All thoughts of which course of action was the best was put on hold the moment Madara appeared. Sasuke's eyes locked in on the form in his grip.
His mind could only process the need to save Sakura. He could see with his Sharingan that she was still breathing, and he intended to keep it that way at any cost.
The previous Kage shifted, prepared to strike.
"You're not Madara," the First said slowly, squinting at the masked man in front of him. He could only see his back, but the feel of the man's chakra told him the truth.
Everyone paused a moment, processing the First's words.
"You are correct," the masked man said, before letting loose a kunai with an explosive tag into the barrier's weakest point.
Everyone moved at once as the debris flew.
Orochimaru picked up the still motionless Anko, uncharacteristic concern for her on his face.
The four Kage spread out, searching for the masked man in the smoke and dust. Sasuke lunged forward, not caring if he got mild burns from the explosion so long as he got Sakura away from whoever the masked man was.
When the barrier disappeared, everyone except "Madara" froze, sensing for the first time the great battle raging nearby.
"That's Madara Uchiha," the First said, feeling his old frenemy's chakra as he stared at the explosions just visible on the horizon.
"Go," Sasuke told the Kage, "Help them." His eyes never stopped searching for the Madara that held Sakura, but he could feel Naruto's chakra mixed in the battle and wanted to send support Naruto's way even if he could not go yet himself.
He needn't tell them twice. The Fourth had a longing look on his face as he too felt Naruto's chakra.
The Second was the only one to glance back at Sasuke, still trying to determine if he was a threat to the village that should be eliminated.
Orochimaru stood behind Sasuke, not willing to leave him just yet.
Sasuke didn't care what the snake did; he had fulfilled the use Sasuke had for him.
Sasuke had a split-second to avoid 'Madara's' surprise attack, swinging his chokuto through the man. At the last possible moment, Sasuke sent a burst of his lightening chakra through the blade. The lightening jumped to connect with the parts of the man's body that were still tangible.
The man hissed, pulling away.
"Where is she," Sasuke demanded, aware that the 'Madara' must have hidden her somewhere when he disappeared after throwing the explosive kunai.
"She's safe, for now," the man said menacingly.
Sasuke raised his sword to point at him, "Bring her here. Now!"
"My, my," the man said, tone light and airy, "It almost sounds like you care about her Sasuke. It'd be a real shame if you get her killed by not cooperating."
"That's what this is about," Sasuke said, eyes narrowing dangerously, "you still want me to help you?"
"Yes little Sasuke," the man spoke down to him, clasping his hands together in front of him and making his voice child-like, "Your eyes are still needed for my plans to succeed. Can you pretty please just cooperate?"
Sasuke glared, calculating. This man was still insanely powerful and mad, even if he were not the Madara Uchiha. What chance did he have realistically at finding Sakura if he did not at least play along?
He spared Orochimaru a glace out of the corner of his eye. He couldn't exactly trust the snake to be his back up, or to protect Sakura once she was found.
His unusual compassion towards Anko did not mean he was an ally. What was to stop him from trying to strike a bargain with the masked man if it so suited him?
Sasuke lowered his blade slightly, "Bring Sakura to me, and then I will go with you."
'Madara' shook his head, "Not so fast. You have to come with me, alone, to help first. Once you do your part, then I will give her back to you."
Sasuke frowned at him, "If you need me so desperately, you shouldn't risk losing me with such ridiculous demands."
"Like you're in a position to say that," the mad man laughed, "you shouldn't risk me getting impatient and killing her, then taking your eyes out of your head when I'm done."
All levity was gone from the man's voice by the time he finished speaking, his head tilted ever so slightly, mismatched eyes almost glowing with the threat.
Sasuke fought back a shiver of fear. He couldn't risk letting the man see his words were affecting him. He had to play it cool, like the man's threats were empty to him, even if he had to pretend Sakura meant nothing to him, if it saved her life.
A shock wave from the battlefield reached them before Sasuke could speak, shaking the three standing there.
All eyes looked towards the fight that seemed to be slowly moving towards them. Time was running out.
'Madara' spoke first, voice hard, "I don't have any more time to waste arguing with you. Come to the battlefield and find me when you're ready."
He began to disappear with his kamui, but added before he was completely gone, "If you don't hurry, I'll get bored and play with Sakura. I don't think you'd like to find out what games I have in mind."
Sasuke moved to go to the battlefield, trying not to panic as he pictured Sakura at the mercy of the mad man.
Orochimaru grabbed his arm to stop him, his other arm still cradling Anko, "Wait, Sasuke."
Sasuke jerked his arm free, "I know it's a trap. What choice do I have?"
"Let me come with you," Orochimaru said, "Let me get Anko to safety and I will back you up. Your path is my path now."
Sasuke proceeded to leave, calling over his shoulder, "Do what you want."
Close by, Obito picked up the unconscious Sakura where he had hidden her and transported them closer to the fighting.
He had been truthful with the brat. His patience was at its limit. He unwound the wire from the kunoichi, repurposing it to string her up in the trees, limbs stretched apart almost painfully, leaving no option for movement to escape. He pressed her arm backward, testing the limits of the wire, pleased to see it cut into her skin.
As the blood dribbled down, he tried to decide where to start. He looked critically at her body like it was a blank canvas, wanting to paint a picture that would stun Sasuke and give Obito a chance to paralyze him.
Tapping his chin, Obito pulled out a kunai, cutting away the excess, letting her flak jacket, medical skirt, weapons, and medical packs fall to the ground. He put back his kunai for a moment and began tearing holes strategically in her shirt and shorts, disheveling her hair while he was at it. He nodded to himself as he appraised his work so far, pleased.
He then frowned as he tapped his chin. Cutting her too much would only serve to hide the skin he had just exposed. After a moment of thought, he started squeezing the newly visible flesh of her arms, thighs, and stomach, making beautiful bruises spring to life.
The pain began to wake the girl; her eyes fluttered open, confused. Obito smiled. He was pleased that she was waking. He had started to think Sasuke would get to them before he got to have any real fun with her.