Chapter 11: Rainfall
"Sometimes pain was like a storm that came out of nowhere. The clearest summer could end in a downpour. Could end in lightning and thunder."
― Benjamin Alire Sáenz, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
Kakashi
'Will I reach before this downpour starts?' Kakashi considers, casting another glance overhead. A bundle of black and gray clouds have been on his back since leaving Suna in the early afternoon that are now starting to blot out the sun, growing steadily larger as thunder rumbles in the distance.
He supposes he shouldn't be surprised, Konoha and the surrounding woods often get storms around this time of year and into late summer, sudden pop-up drizzles or storms that drench the forests and pavements before leaving only to come back again tomorrow.
Lightning crackles through the clouds again, a final warning perhaps that he should take cover.
'It's fine; if I stop now I'll be delayed by at least a day and a half.' He knows.
Besides, he's used to being soaked from missions. The chill of raindrops a reminder he's still alive; breathing.
"You're always pushing yourself Kakashi, putting yourself in the lead. It's good to rely on Obito and Rin too when you need to." Minato-sensei reminds him with a tap to his shoulder. He always does that, suddenly beside him in the trees breaking his concentration and he glances up to see his light grin, warm blue eyes wondering why he won't join him and his team members below for lunch.
He freezes, his dead sensei's image forming and dissipating in the blink of an eye. He rarely thinks about him unless he's by the memorial stone, so why now?
'Because Naruto has come back, because Naruto looks so much like him and you never told him...' His thoughts sting.
And surely from Naruto's time in the future he knows this too and he wonders then how Naruto will react to his presence once they inevitably meet. Anger? Upset? Or maybe just a cold indifference?
He deserves all of them in some form or fashion, forcing himself to pick up the pace.
It's been just about over a day now since he left Suna, leaving Sakura with Pakkun only provides a small comfort though it was better than returning back to Konoha without providing any update to Suna's leaders and Sakura's shown him she can handle herself on her own.
'There's also the fact Sakura was going to challenge me tooth and nail not to come home just yet.' He muses.
To his right a group of sparrows abruptly take flight moving west, away from the coming rain and he pauses along a branch.
Something's off.
A drizzle starts, pattering at the bark and leaves, but he picks up on a new scent in the air besides the rain and pine needles.
'Fire.'
The smell is faint though, rain helping to mask it.
But still it unnerves him, chills his skin with goosebumps at a sudden thin dark brown line billowing up into the air. He leaps a few more feet and swears he catches the gaze of crimson eyes peering back at him through the leaves, warning him not to get closer.
'Sasuke?'
Those are sharingan eyes he's sure.
He pulls up and adjusts his mask tighter to his face, trying not to inhale any more of whatever this is in the air as the red eyes disappear into depths of the forest.
No regular civilian or merchant would be out in this weather, so that could only mean it must be a shinobi.
He focuses his gaze on the forest floor and to the canopies above, searching for any burnt leaves, snapped branches, the indent of footprints...
Calmly he leaps by two more trees, reaching one with a thick enough underbrush and blends himself into the moss and dew.
Quietly he summons two of his ninja hounds; Bisuke and Akino sniffing the air upon landing on the branches beside him.
"It's not normal for people to set fires in the midst of a rainstorm." Bisuke comments, eyes narrowing on the blotchy dark smoke trail sticking to the sky like a bruise.
Akino nods his agreement, adjusting his sunglasses. "Seems like it's coming from the north steadily heading eastward."
'Same direction as me; towards Konoha.' Kakashi notes.
He can't be sure if they're friendly or rogue shinobi, but he would bet ryo on the latter from the way they hide their tracks, have left a growingly apparent trial of poisonous smog in their wake.
Rain is one of the best ways for traveling after all when you don't want to be found.
Kakashi frowns, signaling quietly with his hands for the duo to split up and check both the west and east sides of the forests before meeting him back here in the center.
"Try not to breathe in too much of the air, we're still quite a ways from Konoha and I can't be sure what exact toxins are in this smoke." Kakashi advises, duo nodding before disappearing into the shrubbery.
'I know Jiraiya and Lady Tsunade can't be the only ones who knew about Naruto and Hinata's return, but just how fast could a shinobi outside the village find out? Unless they've been continuously tracking the news or perhaps a traitor within our ranks.' He considers.
He clicks his tongue, Jiraiya is the best spy they have though even he wouldn't be able to always keep track of the constantly rotating chunin and jonin in active duty or away on missions.
The drizzle turns into a downpour, warm and heavier scented with smoke and burnt grass that makes his nose further wrinkle and his head pound. Mud splashes at his legs making leaves and twigs stick to him, pausing when he notes an animal within a patch of dirt a few meters away.
A large badger he realizes upon closer inspection, it's corpse brought into view as raindrops slide away mud and grime from its body.
It's dark eyes are wide and glassy gazing vacantly towards the treetops, trickle of dried blood against it's gray-brown fur and cracked teeth.
Carefully with a fallen tree branch he turns it over on its side, taking in a crisscross of burnt and blackened skin all over the torso region. The potent scent of chemicals surrounds it's body and the nearby ground, staining the earth a sickly greenish-gray.
'This wasn't from another predator, no bites marks or torn skin.' Kakashi regards.
Akino and Bisuke land beside him, equally looking wary.
"Boss, I picked up the nasty scent of that fire and toxic air heading fast for Konoha. Seems like 2, maybe 3 people total. All men going by their scents and builds." Akino reports.
'Sasuke. These pattens of injury to the badger are from a chidori.' He realizes.
So now he is on Sasuke's trial again.
'He's still just out of reach like Obito was, like Minato-sensei was, and like Rin was. Sasuke's death could be on your hands next..." The thought tears at him, heartbeat rising into his ears at the grisly images.
He shakes the thoughts away before they take root, before the images of his dead loved ones distract him from this new task.
Bisuke spits out a creature from his jaws, regarding it in disgust.
"Found this one slithering along the ground trying to keep out of sight. It might be a summon from one of them." He scoffs.
Kakashi nods, giving the pair each a satisfied pat and biscuit before dispersing them.
The creature Bisuke found remains severed in half on the ground, golden orbs of a snake staring back at him blankly.
It's a white snake he's seen dozens of times before now, one he's been to meeting upon meeting from Lord Third in the past to now with Lady Tsunade to be on the lookout for.
'One of Orochimaru's.'
Hinata
"Hinata, you have guests at the door for you." Kō beckons her, paying no mind to the glare Hanabi sends him back for interrupting their lunch.
"Tell them she's not here!" She huffs.
"No, they know Hinata is here. They'll just stay by the gates until she comes out or catch her when she's out and about the village." Neji mentions, gazing up from his bowl of yakisoba noodles.
Hanabi sends him a look in return, a silent questioning of whose side he's on.
Hinata tussles up her hair, giggling at her childish behavior. Most likely in the year she was away she was forced to grow up, forced to do duties and tasks beyond her young age of 9.
"It's fine Hanabi, I can't just disregard my friends and sensei wanting to see me. I've been back at the compound 2 days now greeting everyone from both sides of the family." She mentions over her shoulder as she moves ahead to stand.
"Yes, you can ignore them! Neji does it all the time when Lee comes around just after daybreak asking him to train and do whatever 'fiery morning youth exercises' are!" Hanabi counters back, pattering after her.
'I can imagine that.' Hinata smiles, letting Hanabi interlock and swing their hands up together.
They pass along the garden, Hanabi pointing to the hydrangeas she saw the day before when she first arrived. In the midday heat they shine brightly, violet and orange petals drinking up the sunlight.
"Father planted those in memory of you, of waiting for the day you would come back to us. However, none of us were sure at the time if you even could come back or would want to come back; not after Father's cruel words and actions over the years. I would catch him there sitting by the flowers meditating or staring off into space for hours with a blank look." She murmurs somberly.
"I figured so much when I saw the seeds missing from my room. I'm...I'm glad Father missed me even though he couldn't say it in so many words." Hinata mentions, his affection subdued compared to the excitement of Hanabi's.
She thinks then of the low whispers of Hitomi to Hanae wondering why she came back, that her new abilities won't likely change her current standing within the main branch as far as the Elders are concerned after her stealing and abandonment of the clan.
Hanabi will still be the next heiress.
'But that's fine, my skills will and can be put to use in other areas outside of Hyuga clan duties.' Hinata knows.
She had said very much the same to the duo, effectively silencing them and lessening the mutterings behind her back. She may not be next in line to be the leader of the clan or even desire the position, though that didn't mean she wouldn't prove her strength if need be to them or anybody that questioned it.
And besides, the most important information on her mind right now is not the succession of the clan head but all that her future self gave her; to prevent so many deaths and another Shinobi World War from breaking out...
As they get closer to the gates she sees a familiar wolfish grin leaning upon a now much larger Akamaru. Beside him she notes trademark black sunglasses with hands buried within deep pockets, hiding what must be hundreds of beetles and flies from the guards.
Kiba and Shino.
"Come by my room after you return back." Hanabi states not as a question, but a fact and Hinata nods, squeezing her hand one last time before walking on ahead.
Kiba beams as she approaches, waving up a hand cheerily. Akamaru barks in equal glee at seeing their once missing teammate's return.
"About time they let you out of the manor; looks like you've grown your hair out and gotten taller too!" He chuckles, pulling her into a hug while Akamaru provides gleeful licks upon her cheeks.
"It only makes sense Hinata would want to spend time with her family upon just returning back instead of greeting her teammates." Shino points out dryly from the shadows along the gate's corner, Kiba shooting him a glare to shut up.
'Ah, even though we're all a bit older some things never change.' Hinata regards, giving them the old hand signal they used to do right before any tracking assignments that it's truly her.
Kiba pats at her back, gesturing her forward.
"Come on, all of us are heading to Yakiniku Q to celebrate you and Naruto's return! Speaking of which, where is the guy? Rumor has it you both were found together by Jiraiya." He mentions, sniffing the air for the scent of ramen.
Heat burns at her cheeks, old sensation of butterflies flitting to life in her stomach. It's possible he may pick up on the lingering scent of him on her jacket from last night, from pulling her close for deep kisses that left them both breathless just as the guards neared them.
Kiba arches a brow at her silence, smirk stretching across his lips.
And crap, he must've caught Naruto's scent!
"...Guess you two have gotten a lot closer in that year away! Does your Old Man know?" He teases.
Hinata huffs, she hadn't mentally prepared herself for a game of 20 questions. If this was to be a party then Ino would be fishing for gossip as well, really everyone would have questions for her and Naruto on what they did or didn't see in the future.
"He does, Father doesn't mind." She voices and Kiba whistles in surprise.
"Wow, Naruto must've done some serious convincing to make that happen! And here I thought he wouldn't want you to date someone who is the complete antithesis of the Hyuga clan and their practically Warring States Era way of thinking."
Hinata nudges him none too gently, Kiba snickering and holding up his hands in mock surrender.
"Says the guy who one day will be lovers with Tamaki; a cat user." She replies quietly under her breath.
Kiba's brows rise in surprise, ears used to picking up on the softness of her voice.
"Wait, what now?!" He blinks, Akamaru sending him a low growl at just hearing his name and the word 'cat' in the same sentence.
"Hold on, maybe we heard her wrong! Didn't we Hinata?" He chides him at his bark of disagreement before sending Hinata a questioning look.
"It's nothing!" Hinata teases back, walking on ahead. Tamaki at least from what she saw and learned about her won't start dating Kiba for a few more years, moving in with him and of course bringing along all of her cats mixing with the Inuzuka's clan of dogs.
'Ah, maybe I should've said nothing. He and Akamaru will probably fight over this for days.' She muses, smiling to herself.
They walk the rest of the way in relative silence, Hinata taking in this new-old Konoha for the first time in days. New vendors line the marketplace, holding up colorful displays of silver fish caught in the rivers near the Land of Grass to crafters selling weapons the colors of obsidian to rich amber.
"Wait until you see how the others look, Ino's grown her hair out down her back just like you and Choji has put on a couple of pounds. Oh, and it seems like Shikamaru has taken on more advisory roles for the Hokage." Kiba mentions, pointing out a glassware stand displaying vases shades of blue to sharp yellows. The woman at the stand appears to be a Yamanaka clan member, blonde hair tied back in a long ponytail laughing along with a dark haired woman with the Nara clan symbol on her back. A third woman from the Akimichi clan approaches, carrying with ease a bundle of wild herbs and roasted meats.
Shino peers back over to Kiba. "Don't say that comment around Choji, any mention of his weight could set him off and this should be a happy occasion."
"Yeah, yeah I know! You act as if I haven't seen him the midst of a frenzy over being called 'fat' or any similar words. I learned that lesson the hard way when we took that mission to the Land of Hot Water." Kiba waves him off.
'That's right, they were down a team member with me being gone.' Hinata realizes, hands curling at her sides.
Her presence being gone hadn't just affected her family, it trickled into all aspects of her and Naruto's life that everyone else was forced to adjust to, forced to accept in hoping they would someday return...
"How is Kurenai-sensei?" She asks to dispel the rising tension and at this a grin brightens Kiba's face once more.
"Great! You know she took on Sakura as a student? Training her in genjutsu on top of the medical jutsu she's learning from Lady Tsunade. I heard from Ino that Sakura's away in Suna right now for some more research building or something, she didn't give me the full details." He explains.
Hinata shakes her head in mild surprise, picturing what type of scenarios Kurenai could give her for practice. Sakura's future self had never mentioned any genjutsu study though she wouldn't have found the time to really ask her considering how busy she often was with her hospital duties.
The smell of salts and peppers fill her nose before she can ask further, Ino waving excitedly by Yakiniku Q's entrance before tugging on Choji's sleeve to stop drooling and follow her.
"You're back, you're really and truly back!" Ino exclaims, wrapping her in a hug. She smells of roses and chamomile, an unchanging scent from her encounter with her future self.
"I'm glad to be home." Hinata replies, trying to match her enthusiasm squeezing her back gently. She leans away slightly from her, puzzled at their missing team member.
"Ah, where's Shikamaru?" She asks, Ino wiggling her nose in frustration.
"Trying and failing to find Naruto apparently!" She growls, studying the passing clouds as if they would know where their favorite watcher has gone.
Choji wipes at drool from his lips, glancing between them and the sound of meats hitting the grill just a few feet away. "Well, you know we could always just start without them-"
"No, be patient! It's not a celebration unless both Naruto and Hinata are here!" Ino counters with a hiss, not waiting for him to finish.
'Will Kurenai-sensei or Asuma-sensei be joining us?' She suddenly wonders, knot curling at the pit of her stomach. No, she wasn't ready yet to face either of them, of what to say when they asked how the future was...
The wind shifts abruptly at her back, the scent of oak and moss.
'He's here.' Hinata breathes, warmth rushing over her like a blaze as Naruto's hand lightly tugs her close to him out of Ino's hold. She peers up to meet his stare, to match the intensity of cerulean eyes looking her over from head to toe.
She can sense just about all their friends gaping in shock save for Shino and Shikamaru.
'Hinata didn't faint or turn beet red from being near Naruto?! And Naruto isn't oblivious?!' Kiba and Ino think in stunned unison. Choji smiles in understanding, half watching the display half ready to eat, gesturing for them all to finally head in now.
Naruto smiles into the curve of her neck eliciting a wolf whistle from Kiba when he drops a light kiss on her pulse point, breath tickling her ear making her squirm and pull back.
"Sorry I'm late, Pervy-sage kept me longer than I thought he would you know!" He chuckles.
Hinata shakes her head, fingers lightly brushing and interlocking with his. They were going to get so many questions now from this display of affection.
"You're just in time."
Naruto
"Shh, not here Kid. The trees and leaves have ears here!" Jiraiya warns, covering Naruto's mouth with a slow shake of his head.
"Why not-" Naruto starts only for Jiraiya's grip to tighten around his lips, gaze turning sterner to listen to him.
He bristles, but does as he wants silencing himself and slowly Jiraiya's hold loosens and falls away.
Dark eyes shift towards a thicket of bushes behind them, a grotto in the distance where green-yellow ivy trails down into the yawning mouth of a black cave.
And perched upon the top of the rocks are a pair of black birds that appear to be watching them before taking flight in the opposite direction.
'Shit.' Naruto clenches his teeth, settling the folders back into his bag.
Who is watching them?
"Not everyone is particularly happy you're home Kid. Don't forget that whenever you discuss what you and Hinata saw and did in the future." Jiraiya warns gently before a goofy smile crosses his face again.
Naruto follows his gaze, seeing why he changed his expression so fast.
"So this is where you've been lazing about, huh?" Shikamaru greets him, nodding to Jiraiya.
Naruto moves to stand, frowning.
"Not hiding! What's up?" He questions.
"It's troublesome, but Ino insisted on throwing you and Hinata a welcome home party. Asuma-sensei is catering." Shikamaru explains.
Naruto blinks before perking up cheerily.
"Well, I'll always be in the mood for free food! Ah, I guess we can fully catch up later Pervy-Sage?" He looks back to him.
Jiraiya nods, remaining laid back in the grass.
"Check for me at the Konoha Waterfall and Garden Hotel around 8:00 pm." He instructs.
Shikamaru stays quiet as they head back into the heart of the village, though he knows he's silently analyzing whatever tidbits he managed to pick up and see from that conversation. The wind scatters up leaves around them, brings a warm air from the west that does nothing to quell the uneasiness washing over him.
"So...everything okay with you and Jiraiya back there?" Shikamaru questions as they weave along the sides of the market district to avoid the crowds.
Naruto shrugs, replaying the conversation over in his head. "Everything's fine. Pervy-sage is Pervy-sage, I suppose I shouldn't have expected anything too different." A year hasn't changed his personality much besides being more serious it seems about his welfare.
And on how to keep him from being captured by the Akatsuki.
"You stay worried over a man who only cares for you now that the danger is about to knock on the village's door." Kurama sneers.
"The first time I'm hearing from you in days and that's all you have to say? I'm not going to harm Jiraiya." Naruto counters.
Kurama scoffs, though he can picture one of his cruel grins etching up.
"What about that old sensei of yours?"
Shikamaru stops in place, expression thoughtful distracting him from Kurama's voice as it falls away. "Well, you're a terrible liar still. That hasn't changed about you. You always get quieter when something bad has happened or maybe I should say is going to happen."
His stomach tilts wanting to deny the claim, refusing to look back at him and confirm his suspicions. The last time he saw Shikamaru he was 10 years older, wiser and experienced in all the facets of being a shinobi, from the death of his sensei right before him and then his own Father miles away from him in the midst of a war.
"Your older self says you want to stop Asuma-sensei's death and my old man's." Shikamaru catches him in a shadow bind as he's heading home.
Evening light falls on the faint embers of his cigarette, ash-gray smoke wafting about him. He looks more exhausted than usual, dark bags under his eyes like luggage he can't shake off.
Naruto restrains a wrinkle of nose, it's the same brand Asuma favored and he imagines his future self must have some possessions of Jiraiya's in the house.
"Yes, I am! Both Hinata and I!" He promises.
Shikamaru hums, studying him curiously taking in the myriad of scratches and bruises along his arms and legs. He's been up since sunrise training in the sealing techniques of the Uzumaki and wind techniques, jutsus not even Jiraiya trained his older self in that he's practicing on his own.
"Hmm, okay. Tell me, how are you going to tell my past self Asuma-sensei and my Dad are going to die?" He asks point blank.
He hadn't known the answer then and he still doesn't know now.
The churning in his stomach turns volatile and he feels sure Shikamaru can see him shutting down despite trying his best to fight it. His throat becomes sticky like honey, closing up on him to speak...
"It's fine, you don't have to tell me now. I'm glad both you and Hinata are back. Granted, I've heard a lot of whispers during the weekly Hokage meetings of danger coming not just for here, but all the nations." He muses.
Naruto lets a gasp of air escape, smiling thankfully they won't be having this conversation.
Not yet at least.
"Have they told you anything or did you just stay in the shadows listening out of the way?" He questions.
Because he already knows it's the Akatsuki, that they want to capture him and the rest of the jinchuriki.
Shikamaru shrugs casually, but he can see his eyes mist over in slight worry.
"You know how the adults are, they think it's too troublesome to bring up such issues around us like we're still kids." He sighs.
Naruto nods his agreement, keeping his face forward as they pick up the pace again.
"Too late on that. Hinata and I saw the future and intend to change some things." He grumbles.
Shikamaru arches a brow, waiting for him to elaborate.
"Like what?"
"...It's too much to say all at once; and not here out in the open." Naruto answers back vaguely.
He pretends not to notice Shikamaru's expression morph into annoyance and concern as he finally sees Hinata come into view. His gaze bores on his back, flickering between him and his team before reluctantly letting the topic drop.
'Hinata and I will tell you when the time is right.' Naruto promises him mentally, leaping down beside Hinata pulling her close.
"Sorry, to have kept you waiting!" He chimes out in greeting.
She must notice the faint trembling of his hands, squeezing at his free hand making his nerves finally calm, his heart slow back to it's regular tempo.
Sakura
'Okay, you can do this Sakura! Just go in there and ask for Tomoko like Lady Chiyo said to!' She peps herself mentally. Lady Chiyo had even been kind enough to let her borrow a pair of tan colored scrubs in order to not stick out in the navy blue ones she had brought along.
The streets were quiet getting here helping her to think, sky a bundled mix of light blues to reds at the coming dawn.
But it still feels very much like middle of the night walking around an unfamiliar village, doors shut to keep wind and sand out. A quarter moon as well sits brightly visible near the horizon, having followed her every step in getting here.
"Are you going to go in there already or just stare at the door for an hour?" Pakkun asks dryly from her side and she sends him a glare back that changes nothing about the pug's expression.
"I could use some positive motivation you know if you're going to follow me as a guard dog!" She huffs.
Pakkun yawns though a slight grin crosses his face. "Says the same woman who proudly put two guards in a genjutsu thinking they were going to die from scorpion poison and is now nervous about heading into a foreigner hospital."
Sakura stays silent, gaze staring towards the emergency entrance taking in the amount of patients still waiting to be seen.
"You're the apprentice of Lady Tsunade, whatever they throw at you here is nothing in comparison to the amount of drills and training she put you through." Pakkun amends and Sakura smiles, gazing back to the pug.
'And to think I used to find this little dog annoyingly strange and weird for using Minty Rain Forest Mist Shampoo like me.' She sighs, wincing at her preteen self.
She wishes she could tell her such things would soon be the least of her problems or worries...
Because now it warms her to have him by her side, gesturing for him hop onto her shoulder.
"I'm just telling you right now, Kakashi didn't train me to be a therapy dog or anything of the sort. I'm not going to be of much help to you here I'm afraid." Pakkun grunts as they head in.
Sakura restrains a snicker, poking at his cheeks. "Sure, I'll try to make sure we don't have any old ladies, men, or kids trying to make you do any special tricks or sit in their laps. Though I'm sure they'll realize you're not a normal dog as soon as you I don't know...talk!"
Pakkun makes a motion with his paw then he's zipping his mouth shut unless absolutely necessary now and Sakura lets a low giggle escape, stomach already feeling lighter as they approach the receptionist desk.
Her pink hair is a give away of her identity before she even speaks, auburn eyes of the secretary narrowing looking between her and Pakkun before nodding.
"Tomoko said to expect you, let me lead you to her office." The woman who she learns is named Mieko relates, Sakura moving to match her pace.
She takes her through two winding halls before they come to a door with the name Tomoko Kurihara listed upon a gold plaque, a woman with sandy blonde hair rising from her chair.
She grins roguishly, holding her hand out in greeting.
"So you came after all; good! Lady Chiyo made it sound as if you would run off back to Konoha, but I knew you were a little firecracker after hearing of the way you put Maeda and Katahide in their places!" Tomoko chuckles.
Sakura grins, shaking her hand back taking in the accolade of awards lining her office, pristine golden certificates and awards for her work in medicine and health.
"I'm ready to start! Where do you need me? I saw the Emergency room looked a bit crowded if you want me to help out with triaging there first." She questions.
Tomoko shakes her head, pointing to the units above them.
"No, we're luckily staffed okay for day shift today in the Emergency Room. You're Tsunade's apprentice and I know you've seen the most difficult cases with her in Konoha's intensive care units and operating rooms from amputations to 3rd degree burns. I know my fellow doctors may be against a foreigner coming in, but I've done my research on you and I believe you'll be able handle one of our most complex and sensitive patients." She explains as they head to the elevators.
As soon as they get to the floor the scent of disinfectant and blood is nearly overwhelming, glancing to Pakkun in concern as he stiffens against her neck. Despite the smell, the floor is a pristine white, privacy curtains in shades of calming purples and blues blocking out the rooms.
She follows Tomoko towards the back of the wing, towards where a group of specialists and interns stand huddled together outside of room 8A.
And it's then she catches the tail end of the conversation they're having.
"He's going to need to go back into surgery, the poison is at risk for spreading to his heart at this point-" A woman at the forefront in black glasses determines.
"Temari is worried about infection control having him go back into surgery again in less than 24 hours though. She'll be by again during 9:00 am shift report for an update and we need to have more positive news than just that." The woman beside her cuts in, ponytail swishing nervously.
"Has the pathology team identified yet what type of poison this is? What about the investigation into the shinobi behind this?" The man opposite them questions.
At seeing Tomoko's approach they all straighten, sets of steel gray, brown, and blue eyes settling upon her in mixes of confusion and wariness.
"Lady Tomoko, good morning." They state in unison.
Tomoko nods back, gesturing towards Sakura. "Everyone, this is Sakura Haruno from Konoha. As I'm sure you've already heard from Lady Chiyo she will be helping with Kankuro's case. Dr. Hattori, please continue with your update regarding the next steps for the plan of care of Kankuro. I overheard mention of him possibly going back to surgery?"
'Wait, Kankuro? As in Gaara's brother Kankuro?!' Sakura realizes, but she keeps her expression neutral nodding to Tomoko thankfully.
Dr. Hattori arches a brow, flash of clear frustration in her eyes unsure what to make of her, a teenager being suddenly thrusted upon their group.
"...As you wish." She sighs after a moment, pushing her glasses back up.
'Don't let their looks get to you.' Sakura reminds herself, looking towards the room.
"If I may, can I do an assessment of him?" She asks.
Dr. Hattori lips purse, Dr. Wakiya stepping forward with a nod.
"Yes, my aunt in Konoha has told me much about you from the time she was in the hospital with a stomach bug. We appreciate all the help we can get." She vouches for her and Sakura smiles back.
Pakkun sniffs the air discreetly as they enter his room, wrinkling his nose.
"The poison has spread fast in such a short amount of time. I'd say it's already in his lungs and quickly heading for his heart and brain if an antidote isn't found soon for what remains in him in the next 24-48 hours." He voices quietly.
Sakura nods her agreement, taking in the sheen of sweat covering him, IV line wrapped and bandaged down to keep it from coming out at his thrashing.
'He's going to need that surgery.' She knows.
"You can't keep your dog with you if you're going to do any further assessment! We here in Suna do try keep the infection risks of our patients to a minimum." Dr. Hattori snaps behind them, Pakkun leaping down to the ground beside her sending her one of his dry glares.
Dr. Ogawa speaks up, gray orbs brightening. "Oh, I can take him to the pediatric wing if that's okay with you Sakura?! I'm sure the kids will appreciate seeing a live dog they can pet and play with!"
Pakkun's eyes widen in alarm tenfold sending her a 'please anything, but that look!', Sakura shaking her head quickly. "Ah, he's actually not a therapy dog! He doesn't have much experience around kids."
"Nonsense, it would only be for a short while! Besides, he's a tiny little thing and all these noises and beeps here in the intensive care unit will probably scare him. The pediatric wing can be noisy too, but at this time of day it stays pretty quiet. I was about to do my rounds there next anyways with Dr. Yosano." Ogawa assures her, picking up Pakkun before he can scurry off.
There is little either can say without giving away Pakkun can talk, that he is a ninja hound meant for tracking and combat who knows next to nothing about children, let alone sick children that won't create suspicion and wariness upon them both all over again.
So reluctantly Sakura mouths she'll try and find him as soon as she is done here, Pakkun sighing with a nod.
"Ah, he even yawns just like an old man! Reminds me of my old pug I had as a girl!" Dr. Ogawa laughs, cuddling him close as they walk away.
Sakura turns her attention back to Kankuro, expression turning serious. She quickly does a head to toe assessment, taking note of his dilating pupils, his rising fever, the gradual slowing of his heartbeat...
'The poison is spreading to all his organs, he'll go into septic shock soon if it isn't removed.' She determines.
"We need to take him back to the operating room; now!" She announces, startling them all and after a review of his vital signs and current disposition, everyone agrees.
They prepare him for transport, hearing a familiar voice right outside the door pushing her way through.
"Wait, where are you going with Kankuro?! What's going on?!" Temari commands in shock.
Sakura meets her panicked eyes, gesturing for her to follow.
"I need to remove the poison from him, follow us to the operating room!" She responds back.
Kankuro thrashes again as they move him onto the operating table, Sakura ordering for them to hold him down. Normally he would be put under general anesthesia, would at least have some medicinal herbs or pills in his system to keep him calm.
But time is of the essence.
She ties back her hair, nodding to Dr. Hattori and Wakiya to hand her a scalpel.
The next hours are a calm flurry of commands, drawing out streams of poison from Kankuro's heart, liver, intestines, and lungs.
"Latest vitals?" Sakura asks aloud.
"Blood pressure is stabilizing to 99/60, still low, but an improvement from 30 minutes ago. Low grade fever of 38.1 C (100.5), respiratory rate is a bit unsteady at 20 breaths per minute, tachycardic at a pulse of 110, and oxygen currently running at around 89-92% on room air." Rika calls back, one of the operating room nurses.
Sakura nods, drawing out the last of the poison and suturing up her incision while Wakiya dabs away the last of sweat beading her brow.
"Provide him with 2-3 liters of oxygen on nasal cannula to get his oxygen level up as well as start a new IV line to provide him with antibiotics. Alright, now we just need to work on an antidote he can take for the next few days. He should make a full recovery with enough rest and time." Sakura relates to the relieved team.
"Right!" Rika and the others nod, getting to work on her orders.
Dr. Hattori looks at her in awe, wiping at her own face.
"I'm...I'm sorry I doubted you earlier. I thought with you being so young you wouldn't know so much. I should've known to expect more from someone under Tsunade's tutelage." She mutters just loud enough for her to catch.
Temari steps back from her brother, shaky with relief before glancing towards the OR's entrance, waving someone forward.
'Ah, I know that red hair.' Sakura glances up, observing as Baki along with Lady Chiyo come in to help the team in changing Kankuro's bandages and clear the room for the afternoon cases.
'Afternoon? What time is it?' Sakura briefly wonders, gazing to the main clock overhead.
1:12 pm stares back her.
Gaara gestures to her with a hand, leading them out a different entryway from before. Soon enough, the noises of the operating room fall away to a hush as they descend down a twisting corridor.
This isn't exactly the way she wanted to greet him, sweaty and partially covered with the blood of his older brother.
However Gaara doesn't pay any mind to her current appearance, taking them further and further downstairs to a private section where meetings are apparently held as well as space that can be used as a bunker for safety from extreme weather, tile giving way to mixes of rock and granite.
It's dark enough that only the use of lamps and candles help her to keep track of him, surrounding walls just rocks shades of browns to reds.
"This area is noise-proof in case you fear any prying ears or eyes on what you need to tell me." Gaara mentions.
Pakkun waits for her at the front of the table, Sakura beaming that he looks no worse for wear than the last time she saw him (minus some color markers upon his face and vest)
"I brought your dog here to get a scent of what Kankuro managed to tear off the enemy who poisoned him." Gaara relates, holding up the piece of black cloth.
Sakura takes a seat beside Pakkun, legs screaming in relief while he sniffs at the fabric.
"Thank you for taking care of my brother. I understand from what Temari's told me you've been trying to reach me to have a discussion?" Gaara begins.
Sakura nods, ignoring the ache in her head and muscles from nothing in her system since breakfast. Her stomach faintly growls, urging her to finish this conversation up so that she can find the hospital's cafeteria.
But hunger must wait.
"Yes, you've probably heard their name before: The Akatsuki. They're targeting jinchuriki of every nation and in Suna's case; you for your One Tail." She starts.
Naruto & Jiraiya
"You didn't have to walk me home if you needed to meet with Jiraiya." Hinata starts.
Naruto shakes his head, holding the umbrella closer over her as the downpour worsens. He didn't recall any of the forecasts saying their would be rain tonight, but it made for a good excuse on why he could tell Jiraiya he was running late! This close to Hinata he can pick up the scent of lavender and jasmine upon her, affectionately bumping their shoulders to stay warm.
"Nah, it's fine! I'm not in any particularly rush to go see Pervy-Sage you know. Plus it's good to walk off all that barbecue we ate!" He replies.
He pokes at her side eliciting a giggle, fingers wandering along her back.
Even with their slow pace and taking the longer path, eventually they reach the Hyuga manor with Neji on guard duty much to both of their surprise. Nothing in his expression gives away he was watching their approach he hopes, forcing on a casual grin as Hinata reluctantly slides out of his hold.
"Thank you for walking her back to the compound Naruto." Neji nods in greeting.
"I can walk her to her bedroom too if need be!" Naruto jests just as they turn away, Hinata turning beet red and Neji's features twisting between surprise at his bold implication and annoyance he's dealing with this at this time of day.
"...I'll just pretend I didn't hear that for your sake. Have a good rest of your night." Neji answers back dryly. Hinata waves back at him before moving to follow, mouthing for him to keep her posted.
'I can only hope my night will be good.' Naruto sighs, heading for the hotel Jiraiya gave him.
"Why are we meeting here and not at my apartment again?" He questions, taking in his flushed cheeks along with the scent of sake and perfume permeating the air. He supposes he can't blame him for gallivanting at the bar and showrooms, peering towards the clock to see it's almost 8:45 now.
"Oh, I ordered room service for you, have at it!" Jiraiya mentions, pointing to a bowl that sits beside his plate of half eaten karaage chicken. It's a large bowl of ramen filled to the brim with shredded onions, bamboo shoots, bok choy, eggs, and thin slices of steak.
Fancier than anything Ichiraku's sells.
Jiraiya sits up cross legged from his pillow, dark eyes turning clear.
"Ah, I don't know if you're still full from Yakiniku Q, but I figured we would be here a while and you could get hungry again." He mentions with a shrug.
Naruto sighs, taking a sip of the bowl. It's a rich broth of flavored shrimp and spices but it does nothing to help the growing tightness returning back to his stomach.
"You still haven't told me why we had to meet here and not just back at my place you know." He voices after a minute.
"Because Kid, that room of yours is bugged." Jiraiya grunts.
Naruto straightens, alarm washing over his features as Jiraiya pats the spot beside him.
"Wait bugged?! By who and why?" He questions.
Jiraiya stretches, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Most likely by Danzo via one of his underlings of the Root Foundation. I'm sure he knows by know you and Hinata have returned back from the future and whatever information you two know could interfere with his goals."
Naruto arches a brow, leaning back against the headboard. "What type of goals?"
"Well for one he wants to be Hokage. He's wanted the job since the early days of Hiruzen's time in office; was always jealous of the guy. His mindset is from the old generation, extreme ideas that he feels are best for Konoha like keeping you locked away here and restricted from missions."
"What?! I can't stay here with the Akatsuki coming or-"
Jiraiya holds up a hand to stop him, nodding his agreement.
"Don't worry, I'm on the same page as you Kid! That's why I wanted us to discuss what we each know here where he doesn't have his prying eyes following or watching us. I soundproofed this room and have toads on the lookout in the bushes and on the rooftop." He explains.
Naruto pauses as he pulls out his folder again, expression turning thoughtful putting it out of Jiraiya's reach.
"Tell me about my parents first."
Jiraiya blinks, chuckling at his stubborn look so much like Kushina's before nodding.
"Your Mom, as I'm sure you've done your research hailed from the Uzumaki clan. She was brought here to Konoha for the purposes of her being the next host of the Nine Tailed Fox. Your Father Minato came from a regular civilian clan called the Namikaze here in the village, though it was obvious from seeing how he performed on routine exercises and genin missions that Minato was going to be a top performer, one to watch." He starts.
And Naruto tries to picture it in his head, the moment his parents crossed paths with each other.
"Now this is just from what Minato told me, but Kushina apparently never liked him when they first met! Her hair was a distinct scarlet red that I guess the kids picked on her for, called her a tomato head for that. Though when Minato rescued her from some kidnappers, her perspective on him changed from puzzlement/annoyance to love."
"...What happened on the night of October 10th?" He asks.
Jiraiya's expression dampens, collecting his thoughts. "The Nine Tails was released from the seal, it weakened with your birth. They did their damnedest to make sure you weren't killed by him."
A quiet settles across the room, light pattering of rain filling the void.
"I don't understand. You, Old Man Third, even Kakashi-sensei all had a personal connection to my parents and yet none of you told me this, decided it was better for me to be alone, for it to just be a secret to take to your graves?! The only reason I even know now is because I saw the photos in the future and looked more into it. It's...frustrating and upsetting. I looked up to all of you in different ways, trusted in you all..." He scowls.
He crosses his hands together to hide his growing nails, shutting his eyes to concentrate, Kurama's low laugh rumbling in the back of his mind.
"I'll be the first to admit I don't know a thing about parenting and I let down Minato and Kushina by not trying harder, not at least visiting with you..." Jiraiya confesses.
He pats at his head making him freeze. "The Akatsuki I'm sure played a role in their deaths and will continue to cause other deaths if they're not stopped. I've been studying their growing group for years and have yet to fully figure out all of their member's identities."
Naruto hums, reaching back for his folder opening to the first picture.
"This man goes by the alias of Pain. He uses the corpses of people that I believe you've met with before during your journeys." He voices, showing him pictures of the different features of each Pain.
Jiraiya scours the photos thoughtfully, frown marring his lips. "Are you sure? I'm pretty good with faces, but these black rods set within them may be throwing me off."
Naruto nods, sure of what his Future self told him. "Long before you had me as a student do you remember the names Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan?"
The names instantly cause recognition, a flash of horror and shock. "...The 3 orphans I took in from Ame."
'They're part of the rogue shinobi I've been chasing after this whole time?' His stomach knots.
He flips through the photos faster, pausing when he sees one of him and Hinata with their future selves and kids.
"Oh sorry, that must've gotten accidentally mixed in." Naruto begins reaching for it, Jiraiya holding it back in amusement.
"Wait, hold on! I want to see what you'll look like in the next decade!" He teases, taking in his shorter hair. It seems he'll always favor orange and black clothes no matter his age, grin widening at the violet haired girl in his lap.
"She looks like you; your daughter." Jiraiya muses, his son too for that matter but his facial features are more rounded like Hinata's.
Naruto reddens, snatching the picture out of his hands. "Yeah, yeah. We're getting off topic here you know!"
But Jiraiya has taken to looking at the other photos he hadn't realized their older counterparts had given them copies of. Jiraiya's attention is now currently on a springtime photo, pink and white petals adorning the edges of his and Hinata's older selves in traditional attire.
His and Hinata's Wedding day.
"Spring, that's a common time to get married. I'd liked to be there for it." He muses and Naruto briefly wonders if he's talking to him or himself when he notices he's not in the group photo that comes after it.
'You died before we got married.' The ache hits him like a rock, blinking back a sudden wave of tears.
"We...I'd like that too." Naruto admits, swallowing away the cracks in his voice matching his grin as he wraps him close to look at the other photos.
Jiraiya chuckles as they reach a set of baby pictures of Boruto and Himawari, laugh bellowing out seeing one of Boruto trying to get out of Tsunade's grip to no avail while Himawari watches from her lap.
"You know this has me thinking, maybe I should make a children's version of Make-Out Paradise books?! I mean, that's a market I haven't capitalized on! I've always wrote my books for young adults and above." He considers.
Naruto rolls his eyes, taking away all the photos.
"How about no?"
Naruto & Kakashi
"Looks like I'm a pretty popular guy tonight!" Naruto jests at seeing Kakashi outside his door.
He bookmarks the page he was on in whatever series of Make-Out Paradise he's on, saluting in greeting. "Sorry to be stopping by so late."
It must be close to 11:00 pm or even later, taking note of Naruto's yawn, the faint hints of red in his cobalt orbs from exhaustion.
"Saw this poking around your window." Kakashi mentions and Naruto follows his gaze down to a black bird in his other hand, wings twisted in an odd angle, head bent backwards.
'One from earlier.' Naruto realizes.
"My clone found some feathers near the windowsill." He murmurs.
He's just getting out of seeing Pervy-Sage, discussing how to deal with Pain and the other Akatsuki. It's relieving to know Sakura has already gone off to Suna to warn Gaara, but what of the jinchuriki in the other nations?
"So the ones we need to be on the lookout for right now are Hidan, Kazuku, and Pain?" Jiraiya reviews.
"I would say we need to add Konan to that watchlist as well, however she operates in the shadows closely with Pain aka Nagato. If we just go to where his real body is then it won't be an issue I feel as long as it's a surprise attack. Sasori and Deidara are going to go after Gaara at least that's how things went. Hidan and Kazuku are heading here I believe to capture me, they're both called the Immortal duo because they can't be killed in a normal fashion. Asuma will die in this mission to stop them if he and Team 10 don't first learn about this." Naruto explains.
Jiraiya nods, placing the pictures into groups. "Okay, what about this guy with the mask?"
Naruto studies the photo, clicking his tongue taking in the swirls that made up the orange mask.
"He's actually a former shinobi of Konoha; Kakashi's old teammate Obito."
And now here Kakashi-sensei was, as if sensing he had news to tell him.
He walks past him to his front door, undoing the seal upon it, feeling Kakashi's stare.
"That's from-" He starts.
"Yes, the Uzumaki clan. I've been practicing in fūinjutsu." Naruto finishes, leaving his door open for him to follow. Kakashi studies the designs and patterns of the seal as they disappear before following him in.
"I don't plan to stay long." Kakashi mentions at seeing him head to the kitchen to make tea (if he even has any good tea packets lying around). Naruto shakes his head, gazing back to him with a sudden clarity to his eyes.
"It's fine Kakashi-sensei. You came for the purpose of updating me and me updating you, right?" He questions.
Kakashi takes a seat at his table, wiping away at the coatings of dust along the oakwood and placemats. Even with Naruto having been gone a year, there are spots in the room that have been touched. Either from Jiraiya's investigation team or someone else...
He arches a brow at a doll resting upon the table across from him, picking up the figure taking in the mask design stitching.
"Oh, that's a Kamex...err no that's not right Kamen Rider doll Boruto gave me as a gift." Naruto explains.
"It's Kamen Rider Papa! Get it right or we'll never get Show and Tell done correctly!" Boruto huffs. They only have two days left, how could he not have memorized the one line of 'Villains, stay back! Kamen Rider is here!'
Hinata whispers Kamen Rider's signature line and pose into his ear, Boruto pushing at her to go sit back down and be the audience with Hima.
"No Mama, stop helping Papa! He has to learn the line and super pose on his own!" Boruto scowls.
Naruto wrinkles in his chair, Hinata giggling at his poor enthusiasm despite them having been at this for over an hour now.
"Perhaps it would be better for Mama to do this with you since she watches the show with you more often. I bet she knows all of the rangers unique poses, lines, and attacks you know!" He suggests, sending Hinata a teasing grin at her reddening.
"No! I want to do this with Papa!" Boruto pouts with a stomp of his foot, hugging at his leg to get ready and take this seriously.
"I always got the character's names wrong and mixed up the heroes with the villains." Naruto chuckles, pocketing the figure once more.
Kakashi smiles, strange to imagine this boy who used to yell at him for being late all the time actually being a Father who performs in plays with his son's kindergarten class.
'Yikes, I feel old just thinking about it!' Kakashi muses.
"So from catching up with everyone else Sakura is still in Suna, correct?" Naruto asks, taking a seat beside him while waiting for the water to boil.
Kakashi nods. "I presume then you know she's been studying under Lady Tsunade?"
A smirk edges Naruto's lips, leaning back in his chair. "Yeah, I knew about it. Seems obvious she would go to her when you didn't teach her much of anything beyond the basics."
The sting ripples through him he know it does in the faintest wince of his eyes, but Kakashi-sensei like he expects, doesn't let it show in any other way.
"...Why did you want to be a teacher anyways? I guess Old Man Third forced you to take the position, though it seems clear it wasn't a job you wanted to do, at least not to the same level of fervor people like Gai-sensei have." Naruto snorts.
Kakashi huffs, leaning his head against his palm. "That isn't fair Naruto, nobody has the same level of energy as Gai does."
Naruto shrugs, smirk turning icy. Cruel. "True, but you know what? At least Gai-sensei is honest. You couldn't do the same for me, even knowing that I'm the son of your sensei."
The tea pot whistles from the kitchen, Naruto shoving back from the table to fetch it leaving Kakashi silent.
He returns back with two mugs, neither touching at their cups.
"You're too forgiving. Don't forget for how long he kept this secret, knowing he could've helped and chose not to." Kurama cuts in.
But despair washes over Kakashi's features and the anger bubbling up in him cools, gesturing for him to speak.
"It's not an excuse, however your Father or Minato-sensei as I called him died right around the time so many people I knew were dying. I had been assigned to watch over Kushina all through her pregnancy as a bodyguard from the shadows and still could do nothing to prevent her and Minato's death. I didn't want...I didn't want to get close to anyone really after that. I took any A or S-ranked mission I could receive just to be away from the village." Kakashi recalls.
He can tell that isn't enough to sway Naruto, blue eyes dark in that same way that reminds him of Minato-sensei once he captured an enemy. It's a look that was the reason so many people feared him or ran from him on sight.
"I'm sorry, before it was just to follow Lord Third's orders and then after his death I just kept to the policy of keeping it a secret. I know it hurt you and you grew up lonely, it's a feeling I forgot because I've been alone for so long myself." Kakashi apologizes.
Naruto takes a sip at his tea, studying his reflection in the liquid. Scarlet eyes gaze back at him and he blinks until he feels calm enough to speak.
"I'll tell you the same thing I told Pervy-Sage in that I don't fully understand it, but this is the generation you came from. Used to seeing deaths and keeping things buried for the sake of continuing with a battle or mission." He relates.
Blue orbs meet his onyx, continuing on.
"If it doesn't hurt you too much, I would like to know more about what my Dad was like as your teacher. Textbooks don't say much after all you know. Otherwise, to get to the heart of this conversation, you need to know about the Akatsuki, about one of their team members." Naruto finishes.
Kakashi straightens, warily cupping at his tea. "Should I spike this with some sake at what you're about to say?"
Naruto laughs weakly, chuckles fading into a sigh. "Obito, that's who you got your sharingan eye from, right? He's still alive and working with this group."
A crackle ripples through the air, Naruto gaping in alarm at his now smashed cup, rivulets of blood seeping across Kakashi's hand.
"Whoa, Kakashi-sensei! Your hand needs bandaging-"
"I'm fine, Obito is alive? You saw him in the future?" Kakashi interrupts.
Naruto shakes his head, moving to grab paper towels along with his first aid kit. "No, this is what my Future self told me. He wasn't there for all the details of you two meeting again, but he was clear enough that Obito is alive at this point in time."
Kakashi slouches then, stare turning cloudy reluctantly letting Naruto clean up his hand.
"Rin, I'm sure he never forgot about Rin..." He mumbles to himself.
He closes his eye in thought before opening it once more, meeting Naruto's concerned stare.
"I have bad news for you as well. Sasuke, along with Kabuto and Orochimaru are all heading here for the village. For you and Hinata."
Naruto & Hinata
"I haven't seen anyone out of the ordinary, no. The guards have been doing their normal patrols as usual and haven't reported anything strange to Father or Neji." Hinata remarks.
She nuzzles herself into Naruto's side, listening to the rush of his heartbeat. By the evening hours she's been able to sneak away to spend some time with him in the back woods, fireflies coming to life in yellow-green glows around them as the sky turns a deeper hue of purples and blacks.
"I don't imagine Sasuke would want to work with Danzo or anyone else unless absolutely necessary. The only reason he went to Orochimaru after all is because he wanted power." She considers softly against his chest.
She isn't sure if Naruto still feels he can save Sasuke from his dark path, but she herself doesn't think so.
The Sasuke of the future existed because of Naruto's persistence yes, though everything has changed now that the current Sasuke knows they have information on the future of him and his brother.
Naruto nods, gritting his teeth. "Still, we need to be more cautious over the next few days or so. I imagine Sasuke and Orochimaru especially want to know what we learned in the future to use for increasing their power and experimenting."
His eyes scour the woods as Hinata lightly dozes, fingers lightly brushing though her dark locks. A rustle to his left makes him throw out a kunai, pair of squirrels hurriedly scampering away from the blade.
He doubts Orochimaru or Kabuto will be the first to show themselves, most likely just wanting to provide backup if needed.
After all, Sasuke would be the one most curious to know what they've learned about Itachi.
'Sasuke, whenever you decide to make your presence known. I'll be ready.'
-x-
This is the longest chapter I've ever written for a story's chapter lol! It's at massive 10,000 plus words (I'm glad you guys like them, I honestly was a bit worried it would be a slog for people to get through)! I really wanted to cover every conversation Naruto and Hinata needed to have and it was a lot of fun writing Sakura and Pakkun being snarky with each other too!
Hopefully once again nobody feels too out of character in discussing their motivations and Naruto's own reactions to them (My friend pointed out that he feels Naruto hasn't changed much from his start point in Naruto to being an adult with two kids in Boruto besides being a bit more mature and he has point lol. I'm wondering if I should make Naruto a bit darker at least when it comes to dealing with Sasuke and the other villains to show truly not everyone can be redeemed). I didn't really get to discuss Sasuke's presence within the village, but that will be for the next coming chapters!
Let me know your thoughts as always!
Enjoy. Review. Favorite. Follow!
