Standard Disclaimer: Kage combo henge mane wonder twin banana-fana bunshin no jutsu! I don't own Naruto! (transforms into a banana)
Author's Notes: Thank VGCats for the above jutsu. :P
To the reviews!
Dragon Man 180: Kinton equals Metal Element. As for Akira…I think you'll enjoy what I have in mind when he (SPOILER) fights Naruto (END SPOILER).
TomokiG: Too bad, so sad…in my opinion, this approach actually ENHANCES the suspense. Naruto fans know who Akatsuki is. They know how insanely powerful they are…and in this fic, readers know they've died. That increases the suspense…because even though they know Naruto and his allies won (and be honest; in pretty much every fic, you KNOW the good guy wins in the end). But they don't know HOW it happened. Plus, if I had no flashbacks, that would mean going through the Konoha battle before the Akatsuki battle. That's not my intention. That's my opinion anyhow, and you have yours.
If it's any consolation, the flashbacks come to an end after the Akatsuki battle (with a minor exception or two)…at least until part 3 of this 4-part story. And FYI…'bore' the audience away? I seem to have drawn quite a large audience that isn't bored. :P
Liliath: Here ya go!
nonengel: Uh…don't you mean 'sixth chapter' (unless this is the first chapter you've reviewed for)?
Kwisatz Haderach: Ooh. Long name. O.o;
Peter Kim: Well…in my opinion, the dialogue will be even funnier between the two. ;)
Cloud-821: But things won't be like that for long…
madnarutofan: Actually, the flashbacks to the Akatsuki battle and the battle in Konoha make up part 1 of this four-part fic. Part 2 will be made up of the aftermath of the battles, as well as the battle against Akatsuki's leader: Mantarou. As for part 3 and 4…well, that would be spoiling. :P
Ann: Yes. And there will be marriages. And kids.
HikaruOfDreams: The One-Worded Reviewer. :P
Begin!
xxxx
Sasuke Awakens! Tale of his Escape from the Sound!
xxxx
/Banshee's Gorge, Eastern Highlands, Wind Country/
Ino awoke to the sound of grumbling. As she sat up, she also took note of the howling winds outside of Rock Lee's self-made cavern. She glanced at the entrance to the cavern to see Shikamaru staring out at the starry sky above.
The blonde-haired Chuunin calmly stood and walked over towards her teammate. With a sigh, she said, "You should really get some sleep. We still have a ways to go before reaching Konoha."
"Couldn't sleep. The wind's too dang loud…it's really annoying…" muttered Shikamaru, in his classic 'annoyed' tone.
Ino groaned; that tone always got on her nerves. But then again, she knew Shikamaru well enough to know that the wind wasn't the only thing keeping him awake. "You worried about Chouji?"
"…" Shikamaru silently turned his head, glancing into Ino's eyes. "Sort of…but I'm not as worried as you, eh?"
Ino's eyes slightly widened. Then – realizing Shikamaru had her pinned down – nodded. "Yeah…it's just that it was a pretty bad wound."
"Superficial mostly. No organs were hit," replied Shikamaru. "He'll be fine."
Ino smiled slightly. "Yeah…he'll be up on his feet in no time, filling up and pigging out again." She snickered slightly.
Shikamaru hid a smirk. You could stand to gain a few pounds yourself. As he silently looked at the sky, his mind drifted…
xxxx
/Shikamaru's Flashback/
/Four Days Ago/
/Konohagakure, Fire Country/
"Doton; Doshigure no jutsu!" The brown-haired, gray-eyed Nukenin – wearing a large black trench coat that shrouded his body – slammed his hands into the ground. "Earth Element; Earthen Rain!"
The ground in front of the Nukenin suddenly arose in a mighty wave, raining down upon the three Leaf Chuunin he faced in a mighty downfall.
The three in question were Shikamaru, Chouji, and Ino of Team Asuma.
Shikamaru and Ino quickly dodged to the side, grunting as several of the heavy earth drops pelted their bodies. Chouji, meanwhile, performed a quick set of katas, preparing to use the trademark jutsu of his clan: the Akimichi. "Baika no jutsu! Multi-Size!" Chouji suddenly grew ten times his own size, the rain acting like nothing more than a stain upon his body. The sixty-foot tall Leaf shinobi smiled. "Heh…now to put an end to this!" He raised his foot, preparing to stomp on the Nukenin.
The Nukenin smirked as he quickly performed another set of katas. "Doton; Doryukasui no jutsu!" The ground that the Nukenin had launched suddenly rose, becoming a dozen large dragon heads made of earth; protruding from their mouths were spike-like tongues. "Earth Element; Earth Dragon Spikes!"
The twelve earth dragons were large enough to impale a human through the stomach, effectively bisecting them with just one strike. But for Chouji…not so. The Akimichi Chuunin roared as he punched through two incoming dragons. "RAH!"
The dragons split apart into chunks of earth. Chouji smirked as the rest came roaring at him. "Come on!"
The Nukenin smirked back. "My pleasure." The remains of the first two dragons reformed…behind Chouji.
The enlarged Chuunin whirled around to smash the two dragons, having heard the dirt coagulate together. Unfortunately…this left his back open to the other ten dragons. Their spiky tongues were aimed directly at his spine. Oh no…!
Suddenly, beyond all reasonable speed, Chouji dove downward. Four of the spikes managed to impale themselves into the right shoulder, four of them grazed the top of his shoulder, while the last two missed entirely. The Nukenin raised an eyebrow. How? Such a fatty couldn't have dodged so quickly…
It was then that he noticed that the big guy's shadow was connected to that of the small, pineapple-headed ninja…and he too was on the ground.
Shikamaru grimaced as his shadow disconnected itself from Chouji's. As Chouji irritably – and painfully – removed the four earth dragons from his shoulder, Shikamaru muttered, "Kage mane no jutsu…success." Had it not been for his involvement, Chouji's back would have been skewered completely.Shikamaru glanced at Ino, who watched Chouji as he shrunk back to his normal size. "Ino. Watch over Chouji. I'll take care of this guy."
Ino nodded as she leapt over towards the bleeding Chouji, leaving Shikamaru to deal with the Nukenin. The Leaf shinobi glared at NNukenin, glancing over his head momentarily. The Nukenin returned Shikamaru's glare.
"Kage mane no jutsu!" Shikamaru's shadow suddenly extended forward, zooming towards the trench coat-wearing Nukenin.
The gray-eyed renegade chuckled as he leapt backward. "Come now…you think you can catch me THAT easily?"
Shikamaru bluntly replied. "Nope. But the guy above you can."
"…eh?" The Nukenin blinked as the area around him was doused with a large shadow. He glanced upward just before he was squashed by a gigantic wooden salamander.
Shikamaru grimaced as the wooden puppet stepped off of the squished remains of the Nukenin. "Well…unexpected help arrives…"
"You bet." Kankuro smirked as he sat atop Sanshouuo, the Salamander. His fingers lined with chakra strings, connected straight to Sanshouuo. "Nice of you to leave him for me…especially considering that you saw me coming on the rooftops."
Shikamaru shrugged. "That Nukenin would've focused his chakra aura and beaten off my shadow technique." His eyes narrowed, staring straight into the Sand Jonin's. "So tell me…why are you here?"
Kankuro frowned as he glanced at the now-unconscious Chouji, whose wounds were being bandaged by Ino. "Well…Temari and I came here together with an urgent message. We need to go see the Hokage immediately."
"A message important enough for the Hokage? As you can see, we're in the middle of a battle against renegade ninja sent by Akatsuki." Shikamaru had found out about that information after he and his fellow ninja had encountered Shizune – Tsunade's former apprentice before Sakura – in an earlier battle that day.
Kankuro's eyes widened slightly. Then, he grinned. "I see…it makes sense now. While keeping the enemy occupied with one hand, you do something else with the other…"
"What are you getting at? What is your message?" asked Shikamaru.
The puppeteer's eyes stared directly into Shikamaru's. "To be blunt, Gaara was kidnapped by Akatsuki."
Shikamaru froze on the spot, utter terror gripping his veins. "What the…the Kazekage…was captured?"
"Yeah…and right after Temari and I were sent to acquire help from Konoha, one of their members sealed off the Hidden Sand Village with a barrier made of steam." Kankuro suddenly flinched as a cloud of fire and smoke erupted from elsewhere in the village; most likely as a result of explosive tags.
Shikamaru's eyebrow rose at the mention of Temari. "So both you and your sister are here, huh? Where is she now?"
"We separated before entering the village. Our fighting styles contradict each other too much." With the twitch of his fingers, Sanshouuo stepped forward, stopping momentarily beside Shikamaru. "I need to find the Hokage now. Take me to her."
Shikamaru frowned, weighing the options in his head. In mere seconds, he sighed. "Fine…I'll help search." He looked towards Ino and ordered, "Ino. I need you to get Chouji to a medical facility…I'm going to help Kankuro find the Fifth Hokage."
Yamanaka Ino's eyes lit up with angry fire as she roared, "WHAT? IN CASE YOU HAVEN'T NOTICED, ALL OF KONOHA'S GRIPPED BY A BATTLE!"
I hate it when she gets angry…irritating girl… "Too bad. What I've just learned ties into the Nukenin that have attacked the village." Shikamaru's calm stare was oddly disquieting to the blonde-haired Chuunin. "Although we're both the same rank, Asuma gave me authority as team captain. Understand?"
"…understood," muttered Ino, acknowledging her defeat.
Shikamaru nodded. "Good." He tilted his head, glancing at Kankuro. "Follow me."
That's when he paused.
Kankuro frowned. "What is it?"
Shikamaru glanced northward…music was emanating from the direction…
But why?
It was at that moment that the northern section of Konoha's outer wall exploded.
BOOM!
Meanwhile…standing outside the now-destroyed north wall…a great multitude of ninjas – Genin, Chuunin, AND Jonin – had gathered there.
All of them were Oto-nin…Sound Ninja.
The ninjas that served as the group's vanguard – all of them were Jonin – were brandishing handheld musical instruments. They included flutes, harmonicas, harps, ocarinas, trumpets, and saxophones.
One of the Jonin smirked at the vanguard's handiwork. "Well then…let's get to work. We all have Orochimaru's orders…attack this village and destroy what you can! Remember: EVERYONE who is not of the Sound is the enemy!"
A thunderous roar of applause erupted from the Oto-nin as they charged.
/End Flashback/
xxxx
/Present Day/
/Hospital, Konohagakure, Fire Country/
Naruto grinned as he glared at Sasuke, who just looked at him with a calm, almost listless stare. None of them said anything.
Finally, Naruto commented, "Your hair's longer. Did it to impress Sakura-chan?"
Sasuke grumbled as his stare hardened into his familiar glare. "First time we speak off the battlefield in three years, and that's all you can think of?" However, it WAS true; the spiky tips of his black hair went all the way down to his shoulders. Even so, the pointy hair that protruded from the rear still remained the same.
"Heh…you need a haircut. Should I call Sakura-chan?" Naruto snickered. "She'd just LOVE to cut those locks of yours."
"Will you talk about something BESIDES my hair?" retorted Sasuke with an angry frown.
Naruto's grin became even wider. "Why should I? You're enjoying it so much!"
"Rrr…dunce." A vein bulged in Sasuke's head…and not just because of Naruto's annoying topic of conversation. It was because the blonde-haired fox boy had gotten under his skin so easily. It should've been HIM getting Naruto ticked off…not the other way around.
Then again…a lot HAD changed since he had left the Leaf… "…"
"Fine then. Let's change the topic: how you escaped from Orochimaru."
Sasuke raised an eyebrow as he stared at Naruto, who suddenly looked dead serious. "Hm?"
"You heard me. I know that you went to Sunagakure for the purpose of fighting Itachi…but considering how hot of a commodity you were to Orochimaru…how'd you escape?" Naruto's scowl turned into grin. "Either that, or I can keep talking to you about your hair."
Sasuke's eyebrow twitched. "Fine. If it gets you off the subject of my hair…then I'll tell you."
xxxx
/Sasuke's Flashback/
/One Week Ago/
/Orochimaru's Palace, Otogakure, Sound Country/
The Sound Country.
Up till around fifteen years ago, the Sound Country had been uninhabited land to the north of the Fire Country…AND unclaimed land. Why? Well…to be blunt, it was more of a wasteland than the Wind Country. Rocky plains and deep canyons were the norm for the arid land. No one wanted it.
And that is exactly why Orochimaru, after leaving Akatsuki, had claimed it as his own.
The first thing he had to do was to acquire water. With the help of some of his disciples – AKA, former renegades he had recruited – he had managed to crack into a river deep underground, allowing it to seep to the surface. The water eventually formed a lake in one of the larger canyons – named Cobra Canyon – near the center portion of the country. After that, a tributary had been carved through the hard rock, leading northward towards the ocean.
After that, life began to grow in the recesses of Cobra Canyon and along the banks of the tributary. Of course, Orochimaru hadn't done it out of any kindness in his heart. It had all been part of his long-term plan to overtake Konoha and assassinate his old sensei, the Sandaime Hokage.
Within Cobra Canyon, Orochimaru founded Otogakure, the Hidden Sound Village. He had made his most talented followers into Jonin, who would then teach the ninja arts to their children (his followers were well over four dozen…and they were both male and female); however…a special emphasis was placed on the art of killing. Meanwhile, Orochimaru's spies – like Kabuto, who was a spy in the Leaf – would continue to watch over nearby countries for information on disgruntled ninja…ninja probably willing to join Otogakure.
By this time, Orochimaru had gotten the Sound Country recognized as an official country by the others…however, a close eye was kept on him and Otogakure by Konoha's higher officials.
Over three years ago, most of the native children had matured to the point of becoming ninja…thus leading to the Oto-nin trio of Dosu, Zaku, and Kin joining the Leaf's Chuunin Selection Exam…and the rest is history.
Otogakure itself was mostly comprised of huts built on ledges in Cobra Canyon, as well as on the banks of the tributary near its beginning at the canyon's lake. Hardy trees, tall grass, and thick shrubbery grew from the rocky ledges of the canyon, whereas only cacti had survived before. The lone exceptions were the Ninja Training Facility and Orochimaru's Palace; both were carved out of the rock of the canyon walls.
Inside the western wall of Cobra Canyon…was Orochimaru's Palace…and deep within its recesses was a single large room. A room shrouded in darkness and shadows.
Lining the walls were eight torches, two for each wall. They flickered with blue fire. Black ink marked the walls, the roof, and the ceiling: a massive seal. All of the markings coagulated on one stone barrel, which had paper tags – specifically used for curse seals – pasted to it, ceiling the lid shut. Inside that barrel…was Sasuke.
And he had been sitting in it for the last four months…in a hibernation of sorts.
Watching from another room through a series of video cameras was Orochimaru and Kabuto.
The silver-haired ninja quietly examined the barrel…and then said, "Orochimaru-sama…do you think this will work? We don't know if he's the same after four months…"
"Ku ku ku ku…" chuckled Orochimaru with his own distinct laugh. He sat quietly in a chair, in the body he had possessed three years ago. Dark red robes adorned his body, and white bandages covered him from toe to head…leaving only the top of his head and his right eye visible. His spiky hair was dirty blonde, and his visible eye was colored yellow. The final visible characteristic in the darkness was his pupil…and it was shaped like a vertical slit. "Precisely. I KNOW he is not the same. Because he has become more…"
Kabuto remained silent as he gazed at the screen, his eyes fixated on the stone barrel. "We don't know if he'll survive the forced upgrading of the curse seal. Even though we were slow with the process, we don't know if he can handle level 3."
"Ku ku ku ku…you seem to have lost faith." Orochimaru glanced at Kabuto, his visible eye wide with glee. "Sasuke-kun's will to kill Itachi is so great that he won't die until it is done. Compared to his strength, any pain that this curse seal will offer him…will be nothing."
"…if you say so Orochimaru-sama," replied Kabuto. He glanced at the screen…and blinked as the seal that surrounded the barrel began glowing purple. "…it's ready."
Orochimaru grinned malevolently. "Excellent…" He quietly walked out of one door, leading down a stony set of stairs towards the Seal Room. At this moment, an Oto-nin appeared in the monitor room. "Orochimaru-sama!"
"He has business to take care of. Tell it to me," ordered Kabuto.
The Otonin did. After doing so, Kabuto rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Huh…that IS interesting…" Such information needed to be relayed to Orochimaru immediately.
xxxx
Orochimaru quietly stepped along the floor, the seal glowing purple beneath his feet. With a snap of his fingers, the paper tags sealing the barrel shut disintegrated. As he walked closer towards the barrel, it was opened up…from within.
Orochimaru's grin grew as he watched a pair of hands push the lid up, throwing it down to the ground. Even in the dim blue light of the torches, the Legendary Leaf could see that Sasuke's skin was jet black. Anticipation gripped his evil heart. Level 3 Curse Seal…how fortuitous…
Orochimaru's grin grew even wider as he watched Sasuke's muscular form – clothes and all appear out of the barrel. Although they were mere silhouettes in the dull light, angelic wings were protruding from his shoulder blades. "Ku ku ku ku…Level 3 Curse Seal. Angel's wings…appropriate since you possess the 'Heaven' Seal…"
Sasuke stared at Orochimaru quietly, almost listlessly. His black shirt and white shorts were loose…but his powerful frame was evident nevertheless. Atop his forehead rested a Sound hitai-ate headband. All he said was this: "I only exist now to gain power…I have to gain power to kill the one I swore to kill…but I don't know where he is…"
"Don't worry Sasuke-kun," said Orochimaru, his chakra aura beginning to flare a deep purple in the dark room. "Your intentions and ideals will live on in my subconscious…and I can easily find Itachi. I will kill him with your body…"
Sasuke nodded. Deep inside, the remaining core of humanity he still possessed cried out out of helplessness. He wanted to kill Itachi…there was no doubt about that. But the part of him that was still a shinobi of the Leaf…that part wished to fight Itachi without Orochimaru.
But it was too late. He had already accepted the great, destructive power of the Level 3 Curse Seal…and Orochimaru was able to find Itachi, whereas he could not. He did not possess the worldly knowledge and the resources of the Sannin…and there was no doubt Orochimaru stood a better chance against Itachi than he.
Even so…part of him regretted what he was about to do. Such power at his fingertips…and he would not personally wield it as the avenger he was. Orochimaru would…and what he would do next…Sasuke had no doubt what would come next.
Kakashi-sensei…Sakura-chan…Naruto…forgive me… His eyes hardened as Orochimaru's chakra began to coagulate into a snake shape; it was the beginning of a paralysis technique. It would ensure his cooperation. …but I MUST do this…for the sake of killing my brother. Nothing else matters to me. Hopefully…after this…maybe you could kill Orochimaru…and erase him and myself from this world…
"Now…let us begin." Orochimaru began to perform a set of katas-
"Orochimaru-sama."
Orochimaru's concentration was broken by Kabuto's voice. He whirled around, hissing, "Damn it Kabuto! What could merit interrupting such an important event?"
"Akatsuki," calmly replied Kabuto.
Orochimaru raised an eyebrow. Sasuke's brow furrowed. Akatsuki…the group Itachi belongs to…
"One of our spies in the Wind Country sent information via a messenger bird. Akatsuki has set up right outside Sunagakure. They've finally begun to advance their plan…because they've kidnapped Gaara, the Kazekage."
Kabuto's words caused Orochimaru to chuckle. "So…it looks like after all this time, their plan has begun to move forward." The Legendary Leaf's chuckle became more boisterous. Heh…so the Leader's plan to 'unleash the Tailed Demons upon this world' is about to come to pass. Orochimaru fought back a snort; he knew the Leader's true plan. It was FAR different than what the rest of Akatsuki believed. It's fortuitous that Sasuke's body is now mine. I can capitalize on this once his plan is finished. "This new development is very appreciated Kabuto. Now, if you'll excuse-"
SLAM!
Orochimaru gagged as a powerful kick slammed into his back, sending him flying into Kabuto. The two Sound ninja unceremoniously landed on the ground…and the former member of the Leaf seethed with rage, his eyes full of killing intent. "WHO DARES…?"
He saw into the eyes of Sasuke…and those red orbs had turned into a familiar sight: three commas arranged in a circular pattern. The Sharingan. Combined with the white angelic wings, his black skin…and his snow-white hair, Sasuke suddenly appeared very intimidating. The last of the Uchiha glared at the man he had sold his soul to for power. "…you gave me the power I wanted…and now, I've been given the knowledge to find my brother. You are not needed…" His hand glowed with a burning purple chakra aura…and he placed it upon his hitai-ate, melting the metal on the headband. The Sound symbol faded away…and with a simple chakra manipulation, the metal had formed the symbol of Konoha.
Sasuke's red Sharingan eyes narrowed. "I have no use for you anymore." Faster than even Orochimaru could comprehend, Sasuke's foot slammed into his face, sending his vision into a sea of blackness.
Before Kabuto could do anything to aid his master, Sasuke was upon him. Within seconds, he too was knocked out.
Both had been unprepared for such a sudden assault…but Sasuke knew they wouldn't be out of it for long.
He quickly left the room, heading for the armory.
xxxx
Sasuke quietly set down atop the statue of the Shodai…the statue that served as part of the barrier between the Fire Country and the rocky lands – lands that were now part of the Sound Country – to the north…the statue that was part of a battlefield…a battlefield that held great significance to him…
It was where he had fought Naruto last.
The Valley of the End.
"…" With a thought, Sasuke quietly dismissed his cursed power. His wings seemed to shrink back into his body, and the black on his skin melted away, revealing his normal, tan skin beneath. At last, the white color of his hair seemed to evaporate into smoke, revealing his black, natural hair color.
Strapped to his waist was a belt; upon it, several pouches were buckled to it. They held kunai knives, shuriken, explosive tags…and in one pouch was a red ocarina, used with a couple of the few jutsus he had learned whilst being a Sound ninja.
Even though he had the power to fly to Sunagakure, the Level 3 Curse Seal was still too dangerous to use continuously for a long period of time. Even though he had been eased into the upgrade, Sasuke felt a dull ache emanate from the seal on his neck…and that was just flying away from Otogakure.
He had to make it to Sunagakure on foot. And quickly; Orochimaru wouldn't be out for long. Sooner or later, he'd come and reclaim him…
Without hesitation, Sasuke leapt past the border, now completely in the Fire Country. He quickly went southwest…to the Hidden Sand Village.
One hour later…
Orochimaru awoke with a frustrated snarl. How dare he? How dare he?
No…he had let his guard down, if only for a moment. It had been enough for Sasuke to take advantage of his new power. In a way…that was a good thing for the Sannin…it meant Sasuke's powers had become quite formidable. "Ku ku ku ku…very nice…"
"Ugh…" Kabuto groaned as he rose, shaking his head angrily. "Blasted kid…"
"He has obviously departed for the Sand…you and I will pursue him…but before we go, we must take precautions."
Kabuto blinked out of confusion. "What kind of precautions?"
"The Sand and the Leaf are allies…and I have no doubt that Konoha will discover the issues plaguing Sunagakure right now." Orochimaru smirked as he flexed his neck…a neck that had once belonged to another. By now, all original traces of Orochimaru's original body had disappeared from the world, extinguished when he had anchored his spirit and soul to the very essence of the world. Although his body might die…his spirit could not be killed. Not by conventional means, anyhow. "Alert all of the ninja in the village…tell them to attack the Leaf, and destroy all they can. I can't risk having Leaf shinobi showing up at Sunagakure…Sasuke might get the idea to rejoin them should he kill Itachi…"
Kabuto nodded. "Very well Orochimaru-sama…" The medical ninja walked out of the room, his eyes narrowed as his lips contorted into a sneer of sorts. His blood was beginning to boil again…the blood of a killer. Part of him hoped that backup from the Leaf WOULD arrive at the Sand. Heh…if so…I hope you are there…Naruto-kun.
As his assistant left, Orochimaru chuckled quietly. "Dear little Sasuke-kun…you are like a cornered mouse. You try to flee…but I, the cat who corners you, will claim you… ku ku ku ku…"
/End Flashback/
xxxx
/Present Day/
/Hospital, Konohagakure, Fire Country/
"That's the tale of how I escaped from the Sound. You happy?" irritably asked Sasuke.
Naruto shrugged. "Sort of. Seems boring though. I mean, where's all the crazy action? You just knocked out the two traitors and SNUCK out of the Sound? Where's the fun in that?"
"UNLIKE SOME PEOPLE, I actually took into account what those actions would do to my chakra reserves. Not everyone has a demon fox they can simply use to recharge with," retorted the irritable Uchiha.
PARDON ME, BUT TELL THAT BRAT I'M NOT A MERE BATTERY.
Naruto ignored Kyuubi as he shrugged off Sasuke's words. "Don't bore me with the technicalities. All I know is that you took the easy way out of the Sound…although…" A smirk adorned his face. "…it did leave you enough energy to make the battle against Akatsuki interesting."
"…you know…I'm quite fuzzy as to how you performed in battle." Sasuke stared at Naruto calmly. "I was too busy trying to fight to pay attention to you."
Naruto grinned. "Likewise…here's the deal. I'll tell you what happened with me…and you do the same."
MORE REMEMBERING? THIS IS GETTING BORING.
"Fine then…" Sasuke sighed as he gazed upward, remembering his arrival at Sunagakure. "I'll go first…"
xxxx
/Sasuke's Flashback/
/Yesterday Morning/
/Outside Sunagakure, Wind Country/
Sasuke was silent as the warm light of the sun beat down upon him and the desert sands, turning the ground into an oven that would surely torch those with unprotected feet. Judging by the position of the sun, it was almost 10 o'clock.
All Sasuke could do was glance around at the figures standing about. To his left, he could see the Legendary Leaf known as Jiraiya…and, of course, there was Naruto.
Standing in front of a slab of black obsidian were three figures. Although he didn't know their names, they were Toya Shuu, Yagami Hiroto, and Koumorimaru.
On the slab were three figures as well; one he clearly recognized as Gaara, imprisoned in a seal of sorts. Supplying the necessary chakra to that seal was a guy with a Waterfall headband…and of course, Itachi.
Itachi…
Sasuke calmly walked towards the seal, pausing once to gaze at Naruto. "…I'm only here to kill my brother. Interfere, and I'll kill you."
Naruto said nothing as Sasuke continued to walk forward.
COLD. RUTHLESS. DETACHED. I LIKE THAT KID.
Shut up.
"His attitude hasn't improved at all," muttered Jiraiya irritably. However, part of him was on the alert. If Sasuke was here…then what of Orochimaru?
Naruto said nothing as Sasuke walked towards the Obsidian Seal. …Sasuke…
As Sasuke neared the large slab of black stone, Akira scratched his head out of confusion. "Who's that punk?"
"My brother," calmly uttered Itachi. His dark eyes were narrow and calm…if Sasuke was here…then Orochimaru would undoubtedly come soon to reclaim his errant prize. When it come to monitoring their former ally, the Akatsuki ninja were not in the dark as to his desire for Sasuke.
Koumorimaru frowned as Sasuke continued to walk closer. I don't like the look in that boy's eyes…
Suddenly, Sasuke grinned. "So Itachi…do you think powering that seal…merits more attention…than me? If so…does that mean…" His dark eyes suddenly glowed with the red Sharingan mirror-wheel eye. "THAT YOU THINK I'M STILL WEAK?"
Sasuke leapt into the air, pulling out one shuriken and throwing it, quickly performing a set of katas. "Kage shuriken no jutsu! Shadow Shuriken!" This technique had been taught to him by Orochimaru, who had in turn been taught it by Sarutobi…so long ago…
The shuriken Sasuke had thrown suddenly sprouted two-dozen shadow clones of itself. Each copy of the shuriken was real…and they could inflict real damage.
Akira quickly pocketed his book and performed a set of katas with his right hand. "Joukibuki no jutsu!" Steam suddenly erupted from the sweat pores on his hand, forming a long whip made of steam. "Weapon of Steam!"
With one quick swipe, Akira slashed through all but four of the shuriken; the ones he had neutralized had been threatening to hit him and Itachi. Heh. Too easy.
One of the shuriken – the original one – sailed onto the seal…striking one of the lines that led from Itachi's portion of the seal.
The seal was broken, all because one shuriken had messed it up.
His chakra once again under his own control, Gaara raised both hands. All the sand surrounding the Obsidian Seal rushed upward in a mighty column, causing both Akira and Itachi to flee.
When Itachi landed and looked ahead, he found himself facing Sasuke. "Well well…if it isn't my little brother. Come to settle the score I take it?"
"There's nothing left to say…let's just finish this." As Sasuke spoke, his Sharingan eyes swirled…as did Itachi's.
Meanwhile, Naruto couldn't help but smile. "Heh…that idiot did something useful for once! He freed Gaara!"
"Now it's four on five…I'll take Shuu," muttered Jiraiya.
Naruto grinned as he glanced at the Waterfall ninja. "That guy just used a strange jutsu…I wanna see it up close." Then, he gazed upward at Gaara, who was floating on a platform of sand. "What about Gaara? Can he handle the other two?"
HE SHOULD. HE HAS A TAILED DEMON SEALED WITHIN HIM AS WELL.
"Hey…he IS fresh," joked Jiraiya. Even so, he was nervous...the Kazekage had already fought a member of Akatsuki and failed. However, he still had hope that Gaara would succeed against different enemies...
xxxx
High in the sky, floating on a platform of sand, was Gaara.
He was honestly steamed…because he had failed as the Kazekage, the champion of the Hidden Sand Village. He had been unprepared for the unique challenge provided by Akatsuki…but now, he would show no mercy. He would go for the kill…and if he needed to, he would call upon Shukaku.
"Hmph," muttered Gaara with a sneer, his light green eyes glaring ominously at the Akatsuki enemy below. "They thought they could bind me forever…but now I shall show them why I am the Kazekage…"
The battles had been set.
Uzumaki Naruto versus Fujiwara Akira.
Jiraiya versus Toya Shuu.
Gaara versus Yagami Hiroto and Koumorimaru.
And, finally, the last of the Uchiha…
Uchiha Sasuke versus Uchiha Itachi.
Are you prepared?
You should be.
xxxx
To be continued…
Next time…
Wrath of the Kazekage! Shock; Akira is like the Pervert-Sennin?
xxxx
Author's Notes: Hope you don't mind the longer wait. I had to think about the Sound Country's history and Sasuke's flashback to the Sound. Hope it was good.
Next chapter…MORE FIGHTING! The action kicks into high gear next chapter with multiple battles!
And for those of you wanting interesting dialogue between Naruto and Akira…you're gonna get your wish!
See you soon, and please review!
