Afterwards, the area was burned and the Sound Four was blown; without a doubt, their ashes were regenerating them. She hasn't forgotten, yet she can continue fighting them more. Before she could, she felt someone else was coming to her. As she reacted, a kunai was thrown at her which missed her.
"Time's up, Sakura." Kabuto chuckled as he approached her, "I suppose you haven't forgotten." He enhanced chakra into his hands and created chakra scalpel. His snake mowed around behind and stopped beside him, eyeing her with a hiss.
She pretty knew what he was referring. Indeed, it was what they agreed earlier. She glared daggers with a smirk, "Hai, I haven't." she also did the same technique. Increasing at its maximum level as an expectation for the belly snake. "Let's do this!"
Chapter 25: The Wait is Over part 2
"No more tricks from your little pawns," Sakura told him. The Sound Four had their bodies completely regenerated and growled when they heard her call them 'pawns'. "If they interfere again, I can take five enemies against me."
Kabuto chuckled with tongue licking out, "Hanzo really taught you not to fear against large number against one."
She laughed back, "Oh, my father taught me a lot. If he had more to teach me, I would gladly learn them all." She respected her father's teachings before she entered the academy. If she had her parents with her a little longer, she would happily learn more of their lessons and remember them all.
"Sodesuka?" he sneered. "We shall see now!" he raced toward her as she ran toward him at the same second. He thrusted his right hand to pierce her and the snake snarled its fangs out to bite her.
Luckily, she blocked them both. She clashed his chakra blade, and she had the snake to bite her chakra blade instead. She spread her chakra into the belly snake to numb it which gave Kabuto sensitivity. It also affected his mobility.
The effect was temporary, so it gave her a little time. She swung three punches at his face sideways and climbed on top of him. When she reached above, she kicked him on the back of the head. He dropped forward.
He growled angrily, feeling his mobility return a little. He quickly kneeled and threw back a kunai at her. She twirled moving rightward and watched him get on his feet. They both sprinted toward each other.
As he was about to thrust his chakra blade at close range, she sprung and threw him a series of multiple kicks at front. He stumbled backwards by her kicks. She jumped with a backflip and sprinted toward him. He ignored the pain on his face and hurried back.
This time, they clashed blades. They swung slices and collided kicks, even pushing back and forth. He moved sloppy like a snake, avoiding her attacks, and thrusted to pierce her. She defended herself by moving back in a dance and used her cloaks as a shield. She waved the cloak around like a fan, confusing him.
He swung his right leg to kick her, and she followed with the same leg. He followed downward to take her down, but she jumped with her kick, avoiding it. Then the belly snake hissed to bite her, yet she evaded its attack by having it bite her chakra blade again.
He came close at her face and threw his chakra blade fast. She instantly threw a leg strike with her heel between his eyes which blinded him. She swung her right leg and struck the belly snake hard on the ground.
She kicked him thrice at the front after leaping up at his face. She then hurried shortened her right chakra blade and punched him in the gut. She sent him away, crashing into a rock crater on the way.
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She took a moment to breathe from fighting a small but long fight. That was a direct hit for now, she waited for the impact. I can't take my eyes off, by any case.
She recalled earlier when she and the Uchiha brothers fought and defeated the Sound Four. Before they could seal them, the Sound Four plotted a plan to summon a trapping jutsu. For that cause, she was assuming that Kabuto might do the same. She must take every precaution at any moment of a trap.
(~~~~~~)
Hanzo was mesmerized of his daughter's talented taijutsu, My little blossom, you trained yourself well without your mother and I around. In addition, Suki thought that her daughter's chakra control was magnificent. They both never doubted that she would learn something new herself, and they couldn't have been prouder of their grown girl.
In comparison, Takahiro and Yumiko inspected their granddaughter's movements hold such perfect enhancement. Step by step, she moved with great speed while keeping the sharpness in her eyes. Our granddaughter, she's a natural… they thought her as a graceful yet fierce fighter than themselves and Hanzo.
Furthermore, Fugaku was indeed captivated by her formidable skills; he held a strong consideration of her being in the Uchiha. Also, Mikoto believed that Sakura was a far better kunoichi than she was. They were indeed elated with the whole progress Hanzo devoted himself for his daughter's future, Hanzo, you were a great man for a father and a mentor to your only child.
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Daisuke and Kai watched every movements of her taijutsu, growing drawn with her fast kicks. Daisuke grew interested to learn the techniques his maternal grandfather taught his mother. He and Kai would want her to teach him the same.
In comparison, Shina and Hana were enchanted by her defense in dance mode. They noticed how she danced around with her cloak while evading offensive strikes. Her dance moves confused her opponent from knowing where she was moving. Thus, they both wanted to learn her dancing taijutsu.
(~~~~~~)
While the Sound Four was standing by, Sakon was waiting for orders from Kabuto. On the other hand, Kidomaru was growing restless with bloodthirst. He chose not to wait any longer. He instantly created his bow and arrow, aiming at her.
The rest noticed him. "Oi!" Sakon cried. "Nanishiteruno?"
"I'm not waiting anymore." Kidomaru answered, "I'm killing that girl instead!"
"We haven't got any orders yet!" Sakon tried to stop him, "We have to wait it out!" but Kidomaru didn't wait any longer. He was about to fire his arrow, but suddenly a blue lightning flashed and destroyed his bow and arrow.
"I knew you would do that again," Sasuke made the chidori spear. The lightning jutsu was enhancing along with his sword. "I'm not standing by and watch you attack my wife," he glared his sharingan at the Sound Four.
"I see your frustration levelled." Itachi came in, "I won't mind fighting you again." He activated his Mangekyou Sharingan, ready to fight. I'm always here to protect you, imoto.
Hanzo and Takahiro also approached beside him, with their swords. "Any of you make one attempt on my daughter," he warned fiercely, "I'll make sure to take you down and seal you away."
"Well said, Hanzo-san." Naruto joined with him. "Sakura-chan has fought a lot for all of us. Her Ninja Way showed a great example to all shinobi. She never let it go to waste." He and Sakura were always a tag team and shared the same priority.
"You're not leaving without us, Naruto?" Suigetsu came with his big blade. Even Jugo followed him. Naruto gave a small laugh, without saying anything.
"Don't be such a drag, Naruto," Shikamaru also joined, "for not including us." He came along with Choji, Kiba, and Neji. They even had their family joining in.
"You could still need some more help from your old teachers," Kakashi-sensei said. He and Yamato-taichou joined to fight against the Sound Four. Gai-sensei and the kages also came, ready for some takedown.
"Yosh!" Rock Lee cheered with some free punches. "Let's fight and protect Sakura-chan." The Alliance also cheered along with the same spirit.
"You got it, tou-chan!" Jai Lee rallied out. All his friends nodded while joining, but they didn't give out a cheer.
The Uchiha twins went close to their grandfather and gave him a nod with a serious smirk. "Hmm…" Hanzo smiled proudly. He was happy to have all his friends together, all protecting Sakura.
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"Help from friends, Hanzo?" Sakon said, "You can't run away from your past with the Sound. Orochimaru-sama never forgot your faithful loyalty to him. He would have welcomed you back, even by force."
"Eh! I was completely aware that he hadn't forgotten about me," Hanzo glared. "Even if he welcomed me back, he would kill me on the spot and take control of my body." He never forgot the obsession Orochimaru had for immortality.
"Precisely, Hanzo." Sakon chuckled with a sneer, "Your daughter is the final chosen for Orochimaru-sama. Your treason to the Sound was punishable by death long ago. Rather than planning on killing you, Orochimaru-sama decided whether Sasuke or your daughter would take your place instead."
Hanzo bit his lower lip to numb his anger, Like I would let that happen to them.
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Sasuke glimpsed at Hanzo for a short moment. He noticed the look his godfather had in his face, and his eyes carried the regret for the things he done in the past. He indirectly admitted himself that he and his godfather were very much the same, from what they lost in childhood and done to suppress their pain. Then they both ran away after acquiring the power they yearned for their own purpose.
Their past shouldn't matter anymore. They both put their old mistakes behind and looked ahead into their lives. He smiled that his godfather had a happy life with his own family; similarly, he had his own family with Sakura, along with Itachi. Sakura was his reason he changed his old ways, like his godmother changed his godfather.
Like his godfather, he won't allow Kabuto and Madara to destroy her life. Her life was as much as his, his brother's and his children's life. He won't allow any more suffering to occur in his family again.
"Godpa, we're with you all the way," he told his godfather.
Hanzo nearly jumped after hearing Sasuke called him 'godpa' for the very first time. He glanced at him and found both his godsons with a serious smirk. They were indirectly telling him, We'll protect her. He nearly wanted to cry, but instead he gave a nod.
Fugaku even approached beside him, placing a hand on his left shoulder. Hanzo glanced at his friend, who had a smiling grin, and he smiled back.
(~~~~~~)
Sakura sensed Kidomaru's attempt to attack her, yet she didn't look away from Kabuto. Then, she heard her husband stopping him. She was relieved that she was saved this time by her friends. They always have her back.
"Although…" she heard Kabuto, "I admire your exquisite power." He stood up from the craters, but he grew a mad grin, "I believe that I have to uneven the numbers."
"Uneven the numbers?" She raised an eyebrow, "Like you already just did earlier—one against one and a half." She sarcastically implied that she herself versus him and his belly pet.
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Suigetsu heard what she said and stifled another laugh. "HAHAHAHAHA!" he uttered, "Sakura-chan, you—AHAHAHA! You really are the best, funniest friend I ever had." He really loved her sense of humor.
"Arigatou, Sui," she thanked him. Although she has a sense of humor, she only used it against enemies. It diminished their pride into raging grudge. It worked many times.
.
That ticked him off even more. Her mockery was really infuriating him, for that he bit his thumb and pressed it on his left palm. "Summoning Jutsu!" she heard him. He summoned a giant snake. She instantly noticed it differently.
It had four sets of claws along its length, a cobra-like hood, and a rattlesnake's tail. Its teeth took on the form of a venomous snake's fangs, resembling those of a cobra. It lastly had purple scaled skin, with green eyes and dark markings over.
The Allied Force noticed on its appearance, and it appeared to be a dangerous and lethal reptile. They all never seen another kind of breed from any snake for having four legs.
"What kind of snake is that?" a Konohagakure chuunin exclaimed. He was afraid by the snake's deadly glare. Not him, the rest were.
(~~~~~~)
"What the?" Sasuke immediately sensed its power. It was nearly identical to Orochimaru's serpent. He predicted that Kabuto created a stronger and faster version of Orochimaru's snake, Manda. Yet, he did notice the outer appearance was incomparable from Manda.
Furthermore, it had four horn-like appendages on its head and black rings running down its body. He spotted its face having a mixture of features from many types of snakes and…dragons. Something clicked in him with suspicions.
He bit his lower lip, Kabuto must have been there. He assumed that Kabuto was shadowing Sakura by sending out numerous of little white snakes. Kabuto mentioned before that he was also spying on Hanzo and then switched to her. He must have watched everything in her whole life, including her long battle against Madara. He witnessed every event of her awaken power, so he did new experiments to create his new weapon.
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"There it is," Sakon said. "The new creation of Orochimaru-sama." The Sound Four grinned with amusement for assuming that their target will struggle fighting against it. Therefore, the summoning snake was overall differently from Orochimaru's original snake.
(~~~~~~)
She stared up at the giant snake for a moment, and it appeared to her that it was a mutated serpent. "Another experiment of yours?" she asked with a shrug. "Why am I not surprised?"
Kabuto nearly made a smug face, "Heh, nothing can scare you anymore?" She bluffed his words back to him. All her antics were wearing his patience away from her indifference. Nothing can bring her submission to him.
"You really tried my patience, Haruno." He growled angrily. He had enough of her. "I'll just take you by force instead!"
"I'll like to see you try," she gave a smug at him, "but I'm afraid you will fail again!" She dashed forward, and the snake moved fast its legs toward her.
It made the first attack to throw its claws at her, but she sprung upward and swung a spinning kick at its face. She kicked it hard with her usual strength. He nearly stumbled and stayed firmly on his feet.
"You don't move fast enough," she spouted, "but you can try to catch up." He growled angrily, allowing the snake to land a quick hit on her…if it could catch her.
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Hanzo glared at the creature his daughter must fight, yet he pushed the worries aside. He didn't forget the other problem. He turned to the Sound Four, "Oi! Let us hurry and end this fight."
Sasuke looked away and activated his sharingan, glaring at the Sound. "Hai, ikuso!" he and the rest charged toward the Sound Four. The Sound Four also sprung forward and reactivated their Second Level.
.
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(~~~~~~)
The Alliance battled against the Sound Four like forever. Shikamaru informed the allies about the abilities of the Sound, which they all took seriously, and they all fought long. The Sound Four did not waste on playing another game with them, so they all fought brutally.
Most allies got injured by the Sound Four's hard power. They have developed a few broken bones and bruises; fortunately, there were no fatalities. Another, the sealing team was away from the battle, with patience while waiting for a signal.
The kages fought tremendously with their strengths and abilities, yet the Sound Four tackled them back with the matching power of the Curse Mark.
Konoha Team fought bravely but differently from those who previously fought them. They acted and thought strategically on hindering them. The chuunins fought carefully without a scratch, but they battled as a distraction for the experts will approach.
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Sakura tried to tackle Kabuto by sliding around the snake with avoidance. However, the creature was fighting dominantly against her; it seemed that it was very obedient and loyal to his master. It was protecting him. Such a created breed looked up to its creator, as his god or savior.
She swung three punches at its nose and threw an uppercut with fire. Its head swung upward but pushed down, striking her with force. She flew backward, so it moved fast with its mouth open to grab her. She twirled around with her right leg out, swinging a hard chakra kick. Hard enough to push it away from her.
That's far enough from here, she thought. I must take that thing down, but I can't do it alone. I'll need help from my one of best allies. She watched the snake regain its pose, so she had less time before the snake comes at her again.
She hurryingly bit her right thumb and pressed her hands together, facing downward. "Earth Style: Summoning Jutsu!" Green aura, power of the Earth Element, combined with her chakra and released from her palms. A loud smoke popped and created a quick gust, moving the allies and friends back.
It blew out so loud. A hard force pushed Kabuto and the four-legged snake back. Even an invisible swift swung a hit, throwing the Sound Four back to the Gedo Statue, which crush them hard. They even returned to their human self.
Later, the wind stopped, and the smoke cleared.
Everyone regained their composure themselves and looked up at Sakura's summoning creature. At first, they all thought it was Katsuyu; instead they all noticed it was another creature. They stared in awe; it was also a snake. A different species. It was a dark green viper snake.
"Huh?!" Ino was utterly lost that her best friend summoned and had another animal, other than Katsuyu. "A snake? Sakura, you have— How did you— Where did you get a snake?!" Everyone had the same questions.
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Sakura just stood there on the snake's head, with her eyes piercing at Kabuto silently. Everyone all stared the snake and quickly noticed that it was different. Another species Sasuke never seen, so it was not from the Ryuchi Cave. Where did she find a viper snake?
"Ojou-sama…" the snake spoke in a deep voice, "what are your orders for me?" Everyone all next heard its voice and realized that it was a female snake. They wondered where and how Sakura get her female serpent for the summoning.
"Naoki," she replied, "I need you to be my aide fighting against that." The snake eyed ahead and saw the two enemies. It noticed the serpent's master appear as a strange human hybrid, and it sensed something unusual from the serpent.
"My senses are picking nothing out of the ordinary from those two." Naoki commented, "This creature looks far different from all kind I've known, and his master appears to be nonhuman."
"Precisely," Sakura replied, "that man was Orochimaru's loyal dog, and the creature is a creation—a clone of Orochimaru's summoning snake."
"Sodesuka…" Naoki understood, "that snake rogue from the Sound. I heard about them years ago that they both died." Indeed, she had her ways, more like a hobby, collecting updates, such as whereabouts and secretive information about various rogues. She last heard the deaths of both Orochimaru and Manda by her mistress' lover (literally, she meant Sasuke).
"The real reason why I called you here was for your help." Sakura explained the situation, "He attacked the village for a purpose. He came to capture me and Naruto."
Naoki was outraged after finding out the reason, "Nande?" Her mistress was marked as a pinpoint object. She realized that the snakeman's servant has come to finish what his master left behind. Capturing her mistress was the servant's current mission for his late master's completion.
Therefore, she agreed to assist. "Very well," she spoke her answer. "I give my word, ojou-sama, with great honesty. I shall protect you with my life."
"Arigatou, Naoki," Sakura thanked her wholeheartedly. I thank you for your kindness, but I will not let you die. She was aware that all her friends were trying to protect, yet she appreciated for their protection.
She turned serious in her face. Therefore, she refused to see or let anyone die for her safety. I swear I will protect them, she clutched a fist. As much they want to protect me, I will protect them.
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"Your creature is indeed intriguing," Kabuto gave a comment. "A remarkable species that is not from the Ryuchi Cave, yet you've found yourself a viper somewhere in the wild. One of the rarest serpents with its lethal poison."
Naoki didn't take his words to any appreciation; instead, she found it more as an insult. She replied with a hissing growl.
"She is more than a viper," Sakura said. "She is one of my well trusted allies, and she can do much more than any ordinary snake can do. Your copied pet, I would dare say, is quite a relief that it is on the same level as her."
"Huh?" Kabuto was confused at first, but he quickly brushed it off. He assumed that she was trying to make him let his guard down. "Whatever trick you're planning to pull from your sleeve, I am not going to fall one of them!" Right away, the four-legged snake engaged to attack.
"Ike, Naoki!" She instantly gave out her first order, so Naoki obediently followed. She roared with her fangs out as she slithered forward. Sakura pulled out her two sai blades, enhancing chakra blade within.
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As the two snakes slithered forward with such speed, the four-legged snake made the first attempt to attack. It thrusted its head forward to bite the viper. Kabuto made its venom very lethal so that no animal can survive long after getting bitten. Until something happened, nothing out of the ordinary nobody ever seen.
Naoki countered it with unique defense. She first got close, and then she punched it with her tail. The four-legged snake was thrown back hard at meters far from them. She kept her eyes at the predator.
"Nice one, Naoki," Sakura commented, and Naoki hummed with gratitude. Like Sakura mentioned earlier, Naoki can do much more than any ordinary snake can do. Naoki was a trained snake that can fight other than defending her master.
Everyone couldn't believe what they witnessed with their own eyes. They all thought that the snake will fight with bites and restrain. A snake, Sakura's snake, can actually fight.
Naoki distracted it plainly by face-to-face as she lifted her tail behind. That was when she made her move. She pretty much had the same mind with similar strategies like Sakura. What a partnership they shared.
Sakura and Naoki kept their stance to fight more. The four-legged snake regained its stand and sprinted back after them. Naoki also sprung toward the snake. Kabuto summoned Multiple Striking Shadow Snakes, swarm of big snakes appeared in an instant behind his back. Each snake individually spread out doing something like intimidating or diverting in a cooperative attack.
Sakura tracked the snakes' movements. She sensed some spread out sideways, coming around to entangle Naoki. Although she had another coming at front, she strategized a plan to hinder them all. Her usual strategy was discretion. Hmph, that always works.
So, she kept her eyes forward and swung his sai blades both sideways, sending a chakra slash. It cut the army snakes' frontline, giving a clear path for Naoki. The four-legged snake tried again to slash and throw a poisonous bite, yet Naoki skillfully missed them all by slithering on one side to another. She would deliver another tail-punch each time.
Sakura sensed the hidden snake coming close at any rate. She must hurry to improvise before they touch Naoki. While Naoki was still fighting and Sakura eyed straight, the snakes came out of hiding. That's time, it was at perfect moment.
"Naoki, move back!"Naoki followed, springing backwards. Sakura quickly did earth justu, "Earth Style: Mud Pierce!" The mud from underground shaped into sharp spikes and fired out at the army snakes. Some got impaled, and some got hit and thrown into the air.
She sprung forward from Naoki's head, crossing her blades. "Geisha Sword Style: Thousand Sword Blades!" she uncrossed her blades both sideways, sending numerous chakra slices, and all the snakes got slit. Afterwards, she gave the four-legged snake an upper kick under its nostril. She flew backwards gracefully and landed back on Naoki's head.
The four-legged snake growled angrily and went back after them. Naoki also sprinted forward but acted differently. The snake first thrusted to bite her quickly, yet she avoided but slithered in circle around its body. She went faster, travelling behind it.
"Nani?" Kabuto hardly noticed them going around. Naoki skipped him without a glace. As he turned around, his snake followed around. They both didn't see them there.
Sakura called to them, "Oi, right here!" They heard her behind again. The snake acted quick by turning its head around with its fangs out. Sakura jumped off to the left, so Naoki sprung into the air and rolled a swing with her tail, giving an uppercut smack. The snake's head threw back. Kabuto lost his foot and flew off from its head.
Sakura next threw her sai blades up. She clasped both hands with two fingers, performing a jutsu, and made Naoki infused clones from her body. Four clones firmly grasped all the four-legged snake's legs, and two more gripped the middle body. The last clone wrapped a choke hold around the neck with its tail.
After the bindings, the sai blades combined and turned into a katana. Sakura caught it in her right hand and sprung above the snake. She grasped the sword with both hands upward, dropping downward, and beheaded the snake.
Naoki landed back with a slide, even catching her mistress on her head. "Ojou-sama!" she called out. Sakura reassured, "Daijoubu! We got it!" They stared the headless snake and watched it wobble for a while, sputtering out blood. It limply dropped lifelessly, so all the clone snakes submerged into the earth.
(~~~~~~)
The Sound Four and Kabuto widened with stun for seeing the Clone of Manda defeated. They couldn't believe the piece of Orochimaru failed.
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"Sakura-chan…" Naruto was lost of words. Kakashi-sensei and Yamato-taichou were stunned from the unusual fights between two snakes.
"Sakura…" Sasuke was speechless. Itachi was touched by the teamwork his sister and her serpent displayed. The Uchiha children couldn't move their eyes away from everything they witnessed from their mother.
Everyone had never seen a fight with a person and a summoning animal battling together. That was a rare sight.
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"My little blossom…" Hanzo smiled. Well done. Then he moved his eyes to the sword and noticed something about it. "Eh? Chotto, that sword. That's…that's a daito sword."
"Daito?" Itachi asked. "Hanzo-san, doshitano? Is there something wrong?" Hanzo didn't reply, and he looked more at the sword.
Takahiro also examined the blade. He confirmed the question, "You're right. It's one of the longest blades to wield, and the thickness can cut through steel." He was confused on where his granddaughter wielded the sword from.
Yumiko also inspected the blade, and it was no mistake for clarifying accuracy. "Impossible," she said. "I'd never seen it, but I remember the legend said it was lost for thousands of years."
"The legend?!" Hanzo suddenly remembered the legend his father told him when he was young. He forgot all about it after his family and clan died. He never looked back, so his daughter knew nothing about it. It was all my fault for keeping so much from my own daughter, he trembled with his teeth gritting.
"A legend?" Sasuke raised an eyebrow in confusion. He turned to his godfather, "Godpa, what is the legend?" Hanzo glanced at him shortly and looked down with a shameful expression.
"Hanzo?" Fugaku intersected the comprehension. "Is there something bad about this legend? A bad sign connected to your clan?" Hanzo still didn't reply, clutching both fists with worry.
Suki grew puzzled about the 'legend'. She noticed her husband looking exasperated, possibly about his past. She decided to ask her in-laws instead, "Ano, can you tell us what this legend of the sword is about?"
"It's this legend that was long known about the origin of the Haruno." Takahiro shared, "Nobody outside the clan knew absolutely nothing about it. My father told the story to me and my brother every night."
"It happened a millennium ago, long before the Age of Shinobi occurred." He started, "Our two ancestors became one after having their firstborn which started the Haruno Clan. They eventually had six more heirs to grow the clan's lineage. The first heir wielded the daito sword and his chakra nature was lightning style. The others had their own weapons and inherited the six other natures. Time passed, together they all performed a ritual. Strange riddles for a start, and the beginning of the elements. The last six passed their chakra and weapons to their own children, but the first only passed his lightning chakra to his own. He hid his sword in an unmark burial, and he kept the secret to his death. No one ever knew where it was hidden for centuries."
"Could it be possible," Hanzo wondered, "Sakura solved the riddles to locate the sword?" He at times wondered what the puzzles to the riddles were, but he was unable to put the connection. He spent years struggling to solve it.
"I have no idea," Takahiro shrugged, "but it could be possible. We'll need to hear it from her." The Haruno family nodded with agreement. They were interested to know on how and what Sakura had been doing after her parents died.
(~~~~~~)
Sakura and Naoki stared at the lifeless mutant for a moment. It was a tough challenge to take down an experimented animal. They fought so hard with taijutsu, using defense and speed. Only that time with less chakra. Then Sakura hasn't forgotten about the Sound, and the fight wasn't over yet.
She turned facing them and eyed at Kabuto. Naoki also moved her head to him with vicious eyes, snarling her fangs out and wagging her tail. They watched him cautiously, without making a move. They both believed that he must have made a hidden plan.
He stood on foot, eyeing them blankly. They stared silently, only their eyes talking. Sakura and Naoki remained calm, without making a sudden move. Then, he finally spoke, "Impressive. Really, I'm impressed."
Sakura could predict that he was hiding something, yet she can't demand anything without proof. "That's so," she talked in the same meaning. "I must admit, your pet was quite a test subject. It was quite amusing." She swung her blade to the right, wiping blood off.
He laughed, "I'm touched by your words, Haruno." He stopped with an evil look on his face and said, "I'm afraid, the fight isn't over yet." Right after he talked, a crunchy noise was heard which the allies jilted.
"Nande?" Naruto asked. Everyone looked around to find what was breaking. It sounded close.
Sakura and Naoki didn't twitch by the sound but heard where it was coming from. They looked to the right and saw the snake's corpse moving. Everyone stayed watching with anticipation. The corpse stood up and the head grew back. It cried a hiss.
"It grew back its head," Karin said. She never seen an animal from experiment that would regenerate. She didn't avoid knowing the ability specialized from.
Sakura stared at the creature without surprise. She just gave a small grin with a shaking head, "Why am I not surprised? Why am I not at all?" She clearly recognized after foreseeing a familiarity.
"A mutant with a regenerative ability." She turned back to him and pointed a left finger at him, "You and that leech man are just overall the same. An obsession for immortality, to succeed own purpose. Oh, if I was mistaken on that point, it is to succeed your purpose or your master's?"
Her words made him drop the grin, but he kept it there as a fake. "Taunting me won't do you anything good," he said, trying to keep his pride. "You and your female pet can keep trying many times, but not one trick will work at any rate."
"Hmph, I'm completely aware of that," she replied. She next put on thinking face, "Let's see, what should I do next? Shall I scorch it to ashes…" she lit up a scorching flame on her left hand "or, I freeze it to death?" and clutched her hand with ice.
"What's your pick?" she asked him. He didn't give an answer which was what she expected from him. "Fine, that is how it's going to go."
Before she jumped down to fight, she uttered, "Naoki, by all means, you take care of that thing." She literally told her ally what she meant 'by all means'.
Naoki heard her mistress' words and instantly understood what she meant. She obeyed, "Hai, ojou-sama." With it, she mustn't let the creature come near to her mistress.
As Sakura jumped off Naoki's head, the four-legged snake indulged itself, yet Naoki intervened. She swung her tail to hit it back. She instantly sprung and grabbed it with a bite. She lastly dragged it into the earth and vanished afterwards.
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"Now I will say this once," Sakura continued, "rogues like you fail to seek perfection but only have desirable dreams. You just missed seeing the point—there is nothing interesting of being perfect."
He growled angrily, having enough of holding his frustration inside. "And I'll say this once, Haruno." He uttered, "I have everything under my control, but now your life is no exception!" He made up his mind. Instead of capturing her, he decided to kill her.
He remade his chakra blades and sprinted after her. She also ran toward him, with her sword in hand. Even the Sound Four raced forward for another battle against the target. Therefore, the allies followed to assist.
Before the allies could fight with her, he summoned another army of snakes from his mouth, Ten Thousand Snakes Wave. They were small this time instead of the giants. She hurried enhancing her chakra into the sword, ready to fight them off.
Instead, she found the snakes passing rather than attacking her. It was strange at first, but she brushed it off. She knew that her friends could fight them all off. She continued racing toward him.
Without looking back, the snakes rose, building a wall. So, no one would go through and help her. It was obvious that he personally wanted to fight her again.
(~~~~~~)
Hanzo saw the snakes and realized what that jutsu was. It wasn't good news. He hasn't forgotten the deadly jutsu Orochimaru possessed years ago. Each snake carried a blade hidden inside their body when they buried a victim in a wrap and kill them.
"Minna!" he cried out. "Attack all the snakes in every way you can. Don't let them get close and touch you." Everyone all heard him but wondered on the last part he said. He quickly created three clones running toward the crawling army, giving a demonstration.
Everyone all watched.
The first clone sprinted ahead and had a kunai in hand. It encountered and ran through, but a lot of snakes sprung and bound the clone down. Next, the second swung kunai around at the jumping snakes, but too many tied his arms and bite him with fangs on the neck. The last clone threw numerous shurikens, yet it couldn't get all of them. More kept coming and it kept on fighting back. Later, a serpent jumped high and fired a Kusanagi-like blade out of its mouth. The blade struck on the clone's forehead.
All the clones were defeated by purpose. The whole scene convinced them. They all witnessed what the snakes were capable of, so they must fight both defensively and offensively.
Everyone took out any weapon they could fight with. For a start, Hanzo, Sasuke, Itachi, Takahiro and Fugaku did handsigns and blew a big-sized Fireball Jutsu. The flaming ball burned a lot, yet many more were still alive and running.
Although, the allies sprinted to battle for more. Moreover, Gaara sent a giant wave of snake on both sides of the army snakes behind and grabbed almost a lot, drowning them into the ground. They clashed against the snakes.
(~~~~~~)
Kabuto and the Sound Four dashed side by side toward Sakura. Before they could clash, she first swung her sword a crisscross slash, from left and right. It sent powerful shockwaves at all directions. He easily avoided the waves by moving sloppy like a snake. The Sound Four jumped up, missing them.
In front of them, she appeared with a grin. "Gotcha!" she swung her left arm, sending a quick gust. She knocked them back and fired twelve senbons from her sleeve. She pinned both their hands and legs on a big, wide crater. She lastly shot two more needles from her mouth, and pierced Sakon's torso and Kidomaru's throat.
"Now, you can't move." She yelled out with demand, "You animals, stay there!" She turned back to Kabuto and clashed her sword against the belly snake. She kicked him down and dived after him.
.
"What the hell!" Tayuya exclaimed while struggling to get free. "What's up with these needles?" She couldn't pull the senbons off of her.
"Quit complaining!" Kidomaru sneered. He was also struggling, and he couldn't move his head. What was weird was that he couldn't use his chakra to make any more arrows.
Only Jirobo and Sakon remained quiet out of the two. They were only the calmest members of the Sound Four.
Jirobo felt his chakra restraint, and he couldn't use his strength to pull out the needles easily. The needles were thin, so they should be easy for him to pull off. However, they were stronger than him
In addition, Sakon observed the pierced needles on him and noticed chakra infused in them. "Sakon," Ukon called, "I'm afraid we can't detach ourselves. She trapped both our bodies with this needle though us."
"Hmm…" Sakon saw the point. She speared senbons infused with chakra which was impossible for them to get free. "You're right. I think that I fooled myself for underestimating the girl too much."
"I agree, but I hate to admit," Ukon commented, "this girl is a lot wiser than Orochimaru-sama and thinks quicker than Kabuto. She outsmarted us all." Sakon grudgingly agreed.
They all were trapped, so only she can release them. Although, they were sure that they will need to stay pinned for more than a while. However, for long Tayuya and Kidomaru could handle the wait.
.
Sakura chased after Kabuto, and they landed apart on ground. They shared piercing glance with a silent moment.
"Fake flattery from your mouth," she commented. "This sword was a gift from a wise friend; however, I'll make this first and last exception since I'm not fight against a giant animal." She implied that she was going to face small half-animal instead a giant mutant.
She waved her blade around and swung to the right, changing form. Swoosh! "I will use this one," she said, "fighting against an enemy." The daito changed into a samurai sword. The blade symbolized nobility and faith while battling in combat.
"Intriguing," he spoke in a strange, smooth tone. "You may have hindered the whole way." She kept her pose without changing expression, knowing that he was planning to drop her guard.
"I'm afraid, that needs to reserve," he clasped both hands with two fingers up. She watched him carefully to see what he was going to do. Then, five more snakes came out behind him, making more allies for him.
She noticed the snakes hissing and sniffing the atmosphere, like they were sensing what she was doing. They were reading her mind and smelling her emotions. Apparently, she predicted that that was a new technique he invented himself to grow smarter. He was planning to outsmart her, so she must become much smarter.
"You can't beat me by just being a snake expert," he said and expanded the snakes' size. They all grew thicker and larger. "This is my field. Nature is on my side." The snakes finally sprung toward her, and she jumped away. They went after her.
He acquired Orochimaru's power, she watched calmly his movements. He won't die easily. She decided to not attack him directly yet but play along with his intentions. The snakes crushed each pace while she was backing up. They moved fast and close enough to approach her, so she reacted in a swift.
The snakes dove to pierce her pinpoint, and a crash thundered. He waited for the impact, but he felt a tug. There he found four viper snakes grasping his snakes, thus she clasped her hands before she was hit. She instantly sprinted through, and the vipers pulled the snakes, dragging him closer.
She swung her sword forward but missed. He dissolved himself into snakes, Snake Clone Jutsu. Next, the snakes retracted from the vipers' grip and vanished away in ground. She left the vipers holding the snakes and stayed in place, tracking his whereabouts.
Suddenly, she caught something and sensed chakra in different places. He planted escape routes. "You molted to a getaway," she said, "like a swift teleportation. You took everything from your master, what a cheat."
"You underestimated me, Haruno." He said, "You think that you can see right through me and know what my plan is. Well, I was listed lower than Itachi on the danger scale in the Bingo Book. Of course, I'm nothing compared to Orochimaru-sama."
She stayed silent while searching for his hideaway with the earth. Many of the escape routes were hard to know which was the real one. It took her not too long to catch a tracking, so she threw her sword to the up left.
The sword hit a flesh sound, but she waited to hear more. Then, she heard a movement; it was a snake. It was a diversion, a distraction. She retrieved her sword back and looked again. He was toying with her this time. He was hiding somewhere.
"It's the ability to transform one's flesh into liquid," he added. She scanned around, but then she looked behind and noticed what he meant. The snakes were melting in liquefying dissolution. It replicated so similar, like Suigetsu's water form.
"To detach and separate using one's own life substance," he indicated. "That's why it looks like a shedding. I've researched and applied the Hozuki Clan's Flesh Transforming ability to this technique."
It confirmed her theory that he took Suigetsu's water transformation ability while her friend was with Orochimaru back then. "Indeed, it is," he spoke, "your friend, Suigetsu, who can transform from human to water, and back to human again." She tightened a grip on her sword with growing anger that the Sound snake was using her friend to steal his ability.
"Plus, I have the amazing ability to recuperate quickly." He added, "I admit it is a healing technique that I studied from the body of a woman…" She bit her lower lip and trembled angrily, knowing who her female friend he was talking about.
"You must be thinking about the last member and your friend," he carried on. She didn't talk back, but she knew who the last he was speaking about, Jugo… "You have judicious eyes since you met and later befriended them." She may recall the first day they met, and she had her suspicions but acted appropriately.
"In the Shinobi World, those without talent are nothing." He taunted, "but those who lack talent can just steal it from those who do." He was offending her, comparing her as from a genin to what she become now. She was growing furious at the passing second.
Then, a pop blasted a small and four snakes appeared. "The memento of Orchimaru-sama is something I cultivated myself at Ryuchi Cave," she watched the snakes hoisted like ropes. "Orochimaru-sama was not the only one to have reached it. I went there and trained under the guidance of the White Snake Sage." The snakes melted again.
"I was able to surpass Orochimaru-sama at long last." She finally heard enough but pinpoint his hideaway. She hurried throwing her sword to the northeast direction and hit a clashing noise. She waited for the impact and suddenly heard something else, a clicking tongue sound. She missed.
"My sensory ability is better than it used to be." She found him but his right arm out of a white snake's mouth. He said, "The members of Jugo's clan have always had special bodies that absorbed Nature Energy. That's the secret behind their rampage that causes them to become more wild and powerful, but Orochimaru-sama wasn't interested in Jugo's rampage so much as the origin of his clan's power."
"He finally found the source, the Ryuchi Cave," he told her, "Orochimaru-sama tried to acquire that power, but he didn't yet possess a body that could tolerate it." She listened to every word that could help her understand her friend.
"That's why…" he then crawled out of the snake's mouth, "he couldn't become the perfect Sage that I have become." He covered in slime. She noticed a change in him; he had two pairs of horns on the back of his head and large purple markings around his eyes.
She looked at his slight changed appearances. So, that's his new form, she glared. He's using Sage Mode power, like Naruto's Chakra Mode. "You changed yourself to look like your late master," she finally spoke. "You're just another disgusting snake, exactly like him."
"You ought to know better than that." He shared his reason, "Your battle against Madara, twenty years ago, was an inspiration to increase my Sage Mode power. You were a beautiful creature. I'm no longer a snake." She quickly realized what he changed his snake form into the snake's descendant form.
"Mochiron, Haruno." He stood up, "With my perfect Sage power, I've shed my snakeskin. I am now a dragon!" A swarm of energy flowed around his body, creating a strong and heavy gust. She only raised her blade up, ready for the long-waited battle to start.
.
"Sage Art: White Extreme Attack!" he did three handsigns and brille covered his eyes. He expelled a dragon-like entity from his mouth, carrying an orb in its left front claw. She instantly dropped her sword and did quick handsigns. As the dragon tightly coiled itself around the orb, it released both blinding light and deafening sound.
She stopped her hands and covered her ears. "Ah!" she screamed in agony. The noise was piercing her ears. She felt her bones being grated. It was a jutsu that uses light and sound to impair vision and hearing. It was also making the air to oscillate to paralyze her senses, freezing her movements.
She opened her eyes a little, only to see what was happening ahead. There she caught a silhouette running across the light beam. Kabuto! She watched, He's moving, and he's not affected by the sound and light. She wondered why.
A snake's cornea can block out the light and by turning my flesh into fluid. He ran past the light with ease, I can easily absorb the sound and vibration. The only one who can move freely under these conditions is me in Sage Mode.
He appeared racing in front of her. She was still holding her ears, and her eyes shut. Chikuso, this still hurts. She couldn't maintain herself on acting fast to escape or putting anything defensive around herself.
Now I can mark the legendary heroine with Orochimaru-sama's power, he grinned. Once I plant the Curse Mark on her, she'll submit well to its power. Or even better…become as my pawn. He opened his mouth widely to bite her neck.
Before he could sink his fangs into her neck, she disappeared into clouds. He stopped his pace in stun and wondered how she could move during the piercing sound. It was supposed to paralyze her mobility. The light was slowly diminishing.
Then she appeared in teleporting above and dived at him while spinning so fast. She struck him hard which knocked him. Afterwards, she twirled around in air and threw three sais in downward arc. He jumped back, avoiding them.
Above the wall of the army snakes, she opened her arms and waved her hands down slowly. In a strange way, the snakes reacted obediently, lowering the wall, and cleared way for her landing. He narrowed his suspicions that she can control his snakes, yet he didn't know what she did.
Next, he noticed behind her. The alliance also had their ears held, and they had something else on behind themselves. Earth-humanoid silhouettes! They covered each shinobi above and shielded from the blade-throwing snakes. She still protected them? he recalled earlier when she did handsigns before the orb burst the light and sound.
Kuso! He gritted his teeth, but she gave him a grin of content. Her hands were crossed gracefully, so she moved them in a circular. The snakes followed her movement, bonding and rising into the shape of a serpent. She stopped her wrists in front of her chest, and the serpent shape was made. She lastly thrusted her palms outward, so the snakes fired the blades out.
There were numerous blades firing out at him. In snake mode, he slithered thoroughly and avoided the blades. As he was evading, some knives pierced and some cut his skin. Meanwhile, the silhouettes detached from the allies and melted back into the earth. Everyone, still covering their ears, looked to watch.
After the blades hit the ground, she spread her arms open and stopped at both sides. "You survived, indeed," she said. Then, a violent vibration shook the snakes and she pushed them away, dropping lifelessly in smoke burn. She burned them dead.
Before he could answer, he suddenly felt a touch on his back. Then, hot smoke vibrated his body in burn and his internal organs were singed. Afterwards, the steam smoke ended, and he was pushed down in a lifeless death. "Don't you know this?" she hiddenly made a clone, hiding underground. "When there is smoke, there is fire."
He rose his upper body and opened his mouth widely. Two hands popped out and stretched his mouth even wider. "It seems you always hitched an escape," he came out in a new body without injuries. Of course, he cheated death. "You can sense my chakra?"
The light disappeared, even stopped the sound. Everyone uncovered their ears, and friends were relieved to see the snakes gone. However, they didn't understand how they survived when the piercing noise echoed. Moreover, they noticed the change of Kabuto's body form.
"You can't, can you?" he asked her. "Trying to trick me with your hidden lies? You only rely the elements to find me without using your chakra." The allies turned confused from what Kabuto was saying about Sakura's power.
"Hmm…" she hummed and removed her earplugs off. He saw his answer on how she was able to move during the light-sound. "I never said that, but you left some parts forgotten. Besides, all I know I am the prime target. I merely moved, before that light beam burst, to protect others, while you focus on your role."
"If a man as cautious and opportunistic as you want me," she pointed, "you are not bothered with other enemies here." He microscopically frowned that he missed for not considering the friends she was protecting.
"Your best chance to capture me is now," she said, "before anyone figures out your jutsu. After that, you could use me to manipulate my mind."
"What sets you apart from the Haruno Clan," he stated, "is that you actually have a Visual Prowess. You have the ability to peer into and read people's soul, and you use what you learned from those brothers (referring Sasuke and Itachi)."
"You are secretly good at deceiving friends with a mask." He lectured, "You died once in the first place that makes you a goddess of the dead. With your secret lies, you are just a dirty, lying ninja through and through! Just like your rogue brother!"
Sasuke was revolted from Kabuto's loud talk about his wife. He made a Chidori in his left hand and thrusted toward Kabuto. By surprise, she caught it before it could pass her. He jilted when his wife stopped his Chidori. He quickly cancelled the jutsu before it could hurt her.
She had her own lightning jutsu in her left hand which protected her from getting impaled. He sighed in relief that she shielded herself before touching it. My beloved thinks too fast, he made a small smile. She's alright, that's what matters.
"Like that, for example," Kabuto pointed, grinning. "You think you made a perfect life by doing that? Because you lied so much, they honestly know nothing about you."
She stayed silent for a moment, until she lifted waving a finger and made tongue-clicking sound. "You really have a big mouth for a guinea pig." She started, "You talk like you know me. My lies make me a dirty rogue, like my brother. Well, I can admit that, we both carry that in common. And that is what makes me happy."
He dropped the grin. He was expecting the reaction she would have; instead, he received was her being proud. Proud that she and Itachi went rogue?
"I know my brother went rogue by force after slaughtering his family, but he was protecting his good deeds the whole time." She explained, "For my part, I was going dark in my mind, slowly affecting my soul, and my heart was turning cold. The path I took was unescapable and led me to spill blood from real living." Everyone froze shock when they heard her confess killing real people.
"Other than the wrong, it taught me through," she admitted. "It led me to the new way to get stronger. Something clicked within me, telling me to go and to connect a sign. I learned so much for two years on my own, but I had help to extend my knowledge. I personally continued my training elsewhere after and while living my life."
"I recalled you saying Nature Energy is your ally now, while you are in Sage Mode." She continued, "That is undeniable. I will share this once, the power of the elements relatively has the same ability as Nature Energy. As it is clearly known, Nature Energy exists in the atmosphere and the earth. By gathering it in the surroundings and combining with own's chakra, a sage is able to enter Sage Mode and have better sensory skills." He started trembling in fury.
Hanzo grinned for remembering how intelligent his daughter always was in the Academy, and she excelled in many exams. He and Suki were always proud with her academic achievement. That part of her hasn't changed.
"For my part," she made a smirk, "the elements have connected with my chakra for twenty years. They not only exist in air and earth nor excel sensory, but also water, fire, lightning, light and dark. Everywhere is life and has memories. For a hint, the light comes with the sun as the dark with the moon. Without using sensory, the elements amplify intensity and I can blend in with them. That gives users such camouflage and bonds with a chosen animal. For each element, I bonded with chosen animals and received their training, learning their communication and philosophy."
.
"Chotto!" Naruto quickly realized. After her explanation, he caught the similarity based on training. It's almost identical with the Sage Mode training I did back in Mount Myōboku. He didn't expect that the elements had the same power level as Sage Mode.
The alliance finally understood the secret of her methods. The animals, her summoning animals, were her teachers, so they all taught her how to inhabit and expertise. It must have taken her years to advance their field, and they might have given difficult tasks.
However, Team Konoha recalled Sakura; she never gave up on mastering new training. In return, she taught others the same teaching. She wanted to help others and add security to all lives. She gave another role to the life of shinobi.
.
"So, technically we are in the same level." She lastly said, "You think you can provoke me, both physically and mentally? You say I was a beautiful dragon, an inspiration. Fake sweet words, that is just talk coming out of your mouth."
Kabuto was silent for a minute. "You're proud, you say?" he finally spoke with a glare. She grinned in response. "Very well. I'm fed up, wasting my breath on you, Haruno!" He reached his limit after using various strategies for his target to surround and to hinder with his strongest jutsu, yet she was able to break through with her new jutsus. She can speak his language in the same taunting voice. He anticipated too long.
She was pleased to hear that he will no longer use taunting. She refused to admit your emotions that was triggering her inside. Her past was a shadow, just like both her family's. Yet, she won't allow it to run her mind.
I must protect everyone, she thought. She held her sword in fighting pose, I must end this fight before it will turn worse.
(~~~~~~)
"No more talking!" he yelled. "Let's do this!" He dashed forward as she did the same while holding her sword. Before they clashed, the belly snake leaned toward her. She encountered it by turning her weapon into bao staff and throwing it above the animal's head. He sprung to thrust his chakra blade forward.
So, she avoided it by jumping and twirling sideward. She flew above him and caught her staff. After she landed behind him, before he could turn, she slammed her staff in his groin. She pulled it out and smashed it at his back, cracking his bones. The allies (men) tensed for watching the sensitive spot where they would groan in pain.
Next, the belly snake swooshed behind and snarled its fang. She defensively spun her staff around while hitting the snake from biting her. He then regained himself and turned back with both chakra blade. She rose her staff that hit him under the chin and twirled around to throw a kick at his chest.
Avoid falling back, he also twirled around and threw back an upper kick. She was thrown back into the air; before she could crash land, she saved her landing with her hands and pushed herself back up into the air. She arced through and kicked him back.
He twirled backward to regain his feet and sprinted back. They threw punches and kicks, which they encountered and avoided much, and the belly snake got hit a lot for trying to bite her. They went on for a long while, trying to hit a vital point. We fought incredibly with similar tactics, and every move backfired.
I have to end this! She thought, feeling her energy draining. She used everything she knew, but he got through it. While she was plotting, she suddenly remembered her other weapon tactic. That could work, so she leaned back, avoiding his chakra slash.
While moving back, her long hair waved up forward, which blinded him, and she threw an upper kick under his chin. His head tilted, and she flipped backward. She next flicked her finger, throwing green dust at the belly snake, and blinded its eyes. She went back and spun around with her hair waving around, throwing twirling punches on his face.
Before finishing, she swung her right arm rightward and left frontward, throwing green dust. She blinded his eyes, and she kicked him twice with a front cartwheel. Standing on her hands, she then performed a leg grab on his neck and snapped it. She inverted bicycle kicks and leg bound him by the neck, dragging downward and slamming his head hard.
Afterwards, she leaped away and turned behind to see. He was down, for she cracked his neck and skull hard. With patience, she waited to see if he was going to shed his skin again. As expected, he reacted fast, shedding his skin, and appeared with a serpentine body with seemingly smaller limbs. She, and the allies, was confounded by his new transformation. He widely opened his mouth and dived capturing her.
"Kaasan!" Daisuke screamed in shock. The whole time he feared his mother getting captured by the snake man appeared at his sight. He wanted to go fight that rogue and save his mother, yet he knew if he could, he'll only endanger her life more.
After Kabuto shut his mouth, before he could slither, he heard "You really thought you got me?" and halted his pace. He looked behind and there she stood, free and unharmed. Not only him, everyone else was shocked.
"This is another ability of the Light Element," she told him. "It puts a forcefield around my body, and it causes projectiles to go through. I say, you are the first to test it." She instantly struck her staff at his face and spun it in a helicopter-like fashion, striking him multiple times. She ended with hitting her staff under his chin.
He changed appearance again, this time with his upper human body but a snake for a tail. He flew slithering forward, and she threw an upward thrust with her right heel, standing on staff. She hit him under chin again, and she smashed her staff at his chest, grabbing him. She slammed him behind her, back and forth.
After slamming him, she grabbed his tailed snake and pulled him back. His upper body flew over, coming forward, and she slammed her forehead to his. He wobbled to get his tail free, but she kept a firm grip. He lifted himself up and threw fist punches back. She missed most of his hits but kept holding and twirled his tail to block his fist.
She turned around and lifted her left leg, throwing a kick backwards. She hit his side and threw another kick in reverse. She next used both hands, grasping the tailed snake, and pulled him back. As he was dragged back, she gave him a last punch at the face and threw his tailed snake back. It wrapped around his torso, and she threw three twirling kicks at his chest with strong force.
(~~~~~~)
It was obvious to everyone that the fight wasn't over yet. Sakura may have beaten Kabuto down again, but they knew he most likely will throw another surprised attack. Not for long, as expected, he moved and did a snake jutsu.
Snake User Jutsu! He opened his mouth widely and let out a giant snake, slithering its way past her and towards the allies. She watched the snake come out and found him gone. She turned back and saw it ramming them. Some allies got pushed and whacked by its giant tail.
Before she could go after it, suddenly snakes appeared below her. They all elevated and he (back in his Sage Mode form) appeared in front before her eyes. He immediately attacked her with hard punches on her face and kicked her front. Even the belly snake attacked at front with hard strikes, leaving her bruised.
That was his payback to her. She hit him hard earlier, so he returned it back the same.
"Ugh!" She got kicked up high. Instantly, he took his very chance by that second. He stretched his neck and wrapped between her legs and around her body, binding her tightly. He briskly opened his mouth and his fangs grew out long. He bit her neck.
"Ah!" she gasped with wide eyes. She immediately felt her entire body immobilized, and inside her bloodstream started to feel hot. She could not move a muscle. It was just like what Kabuto said before (Chap 22).
The most effect was a dark power clouding her mind, with dark thoughts. Her pupils constricted with blurry vision. She felt her breath choking for that she couldn't speak by the pain.
.
Everyone heard the tension and quickly turned. They all widened for seeing the horrific scene and knew at that moment the snake was a distraction. Ino screamed with horror for seeing her best friend get bitten.
Daisuke and Shina were stunned with shock to see a horrible scene happening to their mother, "Kaasan!" Ryosuke grew tears to see the scary man biting his mother, and he couldn't look away.
"Ryosuke, don't look!" Mikoto covered his eyes. Although he seen it, he screamed so loud like he woke up from a nightmare.
"Sakura!" Sasuke cried out. His worst fear came to reality, but he couldn't look away from the mental torture his wife was put into. It was like before, that day when Orochimaru gave him the Curse Mark during the chuunin exam.
Flashback (Naruto S2E4):
When Team 7 were in the Forest of Death for the chuunin exam, they had the Earth Scroll and encountered an enemy with. It was a strange woman who had an abnormal ability in her body like a snake. She wasn't only odd but powerful. Team 7 struggled heavily in battling her, and the snake lady thrashed them with fear of death. A genjutsu. Sasuke was able to break out by pain, but they were not be able to keep up.
Eventually, Naruto arrived to save them. They fought on, yet the woman was unbeatable. Sasuke felt outwit by her power, so he decided to surrender. However, Naruto refused to quit. The teammates had a quarrel to their difference, but Naruto took Sasuke as a fake. He uttered out, when Sasuke admit defeat and turned into a coward, which left Sasuke speechless.
The snake lady quoted Naruto correctly about Sasuke, so he went alone fighting against her. She summoned an enormous serpent. The snake sprung against him, with the woman watching. Snakes challenged their prey, until their state weakened. It threw him up and knocked him at a tree branch. He was out and fell toward the snake.
Sakura and Sasuke watched the whole thing but stayed in place. While Naruto was falling, his eyes opened in red. Before the snake could eat, Naruto threw a kick with such strength on its nose which stunned the woman. He threw more punches which Team 7 was also stunned by his power.
The snake lady blew fire from her hand and burned him. She was somewhat impressed by his performance and power, but she changed to Sasuke. She moved the snake toward him, and he didn't move away. Sakura cried out to him to run.
However, Naruto came in time and saved him. He struck the snake's nose with both kunai in hands and halted the snake with his only strength. He then asked him, "Oi! You're not hurt? Scaredy-cat?" That shut Sasuke up, quivering.
"The stupid coward, standing there frozen like a frighten rabbit," Naruto said. "No doubt about it. You're not the Sasuke I know." Sasuke still kept shut.
Then, the snake lady's tongue crawled down and wrapped around Naruto's arms. She lifted him up, and he wiggled to get free. She moved him close and found him extraordinary with the Nine-Tailed Fox inside him. He learned when Naruto's anger rose and some of the Nine-Tailed Fox's chakra released.
She gathered purple chakra to her five fingertips and lifted his sweather up, revealing a Double Tetragram Seal on his abdomen. "Five-Pronged…" she thrusted her fingers at the seal, "Seal."
He groaned from the hit, and Five Element Seal appeared over the first Seal. His eyes returned to his normal blue eyes. Then, he rendered unconscious.
Sakura saw everything and cried, "Sasuke-kun, help Naruto!" Yet, Sasuke still remained silent and stiffen. He still couldn't snap out.
The snake lady reached into Naruto's pouch and took out the Earth Scroll. She believed that Naruto was in the way, so she threw him away.
"Naruto!" Sakura cried. She hurried and threw a kunai at him. It pinned him at a tree. She saved him. She then turned to Sasuke and found him still in a daze.
She had to snap his senses, "Sasuke-kun, wake up!" He still didn't reply, like his mind was trapped in another world, and she saw his jaw trembling. He mustn't stay in that state too long. She realized that she must talk harsh that would make him angry. Anger can wake him up.
"Naruto was right about you," she started. "You are very different from him. He may be a nuisance and gets in the way, but at least he is doing something for us! He is no coward like you!" Her words implied that Sasuke was weak and afraid like a child.
That snapped him to reality, and he closed his eyes. He thought about his brother and the last words he gave, 'Foolish little brother. If you want to kill me, resent me, hate me and continue to live your ugly life. So, run. Sono, run away and live. Live."
'Ie!" He ended his inner battle and awakened his sharingan. The woman was pleased for what she was waiting for. Sakura was relieved that he woke up. The woman decided to play with him and learn about his power. She vanished her snake away.
Pulling out a kunai, he indirectly admitted his goal was to live long so that he would defeat his brother. His teammates were right earlier, he was a fool. If he didn't have the courage to defeat the snake lady, how could he be able to face his brother.
He sprinted toward the snake lady and fought her with taijutsu. He clearly followed her speed movements. That was the day he learned the true ability of the sharigan. Furthermore, Sakura stood by and watched the fight.
.
The fight went on through sunset. He had difficulties defeating her. However, he strategized a hidden trick on a blind point. It hindered her with strings by tying her to a tree. He hurried blowing a Fire Style: Fire Dragon Jutsu. The flame took shape of a dragon's face and flew straight toward the woman, burning her.
She screeched in agony, and the flame scorched through the tree trunk. The fire diminished, and the woman groaned in choke from the burn. She dropped her head in a death way. He hunched down in exhaustion.
Sakura followed where the whole fight moved. It was harsh for her to witness, but she didn't look away. She was worried about her teammate, yet she didn't dare to intervene to assist. She was relieved that he defeated the snake lady.
"Sasuke-kun!" she went to him but not too close. "You did it. It's over." She checked him and noticed his harsh breathing. He was drained from the long fight, so he will need to rest.
While she was consoling him, the snake lady moved, still alive, and did a Paralysis Jutsu on them. they both lost control of their body and couldn't move. They turned to the woman with struggle and noticed her face. It was melted like wax; it was a mask.
"You mastered the sharingan at such a young age," she said when her voice changed into a man's voice. "You are a true Uchiha. You will do nicely."
She or he sounded suspicious. He yelled yet struggled to talk. "You're definitely his brother. Your eyes are more keen than Itachi's."
Sasuke widened when he heard the man mention his brother's name. He knew his brother. "Who are you?" he demanded, "And what do you want?"
The man flipped the Earth Scroll in hand, "My name is Orochimaru." He told him, "If you want to meet me again, run to the top of this test." He burned the scroll in green flame.
They tensed that their only scroll was burned. "First you must defeat the Hidden Sound Ninja who serve me."
"What are you talking about?!" Sakura shouted, "What makes you think we want to meet you again?"
Orochimaru hmph-ed, "But we will soon." He did one handsign, and his neck extended long. He went travelling to Sasuke and hissed, biting his neck.
"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura cried. He bit her teammate for less than a minute and let go, retreating. The Curse Mark appeared from where he was bitten.
Sasuke grunted and grasped his neck. "Sasuke-kun!" she cried, "What have you done to him?!"
Orochimaru lifted two fingers, "I just gave him a parting gift. Soon Sasuke will seek me out and desire my power."
Then, he started submerging into the tree branch, "In the meantime, I enjoyed the demonstration of the powers you both already possess."
Before he disappeared, he thought out, 'and I will soon see yours as well, girl.' He left.
(~~~~~~)
Hanzo cut the snake, ending its attack. He paused when he suddenly heard Sasuke's cry for Sakura. He quickly turned and saw the bite. He started gasping in shock.
It took him back to his past, and he stiffened with terrify. He cried out, "IE!" His worst fear, he never believed it would happen, has come to life.
Back from that time when he let Orochimaru bite him for desiring power, which he took it as a gift, but it was a big mistake of his life. He long devoted to never allow the same experience to his daughter. However, the time has now happened to see his own daughter get bitten.
He feared that the cursed power Kabuto infected her with will badly affect her mind and her soul. Just like what happened to him and Sasuke.
(~~~~~~)
Even the kages heard Hanzo's cry while fighting Madara. The Third and Fourth turned to see and saw the bite. It was horrifying to witness something they can never imagine.
Smirking for waiting triumph, "You're all too late, Hashirama," Madara escaped by teleporting away.
"Madara, yamero!" the First shouted and turned around. Chikuso! I got to stop him! He quickly hurried heading to Sakura as the other kages followed him behind.
.
The time has come at last… Madara appeared in front of her and grabbed hold of her face, "Now I can finally see what power lies in those eyes." He waited many years to find out the truth of the flashing red and see what hidden power was there.
He activated his Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan and looked into her eyes.
.
.
(~~~~~~)
After a short moment, blue lightning (Chidori True Spear) flared out which they both avoided. Madara let go of her and Kabuto moved back. Sasuke angrily shouted, "Get away from her!"
Kabuto unraveled his stretched neck from her body and dropped her. She fell while her breath heaved weakly. "Sakura!" Sasuke cried.
Luckily, Itachi teleported and caught her in bridal style. "I got you!" he landed close to Sasuke and laid her down. "Sasuke, check her wound."
Before they could check on her, she screamed so loud and grasped on her neck. She tossed and twitched so much, so Sasuke and Itachi held her down and tried to calm her. She couldn't stop moving nor screaming from the scorching, painful burn inside her. She kept yelling, nonstop. She couldn't hear anybody but her crying screams.
Sakura… This sight took Sasuke back to the day on the chuunin exam when Orochimaru bit him. He was in so much pain, everywhere inside his body. He thought that day he was going to die from it in helplessness and loneliness. He remembered the only person came and stayed beside him while he was struggling from the agony. He would have died if Sakura wasn't there with him.
Flashback:
After Orochimaru left, the sun was setting and the sky turned bright crimson color. Sasuke was screaming in agony and collapsed on the ground. "Sasuke-kun!" she went to him (finally regain control of her body), but he couldn't stop the crying pain.
She approached him slowly while watching him in a crucial condition. She gently held him. She tried to console him, but he suddenly fell unconsciousness in her arms. "Sasuke-kun?" she uttered lowly. She grew afraid for his life.
"Naruto!" she cried out to her other teammate who was still unconscious. She felt scared, helpless, hopeless, and useless at the same time. She had no idea on what to do in a sole situation. She needed help, but there was no one out there who could assist.
She was all alone. She cried with tears and screamed….
"GGGGAAAAAHHHHHH!" she screamed so loud which woke him up from his daze. "…Sakura…." His heart was aching to see her in this state, and it was affecting him emotionally. He was so scared that he was going to lose her. This was the feeling she had back then, so he now understood it.
She gave out her last breath of cry while tilting her head backwards, until she stopped. Her body went limp into unconsciousness. "Sakura!" he cried with worry. He instantly caressed her face for her to open her eyes. He next checked her breathing, and she was still alive.
Itachi took her right wrist and checked her pulse. "She still has a pulse," he said, "but it's slow." He was relieved that his sister was still alive. Although, he worried on how she will turn into after she wakes up.
Sasuke was aware with the same, yet he was scared about the aftermath. He was thinking that she will awaken with a dark aura. That thought was terrifying him; he will lose the sight of that beautiful aura of a warm light his beloved has always carried. He would hate to see that gone away into a depth of blackness.
.
"Sakura!" Hanzo came running and took her from Sasuke into his arms. "Sakura…" He lowered her neck collar and looked at her neck. There he saw the curse mark on her. It was the identical Curse Mark of Orochimaru's power he has carried for years.
"Ie…ie…Ie! Ie! Ie! Ie! IE!" He cried desperately and held her close. "Ie! Not my daughter…onegai…" he couldn't believe it.
He wanted to hide it, and he wanted to wipe it off her. He wished this terror he feared for years was just an illusion. It was just a bad dream. All his life he protected his daughter from the harmful threats of his enemies, until this time he failed her. He was too late.
Sakura… he trembled, sumimasen… I tried…. He witnessed his daughter get bitten by the cursed power, and he assumed that it will soon affect her badly. She will wake up horribly by the dark power possessing her.
"Sakura!" Suki came running with great worry about her daughter, and the Harunos came with her. "Hanzo! Is she alright?!" He held their daughter closely and shook his head without saying anything. She was stunned for knowing entirely what was wrong, with no question needed.
"Kaasan!" Shina cried out with worry while she and Daisuke ran to them. Ryosuke also came, along with his paternal grandparents, "Otosan, what happened to okaasan?"
"Tou-san, tell us what happen!" Daisuke exclaimed, "Tou-san! Oji-san!" Like his siblings, he was very worried about his mother. He was scared whether the snake man infected strange venom into her or killed her with some lethal poison.
(~~~~~~)
Kabuto and Madara landed far enough from them.
"What did I tell you, Hanzo?" Kabuto asked with a grin of appease. "You knew too well that your deception to the Sound would bring you bad luck to your whole life. The worst of it also affects far more is your family."
He added, "We had every chance to kill you, but Orochimaru-sama recalled how you easily detected chakra and killed every single foe solely and mercilessly since day one. A former rogue with keen eyes and insensible mind, but a weak man with the love for his family and great loyalty to his superiors. You really made and left quite a history about yourself."
"…." Hanzo said nothing. He was too numb to listen or say anything back while clutching his unconscious daughter in his arms. His eyes were shadowed as he kept staring at her. His mind trapped him somewhere else alone with Sakura, overwhelming with emotions.
"To be obvious, Hanzo," Kabuto indicated, "you made things so easy. Too easy with a simple bait, your little daughter. Now, her darkness will soon awaken." He still received silence from Hanzo, yet he could care less.
"Oi!" He asked Madara, "Have you found out what you wanted to know?"
Madara didn't answer, which Kabuto glanced, and Madara was staring at the unconscious Sakura with a strange look. "Oi! Doshitano?" The expression he expected from Madara was the opposite. It appeared another suspense has been born.
Madara narrowed his eyes, "She—demo…" he spoke with confusion, "How is it… ie… that's impossible." Kabuto was growing curious and interested about what he found out from Sakura.
Madara uttered, "And you, Hanzo? Takahiro?" Even Akihiro, he must have…?
He stared at them, "Who are you people? Demo…what are you…to us?" He couldn't understand it. He couldn't believe it.
Hello, everyone! It's me, I'm back. These past few months was really hard and busy. I still managed to find time to write, but it took me longer for over a year to finish this chapter. Yet, I pull through and finished it at last.
I hope you all are doing fine and keeping safe during this pandemic. So, enjoy reading fanfic at home from getting bored.