I'm not really satisfied with parts of this chapter, sometimes writting a story is like doing a jigsaw puzzle. Not all the pieces fit.
Happy new year everbody!
Wow 2008 already?! Thank you my loyal readers!
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"I've your first B ranked mission," said Sasori to his students who were waiting eagerly, "and it requires us to go to Ame."
"Really?" a young boy with brown hair cheered, "yeah bring it on!"
"Stop it Yura," chided a young girl with black hair tied into two buns on her head, "it could be dangerous so let wait and see what sensei has to say."
"Seriously I can't believe we have such a kid on our team," said a third with short, sandy hair.
"What do you say Kutso?!!!!" Yura yelled.
Kutso, Mari and Yura, were the first genin team that Sasori ever had, but they on never returned on their first B ranked mission. The next batch of students Sasori had was subjected to special tests of his own devising so that it will never happen again.
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"You want my team to participate in the invasion?" Sasori asked coldly. He was sitting in the Kazekage's receiving chamber, around him there various elders were seated side by side the Kazekage, their eyes glittering coldly in the candlelight. Outside the wind howled as the sandstorm raged outside the Kazekage building.
"Yes Sasori," the Kazekage said, his face hidden behind his cloth mask, "the Shukaku will have a determining factor in our victory."
"They're kids," Sasori pointed out, "they lack experience, and this invasion is an S ranked mission, they may not come back alive."
"True," one of the elders spoke, "it will be a shame if Temari or Kankuro died, and they did showed so much promise. But the Shukaku and its vessel are a failed experiment on our part, if it dies in the battle so much the better."
"Wait," an old female voice spoke, "I agree with what Sasori says, it is too much for kids to handle, let them gain experience as a…."
"You are biased Shiko," another spoke, "I doubt that your opinions really matter even if you are an elder."
"We will continue with this invasion," the fourth said standing up and turning to leave, "let this invasion be a show of Suna's might."
"I need a word with you fourth," Sasori said also standing up, "in private."
"Oh there is no need," the fourth said turning to look at Sasori, "I will be happy to hear your opinions in front of the council Sasori."
"Do you even care whenever they live or die?" Sasori asked his eyes glittered dangerously.
"As long as it is for the glory of Suna," the fourth replied, "any sacrifice is necessary."
Sasori tighten his fist, turned and walked away.
"Oh by the way Sasori," the fourth said, "since you are a bit, infamous in konoha, I have choosen Baki to be their sensei on the trip to the leaf."
Sasori stopped and turned his face suspicious, "I have never went to Konoha even once, even if my students are participating in the exams, you do know that fourth. That was part of our arrangement."
"….It slipped my mind," the fourth said
Sasori continued to look suspiciously at the fourth, "you have changed a lot Kazekage, I don't remember you being so…forgetful."
"People change Sasori," the fourth replied smoothly.
"Oh? Then perhaps I should participate as a jounin sensei too, after all people change, fourth," Sasori said left the room not noticing the fourth clenching his fist slightly.
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"I have something to tell you three," Sasori said as the sand sibs met up with Sasori for their now almost ritual meeting, "it is regarding your training for the mission."
Temari gulped, yesterday their sensei had met them in a bad mood, and he had taken it out on them by making them do a one on one spar with him. It was only by Baki interrupting that the Kazekage needed to talk to them that Sasori stopped.
Earlier….
"I have decided to not only to personally nominate you three for the genin exam," the fourth said, "but to give team Sasori a special mission."
"I thought we have discuss this before," Sasori responded.
"Sasori, as a parent and as the Kazekage, I am able to overwrite any objections that anyone in this village might have," the fourth said, "and I believe that my children are more then worthy enough to become Chunin."
"How very sentimental of you," Sasori responded.
Meanwhile the sand sibs just stood there watching the verbal exchanges between the two, they had never seen their father like this. Meanwhile Gaara wanted nothing else but to kill this man, but refrain from doing so because of the presence of his siblings and sensei.
"Suna cannot afford to be sentimental," the fourth said, "which is why I want you three to participate in the invasion of konoha."
"We already have a treaty with them fourth," Sasori said, "do we want to show the world that we are backstabbers."
"Where does your loyalty lie with Sasori of the red sands?" The fourth demanded using Sasori's full title, "is it with me or is it with the leaf?"
With that said the fourth snapped his fingers and Anbu immediately filled the room, "my loyalty is to the sand," Sasori replied coldly.
"Good," the fourth said waving his hand and the assorted Anbu disappeared in puffs of smoke, "I shall now explain to you what is the reason behind the invasion. Listen well, including you Sasori kun."
Sasori did not noticed the suffix, too absorbed in his thoughts to notice, 'I need to make them stronger as soon as possible.'
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"I have my strengths, but I also have my weaknesses," Sasori said as Temari returned to the present, "I am mainly a long range type, but I can also do taijutsu. I specialise in puppets till I'm one of the best, but in other forms of shinobi arts, my knowledge is very little, confined to how to counter these arts, in short I won't be able to teach Temari on the uses of her fan efficiently."
"So what do suggest sensei?" Kankuro asked.
"You'll be trained separately by each of us," came an old female voice.
Temari's eyes widened as she spotted a old man and old woman coming towards them, "are you…."
"Yes," Chiyo said, "my name is Chiyo, and this man here is Ebizou."
"Honourable siblings," Kankuro said, "but you two are known to be reclusive so how."
"Sasori asked us for help," Ebizou said blinking sleepily in the bright sunlight, "and since he is one of our few relatives left in this world we decided to help."
"You two don't look strong," Kankuro said, "I meant no offence but…"
Chiyo immediately disappeared from sight appearing behind Kankuro, "oh but I have a few tricks up my sleeves little brat."
Kankuro sweatdropped. Chiyo spoke chakra strings connected to Kankuro's hands, "when I was in my prime I specialise in puppets and assassinations," saying that Chiyo flipped Kankuro over and threw him to the ground Aikido style, "I can also subtly manipulate an opponent's limbs like a living doll and took down an entire castle by myself."
Kankuro groaned as he clutched his aching head, "you win."
"I was the one who trained and taught Sasori when he was young," Chiyo said a smirk as she removed the strings, "so I am more qualified to teach than him."
"Hey," Sasori interrupted, "stop showing off old hag."
"Disrespectful as ever Sasori," Chiyo retorted, "I sometimes wondered what happened to the nice boy I raised all those years."
"Now, now get along you too," Ebizou said shaking his head in despair, he then turned to look at Temari, and "my technique is in some ways like neechan's, but very different in execution. Now is there a small rock around anywhere?"
"Try the seesaw," Sasori said, "it sends a clearer message."
"Its vandalism!" Ebizou protested.
"Aww don't be such a wuss and destroy it, its breaking apart anyway!" Chiyo nagged.
Ebizou sighed, and the seesaw was immediately shattered.
"What the?!" Kankuro yelped, "that's freaky old man how the hell did you do it?"
Ebizou raised his index finger, "this."
"Huh?" Kankuro wondered whenever the old man was flipping him the bird, but since it wasn't his middle finger Kankuro decided to let it slide, "a finger?"
"It is a finger," Ebizou said, "but what happens if you focus chakra into that tiny point and use let's say a stone?" Ebizou kneel down and picked up a small pebble, "give me a target young lady."
Temari looked around, "um that sign board hanging off the Inn."
Ebizou sighed, "fine." The sign immediately started to swing violently. As the stone hit it with a loud THUNK!
"Did you see what happened Young Lady?" Ebizou asked.
Temari's eagle eyes soon spotted the difference, "there's a pebble size hole in it," she said in awe.
Kankuro immediately resolved not to fight with Temari in future if she learnt that technique.
"Flicker," Ebizou said, "a series of chakra enhanced objects will fly through the air to hit its intended target, also excellent for assassinations. There is also a even deadlier part of this skill that requires the ability to manipulate wind called the slicer."
"Still believe they're weak?" Sasori asked with a smirk.
Temari and Kankuro fervently shook their heads, while Gaara remained impassive.
"Good Kankuro I will assign you to train under the old hag for obvious reasons, Temari will train with elder Ebizou and Gaara," Sasori paused, "will continue to train with me, any questions?"
"I want to learn how to do the flicker too!" Kankuro protested.
BAM! Chiyo immediately flipped over Kankuro again, she smirked, "I will make sure you will have no free time to complain, I expect you to be my complete and utter training dog for these free weeks understood?"
Kankuro whimpered. Temari looked relieved that she didn't get Chiyo.
"Get acquainted with each other I got something to tell Gaara alone," Sasori said motioning towards the boy to come, "Gaara follow me."
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"There is another one like me in Konoha," Gaara repeated, eyes widening in shock.
"I have no idea how he would turn out," Sasori said solemnly, "each jinchurikki is different in its appearance, abilities and its effects on its host. He could be strong, impressively so."
"So how are you going to train me?" Gaara asked.
"We will be leaving on a short trip to one of my old hide outs," Sasori said, "there I will teach you the ways you could manipulate your sands and how the past Shukaku vessels used their power. Maybe we can come up with a style that will enable you to fight at fast speeds."
"Will you be using that puppet?" Gaara asked.
Sasori shrugged, "maybe, I don't really liked using that one, even if it is one of my most powerful."
"Was it someone you hate?" Gaara asked.
"Who knows?" Sasori asked as the winds around them started to blow stronger, "looks like we're in for another sandstorm soon."
"…………."
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"They are going ahead with their plans for the invasion," Sasori said, "they're not going to delay any longer."
"So I see," Chiyo sighed, "you picked a wonderful time to drag us out of retirement Sasori."
"We need to make them stronger, strong enough to deal with the opponents during the invasion," Sasori said, "as I recall Konoha also has a jinchurikki, and one of the strongest biju as well, the kyuubi."
"If worst comes to the worst Gaara may be forced to fight whoever it is," Chiyo continued, "I see what you are trying to tell me. You want to increase the training on Gaara but don't want to neglect Temari and Kankuro either."
"Can I count on you two?" Sasori asked seriously, "elder Chiyo, elder Ebizou?"
"I see what I can do for Temari then," Ebizou said, "since its obvious Kankuro will have to be taught by nee san."
"You make me sound so old Sasori," Chiyo complained, "one more thing Sasori regarding the Kazekage. He will be there on the third round of the exams."
"If he interferes I'll deal with him," Sasori said coldly, "for the invasion must be stopped."
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In lightning country…..
Two men dressed in the Akatsuki black cloaks with red clouds were walking down an ill-used path. One of them was a remarkably good-looking man with silver hair and pink eyes, a rarity in this country. He was complaining to his partner who was dressed in a turban and a mask so that only his white eyes showed.
"Damn it Kakuzu this is such a waste of my time seriously," the silver haired one complained, "I mean if it wasn't for you trying to catch that bounty, we could have caught up with my jinchurikki by now."
Kakuzu ignored the man in favour of reading the map, the silvered haired man responded by yanking the map out of Kakuzu's hand, "what is it now Hidan?" Kakuzu growled, "can't you see I'm trying to find our next destination?"
"To hell with you and your destinations!" Hidan snapped, "this time I will be the one choosing the destination."
"If I remember correctly, you can't read very well," Kakuzu mocked as the silver hair man struggled to read the tiny script.
"Shut up or I will stick this," Hidan threatened with his three bladed scythe, "up your already stuffed ass."
Now Kakuzu was not a patient man, he knew his partner was annoying, heck there were some days that Kakuzu believed that no one was more annoying than Hidan. He complained, he whined and he cursed just about anything. After a few minutes of Hidan trying to read the map, Kakuzu finally spoke, "pick a destination already and make sure its not someplace far or impossible like the middle of the ocean Hidan."
Some days Kakuzu doesn't understand why he even needs to humour Hidan, anyone else who swore at him this much gets killed. Then again Hidan can't be killed due to some strange bloodline, which can make him survive even his head being cut off.
"Hurry up you're slowing us down," Kakuzu said reaching out to take the map.
"Fine I pick here!" Hidan snapped pointing at a place in the centre of the map.
Kakuzu read it out loud, "Konoha in fire country, hmm…"
"Don't act all superior on me Kakuzu," Hidan retorted, when Kakuzu was like this he can be an absolutely irritating know-it-all, always criticizing Hidan for his lack of knowledge or respect.
"If I remember correctly Konoha was reportedly attacked by a tailed beast thirteen years ago," Kakuzu said, "there are also several bounties on the black market that we could hunt…..but….."
"What now?" Hidan snapped ready to be off, "see this is the reason why we're always so late, you're pulling us down Kakuzu!"
"Its Deidara and that guy's territory," Kakuzu said.
"Heh those two are pansies anyway always arguing about art this, art that, my art is better than your art, yeesh," Hidan smirked, "its even better if we can snag their Biju while we're at it."
"Might as well," Kakuzu reluctantly conceded and started to walk, "as long as I get paid."
"Is money all you ever think about Kakuzu?" Hidan demanded as he followed, "seriously one of these days you're going to hell."
"Then I'll be rich down there," Kakuzu responded and the two of them continued to bicker. It was a long trip to Konoha.
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Beginning of the exam arc
Konoha- seven years ago….
Hatake Sakumo, konoha's white fang opened his eyes. His eyes blinked several times to get used to the sunlight. Then he sat up clutching his head, around him lay the remains of Sake bottles, which suggested that the man had just, woke up from a night of all night drinking.
It was awhile before Sakumo's mind remembered everything, his mistakes his disgrace, his friend's death, everyone blaming him, overcome by the memories Sakumo buried his face in his hand. Sakumo had also remembered befriending a young man called Minato who later became the fourth hokage.
The fourth had praised him for doing the right thing, and for the day alone it gave Sakumo the strength to live because someone believed in him. For however many years Sakumo survived ignoring the anger in their faces, the talks behind his back. Then one day on his patrol Sakumo had met a young man with red hair, he was looking down at the ground for some reason.
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"Who are you boy?" Sakumo asked as he leaped down to look at the boy eye to eye, "where are you from? Are you lost?"
The young man looked up, Sakumo was interested to see that there were two unmarked graves, the young man's eyes widened but quickly recovered, "are you Konoha's white fang?" the young man asked emotionlessly. Sakumo was stunned by the coldness in his eyes.
"Yes," Sakumo said and had to quickly avoid several senbon that were fired out off the boy's puppet.
"Fast!" Sakumo exclaimed, "look, I don't know who are you, but I have never met you before nor have I done you any wrong, so why are you doing this?"
This only served to make the young man angrier, "you, have forgotten who you've killed in this very spot?"
"I have killed lots of people," Sakumo responded as he dodged another barrage, "I can't possibly know them all!"
"You cut off their heads and paraded them to the villagers," the young man responded, and Sakumo's eyes widened, "do you remember?"
"You…..you can't possibly be…." Sakumo now remembered, there was a young couple in which he had killed; the both of them had surrendered begging that he spared their lives, "it was a war, people got killed left and right, it….it wasn't my fault, besides we're allies now, so you can't kill me!"
"Oh I know that," the young man said, and Sakumo hastily took out his chakra fang, this was ridiculous, how could he a veteran of many fights be afraid or a boy?, as the young man looked up Sakumo could see the maliciousness of his eyes, "but that doesn't mean I catch cut off a few limbs." Sakumo couldn't help it he stabbed the boy. The boy coughed as the blade slide in between his ribs.
"You made me, it's not my fault!" Sakumo said feverishly as he let go, "its not my fault, you can't blame me for it!" The body slide to the ground and so did his puppet.
Suddenly the body stood up and pulled the sword out of its stomach, Sakumo gaped, "what the….what madness it this?"
"I am a puppet you fool," the body croaked and suddenly Sakumo felt a presence behind him, "the real me is here."
SLASH! Sakumo screamed as he felt his right arm, his sword arm being cut off. The last thing Sakumo remembered was the searing pain, the flash of yellow and everything turned dark.
Later, Sakumo remembered waking up in the hospital with his friend by his side, "how are you?" Minato asked, Sakumo saw that there were a few cuts on him and he waved off the nurse trying to treat his wounds, "I'm fine deal with my friend first please."
"Please sir, your friend is aright, also Tsunade sama needs a blood sample to test, since you just recovered from poison yourself."
"Poison?" Sakumo asked still a bit shaken.
Minato grinned, "yeah you were very lucky, not many people can survive a poison like that, even Tsunade hime had to work overnight to find a cure, we almost died."
Sakumo smiled slightly, Minatos' smile was infectious, "you recovered pretty well," Sakumo noted, "so why aren't you in bed?"
Minato sighed, "I lucked out, I only got a small dose of it so I recovered pretty well."
"Any idea who the attacker was?" Sakumo asked.
Minato shook his head, but Sakumo knew he was lying.
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The memories of his friend managed to calm Sakumo down slightly, still clutchin his head Sakumo went to get a glass of water. The door opened, and a younger version of him appeared wearing a mask over his face, "hello dad," Hatake Kakashi said in a bored tone.
"Ah who are you? Why do you look like me?" Sakumo asked, "where am I? Where is Minato?"
Kakashi sighed, his father's mind has been slipping as of late, "you don't really need to know my name, and as for where you are, you're at home, and for sensei, he's dead dad."
"Dead?" Sakumo repeated shocked.
"Yeah killed by the kyuubi," Kakashi said one hand on the door, "just came to say hi by the way, see you dad." With that Kakashi closed the door.
It was then Sakumo remembered, the kyuubi attacking.
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6 years ago...
"Everyone get back!" one of his men yelled, "we need to hold out until the fourth gets here!"
The kyuubi roared and leaped over one of the barricades, "hurry he's at the gates!" Sakumo yelled.
BOOM! Sakumo looked up in the distance to see a giant toad, "Gamabunta!" cried one.
"We're saved!" yelled another. Sakumo looked up and saw a flash of brilliant light on top of Gamabunta, he instantly felt hope and pride for his friend. When the flash disappeared Sakumo saw the body of Minato fall off Gamabunta.
'Minato…..,' Sakumo thought, his eyes following the hundreds of others that watch their hokage fall. "No," Sakumo whispered, as the body seemed to go lower in slow motion, "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
It was just before the body hit the ground that Gamabunta managed to catch him with the tongue, then Sakumo saw a tiny bundle in Minato's arms.
Namikaze Minato died that day, and when he died so did the hopes of many, including Hatake Sakumo. The buddle was later found to be a baby boy, by the name of Uzumaki Naruto.
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Somehow, something else was born that day, hate. Hate and fear for the baby that survived, especially Hatake Sakumo, because not only did his best friend and source of support died, the kyuubi was also found to have been sealed in the boy. Thus did Sakumo's obsession begin, he wanted to kill Uzumaki Naruto.
For years Sakumo waited, as the boy was a baby, he was personally taken care of by the third hokage till he was old enough to be left unattended. Sakumo had secretly tried many methods but all failed at the hokage's hands, however Sakumo was never caught. Every time an attempt failed Sakumo would drink late into the night plotting another attempt.
However today was different, instead of using poison, 'accidents' or instigating others (rarely), Sakumo decided to do it himself.
When his mind was clear after a slight rinsing of the face, Sakumo took out his old Anbu gear. Dressing up as an Anbu, Sakumo went towards the playpen where Naruto was playing under the watchful eyes of a young Anbu, Sakumo smirked under his mask, 'this must be his first assignment.'
"You look tired Hayate," Sakumo said using his commanding voice, "take a break, hokage sama has asked me to look after him." Sakumo hopped that Hayate would not notice his missing arm.
The Anbu coughed and nodded before leaping off. Sakumo had known under surveillances that this particular Anbu always needed breaks due to his health.
Suddenly Sakumo felt a pull on his pants, "um Anbu san?" a young blood haired boy asked, his eyes the colour of the palest blue, "Anbu san?"
"What is it?" Sakumo asked, keeping his anger from his voice, 'the boy looked so much like Minato, it's a sin!'
"May I know your name?" Naruto asked cheerfully, "because you see I really like to make friends with Anbus since they're all so nice unlike the scary adults."
"Sure," Sakumo bend down, "come closers and I'll tell it to since most people are not supposed to hear our names."
Naruto obliged moving his head closer, then he noticed Sakumo's right arm was missing, "what happened to your arm Anbu san?"
Bending forward, Sakumo was close enough to hiss into Naruto's ear, "my name is Hatake Sakumo and I am your murderer." With that said Sakumo brought out the blade he was hiding behind his back, Naruto's eyes widen as Sakumo stabbed, "goodbye demon brat," Sakumo hissed as Naruto's blue eyes dimmed. Blood splattered everywhere, Naruto in his fear grabbed Sakumo's mask off with one hand and saw the face underneath, which too was quickly covered with Naruto's blood.
"Die," Sakumo hissed as Naruto's eyes closed, "just die."
TBC…………..
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An explosive beginning to the chunin exam arc, and this time it is from Sasori and gang's point of view.
I had rewritten this chapter a few times, lost several precious data due to a virus and had to rewrite most of it for several hours, so please give reviews! The longer the better, tell me what you think, what I show improve on, reviews are drugs for all fanfiction authors!!!!!
And before you ask, the Naruto in this story will be dark, also will include slight Kakashi and Sasuke bashing and a bit of Sakura as well, but I won't over do it!
Next up is one of the most done up scenes in fanfiction, the start of the chunin exams!!!"
Notes:
Filcker no jutsu-
As the name suggest an object is filcked towards an opponent using very hig speeds, fast and effective.
Slicer no jutsu-
Manipulates the wind to form a blade to cut enemies into two, great from assasinations.
Characters:
Hatake Sakumo-
Kakashi father who suffers from mental problems after failing a mission. He nearly died at the hands of Sasori.
Namikaze Minato-
The fourth hokage and Sakumo's only friend after the failed mission.
Ebizou-
Brother of the more famous Chiyo, Ebizou has a more recessive nature than his sister and often follows her lead on decisions.
Chiyo-
Sister of Ebizou and Sasori's grandmother, her skills as a medic nin a renown, Sasori takes his personality after her.
Younger Sasori-
Took revenge on Sakumo when he was younger, spared him only due to Minato's interferance, the reason is unknown.