The Chase
Kakashi and Naruto raced through the streets of the sleeping Konoha village with great speed. It was a few hours after midnight but, the two Jounins had been quick to mobilize when the message came to the village. Once at the main entrance gates to the village, the two shinobi ran through with all the purpose of the village behind them. For, the person that they sought to capture among anyone else was finally here and this time, Sasuke wouldn't escape.
However, the real Sasuke was dead and it was only Orochimaru parading that new body of his, daring anyone to challenge him. For this specific reason, Kakashi and Naruto were sent to deal with the snake Sannin before other villages fell to his deadly hands. It had been months since Orochimaru had shown himself to the world, basking in the victory the Sound had over the Rock in the recent war in which he was now ruler over both villages. Village after village had seen his armies trample through their lands and no way to stop him. It was those eyes…the Mangekyou allowing him the strength to do almost anything he wanted and there appeared to be no one to stop him.
It happened like this. Two years ago, Sasuke finally caught up to his brother Itachi and the two wrapped themselves in a battle the likes the world has not seen in a long time. Both were crippled beyond belief but, just before either died, Orochimaru appeared and took them both to his hide out. The snake Sannin took Sasuke's body and when it was healed, killed Itachi to obtain the Mangekyou. It was often said that Itachi was the only person who had ever gotten close to the avenger, making the Itachi the only person who could grant Sasuke the advanced Sharingan. Orochimaru had won.
But, it was not to completely end like that. After the loss of Sasuke, Naruto spent almost all of his time training with Kakashi and Neiji, getting his strength up for the battle that he knew was to come. Naruto quickly surpassed Kakashi, Neiji and any other Jounin in the Leaf. And after Naruto single handily destroyed a group of invaders from the Rock that numbered more than one hundred, his power was recognized throughout all Konoha and it was decided that Naruto would succeed Tsunande as Hokage one day. However, he was not fully ready; Naruto lacked the battle experience that would make him that supreme ninja.
Thus the 'Ki' squad was formed with Kakashi as its commander and Naruto as captain and the goal of the team was within its name, release the soul of Orochimaru from the body of Sasuke. That was where the two leaders of Ki were now, tracking the position of the snake to do him in for this final time. There was no doubt that they could get this done. After thirty minutes of continuous running, Kakashi ordered a halt and the two rested in a clearing not far from their ending destination.
"Naruto, can you feel that chakra?" asked the copy ninja as he sat down on the ground and began to mold his chakra.
"Yes sensei, and its not far from here. Do you want to wait for the others or go in it alone?"
"I think we should do a little scouting first, I'll summon a dog and…"
"No need, I already sent a clone up ahead of us. We'll know something soon." Said Naruto as walked infront of Kakashi and took a seat as well. The clearing was empty and dark and only the faint chirping of bugs in the forest signalled that they were not alone. Naruto sat back on his hands and stared up, his face not at all like the child he was before.
"Sensei, do you ever think about the future? I mean, did you ever think that things would turn out how they are now?"
Kakashi opened his good eye and looked at the young man inquiringly. "What do you mean? Are you feeling okay, Naruto?"
"I'm fine; it's just that, I am going to be Hokage! You have finally mastered that technique of yours that slows the effects of prolonged use of the Sharingan. Gemma-san is getting married and Sasuke is dead. I never would have thought that this would be one of the futures to take place. I guess I was still thinking like a boy and not a …" Naruto jumped up and went on guard. Kakashi looked up and squinted his one good eye.
"What's wrong?"
"My clones been destroyed, most likely by a high level jutsu. Orochimaru is up there and he's definitely not alone. What are we going to do?"
Kakashi stood up, apparently satisfied with the amount of chakra molded and put one hand over his forehead and strared ahead. "Time to go I guess. The others will just have to catch up. Who did you send for by the way?"
"All of the Genjutsu users and Neiji." replied Naruto.
Kakashi nodded, understanding Naruto's plan and jumped into the trees. Naruto was quickly after him and seconds later, the clearing was empty.
Orochimaru could feel the chakra of two approaching shinobi but he could not tell who they were. Many villages had sent assassins after him and none had ever succeeded so he was not worried now. He was in fact overwhelmed with joy at the impending destruction of Konoha; so much that he could barely stand up straight. Kabuto walked over to him and put a hand on his back. The snake turned and looked at him with a most devious look and smiled.
"All the preparations are complete. The army is ready and Konoha is close. What are your orders Orochimaru-sama?"
"Mhmmm, time to crush Konoha for good. Tell the army that they can proceed as planned. They know what to do!" exclaimed the snake with a most senile expression. Kabuto bowed up disappeared into the darkness. Moments later, hundreds of ninja flew into the forest.
The army of Sound and Rock ninjas raced to Konoha with the intent to kill every living thing in the village. The gates were down, for it was a time of peace and there would be few sentries on duty. The group leader ordered a halt and formed his shinobi into ranks with a small gap in the center.
"Okay men, as soon as we take the gate, summon the snakes. The rest will proceed to the various targets and take out Konoha's medical centers. After that, all converge on the Hokage and wait for Orochimaru-sama to arrive!" exclaimed the group leader. The other ninja's gave a loud cheer and prepared to depart when, the leaves began to rustle.
The army went deathly still as the wind continued to blow the leaves about in a steady, hypnotizing way that made one forget all else around. Then suddenly, just the same as the Chuunin exams four and a half years ago, Kakashi appeared in the center of the army and it was not Sasuke who stood back to back with him but, Naruto.