Welcome to the next chapter!
Benny Farr; They did yeah.
Morregen; Thanks! Thank you very much! Yeah, we will be seeing varying reactions of people this chapter. I could see Danzo doing something sinister like that. Yeah, there are some strong members with Ryouta right now. That would be pretty cool team set up. Pretty cool suggestions!
joharasbel; Thanks!
Keamx; Thanks for voting.
ShadowUzumaki55; Glad that you liked it! Ryouta has some plans up his sleeve, which we will see quite soon~
Silver crow; He did. As been shown, Ryouta isn't an idiot, he already has made plans and is executing them as the chapters go on. Kakashi will be up pretty soon. I am sure Anko would do. Yeah, it was good for the team to spend time together. Ino seems to be yeah. Hinata is growing stronger. Yeah, Ryouta did that intentionally so everyone would wonder what is going on with him. Well, he doesn't know what Orochimaru has planned, he can only go with his plans and do his best. Laxus and the Oc would have some kind of interactions. Naoya could do. Okay, sounds good. Thanks for the suggestions. Something will be replacing Cao Cao during the parts he'd be the villain if True Longinus wins. I can't say his past yet, it would give away a few things. Phenex Oc would be unrivalled when it came to fire. Regulus would have an axe yeah. Depends if he uses Mangekyou if he loses sight. I am sure by the time this arc is done, Orochimaru would have seen the mistakes he has made. Maybe she could appear at some point.
Phantom Reader; Yeah, Ryouta has learned a lot to be able to treat Kakashi as he did. Yeah, Ryouta did his best to see everyone before he left, not knowing exactly what would happen, hoping for the best, but planning in case it went south. Yeah, Kabuto and Orochimaru know it wouldn't be a plausible theory, but also didn't want Konoha to immediately jump to them. Kabuto definitely is worried about Ryouta for sure. Yeah, he could train Nesaku to do that. Garaga and Kurama doing that would be funny. Thanks for the votes. Not sure which story you mean. No worries, personal life can be difficult to deal with at times. Orochimaru would definitely try at least. Maybe the white haired woman would do that yeah. Thanks very much! Yeah, they would be males. True Longinus Oc would remain the same species as is he born as yeah. He will have a group yeah. Yeah, I also think True Longinus has a lot that it could still give. That would be a cool look for the spear. Would be a cool Balance Breaker. Wind powers can be pretty OP when used correctly for sure. I don't know about wings yet, they would be a cool design for wings. Thanks for the suggestions!
Guest 1; Thanks for the votes. Yeah, they would be cool Sekirei to deal with. They would be yeah.
Guest 2; Thanks!
Francesco Spadoni; Thanks.
Thunder Warrior; Thanks, glad you like them, and thanks for voting.
Guest 3; Thanks for voting.
Guest 4; He would only leave if he didn't have any good choices. Thanks for voting.
Giulia Giusti; Thanks.
Guest 5; Thanks for the votes.
Gahalad; Thanks.
Blackblaze; Thanks for the votes.
raz2694; Thanks, one more week.
TheGreatGodzilla; Yeah, he is going fully for Orochimaru now. We will see what Ryouta is up to now. Orochimaru and Ryouta's interactions shall soon be shown. Sakura did yeah, she had a pleasant dream about a possible future. Himawari will be yeah.
Guest 6; I don't know about Grayfia yet.
Mrgamerandwatcher; Yeah, Izumi and Itachi would be quite angry about why Ryouta had to leave thanks to Orochimaru's meddling.
Hinata fan; He isn't abandoning it, he's doing his best to save it and Mikoto. Orochimaru will be dealt with soon enough.
Guest 7; One day yeah. Thanks for the votes.
Guest 8; He would be strong yeah.
With those reviews out of the way, its time to start the chapter!
Form the Ryouta Rescue Team!
Ryouta had set off with Kabuto, and the others. An air of uneasy was through Ryouta, he really hated having to go along with these people. But for Mikoto and her safety, then he would do so.
They jumped onto a tree branch, and Kabuto looked towards Ryouta.
He looked towards him, and wondered what he was thinking.
If Ryouta was plotting to kill him.
Even Guren could see that Kabuto seemed unusually rattled in the presence of Ryouta.
"Kabuto, are we simply going to stand around or are we going to get going? Unlike you, I want to get this done without any hesitation."
Kabuto shot a look towards Guren, with Ryouta looking between them.
"Are you questioning my leadership?"
Ryouta took note of this relationship in case he could do anything with it later on.
"When you're scared of a teenage boy, then yes."
"You haven't seen all this teenage boy can do, and I'm not scared of him, I'm cautious."
When Kabuto said that, Ryouta waved towards Kabuto, who caught it out of the corner of his eye.
Kabuto looked towards Ryouta fully, who gave a sweet smile, but that smile also felt curiously terrifying in its own way.
"Your hands say otherwise."
Kabuto shot a glare towards Guren who did the same thing back.
Ryouta thought "They really hate one another huh." as he watched Kabuto push his glasses up his nose, and faced the others.
"Then, the formation will go as this. I will go up front, you boy will go behind me. Guren, you take the right, Tayuya, the left, and Kimimaro, keep your eyes on him. One muscle is moved to attack, then you have to stop him."
"Wow Kabuto, it seems like you're a bit paranoid that I'm going to attack you?"
Ryouta asks curiously, but Kabuto gives a no nonsense stare.
"I wouldn't put it pass you to do so. Considering what happened back when the Sannin fought, with your damn Genjutsu."
"Yes, I remember when I was able to stop you there. Its too bad that I didn't get to finish the job, but you know, other forces stopped me. Next time, might be a different matter."
Kabuto felt his anger peak slightly.
But, he didn't allow it to rule him.
Though Guren noted that he seemed to be agitated all of a sudden, and was finding it difficult to keep control.
"As I said, we have to get going now, or the others from Konoha will find out. Its too bad that you didn't kill that Sakura girl. Then we wouldn't have to worry at all."
"Unlike you, I don't kill good people. I actually care about people. Do you care about anyone that isn't your self or your Master? Do you even know the meaning of the word?"
Ryouta's reply caused Kabuto to inhale and exhale rather deeply.
Staring towards Ryouta, he didn't focus on what was going on around him, besides Ryouta himself.
"Lets go, we have no time to waste."
The group then shoot off towards the forest, landing on branch after branch, while Kabuto kept looking back towards him. He felt uneasy at being at the front, though he planned it the best that he could, he felt like at any moment, Ryouta could end up killing him if he made a single move.
But he wouldn't allow it, he was going to make sure that Ryouta was captured, and taken away by Orochimaru.
Satsuki laid in bed, blissfully unaware of anything that was going on. She had an uneasy sleep that evening. It started pleasant, but it didn't end like that at all.
Soon she began to stir within her bed.
She turned over, and in her semi conscious state, she reached out for Ryouta to either grab his hand or to hold onto him, or to place her head on his chest, something, anything to do with feeling warmth from her boyfriend.
But she didn't find anything.
Because of that, her mind became a little more alert.
"Ryou…?"
She called out, her eyes slowly opening to see if he was in the same bed as her.
But it was clear that he wasn't there, so she fully sat up, and looked around the room.
"Ryou, are you in the bathroom?"
She called out.
But, once more, she found nothing there whatsoever.
She didn't even get a reply to her words either.
More worry was beginning to come to her, and she clearly felt something was off, especially after the events of that day.
"Ryou...what the hell..."
She got out of the bed, and looked towards the area that Ryouta kept his weapons and other things that he usually took when he was going on. Once more, she found that they weren't there, and because of that, it was worrying for her.
She breathed in sharply, and went to get dressed, when she saw a note on her table.
Right next to the sword that Shisui had been given by Ryouta all those years ago.
Because of seeing that, she paused, and felt her breath hitch in her throat.
"Ryou...this note...no, you wouldn't..."
She didn't want it to be true.
But she had to find out what was on that note, so she began to steel her will and moved towards it.
Upon getting there, she saw her name on the front, written in his hand writing.
Satsuki reached out, and picked it up.
[Dear Satsuki. I didn't know how to begin this, I've had to write this several times now. But the best way to do it, is by saying it directly. I am leaving Konoha. I know right now you're confused, but I have to go and chase down the man that killed my brother, and Itachi, and rescue Izumi-chan. Seeing her again, and watching Orochimaru do his disgusting acts, I don't want you to have to suffer anymore Satsuki-chan, I love you too much to allow you to keep carrying this pain. Orochimaru will always come after me, and I can't endanger the village anymore, so I have to go. I'm sorry it has to be this way. I love you, forever. Love Ryouta.]
Satsuki felt pangs within her heart, she could feel her body beginning to shake.
Tears formed by her eyes, but she steeled her will so she didn't shed a single tear, as she looked towards the trashcan, seeing several pieces of paper scrunched up.
She couldn't accept it, this didn't sound like Ryouta.
"Ryou..."
She also knew that Ryouta wouldn't do this, and wouldn't leave her.
She knew this was his hand writing, that this was his words.
But they also felt like they were being forced...she didn't understand it, and she knew what she had to do now, so she quickly got dressed and ran as fast as she could towards the Hokage.
Having made it to the Hokage's office, Satsuki had called for Tsunade to come. Despite it being so late, she had agreed when Satsuki had made it seem very urgent. And especially when she finally found out why it was so urgent.
She read the note to herself that she had received off of Satsuki, and became more than shocked, she never thought that she would ever read anything like this, considering that she knew of Ryouta's love for the village.
She also was told of what Satsuki knew regarding the path out of the village, the only one he realistically could have taken, so she began thinking of Ninja that were in or around that area, ones that could potentially go and meet up with him.
"...And this is his hand writing? It couldn't have been forged?"
Tsunade knew that it probably was, but she had to have it confirmed either way.
"Yes, that's Ryou's hand writing...he's left the village. I have to go and find him, so I ask, put me on the mission to rescue him."
Satsuki knew that Ryouta wouldn't want her to leave the village, and she also knew that he wouldn't. So whatever reasons for him going, was because he was being forced or coerced, or something, she just knew it wasn't the reasons that she was saying.
"It isn't that easy, if he has gone from the village like this..."
"Then we go after him, it is as simple as that."
Satsuki tried to control the growing worries within herself, she didn't want anything to happen to Ryouta.
"Ideally yes, but this isn't a straight forward mission. Going after someone like him, would take some strong Ninja. Or, are we going to forget about the power of his eyes?"
Tsunade was aware Satsuki knew of the Mangekyou Sharingan.
Satsuki also thought of it, but she also understood that she didn't have time to waste.
So as she went to speak, Tsunade did instead.
"Not accounting for the fact that he possesses Jonin level skills even without his eyes. He is someone that could be very difficult in bringing back. It is easily an A rank mission...no, I would even class it as an S class mission factoring in his eyes, and the unknown reasons he is going. And right now, we are on low supply of Jonin within the village, those here are needed to guard the village in case of another invasion..."
"Then I'll go after him. I'll do what it takes to rescue him."
Satsuki went to turn, but Tsunade stopped her.
"I understand that you're worried, but going alone, is a mission that I simply cannot allow you to do."
"Then I'll..." Satsuki steeled herself for what was to come, and prepared for what to do, remembering what her Mother and Ryouta would say to her when situations like this would arise. "...I will go with others to go and find him. We don't have time to waste, we have to get going, or else he will get away, if he hasn't already."
Tsunade knew that she was right, that time was of the essence, they had to act now or else they could lose him, and she felt like something was wrong, she felt like this wasn't exactly as it was being shown either.
She began to go over those within the village who she could spare.
She also wanted to go right away, but she had to think of the village, and she had to be cautious about who she could spare for this, and what would be the best tactics to use when it came to getting towards Ryouta.
"Okay, with the Ninja currently within the village, I am going to have to send a good few...okay, Satsuki, you're going to be leaving in half an hour. Round up any Ninja that you can find during that time Chunin or lower. Also, I'll be sending for Shikamaru as well. Together, I have no doubt you'd be able to come up with some tactics to at least stall him."
She didn't have a problem going with Shikamaru, she thought that it would make sense that he would go since he is rather smart.
Tsunade then continued after speaking for a few moments.
"In the meantime, I'm going to be sending for any Jonin that isn't vital to protect the village to come and assist you, those that are on the way back to Konoha...even then, there's some that are days away, and wouldn't make it in time. I wish Kakashi and Mikoto were in the village, even Sarutobi-sensei would have been a good choice to send, but we will have to make do. Kurenai is out of the village, Guy is as well...Asuma, he isn't in the village, but possibly...Shizune is also coming back so I'll send word to her...Anko is with Sarutobi-sensei so..."
"Understood, then I shall leave immediately."
Satsuki turned, and went to leave.
But she stopped Satsuki before she could.
"I suggest taking Naruko with you."
Satsuki turned back.
"Why her?"
"Because I think she'll have great capabilities in helping in this fight. If it turns into one, which I hope it doesn't. Your mission is to try and get him back, and if you can't, then at least stall until help arrives."
Satsuki nods, and leaves.
As she does, Tsunade places her head back and murmurs "Please return back safely." and begins thinking of Ninja that could help in this situation, even thinking of allies from different places…
As that was going on, Ryouta and the others consisting of Kabuto, Tayuya, Kimimaro and Guren were travelling together at a steady pace. Not going too fast, but not too slow either. Because Kabuto didn't want to take risks with him being caught by Konoha and their forces right now, along with being cautious of Ryouta as well, knowing that at any moment, he could turn around and take them down.
Watching him, he couldn't read Ryouta's expressions at all. It was like he was happy, sad and excited, plus nervous all in one. It was clear that it was to throw Kabuto off, he just didn't expect that he would be able to pull it off so well.
"Are you going to tell me where we're going or not? Going in this direction will take us out of the Land of Fire...taking me back to Oto perhaps? Or is it a base of Orochimaru's?"
Ryouta asked, always wanting to keep them on their toes.
"Don't you like surprises, Ryou-kun?"
Kabuto said with a sneer, Ryouta glanced at him, before rolling his eyes.
"Had enough for a lifetime."
"I see. Well, you're on a need to know basis. How do we know that when you find out, you wont turn around and kill us?"
"And how do I know you'll stick to your word and that Mikoto-san is still alive?" Ryouta countered. "I suppose we have to learn to trust one another." Ryouta glanced at the others around. "By the way, the welcoming committee is rather quiet."
Guren glanced towards Ryouta, seeing that his eyes looked sharp, and precise.
"They are prepared in case you try and kill them."
"There would be no point in me trying to kill you now, considering you have Mikoto-san. I don't know where she is, or what you could be doing to her, so I would be foolish to do such things now."
Ryouta spoke what was the truth, knowing that until he was fully aware of where he was going, he needed to keep them alive, and make it seem like he was doing it reluctantly, as he was also fully aware that they didn't trust him either, but he knew they'd not attack, because Orochimaru wanted his eyes.
Ryouta then looked to Tayuya who was giving eyes that displayed worry.
"What?"
"I remember the last time we met, you wiped out three of the Sound Four!"
Tayuya yelled at Ryouta, who didn't deny what she said, but did begin expressing his own thoughts.
"Actually, while it is true that I killed all three, with the third one, he was sacrificed by your leader Orochimaru. My attack might have killed him, but your leader willingly gave up a life to preserve his own, so his death is on Orochimaru's hands. I was aiming for Orochimaru, not your squad member."
Tayuya scoffed, folding her arms for a few moments, trying to work out Ryouta.
"Keep those eyes away from me, I don't want to be trapped in your illusions for all eternity. If you try, then I'll activate the Curse Mark, and I'll show you the true power of Orochimaru-sama, and what he has bestowed onto me!"
Ryouta could hear that worry in her voice when she issued the threat.
"First of all, it wouldn't be eternity, it would be long enough for me to stop you." Kimimaro had to appreciate the honesty, Tayuya not so much. "Second, you placed me in a Genjutsu with my arms and body melting, and you were happy to watch me suffer through that. I didn't do anything nearly as crazy as that to you."
Tayuya didn't like being called out for her own business like she was, and shot a scowl towards him.
"Even then! Just because you have a cute face, it doesn't mean I will drop my guard around you! The cuter the face, the more deadly they could become!"
"The outside doesn't match the inside, is that what you're saying?"
Guren asks Tayuya who nods strongly.
"I mean look at him, who would have thought such a cute handsome guy would be able to frighten even Orochimaru-sama! That face, and those eyes of his display kind and sweet ways, yet he was able to throw Orochimaru-sama's plans down the drain!"
Ryouta could see when Tayuya said that, Kabuto didn't look pleased at all, probably because Tayuya unintentionally had insulted Orochimaru.
"Tayuya, are you going to truly badmouth our leader? Especially in front of me?"
Kimimaro said it with a look that could cause peoples blood to run cold.
It certainly did for Tayuya who looked to the right hand side, unable to do keep a straight face.
"...Of course not. I didn't mean to offend, I'm sorry."
Tayuya for the first time seemed to express what looked like fear, Ryouta absorbed the information and simply said nothing.
Kimimaro looked towards Ryouta briefly, the young man
"Good, then keep to your role in our group, and do not speak about Orochimaru-sama in such a negative way ever again. He gave us power, he gave us the will to carry on, and now he is giving us a new body to worship. We deliver this boy to him, and we shall be able to stand beside him."
Ryouta could sense a sadness within Kimimaro as he spoke, as if he felt sad that Ryouta was supposedly doing something that he wished for himself, Ryouta wondered if Kimimaro wanted to be a vessel for Orochimaru, and if he did, why that would be, and what circumstances lead him to wanting such a thing where his life would be forfeit.
"I understand that, I'm just trying to understand, that's all."
"We don't need to understand, we are doing the duties which have been passed to us by our leader."
Guren agreed mentally, but she also could see that Ryouta had a look of sadness on his face as well for a moment.
"Kid, you're thinking our lives have been warped, aren't you?" Ryouta said nothing, as Guren continued. "You're thinking that we're doing this because Orochimaru-sama has tainted us, and has corrupted us with sweet words, and promises. But the truth is that everyone is here because they want to be, because they believe in Orochimaru-sama."
Though Guren was self assured in her words, Ryouta detected a hint of vulnerability within her words. Something that even Guren probably didn't detect herself, but Ryouta did, and he looked towards Guren, seeing her strong but slightly dull looking eyes.
"Why do you believe in him? What has he done to prove that he is good enough to follow? It can't be because of the power hen offers you, as it doesn't seem like a fair deal to me. Be his willing servant, he experiments on you, and steals your powers, while you get...what in return?"
"We get the power, the Curse Mark that makes us reach never before seen levels of power, and we get to be on the winning side. I think that's more than enough trade for us."
Tayuya brought up, but Ryouta simply shook his head, the price for power didn't seem to be right to Ryouta's eyes.
"I think its sad that you're following a man that doesn't care about you. Who would abandon you for himself, and sacrifice you for his own goals and desires. Orochimaru is even attacking kids like me because he wants something I have, something I was born with and suffered to get, so what does that say about your leader?"
Guren had to pause when he said that, Tayuya looked towards Ryouta directly, and for a brief moment, thought about what he said, Kabuto on the other hand let out a small laugh.
"We can't be swayed by your words, Ryouta-kun. So there's no point trying to say such stuff."
"I don't intend to sway you, I'm simply pointing out facts. Besides, I know how much of a fanatic you are Kabuto, trying to do the same things to be someone equivalent to Orochimaru. But the reality is that you're never going to be Orochimaru, you will always be an imitation."
Tayuya found it a little funny when Ryouta roasted Orochimaru and Kabuto as he did.
Kabuto felt his anger taking a hold of him for a moment.
He contemplated turning around and attacking Ryouta, disabling him.
But then he thought of Orochimaru, and his chilling words that told him that he wasn't going to be able to do it.
Plus, he also was highly aware that Ryouta was strong, and he could fight against him, and get a win especially if he used his Mangekyou Sharingan.
However, as they travelled together, Ryouta saw a Konoha Ninja group coming towards them. It seemed that they were unaware of their place, when he saw that Kabuto looked towards them, noticing one of them, Shizune, had noticed them as well.
"It seems that we'll have to get rid of them. If they go to Konoha and get reinforcements..."
"Hold on, if you hurt anyone else, the deals off."
Kabuto glanced at Ryouta, who in turn looks on with narrowed brows.
"Then what do you suggest we do? If they find out, then Mikoto is going to die."
"I will stop them myself. At least that way, I know you'll not kill them. Oh, and if any of you guys get involved or have any ideas of trying to go against me, then I'll show you the power of my Mangekyou Sharingan. Are we clear, everyone?"
Kabuto shuddered, and looked on, knowing that he could be put through something terrible if he truly did make a mistake.
"I understand, I wont get the others involved. But if you try and pass on information, then we'll know, we will be watching."
Ryouta suspected as much, but it didn't matter either way.
He wouldn't allow the others to hurt anyone from Konoha.
Meanwhile, Satsuki rushed through the village, and went towards Naruko, not understanding why Tsunade specifically had wanted her to go. Though to Satsuki it didn't matter in the end. She also had sent word to Shikamaru through the usage of a hawk that she had on standby thanks to her Mother leaving it behind for such interactions like this.
When she got there, she knocked and knocked again until the door was finally answered.
"Alright geez! Its the middle of the night!" Naruko complained, and then saw Satsuki, becoming perplexed. "Eh...Satsuki? What's going on?"
"Ryou is in trouble, we need to get going."
Confusion wrote on her face, Naruko exclaimed.
"What do you mean? What's happened?"
"He is gone, get dressed, grab what you need for a mission, then we're going to be going to the gates of Konoha."
"I still don't get it! Why's he gone?"
"Save the questions, I'll explain on the way. For now, we've got to go."
It was hard for Satsuki to stay composed, but for the sake of Ryouta, she was going to do her best.
Naruko could hear the seriousness in her voice, so she turned, got dressed, and then left together with Satsuki.
Along the way, Satsuki spoke about what happened with Naruko, who like Satsuki, couldn't believe that Ryouta would ever abandon the village.
But she wondered what was going on and why he had left.
As they ran, Satsuki went through her mind those that would be capable of lending a hand. So she thought of Neji first, due to the Byakugan, same for Hinata. Shikamaru was already going, so she assumed that he would have Choji go with them, the same for possibly Ino as well. She also sent word to Sakura, to see if she was going to be able to go with them as well.
When they arrived at the gates, they patiently waited for the others to come.
The first to arrive was Shikamaru, with a tired looking Choji following after him, the same for Ino. Kiba also arrived soon afterwards, who Satsuki learned was contacted by Shikamaru, though she didn't see Shino.
"So, where's the bug guy?"
Satsuki asks, Kiba shakes his head.
"He isn't here, he's off on some mission with his family."
Naruko sighed.
"Great, what we need. What about Haku and Karin anyway?"
Satsuki paused, and went to answer, when she heard a voice.
"Karin, Lee, and Haku aren't in the village. The same for Tenten."
Neji began, arriving with a worried Hinata.
"And where's Sakura anyway?"
Ino asked, worry clear on her face.
"I've sent word to her, but if she isn't here within five minutes, then we'll have to go. I'll also send word to Hokage-sama about her if she doesn't turn up."
Satsuki replied, Neji stepping forward with perplexity on his face.
"Do we have anymore information on why he left all of a sudden?"
"No."
Satsuki bitterly responded, Naruko tightened her hand.
"Its probably someone forcing him! Ryou wouldn't leave like this!"
"But, who could force him?"
Choji ponders, with Satsuki guessing on a few people. But she was having a hard time discerning why this would be happening. Even when she thought of some possibilities that could happen, it still didn't make sense. And she didn't buy that he left to go and deal with Sugaru on his own, it only made her wonder why he would do that now when he had plenty of other opportunities to leave the village.
Naruko scratched her cheek, and wasn't sure on how to answer that.
"I, I don't know...but it makes sense! Ryou would only go if he was being forced to do something, he loves being here with us!"
Shikamaru looked around, as time was ticking by.
"I guess we don't have much time left. If Sakura doesn't show up within the next two minutes, we have to leave. Besides, he is fast, we have to be a good deal behind by now, unless there's a roadblock out there."
For the next two minutes, they waited for Sakura to turn up.
Some wondered why she hadn't shown up.
Shikamaru let out a breath.
"Looks like she isn't going to show up...alright, we have to get going. First, everyone is aware, our mission is to bring Ryouta Uchiha back to the village. We aren't sure of the circumstances of why he left, beyond a note he had left and that has been placed into doubt by several people."
"So you're in charge?"
Naruko asks, Shikamaru nods.
"Satsuki and I have been given co leadership of the group. Now, I have to make this clear, Ryouta Uchiha, is a Jonin level Shinobi, he is a highly dangerous combatant, and we cannot be sure if he is still on our side or not."
"He isn't our enemy, Shikamaru."
Ino scolded, Shikamaru exhaled.
"Its not what I want to think either Ino, but that's the reality before us. Now, we have to play to one another's strengths. Hinata, with your Byakugan, you shall be able to use it to look directly ahead and around that area, focusing to see if you can track down Ryouta. Kiba, you and Akamaru will do the same, but to also check if there's any traps the Byakugan might not detect, such as poison based, or other scent based attacks. Also, using your noses, you'll be the ones that track down Ryouta's scent."
Both Hinata and Kiba nod a single time.
Satsuki steps forward.
"I'll go next, if Ryou does show up, and...he is on the enemies side...then my Sharingan would be able to react to his speed first, so I could defend or alert others to the attack. Though he is incredibly fast, so we would have to do it at a perfect time."
She hated saying it as she couldn't ever imagine him wanting to fight against them.
Shikamaru agreed with what Satsuki said and continued on.
"Next, I'll go after Satsuki, and like how she can react, if she sees Ryouta attacking, then she can direct me with my shadow possession, to stop him in his tracks. After me, Ino you'll follow up behind me, and with your mind transfer ability, if I'm successful then you take control over his body so we can stop him fully. I doubt my shadow possession would hold him for long, Ryouta is a very smart combatant, and would suspect that we would go with a tactic to stop him."
Ino looked uncomfortable, and simply nods her head.
Satsuki then turns to Naruko.
"You go next. Your clones can be used as either attacking forces, or shields for everyone in front and behind you. Also, keep your eyes left."
"R...Right, got it!"
Shikamaru was glad to hear Satsuki say that, as he thought similar things.
"Then the next is Choji, being physically strong, you will be able to deliver the final blow to any surprise attacks or be able to defend those around you. Also, you shall be watching the right hand side."
Neji looks towards the pair of Chunin planning, then released a breath.
"Then I'll take up the rear."
"Using your Byakugan, you can cover any weak spots that we would have, in case the enemy cane somehow come up from behind us or have a Jutsu that activates a trap behind us after we've gone through it, and Hinata, along with Kiba hadn't spotted it for whatever reasons."
Shikamaru responded, as Satsuki walked to the front of them all.
"We have to leave now, he has sometime ahead of us, but if he us being coerced, stopped in coming home in some way, I am sure that he would do what it takes to stall. More than that, as Shikamaru said, Ryou...he is a Jonin, he is very powerful, he is very smart, we will only have the element of surprise only a single time. After that, we will have to face him head on."
Naruko thought that it took a lot for Satsuki to say that.
Understanding what this could mean, they all nodded, as Satsuki looked towards the vast sea of trees.
Knowing Ryouta was out there, she steeled herself for what could be happening next...she hoped that they would get to him in time.
Back with Ryouta and the others, landing before Shizune, the young woman along with her two fellow Ninja stopped. She was surprised to see Ryouta there, and went to speak...when she saw Kabuto was stood behind him along with the others.
"Kabuto...so, you've gone against Ryou-kun again for your snake Master." Shizune pulled out a kunai coated in poison. "Kabuto, I'll stop you right here, right now."
Shizune was determined to fight the enemy.
But, she was surprised when Kabuto showed a disinterested look on his face.
"I wont be fighting you."
Kabuto said dully.
Shizune was surprised, she didn't expect that.
But then she saw that Ryouta was stood and not fighting against them, confusing her all the more.
"Ryou-kun...why are you travelling with them?"
Ryouta didn't answer at first.
She simply couldn't understand so she asked once more.
"Ryou-kun, what's going on here? Have they kidnapped you...? What did they do to you?"
That was the only reason she could think of, since she didn't have all of the information.
Even then she wasn't sure on that. She wondered if this was a trick, if this was an illusion then she looked to Tayuya, seeing that she wasn't using her flute.
Ryouta exhaled a single time, hating that this is what he would have to do now, before addressing Shizune directly.
"Shizune-san, its unfortunate that you met us here. I was hoping to slip away quietly, and without conflict."
"Slip away...what do you mean by that?"
Ryouta looked at the other two accompanying her, and activated his speed.
Before one could react, a Chunin, he was shocked as Ryouta got there, with his eyes on his form.
Using Genjutsu, his eyes managed to captivate the mind of the man and rendered him unconscious.
Shizune watched as her other Chunin member went for Ryouta. Whipping out a kunai, he fired it for Ryouta, but the young man caught it between his fingers, and twirled it around, before the man came up with a series of punches and kicks to try and get him.
But each one, Ryouta effortlessly dodges out of the way, and keeps his composure.
"Wait! Stop this at once!"
Shizune yelled at the Chunin, but said Chunin weaved through some hand signs.
"Wind Release, Breakthrough!"
Opening his mouth, he released a strong burst of wind from his mouth that had enough power to cause a tree to have a hole blasted through it. Ryouta had managed to avoid the attack, and got behind him.
The man tried to attack Ryouta, who pulled out Kusanagi, and deflected an attack away from him, then Ryouta got super close to the man's eyes with his own, leaving him no area to look beyond his own eyes, and he activated his Genjutsu on him.
"Sleep for me."
The man couldn't fight the Genjutsu that Ryouta had cast on him, and he ended up falling unconscious.
Guren was impressed by how little chakra he was wasting, and how he was handling the enemy before him.
Tayuya looked worried, she didn't want to be attacked by this enemy.
Kabuto looked on with a smirk, but also in his eyes, it was clear that he could see the skills of Ryouta and was always careful when dealing with Ryouta.
Kimimaro was understanding more why Ryouta was the one that Orochimaru wished for. He held equal parts admiration and jealously that Ryouta would be the one who would take the place of him as the new vessel of Orochimaru. But because Orochimaru wanted him, then he was going to do his best.
Ryouta then turned to Shizune, and looked towards her with a sideways gaze.
"Shizune-san, I'm going to ask this once, please don't fight against me, I don't want to hurt you."
Shizune tightened her hand, and looked between the Ninja that was there.
Because she had seen the strength of Kabuto, and Guren, and knowing of the strength of Ryouta, she was worried about how she was going to be able to win this fight, so instead she turned to Ryouta, and pulled out a kunai.
"I don't understand what's going on, but I can't let you leave the village."
"Shizune-san, I'm sorry that you have to fight against me, I didn't want to have to fight anyone from the village."
"Why are you leaving the village? With them? Orochimaru and his henchmen, you understand what this means, don't you? They are the enemy, they want you for your eyes, and your power. You can't go with them, or you'll be turned into a puppet."
Ryouta could hear the concern within her voice, he wished to say something.
But right now, couldn't do that.
So instead, he placed his hands together, with Shizune giving a concerned look.
"I can't let you get in my way Shizune-san. Either stand down, or I'll have to fight you."
She knew Ryouta wouldn't ever say something like that.
She knew something was wrong, but she also knew that he was serious in stopping her, so she pulled out the kunai she had, and had a non lethal poison coated in it. She used it when she wanted to take people in alive.
She didn't want to do this, but she didn't have a choice, so she weaved through hand signs, and created what looked like a chakra scalpel, something Kabuto was familiar with. She then turned it towards Ryouta.
"Please don't do this."
Shizune said, her eyes beginning to become teary.
Ryouta hated this scenario, and wished that he could stop it.
Clutching Kusanagi tightly, he didn't reply to her, his eyes for a moment displayed sadness, before Ryouta willed it to go away.
"...Then I'll have to stop you!"
Shizune rushed forward, and swung for Ryouta's thigh, to try and disable him, but he repelled her hand with the side of Kusanagi, then whirled around her.
Shizune thought the speed that he could go was amazing, and devastating at the same time due to her being the one who was facing him.
"Got you!"
Seeing the location he was in, she opened the sleeve of her arm, revealing a weaponized device there that fired off countless senbons dripping with poison, enough to disable Ryouta, but the young man saw them coming with his Sharingan, and began moving as if he wad dancing.
Shizune was surprised to see how flawlessly he was avoiding the attacks, even when she used her arm to change the direction of the senbons, and he used Kusanagi to bounce them off of one another, deflecting them and keeping them away from his body.
"Amazing, his speed, its above my own. His ability to deflect such attacks with minimal effort, and keep them from going in any direction other than the one that he wished for them to go in...though if he wanted to finish me off, then he could make them come towards me. Which tells me...something more than meets the eye is going on here. He doesn't want to hurt me...so why is he with Orochimaru and his group…? Maybe he is being forced...but how would they…?"
The area scattered with poisoned senbons, and Ryouta himself landed on a single patch of ground close to Shizune that didn't have the senbons on, something Shizune suspected Ryouta did, controlling the battlefield so expertly, she understood why he was called a prodigy, why he was able to become a Jonin at such a young age.
She panted, as Ryouta twirled the blade around, wanting to conserve as much chakra as possible for the time being.
"This is it, Shizune-san."
"Not yet." She placed her hands together, and began weaving through hand signs. "Poison Mist!"
The Oto Ninja noticed Shizune breathing out a cloud of purple fog, so they backed away from the area, while Ryouta watched it coming towards him.
Without a moment to spare, he weaved through hand signs, and from his sleeves, snakes formed around him, like a tightly wrapped cocoon, leaving no inch as the poison washed over him, and the snakes, which didn't seem to be effected by the poison.
"He used the snakes as a shield. The snakes also seem to not be bothered by the poison. Its true I used a less lethal dose than I usually would, but those snakes are pretty good...even then, I have some tricks yet Ryou-kun, you might be surprised."
Shizune watched as the snakes suddenly span around him, generating enough wind pressure to push away the fog, giving Ryouta enough time to flash out of the incoming poison, and get around towards her back, his weapon at the ready to defend.
Shizune turned, and spat out several senbons from her mouth at close range, but Ryouta deflected them with his Kusanagi, only for Shizune to create a clone of herself, which also spat poison towards Ryouta in the form of a cloud.
"Clever, Shizune-san."
Ryouta vanished from sight, and got high into the trees in a matter of a moment, Shizune looked up to see him above the cloud of poison, Shizune inhaled and exhaled, seeing that this was going to be a very tricky fight, and she knew that he had very special eyes, that he hadn't even shown a hint of. More than that, she saw and now is witnessing the skills of the young Uchiha, and she was equally parts worried and praising of such a power he had.
"So, she uses poison, does she?"
Kabuto commented, Guren glanced at him.
"Yes, she did when she fought at the Sannin fight, she tried to use it on me."
"And you neglected to mention this?"
Kabuto struck with his words, Guren didn't falter, and gave a hard stare.
"I didn't see the need of it. How was I supposed to know that we would encounter her?"
"It didn't matter if we did or didn't, you needed to tell your superiors."
Guren wasn't liking this attitude that Kabuto had.
It felt like he was believing himself to be on a similar level to Orochimaru, which she thought was a mistake.
"First of all, lets get it straight that you will never be my superior. The only person I answer to is Orochimaru-sama. Orochimaru-sama placed us equally in charge of this mission. And for your information, I did inform Orochimaru-sama, I told him exactly how that encounter went down. It isn't my fault he didn't share it with you. Perhaps he doesn't trust you as much as you think he does."
"You know nothing of my loyalty to Orochimaru-sama, and our partnership. He chose to have me beside him, you only were a henchmen until lately. Learn your place."
Ryouta could see the cracks within their team, wondering truly how far they disliked one another. It was clear that neither had any affection for the other, and would throw one another on a kunai if it meant saving themselves, or even just to get rid of the other. The only thing keeping them from doing that, was their apparent loyalty to Orochimaru.
Ryouta then looked towards Shizune, who with her clone were stood opposing him from below.
"Ryou-kun...it doesn't have to be this way..."
Shizune began, and went to speak further, when Ryouta weaved through some hand signs.
"You're right, it doesn't."
As he did, he placed his hand down onto the ground, and from his hand, she saw something surprising.
It was a seal, and he was activating it.
She looked to see from the snakes left on the ground, one shot for her with said seal on, almost moving completely quietly, and she only noticed it due to the remaining poison mist that had shifted thanks to the snakes fast movements.
"Hah!"
Shizune had her clone grab the snake, as she fired off more poison mist towards Ryouta. She used her speed and technique to send a concentrated burst of poison in his direction, trying to catch him, though she suspected it probably wouldn't do that.
The mist caught him however, and he began falling to the ground.
"That was too easy..."
She knew Ryouta should have dodged that.
It didn't make sense that he wasn't able to dodge that. Especially due to the range, since she had seen him dodge things at closer range than that.
When he hit the ground, he burst into smoke.
She expected a clone...but, it was a snake.
Her eyes widened, and she turned to see the snake her clone had caught, shifted back into Ryouta, her eyes widening as the clone was dispelled, and Ryouta locked eyes with her, realizing the seal was a simple distraction.
"I'm sorry, Shizune-san."
Shizune tried to shut her eyes, but before she could, she was caught in his Genjutsu.
His Sharingan captivated her heart, and in the end, she succumb to his Genjutsu, and she fell down to the ground, unconscious.
Before she hit the ground, Ryouta caught her, and laid her flat on her back, regretfully apologizing to her within his mind, knowing to save Mikoto, and to protect her and others, he had to do this.
Meanwhile, Satsuki and the others, in their formation, began moving through the forest. A sense of unease was between them, no one even said a single thing, all concentrated on what was set before them.
Though each kept wondering if they would find Ryouta alive and well, if he was with them or against them.
So many thoughts ran through their heads, and Kiba was the one to speak up first.
"If he's with the enemy, then what do we do? We have said we'd capture him, but what next?"
"He would come back to Konoha."
Satsuki replied, believing that she would be stating the obvious.
But Kiba exhaled.
"Then what? If he wants to go, then we can't really change his mind."
"Ryou isn't the type to abandon Konoha, not without a reason. We have to find what that reason is and change it so he stays. It is as simple as that."
Naruko found herself agreeing with what Satsuki was saying.
"She's right, we're going to bring him back!"
Kiba wasn't so sure, and didn't know what to say.
Hinata who had been silent until this time, began to speak up.
"Ryou-kun...he was acting weird...yesterday, everyone thought so...so maybe he...received news...maybe someone contacted him...and is telling him to do this...maybe he was...trying to tell us...as he couldn't speak openly about it..."
Neji found himself agreeing with what Hinata said, something he wouldn't have admitted to himself before.
Satsuki also agreed with what Hinata said, happy someone was speaking some sense, and noticing the things Ryouta did before he left which were odd.
"Y-Yeah, of course! It has to be that! He was acting weird, so we will be able to save him!"
Ino cheered, Choji chuckled awkwardly.
"Still, gonna be hard to defeat the guy...if we all jumped him at once, maybe we would be able to defeat him..."
Satsuki thought without the Mangekyou, maybe that could be possible.
But with it, she was sure it wouldn't turn out like that.
"Whatever we decide, Satsuki. You know his capabilities better than the rest of us. If anyone of us know how to disable him then it is you."
Shikamaru spoke sense in Satsuki's eyes, even if neither really wanted to think like that.
But regardless, Satsuki was sure they would be able to work together to bring Ryouta back to them...
Back with Ryouta and the others, Ryouta looked at the trio he had taken down, particularly Shizune and felt disheartened on having to do this to her, anyone from Konoha, though he had made sure even with the Genjutsu, it wasn't one that would cause them to suffer, it was one that would only knock them out with positive forces.
As he did, Kabuto and the others landed on the ground, with Kabuto looking at Shizune with furrowed brows.
"If she's around, then she's a liability."
"What did you say?"
Ryouta was in a state of annoyance, even anger with Kabuto.
Kabuto however didn't seem to care, and activated his chakra scalpel.
"As I said, she is a liability. If she is found by other Konoha Ninja, then she and her little squad could be a problem for us, if more Ninja come to fight us, then it would become a nuisance. We haven't come to start a war with Konoha."
"No, just carrying it on from that other time you started the war with Konoha."
Ryouta replied with his words laced with anger.
Kabuto relented slightly, seeing the serious look on Ryouta's face.
But, his attitude about serving Orochimaru, and keeping his duties going, wouldn't allow him to simply stop now, and do what he thought would be best.
"Ryou-kun, its best to make sure that Mikoto is saved, isn't it? What's Shizune's life compared to Mikoto's?"
"If you're asking me that, then you really know nothing about me at all, do you?"
"You would care for this woman, more than Mikoto? You would save her, and let Mikoto die?"
Kabuto smirked, believing that he had the upper hand.
Ryouta proved why that wasn't the case.
"Mikoto-san would hate it if someones life was sacrificed to save her own and I feel the same. I wouldn't want anyone to be killed for me. So if you take one step against Shizune-san or anyone from Konoha, then the deals off, and I'll kill all of you right here, right now. Think carefully of your answer."
Kabuto looked towards Ryouta, then towards Shizune and the others on the ground.
He didn't say anything at first, and kept quiet.
But soon, he sighed.
"Fine, do what you want."
When he said that, Ryouta knew he had him, Kabuto wouldn't defy his master, nor would he easily tangle with Ryouta either, thanks to his eyes, and skills that he had witnessed, it was all going into Ryouta's plans and what he thought would be the best way to deal with all those present.
"Then give me a little time, I have to make sure that nothing happens to them as they sleep. So you will have to be patient and wait."
"If this is a stalling tactic..." Kusanagi aimed for Kabuto's neck, Kabuto stiffened his body, with a bead of sweat rolling down his cheek. "...alright, that's fair."
"I thought you'd see it my way Kabuto."
Tayuya thought it was pretty funny how Kabuto relented, it showed Kabuto did have some fear for Ryouta within him. Whether it was fear in general for him, fear for Orochimaru of what he could do to him if he tried something, or if it was a fear of the two, she wasn't quite sure, though she suspected it was fear of both of them.
In the end, she thought "He's pretty cool." though kept those thoughts to herself for the time being.
As that was going on, Tsunade was contemplating if she was doing the right thing. And what Ryouta was up to with leaving the village. Like Satsuki, she didn't understand why he would leave, even with the reasons he had given.
Examining the paper, she didn't see anything that could allude to what was going on inside of his mind right now.
"Sending such young Ninja, I wish other Ninja were around. What they could do to bring him back. If I wasn't the Hokage, I would have gone myself. But I also have to think of the village, and because we're low on Ninja right now...even then, I hate sitting around, doing nothing at all...there has to be something else I can do..."
Tsunade sighed deeply.
She felt like hitting something to get out her frustrations.
However, in the end, she had to remain calm…
That was until she heard the sound of something hissing.
Suspecting it to be a snake, she whirled around in her chair, and saw that at the corner of her Hokage office, there was a crack in the wall, which seemed to have been made recently. She couldn't recall it being there before.
"Orochimaru...or Ryouta?"
She only knew of two people that would send a snake, three if Anko was countered but she wouldn't have a reason to send a snake like this, so Tsunade was very cautious. This could be an ally, or an enemy, and she wasn't entirely sure which one was which.
She approached with the utmost caution.
Standing before it, but at a distance in case some snake tried to bite her, she got ready to do what was necessary.
As she waited, she saw a snakes head poke its way through.
Confusion wrote on her face, as the snake opened its mouth wide, and revealed what looked like a note.
She bent down, and picked up said note, beginning to read it to herself.
As she did, her eyes became wide, and then she developed a horror filled look on her face.
But then as she read the end of the note...she understood.
"I knew it, I understand now Ryouta..."
Tsunade quickly placed the note in her pocket, and rushed out of her office.
Determination on her face, Tsunade knew what she was supposed to do now, how she was going to make a difference.
End chapter!
So this chapter focused on building the team to go after Ryouta, with various people not believing Ryouta would simply abandon the village, and Ryouta himself dealing with Kabuto and the others, studying their behaviours, and putting more of his plans into motion, while having to regretfully confront Shizune, slowing their progress towards Mikoto, and also not allowing Kabuto or the rest of them to harm anyone from Konoha to the best of his ability. Then at the end, it seems some of Ryouta's plan is beginning to come together, with Tsunade doing something, and whats going on with Sakura, we shall soon see.
Also, for those wondering, the poll shall be closing on Sunday, so those that wish to vote and haven't can still do, and to those that have voted, thank you very much!
Well, until next time, thanks for reading!
Ryouta; Satsuki, Sakura, Naruko, Hinata, Gaara (fem), Ino, Haku (fem), Kurotsuchi, Karin, Konan, Mei, Anko, Samui, Hanabi, Mabui, Temari, Pakura, Fu,