We have a few things happening in rapid succession as they take care of the second exam mishap: Kakashi and Naruto, our favorite uncle and niece duo, Kakashi and Sarada, and Sasuke and...himself. He lives that lonely life.

3:17 am

Kakashi burst into the Hokage's office to find Naruto and Shikamaru drinking tea to stay awake and alert throughout the second exam. He knew they were awake to oversee in case anything happened, yet the situation he was about to bring was probably even more than either of them bargained for.

Naruto's face instantly fell upon seeing his sensei at his door in the middle of the night. He knew Kakashi stationed himself outside of the exams to keep a watch himself, and if he was here just hours after the second exam began…

"What happened?" he demanded, immediately rising to his feet.

Kakashi wasted no time. "White zetsu has been spotted in the exams."

"What?" Naruto and Shikamaru spat simultaneously.

Kakashi marched to the desk and grabbed the first piece of paper he saw and a pen to begin writing down all the details he knew.

"They were impersonating Cho Cho and Inojin and immobilized them-"

"Cho Cho and Inojin?!" Shikamaru blurted.

"-and attacked Boruto, Sarada, and Mitsuki. The three immediately came to the base to alert us then Sai instantly found me, and I came here right away, so we haven't lost a lot of time. They dispatched the other jonin to clear the forest and chaperone all genin back to the base, and then they're going to do a sweep to see if there are more white zetsu."

"Do you think this has anything to do with the Akatsuki?" Shikamaru turned to Naruto.

"The Akatsuki?" Kakashi asked. His ears instantly peaked at the word. Itachi was right- Naruto is onto it.

Naruto began to sift through papers on his desk. "It could very well be. What are the odds that we hear rumors of the Akatsuki, including internal rumors, and then white zetsu appear during the exams?" He picked up a pen and began to scribble a letter on a scroll. "I need to contact Sasuke right away and let him know."

"Where's Sasuke?"

"He's out searching for any clues right now as well. Our own searches have turned nothing up, but this information could help him."

"I agree," Kakashi concluded. But his mind was also elsewhere. He thought of Itachi and the danger he and Sarada and Mitsuki could be in that close to the white zetsu. And if the zetsu proved to be a part of the Akatsuki, it had all managed to infiltrate the village right under their noses. How much danger was everyone in, actually? They seemed even stronger than before if this was the case.

"So what do we do about the exams?" Shikamaru then asked. "We're damned if we do, damned if we don't."

"What do you mean?" Naruto asked. "Of course we have to stop the exams."

Kakashi and Shikamaru exchanged glances. "Mm, think of what that would look like to everyone else," Kakashi offered. "If there's word there is an internal issue, this could create problems and leave gaps for more zetsus to come in because we will be spread more thin among potential conflicts. We can't allow anyone to think there's an issue. Alert the other kages to be on their guard but I think it's best if the exam goes on."

"I agree. We have to handle this the best we can. We can delay it by a day or two in case we find anything, but I think it's in our best interest if we continue. Plus, all the kage are in one place in case anything happens."

Naruto sighed. "You're right. Shit." He rolled up the scroll to send to Sasuke. "So what now? Re-do the second test, right?"

"Well...that's up to you." Kakashi smirked. "Team seven received the scroll before they returned with the news. Are you going to make them re-do it?"

Shikamaru chuckled. "Wow, attacked by white zetsu and still finished the test? That definitely shows some promise."

Naruto sighed. "We will assess the situation and re-do the test tomorrow," he decided. "They can have the day to recuperate and they can have the choice whether or not they want to continue. But before we decide that for sure, I'm going to talk to the kage, and Kakashi, you come back with updates."

"Right."

Kakashi then turned to Shikamaru. "And I'll let you know if we find anything out about Inojin and Cho Cho. Are you going to tell Shikadai?"

"No. Not tonight," he sighed. "This is a big drag and I don't want to put that on him until I have to."

Kakashi nodded knowingly then headed back out the door without another word. He had a lot to think over and piece together, and he needed to get Itachi alone as soon as he could.

3:50 am

By the time he returned to the base, the jonin had recovered most of the genin and were escorting them, small and scared, up to the tower. He followed them inside. The children were quiet and many of them had taken to huddling together for warmth and sleep. He wanted to grab Itachi to take him aside so they could talk privately, but he found he had succumbed to his own exhaustion as well. His heart melted at the sight. If only you could see this Sasuke, he couldn't help but think.

Sarada was curled up in Itachi's lap. Though the sight of seeing her against Boruto in such a manner might have irked a parental nerve in Sasuke, Kakashi knowing who Boruto really was made the whole sight take on a new meaning. Itachi had a hand atop her head and another on her back, keeping her close to him; his back was upright against the wall with his head lolled on his shoulder, as though he didn't allow himself a more preferable position to try to keep Sarada comfortable.

Kakashi frowned. Being out there with an enemy like white zetsu, how did Itachi feel in that moment knowing his family was in danger? What did he think, knowing he almost lost another family member right in front of him? He turned away to let them have their privacy and walked over to Sai who was comforting his own son.

"We almost have all the genin," Sai informed Kakashi, not looking up at him.

"How are Cho Cho and Inojin?" The two lay side by side on the floor, eyes closed and breathing shallowly. Kakashi could see the beads of sweat dripping off both their faces as they breathed through whatever pain was rushing through their bodies.

"Stable," Sai said quietly and wiped Inojin's face. "They just need to rest now. As soon as it's safe we'll transport them to the hospital but they are both stable enough."

Kakashi just nodded and turned away. "Sai…" The words barely hung on the end of his tongue. A shadow had fallen over him since team seven arrived with the white zetsu news, and he suddenly wanted to tell what he knew, to keep someone in the loop, knowing that the enemy was that close. How could he keep this a secret now, knowing what he knew about the Akatsuki and team seven? Even if he didn't have any final conclusions drawn, he knew white zetsu and the Akatsuki were somehow related, and he, Yamato, and Itachi were the only ones who had the real side of the Akatsuki right now. Maybe this was more than they could handle...more lives were at stake obviously. They attacked the Chunin exams for god's sake!

He glanced over at Itachi in Boruto's body sleeping in the corner. But if they disclosed their knowledge about the Akatsuki, they'd also have to explain Itachi. And how could they explain that? Could they handle the truth about Itachi? No. No, he couldn't say anything yet. He was the sixth Hokage, dammit. He had handled a hell of a lot more on his own. He had to make it just a little longer. But still, he needed to talk to Itachi.

"What?" Sai asked. He was staring up at Kakashi now, concern lining his face.

"Nothing," Kakashi lied and turned away to aid the others.

5:09 am

"That's smart, Naruto." Gaara raised his hands to his mouth and he closed his eyes in thought. The kages all sat in a circle for an emergency meeting after Naruto called them all together as soon as he talked to Kakashi. "I agree. The exams stay on. We're all here together and if something happens, we can eliminate it while we are here. No need to let other villages believe there is turmoil and we can't handle it."

Chojuro nodded and replied, "So it's settled then. The exam continues."

The other kages nodded in agreement. The discussion they just had was short and they all easily came to the same consensus; they defeated white zetsus before as a fledgling alliance, so they could definitely do it again.

"The only question next is, who is behind this? And why?" Darui leaned back in his chair and looked around at each of the kage who regarded him silently.

After a heavy pause, Naruto finally spoke. "I'm not sure. But we're going to figure it out. It's in my village, it's my responsibility." He stood up now to face the window at the sun that barely peeked over the horizon. By now all the students were at the base and safely sleeping. "We can handle this."

Suddenly, a knock from the door sounded and a guard entered with Kakashi at his heels. "I apologize for interrupting," Kakashi announced and lowered himself respectfully to the floor. "I have updates regarding the genin and the second exam."

"Please, Lord Sixth, come join us," Gaara implored.

Kakashi rose and stepped further in the room. "The genin are all accounted for and no more white zetsus have been found," he updated. "No casualties and no major injuries. Cho Cho Akimichi and Inojin Yamanaka are battered but are in stable condition; as of right now they cannot tell us anything, but we hope to get some information from them as they recover."

Naruto nodded. "Thank you, Kakashi-sensei."

Kakashi nodded and retreated from the room to leave them to their business. A tingle of gratitude was working its way up his spine; thank the heavens did not have to deal with the politics of these conflicts anymore.

7:37 am

"We had a potential security breach but nothing was found so there is no reason for you to be concerned."

The genin had been roused from sleep and now listened with hooded eyes to Sai's address about the upcoming events. "Because the second test was compromised, we have an opportunity to do it again tomorrow. If you already possessed both scrolls-" He paused to look at team seven and two teams from the Hidden Sand. "-Then you pass onto round three. Later today you will be addressed by your respective kages. Do you have any questions?"

The teams stared blankly not knowing what to say. Even Itachi felt like his body had been battered to pieces; even if he wasn't necessarily physically hurt, so much had happened, so much had changed, and his body carried the heavy knowledge in its cells.

The genin were released and supervised until they reached the gates. Itachi sucked in a shivering breath before stretching out his aching muscles for the journey home. The morning frost outside permeated the walls and he couldn't wait to shower and shed the night from his skin. But before team seven had a chance to reach the door, Sai bisected them and the Hidden Sand teams who also retrieved the scrolls.

"I need to speak to you before you leave," he began. "We decided to do some legwork and the next test is going to start right away in two days. We're not giving extra time to prepare this time. With that being said, we decided to match you nine up since you made it to the finals, and we have your opponents." He began to list off the names of opponents. After each duo, the two genin threw a hard glance at one another to give an intimidating first impression. Of course he'd have to play the intimidating part as well if he wanted to fit in, Itachi thought, even though the test was the last name on his mind.

However, as Sai read off his name, his stomach dropped. "Boruto Uzumaki, your opponent is Sarada Uchiha."

"What." Nonono. Sarada and Itachi locked eyes, and he could feel his face redden. Shit. He'd have to face her? They hadn't even cleared the air after their argument about him "not telling her" about the Uchiha Massacre, and now they were forced against each other again.

He couldn't read Sarada's eyes as her glare pasted onto his; she just locked her jaw after a moment and then turned her attention back to Sai.

"Rest up," Sai finished, "and we will see you in forty-eight hours."

The genin were all silent as they retreated back to the gates with their jonin chaperone. Itachi knew that it was probable he would have to face off against a comrade- it happened every year, of course- but there was something about having to face his niece after he already gave himself, his sharingan away, that made him uneasy. He felt more exposed than he ever had, and he was already struggling to keep it together. He didn't mind Sarada being upset at him; after all, it was like a child who is upset about not being allowed two cookies after dinner because she doesn't understand what's good for her. He was protecting her; he had his reasons for the massacre and he had his reasons for keeping secrets now, obviously. But facing her, when she didn't know his full strength, and he didn't even know his full strength, just felt wrong. And though he could handle their relationship wobbling because of what he was holding back from her, he still didn't want it to be on thin ice more than it already was.

Updating Kakashi personally could wait: he knew he needed to talk with her first to try to air their relationship out the best as he possibly could before the test.

As they finally reached the gates, Itachi called out to her. "Hey, Sarada," he tried smoothly. "Do you want to meet up to talk about the next test?"

She turned to face him and he could see the bags beginning to form under her eyes. He thought about how just hours before she was curled up against him, but now with her hand on her hips and her lips pursed, she had built a wall between them; they were opponents in this moment, not teammates.

"Sure," she said. "Can we go home and rest for a bit first? Shower and eat? And then I'll meet you at the Senju Park?"

SARADA'S DIARY

I knew he'd want to meet up about the test; Boruto couldn't resist any chance to exert his dominance and try to intimidate me. Of course I played into his trap; I knew it was my chance to ask him about the sharingan. I knew I could corner him. I knew he'd agree. Now it's my turn to play my cards.

Naruto had not informed Hinata about the white zetsu by the time Itachi returned home; Itachi didn't know it, but Naruto wanted to tell her in person to give her time to process and ask questions. He didn't want to leave his wife terrified about their son with no answers; he wanted to give her time to hold onto him, to cry, if need be. They all still had PTSD from the war and the term "white zetsu" could summon a nasty reaction out of even the most seasoned shinobi. If she knew her son had been up against one, Naruto didn't know how she'd react.

"Hey, Mom," he called out wearily.

"Wow, the test is finished already?" Hinata popped her head out of the kitchen, clearly surprised. Itachi didn't want to go into it with her, so he just shrugged, knowing she'd most likely hear about it later.

"I'll make some breakfast." She smiled, thinking his silence was due to exhaustion. "You go shower."

Twenty minutes later Itachi was chewing his eggs slowly and thinking about what he was going to say to Sarada.

"Hey, Mom…" he started. He just wanted to tell someone. "I have to go against Sarada in the third part of the exam."

Hinata's eyes widened for a moment. "Oh," she said grimly. "How do you feel about that? That's your teammate."

How would Boruto feel about this? In this particular moment no feeling came to mind. Boruto's emotions and reactions would emerge quite frequently, but today it was as though he was just...numb. Itachi just shrugged again. "I don't like feeling like we're opponents," he settled on.

"Well, just think of it this way: you're just helping each other become stronger versions of yourselves. You're not true opponents. You are just proving your strength as shinobi, and if you can unleash that out with a comrade, you can show just how truly strong you are. I know you wouldn't truly hurt her and she wouldn't hurt you; you're both so strong though, so use this as a way to compliment each other's strengths."

"So like I'm helping her become a chunin."

"Exactly. You're helping each other get there. You're just using each other as stepping stools to support. She knows you better than anyone else and you her, so if she's still able to defeat you, and you her, you can do anything."

"Do you think this will ruin our friendship?" Itachi heard his mouth blurt. Whatever little part of Boruto's feelings he retained had finally wormed its way out.

Hinata laughed softly. "No, dear, of course not. She's your best friend. Friendships like yours are not going to end that easily."

Friendships like yours are not going to end that easily. He held that hope in his heart as he traveled to the park to lay out what he could.

By the time he arrived, Sarada was already sitting on the swings. She was dragging her feet in the sand, swinging over the same area over and over to dig a deeper hole. Hearing him approach, she raised her head.

"Hey," she said coolly.

"Hey, enemy number one," he tried to joke.

He saw a small smirk on her face, but it immediately vanished. "What did you want to talk about?" she asked. She definitely just gets to the point. "Because if you're here to talk strategy, those are my only secrets I'll keep."

She paused; he suspected what was coming next.

"Unlike you," she finished curtly.

"Sarada." He sat on the swing next to her. "I'm sorry. I came to apologize. I'm so, so sorry for hurting you. We didn't even have time to talk about it when we arrived at base. I didn't mean to keep knowing about...about your clan's death from you." Internally he winced, but he still had the composure built up of years and years of hardening himself, so he just lightly kicked her foot with his. She moved away.

"That's something you tell someone," she insisted.

"How do you just bring something like that up?" he pointed out.

"True but…" She paused. "The other night I told you how I felt about my dad leaving. I know we're teammates but I really let my guard down. And here you were this whole time, having just the kind of information I crave. It hurt. I don't know why he trusts you with more stuff than me," she muttered.

He doesn't. I'm the one who did it. "That has to be hard," Itachi whispered. He knew in his core that there was no way Sasuke told the real Boruto that if he didn't even tell his daughter; he could see from just the few times he trained with him that Sasuke was closed off to the situation as a whole, bearing the weight of that burden alone.

"I was embarrassed," she continued. "I'm sorry for getting so upset at you, but can you see where I'm coming from? I hate feeling like you and Mitsuki are hiding stuff from me."

Itachi nodded. "Definitely. We're teammates." Best friends, he heard Hinata's voice echo. "Best friends."

But Sarada kicked her feet back and hung forward on the swing to where her hair covered the sides of her face. tachi couldn't see her expression. "Are we?" she asked softly after a moment.

"Are we what?"

"Best friends." Sarada looked up at him. Her eyes were coal black, cold and determined, the look of the Uchiha that he recognized instantly. "Because best friends tell each other things."

"I just said that I was sorry for not telling you that," he maintained. "Really. How can I make it up to you?"

"No," she said squarely. "That's not what I'm talking about anymore. I'm talking about what happened to your eyes during the test."

Shit. No no no- Itachi dragged his toes into the sand to stop the swing. "Nothing," he replied lightly. "I told you this last night. You and Mitsuki were-"

"Seeing things? Both of us? Do you really expect me to believe that, Boruto?" She twisted the swing to completely face him. "You know that's not true. You just said we were best friends and apologized for keeping something major from me, but you're still insisting on lying?"

You can't handle the truth, he wanted to yell. He wanted to get up in her face and shake her to make her see. This is for the best. He wanted to explain, just like he wanted to apologize to Sasuke after That Night. He remembered the tears clouding his eyes as he looked back at Sasuke one last time, the tiny little Sasuke crumpled on the ground wondering why why why. To test my abilities, he had lied. Now he was lying again and just as before, he couldn't explain himself.

"Sarada, really," he lied smoothly. "I don't know why you don't trust me right now."

"Don't pull that card," she hissed. "Did you forget about the trust I put in you! That's our whole friendship- my life is in your hands every single mission! We passed the first test because I chose to trust you because I know you wouldn't lie to me or Mitsuki for personal gain! So what is happening that has you lying now? I trust you but I also trust my own eyes! Why don't you just tell me the truth?" Her knuckles whitened as she gripped the swing chains.

Why are you so stubborn like your dad? Why can't you just do what I set out before you and just accept what I'm saying?

"There is nothing wrong with my eyes." He could hear his voice growing in volume, but he wouldn't allow himself to reach her level. "If you choose not to believe me that's on you." Oh, great, Itachi, now you're gaslighting a little girl. Nice.

Sarada then scoffed and turned her whole body away. "Fine," she said softly after a moment. "If you aren't going to tell me then I guess we're done here. I guess I don't know you like I thought."

She stood and finally faced him, and Itachi could see the disdain radiating out of her eyes toward him. "And tell me one more thing before I go. Are you still staying in the Anbu? We never fully finished our conversation on that. You were acting just as weird the other night as you are now."

"Yes," was all he knew he could say if he wanted to keep any sliver of credibility left.

Her eyes softened only slightly, but it was enough for him. "Then we both need to be on our A-game because we didn't get a chance to see them during the test because of what happened. I'm sure they'll be doubly watching. And I'm not going to let you screw this up for me, so bring your all." And with that, she turned on her heel and walked away.

Itachi didn't call her back, just as he didn't turn back to comfort Sasuke sobbing for his family on the bloodsoaked pavement. He had to keep his narrative: last time as a coldblooded killer, this time as Boruto Uzumaki. Once again, he couldn't be his true self, and it was all to protect his family.

Kakashi was walking toward the Uzumaki home to find Itachi and finally discuss the firsthand account of white zetsu when he passed a hurrying and clearly steaming Sarada. "Whoa, Sarada, what's wrong?" He casually slid in front of her and stuck his arm out to slow her down because she clearly was too distracted to notice him. "How was the first test?"

Sarada looked up into Kakashi's face and he watched in horror as her mouth morphed into a frown like she was holding in a sob.

"Lord Sixth," she squeaked. "I have a question."

SARADA'S DIARY

I didn't mean to fall apart on Uncle Kakashi, really I didn't. But everything with Boruto just fell apart. Call it the exhaustion, but I couldn't hold it in. I needed answers. Never with my team had I felt so alone and so betrayed. Boruto was continuing to lie to me, and it took me right back to the tree, the feeling like a punch in the gut out of nowhere. Kakashi was just there and had always been a trusted adult in my life. If there was anyone who would tell me the truth, it'd be him.

"Of course, you can ask me anything." Kakashi placed a hand on her shoulder and ushered her to a bench off the path. "What happened? Are you okay? Do you need me to get your mom?" He heard all the questions tumble out of his mouth. After winning the first exam, he didn't expect her to suddenly be this way. Was it the white zetsu? Did something happen that she didn't tell Sai?

Sarada hid her face to wipe her eyes as though she didn't want Kakashi to see herself be vulnerable. "I found out some things during the test," she sniffed. "And I know I can trust you."

"Of course," he repeated.

"D-do I have an uncle? Did he kill our clan?" She barely got the questions out before crying all over again.

SARADA'S DIARY

I just needed to know for sure. If anyone knew the why, it'd be Kakashi. He'd share it with me out of anyone. Just like Lord Seventh, he was always there for me.

But I watched as he reeled backwards away from me like I was a parasite. "Sarada," he said firmly. "How did you find this out?"

I could feel my stomach instantly drop. The boys were telling the truth. "Mitsuki and Boruto."

Once again he moved even further away until he was on the complete opposite side of the bench. Just like to everyone else, I was a burden.

"Sarada," he said again. "This isn't my place, dear… You need to talk to your dad."

Of course. Of course he didn't get it. No one would. "He doesn't tell me anything!" I couldn't help but cry. "He told Boruto but he wouldn't tell me!" Once again I was alone with no answers. If Lord Sixth won't talk to me about it, then who else can I go to?

"D-do I have an uncle? Did he kill our clan?" Kakashi could feel his eyes widen at her question and watched as she burst into tears again.

How the hell did this even come up during the test? he wanted to demand. But instead he just asked "Sarada, how did you find out?"

"Mitsuki and Boruto." She spat their names like poison burning her tongue.

Kakashi could feel his body move backwards on its own as though Sarada could detect the truth emitting from him. That's not Boruto, his mind screamed. Oh fuck. They discussed this. In the forest. Itachi discussed knowing the massacre with his niece and she clearly was none the wiser.

Kakashi knew she cried not for knowing the truth, but because she was held back from the truth. But he couldn't tell her as much as he wanted to: this was family business. He couldn't share that family pain with her because he didn't own it and couldn't convey the baggage that warped their family and would continue to warp their clan for generations to come. That was Sasuke's or Itachi's territory only. But still, his heart broke for the little girl he had watched grow up; her birth was so happy, a celebration and symbol of Sasuke's true redemption and return home; Sarada's birth meant everything was as it was meant to be. And now she was reduced to this as she finally learned the truth of her family, as though she was no longer the shining symbol of her family's healing. The family past never did seem to die and had cycled back around to taint her.

"Sarada," he forced himself to say, "this isn't my place, dear… You need to talk to your dad."

He watched as Sarada instantly folded into herself and a shadow passed over her face. "He doesn't tell me anything! He told Boruto but he wouldn't tell me!" she sobbed. Kakashi wanted to find Sasuke right then, to force him to speak to her. Your daughter needs you, he wanted to say, a finger wagging in his face as though he had any authority on parenting. But it'd all be a joke of course because he couldn't even save that student.

Sarada then stood before Kakashi could say another word and he watched as she hurried away again. The pain of the Uchiha was hot on her heels.

He knew he needed to talk to Itachi more than ever and found his opportunity minutes later as he passed Senju Park. He recognized Boruto's bright hair as his face hung downward. Facing the ground, he twisted back and forth on the swing like he was lost in thought.

"I just talked to Sarada," Kakashi announced. Itachi looked up to see him leaning casually against a tree with his hand in his pocket.

He looked back down at his feet. "Great. What was that like?"

"Well, it sounds like you didn't have the greatest of tests, so how about you tell me instead," Kakashi insisted. "She mentioned something about the Uchiha massacre…?"

Itachi scoffed. "Fucking Mitsuki. Remember how I told you whoever was in charge of the Akatsuki mentioned how she could make hard decisions because it's 'in her blood' and I was so upset because they are clearly slandering my name to manipulate her? Well, she asked what they meant by that, and Mitsuki was surprised she didn't understand what they were referring to and so he just told her."

"Wow… I can't even imagine what that was like for you…" Kakashi's tone was genuine.

"I tried to stop him but it was too late," Itachi whispered. "She thought we were both hiding it from her. I mean she didn't even know that I existed, let alone what happened!"

"I mean, she at least thinks you did it for the Leaf right?" Kakashi tried to find a silver lining. "Since she believes she's in the Anbu?"

Itachi shrugged. "I'm not sure what she thinks or if she even pieced that together. I think she's just hurt that she didn't know; I don't think she cares what it means. She's so invested in being in this organization to prove herself and I think this story just motivated her even more just in general." He looked earnestly into Kakashi's eyes. "Did I push her closer to them by not telling her? I mean, I can't tell her of course, but...am I doing the wrong thing, Kakashi?"

Kakashi sighed and shook his head. "Don't let Boruto's impatience get to you now," he replied. "We have other things to worry about as well so we can continue to keep her and Mitsuki safe. Let's talk white zetsu." Itachi nodded in agreement.

"Do you think that this and the Akatsuki are related?" Kakashi asked. "If it is, it means they are all right under our noses and we didn't even see. This is even deeper than we thought. It's getting too dangerous not to tell Naruto, but I know we can't yet," he finished upon seeing Itachi grimace. "But when I talked to him they knew there is something about the Akatsuki but they obviously don't know how close to home it really is. Literally."

"It very well could be related," Itachi said. "But if that's the case then…" He didn't want to believe it but he knew the truth was right in front of him; he had to accept it. "Then that was the fight they wrote to us about in the first exam. They didn't think we'd fight back against a comrade that hard; they were trying to attack us. But why? Why strike to kill, especially in the exams? Especially when they scouted us to be in the organization?"

Kakashi stared out into the distance trying to piece together the mystery himself. After a few moments, he looked back to Itachi and sighed. "Do you understand where zetsus come from?" he asked. "Their true origin?"

Itachi thought back to Sasuke's story about the Fourth Great Ninja War; he knew what zetsus were truly used for now. The end of the world. "This is bigger than the Akatsuki, Itachi," Kakashi continued grimly. "I think the Otsutsuki is targeting Boruto and Sarada specifically."

"Wait, the Otsutsuki?" He remembered the name in Sasuke's story. "Why us?"

"Because your parents took down Kaguya." Kakashi stare pierced his soul. "Itachi, they don't really want you...you're being used."

Sasuke landed smoothly atop a branch and watched the black flames of his amaterasu lick at the curling remains of a white zetsu. What the hell was going on? Why was there a zetsu all the way out where he was? Again? That could only mean one thing…

As he reached for a scroll to write to Naruto of his discovery, a letter swooped down to him. He untied it and released the seal, immediately recognizing the chicken scratch. Huh. From Naruto. Good timing, loser.

His eyes quickly moved over the details. White zetsu. Attack. Second exam. Sarada.

Sarada. His heart instantly stopped for a beat. What did this mean? A white zetsu had managed to infiltrate the village and attack his daughter. And now, hundreds of miles away, he had just found a white zetsu? This couldn't be a coincidence. They were definitely related, and with no other talk of the Akatsuki, this had to be related? Right?

He wasted no time in scribbling a reply back, and his pen rushed to keep up with his thoughts racing from his mind to his hand. How could two have gotten so close to the village? When could it have happened? They started getting Akatsuki rumors about two weeks before, but there was nothing to verify those rumors. The knowledge of the zetsu was the closest information they had to pin to the Akatsuki. But white zetsu was bigger than anything the Akatsuki put out; the Akatsuki was just a vehicle to bring about the end of the world.

He tried to think if there were any other signs they could follow of this danger, anything out of the ordinary, anything that had punctuated their normal scheduled events.

Sasuke's hand suddenly stopped mid-scribble. It all came to him at once. Boruto. Boruto was attacked by something on a mission to retrieve documents allegedly about the Akatsuki. His memories couldn't be retrieved by the Anbu and he was acting weird. At first Sasuke thought it was a powerful jutsu by some other fuck wanting to recreate the Akatsuki and took over Boruto's body, but this was something more. He could literally be a white zetsu.

Yes. That was it! Boruto wasn't himself because he was actually a zetsu. Sasuke continued his letter and told Naruto he was coming home immediately.

Naruto didn't believe Sasuke when he warned him he was someone else, but he had to now. He made sure not to write down his hypothesis and wanted to tell him in person. No. Wait. He couldn't burden Naruto with that at all...if Boruto was a zetsu that would mean there was a big chance the real Boruto was dead.

No, Sasuke would have to take care of this himself. He had to prove once and for all by himself that Boruto was not actually Boruto.