Tale of The Crimson Kitsune And The Silver Ookami
Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Reunion Of Team Seven! Preparing For The Fourth Great Ninja War!
Normal Point of View, Outskirts of Tetsu no Kuni:
As they trekked through the wooded area, Sakura, Lee and Sai followed behind Kiba and Akamaru as the two used their tracking abilities to pinpoint Sasuke's exact location. While the group focused on the task at hand, everyone, with the exception of Sai, were unaware of the fact that Kakashi was on his way to stop them before they could carry out their mission of eliminating Sasuke.
"Sakura?" Lee asked.
"What?" The pinkette answered.
"I wonder if perhaps, it would have been better just to tell Naruto the truth." He told her.
"No! There's just no way that I could have told him. Absolutely no way!" She replied back strongly.
"Sakura. I really think that you're underestimating Naruto." Kiba told her as he joined the conversation. As silence took over, Kiba started sniffing the air when suddenly he picked up a very familiar scent. "It's Sasuke. His scent just got a lot stronger, but he's not alone. That guy, Tobi, is with him too." Kiba announced.
"Alright, stop for a second." Sakura ordered, causing everyone to skid to a stop.
"Huh? What's wrong, Sakura?" Kiba asked as he looked back. "Why did we stop? We already went over our formation."
"Kiba, tell me… What is Sasuke's precise location?" Sakura asked.
"Facing directly north, he's at 2 o'clock." He explained "Up one kilometer."
"Okay." She said as she raised her hand into the air. "Forgive me, everyone." She thought. But before she could throw the small object down, Sai caught her wrist.
"I knew it. You were going to use this to put everyone to sleep, weren't you?" Sai asked her.
"Sai…" She said.
"Huh? What's going on?" Kiba asked.
"Sakura was going to take care of Sasuke herself." Sai answered.
"Why would you go alone?" Kiba asked as Sai took the smoke bomb out of Sakura's hand.
"Yes, why? We promised to do it together." Lee added.
"No, you can't." Sai said. "I won't let anyone proceed." He added as he walked forward to stand before the group.
"Why not?" Sakura asked.
"The four of us alone are no match against Sasuke or this Tobi." Sai explained. "I promised Kakashi sensei that I wouldn't allow any of you to move ahead."
"What?" Lee asked.
"Is that the reason?" Kiba asked.
"Sai. I'll say this only once." Sakura warned him as she pulled her glove tighter on her hand. "Move aside."
"No. I won't let you go." Sai said once more as he pulled out his ninja weapon. Ninja Art: Super Beast Scroll!" With that, he caused several ink snakes to appear around him.
"You're going to bind us with those snakes?" Lee asked.
"I understand where Kakashi sensei's coming from, but we just can't keep letting Sasuke go." Kiba stated. "I'll take care of him." Akamaru just whined in disagreement. "Why not, Akamaru? Don't be scared!"
"The dog is smarter." Sai told him. "It seems he understands what I'm saying."
"Shut up!" Kiba yelled and without a second thought, lunges out to attack Sai.
"Let's go, Lee!" Sakura told him as she readied herself to lunge out with him.
"Sure thing. Yeah!" he said as he jumped forward to assist Kiba.
Sai was able to catch Kiba with his snakes and held him securely in the air. While Sai was distracted, Lee jumped over Kiba and aim to hit him. But as Sai got ready to retaliate, something on the ground caught his attention. When he looked down, he spotted three small smoke bombs rolling towards him and the others.
"Damn it." He thought.
Before Sai could do anything, light pink smoke surrounded him and the others. Within seconds, everyone started succumbing to the strong anesthetic. Kiba, Akamaru and Lee were all out of it before they could figure out what just happened. Sai tried his best to fight the drug and stay conscious, however, the gas was simply too strong to overcome and as a result, Sai lost consciousness as well.
As this was happening, Sakura hid herself behind some trees as she watched the events take place. Once she was sure everyone was out of it, she took the opportunity to sneak away. With Sasuke's location known and the others out of the way, there was nothing that could keep Sakura from carrying out her mission, the very plan she had in mind since the moment she decided to head out to talk to Naruto.
Killing the very person she fell in love with the moment she saw him…. Sasuke Uchiha…
Tetsu no Kuni:
Back at the Inn, Captain Yamato was leaning against the wall that was right beside the door while Kazumi leaned against the one closer to the repaired window. The two sat there in silence as they waited for Naruto to regain consciousness before they all proceeded to head back to the Hidden Leaf. As time continued to tick by, Naruto suddenly jumps up, as if he has just awakened from a horrible nightmare. He stared at the wall before him as he tried to calm himself down, as well as, figure out where he was.
"You're finally awake?" Captain Yamato asked him quietly.
"Huh? It was just a dream." Naruto said quietly to himself. He soon turned to Captain Yamato. "Where am I?" he asked.
"You're back inside the Inn." Kazumi answered, causing Naruto to look at her.
"You lost consciousness. So we brought you back inside to rest." Captain Yamato explained as Naruto turned to look at him. "You really had us all worried."
"How are you feeling, Naruto?" Kazumi asked.
"I-I'm alright." He answered. That's when suddenly occurred to him. "Kakashi sensei and Sai?" he asked as he looked back towards the Wood Style user. Captain Yamato just remained silent, not even attempting to answer the question. "Oh. I see." He said. "Why? Why did it turn out like this?" he asked and suddenly started clenching his teeth.
"Naruto, just calm down. You don't need to stress yourself out even more." Kazumi told him. "You should take it easy for awhile."
"Kazumi's right. You should rest a little longer." Captain Yamato told him as he carefully guided Naruto back down.
Naruto just stared at the ceiling for a few seconds before he found himself drifting back to sleep. About forty-five minutes later, Naruto found himself waking up once more. By the time he did, Captain Yamato was just reentering the room with a bowl containing a hot food item.
"How are you feeling?" Captain Yamato asked as he sat the bowl down. "I had them make some rice porridge for ya. Eat. It will help you get your strength back."
"I was… I was dreaming about Sasuke." He told him.
"Naruto, you and Kazumi are coming back to the Village with me." Captain Yamato told him. "That's a direct order from Kakashi."
Ignoring what Captain Yamato said to him, Naruto slowly lifted himself back to his feet and walked over to the wall where his stuff was. Just as he was about to pick up his pouch, wooden pillars materialize from Captain Yamato's outstretched hand, surrounding him in an instant. Seeing this, Naruto didn't dare to make another move with the pillars so close around him.
"I'm sorry, Naruto. Let Kakashi handle Sasuke." Yamato told him. "Got it?"
"Fine." Naruto stated in a defeated tone. "Let me rest some more. Then we can head back to the village." With that, the pillars contracted back into Yamato's awaiting hand.
"You really should eat something, ya know." Yamato added. "You need to keep up your strength."
"No thanks. I'm not hungry." Naruto told him as he turned around to make his way back to his bed. As he did, he turned his attention onto Kazumi. Captain Yamato may not have caught on, but Naruto quickly did. Once he was back in bed, he threw the covers over his head.
"Kazumi-chan, can you hear me" Naruto asked through the Tailed Beast Telepathy link.
"I can hear you loud and clear, Naruto." Kazumi replied back. "Seeing that you're using our link, it's safe to assume that you figured out that the Kazumi there with you and Captain Yamato is a clone."
"Yeah, I noticed her right away. But I don't think Captain Yamato figured it out just yet." Naruto replied. "Since you left a clone here, then where are you?"
"I'm currently running though the treetops to catch up with Kakashi and Sai." She answered. "Naruto, listen carefully, I'm going to try and buy you some time but you need to hurry. I'm not sure what may happen once we encounter Sasuke."
"I understand." Naruto replied in a serious tone. "Don't worry, I'll be there soon. Just hold out as long as you can, okay."
"You got it." She told him. "Just be careful, Naruto. And remember, we don't want Captain Yamato to find out; otherwise we'll get an earful as soon as he finds us."
"Trust me, I know. And honestly, I don't want that either." Naruto stated in agreement.
As Captain Yamato waited for Naruto to wake up once more, he found himself drifting off to sleep. Just as he was about to fall over, he caught himself, waking himself up in the process. "Naruto, come on, let's go." He told him, however, Naruto didn't move. "Naruto, you ready?"
"I really don't feel like going outside right now." Naruto answered. "Give me a little longer, would ya."
Captain Yamato quietly agreed with Naruto's request and allowed him to rest a few minutes longer. However, the Wood Style user was completely oblivious to that fact that he was sitting in a room with clones instead of the real individuals.
Just outside of Tetsu no Kuni:
Kakashi was still on the move as he tried to catch up to Sakura. As he did, he soon came across Sai, Lee, Kiba, and Akamaru, who were all lying unconscious on the dirt path he was using. Definitely not the safest place, or the best place, to be sleeping. But it wasn't their fault. Kakashi walked up to Kiba and kneeled beside the unconscious Inuzuka. Carefully, he slapped Kiba's face, attempting to wake him up. Kiba stirred slightly and was able to wake up.
"Where's Sakura?" he asked him as he lifted him up. "You were in pursuit of Sasuke, right? Which way did Sakura go?"
"Head north. Toward 2 o'clock. You have to go about one kilometer." Kiba told Kakashi in a hoarse voice before losing consciousness once more.
"That Sakura. Looks like she learned how to blend a powerful sleeping powder from Lady Tsunade." Kakashi said to himself. "They won't be getting up anytime soon." He added as he carried Kiba off the road, placing him carefully behind a nearby bush. Kakashi moved them all off the road and placed them side-by-side. "Sorry everyone, I got to rush ahead." He told them.
Just as he said that, something caught his attention. Looking back towards the road, he glanced down the path and spotted a certain kunoichi that shared the same silver/gray hair as he. While running pass the area, she turned her head to look at him and the others that were lying on the side of the road. Seeing that Kakashi had everything under control, she turned her head back forward and continued running down the dirt road before her.
"Kazumi!" Kakashi exclaimed as he lunged forward to catch up with her.
Kazumi's Point of View:
"Kazumi!" I hear Kakashi yell as he catches up with me. When I glance out the corner of my eyes, I find him running right beside me. "Kazumi, what are you doing here?! You're supposed to be heading back to the Hidden Leaf with Naruto and Yamato."
"You honestly believed I would let you and Sakura handle Sasuke by yourselves?" I ask him. "No, I don't think so. Besides, Sasuke belongs to Team Seven and the issues dealing with him should be dealt with by the members of Team Seven." I explain. "So Kakashi sensei, you can scold me about disobeying your orders later, alright." I tell him in a stern tone while I focused on what was in front of me. "We don't have time to waste, so I suggest we pick up the pace."
Sensing the seriousness in her tone, and seeing that there was no time to argue about the situation, Kakashi reluctantly agrees. "Fine. Let's go." He says.
Channeling our chakra through our legs and feet, Kakashi and I instantly pick up the pace as we continue running down the dirt road. We just hoped we make it in time before Sasuke kills Sakura.
Normal Point of View, Samurai Bridge:
"No, Sasuke!" Sakura yelled out, catching that said Uchiha's attention. Sasuke cancelled out his chidori and turned towards his former pink-haired teammate.
"What are you doing here, Sakura?" Sasuke asked.
"Look, Sasuke! I'm here because I deserted the Hidden Leaf!" she yelled. "I'm coming with you!" With that, Sakura lunged forward, jumping over the gaping hole before her, successfully landing on the other side.
"What's in it for you to join me?" Sasuke asked her. "Just what are you plotting?"
"I'm not plotting anything." She told him. "Ever since you left the Hidden Leaf Village, I-I just keep finding myself regretting not going with you." She explained. "Look! I'll do anything that you want me to. I'm tired of regrets."
"Do you know what I really want?" Sasuke asked her.
"Don't you understand? I don't care what it is!" Sakura interrupted. "I'll do whatever you say!"
"To destroy the Leaf!" Sasuke stated, interrupting her this time. Hearing this immediately shocks Sakura. "That is what I want. You think you can really do that?" He asked. "Betray the Hidden Leaf for me?"
"Yes, I would." She answered. "If you asked me to."
"Alright. Then why don't you prove it to me." He told her. "I want you to kill her right now. Do that and I'll accept that you're serious." He said as he pointed to Karin.
Not wanting to let Sasuke know she was lying, Sakura draws a kunai from her holster, holding it before herself. "Who is she?" She asked.
"A member of Taka. The group that I put together." Sasuke answered. "Though at this point, as you see, she's useless. Sakura. You're a medical ninja, right?" he asked. "It's perfect. You can replace her. This will work out just fine."
"Sakura slowly began making her way towards Sasuke and Karin as she continued to grasp her kunai tightly in her hand. Before long, she was standing before the two.
"What's the matter, Sakura?" Sasuke asked her. "You can't do it?" While Sakura was fighting within herself, Sasuke slowly moved away to stand behind her.
"Don't do it… Sasuke." Karin mumbled out in a quiet tone.
Soon after, Sakura started hearing the sound of crackling electricity coming from behind her. Turning around, Sakura found herself coming face to face with Sasuke's attack. But before he could hit her, Sakura found herself being grabbed from behind and moved while Kakashi caught a hold of Sasuke's arm. He quickly kicked Sasuke back, creating space between them and the Uchiha. Sasuke was able to catch himself and regained he balanced. He stood there glaring at the two responsible for making him miss his target. As soon as she felt herself being placed back on solid ground, Sakura glanced back to find that the person responsible for moving her out the way was Kazumi.
"They just continue to pop up, one after the other." Sasuke mumbled.
Kazumi's Point of View:
"Sakura. You intended to kill Sasuke by yourself, didn't you?" Kakashi asks her in a low tone. "There's no need for you to bare such a heavy burden. After all, it was my cowardice that drove you all apart. When I was the leader of Team Seven. I'm sorry I was such a careless sensei."
"But you're not." Sakura tells him.
"Sasuke! I told you this before and I don't like to repeat myself. But I'll say this once more." Kakashi tells him. "Believe me. I've met a lot of guys who feel the way you do. But for those who follow the path of revenge, it never ends well. Let it go. You got to forget about revenge."
As a response, Sasuke just starts to laugh hysterically. But as quickly the laughter started, he quickly came to a stop just as fast. "Itachi. My father. My mother. My entire clan! Bring them all here to me!" Sasuke yelled. "Do that and I'll quit right now."
"I don't want to kill you." Kakashi replies back.
"Do you really think you can kill me at any moment you wish?" Sasuke asks him. "Stop acting like you're still my sensei. Go ahead and try something if you like. I'm just itching to kill you, Kakashi." he adds as he stares us down with a crazed look.
Kakashi grabs a hold of his hitai-ate and pulls it up to reveal his Sharingan. As he did so, he whispers to me and Sakura, "Kazumi. Sakura. You two get a safe distance away from here. Once you do, Sakura, heal that girl to the point where she can talk." He tells us.
"Yeah but, what about…" Sakura starts. Before Sakura could finish her sentence, I quickly grab a hold of her and the injured girl beside us and leaped away, heading over to the far end of the bridge.
"Damn it, Sakura. This is not time or the place to ask twenty questions." I tell her as I continue to move. "Naruto, you need to hurry. Things are about to heat up." I thought to myself.
"Sakura, answer something for me." I say quietly and calmly. "Did you honestly believe you had a chance of killing Sasuke? Do you have any idea what could have happened if neither Kakashi or I made it in time?"
"I-I thought I could… I really did…." She mumbles quietly.
"Sakura, I swear. You love scolding Naruto for being reckless and here you are doing something that's not just reckless, but it was just plain stupid." I tell her as I release a heavy sigh. "But since this isn't the time to reprimand you, I'll hold out until this situation is dealt with."
Honestly, I didn't know what the hell she was thinking. I'll admit Sakura is strong, in her own right, but she was nowhere near Sasuke's level. As I continue to ponder over my thoughts, I find myself turning around when a loud explosion echoes through the air. Seeing that neither Sasuke or Kakashi were no longer on the bridge, I assumed they were down on the water below.
"Listen very carefully, Sakura." I tell her as I turn back to face her. "I need you to stay here with her. I'm going down to help Kakashi."
Before she could open her mouth to protest, I quickly rush over to the side of the bridge. Looking down, I spot Kakashi and Sasuke standing on the water below. But there was something different about Sasuke. He was surrounded by a massive amount of chakra that was formed into some kind of figure. After jumping over the ledge, I grab a hold of my katana and started channeling my chakra through the weapon, causing the blade to glow white. Taking aim, I quickly swing my sword out before me.
"Ninja Art: White Light Chakra Wave!" I exclaim.
After swinging my blade four times, four powerful waves of white chakra emerge from the weapon and headed straight for Sasuke. Instead of attempting to dodge my attack, Sasuke uses the massive purple chakra being to block my attack, protecting himself in the process. Before touching the surface of the water, I threw several more waves towards Sasuke. But just like before, he was able to cancel them out like they were nothing.
"Damn it. I'm going to have to figure out a way to break through his defense if I'm ever going to land a hit on him." I thought as I land on the surface of the water. Grasping my sword tightly, I bring it forward as I shift myself into a ready stance.
"Kakashi." Sasuke says, breaking the temporary yet tense, silence. "The first time you lectured me about forgetting about revenge. I asked you a question. Do you remember it?" Kakashi just remains silent, signaling Sasuke to continue. "That day, I asked you how you would feel if I killed everyone you cared about. Do you remember now?"
"Sasuke, what are you going on about?" I ask. Surprisingly, my question catches Sasuke's attention, causing him to look at me. His cold, dark eyes just stared me down.
"Isn't it obvious?" he asks in an emotionless tone. "You see, he told me that everyone he ever cared for has been killed. Well, all except for one." He explains as he sets his eyes back on Kakashi. "So it seems that I get to test that theory out after all. What do you have to say about that, Kakashi?"
"Sasuke. Try anything of the sort and you will regret it." Kakashi replies, his tone turning sharp and serious.
"Well then. Maybe I'll do the opposite and kill you instead. Because like I said before, I'm itching to kill you." Sasuke tells him. "In the end, no matter who I chose to kill between the two of you, someone will suffer. One of you will feel just a taste of the pain I feel."
"Sasuke, you have seriously lost your damn mind." I growl.
I really detest what Sasuke just said and honestly, if he actually thought I would allow him to kill my brother, or any of my friends for that matter, then he had another thing coming. And at this moment, I was really hoping Naruto would hurry up and appear already. As Sasuke continues to stare me and Kakashi down, something quickly catches our attention. We spot Sakura running underneath the bridge as she makes her way towards Sasuke. After landing on the water's surface, she carefully proceeds to approach the Uchiha from behind.
"Don't!" Kakashi yells as he takes off to stop her.
"Damn it, Sakura! Why the hell didn't you listen to me?!" I mumble to myself as I lunge forward.
With her kunai drawn, Sakura prepared herself to stab Sasuke in the back. But the moment she reaches him, she freezes. She just stands there. Big mistake. The moment Sasuke notices her standing behind him, he swiftly turns around and catches Sakura by her throat. Snatching the kunai from her, he prepares to strike her down, right then and there.
"Sakura!" Kakashi and I exclaim together.
"Stop! Sasuke!" Kakashi adds.
Just as Sasuke was about to strike Sakura with her own poisoned kunai, a yellow blur appears out of nowhere and flies pass Sasuke, snatching Sakura from Sasuke's grasp. The next thing we know, we see Naruto skidding to a stop with Sakura in his arms.
"Jeez, you're cutting it kind of close there Naruto, but better late than never." I thought while Kakashi and I continue to rush over to Sasuke. But before we could get him, Sasuke disappears and reappears a few feet away from us.
"You got even better timing than I do, Naruto." Kakashi tells him as he stands back up. "I never imagine you'd come here, but it's a good thing you did. You're a life saver."
"Yeah. Thank you, Naruto.." Sakura tells him.
"Sasuke, come on. Sakura's a comrade from Team Seven, remember." Naruto states in a serious tone.
"You mean former comrade. I'm no longer a part of your team, remember." Sasuke replies.
"Now do you understand? Naruto. Sakura. Kazumi." Kakashi mutters quietly. "He's intent to kill is undeniable. Sasuke's no longer the person we once knew."
Remaining silent, Naruto takes a few steps forward and stops once he was standing in between me and Kakashi. "Listen Sasuke." Naruto says, his voice sounding a bit calmer but still held a serious tone.
"What do you want?" Sasuke asks.
"I know the truth about Itachi. That guy, Tobi, told me everything." Naruto tells him. "Then again, maybe he was lying but it doesn't matter. But anyway. What you've been doing, Sasuke, I get it."
"Naruto, just as I said before. You've never had a family or siblings in the first place." Sasuke growls. "You couldn't possibly get it! So all you outsiders can just shut the hell up!"
"No! You shut the hell up, damn it!" I quickly snap back. "We've just about had it with this bullshit you love to repeat! You don't have the slightly clue as to what we've been through for you, especially Naruto! Do you have any idea how much Naruto has sacrificed for you! Even after our friends decided to take you down, even with the entire world after you, we've been trying our best to get them to change their minds about you." I explain. "But no, you couldn't have known. Not an arrogant, egocentric, ungrateful, thick-headed prick like you that's only thinking about revenge!" Sasuke didn't say a word. He just stood there like a damn statue. "We were the only ones who believed that you can be saved. And we still do."
"Saved? Save me from what?" Sasuke asks.
"From revenge, Sasuke." Naruto answers. "I swear I'll save you from revenge and from all the chaos it causes."
"Hn. But I don't want you to do that." He replies. "The stage has already been set for my vengeance. Not long ago, I finally got my revenge on the one behind Itachi's betrayal." He announces. "I took down a high ranking Hidden Leaf elder right here. The one called Danzō."
"He… he really killed Danzō? All by himself?" I thought. "No, he couldn't have. There's just no way. Someone had to have helped him."
"I've never felt like this before." He states almost in a pleased and excited tone. "I can feel the tainted Uchiha name becoming cleansed! I feel the Uchiha, at last, being freed from this rotting shinobi world. You can't even begin to understand it. And besides, isn't what I'm doing is exactly what you Leaf shinobi wanted all along?"
"He really has lost his mind." I thought.
"Severing all bonds with the Hidden Leaf will be the ultimate purification and that will lead to the Uchiha's true restoration!" Sasuke concludes. "I will destroy the Hidden Leaf and everyone associated with it!"
Without saying a word, Naruto and I glance at one another to share a look of understanding. It was obvious what needed to be done, and I silently agreed with the task Naruto decided to leave to me. Moving slowly, I take a few steps back and stopped once I was somewhat standing beside Sakura. I shifted myself to the right a little so that I was behind Kakashi. Meanwhile, Naruto takes a step forward but stops when Kakashi extends his arm out in front of him, keeping him from running towards Sasuke.
"This is my responsibility." Kakashi tells him sternly. "Naruto. Kazumi. Sakura. Go on, get out of here." He tells us.
"Kakashi sensei, no." Sakura responds.
"If you stay, you'll see things you wish you hadn't." he warns. "Now go."
"But sensei, I…"
"Sakura, the poisoned laced kunai Shizune taught you how to use won't kill Sasuke." He informs her. "He still has Orochimaru's immunity to poison. Once more, you also know how you feel."
To prove that he was being serious, Sasuke narrows his eyes sharply and begins to charge his Chidori in his right hand. As he takes a few steps forward, Kakashi responses by charging his Lightning Blade in his right hand.
"Kakashi sensei." Naruto says quietly. "This something you don't want us to see. Are you going to kill Sasuke?" he asks.
"All of you, get out of here." Kakashi tells us once more.
"Kazumi…" Naruto says.
"Right." I reply back.
Without any warning, Sasuke quickly rushes forward with his attack charged and ready. But before Kakashi could do the same, I quickly rush up from behind him and hook my arms tightly around his, making sure he wouldn't be able to escape. With Kakashi incapacitated, Naruto rushes forward with his Rasengan charged. The moment Naruto and Sasuke close the space in between them, their respective attacks collide with one another, causing the water around them to spread outwards as powerful shockwaves of chakra blast through the air. Soon after the collision, a blinding while light could be seen from the colliding energies.
As the light dimmed down and the shockwaves subsided a bit, both Naruto and Sasuke were thrown back. Seeing that Naruto wasn't going to be able to stop himself, I release Kakashi, allowing him to jump into the air to successfully catch Naruto. The two landed safely back down beside me and Sakura. When I turn to look at Sasuke, I saw he was about to collide back first into the side of the mountain. But before he could, a strange white substance appears on Sasuke's back and transforms into a figure. Whatever that thing was, it was able to catch Sasuke, saving him.
"What the heck is that thing?!" I thought. Taking my eyes off the two, I turn to look back at Kakashi and Naruto. "Naruto, are you alright?" I ask him.
Naruto was doubled over, trying to catch his breath. After a minute, he carefully straightens himself up. "Its… all clear to me now." he mumbles quietly.
"Hmm, I see." I say quietly to myself. "So you were able to figure it out." I thought to myself.
"It's all clear? What do you mean by that, Naruto?" Kakashi asks.
While we continue to keep our eyes on the white figure and Sasuke, a swirling vortex suddenly appears from out of nowhere. And from that vortex, Madara Uchiha or Tobi, whichever he prefers to be called, appears and stands on the side of them. To make matters worse, more of the white figures appeared around the small group. Just as they were about to leave, Naruto walks forward, causing them all to look at him., including Sasuke.
"Naruto." Kakashi calls out.
"I know. Don't worry, I'm alright." Naruto tells him. "There's just one thing I want to make sure I say to Sasuke before he leaves."
"Naruto, you said you found the answer you were searching for. But there's more to it, isn't there?" I thought privately as I watched Naruto move.
"Sasuke! Do you remember?" he asks. "Do you remember what you said about high level shinobi?" Trading blows just now, I learned a lot about you and what you're thinking. It means we both became high level shinobi. So tell me. Can you tell me what I'm thinking about right now? Can you read my mind? And can you understand that the next time we fight, we'll both die."
As I stand there listening to what Naruto was saying to Sasuke, it was at that moment that I received the answers to my own unspoken questions. Closing my eyes, I gave myself a moment to allow this to sink in. There was no doubt that I wanted Naruto to save Sasuke so we could be a team again. But I knew there was a possibility that their fight may just end up with them both dying. There wasn't anything I, Sakura or Kakashi could do because in the end, this was a fight between two rivals and it would be best if we didn't interfere. All we could and can do was hope that the worse outcome doesn't occur.
"Sasuke, if you attack the Hidden Leaf, I'll have no choice but to fight you." Naruto adds. "So until that day, save your hatred so you can throw it all at me. I'm the only one who can take it. I'm the only one who can bear the burden of your hatred. I do that and I'll die with you."
"What is it with you?" Sasuke asks. "Just what in the hell could you want from me! Why are you so fixated on me?!"
"Because you're my friend." Naruto answers. The stunned look on Sasuke's face proved that Naruto's answer shocked him. "Sasuke. When we first met, I knew it was going to take a lot of work for me to understand you." Pausing, Naruto extends his arm out, grasping his hand into a fist. "Exchanging punches is the only way we can understand one another, which means we've become high level shinobi. I haven't given up on you and I will bring you back to the village. Well, I'm done lecturing you. Besides, it's kind of weird for me to be doing it. But if the worse does happen and we both end up dying, at least we'll e freed of our burdens and we'll be able to understand each other in the afterlife."
"I'm not going to change." Sasuke tells him. "I don't want to understand you. I won't die. You're the one who's going to die."
"Then we'll die together, Sasuke." Naruto replies.
With that, a genuine smirk appears on Sasuke's face. "Fine by me." Sasuke tells Naruto. "But at least I'll take you down first."
"No problem. Since its clear that you still don't respect me at all." Naruto replies. Without speaking another word, Sasuke left with Madara as they both disappeared within the swirling vortex. Since the event was over, it looks like there was nothing left to do but head back to the village. While we stood there, Naruto suddenly falls over without warning.
"Na…Naruto!" I exclaim as I lunge forward. I was successfully able to catch him, keeping him from falling into the water and possibly drowning. "Naruto. What's wrong?"
"The scratch on his cheek. This must be the cause." Kakashi points out.
"Then it is….!" Sakura suddenly states as, at that very moment, realization hits her. "It's from the poison-dipped kunai knife I used earlier."
"Seems like it." Kakashi tells her. "Sakura! You need to administer the antidote right away!" he adds. In no time, Sakura quickly pulls out a small vial containing the antidote.
"Ugh, I still feel sick." Naruto groans while he holds his stomach.
"A-Are you all right?" Sakura asks. Naruto soon leans over slightly. "You're gonna throw up!"
"I think you should sit down for a minute before you do." I tell Naruto as Sakura and I carefully guide him down to lean back on the stone wall of the bridge. "Just rest for a minute, alright."
"Yeah, okay." Naruto tells me. "Uh by the way, Kakashi sensei. Who's she?" Naruto asks as he gestured to the red head Kakashi was currently carrying.
"She's one of Sasuke's comrades." Sakura answers.
"Was. I'm not anymore." The girl states in a hoarse tone.
"I'm going to take her back to the village. To question her." Kakashi explains.
"Got it. Back to the Hidden Leaf Village then." Naruto says as he stands up from his seat. Once he was sure he had his balance, he proceed to move.
"Naruto! Not that way." Kakashi states quickly, causing Naruto to stop.
"What are you talking about, Kakashi sensei?" Naruto asks. "The Hidden Leaf Village is that way." He says as he points in the direction the Hidden Leaf was located.
"Yeah but you see, we forgot something back in the Land of Iron." Kakashi explains. "Right, Sakura?"
"Forgot something?" she asks, confused as to what Kakashi was talking about. That was until she finally remembered what it was she had forgotten. "Oh."
"We should head back and retrieve it, right?" he asks.
"Yes." Sakura answers quietly.
"That's really sad, Sakura. Honestly, I can't believe you forgot." I tell her as I shook my head in a disapproving manner.
"Hmm? Forgot what? What is it?" Naruto asks. "What's going on?"
"Don't worry about it right now. You'll see what we're talking about once we get there." I tell Naruto.
"Well, we better get moving." Kakashi states.
Before anyone, particularly me and Naruto, could move, the ground underneath us suddenly cracks as wooden pillars break through the concrete, surrounding us. In less than ten seconds, Naruto and I find ourselves trapped within a wooden prison. While Naruto was holding his head out between the bars, I was sitting inside the cage with my chin resting in the palm of my hand. My knee was bent slightly so I could prop my elbow on top of it. During the whole ordeal, I was just sitting there with an –you've got to be kidding me- look on my face.
"Damn it. Thanks to Uchiha and his little pals, we've completely forgotten about Captain Yamato." I mumble to Naruto. "I can't believe I let that thought slip my mind."
"Ugh. I think I'm going to hurl." Naruto says as he tries to keep himself from throwing up.
"Kazumi. Naruto. What do you two think you're doing out here?" he asks. "You were supposed to go back to the village with me. And you, Naruto! You made a hole in the Inn's floor. I can't believe you two made me chase you here. Not only that, but I had to apologize to the Inn keepers again!"
Looking at one another, Naruto and I couldn't help but to laugh quietly at Captain Yamato's irritated tone, "Sorry about that, Captain Yamato!" I tell him as soon as I calmed down.
"Naruto arrived here in a nick of time to save Sakura. But it seems that you didn't send him here to help us out." Kakashi tells him.
"No! Of course not!" Captain Yamato yells back. "You ordered me to take him and Kazumi back to the village. I wouldn't disobey you!"
"I see." Kakashi says. "Since that's the case, then it's safe to assume that you didn't send Kazumi here either. Which means that both Kazumi and Naruto outfoxed you and left you behind, right?"
"Uh, well…" Captain Yamato says.
"It all worked out for the best, Yamato." Kakashi assures him.
"Sasuke's chakra, its different from before." The red-haired kunoichi states. "It was incredibly dark and cold."
"Still, Sasuke is Sasuke." Naruto announces.
"Yeah." Mutters Sakura.
"You got that right." I add.
"Anyway, that's what happened, Yamato." Kakashi tells him. "So please forgive them, alright?"
"Alright, I understand." Captain Yamato says as he cancels out his wooden prison, freeing me and Naruto in the process. "Okay, go on ahead."
"And you?" Kakashi asks.
"Me? I'm going back to the Inn to repair that big hole Naruto created." He answers.
Naruto couldn't help but to chuckle a little, "I'm sorry about that, Captain Yamato." He tells him.
"We're also sorry for outfoxing you and causing you so much trouble." I add as I scratch the back of my head sheepishly.
"Don't worry about it you too." He tells us and instantly disappears in a plume of smoke.
"We should get going as well you guys." Kakashi says to me, Naruto and Sakura. "Come on, let's get going."
"Right." Sakura and I state together as we all start to move.
"So this is what you forgot?" Naruto asks, referring to an unconscious Kiba, Akamaru, Lee and Sai. "How could these guys just lay around sleeping while you two were in a bind?"
"It's not their fault, Naruto." I tell him. "So please, don't be angry with them, alright."
"Sakura… They were going to help you." Kakashi reminds her. "Make sure to apologize properly after you wake them up."
"I will." Sakura answers quietly.
"You're going to wake them up?" Naruto asks as he slowly approaches them.
"Naruto, it's my fault that they're sleeping." Sakura explains. "So be gentle when you wake them."
Once Naruto was beside Lee, he carefully lays down beside him, "I feel sick." He says.
"You're going to sleep too?" she exclaims.
"Naruto's like that because of you… umm, Sakura, right?" the red-haired kunoichi asks. "It's because of your poison. What a carefree guy. He's already asleep." After successfully waking everyone up, we quickly explain to the others what occurred. After doing so, we all moved out and proceeded back to the Hidden Leaf.
"Damn it, this is ridiculous!" Kiba groans in an irritated tone. "We listened to her wishes and even located Sasuke for her. And what happens?"
"Now, now. Don't be so upset, Kiba." Kakashi tells him.
"Don't act like you're the only hero here, Sakura." Kiba says to her. "You told us to keep this a secret from Naruto, but Sai went and blabbed it all to him, on top of which, Sasuke got away."
"Kiba…!" Naruto exclaims as he looks back at him. "Be a man and quit complaining."
"Speak for yourself, Naruto!" Kiba snaps back.
"Huh? Me?" Naruto questions.
"Oh, you're right about that!" Sai agrees. "You are too simple and dumb to be able to think as complexly as you've been attempting."
"Hey, Sai…! Since when did you develop such a carefree laugh? Huh? Naruto asks him with a shocked look on his face.
"Thank you." Sai tells him.
"That wasn't a compliment!" Naruto yells. Lee couldn't help but to laugh at the two. "Huh? What is it, Bushy Brow?" he asks as he turns to Lee.
"It's like you're back to your old self, Naruto." He says.
"He means you haven't grown at all." Kiba interrupts. "Once an idiot, always an idiot."
"Kiba, you're the idiot! Idiot!" Naruto snaps back.
"I don't want to hear that coming from an idiot!" Kiba snaps.
"And you! I've had just about enough of your smiling face!" Naruto yells at Sai.
"Yep, even after all that we just went through, Naruto is still Naruto." I thought to myself. "That's a huge relief but, I just can't help but to think about what we heard him say to Sasuke back there."
"Well, how about you just enjoy the moment, Pup." Kiyiya tells me. "Let's forget about all of that for now. Alright."
"Yeah, alright." I mumble. As we continue to walk down the dirt path, three ANBU suddenly appear, landing right in front of us.
"Sai, you need to explain everything that's happened." One of them tells him.
"Who are those guys?" Naruto asks.
"Members of the Foundation, they're from the ANBU Black Ops." Kakashi answers.
"It seems that you are aware of it too." Sai says. "The reason why the Curse Mark placed on us by Lord Danzō is gone."
"Is Lord Danzō…dead?" the ANBU asks.
"Yes." Sai says.
"That's…" he starts to say. "What about his bodyguards, Fū and Torune?"
"I'm in the dark about them too." Sai tells him.
"They were not at the site." Kakashi informs them.
"Therefore, I would like to propose a discussion about the future of the Foundation with you." Sai tells him. "And with the new Hokage here…" he says as he gestures towards Kakashi.
"New Hokage…?" Lee asks in shock.
"Kakashi Hatake." Sai says.
"Huh!?" Everyone, with the exception of me, Naruto and Sai, exclaim in shock.
"We'll head back ahead of you." the ANBU states and with that, all three of them jump into the air and proceed to head back towards the Village.
"You're going to be the next Hokage, Kakashi sensei?" Sakura asks.
"Hmm, looks like it's going to be that way." He replies.
Time Skip no Jutsu, Konohagakure:
We were just feet away from the main gates of the village when we spotted Chouji, Shikamaru and Ino standing in the entrance. Before long, we all stopped and stood before them.
"We're home." Sakura tells them.
"I heard from my father, about Sasuke." Shikamaru states in a calm tone.
"Yeah." Naruto mutters quietly. "We talked. And not only that, but I fought with him too." All three members of Team Asuma gasp in shock.
"You fought against him?" Shikamaru asks. "Really? Against Sasuke?"
"I'll give you all the details. But first, would you do me a favor and get everyone together for me?" Naruto asks. "I have something that I want to say to all of them."
"Sure, okay." Shikamaru tells him.
"Naruto!" A new voice calls out. "We've all been waiting for you." Suddenly, Konohamaru, Moegi and Udon appear from out of nowhere and rush over to Naruto.
"Hey you guys." Naruto greets them.
"I just need to get an interview from you. And then the Leaf Hero newspaper will be all finished.." Konohamaru explains.
"Yeah, Naruto. It's time for your big interview." Udon adds.
"Oh right, I almost forgot." He tells them as he gently pats the tops of their heads. "But I'm going to have to make a report now. So we'll do it later."
"What? You always said that." Moegi whines. "It's always later and it never happens."
"Yeah Naruto, you promised us." Adds Udon.
"Yeah. You always make us wait." Moegi continues. "You're so mean, Naruto."
"So… When are you going to do it then?" Udon asks. Moegi and Udon just continue to ask question after question while Naruto quietly proceeds forward, leaving the three genin standing here with me and the others.
"Go on. Why don't you say something too, Konohamaru?" Moegi asks.
"I think something happened." Konohamaru tells them.
"What do you mean?" She asks.
"It seems like, there's something different about Big brother Naruto now." Konohamaru explains.
"There is?" Moegi asks. "What are you talking about, Konohamaru?" she asks. "I don't see anything different. He looks the same to me."
"Yeah, I know but…" Konohamaru starts. "
"So when are we going to do the interview, Naruto?" Udon asks once more.
"Hey you guys, give Naruto a break, okay." I say to Konohamaru, Moegi and Udon. The three just turn to look at me. "There's a lot going on at the moment. But don't worry, it's not anything you three have to worry about."
With that, Shikamaru, Ino and Chouji turn around and proceed to head back into the village with Sakura, Kakashi and I following behind them. Glancing over my shoulder, I could see Konohamaru and his teammates were still standing in the entrance. Knowing them, they'll probably still try to get Naruto to do an interview. Shrugging my shoulders, I turn back around and proceeded forward.
When we arrived at the meeting point, we found Shikamaru, Ino and Chouji along with Team Gai and Team Kurenai gathered in the small area.
"Sasuke did that?" Shikamaru asks.
"That's… unbelievable." Comments Shino.
"That's why I want you guys to let me handle Sasuke." Naruto tells them.
That comment causes Tenten to slam her fist against the stack of wood behind her, "You want to fight Sasuke alone?" She asks. "Do you honestly think we will all go along with something like that?"
"Like Tenten says, Naruto. We can't always let you do what you want all by yourself." Shino tells him. "The reason is because this is a big problem for the whole village."
"Look! I'm not being selfish." Naruto states back.
"I know you swore you'll go into full details when we got back, but…" Kiba says, catching Naruto's attention. "I never thought you would say this. All of us here have made up our minds to eliminate Sasuke. You can't do this alone!"
"Listen, Naruto. I hope you're not just saying you're going to take down Sasuke when you're actually planning to protect him." Shikamaru tells him.
"I'm not." Naruto replies back in a firm tone. "Trust me, I have no intention of protecting Sasuke."
Looking out the corner of my eye, I spotted Sakura looking down towards the ground. I could tell that what happened between Naruto and Sasuke, as well as what was said between the two, was still bothering her. I could easily see that she was worried. However, I couldn't determine if she was worried about the outcome of the battle or… whether or not Naruto will actually kill Sasuke. Something she herself couldn't accomplish.
"Sasuke must've been greatly weakened by fighting at the Five Kage Summit against Danzō." Neji points out. "Why not take him down right then?"
"Madara Uchiha was there." Sakura pipes up. "So it wouldn't have gone that easily if we tried. And besides…"
"That's no excuse." Kiba states, interrupting Sakura. "You shouldn't have let him get away like that. Come on, Naruto. You're strong, aren't you? You're the village hero who took down Pein, remember?"
"Hero?" Naruto questions.
"Yeah! You could have taken Sasuke down like you did with Pein." Kiba explains.
"That's not true." Naruto tells him.
"Why?!" Kiba snaps.
"Kiba! Calm down, would ya." I snap back. "Your yelling is not making anything better. Plus, it's starting to get on my nerves."
"You can't beat Sasuke just by being strong." Naruto tells him. "Cause now I know.. Inside of him is…"
"What is it, Naruto?" Chouji asks. "What did you find out?"
"No one should take on Sasuke. Not with the way he is now." Naruto continues.
"Just what do you mean?" Neji asks.
"That I'm the only one who can fight him." Naruto answers. "And that's all I can say."
"Yeah. Great. Thanks. That tells us nothing." Tenten quickly states.
"You have to explain." Neji states in a stern tone. "What happened?"
"I'll tell you everything when I can, I promise." Naruto tells them.
"There you go again. Giving us the runaround, damn it." Kiba growls.
"Well. Just leave all of this to me." Naruto adds as he places his hands behind his head. "Trust me guys."
"Hey! Just wait a minute. You can't just leave." Kiba quickly exclaims.
With that, Neji and Shikamaru start to call out to him, but their calls just fall upon deaf ears. Seeing that the meeting was over, I silently proceed to leave as well. Seconds later, Sakura turns to leave with me and the two of us quicken our pace to catch up with Naruto.
"Look, I don't think anyone is going to be satisfied with the way things stand now." Sakura says, breaking the temporary silence between the three of us.
"What does that mean?" Naruto asks.
"I'm talking about Sasuke." She explains.
"Of course not, but what did you expect to happen?" I ask her. "Things have been tense ever since Pein's invasion. And when we learned of Sasuke joining the Akatsuki, things have just gotten worse."
"Are you satisfied with the way things stand, Sakura?" Naruto asks her.
"I don't know." She answers. "But I believe you must have a plan. So… I'm putting my faith in you."
While walking down one of the many roads, I find myself stopping when something catches my interest. As a result, Naruto accidently bumps into me and Sakura ended up bumping into him. Looking ahead, the three of us find Kakashi and Gai Sensei running along the newly built rooftops. And from the looks of things, it appears that the two were racing each other. In other words, they were currently competing against one another in one of their silly challenges.
"Is that Kakashi sensei and Gai sensei?" Sakura asks.
"Whoa. No way." Naruto gasps.
"Hmm, it looks like those two are at it again." I mutter as I allow a small smirk to appear on my face. Folding my hands behind my head, I proceed to move forward. "Let's just keep moving and leave them to their little challenge, okay."
"Huh? Wait a minute, Kazumi. Aren't you going to stop them?" Sakura asks.
Stopping myself, I glance over my shoulder to look towards her and Naruto, "Mm, Nah. This time around, I'm just going to go about my own business." I tell her. "Besides, if Kakashi is to become the new Hokage, he won't have time for any of Gai sensei's silly challenges. So instead of me interrupting them, I'll just let them enjoy it while it lasts."
"Yeah, you do have a point there." Sakura tells me. "Well, I'll catch you two later then. I'm going to go see how Lady Tsunade is doing." With that, Sakura walks off, heading in the opposite direction.
"Okay, see ya." Naruto yells.
"See ya." I yell as well. I soon turn towards Naruto. "Let me guess. Next stop, Ichiraku, right?" I ask, knowing full well what his answer will be.
"Heh, you know it." Naruto says in an excited tone. "Come on, let's get going. First rounds on me, alright." He says.
"In order words, nearly every single bowl besides two, right?" I ask jokingly. "What the heck. Why not." I tell him. "Afterwards, we should go join the others and help out with the reconstruction. The village may be retaking its shape, but there's still a lot to do."
"Yeah, you're right." Naruto states. "Then let's get going. The sooner we get to Ichiraku, the sooner we can go help out."
"Are you just saying that just so you can get to your ramen faster? Or is it that you really want to help the others out?" I ask as I look at him with a raised eyebrow. "Well?"
"Uh, both, actually." He answers.
"Hmm, alright. Then let's go." I say as I move forward.
"Heh, I'm right behind you." Naruto says as he rushes to catch up with me. "Ramen. Ramen." Naruto sings as he walks beside me. "Oh boy, I can't wait."
"Heh, you're still a silly little knucklehead, Naruto." I say quietly to myself. Since Naruto was too busy singing the little ramen song he'd just made up, he didn't hear me, which causes me to laugh a little harder.
There we go. Don't forget to review and tell me what you think. Thanks again. Ja ne.
Kazumi.
