CHAPTER I

Infiltration

"NO, SASUKE-KUN! STOP!" Sakura screamed as Susanoo readied its arrow on the quiver. Sakura was running toward a ravaged landscape that had been pulverized by tremendous seismic activity. As she ran toward the cauterized and parched landscape, Susanoo, the ethereal warrior, had already completely enveloped Sasuke Uchiha, protecting him, attacking for him.

A hundred yards away directly across from Sasuke was Konohagakure's Hokage, Naruto Uzumaki. He was panting hard, a knee on the ground, completely spent after the protracted battle.

"Sasuke!" Sakura yelled: it was a desperate plea. She outstretched her hand. She wasn't going to make it, but she had to make it.

Susanoo released the arrow.

Sakura Haruno woke from her nightmare drenched in sweat. After breathing heavily in an attempt to calm her nerves, she felt a suffusion of dread blossom and spread deep inside her heart. Naruto was in danger. She knew it. She felt it. There were plenty of reasons why many in the shinobi world wished for Naruto's death.

Tears welled in Sakura's eyes. He always had to shoulder the burdens of others.

Sakura swallowed.

No, she thought. I must not doubt. Naruto is fine. He always manages to eke out a victory, in spite of the odds. And he's counting on me for this mission's success.

Sakura sat up. The wooden floorboards croaked as she got off her bed and stepped out of her room. Now outside, she looked up at the predawn night sky. The receding stars told her that the sun would rise within the hour. The ocean's waves crashed against the boat's bow, rocking it gently, and the salty sea air was beginning to dampen her hair. She took a loose strand of hair blowing on her face and carefully tucked it behind her ear.

A kuniochi materialized by her side.

"Sakura-sama," the kuniochi said, "do you need anything?"

Sakura stared at the vast ocean before her. She heard in the distance the faint squawks of sea gulls. We're almost there, she thought.

"No, Moegi," Sakura replied, turning to the shinobi beside her. "You can go rest now. I'll take over your shift."

"Hai," Moegi said. She bowed her head and vanished.

Moegi has grown into a strong kuniochi, Sakura thought. She has become a great medical ninja in her own right. With the way things are going, a few more months of training and she could be ready to sign the contract with Katsuyu.

Sakura smiled a weak smile. Yes, she had found an eager and willing pupil, but she couldn't help but lament the circumstances that had propelled Moegi to study under her tutelage. Moegi had attempted to save Konohamaru's life with her limited medical jutsu after Konohamaru had valiantly but stupidly stood up to Danzo when Danzo had been Konohagakure's Hokage. Moegi had tried to repair Konohamaru's heart, lungs, and other vital organs, but Danzo's wind jutsu had lacerated Konohamaru beyond the ken of Moegi's medical jutsu knowledge. She had done all she could, but it hadn't been enough. Konohamaru died in her arms. Moegi had vowed since that day that she would be a useful shinobi in battle and to never again lose another shinobi companion. It was an admirable goal and dream, but Sakura knew that in the midst of war even she, now the greatest and most renowned medical justsu expert of the known shinobi world, could not save everyone.

The nascent sunlight perforated the dark purple sky with its golden blades. In spite of her many missions as a Genin, Chunnin, and now a high-ranking Jonin, Sakura had never taken the opportunity to see and breathe the beauty of an emerging dawn out at sea. She was amazed by nature's unfolding splendor before her, but her wonder ceased and retreated with her caution. The path ahead would be difficult. Attempting to infiltrate Kirigakure in direct defiance of the Fifth Mizukage's orders was suicidal. Only a shinobi of her caliber could possibly be able to cross the path of Kirigakure's finest shinobi to speak with the Mizukage herself.

After standing thirty minutes at the boat's bow, three shinobis materialized behind Sakura. The boat had just sailed into Kirigakure's borders.

"Sakura," Moegi said.

"I know," Sakura said.

A grainy mist suddenly began to materialize, hovering over the ocean's placid waves, obstructing any view beyond ten feet.

"Ready yourselves," Sakura said.

The boat sailed deep into the thick mist. Withdrawing their kunai, Sakura and the shinobi all gave their backs to each other, making a round formation, looking at all sides for any possible attacks.

But there wasn't any.

A tense minute passed by. Every second was full of anticipation.

"Ko," Sakura said to the shinobi at her right side, a young man from the Hyuga clan.

"Byakugan!" Ko said. His large white eyes began to scan their environs. Sakura saw a pained look of concern come to his face. "S-S-Sakura-sama," he began to stammer.

"I do believe," a soft, feminine voice said, "you're a little too late for that."

The voice came from the middle of the small ship's deck.

Sakura took the front of her ninja group. The mist began to dissipate. As it receded, Sakura began to make the outlines of their surroundings. There were surrounded by two ships, but in the middle of their ship, Sakura saw the outlines of three figures. In the middle was a beautiful woman with long hair and beautiful green eyes. She was smiling.

"I see that Konoha's Hokage has defied my orders and sent his slug to my domain."

Sakura and the other shinobis fell to one knee.

"Mizukage-sama," Sakura said, "we come in peace—"

"I'm not interested in what you have to say," the Mizukage said. "Your leader has sent you to your deaths. Know that before you die."

Sakura's eyes widened as the Mizukage began to form hand seals…