"Talking"
"Thoughts"
"SCREAMING/ YELLING/ SHOUTING"
"Jutsu"
"Tailed Beast talking"
"Tailed Beast Thinking"
Sound effects
Date & Time
|Location|
[Flashback]
[+]
Chapter 21: Meeting the Red Clouds
[+]
October 2
12:21
|Residential District, Konoha|
Kakashi was unconscious on the bed of his apartment. The room was filled with Jonins that had a close relationship with him. Gai sat on a chair inside of Kakashi's room. Asuma leaned against a wall with Kurenai by his side. Areku just stood in front of the unconscious Jonin's bed.
"So let me get thing straight," The Kishida Jonin began, "Kakashi locked eyes with Itachi then three seconds later he ended up like this?"
"I wouldn't have believed it, if I wasn't there but it's true." Asuma answered.
"How long will he be out?" Kurenai asked. She had arrived at the apartment after Kakashi had already been brought there since she had gone to report to the Hokage.
Gai sighed. "We're not sure," he began, "The doctors say that he is exhausted and has suffered severe damage from Itachi's attack."
Kurenai placed a finger on her chin, "I think he called it Tsukuyomi."
"Moon Reader?"
"Yes."
[+]
[Flashback]
"Tsukuyomi!" Kakashi crumbled to the ground.
Asuma and Kurenai ran to Kakashi's kneeling form and checked for any wounds. Kisame with a grin appeared behind the female and raised his blade before bringing it down. Kurenai watched the blade inch closer to her second by second. She thought it was her end until a green blur kicked Kisame away at the last second. The Akatsuki member sailed through the air before crashing on the ground.
"Is everyone alright?" Gai asked glancing at his comrades
"Damn you," Kisame growled as he stood up, "I'll kill you for this."
"Kisame," Itachi said sternly, "We will cause a lot of noise if we fight them here. Soon we'll have all of Konoha after us, it is best that we leave."
"Fine," Kisame said with a frown before turning to Gai with a smirk, "I'll get you back for this." With that the two Akatsuki members left in a swirl of leaves, leaving a panting Kakashi that barely held consciousness.
"You alright Kakashi?" Asuma asked in concern for his fellow ninja.
Kakashi eye-smiled as he covered his Sharingan. "I'll be alright," he said, "Just make sure to tell the… Hokage… that the red clouds have appeared…" With that said the copy ninja fainted.
[+]
[Flashback Ends]
"Any reason for the attack, and in broad daylight?" Areku asked.
"I can think of some," Asuma said with a serious face, "They said that they came for Naruto but didn't state why they were after him, and by attacking in broad daylight they're sending a clear message that they are not afraid to be noticed. I say that they were trying to intimidate us."
"That might be it," Gai agreed, "Itachi and… um. That… other guy probably wanted to intimidate us."
"What did the Hokage say, Kurenai?" Areku asked the red eyed beauty.
Kurenai frowned. "When I told them that the red clouds appeared he looked very worried," the Genjutsu mistress started, "He dismissed me but I heard him call for the ANBU. Isn't that a bit too much?"
Asuma objected. "I don't think so."
Gai nodded, agreeing with him "It-" He was interrupted by the opening of the room's door.
"Kakashi-sensei I need you to…" Sasuke stopped himself when he saw all the Jonin-senseis in Kakashi's room and a bedridden Kakashi, "Why are you here? What the hell happened?"
The Jonins threw each other worried glances before Areku stepped up, "Sasuke, you see Kakashi-" He was cut short by a glasses wearing Chunin who entered the room.
"Is it true that Itachi returned to the village? And that he is after Naruto!"
Sasuke's eyes widened before he bolted out of the room at full speed.
"Damn," Asuma muttered with a frown.
"Talk about bad timing," Gai said with a frown as Areku quickly went after him.
Kurenai sighed, "Gai go after the two of them, Asuma and I will watch after Kakashi." The Taijutsu specialist gave a thumb up and took off.
[+]
A Few Hours Later
14:37
|Hotel, Shukuba Town|
The two arrived at their destination and lodged into a Hotel room, seconds later Jiraiya took off saying that he had to check out the town for any sign of the Slug Princess.
Minutes after he had left, Naruto sighed in frustration as he yet again to grasp the Final stage of the Rasengan, Kurama now in his Chibi Fox Mode was lying down on the room bed observing his container while occasionally offering advice and words of encouragement.
Knock! Knock!
Naruto glanced at Kurama and the latter immediately dispersed into chakra returning to the seal, tossing his failed attempt aside the Uzumaki headed towards the door and opened it.
"So anything on your…" Naruto trailed as he noticed that none of the two men standing in front of him were Jiraiya.
"Kit, I have a bad feeling about these two." Kurama warned.
"So Itachi, is this who we're looking for?" The Shark-like one asked his partner with a grin. Naruto's eyes widen when he heard that name.
'This is bad!' He stared at the other and spotted a pair of Sharingan plus the resemblance to Sasuke was obvious. 'Just when I forget to use my sensory abilities I encounter him of all people.'
"Naruto-kun, please come with us."
"Sorry, but Jiji told me to follow strangers."
The two missing nins were surprised before Kisame laughed, "Good one brat, now can I cut off his legs Itachi?"
Itachi just sighed, "Naruto, I won't ask again come with us."
"HE ISN'T GOING ANYWHERE WITH YOU!" Someone yelled from behind, his voice quite familiar to Naruto and Itachi.
"Sasuke, it's been a while." Itachi calmly greeted.
Naruto stared behind the two and spotted his teammate casting a Sharingan enhanced glare at his traitorous brother, 'And it just got worst.'
Kisame chuckled in amusement, "Do you know this kid, Itachi? Cause he looks like you."
Itachi nodded, "He's my younger brother," He said then gave Sasuke a glance. "So you got promoted to Chunin, congrats but are strong enough to face me?"
"Oh I'm more than enough." Sasuke replied as his left hand light up with chakra, the chirping sounds of a thousand birds becoming more audible by the second.
'I see, so Kakashi taught him the Chidori.' Itachi raised a brow.
'Sasuke knows the Chidori!' Naruto gaped, then realized something. 'He learnt an A-rank jutsu before me.' He pouted mentally causing Kurama to shake his head.
'Oh goodie, I get front row seats to the Uchiha Family Reunion.' Kisame chuckled.
"I'll kill you!" Sasuke screamed as he charged recklessly at Itachi tearing up the hallway in the process. The Akatsuki member didn't move from his spot as Sasuke approached him.
Sasuke's eyes widened when Itachi appeared before him and held his left wrist, breaking the attack. "You're still weak," he said in disgust before punching Sasuke on the stomach. The Chunin spat out blood before Itachi held him by the neck then slammed him on the wall. "You lack hate," Itachi said as he leaned to Sasuke's ear, "You haven't gotten any stronger. You need more hate to kill me." Sasuke gasped in fear when he saw the all too familiar Mangekyo Sharingan forming in Itachi's eyes.
"NO!"
"Tsukuyo-" Itachi paused when Sasuke disappeared in a puff of smoke being replaced by air?
"Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Countless copies of Naruto filled the hotel causing the two Akatsuki members to be pushed back by the sheer numbers, the original grabbed onto his confused teammate and fled through the window.
"You won't escape kid!" Kisame exclaimed with a smirk. He used his sword to dispel all nearby clones while Itachi ran through hand seals.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!" A large fireball filled the hallway and torched all the Naruto clones. Smoke filled the hallway and when it cleared there was no sign of Naruto or Sasuke for that matter. "They are gone."
"Then let's go after the bastard," Kisame said with a smirk, as the two Akatsuki members were about to leave.
"Lightning Style: Electromagnetic Murder!" The two took cover as a wave of lightning impacted the ceiling causing some parts of it to cave in and block the entrance to the room.
"Oh for crying out loud," Kisame faced the source of the attack and growled, "Why do all these tree-lovers keep on popping up?"
"We are in their territory after all," Itachi calmly answered while dusting his robe, "Hello Areku." He said to their interrupter.
"Hello Itachi," Areku's arms were instantly charged with lightning, "and goodbye! Lightning Style: Laser Gun Barrage!"
Itachi immediately countered, "Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!"
BOOM!
All three was blasted backwards by the collision, Areku further back into the hallway while Itachi and Kisame into the room that was previously sealed off.
"Kisame, hold him off while I go after the Jinchuriki." Itachi said then quickly jumped through the window.
"Hey get back there!" The Kishida sped towards the window.
"Water Style: Water Shark Bomb Jutsu!" Kisame knocked the Kishida aside with his attack, "I'm your opponent now." He grinned, drawing Samehada.
Areku glared at the shark man, 'Looks like I have no choice,' His Sankugan flared to life, "Fine, let's dance-"
"Dynamic Entry!" The Kishida blinked in surprise when a green blur collided into a quickly surprised Kisame, sending the Akatsuki member crashing through the wall and into the opposing room.
Gai flashed him a twinkling smile together with the signature thumbs up then blurred right after Kisame.
"… Weird." Was all Areku could say, before he went after Itachi.
[+]
Dragging his still shocked teammate Naruto took to the rooftops trying to put much distance between them and Akatsuki while also trying to locate Jiraiya.
"Naruto let me down, I have to kill Itachi!" Naruto hopped down into an alley then released the Uchiha and punched him across the face.
The 13 year old skidded across the floor before standing up, "Naruto! What the hell was that for?" Sasuke yelled, grabbing his bruised face,
"That is for being an idiot and charging recklessly at an S-RANK criminal!" The Uzumaki roared at his teammate, "I thought you were better that!"
The Uchiha looked away so that Naruto won't see his face, "You don't understand."
"Understand? What don't I understand?"
Sasuke glanced back at him then said quietly, "The pain of having your family and clan taken away by someone you loved above everything else."
Naruto's expression softened, "I do Sasuke, remember I lost my parents and clan before you did."
Sasuke shook his head, "But there's a difference, you never grew up with them, played with them, laughed with them or even cried with them, plus your clan fell due to the combined might of three nations then your parents to a masked individual who was capable of controlling the Kyubi, they had a fighting chance unlike mine who were murdered in their sleep."
Naruto couldn't deny that and remained silent, Sasuke was in the process of snapping his wrist back in place when he felt a hand land on his shoulder, "Remember what Kakashi-sensei told us about our goals and working together?"
[+]
[Flashback]
2 Months to the Start of the Chunin Exams
"Okay Team, that enough training for today." Kakashi announced after shutting his orange book, "Gather around I have something to say."
The Four Genin gathered around wondering why their Sensei was suddenly acting strange, "Take a sit." They immediately sat down while still throwing confused looks.
"Something wrong, Kakashi-sensei?" Hinata asked.
"No, I just want to say some words," He took a look at each one of his students then heaved a sigh, "Remember how I always stress the importance of teamwork?" The Genins nodded, "Well I want you guys to work together in order to achieve each others' goals."
'Huh?' The Four thought.
"Naruto's goal of becoming Hokage, Hinata's goal of abolishing the Caged Bird Seal," Kakashi continued seemingly ignorant of his Genins' expressions, "Atsushi's goal of maintain peaceful relations between the Storm and Leaf, then finally Sasuke's dream of avenging his clan."
"Sorry Kakashi-sensei but the last part isn't happening." Kakashi's visible eye narrowed.
"What's that suppose to mean, Genin?"
Sasuke ignored the looks that his teammates gave him in favor of maintaining eye contact with his sensei, "Itachi is my responsibility and no one else's, I don't need any help taking him out."
"Requesting for help isn't a sign of weakness Sasuke."
"I know, but I wouldn't need it." Sasuke looked away, "This is something I have to do by myself."
The Silver Haired Jonin sighed weakly, 'Looks like I have no choice.'
"Sasuke… after the massacre, there was a rumor going around." Kakashi began, "A rumor that Itachi has an accomplice." The others gasped while Sasuke scoffed.
"Itachi had no help."
"Have any evidence of that?" Kakashi asked with a raised brow.
The Uchiha remained silent as he thought back to that day, after reviewing the dreadful memories he did recall hearing a swirling noise after Itachi had left him to rot, "No." He partially lied, "Do you?"
The Cyclops shrugged, "I got nothing," He answered truthfully then stared intently at the four, "But it seems surreal that a 13 year old boy even if he is an ANBU Captain would slaughter over a 1000 of his clansmen, 300 of them being active Shinobi without anyone's help or assistance."
"Kakashi-sensei," Atsushi called, "So you're saying it's possible that someone helped Itachi?"
"I'm not saying that it's possible, I'm certain that Itachi had a partner." The Cyclops then focused on Sasuke as he said this next part, "And that partner won't stay on the sidelines if Itachi's life is in danger."
[+]
[Flashback Ends]
"Okay Sasuke, I have an idea on how to alert Jiraiya-sensei that we're in trouble but it will also alert Itachi of our location."
"Do it."
Naruto's form was immediately covered by a mass of red chakra, Sasuke told a step back in surprise as his teammate maintained it for at least 10 seconds before releasing it. "Now we just need to delay your brother until Jiraiya comes."
"Don't worry I got the perfect question for that."
"Umm… Okay." The seriousness which Sasuke had said that scared the blonde a bit, 'I hope Jiraiya-sensei isn't too f-.'
"Found you." The cold and chilling voice of Itachi Uchiha announced as he appeared a few feet away from them in a murder of crows, "Flaring the Kyubi's chakra like that was quite foolish of you, Naruto-kun."
"Itachi." Naruto's teammate called.
"Yes, little brother?"
"Who helped you?"
Itachi blinked, "Excuse me?"
"That night, who helped you?" Sasuke repeated clearly, while barely restraining himself from firing a fireball at him.
"Oh!" The 18 year old criminal hummed, "Nobody."
"You're lying." Both Uchiha snapped towards Naruto, as if asking him to explain, "I'm detecting deception from him, Sasuke."
Sasuke glared at his brother, his Sharingan activating, "Itachi!" He growled.
"Oh, well…" His Sharingan instantly changed shape, "Tsukuyomi!"
[+]
|Tsukuyomi World|
"What the hell?" Naruto got out, after seeing the now black sky with a red moon.
"Welcome to my world." Itachi calmly greeted as he materialized before them.
The younger Uchiha glanced around and realized that neither he nor Naruto were chained in any way or manner. "This isn't like the other time."
"True," Itachi confirmed, "This is an informative Tsukuyomi, not the torture one."
"Since it's an informative one, I guess you going to answer my question." Sasuke crossed his arms and waited.
The Akatsuki member was silent for a few seconds, then "Madara Uchiha."
Both boys stumbled back in shock, "That can't be… he's dead!" Naruto pointed out, strangely Kurama was silent within him.
"Trust me he's anything but dead." Itachi affirmed.
"But why would he help you?" Sasuke asked, leveling his brother with a glare. "Why accept his help?"
"He came to me desiring revenge for what the clan did to him." Itachi calmly answered, completely ignorant of the death glare. "And I couldn't kill everyone all by myself."
"Why you!"
Sasuke charged but was swiftly held back by his blonde teammate. "Calm down Sasuke, don't do anything harsh." The Uchiha glared at his teammate then took a few calming breaths.
"Why did you do it?"
"I told you I wanted to test-"
"Bullshit," Itachi blinked at the language but Sasuke wasn't finished yet, "You don't test you strength by slaughtering hundreds in their sleep."
"Hmm." Itachi closed his eyes as if in thought.
'Huh?!' Naruto thought now sensing, sadness, anger and regret coming from the senior, 'Wonder what he regrets?'
"Well," Sasuke spoke up, "Aren't you going to answer?"
"It was for the good of the village."
"What?"
"How is that good for the village?"
"If you want the truth, go to the Head." With that the Tsukuyomi ended.
[+]
Kisame dodged a vicious punch from Gai and retaliated with a swing of Samehada but like the past 4 times missed thanks to Gai's superior speed.
"Leaf Rising Wind!" Kisame brought up Samehada to block, but the force behind the attack sent the Shark-like human crashing against the ceiling then falling on the wooden floor. "Had enough?" Gai in the Three Gates asked.
His opponent groaned in reply, 'If only Samehada could consume that chakra, I won't be in his mess.' Kisame thought as he got up on a knee, 'Plus I can't use my most devastating Jutsu in this confined space.'
"Severe Leaf Hurricane!"
'Oh, come on!'
[+]
|Alleyway|
Sasuke and Naruto suddenly found themselves back in the real world with Itachi blazing thought some hand seals.
"Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu!" He spat a flaming Dragonhead.
Both boys substituted with trashcans evading the attack, Itachi raised his kunai to the left blocking Sasuke's own while using his right hand to stop a flying kick from Naruto by grabbing the Uzumaki's ankle. Using Naruto as a club he smashed Sasuke away but was blinded when Naruto exploded into smoke upon contact.
"Fire Style: Fox Fire!" The flaming fox attack collided with a substituted trashcan; sensory instincts kicking in helped Naruto evaded the Kunai which would have certainly pierced his cranium.
"Fast reflexes." Itachi complimented before spewing a barrage of miniature fireballs, Sasuke appeared before Naruto and neutralized the attack with his own.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" In a puff of smoke the horde of Narutos and Sasukes without delay charged the clan murderer, Itachi drew dual Kunai and began dispelling the clones, while taking note that the Sasukes were in fact Clones of Naruto in disguise.
Seeing Itachi busy, the Original Naruto whispered an idea into Sasuke's ear, the Uchiha taught it over for a second then said, "No, too risky."
Naruto frowned then pointed at Itachi who was still busy fighting and said, "Look at him, he's clearly toying with us, once he decides to get serious we're done for unless we get the drop on him now."
Frowning a bit at the revelation, Sasuke observed Itachi for a bit and noted something; Itachi's Sharingan wasn't even activated. He then played their battle in mind and recalled that the Akatsuki member hadn't activated it after dismissing the Tsukuyomi.
Now in the Shinobi world if either an Uchiha, Hyuga or someone with a valuable dojutsu doesn't activate it when in combat against an opponent it would be for either one of these reasons:
1. Their opponent personally requested them not to use it.
2. They haven't unlocked it yet.
3. They don't need the dojutsu to beat the opponent, meaning that the opponent isn't strong or worthy enough for them to waste chakra activating the dojutsu (in other words the opponent is beneath them.)
Angered at the thought of Itachi deeming him unworthy, Sasuke sped through five hand seals and the Chidori came to life on his left palm. Naruto gathered chakra on his right palm and formed an incomplete Rasengan. The Uzumaki presented the sphere to the Uchiha who then placed his electrifying hand on the sphere.
The Jutsu disfigured for a few seconds before their other palms were added stabilizing it into a perfectly blue sphere. The two stared at their creation in awe then bolted towards Itachi.
Itachi finished up with the last clones and turned back to the boys only to find them 3 feet away from him, a strange jutsu between their palms.
"Chidori! / Rasengan!" [1]
BAM! KABOOM!
[+]
3 Seconds Earlier
|With Areku, 4 Blocks away due west|
'Come on now, where the hell could they-'
BAM! KABOOM!
The Kishida was sent stumbling by the quake. Straightening himself up, he spotted the mushroom cloud and headed in its direction while making sure to avoid bumping into any of the alarmed civilians.
[+]
3 Seconds Earlier
|With Jiraiya, 3 Blocks away due east|
'I leave the brat alone for just 10 minutes then he-'
BAM! KABOOM!
The Sannin stood his ground and it was good thing too, because a lady in her mid thirties had fallen from the 3rd floor of a five story building and into his open arms.
The two stared at each other then…
"Pervert!"
SMACK!
Jiraiya rubbed his now red cheek as the female huffed and left the scene, 'Not fair, I didn't even do anything this time.' He wailed internally.
Once the pain had lessened he sped towards the mushroom cloud.
[+]
|Alleyway|
The recoil sent the two boys flying painfully backwards towards a concrete wall then falling into a messy dumpster, which shortly capsized releasing them covered in trash.
Naruto was still wiping some garbage off his face when he picked up a sudden intake of air, "Sasuke you okay?" The Uchiha didn't reply, he just kept staring forward. "Um… Sasuke?"
"Look." Naruto followed his finger and spotted a crater with smoke coming out of it. "Do you think?"
"I'm not detecting any chakra signature." The Uzumaki answered after checking.
Sasuke's heart fell, 'Did we do it? Did we really kill him?' He thought.
The two Chunin exchanged glances then walked towards the crater, wincing with each step. The smoke dispersed revealing a burnt body and the two were shocked at what they saw.
"Impossible…" Sasuke whispered, his Sharingan analyzing the crater and surroundings, "There's no way that he dodged that."
"Sasuke, that wasn't Itachi we were fighting." Naruto said as he stared at the burnt and partially obliterated corpse of an unknown Suna nin if the headband was anything to go by.
"Well actually you were." Kurama spoke up. "It's a forbidden jutsu."
The Blonde was surprised, 'This is a jutsu?'
The Fox nodded, "Yes the Body Replication Jutsu, it's a form of puppetry like the ones practiced in Sunagakure," He explained, "But in this incase the puppets are dead human bodies which gains the user's appearance and a third of their strength when chakra is transferred into them. They are mostly used for testing the strength of an adversary or for recon missions"
Naruto thanked the demonic fox then passed the information on to Sasuke.
"So the Itachi we just defeated isn't the real Itachi?" Naruto nodded and Sasuke honestly didn't know what to feel about that.
"Wow… you guys really did a number on this place." Jiraiya whistled from the entrance, the two boys relaxed at the sight of the Sannin.
"You took your sweet time getting here Jiraiya-sensei." The Uzumaki pointed out, giving his master a mock glare.
The Sage raised his hands in a placating manner and laughed nervously, "Sorry about that." He apologized. "By the way, who were you fighting against?"
"Itachi." Sasuke answered and Jiraiya was instantly in front of him.
"Was he wearing a black cloak with red clouds on it?" He asked sternly, both boys nodded now realizing that the Sannin had dropped his goofy mask for the Serious Shinobi one. 'This isn't good; I didn't think they would go after them now.'
"Naruto! Sasuke!" The cry gained the three males attention as Areku appeared, "Are you guys okay? And where's Itachi?"
Naruto pointed at the crater and the two seniors took a look, "Is that a Suna ninja?" The Kishida asked confused.
"He must have used a Body Replication Jutsu." Jiraiya clarified, "These guys are good."
Jiraiya's statement made Areku to remember Itachi's associate, "Quickly, we got to head back and help Gai with the other one."
"Well then what are we waiting for?"
[+]
As soon as the four entered the hotel floor where the Gai and Kisame were fighting the latter released the jutsu since the odds were no longer in his favor. Areku and Gai bid goodbye then took off with Sasuke, Jiraiya did the same thing with Naruto after realizing that the Jonin were evading paying for the damages done to the hotel. Honestly the Taijutsu maniac and the shark-like swordsman had destroyed the entire floor in their battle.
Both Master and Student lodged into another hotel several blocks away from the destroyed one. Jiraiya this time stayed with Naruto in case the Akatsuki tried to capture him again something the Uzumaki was relieved for.
Naruto told his master all about the fight with Itachi especially the fact that he managed to create a Rasengan with the help of Sasuke, but the Toad Sage was quick to burst his bubble saying that the Jutsu wasn't perfected until he could do it single-handedly.
That immediately dampened the boy's mood.
[+]
Next Day
9:30
|Hokage Tower, Konoha|
Sasuke was patiently waiting for his appointment with the Third Hokage, he had decoded Itachi's final words in the Tsukuyomi and they suggested that the Hokage knew the answers to the massacre.
Once it was time, the Secretary told him to go in.
"Ah, Sasuke," The old Hokage greeted him with a smile, "How are you doing?"
"Fine, Hokage-sama," Sasuke greeted back, then adopted a serious expression, "There is something we need to talk about. It's very important."
Hiruzen's smile faded into a neutral expression, "And what might that be?"
"The Uchiha Clan Massacre."
The Hokage stiffened, then said, "Cat, lizard and wolf, you're all dismissed." The three left and Hiruzen made sure that there weren't a ROOTs around, once certain he turned his attention back to the Uchiha, "What do you want to know?"
"Everything." Hiruzen slumped back against his chair.
'Well it was going to come out sooner or later,' He thought then straightened himself, "You know about the Kyubi attack on the village 14 years ago?"
Sasuke was confused, 'How is this related to the massacre' "I don't see-"
"Just answer."
"Yes."
Hiruzen smoked a bit then began, "It all started when…"
[+]
|Destroyed Tanzaku Castle|
Orochimaru and Kabuto were standing in a small courtyard facing Tsunade and Shizune. "Tsunade-chan," The Snake Sannin called, "I've been looking for you."
"What do you want to with me, Orochimaru?" Tsunade asked, currently not in a good mood. "You better not be here to reminisce about the old days."
"Actually I'm here to ask for a favor," Orochimaru began, "You see one of man has an illness that only one of your medical expertises can cure."
"Not interested." The blonde Buxom instantly declined.
"But you didn't let me finish," Orochimaru then laid down the terms, "You see if you agreed to help me out, I will gladly repay you by reviving your beloved ones with a jutsu that I developed."
"What?" Tsunade blurted out before images of her little brother and lover swamped her mind.
"Don't believe him Tsunade-sama, he's just trying to trick you." Shizune pointed out, while secretly readying her Senbon Launcher in case a fight was unavoidable.
"It's no trick, Orochimaru-sama does have a jutsu capable of doing that." Kabuto assured.
The Senju Princess remained silent then, "What's the favor?"
"Tsunade-sama, you can't-"
"SHUT UP SHIZUNE!" Said assistant was shocked speechless by the outburst.
Meanwhile Orochimaru and Kabuto had smirks on their faces. "So I guess we've a deal?"
[+]
2 hours later
|Konoha|
Sasuke walked the streets of the Leaf village with no apparent destination in mind, the Uchiha heir was honestly trying to wrap his head around what he was heard from the Hokage.
The Uchiha were planning a coup d'etat and Itachi was assigned a mission for the secret assassination of the ringleaders of the coup but apparently he went overboard and massacred the whole clan (Excluding Sasuke) with the help of Madara Uchiha.
Hiruzen even provided proof by showing him the official documentation of that mission, signed by Itachi himself.
So the question currently on Sasuke's mind was why massacre the whole clan when told only to assassinate the mastermind behind the coup.
"Hey Sasuke, over here." The Call disturbed the Uchiha's trail of thought, looking to his left he spotted Atsushi and Hinata together with the other members of the Infamous Konoha 13 at the famous barbeque restaurant that the Akimichi Clan owned.
Deciding to shove Itachi and the massacre to the back of his mind, Sasuke walked into the restaurant and was immediately greeted by two girls.
"Hello Sasuke-kun/ Sasuke." Ino and Sakura then glared at each other while the rest shook their heads at the antics of the two.
"So what's going on?" The Uchiha asked seating down beside Sakura, it was either that or beside Ino so he chose the one with more restrain. This of course led to Inner Sakura dancing around with joy in her Outer's mindscape while the Yamanaka frowned at the choice.
"Well Yamanaka-san suggested we all celebrate Nara-san's and your teams promotion to Chunin." Shino answered in monotone.
"But shouldn't we wait for Naruto-kun?" Hinata asked, not wanting the blond to miss out on the celebration.
"Oh, worrying about your boyfriend are we?" Ino smirked at the blush which invaded the Hyuga's cheeks.
"Unfortunately we couldn't find Naruto-kun anywhere." Lee responded, slightly sad on not knowing where his youthful comrade was.
"That's because he is on a mission." Atsushi revealed, surprising the rest except for Sasuke and Hinata since they already know about that fact.
"What *munch* kind *munch*of mission?" Choji asked between munches, Shikamaru who was seemingly dozing off opened an eye in curiousity.
"Well him and Jiraiya-sama are currently searching for Tsunade-" Atsushi was instantly cut off by Tenten who dragged him across the table by the collar.
"Did you just say they looking for Tsunade Senju, one of the Legendary Sannin?" The Stars in the weapon mistress's eyes were starting to scare the Kishida.
"Umm… yes." Just as soon as he answered, Atsushi found himself tossed back into his seat while Tenten began a long rant on why Tsunade was the Greatest Kuniochi the Leaf Village had ever produced.
"My apologies, but she always does ends up doing this whenever someone mentions Tsunade-sama around her." Neji apologized to the others who were taken aback at the sight of Tenten fangirling over someone.
[+]
A/N: That ends this chapter of 'Naruto: An Uprising Shinobi', hope it met up to your expectations (If you had one!).
[1] – Stilling thinking on what to call that move.
Chapter 22: Meeting Tsunade.
Total Number of Words: 5209 Words
Read & Review
Jamesco1292002
