Kami-sama! I've updated up last! I'm so pissed off with myself right now. The time between updates is getting longer and longer. Studies, revisions, my big bro from college returning, no decent time to write…Aaaargh! Enough with excuses! Exams are almost finishing, so I'll be able to update sooner anytime soon as my long school holiday's coming. THANK YOU! Thank you to all those readers who have sent reviews and those who have helped me in providing me help in fixing some grammar. I'm still expecting reviews from those who haven't sent yet…I'm on to you…
Italics-thoughts
Bold-demon talk
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. Never did, never will. Masashi Kishimoto does.
Yosuke Takagi was totally taken by surprise, as his mind slowly began to comprehend at the sudden sight that was above him. He had long concluded that since his opponent was a long-ranged attacker, thus there was very little chance that Shirou would move in for a close encounter. The Waterfall-nin was reliant on water, something that would prove to be a vital disadvantage if he ever left the small spring of water. That fact was another argument as to why Shirou wouldn't have come in for a close attack. He watched as the end of the water sword made its way downwards, and quickly decided to react.
It was too late.
Shirou had done it when his weapon cut into Takagi's left shoulder, and just let the momentum and force of gravity do the rest as the sword sunk even deeper and deeper. All of a sudden, the apparent wounded Sand-nin exploded into smoke, leaving nothing more but a wooden log in his place. Takagi had managed to perform and place a kawarimi just in the nick of time, and now had found another secluded spot to hide not too far away.
'Good thing he decided to blabber his mouth out,' thought Takagi in relief, breathing hard. The ant-lion summoner had moved on, now hiding himself amidst of the branches. He would definitely have been a goner if his opponent hadn't talk before plunging in with the sword.
Deciding not to waste anymore time, Takagi placed the blood pill into his mouth, with most of his attention on the frustrating Waterfall-nin. The blood pill tasted sour at a moment Takagi's tongue made contact before it was swallowed, and then traveling down the esophagus. He was much surprised that the effect was just as Kabuto had said; it was instantaneous. Whatever it held, its contents were quickly dissolved in his stomach, and were now coursing through his blood system. The Sand Chuunin could feel all of his wounds were quickly being 'patched' up and healing, and eventually got rid of the tired or woozy feeling.
'Now or never,' thought Takagi, after figuring out his next move.
Ebora Shirou got up and held on to his weapon, which had struck halfway into the log, as a support. He knew Takagi wasn't too far away, probably being able to hear every word he could say. "Oh come boy! Instead of playing this 'Hide and go seek' game of yours, why don't the both of us just finish this?"
He slowly turned around in three hundred sixty degrees, looking high and low as he continued. "Right here. Right now."
The water sword that was lodged inside the log began to change shape, distorting itself as it bended and coiled around. Takagi took the opportunity and jumped out of his hiding spot, making hand seals, as he was to fall upon his prey. The Sand-nin decided to use to brief, long ranged Fuuton Jutsu.
"Fuuton: Daitoppa no —(Wind Release: Great Breakthrough)"
With or without stating the name of the attack, the ant-lion summoner didn't manage to perform his technique as he felt something around his feet. What Takagi saw before being thrown away was a long transparent chain and a weight at its end, one that used to be a sword, now in Shirou's hand.
Fighting there also meant that the trees were also obscuring the spectators' view of the match. Well, except the few shinobis with Doujutsu like the Byakugan that is. All the present Hyuuga had activated their blood limit ability, being able to see the match perfectly. At the place where the Kazekage was sitting, a certain tall ANBU member was getting more annoyed as seconds flew by.
'I'm SO being ripped off. Because this match is so damn boring.' commented Kisame in thought, looking at the empty battleground below.
There was nothing new except the newly made small watering hole. Having decided that there were better things to do, Kisame turned his attention to one of the Waterfall-nin bodyguards that was standing right beside Shibuki. The shinobi noticed the look he was getting from the ANBU Sand-nin, now he was feeling nervous all of a sudden. There was Kisame, just gave a wave of hello, which in return took the attention of all the present shinobis that were there. Before Naruto could do anything, probably another burst of killing intent as a warning, or before Gaara could say anything, they saw something shot out from the trees. What they saw was Takagi skidding off the ground before coming to a stop. By the looks of it, he was losing.
Dreadfully.
"Suiton: Hazumi Sattou no Jutsu(Water Release: Spring Rush Technique)" muttered Shirou, walking out from the trees with his final hand seal pointing at the small watering hole.
Takagi was still busy trying to get up and recovering from the nasty throw, before getting hit by another hit of the water jutsu. He was pushed even further and further, again flat on his back, with the sore feeling all over his body. He didn't bother to get up, but that didn't stop his opponent from attacking over and over. After several repetitive hits and rolling, Ebora Shirou gave a look at Anko. However, The Konoha Jounin referee knew better than to announce the winner all too soon. She was standing quite far away, but both fighters knew that she didn't need to see up close to give judgment. The look on her face showed that she knew something that Shirou didn't. She didn't bother to look at the Sand-nin, who was already breathing hard once more, but made no effort to give up.
"Sorry to burst your bubble, boy. But you're way far off before you can actually think of beating me." Announced Shirou. The young man still had his hands in a hand seal, ready to perform another water technique anytime, should Takagi try to retaliate. "I'm by far much better at close range combat than at long range. Of course, if you were smart enough, you would've done better if you'd looked up at all the Jounin exams I've been through. I did when I found out that the Leaf kunoichi turned out to be a Sannin's apprentice. Give up now, and I might consider being just a little bit easy on you before I send you to the emergency room. "
Takagi closed his eyes. "You need to learn to keep your mouth shut. Because. You. Sure. Talk. A. LOT."
Between the numerous seats surrounding the battle arena,
Baki couldn't be anymore confident, an experienced shinobi like him should know better than to be over confident, but there was no way for the Waterfall-nin to win. The Sand Jounin spoke loud enough for Hirami and Chiro to hear. "He fell for it."
"You mean…?" perked up Hirami in realization, suddenly facing her Jounin instructor.
Baki gave a nod, half a smile as the usual white veil covered half of his face.
Chiro leaned forward a little bit closer from his seat. Eager to see when it was going to start, probably anytime soon.
Just as his opponent was about to make another move, the earth beneath him shifted. The soil moved slowly, which lead Shirou to confusion, as the shinobi could slowly feel the sound getting louder and stronger. He thought it was a minor earthquake, but the weird sound didn't match. Minor earthquakes don't actually make sound loud enough for any normal person to hear. As he noticed something about his view was off, he was shocked when he looked down at his dark blue sandals. In a moment, he was sinking. Another moment later, it was as if the ground all around and under him collapsed.
The fellow spectators were astounded as they got the view, looking down at the amazing event that was happening at the battleground. The very few Sand-nins were impressed and pleased as they watched on. The sight was more appealing from where the two Kage sat and several ANBU along with their Jounins were.
"Impressive." complimented Shibuki from his seat with a brief glance at the leader of Sunagakure.
"Impressive indeed." agreed Tsunade.
Gaara "I believe the compliment goes to him and his instructor."
'Well I'll be damned, he's not that bad.' assessed Kisame. 'Of course, that kind of trick wouldn't work on a lot of experienced shinobis.'
Asami beamed under the blue fox ANBU mask, 'Well played.'
The Waterfall-nin came to realization all too late when he found out the pit was cone shaped, hard and soft soil falling into the very bottom. He could barely Takagi's head, looking down at him.
"Daijigoku, Sunaasobi (Big Hell, Sandpit)" explained Takagi, already answering the question that was in Shirou's mind. A clear sign that meant he had encountered the same situation before, or possibly over and over.
The Waterfall-nin tried to remain calm, but seeing what awaited him at the bottom wasn't really helping. A pair of brown jagged pincers was repeatedly snapping, just to kill the time as its prey in the end was just delaying the inevitable. Shirou couldn't get a firm stand on the slipping sand, much less jump out. He tried to brainstormed possible ideas in getting out the situation. He could perform a water Jutsu or just fight the ant-lion head on.
Of course, Takagi wasn't just going to stand up there and watch.
The Sand-nin held out his hand like a puppeteer, and stayed in the same stance for a few seconds as he looked around at the slipping sand. Now, the spectators were curious as they waited and watched, as the Sand-nin was about to continue on pulling out his next trick. Watching a shinobi tournament would never always be tiresome thing to do. The contestants would pull amazing feats, something old or new, and surprises were present in every turn. It was entertaining, and at the same time important between allied villages. Showing power in front of the feudal lords and important figures.
Evidently, Takagi's next move proved to be more than just show to all the Sand-nins present. He held back his hands in a reeling motion, as kunais and shurikens moved out from several parts of the cone shaped sand pit. Soon enough, they were all floating in mid air and targeted themselves at the Shirou.
"Soushuuha (Manipulate Attacking Blades)!"
(Note: Don't ask me, I have no idea how that short word can be translated that long…)
All of the metallic blades however merely hit Ebora Shirou at his hands and legs, totally disabling him at an instant. A yell of pain resonated through out the stadium, which affected many audiences. Mostly, the newly promoted Genins and some shinobis as they could imagine would it would or had felt like. There was no way the Waterfall-nin could do anything, not now at least, except to simply fall along at the jaws of the ant lion.
Before Anko could interfere and quickly announce the winner, the wounded shinobi cried out. "Okay! I give up! I give up! You win! Get me out of here! "
"Took you long enough," sighed the triumphant Takagi. He just fell on his butt hard on the ground without complaint, and just sat there in exhaustion. The Sand-nin patted the ground in a rhythmic manner, signaling his summoning that was underground. The small explosion of smoke coming from where the jaws used to be was the sign of the ant lion's withdrawal.
Anko motioned her left hand to the now exhausted Takagi, "Winner! Yosuke Takagi!"
Ebora Shirou was wincing and groaning in pain, left at the bottom of the pit while waiting to be rescued. The Waterfall-nin couldn't believe it. He was beaten by a shinobi who was just over half his own age, AND the referee was totally ignoring him.
"Baka is sure going to give a long talk the next time I summon him," murmured Takagi all to himself. He saw Chiro cheering and clapping out loud from his seat, Baki ignoring his student's antics, along with the other amazed spectators.
At the top box, one of Waterfall-nin escorts leaned forward from his place as he about to have a talk with Shibuki. "That young shinobi actually beat Shirou. I suppose that he's probably not being to be promoted in this Jounin exam too? "
"Nah, he didn't disappoint any of us this time like all the previous ones. I hope he's learned something from this sudden defeat of his." answered Shibuki, rubbing his chin.
"So you're going to promote him?" asked another with a quizzical look.
Shibuki watched as medic-nins came in a whirl of leaves. "It's about time we have him in our ranks."
Two Leaf medic-nins were carrying the said shinobi on a stretcher to a medic room for treatment. There were no serious wounds that needed to be treated on the spot.
"That Sand-nin of yours is very talented. Only a year since he graduated from the ninja academy? I was a little bit doubtful, seeing as you granted him and his team permission to take the Jounin exam, right after their promotion to Chuunin." said Tsunade.
Lady Chiyo and Old Man Ebizou were beaming, somehow proud of the new generation of Sand-nins. Soon enough, they would be the ones that will replace the old. They would keep Sunagakure as peaceful as it is, or bring change for the better. What the elder Sand-nins could hope was that they wouldn't repeat or make mistakes as those of old did. The few things that the old generation could do at the moment were to realize their great mistakes in the past. The Shukaku project, the agreement with the Sound…Realize them, rectify them, and just hope nothing like that should happen ever again.
For now, the council members were watching upon the few of the new generation that was already leading and bringing change to Suna: their fifth Kazekage and his group elite ANBU Sand-nins.
Naruto brought out his right hand from under the cloak, which looked more like in attempted strangling manner. Seeing this as a possible threat, Tsunade, Shibuki, including their fellow Leaf and Waterfall-nins all had their eyes on Naruto's hand. Possible ideas whipped up in their minds: A signal? A possible hand seal? A move to a neck?
In fact, it did. The hand did grabbed a neck.
The Waterfall-nins reflexively moved around and shielded their leader, Shibuki, in a protective manner. Sakura practically turned around and held out her fists out ready for a fight. Much to their dismay, the Sand ANBU captain just turned his head around as his right hand massaged the back of his neck, what seem to be nothing more but getting rid the ache in his neck. Their suspicions got the better of them, all three feeling a little bit embarrassed as Kisame was stifling his laughing the best he could as he pointed fingers from where he stood. Sakura and the two Waterfall-nins felt a little bit embarrassed. This however, didn't faze the Leaf and Waterfall-nins' vigilance one bit.
'A stiff neck? Who do you think you're fooling?'
It was the same idea that played at their minds. It could still mean as a possible signal for something to start. Tsunade slightly turned to the Leaf Jounin, Kakashi, as he held up his tilted headband protector. The hand could actually be used as a Genjutsu medium, much like the eyes, and every possibility wasn't going to be left out. The three tomoe in his left eyed Sharingan twirled around in cycles, the Doujutsu being able to see through illusions easily.
The silver haired shinobi's action didn't go unnoticed by the four Sand ANBU elites that were standing by their Kazekage's side. Kisame considered the move to be nothing but futile. Asami wasn't least interested, she preferred observing the battle ground, appeared to being repaired by a low ranked Doton jutsu. Right now, the only thing that was bothering Naruto was Kyuubi's echoing chuckle deep in his head.
'Why bother?' mused Kabuto in his place.
Shibuki knew what it meant, but he played along so that the Sand-nins wouldn't realize that Waterfall-nins weren't oblivious to the whole Akatsuki-Sand situation.
"Getting a better view of the next match, Kakashi-san?" asked Shibuki with a smile.
The Copy Ninja turned, "Don't want to miss the action one bit, Shibuki-san. Sasuke's fighting up next."
Kakashi's lie in uncovering his Sharingan was just as noticeable as the fact that the neck massage made by Naruto. The tension was getting higher than ever, yet no one has made a single move. What worried Tsunade was what were the Sand-nins up to? They were completely outnumbered, around nineteen Sand-nins: One Kazekage, two village council members, three Jounins, ten ANBU, and three Chuunins. Meanwhile, all the spectators saw Uchiha Sasuke who had just teleported himself right in front of Anko in a swirl of leaves, as his turn finally came.
'At least he's not late like last time.' commented Kabuto.
Their prey finally walked in, Orochimaru, the young Grass kunoichi took her time walking from her side of the stadium towards both Leaf shinobis. The snake bastard must be up to something, being right there in front of all these people, thinking he could get away with whatever he's up to. He did the same thing when he killed Sandaime Hokage. Back then; he had the attacking armies of both Sand and Sound.
Seeing as Yakushi Kabuto used to be the right hand man of the treacherous Sannin, he had the vague idea of what he was probably up to. He wasn't totally worried, he also felt curious. 'I wonder what's he up to this time.'
Sasuke made eye-to-eye contact, his Sharingan still not activated, with the kunoichi only known as Yashiharu Taiyama.
Mitarashi Anko raised her right hand up, "Second Round! Uchiha Sasuke versus Yashiharu Taiyama! Begin!"
Kabuto crouched down and began performing hand seals, making the first move that startled Tsunade, Shibuki, and their shinobis in their place. Tsunade and her Konoha shinobis stood up on the right, with Shibuki and his Waterfall-nins on the left side, surrounding the Sand-nins. Just as they faced each other for the upcoming brawl, the rest of the Sand ANBU elites made their move.
Naruto alone moved in between Tsunade, Kakashi, Shizune, and Sakura. This caused the Fifth Hokage to held up her hand for her three Leaf-nins to stop. Asami and Kisame jumped in at the same as Naruto did, holding up his Samehada, to the left side as they both shielded the two council members and Gaara from the Waterfall-nins.
Kabuto finished his technique with a ram seal, channeling the appropriate amount of chakra. "Nehan Shoja no Jutsu (Temple of Nirvana Technique)."
Everyone in the whole stadium saw something very peculiar right in front of them, as some did during the Chuunin final exam three years ago. There were little burning embers floating right in front of them like fireflies. They weren't the ones that you'd found between burned wood or ashes, more like those floating up into the air during a huge open fire. This time, the Leaf shinobis were prepared from a Genjutsu attack unlike the previous time. Neither one of the Chuunins that used to make the Rookie Nine needed to be told or pass out from the illusionary technique. There were also several Genins included.
Amidst the crowd of average citizens that were already falling unconscious, Ebisu warned his Genins. "Konohamaru! Udon! Moegi!"
"We know, Ebisu-sensei!" chorused the Konohamaru Corp.
All the Leaf-nins clasped their hands and performed the counter seal, just as their Hokage were doing. The all too recognizable fingers clasped together with the index and middle fingers pointing out, "Kai (Release)!"
The Genjutsu was the signal, as the six scattered ANBU Sand-nins got ready to perform their own specific tasks. Baki was prepared as the surrounding Leaf-nins in his part slowly turned their attentions towards him. The odds of fighting all these Leaf-nins didn't look good.
"Oh boy…" mumbled Chiro nervously.
Kabuto was a bit in awe, seeing as there were a lot more shinobis awake than he expected. 'Amazing as ever. So they've prepared themselves even further.'
However, he had his own things to take care of since Kakashi narrowed his eyes on him. The man of a thousand jutsus pointed his kunai out. "I should have known it was you."
Tsunade, Shizune, and Sakura turned to Kakashi a bit. Curious as to whom Kakashi was referring to. The Fifth Hokage asked "A friend of yours, Kakashi?"
Kabuto had finished his part, now joined to Naruto's side, and faced Kakashi. "You were always too slow to realize what was around you before it was too late, Kakashi-san."
If Kisame wasn't busy minding his own business, the ex-Akatsuki member would have said something like, 'Looks like the cat's out the bag. Get it?' Thinking about it, Kabuto thought that was already more than enough.
"All four of us have met him before, Hokage-sama." answered Kakashi in frustration, a bit angry with himself for not realizing any earlier. "He's Yakushi Kabuto."
The ex-right hand man of Orochimaru took of his cat ANBU mask with his right hand, and his cloak with the left. He had satisfaction and happiness all over his face, seeing the look of the three kunoichi's faces.
"Where's Orochimaru?" asked Tsunade, straight to the point.
"Around here somewhere." Kabuto shrugged, playing dumb. "In fact, he's somewhere right here in this stadium."
Sakura panicked, "Wait! If Orochimaru's here, does that mean he's after Sasuke-kun!"
"Most probably." answered Kabuto with no interest, pushing the bridge of his glasses.
Which indeed was the truth. It wasn't a lie, but the way he said it just made people kept on thinking that he was still working under the Snake Sannin.
Sakura looked for Sasuke down at the battleground, fearing he had disappeared just like he did when he went off to chase after Gaara in his first Chuunin exam. She was relieved when she found out that he was still there. Just standing there, with Anko and the Grass-nin kunoichi. Her fear and panic got worse when she recalled Orochimaru's face in the Forest of Death.
Tsunade took the opportunity to deliver a side-kick and was launching it right at Kabuto's ribs just as Kakashi made his move against Naruto. The ANBU captain's hand caught Kakashi's hand with his right, but the Leaf Jounin made a punch with his left hand. Naruto easily tilted his head, dodging the short-ranged attack, not being able to see the confident faces on Shizune and Sakura. Kakashi's left fist opened up and grabbed the back of Naruto's head. Closing in, eye to eye contact, with Kakashi's left Sharingan eye that had its three tomoe spiraling like a wheel. Again, Kakashi was confused, as he remained eye-to-eye contact with the ANBU Sand-nin for what seemed to be more than enough to cast a Genjutsu.
In other words, the Sharingan wasn't working. Then again, there was the slight possibility of him being Uchiha Itachi, thus Kakashi should've known Genjutsu wouldn't work.
Kakashi received a hard knee to his abdomen, that would've sent him flying back, but Naruto still had his hand around Kakashi's right wrist. However he did flew back as the ANBU captain grabbed him by his neck with his free hand and threw him at Shizune right when she was going in to replace Kakashi. He turned to Sakura, expecting to find her with her fits with the strength much like Tsunade's. Meanwhile, Tsunade's fist didn't make contact with Kabuto's face at all; it was making contact with something else. A small shield of sand to be precise. Kabuto's mask had disintegrated to sand, and took the full blow of the Godaime Hokage.
Gaara made himself noticed, considering Tsunade and the Leaf-nins had been focusing on his ANBU Sand-nins. "I believe you're probably as to what is going here, Hokage-dono."
"Skip the formalities, Gaara," replied Tsunade. "I was suspicious enough of you when I wondered about the identities of these ANBU of yours. But I'd never thought you'd make a deal of the very man that killed your father. I sure like to hear what in the world lead to this."
The Fifth Kazekage confronted the Fifth Hokage, "Then I will, but not hear."
"What do you mean 'not here'?" Tsunade had a puzzled look. She could sense from Gaara's eyes that he wasn't bluffing. In fact, the Shukaku vessel didn't sound like he wanted to fight, show any form of aggression, or intent of destroying Konoha. Shinobi or not, she knew that he wasn't lying.
"I will explain everything. Up on the roof." replied Gaara.
"Fine." Tsunade didn't care the idea if it was a trap or the idea of her probably fighting a Jinchuuriki. She did say that she wanted to hear what was actually happening.
"But Tsunade-sama…" interrupted Shizune.
Both Gaara and Tsunade jumped up to the roof above before Shizune could finish what she wanted to say.
"What's really going on here, Kabuto?" demanded Kakashi. Expecting Kabuto to just give out the answer like an obedient child.
A lot of things needed to be answered. Questions kept on rising, unable to be answered or just a matter of time. But more questions popped up before the previous could be answered, which lead to more question if tried to be linked with one another. The destruction of Hidden Sound? A possible Akatsuki intervention? Then how about the returning of Sasuke at the Konoha front gates? Wouldn't it be easier if they had just kill Sasuke if it was to prevent Orochimaru from obtaining the Sharingan? Why were there known Akatsuki members now acting as Sand-nins?
"You'll know, in time," replied Kabuto.
Sakura gritted her teeth, her fingers flexing under the brown gloves. "I'm not going to let you take away Sasuke-kun."
The pink haired kunoichi punched the concrete wall beside her to make a point; with the effects were just as Tsunade would have done it herself. Lady Chiyo raised an eyebrow where she stood behind Naruto and Kabuto, whilst Ebizou made a back glance. After that, the two veteran shinobis had confirmed that the news of Tsunade taking an apprentice. Sakura felt a bit satisfied having the attention, yet she still felt angered since the ANBU captain, Kisame, and Asami just ignored her.
At least Kakashi knew, from the way that Kabuto was saying, that the glass wearing shinobi could answer all his questions.
Since they were all standing in a very limited space, Sakura thought that she could just punch the ground and just let everyone fall down to the level below. She made a fist, but Kakashi shook his head with his hand over Sakura's. The advantage was still there, a confine space where there shouldn't too much movement or time to react. The silver haired Jounin instructor took the chance as he threw out several shurikens. Then Shibuki and the Waterfall-nins joined in as they too threw kunais and shurikens from their side. Kisame turned his sword flat; the blade's long width deflected some of the Waterfall-nins' shurikens. Kabuto deflected a few with his own kunai, realizing that Kakashi was making a hand seal. Distracted for several seconds, Shizune rolled her sleeve, and four poison needles right at Kabuto.
Naruto used the arm guards of his right hand from under the cloak to block every single one of them. Kakashi's plan in tricking the both them with what seem to be an attempt at performing a Jutsu had worked. Another Hatake Kakashi just exploded out of nowhere, definitely a shadow clone, and hugged Naruto tightly.
"Now Sakura!" ordered the real Kakashi who was crouched a bit.
The said kunoichi jumped over her Jounin instructor and focused a huge amount of energy into her clenched fist. The super human strength ability was a precise release of huge amounts of chakra mustered into the muscles and released altogether at the same time. Her punch went through the shadow clone, which exploded, into nothingness the moment her glove touched the back of its head. Now Naruto's ANBU mask received a full blow much how Gaara's sand had a few minutes ago. The effects weren't nice.
He was sent, head first; amazingly right pass Lady Chiyo, Ebizou, Kisame, Asami, and the three Waterfall-nins. The Sand ANBU captain's back crashed through the two chairs where Gaara and Shibuki sat before it collided hard at the solid wall on the other end. It didn't move, as it looked stuck in between the cracks of the wall. Shibuki and his two Waterfall-nins assumed that had done it.
Kakashi and Shizune suspected the worse, 'Walking away from that spar last night, that punch probably didn't even hurt him much.'
They thought that they shouldn't have jinxed it.
Naruto shifted his fingers ever so slightly, but Sakura wasn't going to let him live any further. She knew that there was no way that she'd get pass through the Sand-nins and deliver more blows before the ANBU captain would move again. Tsunade's apprentice dug her fingers into the floor beneath her, pulling out a chunk the size of one's abdomen out of the floor with just her right hand. The Sand-nins and Waterfall-nins just stared transfixed, not doing anything, at the sight that was the strength of a Sannin's apprentice. She threw the chunk of concrete floor at Naruto like it was nothing more like a ball, hitting him squarely at his abdomen. Now he was imbedded further into the crack, and stopped moving.
"Nice one, Sakura." cheered Shizune.
"Thanks but-" the pink haired kunoichi was speechless when she watched the council member Ebizou threw a kunai right at the imbedded chunk of concrete. The reason why she was speechless was that it had an explosive tag on it.
"Run!" shouted Kakashi as he pulled Shizune and Sakura, thinking of jumping out to the roof or down. The Waterfall-nins were the closest in range with the exploding tag. They were doomed, but the two guards shielded over Shibuki, hoping they could save their leader.
Explosions could be heard everywhere.
There were explosions of smoke and light taking place all round the stadium, leading to surprise, confusion, and disorder to the Konoha shinobis. Some were blinded by light and others tried to remain calm or make their way out of the smoke. No harm was done, just a few flash bombs and smoke bombs, which were confusing them further more. A group pf several Jounins and Chuunins that each had surrounded a Sand-nin were more confused. Especially when they found out that the ANBU Sand-nin were still standing there.
In a different part of the stadium, Team 10 slowly recovered. Asuma and his three Chuunins used their other senses, seeing as their eyes were slowly recovering. The whole section in which he was guarding had been planted with flash bombs. Nara Shikamaru finally opened his eyes; recovering from burst of light that took all of them by surprise, to find out that Temari was long gone. 'Troublesome…really troublesome.'
The only real explosion that could've brought harm was the one that blew up at the top box where the leaders of the villages seated. Shibuki's guards were surprised to find themselves pretty much alive: there was no scratch whatsoever. Just covered in white grayish dust of crumbled concrete. The impact of the blast was just big enough to destroy the small chunk of concrete that Naruto had. Small pieces of black and brown cloth that used to be the cloak that the ANBU captain worn fell down like shredded newspapers.
"Are you alright, Shibuki-sama?" asked the guard, as they were concerned with their priority than themselves.
The leader of the Waterfall-nins coughed a little, "I should be asking you that."
The Leaf-nins and their ally didn't know what to say, seeing the Sand-nins haven't crouched or took cover in any form at all. Kisame and Asami were too covered in dusts of white, Kabuto looking at Ebizou. "Wasn't that a bit too much? He could've moved that himself, Ebizou-sama."
The old man, at least in his late seventies didn't seem to mind what he had done. "He wouldn't have mind."
Kisame and Asami were still standing there, haven't moved an inch, as thought already knew that their ANBU captain would probably be walking out of the larger crack anytime soon. The shinobis in the top box beside the Sand-nins thought that they were crazy. Several seconds later, they could hear movements coming from the ANBU captain used to be. A hand grabbed the side of a cracks, soon enough followed by the demon masked Sand-nin himself. The few remaining piece of the cloak was singed and completely tethered.
Shibuki's eyes widened slightly in disbelief, and whispered. "Impossible…."
When Shibuki had finished, the red demon ANBU mask had begun to crack. Starting from the very point where Sakura's knuckles touched it, it spread out like spider's web. Pieces of the broken mask fell onto the floor, before crumbling into the brown fine sand.
Kakashi, Sakura, and Shizune were about to see the face of the Sand ANBU captain.
They saw it.
Things didn't make sense. In fact, the Leaf-nins' minds now had more questions that needed to be answered. Kabuto wished he had brought a camera when he saw the confused look on their faces.
Down at the battleground,
Yashiharu Taiyama, Uchiha Sasuke, and Mitarashi Anko hadn't done much since they noticed Kabuto performing the Genjutsu technique. Orochimaru was confused and a bit curious as to what was going on the moment Kabuto was done with his part. He wasn't going to lose this chance or let this ruin his plan. Akatsuki or not, nobody was going to interfere with his plans of obtaining Sasuke's body this time.
Orochimaru made a hand seal with only right hand, the same index and middle finger outward, and begun.
"Kanashibari no Jutsu (Temporary Paralysis Technique)!"
Anko and Sasuke froze in their place, taken by surprise, as they were unable to move any part of their body around. The Leaf kunoichi was helpless as Orochimaru had his eyes on her, now using his own voice. He chuckled in amusement, "Isn't this a blissful reunion? My dear Anko…"
The Snake Sannin turned to Sasuke, "Sasuke…"
Orochimaru's plan was a risky one, but he thought it was going to be worth all the effort. His last remaining, recently recruited Sound-nins, underlings will jump out of the ground before any shinobi realizes and tries to interfere. They will perform the Shishi Enjin (Four Violet Flames Battle Formation), and Orochimaru would then summon his small army of sixteen dead Kage shinobis. He only needed to perform two techniques and then flee. His chakra capacity would be just enough for both of them. The Kuchiyose: Edo Tensei (Summon: Impure World Resurrection) technique, which should be more than enough to lead the destruction of Konoha. There will be no interference when he performs it as he had planned it. That and then use his own created Forbidden technique, the body transfer, Fushi Tensei (Living Corpse Reincarnation). Then it would be the last time he'll ever run away from anyone ever again.
Between Anko and Sasuke, Sasuke wasn't scared or worried at the sudden appearance of their former mentor.
"Tell me something Sasuke, have you found the power you've desired to kill your brother? Right here, along with your so called 'friends'?" Orochimaru smiled
Sasuke narrowed his eyes, the blood limit Sharingan activated, "Pity how Raiha can't see how really weak you've become."
Orochimaru's smile faltered as his mind registered upon the familiar tone, voice, and the word Raiha. Only Akatsuki members knew each other's names, Jiraiya probably knew a few. This Akatsuki member had the Sharingan. Orochimaru had an Uchiha standing in front him all right, except this one wasn't the one he was looking far. Since there were currently only two Uchiha left, the one standing in front of him could only be the one he wasn't looking for. This Uchiha would be the one that he had been avoiding no matter what. Simple as that.
Orochimaru had his yellow slit snake eyes focused on Itachi's Sharingan.
Bad move.
OH GOD! WHAT A BUMMER! IT'S LIKE READING THE LATEST NARUTO MANGA CHAPTER AND FOUND OUT THIS IS THE LAST PAGE…ANNOYING ISN'T IT? YOU KNOW THE DRILL! RATE AND REVIEW PEOPLE! PLEASE…? SINCE THE NEXT ONE WOULD BE MUCH BETTER…I NEED MORE REVIEWS, CRITICS, AND SOME SUGGESTIONS. A GOOD JOB WOULD DO. CROSS OVER 220 PEOPLE!