CHAPTER 4
If Sasuke and Sakura were connected to what happened five years ago, there must be a way they would communicate with each other. Naruto has been itching to learn who the accomplices were, and how they did it. So far, he narrowed it down to Suigetsu, Jūgo or Karin. Then again, it could be all of them since they were Sasuke's men. If there was any information – even minor details – he wanted to know it. He knew that involving in Uchiha's business was risky, but if Sasuke and Sakura did talk about him in the last moment of the battle, he refused to be left out.
He needed a proper plan that could not be traced back to him. Thus, he decided to pitch a faux intel with Shikamaru – the one he could rely on when dealing with ideas. After informing his friend everything about Sasuke and Sakura, he was alarmed and suspicious; fearing that the Uchiha would betray Konoha again. Naruto refused to believe such thing would happen again with Sasuke and assured his friend that the Uchiha was just hiding vital information about Sakura and perhaps her whereabouts.
"Are you certain of this?" Sasuke asked with a manner of doubt as he glanced through the message once again.
"That is the recent report from the Sunagakure," said the Hokage. "They claimed a woman with pink hair was spotted in a western hidden village. The villagers were asked to describe her features. I don't think this is Sakura either, but they reported it in anyway."
"Where is Kakashi?" he asked.
"In Kumogakure; meeting with the Raikage. We've sent him a message. He'll return by next week, at most." The Hokage glanced from Sasuke to Naruto. "Since he's not around to make the decision, I need your opinion on this."
Kurama, Naruto called.
I don't sense anything... yet.
Tell me if you do.
"Where did you say the village is?" Sasuke pressed on for more details.
"A remote village located somewhere in the west region. It's called Shinkirōgakure."
"Village of Mirage? Are you sure?"
She nodded for confirmation.
"It's the only hidden village located there. I don't see any other village but them," she pointed the location of the village on the huge map that was hung from the wall.
"It's been years since the Fourth War, and we've yet to hear news about our enemies' whereabouts. Then some villagers claimed that Sakura has been roaming around in a remote village that no one has practically heard of – alone? That's impossible and weird; they wouldn't let her. As far I know, an Uchiha would never make a mistake of allowing people to remember that she was there. Why this clumsy mistake when they have successfully hidden themselves from the eyes of the world all this time? And if it'd been true, they would've compelled the whole village to forget their existence. It's the Uchiha way. This is fake report."
Naruto watched as Sasuke tossed the message on the Hokage's table.
"What if they did make a mistake? What if some of them are not affected by the genjutsu?" he challenged his friend, fishing for information.
For a moment, Kurama sensed anger in the raven-hair shinobi.
"No one can escape a Sharingan user; and even if they do, we'll eradicate them," he answered coldly.
"Eradicate them? Meaning, kill innocent people?"
Intense silence filled the room as they glared at each other. Naruto's brows twitched upon hearing Sasuke's answer – cruel and inhumane. Not too long later, the Uchiha made the first move to break their staring competition and focused his explanation to the Hokage instead.
"Sakura would know what to do the moment she has the chance to escape. She's strong and intelligent. She has a plan."
It was not Sakura's characteristics that concerned him. It was Sasuke's last statement, indicating that she has never wanted to include him in her plan from the beginning. All this time, he had believed that she was taken by the enemy against her will. Instead, she chose the enemy over the Alliance. Terrible rumours about her spread like wildfire to the extent that some people regarded her act as a betrayal. Soon enough, her name – along with her family – was tainted as the enemy of the Shinobi Alliance. In that instant, it felt as though his heart was stabbed by her betrayal again – not against Konoha, but against him. What has he done to deserve this treatment? Even worse, why did she choose Sasuke over him in this plan of hers? Did she not trust him enough?
Naruto-yo, ask him about the Anbu spies – their findings on Sakura.
"If what you've said is true, what about the Anbu report? Their information must be fabricated by our enemy's compulsion since it always ends up in empty-handed."
"Indeed, compelling someone to forget or erase their memory is one of Uchiha's techniques. Hence why I've requested a Yamanaka to conduct physical and mind-screening test on our Anbu spies upon returning from their missions. Ino has agreed to help me with this test of extracting the information out. So far, she came up with zero result. It's as though the memories have been erased and replaced with well forged ones."
"If Ino is unable to retrieve information, then no other Yamanaka could," he paused, "unless you're an Uchiha. You can break the compulsion if you want to. Then again, you already know that."
Silence filled the room once more. For a short while, Kurama sensed the Uchiha's temper.
"One simply cannot break this seal so easily. If anyone tries, their eyes will immediately burn."
"So, we can't crack the minds' code, but we know the locations of the Anbu's missions. We can investigate from there," the Hokage pitched in.
Sasuke sighed and moved beside the Hokage, staring at the huge world map on the wall.
"If it's that simple, I would have tracked them down already. Like a needle in a haystack, the Anbu spies are scattered across all five countries, making it impossible to find the exact location. However, there's no harm in making an investigation. With or without your permission, Godaime, I would like to set up a team of my own to make a trip to Shinkirōgakure."
The Hokage turned to face Sasuke.
"You seem to prefer to do things on your own – without my acknowledge or approval. The last time I checked, I'm the Kage of this village."
"The last time I checked, the Uchiha is the founder of this hidden village, and the one who named it. You may have the legacy of the Will of Fire, but the Uchiha have the rights to claim Konohagakure. Also, since the line of Senju clan is dying, all rights will go to the next heir – making me the next Kage."
"A Kage has no birth rights, cocky brat," she grumbled and return her focus on the situation about her pupil. "Prepare a team of four shinobi with members of your own choice. You have exactly two weeks for this investigation. I'll request the Sands to accompany you to Shinkirōgakure."
While walking out of the Hokage's office, the strongest Shinobi of Konoha argued among themselves regarding the role of team leader. Naruto casted a self-vote.
"You're not going to be the leader," Sasuke claimed, "because I'm the capable one."
"Bastard, I have ties with the Sands!" he countered.
Tsunade stood and watched as two of her strongest men argued over a childish thing. There could only be one. Uzumaki Naruto has the love of the people of Konoha. Whereas for Uchiha Sasuke, he has the strategic mind and skills of a Kage, including birth rights. Although she had said that a Kage has no birth rights, earlier documentation written by her grandfather proved otherwise. The more she thought about it, the more guilty she felt about what her family had done to the Uchiha clan. Still, there was dark aura surrounding the young Uchiha; and she wondered if she should follow the Nidaime's footsteps in betraying the Uchiha again to protect the people of Konoha from his revenge.
Naruto lay back on his couch and took a long sip on his beer, reflecting on every information he had just learned from his friend.
The young Uchiha knew about this vital information, and I'm quite amazed that he has kept it to himself all this time. He even managed to keep that Yamanaka girl silence.
"Sasuke knew the reason why Sakura-chan left the village as well. It's more likely that he's trying to find her by himself," he paused. "He did ask for Kakashi-sensei. Do you think Sakura will contact through space-time jutsu?"
Unlikely. Only that cursed Uchiha and the White Fang have connection to each other. Your woman is not an Uchiha; she won't be able to carry the power of the Sharingan. However, if I'm to make a guess, there must be something unique about her that has caught our enemy's attention.
"Sakura-chan is super strong, equalized to Tsunade-baachan. That bastard probably took her for himself so that she could heal him twenty-four seven."
I got the feeling that is not the true reason.
Naruto glanced to the surroundings of his apartment. It was a mess. Rubbish was not thrown out, dirty laundries were practically everywhere; even the used plates, bowls and cups were kept in the sink – unwashed and untouched for probably two days. Ever since he was given the title Hero of Konoha, the people of the village had wanted to offer him a mansion, as huge as the Hyuga's. He refused those offers because he knew that he has difficulty in keeping his apartment clean. He also knew that Sakura would be furious had she learned that his poor habits remain unchanged.
He smiled at that thought of her yelling at him.
At most, she'll unleash the Fist of Fury upon you, and I'll heal you with my chakra quickly, Kurama commented.
"Is that a joke I'm detecting?" he chuckled at his partner's first attempt before taking another sip on his beer.
"Kurama, what was Madara like when you were under his control?" There was no response and immediately, he thought that his partner has gone to sleep. He called again, "Kura–"
He was a man who has thirst for power; the type who was cruel and manipulative. With sweet words came poison, he would use people to his heart content. Your woman is not safe with him.
"She has a plan," Naruto mumbled as he finished up his beer, drunk himself in sorrow. His heart was breaking at the thoughts of Sakura's decision of leaving both him and Konoha. And Sasuke was the only person who knew the reason why. More reason that he could not fully blame Sasuke for it because it was Sakura's choice from the beginning.
Naruto-yo, Kurama called.
"Yeah?" he nearly dozed off in his response.
He was angry... Darkness still dwells within his heart.
That dobe has already suspected me, Sasuke complained silently as he lay back on his chair in his studies. Books on ancient villages were left open, but he did not bother to read it.
He knew the meeting would happen one day, the kind that would involve Sakura in their main discussion. So, he had everything – all the loophole questions and alternative answers prepared to counter any argument. What caught him off-guard though, was Naruto who had drilled him with nonstop sensible questions. He has underestimated the Hero of Konoha. The guy was indeed sharper and smarter, but to question him about Sakura all the sudden meaning that his friend must have known something and wanted answers directly from the source. To make matter worse, Naruto had utilized the Kyūbi's power as a lying-cum-emotion detector to sense out his lies. He knew this by giving out a portion of his hatred during that meeting, and then observed Naruto's reaction.
Sneaky bastard, he thought, displeased by the idea of someone capable to read him.
A gentle knock on the door of his studies steered his thoughts away. It was Ino, one of his ex-classmates and best friend to Sakura. She was here to deliver her weekly updates on the test she did on the Anbu spies. He noticed her skin was oddly pale as a sheet. Using his Sharingan, he read her and realized that her chakra must have been drained due to those endless process with the spies. He imagined the stress and pressure she must have gone through. Hence why he did not bother to press her on results.
He quickly gestured her to take a seat and drink his water. She gladly took the offer.
"You shouldn't have come," he said before adding, "Your report can wait after my return from the mission."
"Just doing my part to find Sakura."
Her smile wavered. She then sighed – disappointedly – and shook her head before apologizing as there was nothing to report.
"Still, don't push yourself. It's not necessary," he paused and came up with an idea. "If it's too much for you, get one of your trusted clansmen to help you out."
"No, the technique I'm using is difficult to cast, not to mention dangerous; one wrong move and it snaps the blood vessel in the brain, causing permanent damage. Only a well-trained and experienced Yamanaka can take the pressure."
He nodded. It was the only thing he could do.
"How did the meeting go?" she asked, intending to change the subject.
"Not good. Naruto was onto me. I figured he was fishing for information about Sakura," he answered, without a sense of worry in his voice.
Ino slowly approached, resting her chin on her hand.
"You didn't provide them the whole truth about the Anbu, did you? I thought you said to keep this a secret."
"It still needs to be a secret. I bended the truth to keep them out of investigation."
The truth was that the Anbu spies were indeed under a powerful compulsion. What he omitted from telling them was that a complicated Dōjutsu seal was used to compel these spies, followed by Amaterasu – a trap to burn whoever intended to break it. If anyone – even the non-Mangekyō Sharingan user – tried to unseal it, it would burn their eyes along with the victim who carried this seal.
As an Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan user, of course he was able to break the Dōjutsu seal and dispel Amaterasu. What bothered him was another seal underneath it; the type of seal that he has never seen before. He studied the symbol for a while, memorizing each of its odd shape. As he attempted to break the second seal, the Anbu spy threw a fit and then the body suddenly combusted with black flames of Amaterasu. He did not dare to make another attempt to break the seal; figured that it would likely to end up in the same result – victim's death.
In the light of this, Sasuke could not tell if it was luck or simply coincidence.
The moment after he read the Sands' message, he knew that the intel was fake; the information about a pink-headed woman in the west was just a set-up – probably designed by Naruto and Shikamaru – to interrogate him on the truth about Sakura. Yet, it was not the fake intel that intrigued him; it was the village called Shinkirōgakure.
He had searched through every book and scroll in the Konoha library. Yet, nothing has come close to the exact shape of the symbol. He turned to Orochimaru and enquired if there was an ancient text or language that used symbols as a way of communication. Unfortunately, such language was long gone and forgotten; to revive a dead language would take an astounding amount of patience, effort, and research. As much as he wanted immediate answers, unsealing the seal would be impossible without the knowledge of the symbol. Hence why he had Jūgo, Suigetsu and Karin travelled across the five nations to search for ancient villages with evidence of symbolic text. Coincidentally, the Village of Mirage came up in their findings. So, despite Naruto's attempts to fish him for information, the faux intel has created an opportunity for him to sneak into that village and solve the riddle of the symbolic seal.
After the last discussion, Ino stood up and was about leave when Sasuke stopped her.
"It's really late. Since I'll be busy packing, I can't send you home. You can stay overnight here."
She arched her eyebrows at his suggestion.
"That's thoughtful of you, but I heard you charge people for that?"
"The difference is that you're not a freeloader. So, stay," he insisted, "You can take any room on the south-wing."
She smiled, expressing her gratitude for his concern.
"I'm sorry. As much as I need the sleep right now, I really can't stay. My parents expect me to be home," she paused to explain before she took her leave, "It's not that they hate you, Sasuke-kun. They're just worried."
He did not need further explanation. Ino's parents – along with everyone else in this village – have yet to trust him. They have every right to be worried, or more likely afraid. There was never a need for him to apologize, nor for him to make amends on what he did in the past. There was also never a need to prove to anyone about who he was and what he would be.
For now, he needed to focus on his mission to solve the symbolic seal and bring Sakura home.