Through the swirling wisps of sand…

Tobi was greeted by the leader of Akatsuki as he was trotting through the barren remains of a deserted country. The leader was angered as he realized that almost half of the Akatsuki was now killed by a few chuunin. He was also in desperate need of members. He told Tobi a very luscious plan the made a deal to Tobi that if he was to kill a chunnin, regardless if he had the ring or not he would be accepted into the group. When Tobi heard this he was very excited and bent down to vow that he would kill a chuunin even if it meant his life.

On the battlefield with Kabuto…

As Kabuto flew through the trees he saw a familiar bush of yellow hair and konoha headband. When the ninja lifted his head Kabuto immediately recognized it to be Naruto. Kabuto's mouth twisted into an evil smile.

'Hey, You, Naruto, over there, I challenge you to a battle,' Kabuto called out, remembering the last time Naruto had barely defeated him and Kabuto had grown much stronger during that time.

Naruto stood up 'I never turn down a challenge.'

Naruto flew to a trunk that was level with Kabuto.

'Kuchiyose no Jutsu,' Naruto performed hand seals and a frog as big as Naruto was the he hopped on its back. Kabuto, who had been training with Sasuke, had learnt a few of his attacks. Kabuto gathered charka at his chest then blew it all out using Katon: Hōsenka no Jutsu. Naruto called up a frog's stomach which took all the attacks. When Kabuto had his turn and saw that Naruto was unharmed he thought

'This kid has really gotten stronger but… hasn't reached my level for sure.' Naruto leapt off the frog then it then raced forward and used his long tongue that was a quick as lightning, to wrap up Kabuto. Kabuto was desperately trying to rid himself of the tongue but Naruto was too quick and forced a Rasengan into the region of his heart. The frog let go of Kabuto.

Kabuto was desperately trying to heal his heart but to no avail. Masses of blood were pouring out and Kabuto was fighting for his life.

'There's no use,' a deep male voice said. Kabuto looked up and there was Jiriya facing him.

'We're in a place where I set up seals to stop any medical ninjutsu.

'Hey! Ero-sennin, what happened?' Naruto raced out from the trees. Jiriya laughed

'Mission complete.'

Kabuto was extremely confused and demanded to know what was going on. Jiriya kneeled down and told him that they were only using henge to transform into each other. Jiriya added

'I knew you would underestimate me if I did,' then laughed.

Kabuto was extremely annoyed then he thought that even if he lost his memory it would be better then dieing. He asked Jiriya if he was willing to help him. Jiriya didn't really like anyone close to Orochimaru but since that kid was taken by force and misled he would give it one more chance. He ordered Naruto to take down the three seals and he performed a jutsu that cleared his mind of the times when he was with Orochimaru and Akatsuki. There was a white flash and Kabuto was lifeless and much younger… as if he was six again, just before he met Orochimaru. Naruto came back and was shocked to see Kabuto as a small child. Jiriya told Naruto to come with him then he carried the small child back to his room.

Jiriya and Kabuto, now name Sarutobi after Jiriya's deceased teacher, were now very close and Sarutobi was introduced to all of Naruto's friends. Nobody recognized him and Jiriya smiled. He told Naruto to bring him to Konoha and let it live with Tsunade for the time being. Sarutobi was very sad to leave but was reassured that Jiriya would return as soon as his 'business' was finished.

The afternoon…

Kiba was in his room stroking Akamaru's head, whose condition was worsening. Akamaru could barely stand up and was extremely thin. Kiba decided that he wanted to go back to Konoha to try to heal Akamaru. He told Gaara that he was about to leave and Hinata was sad but she didn't want to show it so she bit her lip.

Kiba was at his room preparing to leave and was packing his items when he sniffed a smell of an Akatsuki member. It was unfamiliar but as the members all met at one place regularly they roughly smelt the same. Then it hit him. It smelt grassy …

'What else could smell grassy in the sand other then Zetsu?' he thought. He ran back to tell Hinata and Gaara but found they were already engaged in battle with Zetsu.

Hinata switched on her Byakagun and noticed a change. There were two specks of red in the place of eyes. She informed Gaara of his and he took it into consideration.

'Are there any types of eyes other then yours?' he asked

'Yes, the Sharingan' Gaara knew that there were only three Sharingan-users left and one of them, Sasuke was already dead. Gaara turned his head toward the Venus fly trap head.

'Did you merge with Itachi?'

'No, I merged with Sasuke.' Zetsu answered.

'How?' Gaara was confused.

'We can only take the body of live people, unless you're using the temporary heart beating technique.' Gaara questioned.

'Smart child but if you have realized the venus fly trap can grow on things and since I was about to die I took the body of Sasuke who was already dead. I can now use the wonderful eyes of Sasuke and the great techniques of mine. I'm sure to defeat YOU,'

As he said you he launched his head at them with the mouth wide open. Gaara pushed Hinata away using his sand and he took his sand to fill the hole created by the venus fly trap. Glup, However the sand was dissolved by the acid surrounding the inner side of the mouth.

'This sand is not like real sand, it has a lovely blood taste in it,' Zetsu commented. Then Gaara wrapped the sand around the figure and performed desert coffin but the acid in Zetsu's mouth poured out to dissolve it.

'With my Charka I can guide the acid anywhere,'

Setsu said then he started vomiting out the vile liquid and directed it at Gaara. Gaara made his ultimate shield however it was easily dissolved by the acid. Gaara then realized his sand would be very useless if the acid kept going like this.

'Step back!' Hinata called out from behind him. Gaara looked at her to see a figure coved in black raindrops. Hinata had let out the seal and was standing to face Zetsu.

'Ah… an Orochimaru favourite are we?' Zetsu sniggered.

Hinata raised her hand and a large charka poured out. She pointed it at Zetsu and when it touched his body his charka circulatory snapped.

'I am now extending the use of gentle fist so now it isn't just a close range combat style, I have use it from a distance,' Hinata stepped back it the gentle fist pose.

'Hakke Rokujuyon Shō!' she called out. 'Strike one, strike two , strike four…' When Hinata was finished Zetsu was lying motionless on the ground. As he was using a body that had died once it was considerably weaker and had died.

Kiba, who had seen it all, was amazed that Hinata could do such a great technique even if he was scared of the black dots on her, he warmed up to her and hugged her. 'Thank you for saving me even if I must say I hate begin saved by a girl,' Hinata laughed while her seal was retreating.

'Your becoming like Shikamaru,'

At night time…

Hinata was lying to rest Gaara took her arm.

'You were very good that time today,' he said.

'Really? I thought you wouldn't say that, thankyou,'

Then she lay to rest because she was so exhausted.

'I would also like to say that Kiba is leaving and it might be dangerous if he leaves alone so I've arranged a ninja to accompany him to Konoha and a comrade of your to help him back.'

However, Hinata was exhausted and didn't hear. He smiled. She sure was he thought. He then brushed away her hair and leaned over to give her a kiss.

'Tonight,' he thought 'is going to be a beautiful night.'