Naruto: The Vessel Of Darth Vader

by DarthVader2005

After discovering a mysterious power and meeting a strange old man, Naruto's fate is forever sealed! Manipulated into believing all his friends have lied and used him and nearly murdered by Sasuke has forced Naruto to share his body with the soul of Vader! Finally freed from it and returning to his world can his friends save him despite what he's done and become? AU, NaruSaku.

12. Chapter 12: Lies and Answers

Disclaimer:

I do not own Naruto or Star Wars.

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Chapter 12: Lies and Answers

The sun was setting over the Leaf village as its Hokage was standing on the roof of her building. Leaning eagerly on the rails as she looked up at the sky. More specifically at the fortress that was high up in the atmosphere.

Vader's fortress.

It's been days since they brought back Yamato and Sai from Team 7's previous mission. They were both steadily recovering despite their numerous and rather serious injuries which was good news. However, that wasn't enough to ease her very troubled mind.

Not when she's dealing with the fact that the little gaki boy that saved her life and became very dear to her enough to convince her to take the title of Hokage three years ago was not only alive but is the very same person who is threatening the entire village with destruction and death. It just felt so impossible to swallow. Yet, it was the truth. Yamato confirmed it.

The truth that Darth Vader is Naruto Uzumaki.

"I still can't believe it."

Tsunade looked to see Kakashi standing behind her also looking up at the fortress before turning her head back and closing her eyes in frustrating contemplation.

"Which part?"

Kakashi walked over till he was standing by her side as he answered.

"Well,….all of it."

Tsunade sighed in agreement before they stood in silence for a bit looking up at the fortress.

"I heard you had quite the argument with the council members."

Tsunade growled.

"Those old fools thought that I was reckless and irresponsible with sending a small team to try to retrieve our village's last remaining Uchiha and its 'jinchuriki' as well. I told them though that it was even more irresponsible and dangerous of them to force me to send one of Danzo's agents on this mission when the man clearly had dangerous ulterior motives. He practically proved that when he tried to barter his way to earn Orochimaru's trust by selling out all the Anbu members who serve under me!"

Kakashi read that in the report. Apparently, Sai's mission was to try to infiltrate Orochimaru's organization by pretending to join him with an offering by Danzo that consisted of the identities of Tsunade's personal Anbu guard as well as other members that were loyal to her. Unfortunately, the book was destroyed in the fight against Naruto so the only evidence of Danzo's betrayal was Yamato's word since Sai of course couldn't speak out against his master for what they could only assume was because of unwaveringly loyalty to the leader of Root.

However, Kakashi knew that wasn't all that had the Lady Hokage extremely infuriated with the council.

"They know about Naruto's status as a rogue ninja now, don't they?"

Tsunade nodded.

"Yes, and they deemed him as a traitor to the village and demanded that I have him recaptured immediately so that the Kyuubi can be extracted from him."

Kakashi's eye widened with horror.

"If the Kyuubi is extracted from him…."

Tsunade grimly nodded.

"He'll die."

Kakashi looked at edge of the roof.

"What are you going to do?"

Tsunade shrugged.

"Well, I told them that even if I wanted to do it that it was impossible. For one thing, Jiraiya is the only one who understands the Fourth Hokage's sealing formula, so only he can unlock it. Second, Naruto's fortress is far beyond our reach and even if we were to catch up to him down here, he's far too powerful for any of our teams to handle. If he could take on Orochimaru and Kabuto at once after taking a hit from a powerful lightning style jutsu and have them on the run then sending any of our shinobi after him would be like sending sheep to a bloodthirsty wolf."

Kakashi agreed.

"However, as stubborn and idiotic as they were, when I told them how Yamato tried to restrain Naruto and failed they grew just as concerned as I was."

Kakashi knew what she was talking about as his eye narrowed at the ground.

"I still couldn't believe it even when Tenzo told me himself. That Naruto broke free of a jutsu created by the First Hokage that was meant to tame jinchuriki and their bijuu."

Tsunade agreed.

"Even though Yamato is not as strong as my grandfather it doesn't change the fact that Naruto has grown very powerful. Far beyond any normal shinobi and jinchuriki."

Kakashi looked at her.

"If he should decide to follow through on his threat to attack the village…."

Tsunade bit the nail on her thumb.

"We may not be able to stand up to him."

Despite that notion, Tsunade has had the village's forces standing by. As the Hokage it was her duty to protect the Leaf no matter what. Even if it seemed hopeless. Though there hasn't been any movement or activity from Vader since he fought against Orochimaru.

Perhaps, he was still getting his forces ready and prepared for their assault. It was impossible to tell without any reconnaissance or infiltration on their part. Still, it doesn't change the fact that Naruto threatened their village with annihilation if they dared to interfere in his quest for vengeance. And unfortunately, despite her orders to only observe, Sakura and the others stood against and fought him.

And now all she could do is wait for either an attack or a slim opportunity to try to negotiate.

"What do you think is happening to her up there?"

Tsunade answered the question that they were both thinking.

"I don't know and that's what frightens me."

"You think he's torturing her?"

Tsunade scrunched her face at the thought.

"It's possible but I don't see why he would need to. She doesn't possess any vital intel of our village that he doesn't know already from his spies. And even if he's still angry with her over what she did he's not the kind of person that would resort to torture to get even. At least I hope he hasn't become that type…"

Kakashi closed his exposed eye.

"That just leaves one other option."

Tsunade shuddered.

"But if he wanted her dead he would've just killed her then rather than take her."

Kakashi was right on that but it still did little to calm Tsunade as she slammed her fist down on the rail. Making a dent in the metal before she suddenly had a moment of clarity. Realizing the only other reason as to why her apprentice was taken.

"Her powers."

Kakashi looked at her.

"She's the only one we know of next to Naruto and the one who killed Iruka to exhibit any abilities with the Force."

Kakashi's eye widened.

"And maybe he captured her so that she wouldn't be able to challenge him again if he decides to attack the village."

Kakashi's expression then grew confused.

"But then why spare her? If she's a threat it would've been more logical to kill her right then and there."

Tsunade grabbed her head in frustration.

"I don't know! I want to believe it's the possibility that the gaki still has feelings for her or something like that but given all his threats and everything he's done so far that may be just a fool's hope."

Tsunade slammed her fist again and made the dent deeper.

"Damn, it! How could I have missed Sakura having these same abilities! I oversaw her training and sparred with her countless times these last few years but never once have I seen any inclination that she had them! Jiraiya and I even suspected that she may have had some abilities when she mentioned that she felt that Naruto was alive when we couldn't find him but I just assumed afterwards that it was like an instinct or gut feeling. I should've been more attentive and watchful of her!"

She tilted her neck down till her bangs covered her eyes.

"I should've been more careful with both of them."

Kakashi sighed.

"No,….I'm the one to blame for all of this. I was their team leader and I failed each and every one of them."

Tsunade looked at Kakashi as his face became down casted.

"I failed to see the darkness and need for revenge that was growing in Sasuke to the point where it led him to join Orochimaru. I did nothing as Naruto still continued to suffer with the pain and solitude of being a jinchuriki while his hatred was deepening inside him. Forcing him to leave the village. And Sakura I only assumed would be genjutsu type user at the time and never even considered or bothered to take a closer look to see if she had other abilities."

Kakashi looked up towards the village as the sun further sunk behind the hills.

"I failed to look underneath the underneath."

He slowly then looked up towards the fortress.

'Obito,….it seems that no matter how hard I try, I just can't seem to follow in your ninja way.'

He closed his eye.

"We'll just have to hope that somehow Sakura manages to escape and finds her way back down here."

Tsunade shook her head.

"She won't."

Kakashi looked at her.

"Not when she still hasn't achieved her goal."

Elsewhere

Sakura collapsed after slamming her fists repeatedly against the metal door for what felt like hours.

Ever since she awoke, she's been trying to escape from this tiny room which from what she could guess was some kind of prison cell. Yet, even now there wasn't even so much as a scratch on the metal door's surface. For some reason, she hasn't been able to summon enough chakra needed to enhance her strikes. In fact, her chakra has felt nearly depleted since waking up.

The Cherry Blossom girl didn't know or understand why but it felt like it was being suppressed somehow. She already performed a self-examination but found no seals on her person which could only mean that maybe the room itself was covered with chakra suppressing seals with them likely on the outside of the cell. Despite that though she attempted to gather what chakra she could to try breaking down the door. However, even when she gathered some from her hidden chakra reserve, that she's been saving according to Tsunade-sama's orders, it only became suppressed as well.

Now, she could only sit on the hard metal floor tired. The poor girl was becoming hungry too since she hasn't eaten anything since before preparing for the ambush at the Tenchi Bridge. And she doesn't even know how long she's been in here but judging by how hungry she felt it has definitely been more than a day.

It was also to her misfortune that upon waking up she discovered that her ninja gear along with her stash of food pills has been taken. Likely confiscated when she was captured. And to make matters worse she had no idea where Sai or Captain Yamato were. She didn't even know if they were still alive since both of them were in pretty bad shape when she last saw them. She had to get out and find them.

And find him.

Sakura knew though that if she wanted to gather what strength she needed to escape this cell and find everyone, she was going to have to somehow get some food first.

It made her wonder that if she really has been in here longer than a day then why hasn't someone brought her any food yet? Even if a prisoner were unconscious food would still be brought to their cells. At least they would in her village. Were her captors planning on letting her starve? In fact, a better question was who were her captors? Was Naruto among them? Are they letting Yamato and Sai starve too if they're still alive?

It was difficult at this point to even think straight as she sat on the ground with her stomach aching for food.

Suddenly, the door to her cell slid upward to her surprise and in stepped two men, or what she could only guess were men. They were both wearing strange looking black armor with red shoulder pads and markings on their helmets. One was holding a tray of some kind and the other was pointing a strange metal looking object at her. He began to gesture with it for her to move.

"Back against the wall, shinobi."

Sakura wasn't sure who they were but judging by their looks, demeanor, and posture she could only guess that they were guards or soldiers and the one with the object must be holding a weapon of some kind.

"I would like to know where I am and who you are first if you don't mind."

The soldiers looked at each other before the one with the weapon pressed a switch on it before it made some kind of cocking sound.

"All you need to know right now is that if you don't want trouble, you'll do as you're told! Now move it!"

Seeing as how she didn't have any of her tools or sufficient chakra currently at her disposal and she had no idea what that weapon he's holding does, the medical ninja did as they instructed by standing and backing up to the wall. The other soldier than placed the metal tray down on the floor. Sakura was relieved and grateful to see that the tray appeared to have food.

After it was set it down, the two armored soldiers then stepped out of her cell shortly before the metal door slid down again and locked.

Sakura groaned as she wanted to try asking them again about where they were. She approached the tray before closely inspecting its contents. The food on it didn't look like any she had ever seen before. That and none of it looked very tasty at all. Though considering that she's a prisoner it was to be expected and unfortunately she couldn't afford to be picky at the moment.

She picked up a piece of food that looked like some kind of biscuit and sniffed at it before biting down on it. It was crunchy and had a little of a bitter taste but it wasn't that bad. She finished it in two more bites before moving onto what seemed to be either some kind of porridge or maybe it was a mashed up type of food like sometimes done with sweet potatoes. She took the spoon on the tray and scooped some up before trying a bite. It tasted bland and had very little flavor but she finished it in a few more scoops. After that, she ate the strange green colored chips that were very sour.

It was far from the best meal she's ever had and she would have rather spat most of it out but it was better than starving and now she could focus on trying to get out of this room.

The question was how?

Her chakra was still being suppressed and of course she didn't have any equipment or weapons. Even her secret lock picking tools, that she had hidden in her arm bands, were taken. Though judging by this cell and the door it didn't look like that they would've helped much considering.

'So basically, I have less than nothing to help me escape, huh?'

Sakura sat in frustration from her predicament as she tried to consider more options. Maybe Naruto or someone would come for her but who knows how long that would take. Not to mention that she wasn't even sure if Naruto was even here.

Wherever here was.

"Naruto…"

Sakura was so busy trying to figure out where she was and how to escape that she didn't take a moment to think about everything that happened before she was captured. Hell, during that whole fight she never even had a moment to fully embrace the fact that Naruto was Darth Vader all along. It didn't seem to matter at all once she saw part of his face shown through the mask. She was just so overcome that she forgot about and ignored it.

Now, the more she thought about this undeniable truth, the more it felt so unbelievable to her. Unbelievable that the fact that the monster who haunted her nightmares and filled her with such terror was in actuality her former knucklehead teammate. It was like reality was twisting itself over.

She really wished that she were beyond overjoyed right now that she finally found him and that he was alive but unfortunately she wasn't. Not entirely at least. This was not how she wanted to find him. She remembered during that fight how his presence felt. How that cold power inside him that he called the "Dark side" was consuming him. She knew that as long as this dark power was still engulfing his soul, that her mission to save him wouldn't be finished.

That's why she has to escape somehow and find him so that she can finally bring him home.

'Use the Force, Sakura.'

Sakura snapped her head up in alert and whipped it in every direction in her cell.

"Who's there?!"

No one answered.

"Hello?!"

She still kept looking around as the kunoichi could swear that she heard someone calling her name. In fact, she was certain that she heard this voice before but where? Sakura then remembered the voice she heard that instructed her how to feel the Force from when she was fighting Naruto. It was indeed that same voice and yet Sakura felt that she also heard it from even before then.

She tried talking to it again.

"Who are you?"

Still nothing.

"Please, say something!"

'Just let go and the Force shall be your key.'

She definitely heard it again. She looked around but still couldn't see anyone. Sakura tried calling out again but the voice said nothing more to her. Who or whatever it was must be either gone or is just staying silent.

Deciding to put a pin on this phenomenon later Sakura looked at her hands as she recalled what the voice said.

"The Force…is my key?"

The medical kunoichi looked at the door as it dawned on her that even though her chakra was being suppressed that perhaps her Force powers weren't. Those powers could get the door open for her. But how does she use it exactly?

When she used it in combat against Naruto it was instinctual and felt natural when she focused herself. She doesn't know how to use it in non-combat scenario such as unlocking a door. Also, what if she goes overboard with these powers and accidentally pushes the door off its hinges and alert whatever guards that are stationed out there? She needs to be subtle and rely on stealth if she hopes to escape unnoticed. She may have been trying to smash the door down before but that was only because she was desperate to get out then but now that she's had time to think this through carefully.

Knowing now that brute force wasn't going to work here.

She then remembered what the voice told her about letting go in order to use the Force, but let go of what exactly? The girl gripped her head as this was all so damn confusing. Why couldn't this voice just give her clear instructions.

Sakura then took a breath and tried relaxing her mind as she wasn't going to get anywhere while stressing herself out. She's always worked better with a problem by approaching it slowly and methodically and this was no different.

After some time, she decided that at least the first thing she should do was try to summon this Force power like she did before. She remembered how she cleared her mind during that battle and felt every living thing around her. The balance of everything together in that desert. Feeling the energy of that balance.

Feeling the Force.

So, she breathed and relaxed her mind further to try to feel it once again.

At first there was nothing but then slowly and surely she began to feel it again. However, something was strange. It didn't feel quite like how it was back in the desert. The Force felt balanced there but here it was sort of chaotic. There were so many presences here. Far more than in the desert.

And many of them felt unbalanced.

There was so much confusion, pain, sorrow, fear, and anger. It was overwhelming. There was also drive. Very much drive but for what she wasn't sure. She tried to sense for Sai and Yamato but couldn't feel their presence at all which gave her hope that they avoided capture.

Then she felt it.

That dark aura of rage and hatred that left no doubt in her mind as to who it was. So, he was here after all. Knowing that now she pushed everything else that she felt in her mind away and focused only on the door.

Unconsciously she raised her right arm up with her fingers outstretched. Concentrating. Trying to get the door to open. Feeling out the mechanics and structure within her mind until finally she could see what she could only guess was the locking mechanism keeping it in place. She concentrated harder as she used the Force to shift it and thereby releasing its hold.

Sakura's eyes snapped open as she heard the metal door rise up instantly. Seeing that it worked she jumped to her feet but slowly approached the doorway in case there were guards outside. The girl poked her pink hair covered head out and looked in both directions to see that her cell block was in a long very narrow hexagonal corridor. The surfaces were all metal just like in her cell.

The Leaf medic was relieved from seeing that there were no guards. Sakura then attempted to see if she could summon her chakra again as she was definitely going to need it for her escape. As she focused her chakra control, she managed to successfully summon it this time which proved her theory earlier that they were using chakra suppressing seals of some kind on the cell. Now that she was free and had more of fighting chance she tried to figure out which direction to go to.

At one end of the corridor was a bright light which made it hard to see what was beyond. At the other end, it looked like there was a larger room with some blinking lights. Deciding it was better to head where she could see she slowly made her way down the corridor to the larger room.

She suddenly quickly pressed her back into the bent wall as she saw people in the room up ahead. She peeked out slowly at the edge of the corridor and saw a few men in dark clothing walking around the middle of the room where in the center was some kind of workstation that had blinking lights and buttons everywhere. Two of the men had black shiny helmets that covered their heads but not their faces and both of them had holsters for strange looking weapons. The third man had a small hat and had blue bars on his shirt with what looked like metal pens poking out.

Sakura figured that she could take them out quickly but it could cause too much noise and she didn't know if there were others nearby. And even if there weren't chances were someone was going to check in on them at some point and it would raise the alarm if they were all found unconscious or missing. The shinobi medic was just going to have to sneak past them somehow.

She then came up with an idea and headed back down along the bent wall of the corridor.

Detention Area

"When are those upgrades going to be applied to the other cell blocks?"

The guard looked at his cohort while checking the systems for the hundredth time.

"Don't know. Maintenance said it could be awhile since they're still adding upgrades to the training hall."

The first guard sneered.

"Those blasted clones are always getting first priority! It wasn't like this when we had stormtroopers. Their loyalty and numbers were all the Empire needed rather than these time and resource wasting laboratory creatures!"

The other guard looked at the first.

"But if stormtroopers were all the Empire needed then how is it we lost at the battle of Endor?"

The other guard stammered a bit before noticing something odd.

"You! Trooper! What are you doing here?!"

The other guard looked over and saw a clone trooper standing in the middle of the corridor holding an empty tray.

"Are you going to answer me or just stand there?!"

The clone answered.

"The prisoner was finished with her meal, sir."

The first guard approached the trooper looking extremely suspicious.

"We weren't notified that someone was being sent up here for that."

The clone answered hesitantly.

"Orders came from upstairs."

The guard narrowed his eye.

"You expect me to believe that the admiral or that Lord Vader himself would actually give an order as trivial as gathering the prisoner's food tray and that no one bothered to notify us you were coming?"

The clone fidgeted a little before responding.

"They said that it was pointless to notify you of a meaningless task."

The guard gritted his teeth.

"Don't talk back to me, clone!"

The clone looked at him confused.

"I-I am only answering your question, sir!"

The guard crossed his arms annoyingly.

"And the reason you couldn't let us know any of this when you first came in was because?"

The clone didn't answer which raised further suspicion until the other guard spoke up.

"Did you at least notify the lieutenant when he was coming off his shift here before coming up on the elevator?"

The clone looked at the other guard and immediately confirmed.

"Yes! In fact, he told me to hurry up and just get it done without getting distracted."

The clone turned his helmet to the first guard, who was staring daggers at him for that remark, before scoffing and heading over frustratingly to the control console.

"We still need to clear this!"

Before he could even flip a switch the other guard whispered to him.

"Do we really want to waste time trying to clear something like this?"

The other guard snapped at him.

"Whether it's menial or not I'm not about to disregard Imperial protocol! Especially not for a feeble minded clone!"

He was about to flip the switch again while the clone could be seen slightly trembling before the other guard whispered to him.

"And is protocol more important than the possibility of disturbing Lord Vader?"

The first guard froze and sweat started to run down his face before he calmly retracted his hand and coughed.

"Just be on your way trooper!"

The clone trooper straightened himself and nodded stepping down from the corridor. However, he then started to look around the room. Almost like he was looking for an exit.

"The elevator is over there trooper…"

The clone looked over to where the second guard pointed and nodded before rushing over. He then proceeded to just to stand there much to the confusion of the guards.

Having enough, the first guard marched over and hit the button on the side. Moments later, the elevator door slid open in front of them yet the trooper still stood there looking confused. The trooper then slowly stepped inside the elevator before the door closed behind him.

The guard then looked over at his cohort again.

"And I suppose you would believe we would've done better on Endor with these new clone troopers of ours?"

Elevator

"Phew! That was a close one but why did that guard keep calling me a 'clone?'"

It was also a bit curious as when he mentioned Vader's name earlier he referred to him by the title of lord. Could these guards and the others be working for him? All the evidence so far points to it.

She wished though that she tried to divulge from the guards on where Yamato and Sai were. She checked all the cells but they were empty. Which means that if they were in this place, they could be anywhere.

At the moment though Sakura was just glad her Henge was able to fool the guards. Now, she just had to figure out a way to find Naruto. Find him and then figure out what's going on.

First, though she had to figure out how this thing worked.

She looked everywhere around this tiny box of a room but there wasn't any other door. The only thing she could see were buttons, next to where she came in, that had symbols on them she didn't recognize or understand in the slightest. Suddenly, the room she was in started to shift and vibrate around her.

Almost like it was moving.

The next thing she knew the door she came in opened and there stood a man that was dressed exactly like the third man she saw in the room earlier before she did the transformation jutsu.

"Is there a problem trooper?"

The fake trooper shook her head.

"No, sir! No trouble at all."

The man looked him at the tray curiously.

"Then why are you just standing there in the elevator holding that tray?"

Sakura was about to answer until the man held his hand up.

"Never mind, it's not important. Just return that to the mess hall and report back to your post immediately."

Sakura straightened herself up.

"Hai, sir!"

The man looked at her confused.

"Yes,…..hello to you too…..now be on your way."

Sakura hesitantly stepped out of the elevator. When she fully came out she found that she was in a corridor with sleek metal walls with people walking in both directions. The officer then stepped into the elevator but was still watching her.

Not wanting to raise anymore suspicion Sakura just turned left and started walking away.

"Trooper."

Sakura froze and looked back towards the man in the elevator to see him pointing in the opposite direction.

"That way…"

The fake trooper immediately backtracked and headed in the direction she was instructed.

"Sorry, sir! Just a bit turned around!"

The man muttered something to himself while pushing one of the buttons before disappearing behind the elevator door.

After successfully avoiding another close call, Sakura then headed down the hall determined to find Naruto and get the hell out of this place.

Elsewhere in an Unknown Location

The flickering static images of the Akatsuki were all gathered once again in a dark dismal cave. One of them has managed to come upon information regarding one of their targets that has somehow eluded them these past three years. However, when that member told the others of the intel he gathered, hardly anyone there could believe it.

"Are you absolutely sure of this, Zetsu?"

The plant like Akatsuki member nodded to Pein.

"Yes, we were there the whole time and there was no mistaking what we saw and heard."

"Darth Vader is without a doubt the jinchuriki of the Kyuubi no Kitsune that disappeared three years ago; Naruto Uzumaki."

Kisame spoke up.

"I can't believe that all along Vader is the same wet behind the ears, loudmouth, Leaf genin brat we tried to capture three years ago."

His partner Itachi nodded.

"Yes, it is hard to comprehend. He must've undergone quite a change since we last saw him."

Kakazu looked over at Zetsu.

"Are you really sure, he's the one? What if he's just posing as the jinchuriki as a means to lure us to him?"

Black Zetsu answered.

"It is him. We both witnessed him ushing the chakra of the Kyuubi. There's no imposter in the world that can mimic that power."

Tobi chimed in.

"Wow! That kid must've really put himself through the ringer these last few years to be able to handle that power!"

Hidan barked at Itachi and his partner.

"Yeah, thanks to these two for blundering their mission to capture him!"

Itachi responded.

"It couldn't be helped, Jiraiya-sama of the Legendary Sannin was there and I already used up too much of my chakra against the Leaf Shinobi that tried to stop us."

Kisame grinned his shark teeth.

"Besides it's not like you would've done any better considering you're far from the brightest member here."

Tobi covered his hand over where his mouth would be to try to repress a laugh while Hidan pointed at Kisame.

"OH YEAH, WELL HOW BOUT I MAKE YOU EAT THOSE WORDS WHEN I BRING IN THE JINCHURIKI MYSELF!"

"That wouldn't be a very good idea."

All eyes turned to Zetsu again.

"He's not the type of opponent you can just take on in a straight up fight. Not even with numbers on your side."

Pein's eyes narrowed.

"Yes, you mentioned that his abilities from before, were similar to my own."

Zetsu's white half spoke again.

"I'm afraid his abilities are more complicated than we originally thought."

Everyone's eyes, including Tobi's left one hidden by the darkness of his mask, narrowed as Zetsu's dark half elaborated.

"As we said before, he has powers similar to your own but since they don't rely on his chakra there doesn't seem to be any limit to how much he can use them in battle. Also, he's capable of enhancing his speed to the point where it almost appears as if he's teleporting to wherever he wishes on the battlefield. He possesses great physical strength that not even Tsunade-sama would be able to match up to. And genjutsu has been shown to be ineffective against him."

Zetsu looked at Itachi.

"Even ones performed by a well-trained sharingan user."

Itachi's eyes slightly narrowed as he continued.

"He can pass through fire without so much as a single burn thanks to that armor of his and he also even managed to withstand a lightning jutsu that was capable of leveling a mountain top."

Hidan cut in.

"Alright, I admit that's pretty impressive, but I still say-"

"We aren't finished."

Kakazu gave Hidan a look that told him to not interrupt again while Zetsu continued.

"In addition to all of that, he was even capable of using his tailed beast's chakra in ways we've never seen or heard of a jinchuriki doing before. It's hard to describe but it almost seemed like he was combining the power of his Bijuu with that of his other non-chakra abilities. And the results….."

Zetsu paused for a second before finishing his statement.

"Were too much even for Orochimaru to stand up to."

A brief silence followed that statement until Kisame spoke.

"So, you're saying he even had the likes of Orochimaru running with his tail between his legs? That's no easy feat. I'm beginning to seriously respect this guy."

Zetsu nodded.

"Yes, indeed. Him, Kabuto, and Sasuke barely managed to escape with their lives. They were all in pretty bad shape too."

Itachi's eyes twitched but no one was able to notice.

"Okay, okay so this guy is tough and 'scary' but it still doesn't change the fact that I'm going to use him for my sacrificial ceremony to Jashin!"

Tobi clasped his hands behind his head as he looked up at the ceiling.

"Assuming of course you don't lose you temper and wildly rush in and he doesn't cut you into tiny pieces first with that…what was that sword of his called again?"

Both halves of Zetsu answered Tobi.

"A lightsaber."

"A lightsaber."

Tobi nodded and finished what he was saying.

"With that lightsaber of his first."

Hidan grew a tick mark before he pointed at the masked member.

"TOBI, DON'T MAKE ME MAD! CAUSE IF YOU MAKE MAD, I'M GOING TO-"

"Enough!"

Hidan was cut off by Pein who was staring with his purpled rippled eyes at the homicidal member.

"You're only proving his point by losing your temper like that, Hidan. And Tobi you really should learn to think before you speak."

Hidan huffed in annoyance while Tobi merely nodded depressingly.

"The fact of the matter is that our plans for the foreseeable future will have to change slightly. We will continue our search for the other eight jinchuriki while still taking jobs for bringing in targets in the Bingo books for monetary compensation to fund our organization. However, none of you are to go after Darth Vader. He has clearly proven that it's going to take more than just two of our members to engage and capture him. We will have to be more discreet in our movements so that we don't unintentionally catch his attention. That way he'll focus more on hunting Orochimaru and his allies while we focus on our own targets."

No one noticed that Itachi's fingers fidgeted a bit upon hearing Pein's last statement..

"Once we have the other tailed beasts, we will all go on the offensive with Vader. And the hunter will become the hunted."

The leader of the Akatsuki then looked over at Hidan and Kakazu.

"Hidan, Kakazu. You're both closer to Kumogakure than the rest of us. The Nibi jinchuriki will be there. Find them and capture them but do so without drawing too much attention. We can't afford to have Vader or anyone else ruining our plans."

He then turned to the others.

"The rest of you will search for the other jinchuriki but keep a low profile as you do. That is all for now."

The other members of the Akatsuki vanished. Leaving only Zetsu, and Tobi.

"What is it?"

Black Zetsu asked the clumsy masked member whose demeanor and voice suddenly dramatically changed when he responded.

"I want you to tell me something; Zetsu."

Tobi turned to the plant based member with a sharingan narrowing through the single eyehole of his spiraled mask.

"I want you to tell me everything else that you have learned…of Darth Vader."

Meanwhile Elsewhere

The hallway was vast and every surface of it was covered in metal just like the cell block area she came from. There was also a voice echoing somewhere but she couldn't make out what it was saying and it sounded like it was speaking through some kind of device. Almost like how a voice sounds through a radio headset.

There were men and women walking through the corridor too and they wore similar uniforms to the man in the elevator only they were lighter grey in color. Some of them were holding metal objects and looked as if they were reading something on them. Others were engaged in conversation and while Sakura tried listening in on them she couldn't really make out anything understandable other than a few rather slanderous remarks on clones which further puzzled her.

She also encountered more of those armored soldiers carrying more of those weird looking weapons while doing what she could only guess were routine patrols. Oddly enough she thought that the first few that passed her by, while in conversation, were the same soldiers she encountered in her cell at first. That was until she noticed that all the soldiers' voices sounded exactly the same. In fact, on closer inspection, she even noticed that all the soldiers were of the exact same height and build too.

She became so distracted with her thoughts that she failed to noticed something that was coming towards her front.

"GONK!"

BONK!

"OW!"

Sakura nearly fell over from something that bonked into her. She rubbed her leg and was agitated that she was almost knocked over. When she looked to see what hit her though, she couldn't even tell what she was looking at.

'What the heck is that?'

Whatever it was it looked like a metal box standing and moving by itself on two legs.

"Gonk."

A strange sound came from it as it started to walk around her while bobbing up and down with each step it took. Sakura figured that maybe it was some kind of small person inside but why they were in there she didn't know. After all, there's no way it was some kind of living metal creature.

That would be just ridiculous.

"I'm terribly sorry about that sir! My counterpart's behavioral processor is in desperate need of repair!"

"Oh, that's okay I did-"

Sakura turned around but froze in mid-sentence to once again see what couldn't be human as it appeared to be some sort of metal man. It had light coming out of his eyes and she could see what looked like wires beneath where the parts of its black metal skin met. It also had a small horizontal hole where a mouth would be on its face but it didn't have a nose at all.

"W-What are you?"

"I'm DB-Z17, a protocol droid in service of the Empire or rather what's left of it."

Sakura didn't know how to respond as she watched the strange man like metal creature stiffly walk past her.

"Please excuse me sir, but I have to escort my counterpart to maintenance at once."

After the metal man caught up with the walking box, Sakura slowly continued on her path.

'Droid? Empire? Just what the hell is going on in this place?!'

That was indeed the question that was raging in Sakura's mind right now. This prison, base whatever it was is becoming stranger and stranger by the second. However, she couldn't allow herself to lose focus. That was one of the things shinobi are taught when it came to infiltration and evasion and that it was to not feel overwhelmed by your new environment and the people your hiding from.

Because if you allowed yourself to waver for even a second then you would be discovered.

In truth though, Sakura has never really done any infiltration or evasion missions that were even close to this. And she doubted any shinobi ever has. Despite that however, it still didn't change the fact that she had to keep her cool and stay focused on finding Naruto, getting answers, and then getting the hell back to the Leaf with him.

But she had a nagging feeling that what she's seen so far was nowhere near as overwhelming as whatever else she has yet to find here.

"I thought that training session would never end! Let's head on over to the mess hall."

"Sounds like a plan, I'm starving!"

She overheard two more soldiers conversing as they walked past her. She was thinking that stopping over at the mess hall wasn't a bad idea either since she was getting tired of carrying this tray around. That and she could pick up some intel on where Naruto is and what's happened to Yamato and Sai.

She followed them but kept her distance to avoid drawing attention.

It didn't take long before they came upon a doorway on their right where troopers were coming in and out like clockwork. Figuring that this had to be the place. Sakura entered so that she could get rid of the tray, try to gather her intel, and then get out of here. However, when she looked upon all the helmetless soldiers that were eating and engaging in conversation she froze once again and if her eyes could be seen right now they would be as wide as saucers.

'What…..the hell….?'

Every single one of the soldiers in here had the exact same face.

The disguised medical kunoichi slowly surveyed the room. Examining each and every one of them thinking that her eyes had to be playing tricks on her. Some of the men had different hair styles or were just bald and others had tattoos of a strange symbol but it didn't change the fact that all of them indeed shared the same face. And as she listened to them talking to each other, she could tell that they all had the same voice as well which meant she didn't hear wrong earlier.

This had to be some kind of trick. A jutsu perhaps like the Clone or Shadow Clone jutsu. Except these soldiers were picking up utensils as they ate which meant they were solid, so they could be Shadow Clones. That or maybe perhaps all these soldiers were henged to just look the same.

She then remembered what that man in the prison area called her.

Flashback

"Don't talk back to me, clone!"

End Flashback

She knows now what that man meant when he called her that and realized that all these soldiers were indeed clones. They didn't feel like Shadow clones though and someone certainly wouldn't bother to go to all this trouble to make so many of them only to have them eat at a mess hall. Which only leaves one answer even though it seemed impossible.

Is that somehow all these men were grown from the same DNA.

She remembered when she read those countless textbooks and scrolls on medical ninjitsu, as part of her training under Tsunade-Sama, that a few of the authors theorized that it was possible to take a person's DNA and replicate it to make an exact copy or clone of that person. That theory though was never proven and it was forbidden to even experiment with such a thing.

But as she looked upon the room full of men all talking and eating with the same face and voice, it seemed that there was very little doubt.

She then looked over and saw where the men were stacking their empty trays. The henged kunoichi walked over and stacked hers too before she walked out of the mess hall. Taking a short moment to gather her thoughts.

'I got to keep it together. Come on, you can do it, Sakura! Just got to get back in there and try to come up with any intel that'll help find Naruto.'

Sakura was about to head back in until she heard a couple clone soldiers talking nearby.

"Come on, let's get back to the security center. I heard there's going to be an inspection."

Sakura noticed that these clones were wearing the same red shoulder pads and stripes on their helmets as the ones that came to her cell and that her Henge disguise had.

"Another inspection already? What for?"

The clone looked at his counterpart.

"Well, the main forces are going to be heading down to the surface. Something big must be going on. And with the rest of our brothers down there, our division needs to keep this ship secured. Hence, the reason for the inspection."

The other clone nodded.

"Heh, I guess that makes sense. Who's inspecting us?"

The other clone shrugged.

"Who knows? Could be Captain Vordack or one of the other imperial officers."

The clone then whispered to his cohort.

"Or it could even be Lord Vader himself."

Sakura perked up a little at Naruto's alter ego being mentioned.

The clone's counterpart stiffened.

"In that case I don't want to waste any more time here. Let's get back already!"

They started walking away while still continuing their conversation.

"Why are you so nervous? Lord Vader isn't as strict with us as he is with the Imperial Officers. We do our job and he respects us for it. And he's likely heading down with our brothers too."

The other clone responded.

"I know all that it's just….. well…..you know Lord Vader is not exactly the kind of person that anyone would feel at ease being around."

The other clone looked down towards the direction they were heading.

"Good point."

As the clones went on their way, Sakura followed them at a distance. The kunoichi knew she was taking a big risk heading into a place that sounds like was going to be heavy with security but she had to take the chance. Especially if there's a possibility that she might find Naruto there.

She followed the two clones through vast halls, chambers, and even catwalks that went around large towers that gave off humming sounds with people working on them. Encountering more people in those grey outfits along the way, that she assumed were these "Imperial Officers", in addition to more soldiers and more of those strange metal creatures called droids. She even saw a few that looked like three legged trash cans that had blinking eyes with noses that resembled peepholes and were rolling around on wheels.

To say that she felt like she was losing her grip on reality in this place would be an understatement.

They came into another corridor, that had a large glass window on the right wall, which started to annoy Sakura now. All this walking reminded her of how frustrating it was when she and her comrades were trying to locate Sasuke in Orochimaru's labyrinth of a hideout. Thinking about it only reminded and made her wonder where Yamato and Sai were. She didn't sense their presence at all in this place and while it could mean that they avoided capture somehow, there was also a chance that maybe they were left for dead.

Or a worse that Naruto killed them.

Sakura tried to push those thoughts out of her head. She didn't want to even slightly consider that as a possible outcome but she couldn't deny that Naruto has been changed greatly by this power of the Force called the Darkside. She barely felt what seemed like his old warm and welcoming presence as it was engulfed by this terrifying cold dark power when she looked inside him.

It made her wonder that even if she did find him would she even be able to help him?

She shook her head to try to rid herself of these doubting thoughts. She will find a way to help him. After all, he had plenty of chances to kill her when they fought but instead he chose the opposite frequently even when he almost choked her to death. She also refused to believe that Yamato and Sai were killed.

She was still alive after all, so they had to be too.

Sakura looked up to see if they reached the security center yet but found that the guards were gone and that she was alone in the corridor.

"Damn it! I let myself get distracted! I can't believe that I-"

Sakura ceased her self-chastising as she looked out the window and was absolutely speechless with disbelief.

'Oh…..my…god!'

The window was overlooking an enormous room below. So enormous that it looked as if the entire Leaf village could fit right into it and then some. However, what really had her attention was that the room was filled with enormous scores of black armored clones. Sakura couldn't believe the sheer number of them. There had to be hundreds, thousands of them down there.

And to top it off, all of them were armed with those strange weapons she saw before.

There weren't just clones down there though. In addition to them, there were also large machine like creatures too. There were a dozen or so that were about thirty feet high that resembled chickens with the way they were walking and standing in formation on their biped legs. The ones that were in formation had more clones, who wore different looking armor, standing at attention from a latch that opened up on top of their heads.

Sakura would've said that those chicken like machines were the craziest things she's seen in this place yet. If she did though she would've been proven wrong as behind them were four, even larger, machines. These ones were different as they were walking on four legs instead of just two and they were more than twice the size of the two legged ones. Around 72 feet or more in height alone.

Sakura realized that these had to be the main forces that the clone mentioned earlier shortly before she noticed and watched as a single officer stood in front of this large army clearing his throat before speaking.

"I'm sure you all are aware why you have been gathered here today. When you clone troopers were bred within our home universe, it was to be Lord Vader's personal army. An army of a last resort against the Rebellion that arose to oppose our Empire but as all of you know by now, the situation has greatly changed."

Sakura realized that her theory was proven right after all and that these were clones grown from the same DNA source. A new question though was how on earth could anyone produce these many clones in such a short time? It would take years to even try to perfect one clone individual but thousands?
But there was an even bigger question on her mind than that.

'Home universe?'

"For many months now, you clone troopers have been trained extensively. Far beyond our former and quite frankly inadequate stormtroopers. You have been taught to know how these shinobi fight, how they strategize, and how they engage their opponents. You've worked hard and you outperformed many of our expectations. Now, it may appear that the time to put all of this training to use is upon us."

Sakura stepped further to the glass.

'I've got a very bad feeling about this…'

"Lord Vader warned the Hokage of the Leaf Village to not interfere in our affairs and she along with her shinobi subordinates have proven to be uncooperative. As such, on Lord Vader's orders, you have all been gathered here to commence Operation:…"

Sakura leaned in closer to the glass.

"Burning Leaf."

She nearly fell as she stepped back in both shock and horror.

"WHAT?!"

"You! Trooper!"

Sakura turned her henged form to see another officer standing and staring at her. It was a young short woman who looked in her late twenties with black hair and slightly dark skin. She slowly walked over to Sakura with her hands behind her waist with a look of authority on her face.

"Stand at attention when I address you!"

The disguised kunoichi immediately straightened herself up and stood at attention.

"Now, why haven't you reported back with your squad for the inspection?"

Sakura answered.

"I was on my way back when I noticed our army was assembled down there, ma'am. I just…"

The woman stepped closer to her.

"You, just what trooper?"

Sakura hesitantly answered.

"I just…..couldn't help but look upon our entire army in awe and listen to that inspirational speech."

The officer looked at her more closely and Sakura was prepared to knock her out until she saw her smile.

"I see what's going on. You can't help but look upon your fellow clones down there and feel envious for not standing in glory with them as they prepare for their first battle. All while you and your division stay up here keeping the ship secured."

Sakura looked at her.

'Ship?'

The woman's expression then hardened.

"Be that as it may that's not an excuse for you slacking off and not reporting back with your squad on time, now be on your way!"

Sakura bowed in respect.

"Y-Yes ma'am!"

The woman looked confused by the trooper's gesture before the trooper then prepared to rush down the hall.

"Trooper! One more thing!"

Sakura froze and slowly turned around.

"You do know that's only a third of our main force down there, correct?"

Sakura's face would be as pale as ghost's if it could be seen right now.

"Y-Yes! I just feel a bit scatterbrained at the moment what with the inspection!"

The woman nodded before turning around and walking away.

Sakura then bolted down the hallway. She had no time to be slow and careful anymore. Not with the safety of the entire Leaf village at stake. She had to find Naruto.

And put a stop to this maddening nightmare.

Barracks

He sat alone. Staring at the data pad for a long time. His squad was elsewhere preparing their equipment while he prepared his mind. This was going to be their first big battle after all. He had to be ready.

Failing his squad or their leader were not optional.

That's why he spent hours looking over old imperial records and recordings of his predecessor who fought in the Clone Wars. Examining every detail of every report and personal log. Understanding how his predecessor dealt with the challenges and enemies of his time as well his tactics, way of thinking, and even his unique outlook on the war itself.

It was informative and he would go as far as to say even inspirational.

He was so absorbed by the information and journal entries, that he failed to notice his commander standing in front of him until she coughed.

"Commander Ashla!"

He stood at attention.

"Forgive my tardiness ma'am! I must have lost track of time and-"

She held her hand up.

"At ease, Captain Rex. Lord Vader hasn't called for your squad yet."

The clone captain relaxed as she held her hand out.

"May I see what in our archives that has captivated your attention?"

Rex handed over the data pad to the blonde imperial as she looked over its contents.

"These are the records of clone commander CC-7567, codenamed Rex of the Galactic Army of the Republic."

Rex nodded.

"When Lord Vader gave me that name, I was curious as to why he chose it, so I looked through the archives to see if the name held some significance. I was surprised when I found out that there was another clone officer during the Clone Wars that held that name before me. Since then, I've been studying his records and profile. Figured it might help me in battle and command my squad better."

Ashla understood as she read aloud the contents.

"Served in the 501st Clone Battalion. Decorated for having successfully fought on at least 50 campaigns and dozens of star systems. Served mainly under General Skywalker and occasionally under General Kenobi and Commander Tano. Promoted to the rank of Commander shortly before the Siege of Mandalore but was KIA soon after."

She handed the pad back to Rex.

"If I recall, the Siege of Mandalore occurred right before the end of the Clone Wars. Shortly before the Jedi were wiped out for treason to be precise."

Rex nodded.

"Yeah, it did. But I don't believe Commander Rex died right after his mission to Mandalore though."

Commander Ashla crossed her arms while raising her brow.

"Oh?"

Rex put the pad down on the cot while grabbing his black helmet.

"There were a few scattered reports of what appeared to be a group of old clones seen fighting with the rebels on Lothal. I think that Commander Rex was one of them."

Ashla looked at the clone captain surprised.

"If that's true, why would he have joined the Rebellion? All the clones continued to serve the Empire after the Jedi Purge. At least shortly before they were decommissioned and replaced with TK Stormtroopers."

Rex shook his head.

"No, not all of them."

Ashla looked at the clone confused so he explained.

"It's true that many continued to serve but there were a number of clones throughout the galaxy that disobeyed and even deserted the Empire. Chief among them was Clone Force Ninety Nine also known then as the 'Bad Batch.'"

Ashla knew the clone squadron he was referring to. In fact, it was on her recommendation to Lord Vader that this squadron be made with the same enhancements that the Clone Force Ninety Nine squad members had. She felt clones with the same abilities as them would be of great use to her lord's plans.

"Rex and those other clones were bred to be loyal and fight for the Republic not the Empire."

Ashla understood what he meant.

"And to many the Empire was the exact opposite of the Republic."

Rex nodded again.

"That's why I believe Commander Rex and those other clones chose to side with the Rebellion. I can't help but admire them for that."

Ashla looked at him in shock.

"What?"

The clone realized what he just said and tried to apologize.

"Forgive me! I spoke out of place, ma'am. I didn't mean-"

Ashla held her hand up to interrupt.

"No, it's not that. I'm just….surprised and curious. Why would you admire them after they stood against the Empire?"

The clone captain looked down at his helmet and its painted red markings as he thought how best to answer that question before he put it on.

"Because they chose to remain loyal to their own beliefs that they were groomed to have despite what they were engineered to think. Me and my brothers may have been engineered to be loyal to and fight for Lord Vader but it's something, I believe, we would have chosen anyway. That's something I'll always respect of my brothers."

He looked at her as the light reflected off his helmet's black surface.

"Past and present."

Ashla nodded as she and the clone officer headed towards the door out of the barracks.

"When you put it like that, I guess it does make sense why you would feel that way. You certainly are a fascinating trooper, captain."

He looked at her as she smiled at him.

"Well, I uh…I'm just a-oof! HEY!"

Rex was interrupted when out of nowhere a security shock trooper suddenly shoved into him and Ashla. Nearly knocking them both off their feet. The trooper held his hands up in a panic while trying to back away.

"Sorry! Coming through!"

"HOLD IT RIGHT THERE, TROOPER!"

The clone froze upon Rex's command.

"Turn around, now."

The clone did as instructed while Rex marched over to him.

"Now, care to explain what has you in such a hurry that you tossed all your trained discipline and respect for the chain of command right out the window and began acting like you have the manners of a jawa?!"

The clone stammered a bit and looked confused.

"M-My apologies sir! It's just that there's an inspection! I can't be late!"

Ashla stood next to Rex.

"Ah, yes. There's an inspection of the shock troopers being conducted at the security center."

The clone nodded

"Yes! Exactly! And I'm running late!"

Ashla looked peculiarly at the trooper.

"Trooper, are you aware that you're heading in the wrong direction?"

She pointed back down the hall where the clone shock trooper came from.

"The security center is that way past the lifts and maintenance areas."

"Oh right! How stupid of me! Thank you very much!"

Rex crossed his arms suspiciously at the clone as he tried to slowly walk past them.

"I just feel embarrassed. Please excuse me while I- "

Rex grabbed hold of the soldier's shoulder pad and turned him around.

"You're not going anywhere until you show Commander Ashla the respect she deserves and properly apologize."

The clone looked at the imperial officer and bowed to her.

"I'm deeply sorry for my rudeness earlier, ma'am!"

Ashla raised a brow with a confused expression at the clone's odd gesture.

"That's….quite alright trooper. Just make sure to be more careful in the future."

The clone nodded and was about to backtrack down the hall before Rex spoke.

"Trooper, when you get there be sure to say hello to Hevy for me. It's been a while since I've seen him since he transferred over to your division."

Ashla looked at Rex perplexed. Wondering what in this galaxy he was talking about. She was about to ask him when the clone turned around and gave a thumbs up.

"Sure! I'll tell him when I see him at the inspection!"

Rex suddenly raised his right gauntlet and a whipcord shot out and tied itself around the shock trooper.

"No,….you won't."

The bound trooper struggled while yelling in confusion. Ashla looked at Rex like he's gone made but before she could do anything, the clone captain twisted and pulled the cord and the trooper toward him. When the trooper was close enough, he then jabbed his left hand into the trooper's shoulder,

POOF!

The clone shock trooper suddenly exploded into smoke. Causing Ashla to shield her eyes. When it cleared and she lowered her arms, she was shocked to see that in the clone's place stood a young girl with short pink hair with a surprised look on her face.

Ashla turned to Rex.

"How did you know?"

Rex answered as he struggle to keep the girl restrained.

"Well, first off, there's no way any one of our shock troopers would forget where the security center is. Second, is when she bowed to you. That's a custom the locals down at the planet do when apologizing or showing respect. And finally, every single one of my brothers knows that Hevy would never transfer out of my squad to the security division. Security is too boring for him."

Ashla was amazed and impressed with how Rex was able to deduce all of that and she would've said she was proud of him right now but the matter of the girl still needed to be addressed.

"Who is she?"

Rex answered.

"She's the prisoner that Lord Vader and my squad captured and brought to the ship. Lord Vader wants to question her."

The girl suddenly ceased her struggling at the mention of Vader's name.

"Where's Naruto?! Tell me where Naruto is!"

Rex and Ashla looked at each other without any idea as to who she was talking about.

"Naruto? Who is Naruto?"

The girl grunted in frustration over Ashla's inquiry.

"Never mind, just tell me where Darth Vader is!"

Rex tightened his hold on the girl.

"I don't think so, Sakura Haruno."

The kunoichi looked shockingly at Rex.

"How the hell do you know my name?!"

Rex answered.

"You shinobi aren't the only ones that are skilled at gathering intel on your opponents."

He turned towards his commander.

"Contact the security center and let them know the prisoner has escaped. Put the ship on lock down and make sure the admiral and Lord Vader are informed too!"

Ashla looked at Rex.

"But what about you?"

Rex answered.

"Me and the boys will keep her detained until she's put back in her cell!"

Ashla nodded and ran off while speaking into her comm link. With his superior safely away, Rex reached up and spoke into his helmet comm. Contacting his squad.

"Boys, listen up! The prisoner has escaped. I've got her restrained outside the barracks but I don't know how long I can keep it up. I need you here double time!"

Hevy answered on the comms.

"She escaped? How?"

Fives answered.

"Doesn't matter, let's get down there to Rex and give him back up before that girl does some serious damage."

Echo responded.

"Considering that she's the Hokage's apprentice and has learned and copied Tsunade's fighting style it would definitely be wise to face her as a group."

Hevy's voice then yelled frantically over the comm.

"THE HOKAGE'S APPRENTICE?! Why didn't anyone tell me?! Hold tight, Rex! We're on our way!"

"Copy that."

Rex then lowered his hand while Sakura still struggled.

"How did you undo my Transformation jutsu like that? I've only ever seen it undone when a shinobi has been knocked out, exhausted or had their chakra sealed. Yet, you did it with just one strike that didn't even hurt me."

Rex answered the girl.

"We learned a thing or two about you shinobi and your jutsu's. That's all you need to know!"

The kunoichi started to struggle again while repeating her first question to him.

"Well, it's not, clone! I want you tell me where Vader is, right now!"

Rex pulled the cord causing Sakura to grunt from its tightening hold.

"So, you know I'm a clone, huh? Sounds like you've picked up on a few things yourself during your sightseeing here."

Sakura glared at him and growled.

"Oh, you have no idea!"

Rex didn't look the least bit intimidated as he pulled her in more.

"Well, first off the name is Rex. Captain. Second is that my answer is the same as before. I'm not telling you anything!"

The medical kunoichi then used her chakra to leap away despite Rex's efforts to hold her in place. When she landed, she stamped her feet into the hard metal floor. Anchoring herself into it. Then she tried channeling her chakra into her arms to break free.

Rex struggled as he felt the whip cord straining against the girl's chakra enhanced strength. He would've tried using his other hand to reach for his blaster to stun her, but he needed both of his arms to try to maintain his hold on her. If he could keep it up a bit longer then his squad mates could handle the rest.

Unfortunately for him, the whip cord was unable to hold Sakura down any longer and snapped.

Seizing the opportunity, Sakura grabbed hold of what was left of the cord with both hands. She then pulled on it so hard that Rex flew toward her. The kunoichi then drew her fist back as she prepared to punch the clone right in the helmet. Before he got close enough though flames suddenly ignited and shot out of the pack on his back. Halting his projection toward her and helping to keep his body upright while he levitated in the air.

Sakura looked up amazed at the clone's feat.

"What? First time seeing a jetpack?"

Rex then suddenly bolted fast toward her with his jetpack while drawing out his blasters and shooting a few stun blasts at the kunoichi.

Sakura's eyes widened at the series of blue energy rings. Using her reflexes, she was able to evade them all but only barely. Even managing to dodge out of the way as Rex tried to slam into her. When he missed and overshot, the clone captain whipped his body around midair and fired more stun blasts. Sakura proceeded to dodge them all like last time and even Rex as he almost flew right into her again.

The fight continued on like this a couple more times before Sakura finally caught on to what the clone was up to. He was trying to keep her in this one spot until more clones arrived. Rex was making sure to keep his distance from her fists while at the same time keeping her off balance with his blasts. Whenever he came in toward her it was really to make sure she couldn't escape in either direction through the hallway.

Now knowing his strategy, she couldn't afford to waste any more time. Right when she dodged the last stun blast she leapt up, over the incoming clone, toward the ceiling and smashed her fist into it. Causing it to crumble and come crashing down! Rex used his jetpack to fly away from and avoid the falling debris. Seeing that her plan worked, Sakura then sprinted in the opposite direction down the hall. When the debris finished falling, Rex turned around and found that he couldn't go after her as it was cutting him off.

Allowing the girl to escape.

"Dank Farrik!"

Rex then landed and ran down his end of the hall while contacting his squad to let them know where the kunoichi was heading and of a new plan to recapture her.

Elsewhere

As Sakura sprinted down the hallway a loud alarm began to echo throughout the ship.

"Damn it!"

She cursed under breath due to everyone in this entire ship now knowing she's escaped. She could try using the transformation jutsu again but she doubted that it would be as useful now considering that Rex and that woman are likely telling the others to double check everyone. If she could just reach Naruto before they find her then maybe she could convince him to call them off.

Assuming of course that Naruto doesn't throw her back in a cell himself.

WHACK!

"ARGH!"

A large fist came out of nowhere and punched Sakura right in the face. Knocking her off her feet to the floor. She rubbed the sore spot where she was struck and found that blood was dripping from the corner of her mouth. She looked up to see the attacker that stood over her.

"Going somewhere?"

He definitely sounded like another clone only he was far larger than the others she encountered. His strength didn't feel natural either. She should know the difference between basic human strength and chakra enhanced after training with Tsunade. While his punch didn't feel like it was chakra enhanced it was definitely superhuman.

But that didn't concern her at all.

The clone smacked his fists together while cracking his neck.

"You're tough, girl. I'll give you that, but why don't pick on someone bigger than your own size!"

Sakura stood up on her feet. Spitting out some blood before she cracked her knuckles. Her eyes looking like white saucers with black edges while her face contorted with dark rage as she growled.

"Uh oh…."

The next thing the hulking clone knew, her own fist slammed into his chest armor. Sending him flying and smashing three feet into the metal wall. Sakura blew on her fist before rubbing it on her skirt.

The giant clone groaned in pain while struggling to get out.

"I really hate being the distraction sometimes."

Sakura's body suddenly grew tense.

"Distraction?"

CLATCH!

"HEY! WHAT THE-?!"

Something suddenly clamped onto her back. Sakura couldn't see what it was but it was holding onto her tightly. She tried shaking it off but it wouldn't come off so she then reached behind her back to try to pull it off.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZT!

"ARRRRRGGGGHHHHH!"

Sakura screamed in pain as bolts of electricity surged through her body from whatever was attached to her back. The kunoichi though has felt worse pain than this and fought through it as she attempted to reach behind her back again. Once she had whatever was attacking her in her grasp she ripped it off and threw it away.

The object however, reversed its trajectory in the air and levitated much to her surprise. It had a flat head with antennae on top and a large green eye in the center. She could see legs that were dangling from beneath its head and one of them was sparking with electricity. Likely, from when it shocked her. She could tell by its metal skin that it had to be another kind of droid.

Sakura growled in annoyance as she wanted to tear the little metal nuisance apart. She tried to grab at it but the small metal squid dodged out of the way. All while shooting little bolts of electricity at her which she was able to dodge. That only made her more infuriated as a result.

The Konoha kunoichi became so distracted by the droid though that she failed to notice two large arms wrapping around and pulling her into a tight bear hug. When she looked, she saw that it was that huge clone again. She grunted as she struggled to get out of his tightening hold.

"Listen little girl! Things will get much worse for you if you don't cooperate! A lot worse! So, stop-URGH!"

The clone was cut off as Sakura slammed the back of her head into his chin. Knocking him off balance and causing him to loosen his grip on her. When she landed she was about to try punching his lights out but froze as she saw another clone pointing another one of those weapons at her.

The clone looked at his hulking brother who was rubbing where his chin would be, beneath his helmet, while pointing at the smaller clone.

"Next time, you act as the distraction!"

The smaller one shook his head.

"I warned you not to take her on at close range. She could've knocked your head off!"

The larger one shrugged.

"It worked didn't it? Now, we have her."

The larger clone than began to reach for something behind his back which Sakura could only assume was another weapon. She couldn't fight both of them while they had those strange weapons that shoot those energy rings. Not to mention the fact that with the alarm blaring more clones were likely on their way here, so tangling with them for too long would be a bad idea. Unfortunately, she couldn't get away while both of these clones were blocking her escape routes.

'If I can't get through them…I'll just go beneath them!'

Sakura suddenly slammed her fist into the floor. Causing it to cave in and forcing the two clones to leap out of the way as a massive hole opened up. The cherry blossom girl didn't waste any more time as she dove right in while praying that there weren't more clones down in the next level.

Hevy and Echo slowly got up groaning while D8 rushed over to check on his creator.

"Well, that could've been better…"

Echo agreed with Hevy on that. Lord Vader was definitely not going to be pleased when he learns of the damage this kunoichi has caused so far. Which made all the more reason to recapture her quickly.

"Which is precisely why we anticipated this, Hevy."

Hevy and Echo looked to see that their CO, Rex, has already arrived.

"Come on!"

The clone captain gestured for them to follow as he leapt into the hole with his jetpack. Hevy and Echo dove right in after him with D8 following behind. It didn't take long for them to spot the kunoichi as she was sprinting down the hall.

Rex immediately took after her on his jetpack while the others followed in pursuit.

Sakura looked over shoulder to see that Rex had found her and was now on her tail with his brothers not far behind. That device on his back, that he referred to earlier as a jetpack, was closing the distance between them. Meaning, it would only be a matter of seconds before he would catch up with her!

'I got to time this just right!'

The kunoichi was going to wait until he got just close enough to her, without shooting his weapons off, before she would turn around, leap at him, and punch him clear across the hall. That should slow him and his comrades down enough for her to lose them. She needs to do it fast though, so that he wouldn't be able to dodge like before.

As he got closer and she prepared to do her counterattack, she felt a warning again from the Force. Telling her of a danger ahead. She looked but didn't see anything and thought maybe she just imagined it. When she tried to turn back to Rex again; however, the warning kept getting stronger despite her still not seeing anything.

Then out of nowhere, a small purple energetic ring shot right into her shoulder!

Sakura stumbled to a halt as she gripped her shoulder. It wasn't in pain but for some reason it felt kind of numb. She looked ahead to find where it came from but she couldn't see anything. Then another purple blast came out of thin air and struck her in the other shoulder.

Sakura grunted from the slight shock but still couldn't see her attacker. Before she knew it more purple blasts shot at her. Striking her in the arms and legs. They weren't painful like the first couple but they were certainly doing something to her body as she was brought down to one knee.

When they finally stopped, she looked ahead again and was stunned to see another clone materializing out of thin air. He was pointing another one of those strange weapons only his looked different. It was larger and the tip of it was longer and thinner than the other ones.

He began walking toward her while still pointing the weapon at her.

The cherry blossom girl then heard that cocking sound again from behind. When she turned her head, she saw Rex land on his feet right between his other two cohorts. Both of whom were pointing their own weapons at her.

"You shinobi really are a stubborn lot."

Sakura grit her teeth before she suddenly leapt toward Rex with her fist pulled back! However, in a flash, he caught her by the wrist. Holding her back with ease much to the confusion and shock of the Konoha kunoichi.

"But so are we."

Then in one swift motion he twisted her arm behind her back and pinned her to the ground.

Sakura struggled but couldn't get the clone off her. She didn't understand what was happening. For some reason she couldn't use her chakra enhanced strength. It was like it was cut off from her like before.

It then struck her that the cause had to have been when that other clone fired those strange purple rings at her. They must've somehow affected the flow of chakra in her body or maybe even her chakra nodes. If that was the case then she had no access to her strength or any type of jutsu right now.

Sakura then heard stamping footsteps echoing across the hall which had to have been reinforcements. Seconds later, she was proven to be right as more clones showed up surrounding her with their weapons drawn. Pointing right at her pinned position.

Several men, who were wearing the same red shoulder pads as the ones in her cell earlier, stepped forward to Rex. One of them, she could see, was holding what looked like hand binders as he handed them over to the clone captain.

"Take her back to her cell and make sure to tell Stryker to post guards outside of it this time. If she gives you any trouble along the way, stun her. Lord Vader wants her alive."

"Yes, Captain."

Sakura struggled and thrashed again to no avail. Without her chakra she couldn't escape let alone fight all these clones. If only she had some of her ninja tools. Like a smoke or paper bomb. Anything to help with her situation right now.

Because if she didn't find a way to get to Naruto, before he launches his attack, the whole Leaf Village could end up being destroyed.

She absolutely couldn't stand the idea of being helplessly trapped here without being able to reach him again. That and incapable of being able to save her home, friends, and family. She would not allow herself to fail everyone.

Not now or ever again.

She began to feel her emotions swelling up. Causing a surge of power that was rising within her before it suddenly exploded outward! Creating a shockwave that blew and knocked away all the clones to the floor. Even damaging some of the metal walls and floor panels.

Sakura looked around in shock and realized that she must've inadvertently used the Force again but didn't waste any more time thinking about it as she sprinted down the hall.

After she was gone, Rex and the other clones groaned as they picked themselves off the floor.

"I thought you guys had her incapacitated!"

Hevy barked at the shock trooper.

"We did! Fives sealed off her chakra points with his stun blasts!"

Another clone spoke up.

"Well, what if he missed?"

Fives responded.

"I never miss!"

A different clone sighed.

"That's what all you sharpshooters say. Anyway, why didn't anyone mention she knew Wind Style?! That's a pretty important detail to know when-"

"That wasn't Wind Style."

All the clones turned to Rex confused, as he stood on his feet.

"Captain Rex is right."

The clones then turned to Echo as he explained.

"Our data of her showed no evidence that she's a Wind Style user and my scanner showed that her chakra was sealed off by Fives' shots. Whatever she used to attack us was…something else."

Some of the clones looked at each other with more confusion before back to Echo.

"What was it then?"

Echo gave a shrug indicating he didn't know before Rex cut in.

"It doesn't matter! What matters right now is finding and recapturing her!"

He turned back to Echo.

"Was D8 able to put the tracker on her earlier?"

Echo nodded before pulling out a tracker pad and activating it.

"Let's see….She's really moving fast. Somewhere on level eight. Let me adjust the scanner a little to get a better lock….Here we go! I got her! She's heading towards…."

Echo looked up, hesitantly, from his pad to his brothers and squad.

"This…..is going to be really problematic."

Elsewhere

Sakura skid to halt as she heard more clones coming around the corner ahead of her. Her eyes darted around looking for a place to hide. She spotted a lone metal door, for there weren't any others in the hall. Not having any other choice, the kunoichi rushed toward it as it opened for her. Diving into the room and hiding just past the edge of the doorway as it closed itself.

She could hear the stamping boots of the clones passing by until it went silent outside. Sakura sighed in relief and sat for a moment to catch her breathe. Using the Force like that earlier and having her chakra sealed up from those strange energy projectiles drained her stamina quite a bit. While she rested, she took a look around the room she was hiding in.

It was dimly lit by some lights in the ceiling and there was an area in front of her that had a bunch of machines all connected together. They were covered with switches, buttons, and blinking lights. On the right, at the far end, was some kind of huge black metal chamber with a seat at its center and further past that was an enormous glass tube.

There was something very strange about this place. Something about it gave her chills. The only reasons she could think of was that she felt the Darkside here even though she didn't understand why.

As the cherry blossom girl continued looking around, she spotted a window nearby that showed stars blanketing a black sky outside.

'Must be nighttime.'

Regardless, Sakura thanked her fortunes as she stood up and walked over to the window. Now she should be able to figure where she is before finding Naruto and how to escape too. When she drew closer to the glass though her eyes slowly widened into absolute disbelief and unimaginable shock.

She then stopped right in front of the window where outside was her planet, the Earth.

Sakura gasped and couldn't believe her very eyes. She was staring right at her planet from this very window! It was unthinkable. And she could tell that it was her world because she's read quite a few texts and scrolls by scholars and shinobi of the past who theorized and gave accurate descriptions of what the planet looked like from above. The various continents and seas from the scrolls were no longer on carefully drawn diagrams but were lying right outside!

"I'M…..IN SPACE?!'

Sakura stumbled backwards from the sheer shock and accidentally pressed a button on one of the machines. A second later a blue light shone right behind her causing her to whip her body around in a defensive position. However, she slowly lowered her arms while her face contorted into more surprised shock.

One of the machines was emanating a small but bright blue light and at its center was the Darth Vader suit Naruto wore! Sakura didn't understand what was going on. She reached her hand out to the bluish figure only for it pass through. She waved her hand through it again and figured that it must be some kind of construct made by the photons in the light.

This only managed to confirm to her what this place was and why she felt so cold here.

"This must be Naruto's quarters."

She looked down at the buttons and switches on the console in front of her. There were strange symbols next to them that she assumed to be text but she didn't understand the language. That didn't stop her curiosity though as she slowly pushed a button next to the where the light was shining from the machine. The figure's helmet suddenly became highlighted and that same strange language appeared in a text box next to it. Sakura really wished right now that she understood the language as there was a lot of information being displayed in that text box.

The curious pink haired girl pressed the button again and this time the box with the switches on Naruto's abdomen was highlighted. With various text boxes appearing around the buttons and switches on it. She grunted from not understanding the information again before she pressed the same button for a third time.

This time it was Naruto's right hand that was highlighted with a text box. Sakura growled and slammed her hand down in frustration which accidentally hit another switch. The next thing that happened was that Naruto's glove faded away and in its place was a metal arm.

Sakura thought at first it was just another glove until she pressed the button again albeit slowly with hesitation. In the metal arm's place were wires and circuitry all connected throughout where his hand should be. Her eyes looked down and widened as she remembered back when she and the others were at the Valley of the End searching for Naruto. Where they only found his limbs instead.

She slowly looked back up at the construct and she realized that it wasn't another glove but a mechanical cosmetic limb!

It looked a little similar to the wooden puppet ones Lady Chiyo described that her grandson Sasori used to build for amputated shinobi. Only this version looked far more advanced and didn't appear to have any need for chakra strings. Whoever thought up and designed this had to have been either a medical mechanical genius or a callous soulless person that had no appreciation for feeling human.

With a knowing dread, Sakura pressed the first button from before again until Naruto's right boot was highlighted. She then pressed the second button and the boot faded away to show a metal leg. Sakura covered her mouth with her hand as tears began to drip from her eyes.

"Naruto, what did they do to you?!"

She looked down at the buttons again. Trying to recompose herself despite this horrific discovery. When she looked up and saw Naruto's mask she grew curious as to what he was hiding under there. She looked down at the buttons wandering which of them would take her back to the helmet again. She decidedly pressed the button that was next to the one she's been using to scroll down and suddenly Naruto's glove became highlighted again.

She tapped the button repeated until Naruto's helmet and mask were highlighted once more. Sakura then paused. Wondering if she really wanted to know what was behind that mask. Then slowly and hesitantly she reached towards the button that would reveal the secret.

She didn't get the chance unfortunately as the door to the room suddenly sprung open and clones flooded inside with their weapons pointing right at her.

Sakura held her hands outward to try to reason with them.

"Wait, please! Let me see Vader!"

The clones didn't answer her as Rex and his squad marched from the middle toward her.

"Sorry, kid."

He then drew his weapon out toward her face.

"But you're going back to your cell right now."

Rex began to slowly squeeze the trigger of his weapon and Sakura shut her eyes for whatever was about to come next.

Until she suddenly felt the cold return.

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"Hold your fire, Captain."

Sakura's eyes snapped open when she heard "his" voice. She saw that all the clones were standing at attention as Darth Vader stood at the doorway with the light shining behind his black profile. He then entered the room before stopping in front of Rex and his squad as they saluted to their lord.

"Sir, my deepest apologies for this intrusion into your quarters! The prisoner has proven to be….quite a handful. We will return her to her cell immediately!"

Sakura was about to protest but Vader spoke first.

"That will be unnecessary, Captain. Take your men and prepare for our assault on the Leaf Village. We will commence the operation once I've finished with the kunoichi."

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

Sakura was stunned from hearing Naruto's statement. He was actually going to go through with it. He was going to destroy their village and home like it was nothing. It filled her with both horror and disheartenment.

"Yes, my lord."

Rex and the clones bowed to him before exiting the room. After they all left, Vader headed for the door himself. When he reached it, he turned his helmet to the side toward the still shocked kunoichi.

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"Come with me."

It took a moment for Sakura to fully register his words before her body began moving on its own. She and Vader then stepped out into the hall and proceeded down it. Her following behind him with a bit of a gap that to her felt like it stretched for miles.

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"I have to commend you. You escaped far more quickly than I expected."

Sakura's brow raised in surprise.

"You knew I'd get out?"

The dark lord answered back.

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"I suspected you would. However, I didn't think the guards would be so easily fooled by an obvious Henge jutsu, so I eliminated one of them to serve as an example that stupidity and lack of vigilance will not be tolerated."

Sakura's pupils shrunk as she looked at him with shock.

"You…..killed one of them?"

Vader responded.

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"I did. I have no use for subordinates like him who are as clumsy as they are stupid."

Sakura looked down finding it hard to swallow that Naruto actually killed someone who was on his side. Not only that but the fact that she was responsible for his life ending because she escaped and made him look incompetent. Whether it was the arrogant guard, who was obviously prejudicial with the clones, or the one that seemed a bit nice and didn't share his cohort's condescending view of them, she couldn't help but feel a little guilty.

But she couldn't think about that now. She was a shinobi after all. And taking lives when needed is part of the job.

That didn't mean though that she had to like it.

During the rest of their time walking, Sakura tried to think of what to say to him. She's waited years to find and apologize to him for everything that she's done and said. Even having it memorized just to be prepared. Right now, though it was coming up completely blank. She couldn't remember what she wanted to say to Naruto. With everything that she experienced so far on this ship, her mind couldn't focus on remembering her apology. It was mostly preoccupied with all the questions she wanted to ask him about this ship and its crew among other things. Along with more importantly trying to convince him to stop this invasion as well as where her comrades are.

Sakura began to grow more worried about them as she still had no idea as to what happened to them since the battle with Sasuke and Orochimaru.

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"You're comrades have already been recovered by the Hokage and her forces. They've been taken back to the Leaf for medical attention."

Sakura looked up a bit perplexed but it wasn't really that much of a shock to her that he was able to sense her thoughts as she can sense his.

Which still were filled with nothing but darkness and hate.

"Naruto, I-"

Vader immediately whipped his body around and jabbed his finger at her.

"That name no longer has any meaning for me!"

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

He immediately turned around leaving Sakura once again stunned before she rushed back up to him.

"What are you talking about?! It's your name! It's who you are!"

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"I've already told you…"

Vader stopped and turned toward a door as it opened.

"That name belonged to a far too trusting pathetic child that does not exist anymore because I destroyed him."

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

Sakura looked at Vader with more sorrow from his statement as she followed him through the doorway.

Inside was a strange room. There were multiple doors along the right side that had buttons next to them. There was also more of those droid machines in here that looked like they were working and doing other tasks of which Sakura didn't have faintest idea.

The droids halted in their work though as they stared at them.

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"Leave us."

The droids all beeped and some even complied in normal English before they scuttled, walked or even rolled out of the room. When they were gone, Vader waved his hand and the door shut and locked itself. He then turned to Sakura who still couldn't help but feel a little intimidated by his towering dark stature.

"Now,…..you will tell me all that I want to know."

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

Sakura swallowed same dried spit but still retained her composure.

"I'm not going to tell you anything about the village that will help you invade it if that's what you're expecting!"

Vader tilted his helmet down to her.

"So, you know. Good, that saves me time from having to explain."

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

Sakura was shocked by his callousness before she glared at him for talking about the destruction of their village like it was just casual conversation.

"GOOD?! THERE'S NOTHING GOOD ABOUT THIS! YOU'RE GOING TO DESTROY THE LEAF VILLAGE AND YOU EXPECT ME TO GIVE YOU INFORMATION TO HELP YOU DO IT?! YOU KNOW I WON'T DO THAT AND I HAVE QUESTIONS OF MY OWN NARUTO! YOU'RE-"

She was cut off as Vader reached out and grabbed her by the collar of her vest and pulled her up to his eye level.

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"I told you already, Uzumaki no longer exists!"

Sakura's eyes narrowed into his reflective masked ones.

"If that's true….then why did you save me?"

Vader's body stiffened

"You could've just let Sasuke pierce through me with his Chidori by stepping away. It would've been no trouble at all but instead you threw me out of the way and took the hit for me. Just like the old you would've done, Naruto."

The dark lord's cybernetic glove tightened around her vest's collar.

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"That…..was only because I saved your life on a whim! My body acted on its own accord in that moment but I can assure you that it will not happen again! The truth of the matter is that your life absolutely means nothing to me! As do the lives of everyone in the Leaf Village!"

Sakura looked at him with disbelief.

"I-I don't believe you! I can't…."

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"How unfortunate that you don't seem to understand the current situation you are in so allow me to inform you."

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"You are not the one who decides which questions will be asked and answered. I am. You are not the one who holds your life in your hands. I am. And you would be wise to not test me with that wretched name again as I have severely punished many unfortunate souls that have dared to anger me. Do you understand?"

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

Sakura stared at Vader with a stunned expression from his threat.

"What kinds of punishments?"

Vader gave a bone chilling response.

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"Death, for the most part. The rest….you do not want to know."

She could sense that he was not exaggerating. The darkness she felt inside his soul was so deep and cold when he made that threat that it chilled her down to her soul. Still, Sakura took a deep breath and tried to keep herself calm as she tried to further reason with him.

"Okay,….but I'm still not going to betray my village and I'm not calling you Darth Vader or Lord Vader. That's not your name to me. But if it makes you feel more comfortable, I won't call you by your old name either even though that's who you always will be to me."

Vader pulled her up closer.

"I do not care about any information you possess about the village. I already have all the knowledge I require."

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

Sakura looked at him confused.

"Then….what is it you want from me?"

Vader answered.

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"I want to know how you were able to connect to me through the Force in that way that you have. I've communicated with others through the Force before but never on a scale such as that. I also want to know when your powers first awakened. You never displayed any prowess or abilities with it until now. You also mentioned that you had dreams which I am curious about. And finally, I want you to tell me who else in your village knows of your Force sensitivity and if there are others like you."

These weren't the type of questions Sakura expected from him but they seemed easy enough to answer. Assuming whether or not he would believe them. However, she first had to do what she could to protect her village and achieve her goal.

"If you call off your attack and come back with me to the village, I'll tell you everything."

Vader pulled her in closer to his mask while his grip on her vest tightened.

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"You will tell me everything regardless of whether it be you that speaks…..."

The dark lord then raised his other hand to her face.

"Or your mind."

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"W-What are you-….Argh!...Urk!...Arrrrrrggggggghhhhhhh!"

Sakura yelled as her head was searing with pain.

Vader simply ignored her struggles as he began probing into her mind in search of the answers he seeks.

"Hmmmm, I see the Leaf Village….and….its training grounds. Where Team 7 was first formed under Kakashi. You try to hold onto this place. This memory. Because it gives you peace and serves as a reminder for your goal. Which is…."

Vader tilted his head up in surprise for only a brief moment.

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"What a pity that this goal of yours is no longer achievable and it never will be. Now then let us see when you first discovered your power."

Sakura grunted pain and continued to thrash a little.

"Ah yes, Orochimaru. It would make sense that he would be the one to trigger the full awakening of your powers when you fought him at the Tenchi Bridge. You didn't realize what it was at the time. Not until you faced him again in his lair when he threatened your comrade. You felt it then. The power of the Force inside yourself. Both the light….and the dark. It frightened you. It made you feel cold and…"

Sakura struggled more which interrupted him.

"P-Please stop! Please!"

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"Quiet, this will be over soon."

Vader then continued searching inside her mind.

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"You've been having dreams ever since Uzumaki left the village. Nightmares of him dying over and over by my hands only to then have to face me all by yourself. You're last dream however was different. It was not a nightmare but rather a vision. A vision of when we would meet and battle. I see…..so the Force has gifted you with the ability of foresight of the future."

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"It would seem that your attempts to connect with me both times were unintentional. The second time when you tried to smash my shuttle to pieces to retrieve Gaara's body and the first when you were standing outside on your balcony. Wanting and wandering where the boy you drove away had fled to. You are still completely unaware as to how you did it or why it even happened. Unfortunate but not entirely unexpected. Now then…."

Sakura struggled more wildly as Vader searched into the deepest parts of her mind.

"Let us see who else would know of your abilities or if you somehow know of anyone else with the same powers."

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Sakura suddenly arched head back, screaming. Her Force powers forcing Vader out of her mind and pulling his hand back. The dark lord still held her in his grip despite this small setback.

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"Your resistance is considerable and impressive."

Vader reached out with his hand again.

"But it is only a matter of time before your mind tells me everything I want to know….or breaks completely."

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

Sakura exhaustingly asked a question.

"What…..what was that?"

Vader answered.

"That was the Mind Probe. A technique force wielders use to sift through the minds of others. Their thoughts, emotions and even memories are all provided to the user of this technique."

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

Sakura shook her head.

"Not that…..What were…..those images of people I just saw?"

Vader's hand froze.

HOOOPUUURRR.

"People?"

He pulled Sakura in closer again

"What…did you see?"

The tone in his voice heavily suggested to her that he was not happy with what she had said but still she answered.

"I saw….a world covered in both fire and lava. There was a…..fortress…..A black fortress standing above the flames. It looked like a place of death. Then I saw people. All kinds of people, I don't know. A lot them didn't look human, but they were all scared….no terrified. They had looks of such terror in their eyes and I could feel it from them. Then there was….a man. An old man wearing black robes with a gangly disfigured looking face. He had yellow eyes and a laugh that…..made my skin crawl. He looked familiar but I couldn't tell who he was, but the darkness in him was…it was….I don't know how to describe it. He was a demon to me."

Vader knew it. There was no doubt that somehow, while he was probing her mind, she somehow managed to see into his. Only a few force wielders were capable of that. If she could do it too, then who knows what else she could be capable of with the Force. Perhaps, it would be best to deal with her right now before she could become an even greater threat to him and his plans.

The dark lord slowly lowered his free hand to his lightsaber but for some reason he hesitated in grabbing it because he felt the Force telling him something in that moment.

"Then I saw a boy."

Vader froze.

"A young man with blonde hair and blue eyes. He had a lightsaber like yours but it was green. And he said….father."

Vader tilted his helmet down before gently lowering Sakura till her feet touched the floor. Sakura began to sense pain from Vader. Along with what seemed like guilt. Yet, there was still very much rage.

Sakura felt it was probably a sensitive topic for him but still she had to ask.

"What was that place? Why were those people terrified? And who were those two? The old man and the boy?"

Vader didn't answer and just stayed silent with the exception of his breathing apparatus. He then turned away from her. Sakura however patiently waited until he spoke at last.

"That old man… can no longer bring any harm onto anyone. He was a deceiver whose overconfidence and lies led to his demise. As for the boy….."

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

Vader then turned around and faced Sakura.

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"He was the one who saved his father and helped him bring balance to the Force."

Sakura looked at Vader confused.

"I….I don't think I understand. His father? Balance to the Force? What do you mean by all that?"

Vader walked past her.

"Doesn't matter and neither does the rest of your questions."

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

Sakura was starting to get tired of that line from him. First, he enters her mind and memories which caused her pain and then he answers her with riddles about what she saw in his own mind. The kunoichi knew though that arguing or pushing him was not going to get anywhere by far. So, she turned around to him and did what was probably the best course of action at this point.

Cooperate.

"I don't know if there's anyone else in the village that has Force powers like we do."

Vader stopped and turned his helmet slightly.

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"Is there anyone else who knows of your abilities?"

Sakura answered.

"No, I don't think so. Except for probably Captain Yamato and Sai since they were there when we…..when we fought."

Sakura rubbed her arm and looked down at the floor.

Vader turned his helmet back around.

"I see."

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

The dark lord knew though that it was only a matter of time before Tsunade along with the Leaf council learns of Sakura's power. Danzo too, no doubt, considering that the boy, who was with her, will probably tell the old man everything that happened. Soon after that the entire village will know of her abilities. When that time comes, many will see the kunoichi as a potential threat or as a potential weapon to be used against him.

It was giving him all the more reason to end her life here and now rather than risk her becoming an annoying obstacle to his goals. However, Vader still feels the Force telling him to wait. He felt it then when he had her in his choking grasp while he had that vision from Skywalker's past and he still feels it now. For what reason he didn't know, but he learned long ago to never doubt the will of the Force. Therefore, he will not destroy her.

For now.

Sakura then hesitantly approached Vader until she was standing right behind him.

"Na-…..Vader…come back to Konoha with me."

Vader turned toward her again.

"I'm begging you! Don't invade the Leaf! I'll do anything! Anything! Just…..spare it and come back home with me, please!"

Vader gave a grave response.

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"I gave you and your village a chance to survive by staying out of my way. Tsunade knew this and yet she still sent you after Sasuke Uchiha. The one who's life belongs to me. I even gave you several chances to leave which I have never done for any of my enemies or even my subordinates. Yet, you didn't and your misguidedness allowed my targets to escape. And I have killed many people for far less transgressions and foolishness."

Vader bent down to her.

"So, tell me….young Cherry Blossom…"

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"Why should I spare the village after all of that?"

Sakura looked down as she didn't know how to answer that. How could she answer that? She didn't know that Vader had warned Tsunade about not interfering and she herself didn't cooperate well when Captain Yamato said their mission with Sasuke was over when Vader appeared.

But with her village's safety on the line, she wasn't going to allow that to impede her to try.

"I admit it. It's my fault for getting in your way and allowing them to escape but I only did it because I didn't want you to fall deeper into this Darkside. I even willingly admit I know nothing about this power but I can see how it's affecting you on the inside. It's like a drug or a parasite that's feeding on you and if you keep giving yourself to it…..it will completely destroy what's left of the old you and I couldn't let that happen."

She looked back at him with a determined look.

"I lost you once before and that was my fault. I was the one who drove you away and I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything that happened. But I am not going to lose you again. Not to the Darkside and not to vengeance. I've seen what it has done to Sasuke and I'm not going to let it consume you too. If you want to blame and punish me then go ahead but don't blame and punish the village. There are good people there who want you back!"

Vader folded his arms beneath his chest plate in what she assumed to be a skeptical look but he stayed silent as she continued.

"All of our friends miss you. Shikamaru blames himself for you disappearing because he was in charge of the retrieval squad. Choji barely smiles when he eats anymore cause he misses the food eating contests he had with you. Lee constantly challenges himself with various exercises and extreme training routines because he blames himself for not being strong enough to have been at your side when you caught up with Sasuke. And the rest of our friends miss you just as much. Especially Hinata, she's been heartbroken ever since you went missing. Teuchi and Ayame miss seeing you at their ramen stand. Neji, Konohamaru, Lady Tsunade, Shizune, Kakashi-sensei, Master Jiraiya; they all dearly want you back!"

Sakura looked down at the side.

"I won't pretend to fully know the horrors that Orochimaru, Kabuto, and Sasuke have done to you at the Valley of the End and whatever pain and challenges you had to go through afterwards."

She looked back up at him again.

"I was in your quarters. You know this already but I saw something in there that showed me what was done to you. Your limbs…..they've been….replaced with metal, wires, and…..machines…..I've honestly never seen a prosthetic procedure like that and I can't even imagine how its affected you both physically and mentally along with whatever else was done to your body but….."

She took a breath before she continued.

"But I swear to you that I and all of our friends won't rest until Orochimaru, Kabuto, and Sasuke all pay for the pain they caused you. Not matter what happens, they will face justice! I promise you that on my life!"

The various objects around the room began to tremor and slightly shake which caught Sakura's attention. She looked back at Vader to see his gloves practically digging into the latex of his suit that covered his arms. Her pupils dilated when she sensed his rage twisting and turning inside along with something else. The other strange entity that she felt in him from before was acting like a wild beast attempting to break free from out of a cage.

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"You sound just like him…Uzumaki."

Vader then slowly approached her while growling which forced her to slowly step away out of instinct and fear.

"You do not have the slightest idea how much destruction, suffering, and deaths were caused by those same words uttered by your foolish comrade."

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

Sakura's back pressed against the surface on one of the various doors in the room. Leaving her nowhere to go while Vader still approached. The room shaking and coming apart as he did.

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"Those same words and that conviction are one of the main reasons why he was so weak. His ninja way is what allowed him to be so easily deceived and manipulated by everyone."

He stopped in front her while once again jabbing his finger at her face.

"And where do you think he gained those convictions and words?! The very same place that has allowed him to be isolated, hated, and feared with so much desperation for friendship and love that he overlooked and ignored the obvious lies everyone told him in addition to the truths they held from him! Including the various crimes that the village and its leaders have done onto him!"

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

The cybernetic dark lord then grabbed the kunoichi by her collar again so hard he almost ripped her vest and caused her to gasp.

HOOOOPUUUURRRR.

"And when he found out about them, he became so distraught with more weakness that he turned to the very last person that no one in all the cosmos should ever have trusted and made the very same mistakes on an even grander scale by believing half-truths and more lies!"

Sakura thought at first he was referring to her since she was the last person he turned to before she broke his heart. She was about to apologize profusely again for it but she began to sense that the hatred he was bearing right now wasn't being directed at her. No, it was someone else he was blaming.

But who?

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"The only things that I have gained from Uzumaki's failures and weakness were humiliation, loss, pain, hate, and power. Now, there are only two things I want now."

Vader brought her closer to his mask.

"Revenge and peace."

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"Not camaraderie, friendship, or love."

The room suddenly stopped falling apart. Becoming still once again despite various damages everywhere with sparks flying out of exposed broken wires and lights. Darth Vader then dropped the Cherry Blossom of the Leaf roughly to the floor. Causing her to barely land on her feet as he turned his back on her.

"They are nothing but tools used in that village of yours to brainwash those of weak minds to be loyal to the Hokage and keep them blind to the village's sins and corruption. Both in the past and in the present. Keeping them like panting dogs that are always protecting their masters. Protecting those spoiled villagers that always repay their loyalty more often than not with cruelty and neglect."

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

Sakura tried to protest.

"That's not-"

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"Are you aware of what happened to your sensei's father?"

Sakura stuttered a bit before she shook her head hesitantly.

"He broke the rules of the Shinobi Creed by protecting his comrades over completing a mission. His actions caused the mission to fail and he became ostracized by the villagers, other shinobi, and even by the very same comrades he protected. As a result, he took his own life in his own home where Kakashi found him when he was just a boy."

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"And then there's Neji Hyūga. A boy whose father was executed in place of his brother to protect both the head of the clan and the village. Despite already being enslaved to the main family and having unwavering loyalty to the village that was how his father was repaid for them."

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"It may have been his father's choice to do it in the end, both to attain freedom and to protect his offspring, but there was nothing done by anyone, not even the Third Hokage, to help his son who grew up still being enslaved by the main family. All while suffering with the loss of his father. And there are many more sins like these ones that the village has committed in order to protect itself and its reputation."

Sakura looked down solemnly. She never knew this about both their sensei and Neji. How could she though when both have never talked about their past. There was no way any of her friends could've known with the exception of Hinata in Neji's case. Yet, she still felt guilty and sorry for them. She couldn't imagine anyone else in the village going through such a trauma so early in childhood as they.

Other than Naruto and Sasuke of course.

"I get it…..You're right. A lot of the people there are backward, foolish, and selfish. I've seen it over these last few years more times than I care to count. I know how they mistreated you horribly. All because you pulled a few pranks and just wanted attention. They called you a demon; they beat you; and even tried to kill you by burning down your apartment. They really piss me off and make me feel ashamed sometimes to be serving and protecting them. I admit that….but still….."

She looked back at him with tears in her eyes.

"IT DOESN'T CHANGE THE FACT THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE IN THE VILLAGE WHO CARE ABOUT YOU! PEOPLE WHO LOVE YOU! THERE HAS TO BE A PART OF YOU….A PART OF YOU DEEP DOWN THAT STILL CARES ABOUT SOMEONE THERE ENOUGH TO STOP THIS INVASION AND WOULD WANT TO GO BACK TO THEM!"

Vader's body suddenly stiffened. Sakura then sensed that something about her words stirred something up inside him but it wasn't anger this time. She couldn't quite tell what it was because he was hiding his emotions from her.

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"That boy you saw during the Mind Probe once thought as you do,…but there is nobody in that village, left alive, that I care about anymore."

Vader then completely turned around to her.

"You don't know the power of the Darkside!"

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

Vader brought his right glove up closed into a fist.

"I will have my revenge!"

Sakura's pupils shrunk again and she spoke with a wavering tone in her voice.

"But…But at what cost?"

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"We will all find out soon enough."

Vader lowered his fist.

"You have overstayed your visit on my ship at this point, but it is clear that you still don't really know anything about my life in the village and what they really did to me. So, to commend you for your skill and resourcefulness during your time here, I will tell you one final secret about your dearly beloved village of comrades."

Sakura felt a sense of dread from what Vader was about to tell her.

"What secret?"

"One that Tsunade and Kakashi have never told you. About the real reason why the villagers and older shinobi have truly hated me. How what they and the Fourth Hokage have done to me was the most twisted and vile of all of the village's sins."

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

Sakura looked at him more confused.

"The Fourth Hokage? What does he have to do wi-"

Sakura then remembered what Hinata told her and Ino at the Kyuubi festival three years ago.

"You mean how he ruined your life?"

Vader confirmed with a single nod from his helmet.

"That is correct."

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"I don't understand. What could the Fourth Hokage have possibly done to ruin your life?"

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"Do you remember what the instructors at the Academy and the Third Hokage used to tell you all, when you were young, about the night the Kyuubi attacked the Leaf fifteen years ago?"

Sakura nodded.

"Yes, it was an unforeseen natural disaster. The Kyuubi wanted to punish humanity for its constant war and hatred upon the world. The Fourth Hokage however stopped it and managed to kill the demon at the cost of his own life."

Sakura's head perked up as she could swear she heard a beastly growl coming from inside Vader that was reverberating in her head.

'What was that?'

"Try not to insult my tenant. Like me, he gets easily enraged."

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"Tenant? Wha-"

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"Everything they told you about that night was a lie."

Sakura's eyes narrowed with confusion.

"What?"

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"The Kyuubi didn't just randomly attack the village. It was set free from its jinchuriki to be let loose upon it."

Sakura shook her head.

"No, you're wrong! The Leaf never had any jinchuriki!"

Vader pointed his cybernetic hand at her.

HOOOOPUUUUURRRRR.

"Don't be a fool! Of course, Konoha has had jinchuriki in the past! How do you think the village was able to maintain its position amongst the other nations for so long? Because the previous Hokages and its shinobi were strong and feared by the other nations and their shinobi? No. It was because the Leaf's former jinchuriki possessed the most dangerous and mightiest of all the nine Bijuu; the Kyuubi."

Sakura was shocked as Vader continued.

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"It was so powerful that not even the Fourth Hokage could kill it if he tried and its power was of too extreme importance to the Leaf. So, the Fourth Hokage sealed the beast away inside a new vessel in order to further retain the village's status and safety in the world along with the balance of power."

Sakura's pupils dilated and her mouth hung open slightly.

"A new…vessel?"

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"Yes,…..an infant child that was born that very night. The Fourth Hokage requested that the child be recognized as a hero for his sacrifice and protection of the Leaf despite knowing full well the hellish life and cruelty all jinchuriki are forced to bear from their own villages against their will. They are seen as nothing more than weapons for them. Demonic creatures that 'normal' people wish would just disappear, be forgotten, or to have never existed in the first place. But the Fourth Hokage still did it because he cared more for Konoha than for the helpless infant child."

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"And because of that misguided love….that child was ostracized and hated by almost everyone in the village and he didn't even know or understand why. Even though the fact remained that he was keeping them safe from the demon there was barely anyone who was kind to him. Even the children mistreated him despite having no knowledge of the beast inside him due to the Third Hokage decreeing it forbidden for anyone to speak of what really happened that night to the younger generations. But children unfortunately often hate and are cruel to those who their parents hate and are cruel to."

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"So, in the end….that child left and forsook his village. Only to return, years later, more powerful than ever. Seeking vengeance against the enemies that left him to die and who are hunting for him and other jinchuriki. Who will do whatever is necessary to see to it that all of his enemies are destroyed!"

Sakura stood there in a frozen state of shock with her mouth hanging open. Words desperately trying to come out but couldn't seem to as she somehow lost her voice. What was only seconds felt like an eternity before she found it again to ask one question.

"W-What…What…..What is it that you're telling me?"

Darth Vader then gave her the answer she hoped beyond all else that he wouldn't give.

"Sakura,…I….am the jinchuriki of the Nine Tails."

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

Sakura started trembling. Her eyes drowned with tears that flowed down her pale smooth cheeks down to the cold metal floor. She began to frantically shake her head in desperate denial of what she just heard.

"No…..No! That's not true! It can't be! T-THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE!"

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"Search your feelings, young kunoichi. You will know it to be true."

Sakura gripped her head as her tears began to drip down like heavy faucets. Falling to her knees while her body continued to shake like it was having a seizure. She then let loose a horrific high pitched scream that would've shaken mountains while the room they were in once again shook and crumbled.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Sakura couldn't believe it.

All along, Naruto has been the jinchuriki of the Nine Tails. Everything began to make sense now. All the times when that mysterious evil red chakra emerged from his body was actually the Kyuubi's power. It explains why Naruto looked like a vicious demonic looking animal whenever it came out. Just exactly like when Gaara looked beastly and monstrous when the power of the Shukaku leaked out of his body when the Sand and Sound invaded. It even explains why all the villagers despised and feared Naruto so much that they called him a demon constantly.

He was bearing this enormous responsibility of being the demon's jailer to protect them all only to be repaid with cruelty and neglect by just about everyone and worst of all was that she was among them.

She ignored and treated him awfully their whole childhood when she had no idea he was carrying this terrible burden for them. That poor innocent sweet boy was made into a sacrificial weapon to keep the village and everyone safe but nobody cared, including her. She only insulted, smacked him around and wish he would just go away and he bore through all of it because he only wanted to be loved.

Right until she took it a step further by completely breaking his heart.

Sakura didn't think it was possible but she feels even more disgusted with herself and her village now than when she did after Naruto left. The villagers may have pushed him to the brink but it was ultimately her own fault that he's become like this. All because she was stupid, selfish, and spoiled just like Naruto said she was.

She just didn't understand how all of this could have happened. Just what kind of a world would allow people to force little children into becoming vessels for demons of immense powers? Weapons to be feared and rejected by their own villages including the people that they love and want their love in return.

"I don't….I don't understand…..why?"

Sakura looked up to the dark lord with heavy tears and sorrow.

"Why would the Fourth Hokage choose you?!"

She stood up on her feet and walked up to him before grabbing hold of his cape and proceeded to wail at him.

"THERE WERE PLENTY OF PEOPLE HE COULD'VE CHOSEN! PEOPLE WHO WOULD'VE WILLINGLY GIVEN THEIR LIVES AND HAPPINESS FOR THE VILLAGE?! WHY WOULD HE CHOOSE YOU TO BE THE ONE TO SUFFER THIS RESPONSIBILIY?! YOU WERE JUST AN INNOCENT BABY WITHOUT ANY PARENTS OR FAMILY, SO WHY?! WHY YOU?!"

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"If you truly want to know the reason behind that, you will have to ask the Lady Hokage and Hatake when you see them. But right now, it is time for you to leave, Sakura."

Vader then waved his hand before Sakura heard and noticed that the door behind her suddenly opened. She snapped her head back to Vader only for him to Force Push her away. She tried to grab hold of him again but only just narrowly missed his belt before flying through the doorway into a small room. Colliding into the opposite wall and sliding down its surface.

She rubbed the back of her head and took a quick look around the small space. There were seats on both sides of the room that were facing each other. They also had what looked like harnesses attached to them that were facing upwards.

Sakura then noticed that the door to the room was beginning to close. The kunoichi leapt to her feet and ran to it only for the door to completely shut itself just when she reached it. She was about to try to punch through it until she saw Vader's mask through the glass viewport on its surface.

She started pleading to him while hoping he could hear her.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! PLEASE LET ME OUT!"

She place her gloved hand on the glass.

"I'M NOT LEAVING WITHOUT YOU!"

The Cherry Blossom kunoichi watched as Vader slowly but surely raised his own gloved hand. It seemed for a moment that he was going to place it next to her own hand on the glass which filled her with hope. However, that hope was soon dashed as his glove reached past the glass to what sounded like a switch next to the door.

Suddenly, another door slammed down in front of Sakura. Forcing her to pull her hand away while backing up before the room felt like it was moving. She ran to the door and proceeded to bang on it while screaming at him.

"I'M COMING BACK FOR YOU! I WON'T ABANDON YOU AGAIN! I'M GOING TO SAVE YOU NO MATTER WHAT!"

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"It is too late for that, Sakura."

Sakura turned around and saw a flickering life-sized blue construct of Vader, similar to the one in his quarters, standing in the middle of the room.

"Now, I suggest you sit down and strap yourself securely for your return home. Don't even think about smashing down the door. Space can be a very cold place to die."

Vader brought his hand up into a fist.

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"We will meet again, Cherry Blossom but the next time death will be coming with me and there is nothing you or anyone can do to stop it!"

The blue image of Vader then dissipated shortly before Sakura fell over from what seemed like the whole room suddenly launching itself away. She tried to get to her feet but couldn't maintain her balance as the room felt like it was spinning. She applied chakra to her feet to get a grip on the floor's surface as she made her way to the nearest seat.

As soon as she sat in it, she reached up with her left hand and pulled the harness down over her. When it was secured, she held onto it tightly while feeling like she was going to be sick as the room spun faster and faster. Closing her eyes as it did.

She couldn't tell what was going on outside but it was starting to get extremely loud and almost sounded like flames were sizzling and roaring outside. This lasted for what seemed like forever as she continued holding on for dear life while keeping her eyes shut and wishing this horrible experience to be over already. Then, as if some god heard her prayer, the loud noises outside started to die down and the room stopped spinning around which made her sigh in relief. At least until she then heard a loud radical beeping sound all around her that was starting to really drive her crazy.

Then out of nowhere the room suddenly felt like it crashed into something. Whatever it was it made the room's momentum change so suddenly that the side of Sakura's head hit the harness, that was securing her, hard.

Making her lose consciousness with only one thought on her mind before she blacked out.

'Naruto….I'm so sorry…'

Vader's Ship

Vader watched from a viewport as the escape pod carrying the kunoichi descended to the planet. He still couldn't help but feel conflicted in his decision to not only spare her but to also allow her to return to the Leaf. Where no doubt she will inform the Hokage of everything she had witnessed here. It was a potentially reckless not to mention foolish action but it was the will of the Force.

However, it did little to settle the conflict in him and he wasn't the only that had doubts.

'Why did you let her go, Vader?'

Vader knew the kitsune was awake since he first heard its roar from earlier which means that it was probably still in a bad mood.

'First you spare her for information you could've easily found out for yourself down in the village and then you send her back where she will tell everyone of your invasion plan? You're usually not this sloppy or merciful!'

Vader retorted to the fox's criticism.

'There were many things I was not when I served under the Emperor and it doesn't matter what information the kunoichi tells them, it will not change the fact that the Leaf has no idea of the true power we wield over them.'

The Kyuubi growled in annoyance.

'If you really aren't that worried at all then why haven't you launched the invasion yet?'

The cybernetic dark lord didn't respond.

'All your troops are assembled and ready. Waiting for you to give the order, so what's stopping you? Don't tell me you've suddenly become overcome with nostalgia and old lost feelings of care for your village? Or for Sakura?'

Vader's hands curled into fists.

'Of course not! I have no feelings for that wretched dogmatic place or that timid naïve girl! However,….'

Vader crossed his arms.

'I feel that the Force is telling me something.'

The fox's tone changed as it inquired its host.

'The Force? What in blazes could it be telling you?'

Vader answered.

'I do not know, but right now I sense that it's telling me that the path to achieve my goals lies down in the village.'

Vader could tell that the Kyuubi's eyes were narrowing.

'So, you're not going to fulfill your promise and destroy the village because the Force is commanding you not to? And here I thought you were answerable to nothing and no one.'

Vader snapped at the fox.

'I do not answer to anyone and you of all should know by now not to underestimate the Force! It decides the fate of everyone even if we can't fully comprehend what that fate truly is until we face it. And whether I destroy it right now or not the village is doomed to die in the end regardless!'

The Kyuubi growled.

'Even so, that's assuming if the Force or that girl doesn't stand in the way!'

Vader tilted his helmet down.

'Sakura is becoming a serious problem and you know it! She distracted you during your fight with Sasuke and Orochimaru which resulted in their escaping. Her powers in the Force are growing faster than any Force user we've seen in that other universe. And now she knows about your army and their weaponry. She will be an obstacle to your goals. The question is…are you going to overcome her just like your old self, during your servitude to the Emperor, would have?'

Vader turned his helmet to the side.

'If she stands in my way again, rest assured that I will destroy her if necessary. But right now, I'd rather not.'

The Kyuubi was silent for a moments before realizing the real reason behind Vader's sudden change in behavior.

'I see…It's what she said to you earlier isn't it?'

Flashback

"THERE HAS TO BE A PART OF YOU….A PART OF YOU DEEP DOWN THAT STILL CARES ABOUT SOMEONE THERE ENOUGH TO STOP THIS INVASION AND WOULD WANT TO GO BACK TO THEM!"

End Flashback

Vader's fingers dug into his arms again as he recalled those awfully familiar words and the fox Bijuu was certainly not helping.

'Sakura really got under your skin when she uttered those same words as him, didn't she?'

Flashback

Darth Vader stood in his chambers staring at the burning volcanic landscape of Mustafar. The very land that he has ruled over for decades. It was here on this very system that he was created and it seems only fitting that it would be the last world he sees before taking his final leave from this planet and universe.

And return to his own.

It still felt strange being here while no longer having his other half with him. An almost forgotten feeling of emptiness that he hasn't felt since before they were merged together. It was like waking up from a long dream.

Most of the details of which he remembers vividly every day.

Now, he was on his own and free from the Empire, but it remained hard to acknowledge how he wasted nearly three decades of his life in this universe. Being in servitude to an old man who never had any intention of allowing him to go back and take his revenge. The only purpose he had for Vader being here was to maintain order while finding and destroying his enemies until he found a new apprentice to replace him.

During all that time, Darth Vader has taken the lives of countless innocents. Many of whom have done nothing to him and for all intents and purposes only wanted to live their lives freely and in peace without being oppressed and subjugated by the Empire. He could still see their terrified faces in his mind. It haunts him and fills him with hatred of what he has become. Giving him all the more reason to go back and to make those responsible, for having a hand in his creation, suffer for this unforgivable sin.

Just as the Emperor did.

However, preparations still had to be made. It was not yet known whether or not his new personal clone army was ready to begin the travel. That and his new personal starship, the Vengeance, remains under construction due to it being a Super Star Destroyer class ship and also that it was slightly larger than his previous command ship, the Executer.

It is nearly complete though and would soon be ready to launch.

Both of these assets were extremely well guarded secrets of the dark lord. Secrets that took great enormous lengths to ensure that not even the Emperor would discover them. It also cost quite a bit of currency and resources but luckily the system in which he ruled over had an abundance of the latter. As for the currency, that only required a combination of Vader's own vast wealth along with a few high tier jobs that involved pirating imperial convoys carrying some of the Empire's most valuable riches and hiring the best of the galaxy's mercenaries and smugglers to pull it off.

Now, Vader has everything he needs and just has to be patient before finally opening the interdimensional doorway of the Sith.

His thoughts became interrupted as he sensed that he wasn't alone when the progeny of Skywalker came in and stood at his side.

"You've regained your strength."

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"The Darkside gives me all that I require."

The boy looked to him.

"You shouldn't be drowning yourself in that power and your hatred anymore. I can help you."

Vader calmly responded.

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"There is no help for me, Luke. Only revenge."

Luke shook his head.

"Vengeance never solves anything."

Vader turned his helmet to him.

"This is an exception."

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

Luke turned to him and asked in a serious tone.

"And are you going to go back to the Empire to achieve this vengeance?"

Vader's helmet tilted down and it shook.

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"No,….more than enough blood in this universe has been spilt on my account. I am finished with the Empire and the Emperor's plans for this universe."

Luke sighed in relief but his expression still remained serious.

"While I am glad to hear that, I still can't let you cause further harm to innocents even if they are in another universe. I am a Jedi now, so I cannot allow for that to happen."

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"It is actually what a true Jedi would allow to happen in this instance."

Luke grew confused as Vader fully turned to him.

"The sole responsibility of a Jedi Knight is to maintain balance and peace throughout the universe. My presence here in this universe has caused the Force to be out of balance since I first came into it. Not only just because I am a powerful Force wielder aligned with the Darkside. No, the fact remains that I don't belong here. I never have. If I do not leave, the balance will never be fully restored and your father will have sacrificed himself for nothing."

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"And the ones that I seek…are far from innocent."

Luke looked toward the sea of volcanoes and lava that laid before the fortress.

"Tell me, what would my father have done in my place when he was a Jedi?"

Vader turned back to the fiery view outside as he answered.

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"You already know the answer to that. He told you his last wishes before he died."

Luke's eyes widened as he knew Vader was right.

"You must trust in the Force as your father instructed. They along with your feelings will guide you to make the choice you need to."

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"But first tell me something, Luke. Do you intend to rebuild the Jedi Order?"

Luke turned toward the volcanic horizon again.

"Yes, I feel that it's my responsibility to pass on what I've learned."

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"What you have learned from Obi-Wan and Master Yoda."

Luke's eyes widened as he turned to Vader again surprised.

"How did you know about Yoda?"

Vader turned his helmet to him.

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"You are no longer trying to bury your feelings. I can sense the care that you had for him."

Vader turned back to the view of his domain.

"I cannot say that I'm surprised that he survived the Purge. He was the most powerful, skilled, and wisest of all the Jedi."
HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

Vader's helmet slightly tilted down.

"However, not even Master Yoda could have foreseen how the Order would help give rise to the Empire and bring about their own extinction."

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Vader could sense Luke growing confused.

"Give rise to the Empire?"

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"Before it's fall, the Jedi Order had many flaws and misconceptions. It became too political, rigid, and arrogant in its purpose. The Jedi Council in particular focused too much on the future at the expense of where they were and what they were doing. It was because of these flaws and so much more, that Darth Sidious was able to rise to power, take control of the galaxy, and wipe them out."

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"It was also due to their hypocrisy and distrust that your father joined the Sith. After everything he had done for them, if they had only trusted and respected him more and had not cast out his apprentice then he likely would not have joined Sidious and fallen to the Darkside."

Vader turned to the young Skywalker again.

"Learn from their mistakes, Luke. Do not follow in their old ways so closely or you may find their history repeating itself within your order one day soon."

Vader could tell that the newly risen Jedi did not know any of this. Yet, another few details that Obi-Wan and even Yoda neglected to tell him. Vader knew however, it would not weaken the young one's resolve.

The boy was too strong for that.

"Well, at least with the Emperor gone, that piece of history will have a difficult time repeating itself."

Vader turned back to the horizon.

"I'm not so sure about that."

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"What do you mean?"

Vader placed his hand on the glass. Right on the spot where out there laid the lava bank that Obi-Wan left Anakin to die and where the Emperor left the both of them broken and battered as punishment for allowing the rebel Sabé to live and where they had to prove themselves again. Closing his gloved spread hand into a fist, as he remembered that humiliating and torturous experience, he answered the young Skywalker boy.

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"Palpatine was arrogant and overconfident which led him to his demise at my and your father's hands, but he was no fool. He had contingencies for everything. Even for the destruction of the second Death Star as well as the Empire's own fall."

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"I highly suspect that contingency is on Exegol."

Luke looked as if he didn't like the sound of that.

"Exegol? What's that?"

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"It is a dark desolate world that was once ruled by the Sith thousands of years ago. Many thought it to be only a myth. I went through great lengths and overcame fierce challenges to find it. When I did, I saw a terrible power there that no imperial starship or either of the two Death Stars could come close to matching."

Vader turned his helmet to Luke.

"That power if left unchecked could bring about the fall of the Jedi once more as well as bring about a second era of darkness for the galaxy."

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

Luke fully turned to him.

"Can you tell me where to find Exegol?"

Vader retracted his hand away from the glass and pressed its palm against his helmet.

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"No, I cannot. For some reason my memories of the coordinates of that place, the wayfinder I used, and the power hidden there were lost when your father's soul split from my own. No matter how much I focus, I cannot bring myself to remember."

Vader lowered his hand.

"But there is one other who knows of another wayfinder device used by the Sith. He can lead you to it."

Luke asked with a concerned tone.

"Who?"

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"Ochi of Bestoon. Find him and you'll find the wayfinder."

Luke turned away to face the view of volcanos and lava rivers outside once more. It remained quiet between the two with tension hanging heavily in the air. At least until Vader broke the silence by bringing up the issue they were first discussing before.

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"Luke,…..there is no avoiding the decision you have to make. You will either stop me here and now or allow me to return to my world and leave this place so that I can exact my revenge. The Force will guide you."

Luke turned his head to him.

"I don't want to have to fight you again."

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"You won't have to either way."

Luke looked at him surprised.

"What?"

Vader answered.

"While I have regained my strength, I no longer have the will or desire to fight you again myself, Luke. However, it does not change that I cannot remain in this universe and you cannot come to mine to stop me since this is where you are needed and you wouldn't be able to find your way back if you did follow me. Which leaves you only one other alternative to letting me go..."

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Luke fully and slowly turned to him with shock all over his face.

"You mean?"

Vader nodded in confirmation.

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"The Force must have balance in this universe once again so do what you must."

Luke turned away from him and slowly closed his eyes as he was connecting to the Force for the guidance he seeks. Vader turned his attention back to the view ahead of them and patiently waited. He could sense much hesitation and reluctance in the young Skywalker but this is something that has to be dealt with no matter what. Vader knows that he can make this difficult choice. If Luke can choose to resist the Darkside and save his father, despite everything the Dark Lord had done to his friends and loved ones, then he can certainly do this.

They both stood in silence even longer than before until at last Luke opened his eyes and said to father's former vessel.

"I trust the Force and I trust my father."

He turned back to Vader.

"I also sense conflict within you as there was in my father. You have changed since we fought on the Death Star even you cannot hide that. So, I will have faith that you'll somehow find your way out of the Darkside's hold on you. I helped my father find his way and I believe that there has to be someone in your universe that you care about enough that they will help you find your way back."

Vader turned his helmet to the son of his other half.

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"You have without a doubt become a true Jedi Knight just like your father."

Vader tilted his head down.

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"But I'm afraid I have told you already. There is no one who can help me. Not here and certainly not there. Not anymore."

Luke placed his gloved cyber hand on Vader's shoulder.

"That's what Old Ben told me about my father, but I believe that as long as there's conflict in someone, then their true selves aren't really gone."

Vader gave an annoyed response.

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"That boy…..is never coming back!"

Luke gave a calm response.

"We'll see…"

Luke then proceeded to leave the chamber until Vader spoke again.

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"When you no longer feel my presence in this universe, inform the Rebellion about this place and make sure that they tear it down stone by stone until there is nothing left. It is time that the original inhabitants of this system get their world back."

Luke nodded.

"I will, I promise."

He was about to be on his way again until he froze when Vader mentioned one more thing.

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"Luke,….your mother…..would've been very proud of you and your sister."

He slowly turned to Vader again.

"You knew my mother?"

The cyborg that most considered more machine than man answered solemnly.

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"No,…..I did not. I only have your father's memories of her. She was a strong, beautiful, and a very noble woman. You and your sister both carry her strength and spirit."

Luke hesitantly asked his last question.

"Who was she?"

Vader answered.

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"Take your sister to Naboo. Find the burial crypt of Padme Amidala. Former queen and late senator of the system. You will both find the answer you seek there."

Luke nodded.

"Thank you."

He walked to the doorway but stopped before turning around one last time.

"May the Force be with you."

Flashback End

It was indeed a very strange coincidence that the girl would say the same words to him that Skywalker did during their last meeting on Mustafar. Vader couldn't help but feel conflicted again upon hearing them now from Sakura. It shouldn't matter at all to the former Sith apprentice which of them said it. In the end those words still hold no truth for him whatsoever.

And yet they gnaw at him while he still senses the Force telling him something about the village.

'So, what are you going to do, Vader?'

"My lord?"

Vader turned around to see Admiral Orchens standing behind him.

"Our troops are ready and awaiting your orders. Shall we commence the attack, sir?"

The dark lord looked down on the system below and just stood there for a few more moments before turning to the young admiral and finally giving his command.

Vision

Everything was red. Nothing but red. Even the bodies that fell to the earth were bathed in the color. Between the storm of red glowing spheres of chakra, that were whizzing around like angry bees, piercing through these bodies and the red saber that easily cut through them, how could they not be? Surprisingly enough though there was no blood. There was barely a single drop anywhere to be found.

And at the center of all this carnage and bloodshed was him.

She tried calling out to him. Tried begging him to stop, but he ignored her. Her pleas didn't seem to matter to him at all. She even tried standing in his way a few times but he simply pushed her aside every time as he struck down more victims.

Suddenly, he stretched forth his hand and the ground itself began to quake and shake. A loud earth splitting sound erupted all around her. She couldn't tell what was happening. All she could see was nothing but red everywhere with the only exception being his black profiled body towering before her with a demonic fox with nine tails looming over them.

But past them in the distance she could see the village covered in shadow. When she looked up her eyes widened to see a massive metallic ship hovering completely over the village and throughout much of the surrounding forests and countryside. And below it were massive boulders that were descending down upon the Leaf.

She screamed. That was all there was to do. She didn't know what else she could do to stop this.

Even when she felt her body being shook back and forth.

"SAKURA, WAKE UP!"

Her eyes snapped open only to shut due to being overcome by the bright light. She slowly opened them again but gave herself time for her vision to adjust. When it did, she saw Ino and Shizune standing over her with relieved expressions on their faces.

"Thank goodness, we thought you'd never come out of it!"

The kunoichi looked around. She could tell she was in a hospital room. She was still in her ninja attire, with the exception of her gloves, so she must've been just recently brought in.

She looked back at Ino and Shizune.

"What happened?"

They looked at each other before back at her.

"We're not really sure how to answer that…"

Sakura grew confused by Ino's statement so Shizune tried to clarify.

"An object fell from the sky and landed just outside the village. At first we thought it was a meteorite but it turned out to be some kind of…..metallic pod. The door took some time to open but when we finally got it, we found you strapped into a seat unconsciousness."

Sakura reached up to her head.

"Yes, you must've been knocked out when it crashed into the ground. It wasn't too serious, but we had to get you out of there fast because when we got the door open, we may have triggered some kind of self-destruct mechanism. Kakashi got you out of there in time but a few more seconds and there would've been nothing left of you."

Ino looked at Shizune serious.

"And there sure wasn't anything left of the pod either."

Shizune nodded before she reached into her kimono. She pulled out something and handed it to Sakura. When the Cherry Blossom of the Leaf took it and opened her hand, her eyes widened as she saw that it was Naruto's necklace.

"We found it in your right hand. Took a bit of effort to pry it loose, but we were afraid you were going to end up crushing it. As soon as we brought you here, Tsunade rushed in to check on you but had to be recalled back to her office to discuss something with the village elders. I told her it would be alright and that me and Shizune would take care of you."

Sakura nodded at Ino before she looked back at the emerald crystal in her bare palm.

"Sakura,….can you tell us what happened to you?"

Sakura was only half listening to the Yamanaka kunoichi as her mind was preoccupied with trying to figure out how she got the necklace back but she did try to answer her.

"I was taken by-"

Sakura realized in that moment that she must've incidentally snatched the necklace when she tried to grab onto Vader.

It all suddenly came back to her. The cell; the droids; the clone army; everything. Even what Darth Vader told her before sent her back here.

Her free hand closed into a fist and she ground her teeth. Her bangs waved like they were caught in a breeze while she growled lowly. Shizune and Ino were about to ask what was wrong until they noticed everything in the room began to rattle and shake and the glass window cracking.

"It is my fault what happened to him…but they had a hand in it too…..They did this to him…They put that monster inside him….to protect themselves….Those cowardly, lying, unforgivable…..!"

The window to her room suddenly shattered much to Ino and Shizune's shock. Before they could react, Sakura leapt out of her bed and dove through it much to their protest. Sakura didn't pay attention though as there were two things on her mind right now as she headed to the Hokage building.

While she leapt across the rooftops, she took a moment to look up at Vader's ship in the sky. It was still in its same orbital position which means that there may still be time to warn the Hokage and the others about the impending invasion. However, there was still the second thing on her mind that was taking first priority at the moment.

And that was getting answers.

It didn't take long before she reached the rooftop of the Hokage Tower. She leapt down at the stairway and raced down the hall. When she came upon the door, she nearly tore it off its hinges with her monstrous strength as she slammed it open. Much to the surprised faces of Tsunade and the two elders; Homura and Koharu.

"Sakura! You're awake! Are you alright?!"

Sakura responded to her teacher in a rough tone as she walked into her office.

"I've been better."

Tsunade could tell that something was off with her apprentice. She's seen that look in her eyes somewhere before. It was how Naruto's eyes looked when he barged into her office three years ago before he deserted.

The Slug Sannin was about to ask what was wrong until Homura spoke up.

"Young lady, we're in the middle of an important discussion! If what you have to say isn't more important then come back later!"

Koharu scoffed.

"And next time try to knock before entering the Hokage's office! Young people these days, they have no respect!"

Sakura gritted her teeth and growled at the two elders.

"Why in the hell should I give respect to two old heartless fossils who would willingly allow children in our village to be implanted with demonic monsters only to then ignore them while they suffer because of it!"

Tsunade's eyes widened.

'She knows!'

Both of the elders rose from their seats.

"How dare you speak to us like that!"

"You ought to watch your tongue, girl!"

Sakura's hand curled into fists and her bangs began to wave again while they covered her eyes.

"Get out. Right. Now."

They looked at her like they've both been slapped in the face.

"Such impotence!"

Homura turned to Tsunade.

"Lady Hokage, are you just going to sit there and let this pubescent girl disrespect us like this?!"

Sakura's patience was severely running thin at this point. As before, all the objects in the room began to quake. The floorboards around her feet cracked and groaned as did the walls and the large window behind Tsunade.

Homura and Koharu slightly panicked from not understanding what was going on. Tsunade, however, sat calmly in her chair as she observed the power that Sakura was displaying. Recognizing it all too well.

'Yamato was right. She does possess the same power as…'

"I SAID GET OUT!"

The rattling objects and the window in the office shattered. The walls became indented and damaged as did the surrounding floorboards around the kunoichi's feet. The two elders stared wide eyed with horror as she glared at them with killer intent her eyes.

Until Tsunade rose to her feet and sternly said.

"You heard her! Out!"

The elders looked at her before they slowly and hesitantly went on their way out of the room. They didn't take their eyes off the girl though as she was still glaring at them like a wild animal ready to lash out. When they finally closed the door and left, Sakura turned around to Tsunade but kept her eyes down at the floor.

"Why….Why didn't you tell me?"

Sakura began to shake while tears began to drip down to her feet. She wanted to ask it. She needed to ask it. It was so hard though. Especially when she's asking it from the woman whom she regarded with such high respect and also acknowledged as her teacher. That didn't stop her though as she looked up at the Slug Queen with a pained expression and tears pooling out of her eyes as she screamed to her.

"WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME THAT NARUTO WAS THE JINCHURIKI OF THE NINE TAILED FOX?!"

Tsunade gave a heavy sigh before she slowly and shamefully turned around to the now open view outside her office.

"He told you…..didn't he?"

Sakura cried more as her head tilted down.

"Yes,….he did…..among other things…."

Tsunade slightly turned to her.

"Did you also know that he was Darth Vader all along?"

Tsunade shook her head.

"No, I didn't. But I had suspicions."

Sakura's eyes narrowed.

"And you didn't think to tell me that you suspected?!"

Tsunade groaned.

"I didn't want to raise your hopes up in case I was wrong!"

Sakura continued to weep.

"Just how could they do that to him….Just….Just…..JUST HOW COULD THEY DO SOMETHING SO TERRIBLE TO HIM?!"

Tsunade began to shake herself.

"AND HOW COULD YOU PEOPLE LET THEM SEAL THE KYUUBI INSIDE HIM WHEN HE WAS JUST A BABY?!"

Tsunade suddenly whipped around and slammed her fist onto her desk; almost breaking it.

"I WOULDN'T HAVE LET THEM!"

Sakura was stunned to see her master fighting back tears herself.

"GOD ALMIGHTY...!"

The Sannin took a deep breathe to calm herself.

"I wasn't there fifteen years ago, Sakura. And even if I was, it wasn't my call it was the Fourth Hokage's. However,…."

She looked at Sakura.

"I would've made damn sure that there was no other possible way to stop the Kyuubi before allowing him to seal that demon inside of Naruto."

Sakura didn't look convinced not that the Senju woman could blame her.

"It wasn't just to stop the Kyuubi."

Tsunade didn't understand until Sakura elaborated.

"You think I don't know what purpose jinchuriki serve? They're weapons. Weapons to be used to keep the balance amongst the Five Great Nations. Only to be feared, hated, and then discarded by the very people they protect when they outlived their usefulness!"

Tsunade yelled.

"I never thought of Naruto as an expendable weapon!"

"I wasn't talking about you! I was talking about the Third and Fourth Hokage!"

Tsunade's eyes widened.

"Throughout my whole childhood, me and the others were told by the Third Hokage about how courageous and selfless the Fourth Hokage was when he sacrificed himself to save the village. That he possessed the Will of Fire that protected and still protects the Leaf and its people. That it was that same will we should all aspire to have. That every person in this village was an important member who shares in having that will."

Sakura's fists tightened.

"What amazing lies those all were! The Third Hokage knew about what Naruto was but just stood aside while he was mistreated and ignored! He never bothered to pull me and the other children aside and lecture us about how it was wrong to treat him the way that we did! He and the other elders did nothing!"

Tsunade crossed her arms over her bosom while heavily sighing again.

"I can't speak for the elders since you're right on the mark with them but in actuality my sensei, Lord Third, made sure that no one in your generation or the next would know about Naruto's jinchuriki status. It was a way to keep the other children from fearing and hating him."

Sakura would've spat if she could but she was dry mouthed.

"Fat lot of good that did!"

Part of Tsunade agreed strongly but another part of her knew how things would've really turned out.

"Yes, but answer me this, Sakura. Would you and the others have grown to care for Naruto as you all do now if you knew beforehand he was the vessel of the Nine Tails? Would you have treated him better…or worse?"

Sakura shuddered to think what the younger version of herself would've done if she had known the truth then though it was obvious.

"I would've hated him…..and I would've stayed away from him even more so than I originally did before. We all would've."

She began to cry harder.

"But it doesn't change the fact that the Third Hokage didn't do more for him! He could've made laws that forbid anyone from being cruel to him! Made laws that treated him more as a hero! Could've made it where Naruto lived in a nice home with people who would've loved him! But he and the other elders didn't do a single one of those things because they couldn't care less about that poor child!"

Tsunade looked down with a distant look in her eyes.

"There are some laws that not even Hokages are allowed to make, Sakura. Believe me, I've tried."

She looked up at her apprentice.

"But it wouldn't have changed that no one in this entire village at that time would've taken him in. The position of Hokage is not one where you can force the villagers to do what you want even if it's for a noble and good cause. That doesn't mean though that I don't agree with you. Naruto was unfairly treated and my old sensei and those old codgers didn't do enough to help him!"

Tsunade grit her teeth before taking another breather.

"Also, there was another reason he didn't order for Naruto to be celebrated as a hero or had him in a nice apartment and it has to do….with the Fourth Hokage."

Sakura scoffed.

"Right, the man who ruined Naruto's life! The hero celebrated for putting a demon into a newborn child! Just what reason involving that two faced bastard could be good enough for allowing Naruto's life to become so hard and lonely in the village?! NO! BETTER QUESTION! WHY DID THIS KIND, MONUMENTAL, BELOVED, HERO CHOOSE NARUTO TO BE THE VESSEL OF THAT HORRIBLE MONSTER IN THE FIRST PLACE?!"

Tsunade looked at Sakura surprised.

"Naruto didn't tell you?"

Sakura's eyes narrowed.

"He told me to ask you and Kakashi-sensei the answer to that question!"

Tsunade just stared at Sakura. Not saying a word as her mind went back and forth with itself on whether or not it was time for Sakura to know the whole truth. At this point her knowing wouldn't really place Naruto in danger anymore and the girl has proven herself to be beyond trustworthy and capable in battle, so the dangers to her are minimal at this point too. Tsunade discovered both of those for herself when she trained her.

So, she pointed to a miraculously undamaged portrait hanging on the cracked indented wall.

"Tell me something, Sakura. Does that face look familiar to you?"

Sakura looked at the portrait she was pointing to. It was that of the Fourth Hokage likely taken before his death. She grunted and looked back annoyingly at her teacher.

"Yeah, it's the same face me and the others saw on field trips here and whenever we looked at the Hokage Monument. What does that have to do-"

"LOOK HARDER, DAMNIT!"

Sakura was a bit startled by Tsunade's outburst and did as she was told. It only annoyed her though for having to look at that cheesy stupid grin on his tanned face. Along with that ridiculous blonde spiky hair and those annoying sparkled blue eyes that altogether falsely gave the appearance of a friendly kind looking young man. She had to admit though that he did actually look familiar.

In fact, if he had whiskers on his cheeks he would look like Naruto.

'Wait a minute…'

Sakura slightly gasped as she closely reexamined the deceased Hokage's portrait again. That spiky yellow hair, those blue eyes, and that grin were exactly like Naruto's! In fact, she would dare to say that the Fourth Hokage looked like an adult version of the Uzumaki boy! With the only exception of the lack of whisker marks, the likeness between them was uncanny!

How was it though that they looked so similar to each other? It didn't make sense to her. There was no reason other than by pure coincidence for it to be possible.

Unless of course….

Sakura gasped loudly as her pupils shrunk, her breathe hitched, and she was pretty sure her heart just skipped a beat.

'IT CAN'T BE!'

She looked at her master with a horrified look on her fair but pale face.

"No….!"

Tsunade nodded.

"Yes….It's exactly that, Sakura."

Sakura brought her hands over her mouth and her tears felt like whatever damn was holding them back completely busted open as they were flooding out of her eye sockets at this point.

"How could he do that to him…..To his only son…his own flesh and blood….that's…that's…THAT'S SO CRUEL!"

She fell to her knees and sobbed into her hands. Tsunade walked over to her before bending down and wrapping her arms around her. Consoling her as she cried into her shoulder.

Sakura now understood the true depth of Naruto's suffering. It wasn't just losing Iruka that caused him to be so upset that he went on a rampage in the village and nearly killed Sasuke. Why he didn't trust Tsunade, Master Jiraiya, and even Kakashi anymore. To find out something so horrible as that and then to lose someone so precious would make anyone succumb to darkness and hate.

And just like with Sasuke she was too clueless and powerless to stop it from happening to Naruto too.

"How…how can we help him?...How can I help him after all the terrible pain he's endured?!"

Tsunade sighed heavily once more.

"I don't know the answer to that, Sakura. I really wish I did."

Tsunade gently cupped Sakura's arms and lifted her up to her feet.

"All that I can tell you is that the village elders and council members may take drastic actions against him soon if we don't do something to convince him to come back."

Sakura sighed while rubbing her tears away with her arm.

"Just how long are you going sit on your lazy ass outside the window eavesdropping on us, sensei?"

Tsunade looked over with narrowed and annoyed eyes as Kakashi slowly stepped in through the shattered window.

"You were a big help!"

Kakashi's lone eye closed while he waved his hand nervously.

"I felt it sounded like you had everything under control, Tsunade-sama and I didn't want to interrupt."

Tsunade's eye twitched and Kakashi sweat dropped before coughing into his hand to regain his composure.

"Sakura,….I'm sorry that we didn't tell you any of this. It was for Naruto's safety as well as your own. We just thought that-"

Sakura raised her hand to interrupt him.

"There will be time for that later, sensei. But right now, we need to focus and try to prepare for when Naruto's army of clone soldiers come."

Tsunade and Kakashi eyes widened.

"Army?!"

"Clone soldiers?!"

Sakura nodded.

"Yes, he has an army of genetically identical clones that wear black armor like he does. They're highly trained and skilled with advanced weaponry that can suppress chakra. They are also extremely tactical and while I don't know how extensive their knowledge is about our jutsus, they seem to know enough to be able to exploit certain weaknesses."

Tsunade and Kakashi looked at each other with difficulty believing what they just heard before back at the cherry blossom girl.

"How many clones does he have?"

Sakura grimly answered.

"Of the ones that I've seen and the information I gathered so far,…..I estimate that he has to have possibly thirty thousand…at least."

Tsunade and Kakashi's faces grew stunned and were speechless.

"Thirty thousand…."

Kakashi looked at the Queen of Slugs with tremendous worry.

"Against a vast number like that…."

Tsunade looked back at him with the same worry.

"It's much worse than you both think it is."

Tsunade looked back at Sakura and placed both of her hands on her shoulders.

"Sakura, I know you've been through a lot and I promise no more secrets about Naruto will be kept from you but you have to tell us right now everything that you saw and heard up there! Everything!"

The kunoichi nodded and proceeded to tell them all that she experienced on Vader's ship. The none clone personal, the droids, the various weaponry and giant mechanical monstrosities. She told them every single detail of what she witnessed.

While all of them were completely unaware of what was happening at the entrance to the village.

Village Gate

Kotetsu and Izumo sat at the registration desk just past the gate. Both of them were discussing about the metal vessel that landed just outside the village earlier that day. As well as what it was and what one of their own shinobi was doing inside it.

"Do you really think that it came from space?"

Izumo nodded.

"Yeah, more likely from that weird object that's been floating around up there for over a year."

Kotetsu closed his eyes.

"Even now that thing still gives me an ominous feeling that something bad is about to happen."

Izumo agreed with his longtime friend again.

"Yeah, I know what you-….wait whose that?"

Kotetsu opened his eyes.

"I have no idea and what's with the outfit?"

Izumo's eyes narrowed.

"I don't know. Hey! You there! You need to register yourself first before-ACK!"

Izumo was cut off as he felt his throat being crushed. Kotetsu leapt to his feet to try to help him but instead grabbed at his own throat as he was being choked also! Both of them were then lifted off the ground much to their shock before they were pulled forward away from their post. Then without warning they were both suddenly thrown through the air with such force that they smashed into the registration post!

When the dust cleared both were found to be heavily bruised and unconscious.

An onlooking villager nearby suddenly panicked and raced towards the Hokage building at full speed while the stranger ignored them and the knocked out shinobi as he continued on his path.

Hokage Building

When Sakura had finally finished her report, Kakashi's lone eye looked completely stunned while Tsunade slowly walked over to her desk and steadily sat down with her face utterly shocked with disbelief.

"Just how could he have created an army and gathered so many resources so quickly?"

Kakashi looked at the Lady Hokage.

"And just where did he get them?"

Sakura hesitantly answered.

"I have a theory on that."

Kakashi and Tsunade looked at her.

"I don't believe that they're from our world or even our universe. I think that they're-"

Sakura suddenly ceased her explanation and looked toward the window. She sensed a disturbance. A dark presence within the village.

"Sakura? What's wrong?"

Sakura tried to answer.

"I think….I think that I sense-"

"Tsunade-sama!"

All eyes looked to the door to see an out of breathe villager with Anbu standing on both of his sides.

"The village guards were attacked! There's an intruder in the village!"

Kakashi's eye widened while Tsunade rose to her feet.

"WHAT?!"

The Anbu nodded.

"This man witnessed it."

Tsunade looked to the frightened merchant.

"What did they look like?"

The man answered.

"He wore black armor and clothing that I've never seen before! He also had a black cape too!"

Sakura slowly approached the man.

"Did he wear a mask and did his breathing sound very strange?"

The man looked at the girl stumped.

"How did you know?"

Sakura looked to the stunned faces of Kakashi and Tsunade.

"I knew that I sensed him! He's here in the village!"

Both Tsunade and Kakashi's faces began to fill with dread.

Elsewhere in the Village

It was a normal busy day in the village market.

Many vendors were working faster than normal with trying to sell their products before having to close early though. Due to what looked like heavy chance of rain what with all the dark clouds gathering outside the village. That however didn't stop them from trying to make some profit while customers were still out and about in the streets. Even the children were trying to get in some more fun and playtime before having to go home to avoid the impending storm.

One group was playing with a ball that ended up being kicked down the street. One of the little boys ran to try to catch it only for the ball to bump into a black boot. The boy was about to apologize but was too busy staring up at the dark being that towered over him. The child swallowed nervously as he tried to speak to the intimidating looking stranger.

"Who….who are you?"

As all activity in the market suddenly ceased when everyone's eyes laid on this mysterious person and the dark rain clouds could be seen drawing further inward behind the stranger's masked visage, the boy was answered with one simple and chilling reply.

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

---

That's another chapter wrapped up.

I don't think it's one of my best but like I said I'm not a professional writer.

Now, before I get into details about the next chapter there's a couple of things I feel that needs to be cleared up. Lately my story's been getting an uptick in negative reviews and while that's largely to be expected when writing a fanfiction, especially a Star Wars one, the thing is I couldn't care less about most of them. The reason is not because they're negative, oh no, it's because they're insulting to the point where is basically looks like an internet troll wrote them.

I mean if someone leaves a negative review detailing how the story disappointed them but they keep the review respectful and courteous that's fine and I fully understand that this story is not for everyone. But the second they throw in insults like "This story is stupid and I hate it!", "You're ideas for this story are retarded!", "You made Vader fucked up and stupid!", then I don't give a rat's ass about their review. Another thing that I will say to all those nasty reviewers and it will be the last thing is that at least I had the guts to actually put a fanfiction story out there for everyone to see, read, and possibly enjoy while they just sit on their asses insulting and trashing other people's stories.

And judging by the amount of followers and favs this story has gained, I would say more than quite a few readers are enjoying it compared to them.

Now, for one more thing that needs to be cleared up. Many here are complaining that I nerfed Naruto and Vader during both of their individual fights with Sasuke and that isn't true. There's a difference between nerfing a character and having them hold back against an opponent. And I thought I made it clear in the story that Naruto held back against Sasuke because despite how vicious and feral he fought him, Naruto still cared for him which unfortunately is why the fight was dragged out long enough for Orochimaru to intervene. That's one of the many reasons why Vader hated Naruto because as he's stated many times now that it's what made him weak.

Now, when Vader fought against Sasuke, the two reasons for dragging out that fight were that I wanted Sasuke to throw everything he had at Vader like he did for Itachi only for Vader to just brush them off and keep coming at him like a monster in a nightmare. The other reason he held back was so that Orochimaru and Kabuto could be drawn out and then he could destroy them all at once which is what he tried to do with one of his new techniques. Now, sure I could've made it where Vader just cut those three to pieces or choked them to death with the Force and just brush my hands off but then what?

How is the Fourth Great Ninja War going to progress without Kabuto bringing back the original Madara? How is the rest of the story and the other characters going to progress with Sasuke already dead? How is Orochimaru going to bring back the dead Hokages during the war not to mention how will he be brought back to do it by Sasuke if he's already dead himself? You can't always just kill a character right off the bat just because you don't like them and really want to see them dead.

However, I do understand the complaints people have about Vader not acting completely like his old evil self and not just slaughtering those three the second they were altogether but what I and another user have already stated is that Darth Vader is not the same as he once was. When he lost Anakin, he lost a huge portion of what made him the evil dark lord we all know him to be. That's not to mean he's gone totally soft, oh no, but he's not doing things completely the same way he's usually done them before either.

He's haunted by his actions during his time in the Empire and he doesn't want to have to repeat them but he will do it if needs to be done. Remember, he's still gripped with anger and still consumed with the Darkside but not to the degree he was before when his soul was bound with Anakin who also was consumed with the Darkside at that time. Together they both made the Darth Vader we all know and love that was the whole point and now there's only half of them left and because of that Vader is not quite as evil anymore but he is still vicious and can be merciless when he needs to be.

I know this all sounds complicated and it is believe me but just try to bear through it and just enjoy the story for what it is.

Now, for some news about the next chapter. I'm going to take another break again because this one proved much longer and had more boring drawn out parts than I thought it would. The next chapter though will definitely give a lot of you what you've been waiting for and that's Vader going into full out BEAST MODE. There is definitely going to be bloodshed you don't have to worry about that.

I want to take this last second to thank all the people that have loved this story and who have begged me to release the next chapters constantly. I apologize for that whole section towards troll reviewers but it will be the last and only one, I promise.

Cya all next time!