The crab launched out from beneath the cave's surface and spring its giant claw towards them all in an attempt to crash the entire group with the weight. They leaped away in different directions just in time from the capacity of the claw crushing into the ground's surface. "Sasuke kun, the test subjects' bodies aren't prepared to fight yet!" Orochimaru shouted. "You stay and guard them until they're ready. We'll take care of this." Sasuke replied urgently suddenly taking notice an the exit above them. The crab sprayed thick blue liquid from its mouth and threw his claws at them to protect itself from paper bombs and weapons. Kakashi and Sasuke summoned their Susanoo to fight the giant creature head on holding and tossing it around. Ryo sprint forward with gentle fist to cut off the crab's pressure points. Fortunately or unfortunately he was able to block a few but suffered from rapidly hitting the hard exterior shell and luckily missed a claw snap. One side of the crab limped along the ground before held down by the clashing Susannos. "Now Sakura!" Kakashi shouted to the kunoichi several feet above. "Chhhhaaa!" Sakura came from the top and punched into its back spreading the damage all over its exoskeleton causing the creature tumble and bury into its own nest. She jumped down to join the rest as they continued the long trail to the exit. While walking along side her team the memories came flooding back to Sakura's mind starting a pile of questions. Her sneaky look to Sasuke wasn't so clever since he immediately caught her making her turn her face away bashfully. Ryo's arm reached out bumping hers which she gladly took and smiled at him for comfort to take her away from all that just happened. Ryo held unto her hand to help her up from a lofty height upon reaching the exit.
"Where are we?" Sakura asked staring at the scenario before them. They stood on a tiny cliff while an almost never ending ocean surrounded them. The blue sky acted like a mirror reflecting the mountains far on the horizon and a blinding sun implanted in. Sakura thought she was the only person in shock and confusion but after looking over at the others they shared the same reactions. "How can there be a sun underground?" Ryo asked bringing everyone back from their wonder. "It appears to be artificial." Orochimaru stated confidently. "A man made sun? Is that even possible?" Ryo asked again unconvinced. "After every insensible occurrence we've seen a unnatural astronomical body is the least of the problem." Sasuke stated to have everyone pull themselves together. "Lets move." he announced activating his visual powers to host Orochimaru and the test bodies. Kakashi followed carrying Sakura and Ryo in his across the body of water. The mountains and forested areas came into view after mere minutes. The artificial blue sky changed into shades of pink, red and orange mocking the real to signal dusk is approaching. Two blue and purple humanoid chakrah avatars flew above the thick forest. "Anything Ryo?" Kakashi asked hopefully. "No." he sighed scanning the area once again with his Kekkai Genkai. Sasuke's entire body was stiffened with Orochimaru standing two feet behind him."Quiet isn't it Sasuke kun? If it is an artificially made world the enemy should sense we're here. So why aren't they attacking?" Orochimaru mentioned suspiciously. "That's what bothers me." Sasuke said keeping his posture still and senses on high alert. Night fall eventually came so they decided to set up camp.
Sasuke laid in his bedding and stirred in his sleep shifting side to side uncomfortably.
'My new goal is to... become the Hokage.' The squad rookies stared at him in disbelief until yelling at him for making outrageous claims. 'I don't care what anyone thinks about my decision. After that I'll restore my clan to its old prestigious way.' An immediate memory of Sakura saying she wants him during team seven's introduction swiftly popped in his mind and back out.
'I'll create a diversion... Go on.' Sakura said racing towards Madara. 'Wait!' Naruto shouted in fear. Sasuke jerked in surprised and acted fast running after her closely followed by Naruto. Madara jabbed a pole into her side but Sakura was still determine and succeeded in hitting him. Sasuke swiftly toke her down and strike Madara away from her with his chidori sword as Naruto grabbed and pulled her to safety.
Sasuke woke up in a pile of sweat. He mentally cursed the genjutsu they were unfortunately trapped in earlier for making these horrid memories haunting him now. He then heard faint soft footsteps going further and further away and shot up on high alert. Quietly crawling out of his tent he saw shades of pink passing between leaves making its way to a cliff. Everyone else were fast asleep expect for one empty bedding that held Sakura's ownership on it. The pink pigment rose up on the small hill until its traces disappeared. What Sasuke's instincts would have done is shout at her to get back to bed ignoring the fact that he would have disturbed the group as she did him but he wasn't known for being respectful in any way no matter who the person was, but instead his body moved to follow her.
Sakura sat on the cliff breathing in the midnight breeze. The waves clashed on the ocean shore presenting calming sounds to the ear. Even if they world was a phoney the fictional site was enough to give tranquility. It was only a few minutes that are mind allowed her to be at peace until returning back to reminisce.
'Inhuman strength, S-class one hundred healing seal jutsu, perfect chakrah control, master of genjutsu, high intelligence and analytical skills, best medical ninja and strongest kunoichi? You'll be fine.'
Was this some way of giving recognition so she goes into a dangerous mission just to be a side kick to someone else? After all he did say Kakashi sensei was the main central of it. Her role is to be on the sidelines and heal people when needed like always. Sasuke was right about one thing. She never changes. Although this wasn't the first time he acknowledged her.
'You were the first to notice right, Sakura. Your analytical ability and genjutsu level is the most improved on our team.' Sasuke said with pride in his tone. He then flashed a gentle smile and winked at her to boost her confidence so she could speak on her part. Sakura was caught by surprised and bashfulness,'Thank you, Sasuke kun.' She immediately pulled herself together and bravely commented,'Of course. I spotted it a while back.' Sasuke turned away and smiled at himself about the confident remark she made regarding herself under the assumption that Sakura didn't see him.
Though at that time she thought he just said it so she gained some confidence and didn't let the team down. During the chuinn exams they all needed to pass to push the team further to upper ranks. Besides he was the one that said she was worse than Naruto a few days prior from that.
'Yes... come with me. Let's go away together in my arms.'
She had excuses for this one. It caught her by surprise. No matter, whatever he did feel for her before, she shouldn't feel excited about it. And that goes for all the memories she saw during the genjutsu. This wasn't the same Sasuke she once knew. He cut his ties off with them all the day he joined Orochimaru and then went deeper into hatred over those years away from them. The Sasuke she once knew would have gave his own life for his comrades while this one killed them all without thinking twice.
A dark shadow lingered behind a tree watching her. Her lips slightly trembled in sadness and body rigid from the cold night. 'She came here to cry and whimper? How typical.' he thought smugly to himself. Her sensory abilities alerted her of someone behind in the trees. The chakrah showed off a sense of incredible power and coldness that could only matched to none other than Sasuke Uchiha himself. "Is this a hidden hobby of yours? To spy on people?" she asked him without turning around. He was certainly surprised that she was able to sense him and came on out being caught. "Don't get the wrong idea. I just came to check up on you so you don't get yourself killed." he justified himself quickly. "You killed all of our comrades. What difference does it make if I die?"she argued back at his hypocritical words. "Former comrades." he corrected her. "They knew the consequences of opposing me. I killed Naruto because he was the only person in the way of stopping me. What could you possibly do?" he scoffed in his last sentence with a sense of mockery. "You ended your bonds so you could be alone. You were, weren't you? So why bring me back here?" a strong wind blew after her come back as though nature also seemed to be in a demand for answers from him. "Didn't Kakashi tell you why I brought you back? You are the most talented medical ninja and the villagers were dying drastically. You are needed as just a valuable asset in my revolution. Nothing more." the last thing he needed was to make her think she was something special to him. Kakashi gave all the details on why Sasuke wanted her to return to the village. Her mind understood well but her stupid heart yield unto that string of hope that she still possibly meant something to him. Pathetic of her was it not? "Go back to bed and get some sleep. I don't need you holding back everyone because of your own stubborn childish acts." he spat after footsteps were heard of him walking away definitely returning to bed himself. He stopped abruptly and looked back once more observing the rosette. She sat still and didn't snivel at his degrading words. Her legs were folded to the left side, hands patted on her lap and her pink traces played with the calm flowing breeze. "Maybe I wanted to let you live... just out of pity." he added before leaving her in her own misery.
A comforting fire warmed his pale-cold skin as he sat in his large chair. His walls were adorned with armors belonging to prehistoric members from his once but soon again respectable and honored clan. "Master..." the puppet trailed off,"A male accompanying them has possession of the Byakugan eyes." His porcelain hands reached out to the fire to gain some heat and placed it unto his bandaged eyes. "Hmph." he answered,"I need his as well to have optimal control over the Tenseigan." he said rubbing his temples to seize the pain in his eyes. "One of them carries the Mangekyo Sharingan and the other holds the Rinnegan." the puppet lingered over him for further orders. "I thought the Uchiha's were wiped out from existence. They belong to the main branch of the Otsutsuki's clan. Doesn't matter. I'll still destroy them all." he replied confidently. "Do we attack Master?" The man suddenly cringed in pain cowering in his seat. After a few seconds of relaxing he sat up regaining his posture,"No leave them. They'll fall right into my trap." The puppet nodded and headed out the front door to keep spying on the new comers. 'Soon I'll get my revenge. I could have had my chance to court the eldest heiress of the Hyuga clan. The one responsible for her death will pay. No matter, I'll still bring an end to the shinobi world.' he thought bitterly.
Rushing past the thick forest on feet their journey lead them to an abandoned, rustic-stone buildings that was probably a unremarkable residential area in past times. The plane layout resembled that of a village and gave off a sense of an ancient historical era. They explored the location gliding off of stoned roofs and house tops. It was completely scorched with charcoal and burnt remains showing off signs of a fire incident. Old status of people from a forgotten time were situated all around district with traditional writing imprinted in. "What does it say?" Kakashi asked. Orochimaru ducked down to read the scriptures,"Ancient oath, crossing the path of humanity just as all else." Ryo crouched down to sit for a moment. Walking and outdoorsy activities were not really his ideal hobbies. "As if an illustration sun wasn't enough to say this place was inhumanly." he sighed. They continued their move until reaching another idol but instead of a person it was a craved symbol. Its features looked like a cross between a flower and a sun with a protruding bump in the middle for the place of a bud or eye. "The fist of the reborn moon, the tensei eye will destroy man kind." Orochimaru read once again. "This may responsible for the drawing the moon near the earth. Maybe whoever kidnapped Hanabi needs her somehow for their plans." Sakura imputed. Sasuke didn't say anything. He just stood there listening to make his own logical conclusions.
"Byakugan eyes."
An eerie dark whisper caught Ryo off guard. The group appeared unfazed by the unknown voice like it was just in his imagination. The walls began to shake vigorously as if the building was about to collapse. "What's that?" Ryo asked searching the underground with his Byakugan. The floor crumbled below Sakura as she leaped away to reveal a further underground staircase. They went down the bottom floor to investigate more while Ryo kept his Byakugan open to any advancing enemies. They met with another symbol on the wall resembling the same one earlier but much smaller in size. The interior was surrounded by human skeletons still in their now rusty and old fighting armors. Medium sized metal like barrels blocked their way from getting to the symbol. The tops were all closed expect for one on the far right that appeared to have some sort of dirty cloth covering something inside. Sakura knelt down to pull the cover off,"Someone's here!" Ryo shouted interrupting her. Sakura turned to her side to see a scruffy looking man with long brown hair limping towards her or really behind her. Everyone stood in their fighting positions in case he attacked. "Its the Byakugan. I can feel it" the man strained on his hoarse voice struggling towards Ryo. Ryo stiffened his body more and kept his eyes focused on him ready to fight. "Who are you and what do you want?" Sasuke said annoyed. The man opened his eyes to unveil soulless sunken orbs and fell on his knees quivering in pain. His mouth opened abnormally large to let out a ball of light. The ball of light glided unto the ground and exploded producing strong beams.
A vision flashed into Ryo's eyes of a crowd of people from a primitive timeline and an unrecognized clan symbol on thousands of proud flags in the air. A gigantic ball of light similar to the one before was positioned on a tower and exploded generating fire explosions all thoughout the region. Dead bodies were scattered on the battle grounds with the victorious side standing over them.
The vision ceased draining Ryo of his chakrah and causing him to fall over in exhaustion. "Ryo kun!" Sakura caught him before he made contact with the floor. "What did you to him?!" she said enraged. "Soon he will come to Master. The Tenseigan will be revived." the ball of light returned into the man and his head disintegrated followed by his entire body. He laid on the ground irregularly like a destroyed puppet,"It has to be stopped. Or Otsutsuki will..." His talking stopped indicating he was dead. They rushed out of there while Sakura threw Ryo's arm over her shoulder and carried him as fast as she could on her side. She placed him down at the entrance and started replenishing his chakrah reserves.
Nightfall was coming in already so Sasuke, Kakashi and Orochimaru went off to set up their tents while Sakura toke care of Ryo not far away from them. "That man mentioned something about Otsutsuki." Orochimaru said. "Otsutsuki was the last name of Hagoromo, the sage of six paths. And his mother, Kaguya." Sasuke replied looking at the grass and concentrating on how the events tied together. "His entire main focus was on Ryo but more importantly his Byakugan. It could answer the question of Hanabi's abduction." Kakashi informed. After an hour of Sakura pooling her chakrah into Ryo he fluttered his eyes open and put his hands over them groaning in pain. "Thank goodness. You're alright." Sakura said relieved ducking her head down hugging him. He continued resting his head on her lap returning her gesture of affection. Their giggles were heard by the rest of the group. Kakashi was just glad Sakura was able to have the happiness she deserves after everything they have been through. Orochimaru looked indifferent at the couple while Sasuke bitterly glared at them. Kakashi kindly set up Sakura's and Ryo's tents and bedding so they could just turn in for the night.
Ryo panted and groaned in his sleep. His forehead was drenched of sweat and eyes clenched shut in irritation. Nations of people stood on either side hoisting their flags in the air. One red and designed in the symbol of a sun, the other blue with the symbol of a moon. The same tower closed off now on the lunar side. The solar army charged at the opponents after the signal of their leader. "Tenseigan activate!" the other leader ordered. The tower opened to show off a ball of light that beamed in the direction of the solar clan creating powerful explosions. Thousands of dead bodies scattered on the field covered in their own blood with the victorious side standing over them. The ball shone brightly into Ryo's vision almost blinding his eyes internally. He opened his eyes no longer having his pearl orbs instead plunging dark eyes identical to the ones belonging to the man earlier. His now possessed body got up and trudged out of his tent heading towards the ancient underground staircase.
Morning came as everyone arose from their slumber and prepared for the day. They were all dressed and ready to go but one person was still not even up yet. "Where's Ryo, Sakura?" Kakashi asked curiously since he was usually the second one up after Sasuke. "I don't know..." she trailed. Opening his tent she found him gone with only his belongings left behind. "He's gone?!" she asked hysterically. "What?!" Kakashi joined in on questioning. Sakura looked all over for him but still couldn't find even evidence of his whereabouts. "That man yesterday said he would come to 'Master'. Orochimaru remembered. "My judgement was right all along. The enemy is after the Byakugan eyes." Sasuke concluded frustratingly. "Kakashi, you and Sakura will have to rescue both him and Hanabi now. We need to move fast. He has possession of two Hyuga's already." he said annoyed at how threatening this is. "We still don't know where the enemy is residing. This world is like going in circles." Sakura said puzzled. "There's still one place we haven't." Orochimaru said catching everyone's attention. "Since we came here there was one mysterious thing that has been always in our mind but we just dismiss." he added. "T...The sun?!" Sakura exclaimed looking up bringing it into her awareness. Sasuke nodded to him,"Let's move then." he said. Both Kakashi and Sasuke activated their visual powers and supported them up there with their Susanoos.
"So he is hiding up here." Sasuke smirked. The ghostly unnatural body had its own world in itself. Castle like buildings were situated throughout it guarded by floating stones and rocks. "How do we find the entrance?" Kakashi asked. "Let's ask them." Sasuke tossed a kunai attached to a paper bomb in the air. It exploded causing a swarm of puppets riding on birds to attack. Activating his rinnegan he spotted a small opening in the sun that they were using has an entrance and exit door. Sasuke blasted his chidori sharp spear electrocuting them all in seconds. "Keep up Kakashi!" he shouted. Blue Susanno chased after purple to make it into the portal before it closed. Once they made it in the puppets shot light beams at them from machine like tanks but to no avail since a Susanoo's body is impenetrable. They flew into the castle grounds to hide from the laser beams. They were in the clear since the shooting stopped for a long while. The enemy was probably already alerted of intruders so they had to act as fast as possible. Sneaking into the building they stopped at the main hall. "So how do you suppose you'll find Hanabi and Ryo in a small amount of time?" Orochimaru asked Sakura and Kakashi.
Sakura gently settled her hand on the wall. Pure-white, blinding light flowed out beneath her palm and lit not only the entire glass-stone castle but covered the entire ghostly world as her entire eyes glowed with a sparkling sliver color. "Hanabi and Ryo kun is in separate bedrooms at the very top of the castle." she said concentrating on her technique. The group give her questioning stares as if deserving an answer to her statement. "Its a sensory technique I've have. I use my chakrah control spreading it unto surfaces of buildings and village grounds getting an idea of their structures. It gives me visual access to other people's chakrah, chakrah sources, enemy targets, tracking abilities and exact locations." she explained herself in case they thought she was only trying to be relevant at the time. Their expressions turned pale and words were lost. "It's almost identical to the Byakugan's vision. Impressive." Orochimaru praised her. "Indeed." Kakashi agreed. She nodded her head to them in appreciation for their acknowledgement. Her senses quickly averted to another closed off area that took the shape of a stoned sphere. She instantly turned around and refocused on it missing the smirk creeping unto Sasuke's thin lips to her new growing skills. Unfamiliar chakrah traces appeared to be pondering from all directions except for this one location.
Dismissing her ability she leaped over the tiny floating rocks to the region she felt it was coming from. "What is it?" Kakashi asked as they followed suit. She stopped a few meters from the non-ordinary stoned ball and pointed at it,"Remember how Ryo kun kept saying his Byakygan was distorted in queer places? Something is blocking my sensory vision from seeing in." Sasuke activated his rinnegan to inspect her theory. "She's right. I can't see through the barrier or any signs of chakrah flows or cells." he said staring at the object questioningly. "How do we get inside?" Kakashi asked staring at the mysterious sphere. "Just say it." Sakura said smirking. "CHHAAA!" she punched into the stone ball with brute force destroying the surface making an entrance. "Remember the mission. We investigate the bigger problem and you two rescue Hanabi. This is where we part." Sasuke said strolling in after Orochimaru and the test bodies. Kakashi nodded jumping off heading back towards the castle. Sakura followed after him before stopped in her tracks. "Sakura." Sasuke said side eyeing her. Sakura turned attentively waiting for his response. "Thank you." he simply said darting after Orochimaru.
Orochimaru, the six test bodies and Sasuke ran though layout form. It looked similar to the inside of an organ with bloody colored bubbles patched around and unto the red walls. They made it further into the object leaping over the golden walls placed irregularly trapping a gigantic golden orb in. "So this is it." Orochimaru sighed. Sasuke nodded and activating a small form of his Susanoo. He aimed at the ball with his Susanoo's arrow powered with his Amaterasu flames. "That won't work." a calm voice spoke out. His eyes shifted to the direction of the owner glaring. The man was dressed in a elongated white robe that complimented his abnormal white hair and illuminating blue eyes. "So you're the last Uchiha and reincarnation of Indra Otsutsuki." he beckoned half smiling. "And you are?" Sasuke replied annoyed.
"My name is Toneri Otsutsuki."
If any viewer is bothered by how long I'm taking to just be over the cannon stuff and skip to the romance I'm so very sorry but I really want my fanfic to match up with the original story line. Therefore after I'm done with Toneri's arc I'll be adding in the events that took place in the Sakura Hiden Novel so please bare with me. To be honest there are not going to be any extreme romantic moments in the near future of this story (other than in the bedroom and that's just pure lust so...) since this is meant to be a tragedy and it is Sasuke Uchiha we're talking about and he is way more stone cold than what we now see in the Boruto timeline. Decided to add in more SasuSaku moments from the manga because, why not.
Next update will be on 8th November, 2020 at 12:00am sharp.