Author's Note: The response to the last chapter was honestly incredible. I expected a little pushback from people who dislike Hinata but was surprised to find none of that. In fact, many of you were pleased with how I'm handling their relationship. Friendly reminder that this is not a romance fic.
A few of you were also happy to see Sai show his face. I enjoyed writing his introduction and am having fun with his character.
This chapter is long (11k words). I hope you enjoy!
Drop a review if you're feeling kind!
Chapter 34: Controlled Chaos
"Where are you going?"
Naruto didn't say anything and, instead, pumped some chakra into his limbs and propelled himself off another tree branch.
Sai's face was blank, but internally he was confused. Just when he thought he had his traveling companion figured out, the blond began acting strangely.
The mission had been simple enough. Escort the Jinchuriki to the Land of Waves and back. There were no incidents that warranted concern of any kind; everything had gone exceedingly well. That was until they started to get close to their home. Without warning and even less explanation, the blond suddenly changed his course and started to go southwest, even though the gates were in a straight path westward to their current position.
Something didn't seem right.
The Root operative attempted to match the blond's speed with his own chakra-infused limbs, eyes narrowed in suspicion. He caught up quickly, annoyed by Naruto's lack of acknowledgment of the situation.
"What's going on? We should be making our way back to the village. Our mission parameters have been met, and it is time to report in."
"Oh… right." The way the Chunin spoke sounded off - like he wasn't even trying to cover up his lies. "I forgot to mention that we have to go somewhere else first. I hope you don't mind."
"That wasn't in the mission details given to me. What is going on?"
"I know it wasn't. You're free to go back to the Leaf by yourself, but there's something that I need to do." The meaning behind those heavy words was masked behind a neutral expression. "Something very important.
Sai couldn't stop a bead of sweat from rolling down his cheek at the intent behind those mysterious words. "And… what would that be, exactly?" The air around them got heavy with tension. Whatever this new goal was, it was clear that it was being carried out outside the authority of the Hokage. This reality meant one of two things; it was either treasonous against their nation or perilous.
"If you come along, I'll let you in on it. Well, not for a bit later. I can't risk you reporting anything, ya know?" Naruto finished with an almost sincere looking smile. "I can tell you one thing for certain. I'm not betraying the Leaf Village or anything like that." The Uzumaki spoke like he could read minds.
Sai's eyes stayed narrowed and locked in on his blond 'teammate.' That statement did little to quell the suspicions that were rising up in his chest.
'Naruto Uzumaki… he is fully aware that I am under strict orders to go wherever he does. This is my mission, after all.' Thought the pale teen. 'He's purposely avoided sharing any details of his objective, in fear that I would contact Lord Danzo and have a team of Black Ops on his trail. Without knowing where he is going or what for, I cannot leave his side to write a message; there's a good chance we won't be able to track him down if that were to happen. In fact, I would wager he is betting on that to be true. It has also been clearly established that I lack the power to stop him by myself even if I wanted to.' There was nothing he could do except follow; the Jinchuriki had trapped him.
There were a few questions at the top of Sai's mind. What could his new teammate be planning? Could he take the boy at his word about not betraying the village? And, most of all, how could Root's intel on him be so inaccurate? The Shinobi outlined in his detailed file was nothing like one before him. The level of deception and cunning being displayed rivaled those in the Black Ops Division.
"How can you expect me to trust you?" Asked the black-haired ANBU.
"Have you trusted me at any point even before this?"
"No."
"Good, then we have something in common. I could come up with some weak reason explaining why you should believe me, but I won't bother. You have to trust me or risk being unable to complete your mission. I'd hate to think of how Danzo would react to your news of losing track of the Leaf's precious Jinchuriki."
The implications of that closing statement were nearly palpable. The Uzumaki was right, and they both knew it to be true.
"Lead the way..." The boy in the crop top said begrudgingly.
"I'm glad you decided to help me out, despite not having to." The blond thanked with a ghost of a smirk. "It means a lot."
Sai shot the other teen a stern look following that comment. Though, for whatever reason, he decided not to comment any further.
It wasn't like there was much choice in the matter.
Leaf Shinobi are… strange. In fact, Sasori would venture to say that they were unlike any Ninja that he had ever encountered before. The Scorpion of the Red Sand had battled with or against hundreds, no, potentially thousands of Shinobi who hailed from the Land of Fire but never spent enough time around one to learn about them. Not that he would have cared to, anyway. He found it much more interesting to study his enemies' bodies; the corpses' inner workings told an individual much more than that same person could when they were alive. A dead body is incapable of telling a lie; the same could not be said about those in the world of the living. Through this method, you could learn a lot about life… and yourself.
Well, now he didn't really have much of choice in the matter. As disgusting as it was to admit, he was equivocal to a prisoner of war. Without using his chakra, the feared poison specialist was helpless, something that he was having a difficult time coming to terms with. And yet, he wasn't treated like an enemy.
"You know, since we're stuck here together, for the time being, we could talk about something?" The man across from him offered weakly.
The Special Jonin had dark, spiky hair with red-framed sunglasses. Like most other high-ranking agents, the man wore the standard Leaf Shinobi outfit complete with a flak jacket and forehead protector, the latter of which infuriatingly slanted to the left.
"Silence." Sasori growled out. "I would prefer silence."
Aoba sighed tiredly but then shrugged a pulled out a book he had brought for this very occasion and started to read.
"Why don't you treat me like the others?" The redhead asked, referring to the harsh individuals who work in T alongside Ibiki. "I am the enemy; treating me kindly serves no purpose. It's pointless." Scoffed the missing-nin. "This is why the rest of the Ninja World laughs at those from the Leaf. So soft and pathetic; it's unbecoming of a Shinobi."
Aoba rubbed the back of his head. "Well, I doubt I'm going to be able to get you to talk. I don't see any point in treating you poorly. And, who knows, maybe I'll succeed and kill you with kindness." He finished with an awkward smile as if remembering just precisely who he was talking to.
"What a foolish reason. How stupid…"
How was this nation always on the winning side of the Great Wars? The absurdity of that fact had done an excellent job keeping the former Akatsuki criminal occupied during his sentence. Warfare required cold, ruthless hearts and strong wills, the exact opposite of what he observed from inside his jail cell.
'The First Hokage's, Hashirama Senju's, Will of Fire.' It had been a term that came up frequently along the Land of Wind's ranks when he had still been among them. It was the stuff of legend during the wars between the Great Nations. Did the desire to protect their nation really drive the soft Shinobi of the Land of Fire to victory each time? The notion of such a thing seemed utterly ridiculous. And yet, it was the only thing that made sense. How else would they be able to rise above other nations who stick firmly to the code of what a Shinobi should be? Did the other countries not have a similar will? No, they had to. The average soldier was devout to their nation, right? How did this differ from Hashirama's will?
'What is the Will of Fire, and how do you acquire it?'
'mmmmm… mmmmm… mmmmm… mmmmm…'
"Huh, what's that?" The eyes of Sasori's watchman darted around the small room.
"Your pouch is vibrating."
"Oh… thanks." The Special Jonin said sheepishly. He took out a scroll that was glowing and, like his captive said, lightly humming. "This is what Ibiki said would happen when-"
'This man is far too comfortable around me. It's insulting!' The Puppet Master inwardly raged. Perhaps he could use that naivete to his advantage? "Hey, you, what is that scroll for? Why is it doing that?"
Instead of answering the question, the guard pumped a tiny bit of chakra into the glowing parchment.
'Poof'
To the prisoner's shock, Naruto Uzumaki appeared in the room's center.
"Ah, Ibiki said that you might do something like this." Aoba said with a friendly grin. "Here to check up on things, Naruto?"
It took a moment for the clone to regain his bearings, but he quickly adapted to his surroundings. "Ah, yeah. That's right. You're… Aoba?" If he remembered correctly. "Since I'm still technically assigned to this mission, I just want to make sure everything is still going smoothly. Not that I expect anything bad to happen."
"I wish I could say he's decided to change his mind and give us some intel, but, no, there's nothing new to report."
"I figured as much." The doppelganger stole a glance at the captive, only to find the man already staring at him intently.
"Naruto Uzumaki, how are you here? Where did you come from?" The Puppeteer was clearly confused by the scene in front of him. 'It shouldn't be possible, but… did he send himself through that scroll? Is that why all of the guards assigned to me have held possession of that same scroll?'
"Heh, wouldn't you like to know?" Laughed the Chunin. "I'll tell you what; give me some information on the Akatsuki, and I'll tell you all about it."
Sasori grinned. "On second thought, I'm not that interested."
Naruto returned the smirk and turned his attention back to his fellow Leaf Ninja. "Well, everything looks good to me. I should be back in a few days. If anything happens, just know that you can alert me by sending some of your chakra through the scroll. I'll know right away."
"Works for me. I'll let the next person who switches know, as well."
"Perfect, thanks!" The copy closed his eyes and made a hand sign. "See ya!"
The blond disappeared just how he left, in a plume of thick smoke. In a split second before his departure, Sasori noticed the subtle nod and smile the blond gave in his direction.
After all… the day was fast approaching.
'What?! A clone?" The former Sand Shinobi recalled their battle to the death. 'Of course, that technique is one of his favorites. Does that mean he has to ability to transport his clones over long distances through scrolls? How? A connected time-space link? Is that even possible?' Though, despite this new development, it opened nearly as many questions as it answered. 'If such a thing is possible, why send a mere clone? If something dire were to happen, his physical body would be much more effective than a copy.'
That was when it clicked. Yes, it all made sense to him.
'I see… that can only mean that non-living things, or chakra constructs, can be sent through the linked time-space. Why else would the boy send a clone in his stead? This could work out in my favor. I could…'
"You're of a higher rank than him, and yet you seem to be the one taking the orders. Why?" The redhead had already deduced the answer, but this conversation still was beneficial in many ways.
"Rank isn't the only thing that matters." Aoba said with a finger shake. "Lady Hokage personally assigned him to this mission; that means she trusts his abilities, so I will follow his lead without question. Besides, that kid was strong enough to defeat you, an Akatsuki member, in battle. He's earned my respect several times over."
'Just as I thought.'
The room fell into a comfortable silence, aside from the incessant ticking of the clock. While it was used as a dirty tactic to break down prisoners, Sasori had grown to enjoy the rhythmic sounds that it offered. It was just enough stimulation to keep himself occupied.
Speaking of the clock… time… day…
His eyes narrowed dangerously, and his teeth ground together with enough force to crush bone.
"Leaf Ninja." He spoke up again after the brief silence.
"Hm?" Aoba wondered. "What is it?"
"Where are the two scrolls that were taken from me? I would like them back."
The Special Jonin frowned. "We've inspected them, and I already know that each of those scrolls contains a puppet. You expect me to hand over your own weapons to you? Do you think I'm an idiot?"
"Yes, but that's not the point." Sasori said bluntly, to which the Special Jonin blinked indignantly. "You already said that I am powerless like this; no? Not only am I unable to use chakra, but I can't move because of these restraints. "
"Then, why do you want them so bad?"
"Those…" His face fell. "Are the first puppets that I ever crafted. They are made in the image of my late parents. I would just like them to be in the same room as me, that's all. I don't trust you fools to not misplace them in storage. You don't actually have to give them to me."
'He almost seems… sad?' His guard thought to himself. 'Could this be some kind of trick? But what? Like he said, even if the puppets were here, it isn't like he can actually use them. It's impossible. The core that allows him to manipulate chakra is with Naruto, who isn't even in the village right now.'
It seemed like a reasonable enough request, right?
"I can go grab them for you after the shift change."
"…Thank you." Sasori lowered his head in thanks. Or what appeared to be the showing of gratitude. In reality, it was to conceal the smirk that crept its way onto his face. 'You fool…'
The campfire had been going steady for over fifteen minutes, which meant it was time to sit back and bask in the rejuvenating orange glow of its flames. Relaxation and peace of mind are crucial elements to a focused Shinobi; Fukasaku had been the one to teach him that. And he would need all of it for the potential battle that was about to come. Tomorrow was the day they would kill Orochimaru or capture Kabuto and throw him in the cell next to Sasori. At least, that was the plan. It would most definitely be easier said than done.
Naruto and Sai had set up for the night a reasonable distance away from the Tenchi Bridge. Far enough away where their campsite wouldn't attract any attention, yet close enough that they could wake up in the morning and make it to the rendezvous point with ample time to spare.
Speaking of the Root agent…
Sai sat on a log on the other side of the fire, his expressionless eyes bored into the blond. The tension in the air had been high ever since they passed by the Leaf Village a few days back. Talking has not been something they had done much of in that time.
Naruto had taken great precautions to ensure that his partner in crime had not used any tricks to alert Danzo of their whereabouts. He had theorized that if the pale Shinobi had been chosen over all of the qualified ninja under Danzo's command, he must have a unique skill set.
Yes, he must have some way to communicate over long distances. How would he be able to do that, you ask? The Jinchuriki did not know. All the blond did know is if he kept a close watch over him, nearly any form of communication would be impossible. That is, except for the clones, he can send through his own linked scrolls.
And he was right. Much to Sai's annoyance, the Uzumaki gave him no opportunities to slip away and write a message to his superiors with his ink. Even when Jiraiya's student slept, there was always a rotation of clones that stood watch over them and their camp. Naruto had said it was to ensure their safety, but even an idiot would realize that it wasn't their only purpose.
"Is there a reason you're looking at me like that?" The blond Chunin asked innocently. "Did you want a cup of instant ramen? I have more. If you're feeling hungry, I would even break into my supply of emergency ramen."
The black-haired teen didn't utter a word, instead opting to maintain the same heavy stare.
Naruto couldn't help but fiddle with the scroll connected to the one he gave the T department. It had been a few days since he last checked in, but they were told they could quickly contact him if needed. Besides, Aoba seemed pretty confident in the simple task of watching Sasori. 'Well, I guess that means I'm not needed, right? No need to check in again.'
"That scroll again?" Sai finally broke the vow of silence he had adopted for nearly the entire day. "I saw you using a similar one with the same kanji a few days ago. What is it for?"
"Oh… it's nothing. Don't worry about it." The blond said with a shake of the head as he put the offending item back in his pouch. "Besides, we got some important stuff to talk about. I was just about to let you in on where we're going. I know that you're dying to know."
"Does it even matter at this point?" Was the level response he received.
"Huh?" The blond questioned dumbly. "Of course it does. Where you're going is always something that matters."
"I only wanted to know so I could report your actions back to the village. But you already knew that." Sai did not relent his cold gaze. Those dark eyes flickered luminously from the wisping fire. "You've waited long enough that, even if I could get a message out, it would be too late. They would not be able to make it in time to force you back."
"Ah, don't say that." The knucklehead said with a playful wave. "I'm going to need you at your absolute best. So, I have to tell you what's on the agenda for tomorrow. It's only fair, right?"
"I haven't agreed to any of this. As far as I'm concerned, at this moment, you're a traitor to the Land of Fire. I would take you down myself if I could do so."
"Isn't your mission to protect me? What would the higher-ups say if they knew you tried to kill me?"
"Above all else, my duty is to protect the security of our village and nation. If I determined that you were a threat to that, Lord Danzo would accept my discretion for your termination."
'A village and nation, huh?' The blond thought to himself. As far as Naruto was concerned, the idea of a nation was the issue. However, that was a conversation for another time entirely.
"Once you know what I'm trying to do, I'm pretty confident that you'll realize that I'm not a threat to the village." Despite the allegations and threats, the blond maintained his confident grin. "So… are you going to listen to what I have to say?"
"I am here now, and it would be foolish to turn around now, so I will listen."
"That's good to hear."
'What is going on?' Tsunade bit the tip of her thumb, the strain in her face creating wrinkles in her forehead. 'Naruto's trip to the Land of Waves should have taken, at most, two days. It's been five days, and there is still no sign of him, not even a message to explain the delay. Could something have happened? No, Naruto himself said that he would use the Reverse Summoning Technique to get out of any danger he may find himself in. Could he be taking longer to give us time to find Zetsu? If so, why no message? If that were the case, I don't think it would take him this long to send a messenger toad our way.'
Interestingly enough, Danzo had not received any updates from his subordinate, either. Typically, the Slug Sannin wouldn't believe a word out of the old War Hawk's mouth, but the man seemed unusually bothered and irritable from the lack of news. If he were lying, his demeanor would be a lot more condescending than it usually was. The guy loved to taunt when he had the advantage in a situation; that could be traced back to his days competing with the late Third Hokage. As it stood now, it appeared that both parties were in the dark about their Jinchuriki.
To make matters even worse, they hadn't made any progress in uncovering the infiltration into their ranks. No suspicious moves had been made, and their suspect pool was not very refined. Even with Shikaku on the case, it didn't look promising.
With the assistance of the ANBU Black Ops, the Hokage covertly acquired a list of all Shinobi who were currently supposed to be in the Village. If the Akatsuki spy had impersonated a third person, someone would be missing from this updated roster.
The only person who was unaccounted for was Izumo Kamizuki, so that longshot yielded no results.
'Whoever they are, they're content to hold their ground and wait out the storm. Is it because of Naruto, or something else? Does this mean that they are aware of our suspicions?' It would be much easier if they knew of the man's motives, but Sasori had not been interested in sharing much beyond surface-level information.
"Is everything okay, Lady Tsunade?" Shizune asked as she handed her mentor a cup of hot tea. "You seem distressed." There was a look of worry on her face, one that made Tsunade feel guilty.
The Fifth Hokage shook her head. "Sorry, there's just a lot on my mind right now."
"I've noticed that things have been tense around the tower for a few days now." The brunette commented while she bent down and scooped Tonton off the ground. The small pig oinked in resistance but soon settled comfortably in the woman's arms. "If there's anything that you need to talk about, just let me know."
If the biting of her lip was any indication, Tsunade appeared to mull something over in her head. With a mental sigh, she decided it was best to let Shizune in on the situation. The Jonin Commander had advised them to keep the information as contained as possible, but they weren't getting anywhere. A need set of eyes to analyze the situation was becoming a necessity. If anyone noticed suspicious behavior around the Hokage Tower, it would surely be someone who was there just as much as her!
"Actually, Shizune, there is something." The Sannin rested her chin on her interlocked fingers and blew a stray hair out of her face. "I wasn't supposed to tell anyone else, but I really need a second opinion on the matter. I don't think I have to tell you this, but make sure that what I am about to tell you does not leave this room."
The young medic noticed the look in her master's eyes and gently placed Tonton down at her feet. "Of course. What is it?"
"We have reason to believe that an Akatsuki spy has infiltrated the Leaf Village."
Shizune's eyes widened, and even Tonton oinked in a distressed tone. "A-A spy? Are you sure?!"
The Slug Sannin nodded gravely. "Yes, Izumo is missing, and his apartment has been torn apart. It would appear that the enemy took his place. We aren't sure who they are posing as right now." Her eyes darkened as her gaze fell to the papers on her desk. "I suspected that something like this would happen. Then it was confirmed when we got word from the Sand that two of their Jonin were disguised as the Akatsuki members Naruto and his team faced off against."
"Do you think… Izumo is…" She trailed off.
"It's very likely, yes. And there could be many more bodies that pile up if we do not find the one responsible."
"O-Okay." It looked as if Tsunade's pupil was still trying to process all of this information. "Do we have any leads? I assume that you have Shikaku working on potential theories?"
"Yes, he is, but we still don't have much to go on." Her tone was a mix of annoyance and anger. "We're still unsure of their motives. That would help us greatly in identifying possible targets. Are they after me and the village's classified intelligence, or are they trying to get close to Naruto for his Tailed Beast? Perhaps a combination of both? It's hard to say, in all honesty."
"I haven't noticed anyone acting out of the ordinary. But, now that I know, I will be keeping a close eye on things. You have my word, Lady Tsunade!"
"Oink!"
"And Tonton, too." Tsunade added in with half a smile. "Don't forget about her, Shizune."
"Haha, of course." The young medic grabbed the now empty cup off of the desk. "I'll go get you another cup. We can discuss this more once I get back."
"Please. It helped calm my nerves quite a bit."
"Say no more. I won't take long, Lady Tsunade."
The blond Sannin let out a sigh of relief, shoulders slumping from their previously rigid position as her student left the room. Perhaps the reasoning behind telling Shizune was more than just looking for another set of eyes to analyze the problem. Just getting the issue off her chest seemed to have relaxed her somewhat; that said something because they hadn't even done anything yet.
Shizune had been with her for years; she was her rock. Whenever Tsunade let her temper get the better of her, Shizune was there to even her out. It didn't always work, but it was more effective than nearly everything else. In a way, it was the exact opposite of being around Jiraiya, who only seemed to agitate her further.
'I should probably inform her about the situation with Sasori went she comes back.' The blond mused as her eyes scanned over a few documents on her desk. 'Not even that old badger Danzo knows about it.'
They had intentionally leaked out the information that Sasori was killed by Naruto during the mission to rescue Gaara. While that wasn't a lie, anyone familiar with the situation knew that it was far from the complete truth. No doubt, the spy would hear this information and assume the worst happened to their associate. That way, the Akatsuki would never suspect that he was actually still alive within the village. If they became privy to that information, no doubt they try to either rescue him or assassinate him in his detainment.
Not much was known about Sasori's mortality, but, if necessary, the Akatsuki would find a way to kill the unkillable.
As of this moment, the only people that were aware of the real situation with the Puppet Master was herself, Team 7, Ibiki, and a few carefully vetted members of the Torture and Interrogation Division. No one else could be trusted to such a degree. The more people who knew, the better chance the truth could be leaked to those they were trying to keep in the dark.
Speaking of Team 7…
Tsunade put down the files she was reading over and buried her head in her hand. The little conversation had distracted her, but now the reality of the situation was back full force.
'Naruto… I hope you're okay. For everyone's sake, please don't do anything stupid…'
Suddenly, and with great force, the door to her office exploded open. The Hokage reflexively shot to her feet in a battle-ready position, only for her eyebrow to raise in confusion.
She dropped her hands heavily on the desk in front of her, and angry scowl plastered on her face. "You two? What is the meaning of this? And you, you should be in the hospital! I haven't cleared you to leave yet!"
"I'm sorry about this, Lady Tsunade." Kiba said with a frightful grimace. Though that could also be from the strain of his teammate practically hanging off of his shoulder. "Hinata made me bring her here. She would have tried to get here by herself if I didn't help. I tried to stop her, but she wouldn't listen to anything I said!" The Inuzuka explained hurriedly.
The female Sannin turned her attention to the Hyuga, who still looked the part of being a patient. The hand that wasn't wrapped around Kiba's shoulder was pressed firmly against her side, no doubt to try and alleviate the pain of those busted ribs. The girl's pale, almost lavender eyes twitched from the pain, and her breath was heavy and ragged. Whatever compelled the Chunin to drag that useless body to the Hokage Tower must have been important.
"I'll allow it." Tsunade waved off the secretary standing behind them, horrified at the scene that was taking place. The woman seemed supremely relieved that she wouldn't receive the Hokage's legendary wrath for this intrusion. "Hinata, what is it? Is something wrong?"
Despite the agony she was in, the Hyuga's face portrayed someone fierce and determined. "Where is Naruto?!"
The Sannin frowned behind her hands. "Naruto? Why would you come here to find him?"
"You sent him out on a mission, didn't you?"
A knowing nod later, and the secretary closed the door to give the three ninja some privacy. "I'm afraid Naruto's whereabouts are currently classified. If you have any other questions, I would be happy to answer any oth-"
"He told me he was going to do something stupid." With the help of the Inuzuka, she straightened her body up. "Did you send him somewhere? I just need to make sure that he's okay!"
Tsunade's hands dropped unceremoniously onto her desk. She couldn't help recoil at those words as a pit formed in her stomach. "What exactly did he tell you?"
"Not much; he stopped by the hospital a few days ago. We… talked about some things and he told me that. I didn't say anything because I don't think he wanted anyone to know, but I suddenly got a bad feeling that something was wrong. I should have reported this sooner. I'm sorry…"
"Well, the truth is that I have no idea where he is right now. I sent him on a quick assignment that should have been completed by now." The blond's eyes seemed to flash in realization. "Come to think of it… Naruto was the one that suggested he be sent out of the village." She slammed her fist against the desk, causing the wood to splinter under her knuckles. "That damn brat! If what you say is true, then he might have used this as an opportunity to do a dangerous mission by himself."
"This is crazy." Kiba breathed out. "I know the blondie is an idiot, but do you really think he could have done something like that? Isn't there any way that we can contact him before he gets himself into even more trouble?!"
Tsunade pursed her lips together, then frowned. "No. I have no way to conta-"
"Shikamaru!"
Both the Inuzuka and Senju turned toward the Hyuga heiress, their eyebrows arched in confusion.
"Huh?" They both said in unison.
"Shikamaru might still have the scroll Naruto gave him during our mission." She was already turning to leave, but Kiba was trying to pull her back before she hurt herself. "With that, we can contact him immediately by sending a clone through it!"
The Hokage's eyes lit up. Hinata was right; she had definitely heard something about Naruto's connected scrolls during their mission debrief. The blond knucklehead must have given Shikamaru one when their teams split up during their hunt for the Akatsuki.
"Settle down, Hinata." The medic urged. She looked towards the Dog User. "Kiba can find Shikamaru much faster than you can in that state. Why don't you stay here with me while he goes and tracks him down? I'll even give you a round of treatment while we wait since I'm pretty sure you reaggravated your injuries on the way over here." Her tone was reassuring yet firm. At that moment, the heiress had reminded her slightly of the blond they were trying to find.
Bold and reckless.
Another wince of pain told the Hyuga to accept her superior's offer of assistance. "…Okay." Hinata relented, though she didn't appear happy to do so.
"Leave it to me. Let's go, Akamaru!" Kiba nodded, gently set Hinata in one of the chairs, and jumped at the window with his trustee Ninja Hound. The fluffy white dog followed with an eager bark.
"It will all be okay, Hinata." The Senju continued with her reassurance. "The brat may be an idiot, but he's with another Leaf Shinobi right now. I don't think he would do anything too crazy that would endanger both of their lives."
The Chunin maintained her frown. The only thing that came to mind were the words that Naruto left her within the hospital room.
'I'm… not entirely sure that's true…' Was a thought that she would keep to herself, in hopes that she was wrong.
'Transformation Jutsu.'
Naruto was engulfed in a thick plume of smoke. When it cleared, his blond hair was gone, replaced by a mop of bloody red locks.
He had chosen to assume the form of Sasori's real body for this undercover operation. It was a bold choice, but one he felt would legitimize his identity as the legendary Puppet User.
"Are you ready?" The transformed Akatsuki asked. The voice he used was also scarily close to that of the original Puppet Master, which was much easier to mimic than what he sounded like inside the Hiruko puppet.
"Just one moment." The ANBU teen appeared locked in deep concentration, his paintbrush nimbly across the parchment in his free arm. "Ninja Art: Super Beast Scroll."
A dozen ink creations, which all took the shape of forest-dwelling animals, dragged themselves from the boy's sheet of paper and scurried off into the surrounding forest.
'So that's how he made those weird creatures that attacked me, huh? Some strange Ink Jutsu.' The blond mused to himself. 'I wonder if he can also write messages in a similar way?'
Sai had been and still was, somewhat wary of the Jinchuriki. The whiskered teen was overtly and shamelessly manipulative, which means that he could not be trusted. However, the mention of gaining information that could lead to the elimination of Orochimaru had sparked the boy's interest. After all, the Snake Sannin was nearly at the top of Danzo's kill list. While it was true the two had been in close contact before, the threat that Orochimaru posed to the village would continue to hang over them if he were left alive. Not only that, but his assassination would bury any evidence of Danzo's affiliation with the rogue ninja. That would be necessary to ensure the man's path to becoming the Sixth Hokage.
There was that, and also a secret assassination target that Sai had been assigned to recently. It happened to be aimed at someone very close to the Sound Village's leader. But he would keep that little tidbit of information to himself.
"It's almost time." The Chunin was now talking lower, nearly at a whisper. "Finish up, then conceal yourself as best you can. I'm going on ahead. Wait for my signal." Naruto had chosen a plain dark, hooded cloak as his attire for his Sasori impersonation. He pulled up the hood just enough that it would conceal his features, but a few strands of red hair still poked out the sides.
The Uzumaki sucked in a deep breath and began his walk down the dirt path that led to the bridge. There were a million thoughts that raced through his mind while he made that trek.
What he was doing was unbelievably reckless, that he knew. This wasn't some routine assignment you'd send a Jonin instructor on with his Genin squad. No, there was a strong possibility that they would be face to face with one of the Legendary Sannin. Weakened or not, Orochimaru was someone that could fight on par with his own master, Jiraiya. Even with all of his strength, Naruto couldn't hope to stand a chance as someone as powerful as the Toad Sage. Would this be a similar outcome?
'Maybe it would be better if he didn't show up. We can just capture Kabuto and head back to the village. Yeah, that would be easy.' The blond shook his head in an attempt to wash away the strands of doubt that lingered in his brain.
'Kill Orochimaru, and I'll tell you whatever you want to know about the Akatsuki.'
'Heh, damn that Sasori. No choice then.'
The Tenchi Bridge was coming in to view just past the tree line.
It appeared to be a simple arch bridge of medium length and width, supported by thick, taut ropes and red metal bars on both sides. The passage connected two sides of what appeared to be a rock divide, which promised a long and painful fall to anyone who allowed the strong gusts of wind common to this area to carry them over its edge.
'Wind's howling… I can hardly hear myself think.'
For the first time, 'Sasori' stepped out into the open; the strong breeze off of the horizon threatened to wrestle the hood from around his head. Each step he took elevated his heart rate slightly; the moment was beginning to get to him. 'Kabuto is a medic; a skilled one, at that. I have to remain calm. He may be able to tell from my vitals that I'm not who I say I am.' Another deep breath. A few more.
The creak of his steps against the solid wood beneath his feet was a surreal experience. This was it; the rendezvous point. It let the Chunin know that this was really about to happen. The silhouette figure of his assumed target could already be seen walking on the other side of the bridge. That image nearly spiked his blood pressure again, but he didn't allow it. This was the point of no return.
They stopped at opposite ends for a few tense seconds, then continued their way to the middle.
'I can't see their face from here… is it really Kabuto?' Despite the burning questions, the faux redhead adopted the stoic and emotionless mask he had seen the original frequently wearing. If the spy knew the real Puppet Master, then it was safe to say he would have to be consistent and accurate with his mannerisms.
If not, his cover would be blown.
Slowly, but surely, the two met in the bridge's center. Instead of the immediate exchange of greetings, they both simultaneously turned to look off and admire the views. The continuously swirling winds mirrored the tension between the two men perfectly. Was his cover already blown? Or was this type of behavior typical between them? Oh well. It was now or never.
"Were you followed, Kabuto?" It was a risk to use that name without verification, but a calculated one.
At the mention of his name, the spy seemed to relax significantly. Their shoulders slumped, and they reached up to pull down the hood that masked their features. Just as Sasori had told him, it was none other than the glasses-wearing weasel, Kabuto Yakushi.
"So it is you, Lord Sasori. No, I definitely wasn't followed here. It's just you and me." Kabuto breathed out calmly.
"Good…" To be true to character, it was crucial to not say too much; the Scorpion was not a talkative one.
"This must be your true body, then? I must say, I'm honored you would show yourself to me like this, even after such a long time. It's been about five years, hasn't it?"
Way to leave out the part where he's never seen your real body, Sasori…
They still hadn't turned to face one another, only stealing the occasional side-eyed glance when the moment suited them.
Before uttering a word, the imposter pulled down his own hood. His crimson locks framed his deceiving young-looking face, but his adolescent looks did not coalesce with those eyes; cold, aged, and experienced.
"Trust that these are not ideal circumstances." The fake said. "Hiruko was badly damaged in a recent fight with Leaf Shinobi. I did not have time to work on the repairs in time for this meeting. And, as you know, I hate to keep people waiting."
"Indeed. These must have been some formidable Shinobi if they were able to cause you that much trouble."
"Yes, they were."
Their brief, but tense, silence was drowned out by the ambient noise around them.
"We must be quick. If Orochimaru were to learn of this meeting, I would surely be killed."
The fear in the man's voice sounded genuine. Did that mean that this wasn't a trap, or was he just an extremely skilled liar? Based on Kabuto's role in the Chunin Exams a few years back, lying was definitely among his many skills. However, that didn't prove anything. Not yet, at least.
"Of course. Before anything, I have a couple questions that need to be answered." The Chunin said in the mimicked tone of the Puppet User. "Which hideout is the Snake currently holed up in?"
"Right now, Orochimaru is hiding away on a small island just to the North of here."
"For how long?"
"We will be on the move once again in three days. Though, I haven't yet been told which one that will be."
"And the vessel?"
"Sasuke Uchiha is also there. He and Orochimaru rarely stray far from one another."
'So, they aren't that far away from this place.' The blond said internally. 'But only for another three days? Damn, if we want to make a move, it might have to be now. Would it be better if I just killed Kabuto right here and now? If this is a trap, it might be a good idea to get rid of him before Orochimaru shows his face. It would lead to a lot less trouble down the line…'
"We should discuss the orders that you gave me, Lord Sasori before I run out of time."
Naruto had to hide the grimace his features demanded he show. 'Damn, what do I do? Should I kill him or capture him? If I kill him and Orochimaru doesn't show up… that could screw me over! What's the best move, then?' Oh, how he wished he had brought along someone like Shikamaru for this mission. His insight would be invaluable in a time like this. 'If this conversation drags on any longer, I raise the risk of blowing my cover! Gotta make a decision soon!'
"Speak." Naruto said through his voice inflection
"Even after his reincarnation, Orochimaru uses a Protection Jutsu on the specimens from his previous discarded body. That means that I wasn't able to analyze their cellular structure, as you commanded me."
'Seems like Sasori was looking for other means to secure his immortality after the modifications to his body were partially unsuccessful. I'm not surprised that he would have stooped so low to become a body hopper to get what he wanted. Now, what would someone like him say in response?'
"How disappointing… You aren't doing much to prove your usefulness to me, Kabuto…" The Uzumaki said in his best attempt at being intimidating with such a young sounding voice.
The spy shrunk into himself and waved his hands in front of him defensively. "I-I'm sorry, Lord Sasori!" A thin bead of sweat rolled down the gray-haired spy's face. "I assure you I'm doing everything that I can to be of great use to you! It's just that Orochimaru is very cautious around not just me, but everyone! If there is anything else I can do, please let me know!"
'Something doesn't feel right…' Naruto's body tensed up in response to the spy's odd behavior. 'We're right next to each other, but he's speaking so loudly. And the tone he's using is a lot different now than just a few seconds ago. I know the winds are hard to hear over, and he may very well be nervous, but… it almost feels like he's…'
In a fraction of a second, the transformed blond saw Kabuto's gaze flicker up and past him, and haunting reflection glimmer off of his glasses. That, and the goosebumps on his neck, told him that they were no longer alone.
'Signaling someone!'
Naruto dropped down into a crouch just as a blade whizzed over his head. If he hadn't reacted in time, that blow would have cut deep into his midsection.
'That's-!'
The assailant recovered smoothly, stuck his sword into the ground, and threw a twisting back kick as his hand swiveled expertly around the hilt of his weapon. The blow met the redhead's cross-guard, who used its force to flip away and gain some distance.
The transformed Uzumaki landed gracefully and was now carefully surveying the pair in front of him. His eyes narrowed, but it wasn't an act to play the part of the Puppeteer. This just made things a lot more complicated.
'Out of all of the things that I thought could happen, this was not one of them…'
"Thank you, Sasuke." The Snake's henchman said with a ghost of a grin. "I felt he might have killed me if you hadn't come when you did."
The newcomer wore dark blue pants, over which he had a blue cloth that covers from his stomach to his knees, which was secured by a purple rope belt, similar to one that Orochimaru frequently wore. This was complemented with a white long-sleeved shirt kept open at the torso to show off his chest and black arm guards covering his forearms.
The raven-haired Uchiha said nothing as he coolly wrenched his sword from the ground. Once it was free, he pointed it dangerously toward the enemy. "You tipped him off, Kabuto. I might have been able to take him down if you hadn't given it away. Stay back; you'll only get in my way. He's mine."
'This confirms Sasori's suspicions. They planned an ambush to take him out. But why is Sasuke here? I figured it would have been Orochimaru.' The disguised Uzumaki thought.
"So, you're Sasori of the Red Sand, I presume?" Sasuke asked in an even tone. "From what I hear, you're the new partner of Itachi Uchiha. Is that correct?"
Naruto rose an eyebrow but didn't say anything immediately. 'Of course. A one-track mind, as always. Why was I even questioning his motives?'
"I was hoping that he would have shown up with you today, but I suppose that was just wishful thinking." The teen said evenly. "I could cut off your arms and legs to force you to talk, but it doesn't have to come to that. Tell me where to find him, and I'll let you live."
"B-But Sasuke, Lord Orochimaru's orders are to elim-" Kabuto was cut off before he could finish.
"That isn't my problem. The only person I want to kill is Itachi. If this guy tells me where he is, then I have no reason to fight him. The two of you can handle that by yourselves. I'm not doing your dirty work for you."
'That must mean that Orochimaru is here, too. I bet he's slithering around in the forest like the snake that he is.' Naruto resisted the urge to take his eyes off of them and scan the surrounding area.
"I'm afraid I can't do that, Sasuke." Was all the disguised blond said in return.
The teen narrowed his dark eyes and lowered his blade until it was perpendicular to the bridge. Something about the man's tone changed significantly. It was eerily familiar to him, a fact that he clearly didn't like by the look of his facial expression. "And why is that?"
"It's because…"
'Poof!'
"…I'm not really Sasori."
The smoke obscured the imposter's figure, but that voice was all too familiar—a blast from the past. If the Uchiha was surprised, he didn't show it. His onyx eyes closed briefly, only to open a moment later with the Sharingan now activated.
The first things to come into view were a mop of blond hair, bright blue eyes, and two sets of whisker-like birthmarks.
"Naruto… what a surprise." By the tempered response, the teen had figured it out before the Transformation Jutsu had been dispelled. "Then, do you know where the man from the Akatsuki is?"
"Naruto." Kabuto scowled safely behind his more powerful companion. "What is the meaning of this? Where is Sasori!?"
"Heh, you don't seem that interested in catching up, I see. Not surprising, you were never the type for small talk. Straight to the point, like always."
"Are you here to try and drag me back to the village again?" The raven-haired teen said with a humorless chuckle. "I thought I told you the last time we saw each other that I don't care about playing ninja with you in the Leaf Village. You don't interest me, so get out of here before you make me finish what we started at the Final Valley."
"Where is Orochimaru?" Similar to Sasuke, Naruto didn't seem all that interested in dredging up the past right now. The faintest look of surprise did flash across the Uchiha's face, but it was gone nearly as fast as it appeared. Despite the blond's indifference, he made an obscure hand gesture above his head, which caused the opposition to tense slightly.
A second later, Sai shot out from the forest from the blond's 7 o'clock. He landed, tanto already gripped tightly, all the while sending a hard stare in the direction of the rogue Uchiha.
'If they attack, I'm going to need him at my side right from the start.' The Chunin noted mentally.
"I know you've always had a pretty big ego, Sasuke, but I'm not here for you. Hard to believe, I know, but I don't care if you come back to the Leaf. Just don't get in my way, and we won't have any problems. So, I'll ask again, where is Orochimaru?"
The rogue smirked at the honesty within that remark.
Without warning, Kabuto burst out into a fit of laughter. It was obnoxious to the blond's ears. "Wait… don't tell me; you wouldn't be foolish enough to come here and think you could kill Lord Orochimaru, could you? All by yourself?" The level look he received from the Leaf Shinobi only furthered the man's amusement. "What makes you think a talentless Shinobi like you could ever measure up to the greatness of one of the Legendary Sannin?!"
"Did you want to fight instead, Kabuto? You're talking big, but I'm pretty sure I beat you when I was that weak little Genin. What does that say about you, I wonder?"
Kabuto pushed his glasses up to hide his face, but you could tell that comment got under his skin. "You call that lucky shot a victory? Well-"
"You're just a pathetic little rat who hides behind the power of someone who is actually intimidating. You take me lightly not because of your own ability, but because of the people you surround yourself with." The Uzumaki didn't want to hear the medic talking anymore, so he decided it best to cut him off. "And while we're on the subject of ability, I should point out a pretty big detail that you're glossing over." Despite the uncertainty and dangers surrounding this confrontation, he allowed himself a confident smirk. "You were supposed to meet Sasori here, right? Well, if I'm here in his place, I wonder what happened to him?"
It was satisfying for Naruto to watch the Sannin's lackey go wide-eyed in shock. "I-Impossible! Y-You're not saying that you…"
"That's right. I killed him." Again, not the entire truth, but it was enough to get his point across. "If you really want to see if I'm lying, then come at me. I would love to be the one to wipe that smug grin off of your face."
Before the medic could respond, the air between the two pairs began to swirl unnaturally. The current was so strong, in fact, that it had started to pluck leaves off of the nearby trees and wrap them around the cyclone. The greenery spun in a hypnotic dance, only for it to suddenly stop, a new figure standing in the now still epicenter of the whirlwind.
"How interesting." The newcomer said, his tone so cold that it could send a shiver up the spine of even the most seasoned Shinobi. Though, all he received from the Uzumaki was a look of contempt. "I really thought that you were Sasori, at first. The fact that you're here and you know what his true form looks like must mean that you truly defeated him in battle. It's the only thing that makes sense."
"Orochimaru…" Growled out the blond.
"The two of you really came here without any backup?" The Sannin continued. "How foolish; I didn't realize you were so eager to die." He put his hand to his chin, a sadistic smiling already tugging at the corners of his lips. "I would love to let you go so you could take out more of the Akatsuki for me. However, if it's true that you killed Sasori all by yourself, it may be better to eliminate you right now."
'Not good. Three against two… why don't I ever listen to my gut?' A drop of sweat rolled into the boy's brow as he weighed his options. 'Even if I leave Kabuto to Sai, there's no way in hell that I can take on both Sasuke and Orochimaru. I have a feeling that just one of them is going to give me a run for my money.'
"You may have to die, but at least we can make a game out of it." The Snake taunted with a nonchalant shrug. "I'm dying to know… who is stronger, the Nine-Tails, or Sasuke?"
The usual stoic Sharingan wielder scowled slightly at those words but didn't say anything, a fact that was not lost on the Jinchuriki.
'Seems like Sasuke doesn't want to fight me. I can work with this.'
"Kabuto, get back." Orochimaru commanded. "Let's give the two old friends the space they need to settle their differences." At that, the two criminals hopped back to their side of the bridge, their arms crossed in mild amusement mixed with intrigue. "We have a front-row seat to watch how this battle unfolds."
"Is this wise, Lord Orochimaru?" Inquired the silver-haired medic. "If Naruto truly killed Sasori of the Red Sand, Sasuke could be in trouble."
"Oh, don't worry about him." The Snake said with a sinister grin. "It's not like our Sasuke has been sitting around doing nothing all of this time. Besides, I highly doubt he defeated Sasori by himself. Yes… I'm sure of it."
"If you say so…" Kabuto didn't want to believe it, but the steely look in those blue eyes told a different story than the one his master was trying to weave. Something about the blond was profoundly different.
Sai, who looked on in unease at these unexpected developments, leaned forward close to this partner's ear. "What are we to do now?" He asked in a low whisper.
"I'm not sure yet, but I might have an idea." The Chunin responded just as quietly. "Stay back for now, and let me handle this."
"Are you sure that you know what it is that you are doing?" The teen wearing the crop top inquired, trepidation creeping into his usually monotonous voice.
"No."
That was not the answer the pale boy wanted to hear; though reluctant to do so, he obliged, nonetheless.
Nearly three years ago, this was a faceoff the blond thought would be inevitable. His friend, haunted by a tragic event with his family, had clung desperately to the darkness, and it would be his job to rescue him from it, even if he had to use force. Back then, the goal to bring Sasuke back had been higher on the priority list than the Akatsuki, as foolish as that sounded. The amount that things could change in such a short amount of time was… hard to believe. Naruto had changed; as much as he denied it when the topic was brought up by his friends. Finally, staring into those crimson eyes put his life into perspective.
Now, as they stood across from each other in the bridge's center, Sasuke was not his goal, but a potential obstacle in the way of his new desire. It was ironic because he was certain that's how the Uchiha viewed him at the Valley of the End.
"I'll give you one last chance to get out of here, Naruto; that is, if you don't know anything about Itachi."
"I'm not going anywhere." The blond's tone was defiant and unyielding. "I already told you why I'm here."
The raven-haired teen didn't seem fazed by that declaration. "If you say so…"
"Truth be told, I'm pretty curious to see how strong you've gotten, Sasuke." The Chunin lowered into his stance, a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. "Don't disappoint me. After all, we're both high-level Shinobi."
His raven-haired rival brandished his katana, a similar, but more subdued, look graced his features. "Hn."
The two friends rushed at each, Naruto being the first to lash out with a swift jab and a strong cross over the top. Sasuke parried both strikes easily with the flat of his blade and countered with a horizontal slash. His opponent leaped over it expertly. The Uchiha used the momentum from his swing to spin into a backfist with his opposite hand. Naruto brought up his guard and ate the shot.
The Chunin skidded off to the side, already whirling an enhanced kunai around his finger while simultaneously correcting his balance.
'Wind Style?' Sasuke's Sharingan analysis proved vital, as he decided to dodge the incoming projectile instead of blocking with his katana. The sharp hunk of chakra enhanced steel whizzed by his head, taking a few strands of hair with it.
In the instant the rogue took his eyes off his opponent, Naruto had already made a pair of doppelgangers. They rushed from the left and right, with the presumable original choosing to engage head-on.
'Chidori Stream!'
A discharge of electricity exploded from the lightning user in all directions. The clones at both his sides, who already were near, were dispelled immediately by the high voltage attack. However, the real one forged ahead straight into the attack radius, showing no signs of stopping.
'Wind Wall!'
Similar to the Uchiha, Naruto allowed his natural affinity to surround him. The thin tendrils of lightning bounced harmlessly off of his elemental forcefield. The brunette prodigy, slightly wide-eyed, retreated from the charge and seamlessly went through a series of signs.
'Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!'
The knucklehead grinned at the attempt to use his own wind against him. He allowed the chakra wall around him to dissipate as he went through a few seals of his own.
'Water Style: Water Wall!'
The duo spat out opposing elemental streams at one another. The collision produced a loud hiss as the fire superheated the water, which then enveloped the entire bridge in a thick coat of steam.
Sasuke squinted his eyes, but not even his eyes could pierce through the fog that they created. "Water and Wind Style, huh?" The boy called out into the mist. "Are you sure that you're not still obsessed with me?" There was no answer to his taunt. His goad didn't seem to have any effect.
The air was still, eerily so. All the prodigy could hear was a faint whistle in the air. At first, he assumed it to be the hot air around him. Until…
"Ninja Art: Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
A storm of ninja stars sliced through the air with malicious intent. While only a fraction of them were aimed at the Uchiha, he needed every ounce of his expert swordsmanship and visual prowess to counter the all-encompassing attack. Dozens of projectiles ricocheted off his blade; only a few had managed to make it through his guard and cut up his clothes and arms.
The fog had just started to clear, so Naruto wasn't able to see the grimace on his rival's face.
'That was definitely a Naruto attack.' Sasuke thought bitterly as if he were mad that he couldn't anticipate it. 'Don't know where his opponent was, so he just attacked everything. How annoying.'
An orange-clad leg swiped through what remained of the obstructive vapor. The Sharingan's anticipative ability allowed the teen to put his guard up in time. However, when Naruto's shin contacted his forearms, he was not prepared for the sheer amount of force behind the kick.
'So heavy!' Was Sasuke's only thought as he was knocked off of his feet. The boy hit the ground, tumbled, and smoothly rolled to his feet. Naruto was on him immediately, but the Uchiha was able to recover just an instant quicker.
The pair traded blows for several seconds, each getting a few shots in between the others guard. Sasuke ended the exchange with a push kick, which sent Naruto skidding backward.
After the clash, neither moved for their current spot. Even though their breathing was labored, each was sporting a sizable grin.
"Why don't you use that curse mark of yours and go second state? We both know that you're going to need it to beat me." The Jinchuriki, if anything, sounded amused. There didn't appear to be any animosity between the two. "According to your orders, you're supposed to be trying to kill me. Isn't that right?"
"Why would I go all out when it's pretty clear that you're holding back, as well? Besides, I didn't want to end the fight that fast." The onyx-eyed teen retorted confidently. "I know that you're an idiot, but, like I said before, the only one that I want to kill is Itachi."
"I see. That's good to hear." Naruto said slowly. "Do… you remember what you said the last time we fought, right? About what happens when two powerful Shinobi of equal skill engage in combat?"
The blond's rival slowed his breathing down, his expression as stoic as it was when they first started. "Yeah, I do."
"Then, I think you know what happens next." Jiraiya's student gathered chakra into his palm until a familiar blue sphere swirled to life. "Right?"
Instead of responding with words, the Uchiha's hand began to crackle and spark with his version of Kakashi's Jutsu. Before it was even complete, they ran at one another.
"Rasengan!"
"Chidori!"
Strangers, comrades, rivals, friends, brothers, enemies; many words could be used to describe the relationship between the fox of the Uzumaki Clan and the hawk of the Uchiha Clan. It was immeasurably complex, just like the two of them were on an individual level. They stood together in the bridge's center, a divide beyond just physical, their most signature Jutsu aimed at one another. However, it was different than the last time; the opposing forces the two brought to the first fight were no longer present. The blond wasn't there as an oppressive force to drag him back, and, because of that, the rogue no longer felt forced to sever their bond to grow stronger.
There was no hate, anger, resentment, or bitterness. They looked into each other's eyes, able to understand everything that wanted to be said; that needed to be said. Time seemed to grind to a halt as the area was enveloped in a glimmering white light. At that moment, the only people who knew what was going on was the two of them.
'Boom!'
The A-Rank Jutsu collision's concussive force was so intense that it nearly blew the bridge in half. The rivals were sent off in opposite directions as the wooden structure shook and rattled dangerously. Sai caught Naruto as he skipped towards him, while Sasuke had to catch himself and roll to his feet.
"Thanks, Sai." Muttered the Chunin, surprised his comrade bothered to come to his aid after the manipulative things that he pulled.
"Don't thank me. I only did it because I need you alive if we have any hope of surviving."
"Right…"
"What do we do now? I doubt that we can win this fight."
The Jinchuriki kept his eyes locked on his friend. "I don't know yet… we're about to find out, though."
"What do you mean by that?" Prodded the Root teen.
To his annoyance, his blond partner chose not to comment any further.
Kabuto and Orochimaru landed at either side of the Snake's future vessel.
"You held back, Sasuke." The Sannin remarked. "What did I tell you about becoming heartless? It will be your downfall."
"I wasn't the only one who held back." The boy in question glanced over his shoulder in the direction of his teacher. "If we had gone all out, the bridge would have been destroyed. And don't worry about me… I can be heartless."
Orochimaru frowned slightly, arms crossed at his chest. "Even so, I'll handle the Nine-Tails now." He asserted, stepping out in front of his two subordinates with an air of authority.
Sharingan eyes watched coldly as their owner was relegated to the role of a bystander.
"I am surprised, Naruto." The Third's student called out. "To think that a fool like Jiraiya could train you to such a point. It's almost a shame, really. You could have eliminated a few more Akatsuki for me… oh well."
Naruto scowled as he reached into his back pouch. On his way to pull out a kunai, however, he noticed a familiar hum. Orochimaru hadn't made a move yet, so Naruto took that opportunity to investigate further. One of his scrolls was glowing brightly. After reading the inscription on the cover, his eyes went wide.
Upon seeing a mysterious scroll, the Snake seemed a bit reluctant to attack. 'Jiraiya is his teacher. Who knows what kind of Fuinjutsu the boy could know.' The man thought warily.
'W-What?! T-This is-! How is this possible?!' On impulse, he unfurled the parchment and injected some of his chakra into it.
'Poof!'
Naruto recognized the figure that appeared immediately.
"You?! What are you doing here? How?!" The blond blurted out.
Author's Note: I know, I know; that cliffhanger was just mean. I would have loved to continue it, but it would have been 15k words if I had. That's way too long.
Sasori's partner being Itachi changed some things. Sasuke made an unexpected appearance to get some information on his brother and had a quick scuffle with Naruto; both were holding back quite a bit just so we're clear. Naruto has been extremely reckless as of late. How is he going to get out of this predicament? Who just joined our friends at the bridge, and how?
Find out next time in Chapter 35: Wolves in Sheep's Clothing!
Leave a review and tell me what you thought! They keep me motivated!
Sasuke Uchiha: Missing Ninja formerly of the Hidden Leaf
Age: 16
Ninjutsu – 4.5, Taijutsu – 4, Genjutsu – 4.5, Intelligence – 4, Strength – 3.5, Speed – 4.5, Stamina – 3.5, Hand seals – 4.5
Total – 33
Rank – High A
Profile: An Uchiha prodigy with a diverse and potent skillset. His use of lightning and fire style techniques, Kenjutsu, Taijutsu, and Sharingan Genjustu make him a dangerous offensive threat. High fight IQ and surprising speed. Has no real interest in killing people who aren't Itachi, or others that remind him of his brother, so the teen is not considered hostile unless provoked; if you do come to blows with him, he is most effectively countered with groups of Shinobi and Jutsu that limit his visual prowess.
Battle Type: Combat
Lazymanjones96, LordAries34, Protegni, and OldManSilver – Tonton is sus? Hit the button to call an emergency meeting so we can vote her off.
vyoom – Hiashi made the most sense. He's intrigued by Naruto and wants what's best for his daughter. Hinata wouldn't have done it because she knows that Naruto is going through a lot right now.
As for the Zetsu situation… you'll have to wait just a bit longer.
Brenscott1229 - I enjoy writing the banter between Naruto and Sasori. Reluctant partners, indeed. Lol.
Glad you enjoyed!
Cmedina1 – It would, but will he go through with it?
Yamajiji – Naruto also has a lot to worry about right now; from the Akatsuki, to Sasuke and Orochimaru. Not much time to think about anything else.
Ky111 – Quality insight! I love hearing people's thoughts like this.
The NaruHina stuff in canon could have been done better. I'm a fan of the pairing, but I understand the criticism. Pairings in this story are undecided, and romance would always be kept to a minimum (if at all).
Thanks for the review!
Marcosreis – Opening: Sign Ending: Niji
ThelittleKing – Oh, I've said many times that this isn't a story for romance. Lol. One of these days it will stick.
I enjoyed writing the interactions between my Naruto and Sai. I thought it was entertaining, as their personalities (or Sai's lack of one) mesh well. As for the sword, I will say that Naruto will not be using it himself.
genaralraam – Appreciate it!
Krusader Kris – I'm open to many options if I decide to have a pairing. However, Ino and Hinata are pretty close after she helped Hinata's confidence. I don't think she'd betray her friend like that by going after Naruto.
Ninja124 – I didn't get any backlash about it. It was a pleasant surprise. I agree with ShikaTema; I don't think I could pair them up with different people.
I like Sai; not a main character for me, but someone who has their own role carved out for them in my story.
MindreaderMikoto – Your English is excellent! I wouldn't have even noticed if you hadn't said anything!
Thank you for your kind words. I hope I can live up to your praise!
WebSlinger12 – Cheers!
TrenchcoatMan – NaruHina is very touchy. If I'm going to have a pairing, I want it to feel organic, not random, and sudden. You know?
Narudevilfan – It's tough. If you go into a relationship not emotionally ready for it, I think it has a good chance to fail. They can be there for each other without being romantically involved. If anything, Naruto needs to work on himself and his problems before thinking about a relationship.
hennessyswagg83 – I completely understand your POV. If it were handled better, there wouldn't be so many people who hate the pairing.
Munge – I try! Thanks!
hafbuckeye – Root kinda made him an NPC, but I'm trying to give him a bit of personality.
lovleydragonfly – Good to have you back, and I'm happy you're still enjoying it!
Guest - Chapter 4 – Wrong. You expect Naruto to entirely shift his worldview in a couple chapters? Sounds like you're just impatient. It takes time.
Chapter 11 – Wrong again; clones can produce blood. Please research before making claims like this. Read Chapter 100 pages 17-18 of the manga.
Chapter 22 – Idealistic, sure, but not the point of the scene. It was to show that, despite ruthlessly killing someone a few chapters ago, Naruto is still himself deep down. He's more mature and realistic, but I'm not going to entirely change who he is. It wouldn't be Naruto at that point.
DragonsApple – Appreciate the support!