Prologue:

"Why are we going on such a stupid mission?"

"Does it matter? We only have to retrieve a jutsu scroll from a small village outside the border."

"I don't care what we do. As long as there is food in it for me." A rather skinny Choji looked over to the pink-haired kunoichi.

Ever since Sai had died, Choji-for some unknown reason-had decided to lose weight and eat healthier. When Ino asked why, he simply told her that he did not want to be a burden.

The silver-haired jounin listened to his teammates and a small grin formed on his masked face. Naruto and Sakura had grown close to Choji. More so than they had with Sai and even Sasuke. He often wondered if it was because of the two ninja's deaths.

Sai had died six years back while following Kabuto. Yamato had called off the chase because of the nine-tailed foxes surge in power, but Sai refused to give up. He and Kabuto had created a lot of destruction in their battle. Eventually, Kabuto gained the upper hand and attacked Sai with a fatal blow to his chest. Naruto and Sakura were both devastated. They had grown to like the almost apathetic boy.

About two months later, Tsunade got word of Kabuto's location. When Team Kakashi reached the destination they found more than just their target. Kabuto and Sasuke were in the middle of a battle so fierce they were both on the verge of collapse, if not death. At one point, they stumbled and fell to the ground, unconscious.

Taking the chance, Sakura and Choji rushed to help Sasuke. Kakashi and Naruto ran to restrain the rogue medic before he could wake up.

As they finished tying him up, Choji walked over carrying Sasuke. Sakura was right behind him mumbling something about how bad his condition was. The team hurried back to Konoha as quickly as possible while carrying the two unconscious men.

When the returned, both Kabuto and Sasuke were admitted into the hospital. Their chakra was depleted and they were strapped to their beds as a safety precaution.

One week later, Sasuke's condition was so bad that even he knew that he would die soon. He would often talk about the older Uchiha, Itachi. Their conversations usually ended with him saying that he wished his brother were there during his last moments of life. Then he would stop speaking and stare out the window.

Early one morning, Tsunade summoned the team with grim news. Sasuke had passed away. After leaving over eight years before, and finally coming home, the young prodigy had left this horrible world. Barely twenty-one and already gone. The life of a ninja is destined to end in early death.

The next day, Kabuto woke up and requested to speak with the Hokage. He told her that he wanted to become a medic-nin for Konoha. She asked why and he stated that his personal mission was finished, Sasuke was dead.

Tsunade informed him that once he was well, they would talk about it once more. He agreed and Tsunade ordered that his chakra be replenished and his restraints removed. He was fully recovered and walking around his room a month after being brought to the village. Tsunade had her personal ANBU escort him to her office, where they made arrangements for his future.

She had decided that he could stay, but for the first year he wouldn't be allowed to leave the village. He wasn't allowed to have weapons for the first six months. He was given an apartment to stay in and get him back on his feet. He would be working at the hospital for now starting the next day.

Three years passed with no conflict. Kabuto remained loyal to the Leaf. The only things they learned from Akatsuki were that Itachi and Deidara had been resurrected. Although, so far they hadn't had trouble from them.

As Kakashi watched his younger teammates, he couldn't help but worry about what would happen if they took Naruto. He was going to be the next Hokage. He would be the best Kage ever. Ranking high above even Gaara.

"How long 'til we get there? I could really go for some ramen right now." Naruto complained. As he finished speaking, His stomach growled and Sakura and Choji laughed.

Kakashi had to chuckle a little. Same old Naruto. Won't ever miss a chance to get ramen. "About ten minutes. When we reach the village; it's mission first, food second."

Even Choji smirked at the comment. Naruto glared at him and walked ahead of them. "Fine."

It was already getting darker when they reached the village. Sakura thought it had been a nice day today. Summer was looming closer so the days were longer and very hot in Fire country. Today was considerably cooler and a clam breeze was blowing through her hair.

They didn't have to actually look for the home where the scroll was located. There weren't very many houses in this village. When they reached the building, they noticed an odd chakra. They mask their own chakra and enter the house. They stop to figure out where it is coming from and Kakashi beckons them to enter a door to the left. It the center of the room is a small scroll.

"Why is it glowing blue?" Naruto asks as he moves forward and stands directly in front of the item.

"I'm not sure, but I don't think we should do anything with it yet." Sakura states as she studies the scroll on the table.

Four men in cloaks entered the small village. Civilians quickly moved away from them and what looked like their destination. The tallest among them looked rather bored. The blonde had a scowl on his face that seemed to show he was upset about something. The one wearing an odd mask with only one eyehole was walking with a bounce in his step. As if he were excited for what would come next.

The smallest of the odd group seemed to be the one villagers feared the most. He hap piercing red eyes and a lighter shade of black hair. He had a dark aura that even a civilian could sense.

He led the other three to a small building near the center of the town. As they entered, they sense familiar chakra and prepare for a fight. They reach a open room on the left and pause. They scroll they were sent to retrieve was surrounded by four people.

"Kyuubi." the tall man said quietly enough so only his companions could hear him. They start to move forward, when a bright light erupts from the scroll and everything goes black.