A/N: I feel so sad...I didn't get any reviews for my first chappie...anyway
here I go for the next one...
Underneath Hokage Monument, a certain blonde-headed ninja is running laps while being weighed down by several weights on his back and arms. According to his trainers, Kakashi and Jiraiya both agree that his endurance and chakra amount gives him the edge in battles. After spending considerable amount of thought with his team-mate Sakura, he came up with the perfect way to build up his stamina and chakra control: jogging with a twist. Inspired by Lee and his enthusiasm for training, Naruto made the decision to train by jogging on the flowing river. By doing this, he gets stronger while improving on his chakra control. At the same time, Sakura runs alongside him while every once in a while, she would attack Naruto using her kunai. It is a perfect system where both of them would get stronger. They do this every morning not stopping until late afternoon. Ever since three years ago, when Naruto had brought Sasuke back from the Sound, the relationship between Naruto and Sakura had gotten better until they found the brother/sister they never had before. Ever since then, team 7 had never been the same. With Naruto coming into his own strength and Sakura blooming under the personal tutelage of Tsunade the fifth hokage, Kakashi had deemed that although they are one member short, Team 7 is indeed one of the strongest genin teams ever. As they train side by side, they are watched by Sasuke as he supports himself on a walking stick.
Thanks to the battle between Naruto and Sasuke, Sasuke burnt up his ability to call up his chakra blasted right out of him due to his overuse of the curse seal. That battle had left Naruto over-exhausted and close to losing himself to Kyubi while Sasuke was close to death. Thanks to the timely arrival of Shikamaru, Hinata and Sakura, both genins were saved in time. The battle had changed Sasuke to say the least. He still longs for revenge only this time, he wishes to avenge himself on two people who betrayed him, Itachi and Orochimaru. As he watches the two train, his mind travels back to that incident.
"What do you mean I cant be a ninja anymore? I'm fully healed! I can still train!" yelled Sasuke as he face the Hokage in her office. Tsunade just looks at him with a kind look with a tinge of sadness on her face.
"Sasuke, the battle between you and Naruto....burnt out your chakra pathways. You are not able to use your chakra for a long time"
"That's not possible! I can still fight! I need to fight!"
At that declaration, Tsunade shakes her head, her hair hiding her expression.
"Then Sasuke, try to call your chakra. If you can produce a simple Bunshin, I will allow you to return to Team 7."
With his trademark smirk, he puts his hands together in a hand seal.
"Bunshin no Jutsu!"
Nothing happened. Sasuke frowns and trys again.
"Bunshin no Jutsu!"
Tsunade looks on, her face now hard as she watch the once powerful Uchiha fail in his attempt to use the simplest Jutsu of all. With a dawning look of horror on his face, could only stare in disbelief at his hands as if they had failed him. With a stricken look on his face, he meets the eyes of the Hokage.
"Understand this, Uchiha. You have burnt out you chakra pathways because of the curse seal level two. The seal used up all your chakra and you tried to feed it more chakra and this is the result. Thanks only to your foolhardiness and stupidity, you brought this down on yourself."
"NO It's not! If Naruto and the others had not come after me..!"
At that outburst, Tsunade's eyes grew even colder and her hand slammed down and right through the desk. Sasuke eye's widen as he witnessed the monstrous show of strength. At that amazing feat, he is reminded that this is Tsunade, one of the Three Sages, one who could match Orochimaru in strength.
"You are a fool Uchiha. Do you really think that by going to Orochimaru you will become stronger? Do you think that he really intends to make you stronger?"
Sasuke's face began to darken as Tsunade began questioning him.
"Uchiha. Let me ask you this question: What is it that makes the Uchiha clan a force to be reckoned with?"
Puzzled by that question, he answers
"The Sharingan, my bloodline limit which allows me to copy any kind of jutsu, be it Tai, Nin or Gen."
Nodding sagely, Tsunade follows up.
"Yes, the Sharingan. 18 years ago, Orochimaru became a Missing-nin of the Leaf and do you know why?"
Now truly puzzled, Sasuke could only shake his head.
"Orochimaru was discovered by my sensei, Sandaime hokage, when he was conducting experiments on the Shinobi of the Leaf involving their death through gruesome experimentation. I saw some of the bodies found in his hidden lab. What was left can only be described as nightmares. They were so disfigured that not even their parents would have recognised them."
Sickened by the Hokage's words, he listened on with a clenched stomach.
"In doing so, Orochimaru hoped to gain the secrets of immortality. When discovered by the Third, he ran away vowing revenge on the Leaf. Now he belives he has discovered immortality. He has completed a forbidden jutsu which allows him to transfer his soul into another body. When he does that, he retains all his previous jutsus which he has learnt while at the same time acquiring the abilities and strengths of the new body...."
Eyes wide open, Sasuke could do nothing as he slowly begins to draw connections.
"Including....bloodline abilites..."
Unable to hear anymore, Sasuke dashes madly out of the room without anyone stopping him....
So now he is here watching his team-mates spar and train together. True to the Hokage's word, he is still unable to use any of his jutsus or chakra. As he watches, he feels left out. Looking at them actually enjoying the training, he realises what actually makes people strong. Friends. It was out of friendship that Naruto brought him back. Because he promised Sakura as a friend that he would bring Sasuke back, he is here able to watch the two.
"Why? Why did you promise her that?" Sasuke whispers as he lay motionless in his own pool of blood on the ground. Unable to move, he watches Naruto on his knees, coughing out an unhealthy amount of blood.
"Because she is my friend and I will not let any of my friends down. I do not go back on my words as that is my ninja way. When I say I will do something I will do it no matter what...."
"Feeling left out?"
Sasuke snaps out his reverie as he turns to see his erstwhile sensei Kakashi smiling with his only eye closed while holding his favourite adult book: Come Come Paradise. Ever since Jiraiya came out with his new edition, Kakashi had his single eye stuck on it. All three students of his just wonder how is it he is able to go about with one eye covered and the other glued to the perverted little book. Giving a little smile, Sasuke gives out a small 'hmph' and turns back to see Naruto bashing his head into a rock as he tries to avoid Sakura's slash. This of course leads to the usual routine where Naruto dances about while screaming out in pain and at the same time Sakura is yelling at him for being so clumsy. Even after the monumental battle, Naruto is still the same loud-mouthed idiot as he was when he first became a genin. The routine lasts only a few moments until they get back to training again. Sasuke only gives out a small wistful sigh and shakes his head at the sight.
"Don't worry Sasuke, your chakra is slowly building up. Even Tsunade said so. After another year or so, you will be able to return to active service again."
"I know but...."
After finally realizing his actions and coming to terms with himself, he found himself growing closer to Naruto and Sakura. Espeicially Sakura. She was the one who stayed with him when he was recovering. When he could not help himself, she was there and slowly Sasuke began to realise that she is the Light to his Darkness. Without her, he would definitely have lost himself to Orochimaru. It is with this thinking, that he finally acknowledges her for who she is, finally opening up a part of himself which he had held shut for a long time.
So now, the three members of Team 7 had made a promise to each other. All three of them will make Chuunin and Jounin together as a team. Together they will become strong and together they shall protect the Leaf.
"Anyway, I think I should stop the other two training. We are to meet with the Hokage now."
"hmmm..."
With that, Kakashi disappears from his side and appears in between Naruto and Sakura who is about to take another strike at Naruto only to find her blocked by Kakashi's wrist guard. While holding Sakura at bay, his left hand still holding Icha Icha Paradise he speaks to both of them.
"Oi oi...we're due for a meeting with the Fifth. So lets get a move on shall we?" and he promptly disappears leaving a dumbfounded Sakura and a Naruto who drops into the water as he gets distracted.
"KUSOU!!! WHY did he have to do that!!!"
"Naruto! JUST SHUT UP AND HURRY UP!! WE DON'T HAVE MUCH TIME"
Grumbling, he gets out of the river as he heads towards Sasuke and Sakura. As he reaches them, he complains about how it's unfair of the short notice until Sakura again pounds him on the head causing a huge lump to grow on his head.
"Ok you guys ready? Grab hold!"
With their affirmative nod, he begins a new jutsu he created with the help of Jiraiya and Tsunade. As he begins the seal sequence, a look of envy crosses Sasuke's face as Sakura holds tightly on to him while he grips Naruto's shoulders.
Naruto...once you had to chase my shadow...now its my turn chase you
"Ninja Skill: Wind Walk no Jutsu!"
As the jutsu takes form, a huge wind appears lifting the three off their feet as they find themselves travelling the winds towards the Hokage's office. Naruto has grown the past few years. Still intent on his goal of Hokage, he trains extensively. Now 16, his appearance has changed. His fox-like whisker marking on his face has become more pronounced making him looking more like a fox. Sasuke and Sakura finds it odd that some of the older villagers and even some of the Chuunins take notice of his appearance, they become more fearful and cold towards Naruto. Since Naruto seems to ignore it, neither of them brings the subject up.
As they are carried toward the hokage's office by the wind, Sakura clings even tighter to Sasuke as they seemingly float. The feeling of flying and Sasuke so close to her makes her so...happy. As they float on, Sakura tucks her head over Sasuke's shoulder so that she could nuzzle his neck. With Sasuke having recovered and more open to the world, Sakura finally has him to herself. When Sasuke finally returned her love, she became the happiest girl of all. She isn't anything like the other girls. They only thought they liked him. When they heard of what he did, they immediately rejected him for being such a fool for power but not Sakura. No matter what mistakes he made, she still loved him and waited until he finally noticed her. As she snuggles herself on Sasuke's back there is better feeling of contentment besides this....if only they weren't going so fast. She could feel Sasuke tensing up as he came to the same conclusion as her. If they hit a wall at this speed...
"Naruto! Slow down! You're gonna kill us if we hit a wall!!!"
"I will if I can just figure out how!!"
Both Sakura and Sasuke's eyes turned to big white orbs as they took in what Naruto had said. Suddenly Naruto found himself being simultaneously throttled by his two teammates as they began yelling at him.
"YOU IDIOT!! IF WE DON'T SURVIVE THIS!! IM GOING TO MAKE YOUR AFTERLIFE A LIVING HELL!!!!"
"NARUTO!!! WHY CAN YOU DO ANTYING PROPERLY!!!"
It is right then when they crashed right through the Hokage's wall and smash her writing to desk into smithereens. The ensuing commotion brought in the Anbu who are guarding the Hokage. Fearing an attack, they got ready for any sign of attack as the dust settles to reveal...
A tangle of arms and legs as Team Seven tries its best to extract itself out of the mess which is an incredible load of papers and splinters with an extremely ticked-off Hokage right in the middle of it....
"Hokage-sama!"
"WE Can explain!"
"I want ramen...."
The last statement came from Naruto who is swirly-eyed from taking most of the impact when they hit the wall. Standing around the odd-bunch in the wreckage are the Anbu, Kakashi and a stranger looking very amused by the situation. After assessing the situation, Tsunade quickly cools down and deadpanned spoke to the three members of Team Seven as they sweat- dropped and awaited their punishment.
"I want a new wall..."
"Team Seven I would like you to meet Edo. Judging from his abilities, he should be able to help put Team Seven back to its rightful position."
And that is the introduction of the newest member of Team Seven to Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura. After all the chaos created by Naruto's entrance, the Anbu returned back to their positions. All three of them looks curiously at Edo and then back to Tsunade. As usual, Edo is wearing his heavy robe and his face is once again hidden by his large straw hat. Naruto is the first one to speak up.
"Old hag...what do you mean rightful position? Its already the best because of me since I'm going to become..."
"The next Hokage..." Tsunade smiles at Naruto. At the same time, Naruto gets another bump on his head from Sakura from being disrespectful."
"I have talked to Edo and judging him based on his abilities and character, I think it suitable for him to join in you next mission."
Naruto's eyes predictably lit up at the sound of the word 'mission'.
"Old hag....what is this mission...?"
Tsunade's expression now becomes serious as she faces all of them.
"Orochimaru has gone too far. Even now as we speak, he is planning to steal an even stronger body. He must be stopped before more people and the Leaf suffers for his actions. Edo here has news of him. Team Seven including Kakashi is to accompany Edo as he tries to stop Orochimaru."
When the Hokage finally stops speaking, there is silence within the room. Naruto's face darkens as he thinks about the mission. Sasuke's expression is a careful blank as he thinks about meeting once again, the snake who had this done to him. Sakura seems to be almost frightened as she looks at Sasuke.
Finally Naruto raises his hand as if he is back in a classroom once again.
"OBaa-san! What makes this guy with the big hat so special that you put him with us?"
Tsunade smirks at that arrogant question. No matter what, he still acts as a loud-mouth brat. Before she answers, Edo turns towards Naruto, he removes his hat revealing his cat-eyes and his sharpened canines. Sakura gasps as she takes in the non-human features.
"I am Edo. My father was a Leaf Shinobi. When I was young, I was kidnapped and was experimented on by a foul and evil person. It is thanks to him I now look like this....like a monster.... It is because of him, my father died. It is because of that evil serpent that I am shunned"
Naruto gives a little start as he seems to recognise something in the stranger's eyes. Both Naruto and Sasuke gives a nod as they realise who Edo refers to as the evil person and all three whisper that name.
"Orochimaru..."
A/N: And so now Team Seven now has new member....aw man...I need a better plot line!!!
Underneath Hokage Monument, a certain blonde-headed ninja is running laps while being weighed down by several weights on his back and arms. According to his trainers, Kakashi and Jiraiya both agree that his endurance and chakra amount gives him the edge in battles. After spending considerable amount of thought with his team-mate Sakura, he came up with the perfect way to build up his stamina and chakra control: jogging with a twist. Inspired by Lee and his enthusiasm for training, Naruto made the decision to train by jogging on the flowing river. By doing this, he gets stronger while improving on his chakra control. At the same time, Sakura runs alongside him while every once in a while, she would attack Naruto using her kunai. It is a perfect system where both of them would get stronger. They do this every morning not stopping until late afternoon. Ever since three years ago, when Naruto had brought Sasuke back from the Sound, the relationship between Naruto and Sakura had gotten better until they found the brother/sister they never had before. Ever since then, team 7 had never been the same. With Naruto coming into his own strength and Sakura blooming under the personal tutelage of Tsunade the fifth hokage, Kakashi had deemed that although they are one member short, Team 7 is indeed one of the strongest genin teams ever. As they train side by side, they are watched by Sasuke as he supports himself on a walking stick.
Thanks to the battle between Naruto and Sasuke, Sasuke burnt up his ability to call up his chakra blasted right out of him due to his overuse of the curse seal. That battle had left Naruto over-exhausted and close to losing himself to Kyubi while Sasuke was close to death. Thanks to the timely arrival of Shikamaru, Hinata and Sakura, both genins were saved in time. The battle had changed Sasuke to say the least. He still longs for revenge only this time, he wishes to avenge himself on two people who betrayed him, Itachi and Orochimaru. As he watches the two train, his mind travels back to that incident.
"What do you mean I cant be a ninja anymore? I'm fully healed! I can still train!" yelled Sasuke as he face the Hokage in her office. Tsunade just looks at him with a kind look with a tinge of sadness on her face.
"Sasuke, the battle between you and Naruto....burnt out your chakra pathways. You are not able to use your chakra for a long time"
"That's not possible! I can still fight! I need to fight!"
At that declaration, Tsunade shakes her head, her hair hiding her expression.
"Then Sasuke, try to call your chakra. If you can produce a simple Bunshin, I will allow you to return to Team 7."
With his trademark smirk, he puts his hands together in a hand seal.
"Bunshin no Jutsu!"
Nothing happened. Sasuke frowns and trys again.
"Bunshin no Jutsu!"
Tsunade looks on, her face now hard as she watch the once powerful Uchiha fail in his attempt to use the simplest Jutsu of all. With a dawning look of horror on his face, could only stare in disbelief at his hands as if they had failed him. With a stricken look on his face, he meets the eyes of the Hokage.
"Understand this, Uchiha. You have burnt out you chakra pathways because of the curse seal level two. The seal used up all your chakra and you tried to feed it more chakra and this is the result. Thanks only to your foolhardiness and stupidity, you brought this down on yourself."
"NO It's not! If Naruto and the others had not come after me..!"
At that outburst, Tsunade's eyes grew even colder and her hand slammed down and right through the desk. Sasuke eye's widen as he witnessed the monstrous show of strength. At that amazing feat, he is reminded that this is Tsunade, one of the Three Sages, one who could match Orochimaru in strength.
"You are a fool Uchiha. Do you really think that by going to Orochimaru you will become stronger? Do you think that he really intends to make you stronger?"
Sasuke's face began to darken as Tsunade began questioning him.
"Uchiha. Let me ask you this question: What is it that makes the Uchiha clan a force to be reckoned with?"
Puzzled by that question, he answers
"The Sharingan, my bloodline limit which allows me to copy any kind of jutsu, be it Tai, Nin or Gen."
Nodding sagely, Tsunade follows up.
"Yes, the Sharingan. 18 years ago, Orochimaru became a Missing-nin of the Leaf and do you know why?"
Now truly puzzled, Sasuke could only shake his head.
"Orochimaru was discovered by my sensei, Sandaime hokage, when he was conducting experiments on the Shinobi of the Leaf involving their death through gruesome experimentation. I saw some of the bodies found in his hidden lab. What was left can only be described as nightmares. They were so disfigured that not even their parents would have recognised them."
Sickened by the Hokage's words, he listened on with a clenched stomach.
"In doing so, Orochimaru hoped to gain the secrets of immortality. When discovered by the Third, he ran away vowing revenge on the Leaf. Now he belives he has discovered immortality. He has completed a forbidden jutsu which allows him to transfer his soul into another body. When he does that, he retains all his previous jutsus which he has learnt while at the same time acquiring the abilities and strengths of the new body...."
Eyes wide open, Sasuke could do nothing as he slowly begins to draw connections.
"Including....bloodline abilites..."
Unable to hear anymore, Sasuke dashes madly out of the room without anyone stopping him....
So now he is here watching his team-mates spar and train together. True to the Hokage's word, he is still unable to use any of his jutsus or chakra. As he watches, he feels left out. Looking at them actually enjoying the training, he realises what actually makes people strong. Friends. It was out of friendship that Naruto brought him back. Because he promised Sakura as a friend that he would bring Sasuke back, he is here able to watch the two.
"Why? Why did you promise her that?" Sasuke whispers as he lay motionless in his own pool of blood on the ground. Unable to move, he watches Naruto on his knees, coughing out an unhealthy amount of blood.
"Because she is my friend and I will not let any of my friends down. I do not go back on my words as that is my ninja way. When I say I will do something I will do it no matter what...."
"Feeling left out?"
Sasuke snaps out his reverie as he turns to see his erstwhile sensei Kakashi smiling with his only eye closed while holding his favourite adult book: Come Come Paradise. Ever since Jiraiya came out with his new edition, Kakashi had his single eye stuck on it. All three students of his just wonder how is it he is able to go about with one eye covered and the other glued to the perverted little book. Giving a little smile, Sasuke gives out a small 'hmph' and turns back to see Naruto bashing his head into a rock as he tries to avoid Sakura's slash. This of course leads to the usual routine where Naruto dances about while screaming out in pain and at the same time Sakura is yelling at him for being so clumsy. Even after the monumental battle, Naruto is still the same loud-mouthed idiot as he was when he first became a genin. The routine lasts only a few moments until they get back to training again. Sasuke only gives out a small wistful sigh and shakes his head at the sight.
"Don't worry Sasuke, your chakra is slowly building up. Even Tsunade said so. After another year or so, you will be able to return to active service again."
"I know but...."
After finally realizing his actions and coming to terms with himself, he found himself growing closer to Naruto and Sakura. Espeicially Sakura. She was the one who stayed with him when he was recovering. When he could not help himself, she was there and slowly Sasuke began to realise that she is the Light to his Darkness. Without her, he would definitely have lost himself to Orochimaru. It is with this thinking, that he finally acknowledges her for who she is, finally opening up a part of himself which he had held shut for a long time.
So now, the three members of Team 7 had made a promise to each other. All three of them will make Chuunin and Jounin together as a team. Together they will become strong and together they shall protect the Leaf.
"Anyway, I think I should stop the other two training. We are to meet with the Hokage now."
"hmmm..."
With that, Kakashi disappears from his side and appears in between Naruto and Sakura who is about to take another strike at Naruto only to find her blocked by Kakashi's wrist guard. While holding Sakura at bay, his left hand still holding Icha Icha Paradise he speaks to both of them.
"Oi oi...we're due for a meeting with the Fifth. So lets get a move on shall we?" and he promptly disappears leaving a dumbfounded Sakura and a Naruto who drops into the water as he gets distracted.
"KUSOU!!! WHY did he have to do that!!!"
"Naruto! JUST SHUT UP AND HURRY UP!! WE DON'T HAVE MUCH TIME"
Grumbling, he gets out of the river as he heads towards Sasuke and Sakura. As he reaches them, he complains about how it's unfair of the short notice until Sakura again pounds him on the head causing a huge lump to grow on his head.
"Ok you guys ready? Grab hold!"
With their affirmative nod, he begins a new jutsu he created with the help of Jiraiya and Tsunade. As he begins the seal sequence, a look of envy crosses Sasuke's face as Sakura holds tightly on to him while he grips Naruto's shoulders.
Naruto...once you had to chase my shadow...now its my turn chase you
"Ninja Skill: Wind Walk no Jutsu!"
As the jutsu takes form, a huge wind appears lifting the three off their feet as they find themselves travelling the winds towards the Hokage's office. Naruto has grown the past few years. Still intent on his goal of Hokage, he trains extensively. Now 16, his appearance has changed. His fox-like whisker marking on his face has become more pronounced making him looking more like a fox. Sasuke and Sakura finds it odd that some of the older villagers and even some of the Chuunins take notice of his appearance, they become more fearful and cold towards Naruto. Since Naruto seems to ignore it, neither of them brings the subject up.
As they are carried toward the hokage's office by the wind, Sakura clings even tighter to Sasuke as they seemingly float. The feeling of flying and Sasuke so close to her makes her so...happy. As they float on, Sakura tucks her head over Sasuke's shoulder so that she could nuzzle his neck. With Sasuke having recovered and more open to the world, Sakura finally has him to herself. When Sasuke finally returned her love, she became the happiest girl of all. She isn't anything like the other girls. They only thought they liked him. When they heard of what he did, they immediately rejected him for being such a fool for power but not Sakura. No matter what mistakes he made, she still loved him and waited until he finally noticed her. As she snuggles herself on Sasuke's back there is better feeling of contentment besides this....if only they weren't going so fast. She could feel Sasuke tensing up as he came to the same conclusion as her. If they hit a wall at this speed...
"Naruto! Slow down! You're gonna kill us if we hit a wall!!!"
"I will if I can just figure out how!!"
Both Sakura and Sasuke's eyes turned to big white orbs as they took in what Naruto had said. Suddenly Naruto found himself being simultaneously throttled by his two teammates as they began yelling at him.
"YOU IDIOT!! IF WE DON'T SURVIVE THIS!! IM GOING TO MAKE YOUR AFTERLIFE A LIVING HELL!!!!"
"NARUTO!!! WHY CAN YOU DO ANTYING PROPERLY!!!"
It is right then when they crashed right through the Hokage's wall and smash her writing to desk into smithereens. The ensuing commotion brought in the Anbu who are guarding the Hokage. Fearing an attack, they got ready for any sign of attack as the dust settles to reveal...
A tangle of arms and legs as Team Seven tries its best to extract itself out of the mess which is an incredible load of papers and splinters with an extremely ticked-off Hokage right in the middle of it....
"Hokage-sama!"
"WE Can explain!"
"I want ramen...."
The last statement came from Naruto who is swirly-eyed from taking most of the impact when they hit the wall. Standing around the odd-bunch in the wreckage are the Anbu, Kakashi and a stranger looking very amused by the situation. After assessing the situation, Tsunade quickly cools down and deadpanned spoke to the three members of Team Seven as they sweat- dropped and awaited their punishment.
"I want a new wall..."
"Team Seven I would like you to meet Edo. Judging from his abilities, he should be able to help put Team Seven back to its rightful position."
And that is the introduction of the newest member of Team Seven to Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura. After all the chaos created by Naruto's entrance, the Anbu returned back to their positions. All three of them looks curiously at Edo and then back to Tsunade. As usual, Edo is wearing his heavy robe and his face is once again hidden by his large straw hat. Naruto is the first one to speak up.
"Old hag...what do you mean rightful position? Its already the best because of me since I'm going to become..."
"The next Hokage..." Tsunade smiles at Naruto. At the same time, Naruto gets another bump on his head from Sakura from being disrespectful."
"I have talked to Edo and judging him based on his abilities and character, I think it suitable for him to join in you next mission."
Naruto's eyes predictably lit up at the sound of the word 'mission'.
"Old hag....what is this mission...?"
Tsunade's expression now becomes serious as she faces all of them.
"Orochimaru has gone too far. Even now as we speak, he is planning to steal an even stronger body. He must be stopped before more people and the Leaf suffers for his actions. Edo here has news of him. Team Seven including Kakashi is to accompany Edo as he tries to stop Orochimaru."
When the Hokage finally stops speaking, there is silence within the room. Naruto's face darkens as he thinks about the mission. Sasuke's expression is a careful blank as he thinks about meeting once again, the snake who had this done to him. Sakura seems to be almost frightened as she looks at Sasuke.
Finally Naruto raises his hand as if he is back in a classroom once again.
"OBaa-san! What makes this guy with the big hat so special that you put him with us?"
Tsunade smirks at that arrogant question. No matter what, he still acts as a loud-mouth brat. Before she answers, Edo turns towards Naruto, he removes his hat revealing his cat-eyes and his sharpened canines. Sakura gasps as she takes in the non-human features.
"I am Edo. My father was a Leaf Shinobi. When I was young, I was kidnapped and was experimented on by a foul and evil person. It is thanks to him I now look like this....like a monster.... It is because of him, my father died. It is because of that evil serpent that I am shunned"
Naruto gives a little start as he seems to recognise something in the stranger's eyes. Both Naruto and Sasuke gives a nod as they realise who Edo refers to as the evil person and all three whisper that name.
"Orochimaru..."
A/N: And so now Team Seven now has new member....aw man...I need a better plot line!!!