doctor, for anyone actually, since she was holding from soldier pills that increased her chakra and energy, so she could study and train at night, but if the pills did wonders for her energy, did nothing to her tired look that resulted. She knew that if well maintained may soon falter from exhaustion, but something inside her told her it was something necessary to get to worry about having a serious case of paranoia, but decided to move the thinking and do what her instincts were trying to tell her. Although this thought the sane part of her did not let her sleep when she had the little time, it is why as a security measure, and one day took the time to visit her teacher to challenge a game of poker.
"Tsunade-shishou" said Sakura entering the office as she looked at her with the lots of sake in her desk, and then she avoid a bottle of the liquor easily.
"You must have my reports here" she said angry, very upset.
"Sorry, I didn't have time" she said taking a sit in front of her.
"You must stop hanging out with Hatake, your excuses are worse than his" she said taking a look of her apprentice that sincerity looked like shit.
"I'm serious I have being very busy with a new medical jutsu" she lied.
"You know that these reports should be in my office three days ago" she said taking a look a little closer.
"This won't happen again" she said with a forced smile "but, before you get mad with me, I bring you a deal" she said with precaution.
"Tell me more" she said interested.
"You know, I'm being much stressed and I need a distraction, so I bring you a poker game" she said carefully.
"And what if I win" her aster asked studying her.
"I bring you the reports immediately" she said feeling sorry once she said, had not even started yet.
"Even if you win, these reports need to be here immediately" said upset the older woman.
"Then I bought you ten bottles of the tea village sake" she said.
"Now we can understand each other, deals the cards!" she said with a smirk. After playtime, Tsunade was considering a full house and the game was in the bag for her as well as a good portion of their savings. Sakura didn't need anything else to be on guard and quickly left the office. After that she disappears as quickly as a lightning, because when her teacher earned in a game something bad was about to happen.
She came to her office so quickly that no one has time to even give her the medical records and no one had time after that she locked herself in her office without allowing anyone near. This seemed very strange to others, because she hadn't see around if it wasn't in the hospital and never appeared in the free hours available, even Naruto hadn't seen her within the last month and that was something to say because they often were seen hanging out or eating together when Sakura had her lunch time outside the hospital, it was as if she had vanished, the times that she wasn't in the operating room simply remained locked in her office, though apparently not filling records medical because Tsunade appeared once or twice in the week to berate her apprentice for breach of this task. Which it seemed odd to the medical personnel, who had never witnessed the behavior that had presented the medicinal prodigy.
Soon five months passed without anyone could know something about the pinkette kunoichi and the behavior of the young doctor hadn't changed at all, until one day the overwhelming news reached to her ears in a shinobi meeting that had to occur, albeit reluctantly.
When she made her road to the meeting, her hands were wet in sweat, her heart beats were unpredictable and erratic, and she couldn't help the anxiety and nervousness agony that and accompanying her on her way to the Hokage's office, which by the way had not appeared from making a good time, and forgotten her intentions to return the scroll that kept even with her.
"you must wonder why all of you are here," Tsunade said sitting on her desk as she looked at each present in the room, "what I am about to tell you is not comforting and pleasant me to communicate" she continued looking away and standing up to look out window to her beloved people "have been following an abnormal situation developing for months, all kages had knowledge of this and took as a topic of discussion at the last summit Kage, Intel recently confirmed our suspicions and if that were not enough, akatsuki officially declare war on us" a collective gasp was heard in the room "I have no more to say, prepare yourselves for the fourth war" she said without further. Then Sakura's heart froze.
"Wait baa-chan, isn't there a way to avoid it?" Naruto asked desperately dripping from his voice.
"The way to avoid this is giving you and the eight tails ox" Tsunade said sternly, "That's impossible, since they already have the rest of the tailed beasts, and no one knows what forces we will find if we give the demons willingly "she said, without softening the tone of her voice.
"But I…" He shook helplessly, just think that if it were not for him, none of this would have happened, I wanted to help so badly that was able to do anything to save his people.
"Shut up, there is nothing we can do to avoid conflict, this is already decided with other shinobi nations, so now you just have to stay out of the situation until the war begins, and not do anything stupid, is our perdition if they take you away" Tsunade said with a look that could have cut steel. Naruto stood there clenching his fists until his hands turned white and blood dripped to the ground in an act of helplessness and anger.
"I think it's important to add that they are not alone in this, our spy network has confirmed that Kabuto already made a covenant with them" Sakura stopped listening after eight tails, nothing seemed important after that.
the rest of the meeting went like a blur to her, after she could take note with what is supposed would be the tactics and disposition of shinobi for war, now all in her brain seemed to be blocked, they were behind Naruto, the day had come and honestly she was not able to protect even wanted with all her strength avoid being killed with the extraction of the beast that had within him, she was deep in thought and did not realize as time what is happening. That was the first time that she felt timeless. She was not sure how long she felt that everyone around her stopped until she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Sakura-chan?" Suddenly blue eyes and blond hair took her vision, and she instinctively smiled, thinking that this would be one of the moments where she could study his characteristics if anything were to happen, so she looks carefully. And then she just hugged him.
"Are you alright Sakura-chan?" Naruto asked as he felt his shoulder wet.
"I'm fine, just… I need to tell you that you're so important for me" she said sincerely.
"you know I'm feel the same way about you" he said hugging her.
"no matter what, I swear I will protect you" she murmured.
"what do you say?" he asked clueless.
"I'm feeling like it's time to ramen, has been time ago that we haven't seen each other" she said washing her tears. After all she knew that if things do go wrong, she would give her life to Shinigami and probably this would be the last time she would see him just like Naruto are.
"Are you sure that you're alright?" he asked a little worried.
"I'm fine baka" she said giving him a little punch on his arm.
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Now she knew she had made the right decision to follow her instincts, the training was hard and steady, sometimes fainted from exhaustion but now could not be happier, because the effort paid off and although six months wasn't had been sufficient, as much as she had wanted, it was better than nothing, she had developed the hundred strength seal a couple of weeks ago with seventeen years, that had earned her a proud look of her master and leader, and although she had been very happy with her approval nothing was compared with the pleasure of being able to fight with Naruto and Sasuke at the same level, now without looking its backs, Madara had giving them a hard time, but nothing like the one that made Kaguya, who in the end only had used the old shinobi to revive and get revenge of humanity for stealing her precious chakra. Sakura was glad that they could keep at bay fighting together, but suddenly take a closer look all over the place; it is true that the cards were now in their favor but that doesn't mean everything that happened accordingly. The war was "over", after many things that happened in expected, as the betrayal of black Zetsu to Madara, to make way for the goddess rabbit, or the fact that Obito a refund of part of Kurama to Naruto, or the fact that he has been attached with them after a while, that undoubtedly to been unexpected, but then something in Sakura wasn't really prepared for that then happen to fight together was Sasuke, declare that he would execute the five Kages, and then what appeared to have been the brunt of the war with Kaguya revived the tailed beasts released once again managed to neutralize what they expected out forever. But suddenly and without no one could anticipate a new war started but between Naruto and Sasuke to panic of Sakura who was powerless against the techniques that they performed, She thought for a moment that all threats were gone, that everything would be as before, the team seven reborn from the ashes once again and be together again, that everything was finally over, they had achieved the success, exterminate most of their threats and now only came peacetime and to regain lost each time. She really believed that they could recover from this, for a moment she thought that now the nations were together that nothing bad could happen, that everything was finished after many sacrifices, that the nightmare had come to an end after a long and painful way, she really believed in their hopes. Only to be broken again in the most cruel way when she saw whom she thought would always be the love of her life turned to his radiant teammate with a look full of hate, she in an attempt that she knew it was probably futile, tried to stop after seeing Kakashi was about to try just to fail by exhaustion after using the Sharingan too much, but she tried anyway as a part of her still believed that there was something in his heart there was only hate and darkness, because after giving chakra to Obito, Sasuke was right there to hold her, so that's why she in a pathetic attempt is directed towards him and with tears all around her chicks make a last attempt to convince Sasuke not to leave and return with them, but ultimately Sasuke puts her under his Genjutsu with his new Rinnegan piercing her chest in the same leaving her out of combat. Within her unconsciousness she imagines herself facing him "You're a fucking shit! all your fault, I don't even know why I keep trying it was obvious you did not want any of us come near you, all that has caused pain, you take advantage of our vulnerability you're a jerk, you always ... you." Then she woke up and realized that was their mistake, it was obvious that he never wanted their company friendship or love, he had always made more than clear, but they have been fools not to listen at time and now it was too late to prevent something like that happen, allowed it became important to them, allowed him to take advantage of the vulnerability of all, creating a shield of their inability to kill. She was foolish to think she could heal him.
That battle was very colossal, though she knew something like that could happen, she called chakra to the area anticipating the attack, which lessened the impact and let her out for only a few moments before she was able to stand again. If at first she was a little shocked and hurt by Sasuke, because he tried once again to kill her and again he betrays her trust through her chest, that didn't compare to the apprehension that she felt when he set out to try to kill Naruto, and while the jutsu so carefully she had learned it had not been necessary in the war after using the three invocations, she was in an amazing need to use it now even if it cost her his life and hers, but she knew it wouldn't work as they continue to fight, since she could not be contacted Sasuke to seal him inside the demon, by not to mention the great destruction that was leaving behind, she knew that this wasn't within what she could handle at the moment they fought like gods with new powers and abilities, it is why in momentum she began to search in her bag of weapons parchment and worn by many applications to review each step without losing the smallest detail. In these circumstances anyone would think it was a really dumb decision that she had taken to perform the jutsu, but the functionality of this they were no longer her intentions anymore.
Realize that this was a summoning jutsu and not a technique with the name of a god like Amaterasu or Tsukuyomi, this was a real God, someone who was inherent in all wars that had happened, someone who doesn't cares about the age of a person to take them away, because no matter how old or young someone was to take it's life, someone who was inherent in time, someone that no matter what you did eventually come for you, someone who was stronger than anyone would be willing to be in all life, because no one was immune to the Shinigami, the god of death, but somehow has managed to become immortal, no one could avoid him. That's why in a desperate attempt not raise it to something that she wouldn't regret in the least.
Then in rapid succession of hand sings made this technique successfully, and before her was imposing straightened the Shinigami with outstretched arms and a knife in his mouth, the vision was to say the least shocking, she knew it would be an absurd idea and ridiculous but she had to try, right?
"Shinigami-sama" she tried not sure if he even responds. "I require your services in an unusual way," she hesitantly even though she had his full attention of the development said. "I need something that only you can give me, since it has gone through time and space through the years." she said doubtful, but determined. Although that didn't open his mouth or dropped the knife, she could hear voices that she assumed would be the souls in his stomach answering for him.
"An interesting mortal is we have here," he said causing the whole body of the young kunoichi stiffen mortified to hear the voices. "Must be the first time that someone thinks that can talk to me," he said derogatory "What a soul like you want from me if isn't lock another and her own in pro a sacrifice?"
"I need something, but I'm not sure you can give me," she said looking out the corner of her eye as the struggle between her two teammates unfolded.
"Surely there is little I can't do," said the grim with painful pride "human, tell me what you want"
"I need a trip back in time" she said bluntly, "and I need it now"
"You're silly if you think I can do that for you," said the Shinigami condescending.
"Could it be that you cannot?" Asked Sakura feeling as the last thread of hope was slipping out of her hand.
"Of course I can, I exist not limited by these deadly barriers, after all is the time which makes organism like you that makes you mortals all the way, but tell me why should I do?, you don't have souls to offer to me and you must know that is what I require in return for being called "Shinigami said with disdain at her with his imposing figure in front of her and unsympathetic attitude
"It is true that I don't have a lot to offer, but over the years my people have given you worship, and related stories tells that you say helped humans with certain tasks, you can control and guard the entrance of the worlds in a plane that could be called the Ethero" Sakura said in a gut from the legends, she didn't believe it was true but in her desperation she was willing to try anything.
"That's true, but it was always at a high cost" said the God without even hide his amusement at the desperation of the human before him.
Impressed by his words she decided to push her luck a little more "I swear give you offerings all the remaining days of my life with rice, flowers and ..." she was cut off by the Shinigami with a raucous laugh.
"These are offerings that are brought to a body, so that their souls will be transported to another level successfully, this will not be enough to convince me, girl." said the harsh spirit.
"I give you what you ask me just to stop this destruction," she said with new tears in her face.
"I admire your determination, but the price will not be cheap, I can see that your soul is pure, the removal of a soul through death is a process that stains all pure characteristic that a person could possessed, but if we do it when you're still living without having to use my knife, all your soul will be mine, that means that no matter if my belly is cut with one of the Uzumaki masks, since your soul will be part of mine, and it is the only way you can travel back in time, that means next to me, will be the permanent martyr who will transit time taking other lives for eternity "the demon said with amusement to see the expression of her young convener.
"It seems a fair price" hating the presence of hesitation in her voice. "No price is enough to save my precious ones" she said more to her to him.
"Even if you're not part of those appreciated by them?" he asked funny as he saw her tremble "But I must warn you that you will have to follow all my rules, no exceptions. After all, you're taking many lives that had to be mine in time that means there will be times where its scarcity takes me through unpleasant situations of hungry as I eat them "that made Sakura will quicken the pulse.
"What kind of rules?" She asked with a little fear.
"We'll see about the way don't worry about that right now" he said carefully watching each of her shares. "But as our souls are in the process of casting, you'll possess some of my features like traveling between dimensions and therefore time and space, but I warn you one thing, once on a date you can't go back, you can jump many times I deems appropriate as long as it is as a limit in this day, that's means that is if you are traveling three years past and then come to this day, you can't come back to the past and this will be your last visit to humanity "Sakura gulped, should fortunately wisely make decisions not only study was based on jutsus but history and processes.
"Agree" she said after a moment.
"While that means of course that you will never be part of the life of any of those who knew you, you've never been the best friend of the fox boy, never have been a part of the team seven, your sensei would never be the son of the Fang, Tsunade would never be your teacher, your parents would not be as part of your circle, Ino would not be your friend, you would not be a serious part of Konoha, would not be a ninja that nation either, you would not be part of the rookie nine or the Konoha eleven" he said in a spread around and noticing her face anguished added, "but of course would have advantages, never serious stabbed by Sasuke, three times never serious weak call, you wouldn't have known akatsuki and would not have been part of the war," he said cruelly, before which there was no response more than a sidelong glance at him. It attracting attention again urged "then we have a deal?" instigated still unanswered.
"You just made me waste my time" he said it more like a confirmation that as a comment. But he noticed the tears began to form at the corners of her green and beautiful eyes.
"I was just remembering this moment, so that if in the 'future' if I begin to doubt, this makes me keep going," she said, wiping traces of water that were about to fall down her cheeks. Refusing to let him saw her to cry again, she hated this part of her, she couldn't control it, and she hated so much to look as weak as she felt.
"Are you sure?" He asked skeptically, "I must remind you that once you take this step no turning back, in theory." he said "After all, conditions seem favorable for your group now, the war will end and ..."
"I have to do this, although the war is 'over', the cost is too high and I'm not willing to let everyone pay"
"Well then we have a deal," he said. "So where do we go first, or rather when?"