Chapter 3. Academy
Opening theme: Let me Hear-Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas
Opening rifts: as the Title Card: NARUTO ナルト appears
You guys do not notice that we are gifted just by being humans
We are absolute predators
We do not even have any enemies
Maybe there are other animals watching us
and thinking that someday "we will beat them down"
Sakura flashes her eyes as the world goes bloodshot red. Kaguya appears behind her as Sakura and Black Zetsu merge into one
You guys do not notice that we are gifted just by being humans
We are absolute predators
We do not even have any enemies
Maybe there are other animals watching us
and thinking that someday "we will beat them down"
The world flashes through Sakura's eyes as her and Zetsu's childhood flash side by side as Sakura is thrown into a vortex
Oh We have the brains to think hard
Wear our favorite clothes
We are at no doubt human beings
Many small lives
They were born
[They were born]
with the fate
[with the fate]
of dying for someone
[for someone A human baby]
A human baby
When will they find out
[When will they find out the true fact yeah]
that at the point they were born, we are
[we are winners]
(the) winners of Earth
Sakura and Zetsu's eyes snap open at the same time as she is shown engaging Bandits alongside Team 8
Oh We have the brains to think hard
Wear our favorite clothes
We are at no doubt human beings
Many small lives
They were born
[They were born]
with the fate
[with the fate]
of dying for someone
[for someone A human baby]
A human baby
When will they find out
[When will they find out the true fact yeah]
that at the point they were born, we are
[we are winners]
(the) winners of Earth
Black Zetsu reaches out to grab Sakura to keep her from falling even further
Aa hitori naiteita tonari no kimi ga toikakeru
Dakara bokura yorisoi ikiru kirameku made
"Hey, why are you crying?" I ask you, next to me
That's why we live so close together, until we shine
Sakura and Zetsu appear conflicted between Kaguya or Konohagakure
For what have I been living for?
When will I find out the answer?
An answer that is only for you
What will myself and (the) first scenery I saw
Look like?
It's my face, my face
For what have I been living for?
When will I find out the answer?
An answer that is only for you
What will myself and (the) first scenery I saw
Look like?
It's my face, my face
Shut up!
I read this inside the book I read before
[The book I read before]
According (to) Maslow
[According (to) Maslow]
There are five steps (in a) human's desire
Zetsu is taking over several enemy shinobi as Sakura uses the Spore release technique
Shut up!
I read this inside the book I read before
[The book I read before]
According (to) Maslow
[According (to) Maslow]
There are five steps (in a) human's desire
Sakura reminisces on her and Zetsu's time with Team 8
To live a long life to stay safe and to receive
[Baby]
love from others
To get respect from
[Baby]
other, To get closer
[Yeah]
to your ideal
[Yeah]
That's what it said
[Yeah]
No matter how hard other animals try, they probably can't go over the first step
That is how intelligent we are and, (an animal) filled with greed
But that is probably why we can still live on top of the food chain
in this blue planet although we have weak bodies
To live a long life to stay safe and to receive
[Baby]
love from others
To get respect from
[Baby]
other, To get closer
[Yeah]
to your ideal
[Yeah]
That's what it said
[Yeah]
No matter how hard other animals try, they probably can't go over the first step
That is how intelligent we are and, (an animal) filled with greed
But that is probably why we can still live on top of the food chain
in this blue planet although we have weak bodies
Sakura/Zetsu are awaken by Kurenai and sees the rest of Team 8 standing over her
Next day at the academy
Iruka looked over the chattering rows of students and his fellow instructor and friend Mizuki tapped him on the shoulder. Iruka blinked and looked at him "Huh?" was his response. Mizuki shook his head "It's time to begin." Iruka nodded, he wondered where Sakura was, then there was a knock at the classroom door. Kiba went to open the door and blinked when a Cat masked ANBU appeared at the door and walked in. She looked at Iruka. "Yūgao-san…" began Iruka "Where is Sakura?.." he was cut off by Naruto jumping on the desk and shouting "Huh?! Sakura?! Is she okay?!" He began bombarding the poor instructor and ANBU with questions causing them to sweatdropped. "GEEZ SHUT UP!" roared a deep voice, causing the entire class to blink and look around. Yūgao sighed and replied "Sakura/Zetsu are…" she raised her finger and right on time a Venus flytrap like appendage erupted slowly from the ground.
Sasuke who normally spent time brooding blinked and stared {"Who is this Zetsu? Why did the ANBU say Sakura/Zetsu like they are one in the same?"}The flytrap slowly opened as a strange green liquid was seen in between the teeth. Sakura yawned "Morning Pineapple-sama...Neko-sama, and…..who the hell are you?" she tilted her head as she pointed to Mizuki. "He smells like snakes...I hate fucking snakes…" grumbled Black Zetsu as he appeared beside Sakura which spoked Mizuki who sputtered and smelled himself. The two merged and both said at the same time "So...where do we sit? I refuse to sit next to blondie mcstupid and Duck." Naruto blinked "Sakura-chan…..am not stupid…" he pouted, while Sasuke sputtered {"Duck….d..duck…"}.
Iruka blinked and sighed after seeing what she could do yesterday. He was worried for his students due to Sakura's obvious change in personality. Iruka pointed to an empty seat by Hinata. Both blinked "The Byakugan princess?" both stated as they stared at Hinata who blushed deeply. Iruka blinked again "Uhhh...I don't know about that Sakura/Zetsu-chan but can you please….." he was cut off by a loud slam of a door and the sounds of heavy breathing. "Ah Ino-san, glad you could join us…." Ino perked up and realized she was late, and then she noticed Sakura and her change of clothes. "What's up with the change of clothes Forehead?" Sakura lazily turned around and Ino sputtered as she spotted Black Zetsu merged with her body.
Sakura placed her finger on her lips, and 'hm'd' "Who are you again?" she asked as she snapped her fingers and pointed at Ino. Ino just sputtered and stared gobsmacked at her rival and former friend. Black Zetsu sighed "Oh boy...another love interest of the Duck." Sakura nodded, "Yea I grew out of that, she can have him." she replied as they used Kagerō to merge like liquid with the floor and reappear next to Hinata leaving Ino just staring as she made her way to her seat. Iruka cleared his throat and class began though Naruto and Sasuke kept staring at their pink/purple haired student with concern and worry.
Half-hour later
Iruka sighed as despite the hiccup earlier Sakura and Zetsu were largely well behaved, he believes it may have something to do with Hinata. "It's time for Lunch, please hurry back so we can go over Kunai practice." Mizuki spoke. Sakura/Zetsu used Kagerō to merge with the floor and vanished. Iruka noted that both Sasuke, Ino, and Naruto were looking for her/him or whatever she refers to herself as. Outside the academy, Sakura/Zetsu reappeared attached to a tree. She moaned slightly as the wind blew through the trees, Zetsu just watched the academy students both clan heirs/heiresses and civilians running around or eating their lunch. "The Kyūbi Jinchūriki, Uchiha heir, and Yamanaka heiress are looking for us." Black Zetsu said, perking up. Sakura closed her eyes and connected with one of her spore clones "Yup...let's entertain them Ani." Black Zetsu grumbled and muttered under his breath along the lines of "Stupid Humans" and "Dumbass kids".
Naruto, Ino and Sasuke looked around "Oi teme...you see Sakura-chan anywhere?" Ino whacked him in the head. "Show some respect you dumbass!" she scowled as she turned to Sasuke and whipped her hair. Sasuke cringed inwardly and sighed until something grabbed his foot. He looked down and saw a pale hand and then a pale skin face that looked like Sakura. "Psst..Duck…." Sasuke's eye twitched "Oi Teme...whoa Sakura-chan why are you in the ground?" Naruto ran over, Ino blinked and raised a brow but didn't say anything. "Boss Lady and Ani are in the tree over there." replied the parasitic clone. The three looked up and sure enough there Sakura and Zetsu were partially merged with a tree. "Byeeee" sing-songed the clone as she merged back with the ground.
"Is it just me or did Forehead do a 180?" asked Ino, Naruto and Sasuke blinked and looked at each other "Yea...now that you mention it Sakura-chan has been acting odd….." Sasuke just "Hn'd" as he stared at Sakura and Zetsu. The three approach slowly but carefully Black Zetsu begins first "What do ye Brats want?" his gruff cold voice cut through them like a knife cutting through paper. "Tsk tsk be nice Ai.." scold Sakura in a firm but gentle voice. "Fine…" grumbled Black Zetsu in defeat, "So..what do you wanna know?" spoke Sakura as she eyed the three before her and her brother. Ino stepped forward and cleared her throat "...What happened to you...for...errr Sakura." Ino said her former friend's name slowly. Sakura 'hmm' and thought for a minute before responding.
"Well I don't remember...it was so cold...and I remember a snake man…." Sakura shivered and Black Zetsu spoke up ratherly harshly but softly "That's enough for you blondie...NEXT!" he barked. Yūgao blinked for a minute {"Wait...is she saying...oh my god!?"} her eyes teared up and she clamped her hand over her mask as she fell down to her knees. Ino blinked but Naruto cut her off before she could speak, and he thought for about an half hour. He was about to speak when Black Zetsu roared "OH FOR PETE-SAKE! NEXT YOUR TURN DUCK!".
Hokages Tower
Hiruzen sweatdropped at that {"Orochimaru...what have you done…"} He gripped his hands in rage. Kurenai looked disgusted "That poor girl...Orochimaru must have modified Sakura and somehow created Zetsu…..", Kakashi wasn't so sure "I'm...not too sure….it seems too easy to blame Orochimaru...but Zetsu didn't show up until her parents were killed." Asuma agreed "I agree.." but he thought about it for a minute. "It's possible her parents could've been in on it. Think about it, this "Zetsu" somehow is undetectable by our sensor-nin, and ninja hounds, and appears at the exact moment her parents are killed defending Naruto." Kakashi's eyes widened "You don't mean…" Asuma sighed and lit up a cigarette. "I don't know honestly...but I know one thing despite her unique abilities...I can't have her on Team 10...based on her personality and relationship with Ino."
Kakashi spoke up next "Yea...it seems Sakura's changes might cause issues…" Might Gai who had been under a Genjutsu from Kurenai, said nothing Kurenai sighed "I will take her...she seems to take well to Hinata..who seems to be a controlling influence on her. Also her abilities are useful for a tracking team." Hiruzen nodded "I agree the only other option would be…." he trailed off but Kakashi caught it "You were gonna put her in Root?" Hiruzen sighed and nodded "I don't trust her...there is something off...I think she is using the village, my ANBU overheard her during that fight between you and Yūgao." Kakashi, Kurenai, and Asuma all raised a brow. Hiruzen continued with a soft sigh "They have mentioned staying close to 'The Kyūbi Jinchūriki', and a 'Kaguya-sama' . I doubt her loyalty which I know considering her age…"
Kurenai stepped forward "I will keep an eye on her. If...she betrays Konohagakure...I will kill her if need be." Hiruzen nodded.
Back at the academy
Sakura/Zetsu watched the other students throw their kunai at the target dummies. Mizuki approached her but was unnerved by the yellow/green eyes staring at him hard "Hello Snake." sneered Sakura/Zetsu in unison, "We have our own kunai" Sakura quickly spoke, preventing Mizuki from responding as she summoned two wooden kunai that were different as rather than being three prong it was one long singular blade. Mizuki shrugged and pulled out a clipboard as Sakura/Zetsu threw all three kunai she produced, hitting the marks dead-on. Mizuki blinked and wrote down the score and handed the clipboard back to Iruka.
Iruka read off the scoreboard "In tied with first place is Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura/Zetsu, in 2nd place is Shino Aburme, and 3rd place is Ino Yamanaka." Sakura/Zetsu reamined emotionless and looked Shino, Ino, and Sasuke up and down and looked back and tuned out closed her eyes as small needle like roots erupted from the ground and implanted themselves into Sakura's ankles, her eyes twitched as she heard the snarky voice of one of her parasitic clones "The old fart is onto us, slightly. We better keep playing the loyal princess part or he will hand us over to the Mummy Pedo." Sakura nodded, and Zetsu spoke softly "We better move carefully...unless you want him to catch onto us?" Sakura nodded slightly so as not to alert Iruka or the other students. "Yea...we need more information on Naruto-kun, in order to revive Kaa-san." She spoke softly and looked up when Iruka announced they would be sparing.
In the sparring arena, Sakura/Zetsu watched the students fight, and scoffed and rolled their eyes. Iruka then stood in the ring and read off the next sparing pairs "1st group Naruto Uzumaki vs Sasuke Uchiha, and 2nd group Ino Yamanaka vs Sakura/Zetsu" Sakura sighed while Zetsu muttered something about stupid ass "blondes". They used Kagerō and appeared facing Ino who was shouting about "True Love" much to the invisible annoyance of Sakura/Zetsu. Kurenai, Asuma, and Kakashi sat in the back of the crowd to watch the match. "She seems to be annoyed." noted Kakashi, Asuma sighed "Hence why I didn't want her on Team 10." Sakura/Zetsu crooked their head, "Yadada lets get this show on the road." Sakura spoke with a roll of her eyes. Ino sputtered "S…..Sasuke is mine you won't lose to you this time forehead!" she shouted.
Sakura/Zetsu blinked their green and yellow eyes "Why do you think I am interested in Duck? I told you…." Sakura begin but was cut off by her partner/brother. "Idoit ass blonde why would I give a two-timing fuck about a dude with duck ass for hair!" snapped Black Zetsu. Everyone just gaped, especially Naruto, Kakashi, Kurenai, and Asuma. Ino sputtered inundabile words. "Oh Pineapple, let's just get this started." Sakura barked at Iruka , who blinked and looked at Ino and assumed she was ready and watched Sakura/Zetsu place their hands into their martial arts Gi pants pockets lazily. "Hajimeru" shouted Iruka. Ino was torn between her friend's new behavior and personality and her anger at her precious Sasuke-kun being insulted, she chose the latter and rocked forward with a dramatic warcry. Everyone sweatdropped at this, "...I have a bad feeling about this…." muttered Kakashi. And he was right, Sakura lazily dodged Ino's sloppy attack by simply sidestepping to the side. Ino stumbled and caught herself before exiting the ring.
Ino growled angrily and turned back to launch a punch only for Sakura/Zetsu to catch her fist and started crushing it Ino squinted and grunted in pain Sakura/Zetsu sighed "You don't get it….I'm not the 'Forehead' you say I'm.". Ino eyes widened with fear as the Zetsu sighed of Sakura developed a Cheshire Cat style toothy grin as her hair began to flow widely. Kurneai's eyes widened "They need to intervene!" She quickly spoke to her friends, Asuma and Kakashi eyes also widened. Sakura/Zetsu before Iruka could step in flipped Ino onto her back and appeared on her back with her arm still gripped in her hand and then snapped her arm and her wrist. Ino screamed which caused Sasuke, and Naruto to pause in their fight and watch on in horror.
Before anyone could move Hinata rushed out of the stands and wrapped herself around Sakura/Zetsu, as they raised their right foot to step on Ino's back. "No Sakura/Zetsu-chan...Ino doesn't deserve it." Sakura/Zetsu backed off and stood down and several vines wrapped gently around Hinata and started blossoming various and strange types of flowers. Several lower ranked Jōnin carried Ino away on a stretcher. Iruka slowly walked towards Sakura/Zetsu and the still hugging Hinata, but was blocked by Yūgao "leave them...it's fine." Iruka noticed the venus flytrap slowly encasing Sakura/Zetsu and Hinata.
Ending theme: Nana Kitade-Inerasable Sin
opening rifts: a small white flower has landed on a pond, as young Sakura watches the river and sees a group of girls playing on the opposite end.
Itsumo no shisen ni kimi ga ite kokyū ga dekiru
Boku ni totte nara Sore dake de
Mō Jūbun na hazu na no ni
Sakura sees her and Zetsu past life flying by. She smiles as she sees her former parents and Kaguya spending time with her.
Chippoke na boku wa kurikaesu ayamachi bakari
Dorehodo tsuyosa wo te ni shitara
Nani mo kizutsukezu sumu no
Sakura recalls about her time with Ino and the Ninja Academy
Mayowazu ni Kono ai wo shinji ikiteyuku
Fusagaranu kizuguchi mo gyu'tto dakishimete
Sakura allows Kaguya to stroke her chin affectionately
Futari wa aruki-tsuzukeru Ato ni wa modorenai kara
Ima demo kono mune no oku Kesenai tsumi wa itamu kedo
Darling...
Sakura wakes up and sees her right still covered by Black Zetsu and realizes it was a dream