Chapter/Episode 25

The Return of the Original Team 7...And Then Some

As Kyoko followed Sakura to the Hokage's office, she wondered what she wanted to talk to her about. "She'll probably want to talk to me about the war and what happened with the Ten-tails," Kyoko reflected. "I wonder if that's all she wants to talk to me about."

At that moment Kyoko remembered Lady Tsunade's promise involving Victorique. Her heart skipped a beat. Could they have found Victorique?

When they arrived at Lady Tsunade's office, Sasuke, Naruto, Sai, Kakashi, Itachi and Deidara were all present, including Shizune and Lady Tsunade herself.

"Welcome," Lady Tsunade smiled. "Naruto and Sasuke came to inform me that you were awake. Please sit down. I have matters I would like to discuss with you."

Kyoko didn't like the way Lady Tsunade was smiling. "Why is she being so pleasantly nice," Kyoko wondered. "Something tells me this is going to have nothing to do with Victorique…and I have the feeling I'm not going to like these 'matters' she wants to discuss with me."

"I'll stand," Kyoko replied. "Thanks anyway."

"Hey," Naruto exclaimed guiding her in front of the chair. "Just sit down for a bit! Take it easy! Alright?"

He pushed down her shoulders, forcing her to sit in the chair.

"Hey," she growled at him. "Watch it."

"Now that that's settled," Lady Tsunade continued. "I'll start by giving you this."

Kyoko reached out her hand and Lady Tsunade passed her a headband. "I still have to fight in the war," Kyoko asked flatly.

"No," Lady Tsunade answered her. "Thanks to you, the war is over."

Kyoko looked at her astonished. "R-really," she asked looking over at Deidara and Itachi. "Who's that guy and why is Itachi here then?"

There was a look of astonishment on some of the ninjas' faces. "You know Itachi," Sakura asked, bewildered.

"Yes," Itachi answered for Kyoko. "We met when you were heading into the Land of the Wind. We just so happened to cross paths."

Kyoko noticed that Itachi wasn't wearing the Akatsuki cloak anymore and neither was the other guy, whom she remembered was one of the resurrected and had been wearing one at the time.

"Itachi and Deidara," Lady Tsunade replied, answering Kyoko's previous question. "Have decided to stay in Konoha, where they will partake in community services as punishment for their crimes. This is a light punishment, however, I am in a generous mood and Konoha and the other great nations could use extra help from the damages of the war."

"W-Wait," Kyoko interrupted. "They don't look like zombies anymore!"

"That is correct," Lady Tsunade informed Kyoko. "When you defeated the Ten-tails, you ultimately brought all the resurrected back to life as well."

"I was right," Kyoko reflected. "I did defeat the Ten-tails…and that's what great, great grandfather meant when he told Itachi to stay alive…he knew Itachi would be brought back to life."

"This brings me to what I want to talk to you about," Lady Tsunade announced. "I haven't had a chance to explain to the others, but they can learn what's going on as I tell you."

"And what might that be…," Kyoko prompted.

"Well," Lady Tsunade started. "I have contemplated my options and I have decided this will be the best one that will benefit everybody."

Everyone stared at her as she sat back in her chair and folded her arms. "I am changing Team 7 once again," Lady Tsunade revealed with a look of shock from some of the ninja that were present. "Team 7 will now consist of seven members and will be able to be divided into two groups, if need be. Group 7 as a whole will include Kakashi as leader, Itachi as a sub leader, Naruto, Sakura, Sai, Sasuke and Kyoko. However, I will divide Team 7 into two smaller groups if I need to. From that point, Sasuke, Naruto, Sakura and Kakashi will be known as 'original' Team 7 and Kakashi will be leader of this group. Itachi, Kyoko and Sai, on the other hand, will be known as Team 7 ½, with Itachi as leader of that group. Any Questions?"

"Wait," Naruto questioned. "So…let me get this straight…Team 7 is going to have seven members?"

"Correct," Lady Tsunade answered.

"And if Team 7 gets split up," Sakura added. "Kakashi, Sasuke, Naruto and I will be known as 'original' Team 7."

"Yes," Lady Tsunade answered again.

"And Itachi, Kyoko and I will be known as Team 7 ½," Sai concluded.

"Right," Lady Tsunade continued. "And on top of this, Sasuke will continue to be Kyoko's sensei. Of course, however, since she has forgotten about jutsu, Sasuke will have to reteach her everything. This makes it a good punishment for Sasuke, considering all he has done."

"I meant to thank you," Itachi spoke up and Lady Tsunade looked over at him. "I realize the punishment could and probably should be a lot harsher for all three of us, and I thank you for giving us such light penalties."

"Hn," Deidara half-thanked.

Kyoko had been quiet the entire time. She was now looking down at the headband she had clutched in her hands. On the metal plate in the middle was the Hidden Leaf symbol. Looking up she noticed that not only was everyone watching her with interest, but also that everyone but Deidara, Tsunade and Shizune were wearing the Hidden Leaf headbands, including Sasuke and Itachi.

"Why," Kyoko asked. "Why do I still have to stay here? The war is over…there is no risk for me…and I owe you nothing anymore."

The room went quiet and became silently awkward. "Your great, great grandfather," Lady Tsunade started, leaning forward. "Wanted us to take care of you. He wanted us to make you a ninja and-."

"I don't care what my great, great grandfather wanted you to do for me," Kyoko nearly yelled. "I don't want to be a ninja. I. Don't. Want. To. Be. Here."

"You're parents wanted this too," Sasuke interrupted her. "You're mom and you're dad. We met them and we talked to them. This is also what they wanted."

Kyoko went silent and stared at Sasuke. She suddenly snapped her head back toward Lady Tsunade. "Y-You saw my parents," she asked in a quiet voice. "Y-You honestly saw them?"

"Yes," Lady Tsunade concluded. "Your mom is a very petit lady. She is just as beautiful as you are…and your dad had a very soft and caring face."

"They did see them," Kyoko realized. "She described them just like I remembered them."

"They said they wanted me to stay here," Kyoko continued. "And become a ninja?"

"Yup," Lady Tsunade answered, nodding. "They seemed to be very concerned for you."

Kyoko nodded thinking for a moment. If her parents honestly wanted her to stay here…and become a ninja…then how could she not? Kyoko loved her parents more than anything, and if they thought staying here and becoming a ninja was best for her, then maybe she would.

Kyoko looked up sharply, as she had just remembered something. "What about-," she started when Lady Tsunade interrupted her.

"The other four Kage's and I have already started the search for Victorique," Lady Tsunade replied, reading Kyoko's mind. "If she's in one of the five great nations, we will definitely find her."

Joy and relief spread through Kyoko as she realized her goal of finding Victorique became that much closer.

Suddenly Kakashi was handing her something. It was a mysterious green bangle with a golden pattern of swirls and circles engraved into it. "What is it," Kyoko questioned.

"You're necklace turned into it," Kakashi explained. "Your great, great grandfather told me to give it to you. It's yours."

Kyoko took the bracelet and studied it. She thought it was very beautiful and slid it up her left arm until it was half-way between her shoulder and her elbow. It fit perfectly.

"Thanks," she replied uncertainly.

"So," Lady Tsunade began. "Will you stay here in Konoha and train to be a ninja?"

Kyoko paused as everyone watched her. "Y-Yes."

"All right," Naruto exclaimed. "This is great! Sasuke's back and there's more people on Team 7! This is going to be awesome! Believe it!"

Everyone in the room sweat dropped. "Does he always say "believe it"," Kyoko asked aloud. "I think that's the third time he's said that since I woke up."

"Unfortunately," Sasuke answered, crossing his arms and looking irritated. "Yes."

The air and the mood in the Hokage's office seemed to lighten; however, it didn't last long.

"I hate to be the bearer of bad news," Itachi started. "However, I haven't had a chance to discuss with Lady Tsunade an issue I've been meaning to bring up. It's best that you're all here to hear it anyway."

"What is it," Lady Tsunade prompted as a large male walked into the room. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything," the man said as he walked over to the group in the fairly cramped room.

"Pervy Sage," Naruto exclaimed. "Hey!"

"Jiraya," Lady Tsunade greeted, ignoring Naruto. "Itachi was just mentioning something important."

Jiraya and everyone else looked back over at Itachi. "I am not entirely clear on how it happened," Itachi continued. "It may have happened while I was still in control by Kabuto."

"What happened," Kakashi prompted.

Itachi paused as everyone waited for him to reply. "Orochimaru," Itachi finally said. "Was somehow released from where my Susanoo held him captive. He was freed and, as we speak, he lives and breathes in the care of Kabuto."

Kyoko felt the room tense. As looks of shock, horror and anger passed through the room.

"Damn it," Lady Tsunade finally replied. "Having Madara and Kabuto out there was bad enough, but now Orochimaru is a threat to us once more too."