Naruto slipped on his shin guards and chest plate. He tightened the straps and reached for his mask on the counter. He inspected the mask and saw the careful mending on it. The mask had to be repaired after it was broken by Itachi. Looking at it now made Naruto numb. There was too much going on. There was so much Naruto didn't want to think about and yet he was forced too. Naruto placed the mask on his face and tightened the strips of cloth behind his head. The mask clutched onto his face, giving him a new identity. It hid his intentions and separated him from the world. Naruto was pleased with his mask, but not the current situation in which he were to wear it in. Naruto received a text a few minutes ago from Danzo, ordering him to his office. It was normal to be requested at a short notice like this but considering the events of this night, Naruto felt edgy. 'What if this has something to do with the scroll? Or maybe they found some of Sasukes blood in the office? No. They can't. I removed it but there might be a chance...' Naruto weighed the options of exposure while he packed his weapons away into secret slots in his uniform. Sasukes blood might be discovered if the disintegrating solution wasn't grade A material. Naruto sighed. He grabbed his phone and left through the window. He wanted to see if Sakura was able to heal Sasuke but... Damn Danzo might get suspicious if Naruto arrived late. There wasn't a way to visit Sakuras house without being late. 'Only time would tell... I guess.'
"There was an alert for all experienced Anbu to report to the outer forest. Where were you?" Danzo seemed even more irritable this night.
'I was training. With Sasuke Uchiha.' Naruto had moved his mask over his head to show his mouth.
"That doesn't excuse your absence. Itachi Uchiha paid us a visit tonight. His intentions were unclear as he did not come for a specific purpose, but then again I don't give a damn. What I want is for you to track him tonight and kill him. He hasn't gone too far from here considering the time lapse." Danzos scowl seemed more prominent...or maybe it was the lighting. "Where is your jacket that you are so fond of?"
Narutos mind flashed him the memory of a bleeding Sasuke but there was not a glimpse of it on his face. 'I put it to wash.'
Danzo looked unconvinced. There was a long pause before he spoke again."Sai will accompany you, along with Minao and Tenu. You are dismissed."
Naruto exited the building with relief. Danzo knew nothing of what went on tonight. It was going to stay like that for as long as Naruto needed it to be. Narutos mind shifted to planning a strategy on finding Itachi and what their formation was going to be. It was likely that Kisame would accompany Itachi so Sai and Minao would take care of him. Tenu was weak so he could pair up with Naruto so he could easily be knocked out. There were too many questions that Itachi was going to answer and Naruto didn't need an annoying partner to ruin it. Naruto reached one of the hidden paths in the Konaha wall. There he spotted the other three and approached them.
'Sai and Minao will take the northeast end and Tenu and I will go northwest. We all have scrolls. As soon as we find our target we use the scrolls to transport the other team to the current location of the target. Understood?' Naruto looked up to double check that his plan was clear.
"It would be a better idea if I were to go with you instead." Sai commented.
'No. I don't think so.'
"I do think so." Sai emphasized the 'do'. "I can see us calculating our next move, regarding some issues that we might have at hand. Besides, it might be enjoyable to discuss some of the activities team seven has been up to lately."
It clicked. Narutos worries were true. Someone had found out about Sasuke. Of all people it had to be Sai, the biggest snitch Naruto has seen. Sai must've been visiting Sakura for their little late night sessions and just happened to stumble across a bloodied Sasuke.
'We would make a better team. Very well. Minao. Tenu. You both will go northeast. Sai and I will cover northwest. Now scatter.' The two groups split in opposite directions.
Naruto and Sai remained silent as they traveled, moving further anyway from their village and into the dark realms of the ninja world. The forest seemed darker as they got deeper. The night remained suspicious along with its ruler, the moon. Death seemed ever present as Naruto smelled decaying blood. 'This must've been where Itachi fought the Anbu. We are getting closer.' A strong impulse told Naruto that the reason Itachi was here was so Naruto could get a hold of the scroll. Whatever Itachis intentions were didn't concern Naruto at the moment. He had to see how much Sai knew or if he was taking a shot in the dark.
Judging the time that they traveled, Naruto knew now was the time that he question Sai. Naruto landed in a clearing and Sai followed. They remained silent, facing each other, letting the forest provide background noise for them.
"I think murdering Sasuke won't solve any of your problems." Sai started.
A bit of panic rose in Naruto. Was Sasuke dead?
"Danzo would be happy to hear about this. I just wish you would tell me why you were in his office this evening. It would save you a lot of interrogation. We could skip to the death sentence." Even with the mask on Naruto knew Sai had a smile plastered on.
Naruto sighed. 'I think we should skip to the death penalty.' Naruto weave signs leading to Sai sliding a scroll open to paint characters on them. They participated in a dance of Justus and swiveling weapons. Ultimately, Naruto was the one commanding the dance when Sai slit Narutos upper arm open. Sai felt euphoric and let his guard slip. It was the right moment.
Naruto coated his hand with chakra and pierced Sai in his lower abdomen, in his lower intestines, where there was the most blood. Sai dropped like a fly. This didn't stop Naruto however. He was going to finish the job.
He went on top of Sai, knee on each side of him and continually bludgeoned him with his own fists. Blood splattered on Narutos mask as it burst from the wounded boys face. Sai's teeth were smashed painfully in and his nose crushed into his skull. Sai choked on his blood and Naruto relentlessly pounded on his head. His skull crushed under the force of Narutos fist, causing Sai to forcibly accept deaths kiss. Even after, with arms dripping with blood, a dead boy underneath him, and the bones of that same dead boy jabbing into those unstoppable hands, Naruto didn't stop. Something drove him to keep pounding the boys already mush face into the ground. He went on like this. It seemed as if the numbness in Naruto kept him going until... Until what? Naruto wasn't sure what made him stop. Naruto pulled back and observed his work. It was a mess. Naruto stood up. The blood marinated his uniform as he peeled his eyes from what was left of Sai to see where he was.
It was so dark. He couldn't see the shadows that lurked around him anymore. It could've been just before dawn. He heard a voice.
"Are you satisfied Naruto?"
Naruto pulled back his soaking mask to see a shadowy figure. He didn't need to see him to know it was Itachi. His monotone voice was unforgettable.
"What are you going to say when the pink haired kunoichi questions his disappearance?"
Naruto felt a twinge of something. Not guilt but something. 'She will hear what everyone else is. You killed him. I was too weak to help. That's all.' Naruto dismissed the issue and began to think of what he was here for. 'Lets cut to the chase. I read the scroll. If Sasuke really wants to destroy the leaf, what do you want from me? Why are you telling me?'
"I need your help."
Naruto scoffed. 'Explain what makes you think that I will help you.'
"I have hurt you and I apologize. However, it was necessary to do what I did to you."
'What do you mean it was necessary? How is it necessary to rape someone? You sick bastard. I should have never came here if all you were going to do was be a self serving ass.' Hatred bubbled inside Naruto.
"I don't expect you to forgive me or help me. I just want you to hear me. I knew that if I hurt you in front of Sasuke then his hatred for me would rekindle. I never planned to do that to you until Sasuke revealed his plans to me. The reason I ask for your help today is that I know you are the only option to stop Sasuke. He chose a path of pain and loneliness and you can help him get off that path. Whether you help me or not doesn't change the fact that we both know the path of pain and loneliness. If you can see one of your friends go down that road then don't help Sasuke."
Naruto sighed. 'Dont think I am doing this because I forgave you. No matter what compelled you to have this future doesn't affect your actions. I'm doing this because I don't want anyone to feel what I've felt. Now tell me. What can I do?'
"Sasuke isn't working alone. He has someone guiding him. If you find that person then we can help Sasuke."
'Who do you think is leading Sasuke?'
"Madara Uchiha."
