# 8

Sakura had never slept as well as she had last night.

It wasn't unusual to think that after the ordeal from the day before, any normal person would be hysterical have nightmares for the rest of their lives.

Not her though.

She slept like a baby.

If she could, she probably would have slept for the whole day.

Unfortunately, she had school to go to.

Yes, even though she had spent yesterday dodging death by a hair, she still had to go to school. It was for the best since she had sworn to secrecy about yesterday's events. Going to school would make it look like everything was normal.

After finishing her morning ritual and putting on her school uniform, she stepped outside of her apartment and went downstairs to meet up with Ino. She just so happened to have caught the blonde as she was stepping out of her apartment.

"Sakura?" Ino uttered, surprised to see the pink-haired girl. "You actually got yourself up this time."

Sakura frowned at the remark.

"Good morning to you too."

Ino giggled.

"Aw, don't be like that," she said, waving her off. "I'm only teasing you."

Sakura rolled her eyes.

"Anyways, there's a new tenant moving in today," Ino said. "Dad wants us to get the apartment ready."

Sakura stared at her friend, surprised by the news. They were getting a new neighbor?

"When did you find this out?" the rosette asked.

"Just this morning," Ino answered. "If we start now, we'll have enough time to eat breakfast."

"Yeah, all right. What's the apartment number?"

"314."

Sakura's eyes went wide.

But I just came from upstairs she mentally whined.

"I know, I know," Ino said as if reading her mind. "I was coming upstairs to tell you."

"Oh well," Sakura sighed, shrugging. "Let's go ahead and get this over with."

"Cleaning supplies are already in the room," Ino said, already starting up the stairs.

Sakura started up the stairs after her, but then stopped halfway. She looked over the railing off the second floor, out towards the neighboring buildings and her thoughts drifted towards yesterday's events. It all seemed like a bad dream and she could hardly believe it all happened. Now she was finally returned to her normal life.

However, something told her that it was only the beginning.

"Hey Forehead, what're you doing?"

Sakura grimaced at her friend's call. She hated it when Ino called her that.

"I'm coming," she huffed.


Things were quiet down at a psychotherapist office downtown. Kabuto had rescheduled all of his appointments in order to meet with a very important guest. Though the arrangements were in fact last minute, his guest had accepted his invitation and was now on his way down.

As Kabuto stepped outside of the office building, a black sedan and stopped in front of the edifice. A black SUV stopped behind it. Two men in black suits and ties stepped out of the SUV. Their eyes were obscured by sunglasses.

These men were merely the grunts; no one Kabuto wanted to talk to. They were the sentinels that were assigned to his guest.

One of the men then jogged over the sedan and opened the back door as a young man stepped out. He was a pale young man with jet black hair, dressed in nothing but dark blue attire consisting of a long leather coat and long boots. The glare on his circular glasses hid his eyes. Kabuto smiled, noticing the attention that the man was attracting; more notably from some of the women nearby. For someone trying to keep his presence here a secret, it didn't look as if he was trying very hard.

"I'm so glad that you made it," Kabuto greeted. "Let me be the first to welcome you here in our country."

"There's no need for a formal greeting," the young man replied. "I can't be long I'm afraid."

"I understand, sir," Kabuto said, bowing slightly.

"There is no need for formalities either."

Kabuto stood upright, a smirk dominating his features.

"Very well. Let us speak inside…"

The young man shifted and the glare on his glasses disappeared, revealing an expressionless pair of dark eyes.

The two men in black began to move toward the building, but the young man stopped them.

"You stay here," he said without sparing them a glance.

"Yes sir," one of the bodyguards answered. "We'll await your return."


Sakura took a deep breath as she walked down the hallway of the school building. It felt good being there, back in her ordinary life. So good that she was unable to suppress the smile that appeared on her face; a smile that her friend Ino couldn't help but notice.

"You're in an awfully good mood," Ino quipped. "What's gotten into you all of a sudden?"

Sakura looked at the blonde, not even trying to hide her grin.

"Just happy to be here," she said which earned her a weird look from Ino.

It wasn't long before the two of them reached their classroom, which was in a total uproar. This was a normal thing, the students always socialized while in homeroom. However, it seemed different this time around. The students were never this chaotic.

Sakura went to her seat, not even paying any attention to the noise. Ino on the other hand, approached a group of students chattering away without a care in the world. They seemed very excited about something.

"Hey Kiba," Ino called.

One of the teens, a boy looked back at Ino. He had short wild brown hair and his eyes were small and black, almost appearing as slits.

"Yeah, what is it?" the teen known as Kiba asked.

"What's all the excitement about?" Ino asked.

Kiba looked at her, somewhat surprised.

"Oh, so you didn't hear about it yet," he said.

"Hear about what?" the blonde haired girl asked, sounding more impatient.

"A new guy's coming today," Kiba answered.

Ino was taken aback by the news.

"This late in the semester?" she asked.

"Weird right?" Kiba replied. "Everyone's talking about it."

"Yeah…"

Ino turned around towards where her pink haired friend was sitting.

"Hey Sakur—uh…"

She trailed off upon seeing the dreamy look on her pink haired friend's face.

"Hey Ino," she said. "Isn't it a beautiful day?"

Ino didn't respond. She was at loss for words. Kiba however…

"What the…? Is she high?" he asked Ino.

The blonde shrugged.


Kabuto entered his office with his visitor following. He sat down on a couch and gestured for his guest to take a seat at the other couch across from him, separated only by a rectangular coffee table.

"So how is it that you were able to contact me?" the guest asked, sitting down.

Kabuto chuckled.

"You get straight to the point don't you?"

The raven haired man remained expressionless.

"You know who I am. You know that I am a busy man."

"Indeed," Kabuto replied.

"Who are you, really?" the young man asked.

Kabuto sat back in the couch in a relaxed position.

"…..I am an information broker," he said.

"An information broker?"

"Yes. And as such, I am required to know all sorts of information. I am privy to what others aren't."

It was then that his guest narrowed his eyes.

"Like demon related information for example...?"

Kabuto chuckled darkly.

"Yes, that is correct." he answered. "And I have a bit of information for you which is why I have called you here."

"How much?" the visitor quipped.

"That isn't necessary," Kabuto replied. "Consider it my gift to welcome you into this country."

The young man said nothing. Kabuto took that as a hint to get down to business.

"Now you were probably wondering what I meant in my message about the appearance of a monster."

"Perhaps."

The visitor appeared to be losing interest.

"I assure you, this monster isn't what you'd consider a small fry," Kabuto said. "This demon is truly a monster. Not even KONOHA can handle."

This seemed to have caught his guest by surprise.

"You even know of KONOHA?"

"I told you. I am privy to information that others aren't."

"You're playing a dangerous game."

Kabuto chuckled.

"Anyway, this monster appeared only a few days ago," he said. "He has taken the likeness of a human being."

"A popular trend amongst demons these days," the young man replied.


"Alright, Alright, take your seats," the instructor announced as he entered the classroom.

"Well, it looks like he's about to make his big debut," Kiba whispered to Ino. "We'll talk later."

"Yeah," she replied as she took her seat next to Sakura.

She eyed her friend worryingly before looking towards the front.

The instructor waited a few more seconds for the students to get seated before he began.

"I'm sure that you've probably already heard that today a new student will be joining us today."

Instantly, the class burst into a series of whispers.

"Hey, quiet down!" the instructor said, sounding slightly irritated. "I know it seems a little strange but there has been some circumstances which is why he'll be joining us for the remainder of the semester."

He looked towards the door.

"You can come in now."

The class was silent as they watched the transfer student enter the classroom. Sakura's eyes widened.


Kabuto handed a photo to the young man.

"This is its current form?" he asked.

"Yes," the pale haired man answered. "He is a bit of a crafty one."

"What makes you say that?"

"It seems that he had discovered the person who took this photo and vanished. He must have caught onto me since I haven't been able to track him down since that photo was taken."

"What makes you think that he's still in this city?" the visitor asked.

"This," Kabuto replied, handing him another photo.

"A high school student?"

"Yes," Kabuto replied. "The demon appears to have made contact with this girl. Finding her made provide a clue to his whereabouts."

"But why her?" the visitor asked.

Kabuto shrugged.

"That eludes even me, but I may have an idea."

The young man looked up at him, waiting for him to continue.

"That girl is the descendant of a priestess who lived a few centuries ago."

"Is he targeting her?"

"I believe so," Kabuto answered. "But I can't exactly say why."

"I see."

"So...are you going after him?"

"Of course."

Kabuto then watched as the young man stood up and pocket the photos.

"Thank-you for the information," he said, bowing curtly.

He turned to leave, but stopped once he got to the door.

"One other thing..."

Kabuto perked up.

"Yes?"

The young man turned to him.

"What is the alias that the demon is using for his current form?"

The ash-haired blond chuckled.

"Ah, yes. If you encounter the girl, ask her about it. Ask her about..."


Sakura stared in shock at the new transfer student. The student was a boy her age with wild blond hair. He was wearing the uniform for the current term; a red sweater vest over a white dress shirt with red and black plaid pants. The shirt was left un-tucked and his sleeves were rolled up. It sort of made him seem like a delinquent. However the instructor didn't call him out on it.

"Well, introduce yourself," he urged instead.

The boy grinned.

"Hi, my name is Naruto Uzumaki."


"So, that boy is with you?"

Tsunade smiled wryly as she stirred her tea.

"Yes," she answered.

The president had arranged a secret meeting with the headmaster of the school that Sakura went to. Normally, affairs of KONOHA were top secret as well as the existence of demons. However, this case was different.

"Demons aren't going to appear and attack my students are they?" the headmaster inquired.

"With recent happenings, I'm hoping that wont' happen," she answered honestly. "Should it however, my agent in there will take care of it and make sure that no one is hurt."

Truthfully, that's what she was hoping the demon king would do. She had no idea what made him change his mind about her request. He was a wild card and she had nothing to keep him in line with should things go awry. With the organization in the state it was, she didn't have much choice.

"I'll take your word for it then," the man answered. "So, could you tell me what else is bothering you?"

Tsunade, who was sipping her tea, nearly spilled it all over herself, surprised by his sudden inquiry. The headmaster chuckled.

"What is it?" he asked. "You didn't really think that I would miss the faint cigar smell did you? You only smoke when there is something seriously worrying you."

The president paused for a moment. He did really know her well. She sighed in resignation.

"Seymour's escaped from prison," she said.

"Seymour Hajiki eh?" the old man sounded amused. "There's a name that I haven't heard in a while."

"There's a chance that he'll come after you," Tsunade said sternly. "That's why I wish to put you into protective custody of—"
"That won't be necessary."

The blonde haired woman's eyes widened.

"But—"

"I will not leave my students."

Tsunade stared long and hard at the principal for a moment. His tone left no room for argument. Defeated, she smiled.

"I see," she said.

The old man chuckled.

"You must think I'm going senile."

The president shook her head.

"No. I've always liked that about you. I can see why you left KONOHA."

"I'm glad you understand."

Suddenly, Tsunade's cell phone sounded. She pulled it out of her pocket.

"Excuse me."

She frowned after seeing who it was.

You've got wonderful timing Shizune, she mused. "Yes, what is it?"

"The Uchiha prince is in town," the woman on the line said.

What the-!?

Though mildly surprised at the news, Tsunade kept her face even. She didn't want to let the headmaster on to what was going on.

"We'll talk more in the car," she said, then hung up.

"Problems at work?"

Tsunade chuckled.

"You can say that," she said. "Organizations can't be without their directors for too long I guess."

"I know the feeling," the old man said. "It was good to see you, Tsunade."

The blonde haired woman smiled warmly.

"I think so too," she said, then turned to leave.

The old man watched as she let herself out of his office. He began to think how Tsunade had grown over the years, but there was something still bothering him.

She still looked the same as she did thirty years ago. Either that, or time had been very kind to her.

Tsunade, why do you look so young? he wondered. Could it have something to do with that incident with Jiraiya?


Tsunade quickly left the administrative building without raising much attention. It turned out that she stood out less without her bodyguards following her around. With a fedora on her head, it oddly enough made her less recognizable. Soon, a black sedan came into view, with Shizune standing outside. The young woman quickly approached the president and walked with her toward the black sedan.

"Who made the report?" Tsunade asked before Shizune opened her mouth.

"It was Kakashi," she answered, opening the sedan door. "Unfortunately, he was discovered and the prince disappeared. Right now, Kakashi is assembling search team and will dispatch in an hour."

Tsunade eyed Shizune for a moment before stepping into the vehicle. So far, things were growing even more chaotic which to her was no doubt Seymour's trademark. She had a pretty good guess why the prince had suddenly entered the city without anyone's knowledge. With KONOHA crippled, there was only one other option. She waited for Shizune to enter the sedan.

"Contact Danzou and have ROOT assist in tracking down the prince."

His private military force was no doubt busy trying to track down the inmates that Seymour had broken out. However, she was certain that if she mentioned the risk of an international incident, then Danzou would be very understanding.


Kabuto was now alone. The prince had left his office merely a few moments ago, most likely to pursue this demon that he had told him about. However, he had knowingly omitted some details about his mark.

"You are a particularly cruel man."

Kabuto jumped up and whirled around towards the direction of the voice and stared in mild surprise.

A head was sticking out of his wall.

Long black hair cascaded over the face, almost hiding the pale skin. Kabuto flinched as it looked up at him with piercing gold eyes and grinned.

"Hello, Kabuto."

The ash blond man regained his composure.

"I hate it when you do that," he said. "I see that you've regained your original form."

The head chuckled and a form began peeling itself from the wall. The head was revealed to be attached to the body of a man wearing a long dark coat over a black vest and slacks, complete with a navy collared shirt and white tie.

"Yes," the man replied. "It isn't very fashionable to continue wandering in bandages you know."

"Ah, of course," Kabuto smirked. "So, to what do I owe the pleasure, lord Orochimaru?"

"Was that the young prince?" the man asked.

He strolled over to the couch in front of the ash blond haired man.

"Yes," Kabuto answered. "So, what'd you think of him?"

Orochimaru grinned.

"I think KONOHA will have their hands full with him," he answered. "They must be frantically, looking for him by now. They're certain that he's out to find the demon king."

"So, what now?"

It was a question that Kabuto had found himself asking aloud. For as long as he had known this man, he knew that he never really planned anything out, but merely spontaneously did things. It was his spontaneity that always brought chaos which is why he was feared.

Orochimaru smirked.

"Well," he began. "One of my subordinates is quite doubtful of the prince….or should I say two?"

Kabuto raised an eyebrow at the man as he chuckled.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"They doubt the prince's abilities and wish to test him."

"And you let…them?"

"Why not?" Orochimaru sneered. "It's his own fault if he gets killed. Besides, the party will go on without him."

"Party…?"

"This city has grown too used to the peace that their government has made for them," Orochimaru said. "I believe it is time to remind them of what it's like to be afraid."

"Afraid?"

Kabuto narrowed his eyes.

"Just what are you after?"

Orochimaru grinned maniacally at him.


"Is there something bothering you sir?"

The jet haired prince pulled out of his musings and looked up at his driver.

"No," he replied, returning his gaze out towards his window.

It had been only twenty minutes since he left that psychotherapist's office. It was almost disturbing to find that he knew so much about the demons. The amount of information that the man had, was even more unsettling. However, he wasn't in the least bit surprised. This city's always been that way. There was always someone here, with the exact information that anyone wanted, even him, but for the right price.

However, he wasn't anyone.

It was strange that the information broker would call him and inform him about a powerful demon, and not charge him for it. Though he didn't have enough evidence, he had a feeling that he was being used.

Which is why he had the man promptly investigated right after leaving. He also had his subordinates look into the whereabouts of the demon.

Naruto Uzumaki…

The name sounded familiar to him. Perhaps he had heard it before?

He wouldn't get to stay on those thoughts for long.

The sedan slowed to a stop.

"What's going on?"

"Uh…there's a man…" his driver replied.

The young man stepped out of the car. Sure enough, there was a young man standing in the middle of the street in front of him.

That's when he realized it.

There was no traffic on the street he was on. There weren't any pedestrians either. He turned towards the man obstructing the road.

There wasn't anything too peculiar about him. He was dressed in a white suit and had short grey hair and hid his eyes behind a rectangular pair of sunglasses.

"Who are you?"

"No one important," the man replied. "We've just been dying to meet you."

"We?"

Suddenly, something moved from the corner of his eye. He turned to see an exact duplicate of the young man in front of the car suddenly crouch, holding a rocket launcher pointed in his direction and fired.

The rocket spiraled in his direction—

-and two separate cars exploded behind him, leaving him and his sedan untouched.

The man in front laughed.

"Oh wow, I heard you were fast, but man," he jeered.

"Just as one would expect from the great Sasuke Uchiha."

Kabuto….

That was the first name that came to mind as he scrutinized his two assailants. Kabuto was one of the few people who knew his existence in this country.

The assassins both wore white business suits. Their silver hair contrasted very little with their pale complexion. Their eyes were obscured by rectangular sunglasses.

"Twins," Sasuke muttered.

Attacks like this were one of the main reasons for him to travel in secret. However, contacting Kabuto seemed to ruin that for the time being.

It was also the reason why he never when anywhere without his long katana which he currently held at his side.

"Whoa, shit bro!" one of the twins yelled. "How'd he do that?"

"Sorcery huh?" the other sneered, pulling out two handguns from within his suit jacket.

Sasuke walked in front of the sedan and inched his sword from its sheath with his thumb. The assailant then ran toward him, unleashing a volley on the Uchiha. In response, Sasuke drew his blade and began twirling it in front of him. The air began to distort around his sword and the oncoming bullets disappeared into the distortion. Out of the corner of his eye, Sasuke noticed the other twin prepping his RPG again and the timing couldn't have been more perfect.

The twin in front of him ran out of bullets.

Sasuke turned and swung his sword, suddenly sending the bullets towards the twin carrying the rocket launcher. All the rounds found their mark in the twin, just as Sasuke spun and drove his sword into the other twin behind him.

Time appeared to stop as Sasuke felt the assailant go limp at the end of his blade.

How unfortunate…

He suddenly yanked out his sword and the assailant dropped to his knees just as his brother hit the ground. Finally he himself dropped face first into the asphalt next to the prince. Seeing that both threats were eliminated, Sasuke stood up and swung his sword in front of him to rid his blade of the assassin's blood before sheathing it.

"Man, you're a ruthless bastard."

Sasuke looked downward at his assailant and watched as he lifted himself from the ground.

"Hey lil' bro, you okay?" he asked.

Sasuke's eyes shifted towards the other twin who was now rising from the ground.

"Hm…yeah," he groaned. "Gettin' shot hurts more than I thought."

Sasuke eyed the other assailant who was now standing behind him.

"You should try gettin' stabbed," the elder twin retorted.

"So, you've surrendered your humanity," Sasuke said evenly as he sheathed his sword.

"And became something even more," the twin replied.

Sasuke turned, now fully facing the elder assailant as he took off his sunglasses and tossed them aside.

"Let's see how you deal with this."

Just then, his cold grey eyes suddenly turned golden with slits running through them. His irises were made more prominent as blackness flooded the white in his eyes.

His silver hair had grown longer and turned ghastly white as his skin turned blood red. A pair of horns protruded from his forehead.

One of the most prominent features of his transformation was his left arm.

It had taken a rather grotesque appearance, becoming larger and thicker and forming long sword-like claws on the hand. There was a long spike jutted upward from the left shoulder. It differentiated from the rest of his body with a deep gray hue. Sasuke glanced at the younger twin and saw that he had taken a similar appearance. In fact, their forms were identical. However, instead of the left arm, the right arm took on the grotesque form instead.

"So what do you think?"

His voice had a deep demonic toned mixed in with his regular human voice.

"I'm not impressed," Sasuke replied bluntly.

"Figures," the demon replied. "I didn't think a tough guy like you would freak out from something like this."

Just then, Sasuke noticed movement from his peripheral vision and leapt into the air.

The younger twin's monstrous arm narrowly missed him.

The Uchiha performed an aerial cartwheel over the creature. While still in the air upside down, Sasuke had his blade drawn and flying towards the monster's exposed back at the flick of a wrist —

-only to have it stopped short by the elder demon's arm.

Sasuke's eyes narrowed.

It's like hitting a stone.

The elder demon swung his arm in attempt to backhand the demon slayer. Though it missed, its mere force was enough to send Sasuke flying. However, he shifted his body in the air, landing gracefully a few yards away and earning a growl from one of the demons.

"Is that it?" Sasuke asked. "It looks like the only thing that change was your appearance."

The elder demon chuckled.

"Don't get cocky you bastard," he said.

The demons then began darting towards the Uchiha in a zigzag formation, crossing each others' path as they advanced. Suddenly, they lunged at him.

"DIE!" one of them screamed.

Sasuke merely snorted and sheathed his sword.


What's he doing here?

It was something that Sakura had been wondering all morning. It was lunch time now and she hadn't gotten any answers. Every opportunity she took to ask had always been interrupted either through tests or her overly curious classmates. They had asked him questions like "Where do you come from?" or "Why did you transfer so late in the semester?" And he'd reply with "I was living out in the country" and "My dad got a job here in the city" and other things like that.

Of course, they were convenient lies. That much she knew.

She knew that he was in the government's custody or more specifically, KONOHA's custody. Even if he did save them from being completely destroyed, the president made it clear that they weren't so willing to let a demon into the world, especially if that demon is the king of demons.

"Hello? Earth to Sakura!"

Suddenly, the pink haired girl blinked and saw three girls sitting around her desk, staring at her with confused and concerned looks on their faces. She suddenly remembered that she was having lunch with two of her friends.

"Oh, sorry."

She scratched her head as she smiled sheepishly.

"Hey Sakura, are you okay?"

It was her friend sitting to her right, Tenten who had asked.

"You've been spacing out all morning."

"More like spacing out since Naruto Uzumaki came here," Ino sneered. She was sitting on a desk across from her.

Sakura's eyes narrowed at her.

"I just have a lot on my mind," she said, knowing what she was implying.

"Really?" Ino feigned surprise. "Earlier this morning, you were all sunshine and rainbows until he came along. Tell me something; is there REALLY a lot on your mind or just a lot of Naruto on your mind?"

"Oh, hardy har har."

Ino chuckled at the retort, not minding Sakura glaring at her. Fortunately, the blonde decided that she had been teasing her enough for one day.

"Well, it's been fun."

She got off the desk and brushed her skirt, straightening it out.

"I've got a test in my next class so I'll see you girls later."

"It's about time I left too," Tenten said next. "Lunchtime's about over so I'll see you later."

Sakura waved at her friends as they left. Now that she was alone, she looked behind her again to see the small group of students around Naruto beginning to dissolve since classes would be starting again soon. She began formulating a plan on how to isolate Naruto from everyone else.

She would get some answers.


The assassin slammed face first on the asphalt. He had reverted back into his human form from the blow he has just received. He quickly rolled over to see the prince's long sword embedded in the mangled corpse of his older brother. He watched in horror as Sasuke plucked his sword from the corpse and casually began walking towards him. Tears began forming in his eyes as he began crawling away in retreat. Unfortunately, Sasuke was already standing over him and flipped him over with his foot. Sasuke pulled off his glasses and pocketed them. The floored assailant groaned in response.

"What the fuck are you?"

Suddenly, Sasuke's hand wrapped around his throat and he was hoisted into the air.

Soon the fear in the assassin's eyes vanished and was replaced with a vacant stare. "Where's the demon king hiding?" Sasuke then asked.

"The girl would know…"

Sasuke's eyes widened slightly.

"Maybe you can ask her when you see her," the assassin answered.

"How do you know about the girl? Did Kabuto tell you?"

At this, the assassin began chuckling, despite his hypnotic state. Suddenly, he burst into violet flames, causing Sasuke to instantly drop him. Instead of screaming in agony, the air was soon filled with his maniacal laughter. Sasuke watched in disgust as the assailant's form disappeared and the flames dispersed.

"Sir, are you alright?"

Sasuke turned to see his driver standing outside of the sedan totally unharmed. The car contrasted sharply from the rest of the scene, appearing totally untouched.

"I'm fine," Sasuke answered, approaching the car. "Have someone bring me Kabuto Yakushi."

He wanted to have a few words with him.


Tch, those assholes.

Unknown to Sasuke, there had been a spectator watching the fight. The woman wasn't exactly thrilled with what she had witnessed. She had gone through the trouble of preparing the spell that isolated them from the rest of the world and he went and gotten himself killed.

It so easily…

To say Sasuke Uchiha was strong would be an understatement. Not only was he strong, but he seemed to be quite ruthless. He didn't even give them the chance to beg for their lives. Without batting an eye, he killed one of them and probably would have killed the younger twin had she not activated the suicide spell for him.

Lord Orochimaru did say that this would happen.

The woman watched as the sedan began to leave the scene and she herself started to leave as well. Now that the spell was broken, people would begin to take notice of the scene and the authorities would be swarming the place.

It was time to move on to the first phase of the plan.