Naruto: Tenth Dragon's Poison

Chapter 23

He Appears

It had all happened so suddenly. One moment a conversation was being carried out, and the next a fall out from the mind which had come unexpectedly. None knew what to make of this, even as they now found themselves explaining the situation there was no real insight to what had occurred.

"So let me get this straight, while you were in the process of speaking with the lone survivor of the latest attack she passed out?"

"Yes, there's no other way to describe it Tsunade-sama," Kakashi confirmed. "What was the cause of this reaction is still unknown at this time."

"I see," Tsunade briefly paused. "And where is the girl now?"

"The infirmary," Kakashi replied. "I saw to it myself that she was taken there immediately after what happened."

"I would expect no less," Tsunade expressed after learning this. "With that said I'd like for someone to be watching her as she sleeps, when she awakens I'd like to speak with her first thing."

"Already ahead of you," Naruto announced. "Ino-chan is standing guard as we speak."

"A position she won't want to hold for long no doubt," Tsunade assumed while leaning back in the chair. "Which means setting up a rotation to handle just that."

"A rotation?"

"Yes," Tsunade replied as she focused her attention to something set out on the table. "A rotation of shifts for who will watch over our visitor. This rotation will be shared by Ino-chan, Shikamaru-kun, and yourself."

"What, me," Naruto exclaimed. "Why me?!"

"Is there a problem?" Tsunade glared after looking back up at him.

He smilingly back tracked slightly on his recent comments, countering with a response that offered up another in his place.

"It's not that there's a problem, I just feel I'd be much more valuable in helping with solving the mystery behind these recent proceedings," Naruto explained as he brought both hands to the back of his head. "And besides wouldn't Sai be better fit for the duty you just described, after all he's not yet ready to handle any physical assignments."

"You make it sound as if you have something more important to do."

Just as he was to speak out again he felt a hand touch down to his left shoulder, which in turn stunned him, even if it was just for a second.

"Naruto will gladly accept this important task." Kakashi announced.

"Good," Tsunade said pleased to hear as she looked back down at the desk once again. "Then it is settled."

"So much for that." Naruto mumbled.

"Is there anything else you have to add?" Kaskashi asked.

"No, that is all," Tsunade replied. "You two may now go, unless you have any questions for me."

"None here." Naruto stated.

"I'm glad that you asked," Kakashi said. "As a matter a fact there is something I wanted to ask about."

"What is it?"

"The mission you sent Sakura-chan and the others on, has an update been received on their progress?"

"Not as of yet," Tsunade replied. "Which is to be expected, twenty four hours has yet to even hit since their departure. If anything does come up you'll be one of the first to know."

"Of course," Kakashi said with the nod of his before turning to face him. "Naruto."

If this indicated anything, it would be that it was time to go. He didn't hesitate in his first step back for the door, following after his mentor who now lead the way. His curiosity had been reached, catching up to his side before bringing up the matter just discussed.

"Back there you mentioned Sakura-chan being out on a mission," Naruto said. "Where has she gone, and what for?"

"They've traveled to Sunagakure to investigate a situation that is directly tied to evidence found at the trading site you, Shikamaru-kun, and myself investigated."

"That cord," Naruto recalled. "That's right, Shikamaru did suspect that the dirt found on that cord was from Sunagakure. So did it turn out to be true?"

He stopped without warning, looking down at him with a nod of confirmation.

"It appears that is the case."

"No doubt they have a short list of possibilities for who could have been involved."

"Though I cannot confirm that for you, I would be hard pressed to disagree," Kakashi agreed before turning back for the hall ahead. "But let's not let something out of our current control weigh down on our day, come on."

"Where are we going?" Naruto asked as he began walking once again.

"It's already past noon, I don't know.. how about a little Ichiraku Ramen," Kakashi suggested. "It's been awhile since we went together."

"What, do you really mean it?" Naruto asked after catching up to his side.

"It's all on me," Kakashi replied looking down at him. "My treat."

"No way I can decline that," Naruto said with a rise of excitement. "Ichiraku Ramen here we come!"

….

It had all happened in a flash, a single move which blacked him out from reality. There was no clarity for where he was, feeling subtle movement in his left hand as his eyes peaked open to lay sight to a path of green grass.

".. Where am I?"

He attempted to move, only bringing about an igniting pain that came from the back of his head. After attempting to move for a second time he shrieked lightly, a response which didn't go unnoticed.

"Choji-kun."

He immediately recognized the voice, carefully pushing up to his knees to come face to face with the girl who now stood over him.

"Sakura-chan, you're here."

It was at that moment that he felt the weight of something in his left down, looking that way to find a blood soaked kunai in his grasp. His immediate reaction resulted in him releasing it from his possession, staring down it for several seconds to come in stone still shock.

"Sakura-chan… what happened?"

When a response didn't come in those first moments he looked up into her eyes with the same question to pose.

"What happened?"

The level of uncertainty could not only be seen, but felt even before she finally answered.

"I was hoping to ask you the same." Sakura said.

That moment brought the rehash of what had happened before losing consciousness, all too apparent in the surfaced expression.

"Saungi-san," Choji spoke in concern. "Where is he?"

She didn't know how to respond, having her thoughts cut off by the sound of someone storming in from behind.

"Sakura-chan, is everything alright?"

She turned just in time to see her come to a few feet away.

"Temari-san," Sakura said surprised to find her alone. "Where's Hinata-chan?"

"We agreed she'd go and fetch Dorsel." Temari replied.

"No doubt he can help us access what's happened here."

"What's the situation," Temari asked. "Is he alright?"

Things would only become more complex after looking down at him to find the bloody kunai sitting out in front of him.

"What happened?" Temari asked him directly.

"I.. I don't know." Choji replied with his eyes still leveled to the ground.

"What do you mean you don't know?"

"I don't remember," Choji said. "All I can recall is being knocked from behind, after that.. nothing."

The approach didn't stop there, turning as the others within range made their way over from where Saungi's body had been discovered. He first looked to the mustached man who stood at least six feet in height, sporting the body of someone who could be viewed as. His hair was a dark brown, short and curvy in shape. The woman who stood next to him was much smaller in figure, standing at approximately five' four in height. Her long hair was dark, and curvy as the man who she stood next to.

"Who are you two?" Choji asked

"Eijan Shuen," The man replied. "And this here is my wife Eijan Kelsho."

Only then did he notice the blood on his right hand, bringing a cold shocking possibility to his mind.

"Who are, and why is it there's a bloody kunai at your feet?" The man from before inquired.

This question left him stumped, unsure how to respond.

"Was it you, were you the one to have killed my son?"

"Your son," Choji questioned. "What are you talking about?"

"Eijan Saungi," Shuen stated. "He was my son."

"Was," Choji said voicing his concern as he looked to those who stood around him. "What happened to Saungi-san?"

"He's dead." Temari said giving it to him straight.

"What… how?"

"So he acts as if he has no knowledge of what happened, and yet he has a blood stained kunai at his feet and a red hand to match its suspicion." Shuen remarked making his feelings known.

"What are you trying to imply?" Sakura asked beaming her eyes his way.

"It should be as clear to you as it is to me that this boy was involved somehow."

"We don't know that."

"The evidence speaks volumes," Kelsho tearfully spoke. "Not even you can deny that."

"I didn't kill anyone," Choji declared. "You have to believe me."

"Then how do you explain the blood on your hands," Shuen questioned. "Blood that no doubt could be my son's."

"That's not true."

"Then if not his, then who's," Shuen asked. "Who else's blood could it be?"

"I can't answer that." Choji replied.

"And why is that?"

"Someone knocked me out from behind when the two of us were together."

"So you admit to have been with my son?"

"We all were," Sakura announced forwarding attention her way. "He's the one who brought us here to Tanigakure."

"What, is that really true?" Kelsho asked.

"Yes, we came here in search of a of a possible fugitive," Sakura explained. "One who has already killed over twelve people, potentially even more while in the land of fire."

"Using what means?" Shuen asked now facing her.

"I'm not sure entirely," Sakura admitted. "After coming across the bodies we were engaged by the one we've come suspect, unfortunately he got away before we could get the chance to truly question him."

"And let me guess," Shuen said leaning toward the obvious. "You believe this guy was the one responsible for what has happened to my son?"

"As much as I'd love to believe that I can't be certain of that," Choji said in response. "As I told you before I was hit from behind, so I wasn't able to get a look at the person to see if it was the same guy we encountered."

"I wasn't talking to you." Shuen glared coldly.

"That's enough," Temari inserted with an obvious frustration. "There's no way we're going to get to the bottom of this if we keep arguing amongst ourselves, now if we could, let's get back to solving the matter at hand."

"What is there to solve, the murderer of my son can't be any clearer," Shuen pointed. "Your friend here has been caught red handed, the only question is, why?"

"You don't know that for sure," Temari stated. "This could all be some kind of set up."

"By whom?" Kelsho asked.

"By the one we're currently searching for," Sakura answered. ".. Maybe he got to them before any of us could get to him."

"A likely possibility, yes," Shuen admitted. "But do you have any proof of this claim?"

"Think about it," Temari said ready to place her convincing hand. "If Choji-kun were the one to have killed your son why would he have stuck around and played as if someone had knocked him out, why not simply run off and later tell the rest of us they simply got separated at some point?"

"That's actually quite simple my dear," Shuen replied. "Some criminals choose to insert themselves into the heart of a crime in hopes it will shield everyone else from the truth, but I will not be fooled."

Tension was clearly rising, knowing that if a balanced standing on agreement wasn't reached soon no progress would be able to be made. With that thought in mind she elevated herself back to center stage, looking to the parents of the deceased with only one thing in mind, solving what had happened.

"Please, if you don't mind I'd like to have a further look at your son's body," Sakura announced with the bow of her head. "I'm certain I'll be able to gain further insight on what could have happened."

"And how can I be sure this isn't some strategy to tamper with any evidence?" Shuen asked in a questioning matter.

"Shuen enough, I'm just as distraught as you, but finding out the truth is what is most important at this time," Kelsho stated before facing her. "Your request is granted."

"Very well, agreed as long as I can watch your every move my dear." Shuen finally sided.

"Of course." Sakura accepted.

Nothing more needed to be said. Now more than ever her attentiveness to detail needed to be at its peak, knowing even the smallest finding could make the difference.

"Follow me." Sakura said before heading back toward where the body rested.

There was much running through her mind as she walked, toppled by an uncertainty that whispered from within the core. It was a scary feeling, one which came with the territory. The young boy from before could still be seen at the scene, all eyes locked down on the body.

"What are you still doing here?" Temari called as they neared.

He looked her way with almost stunned look on his face.

"This is my first time ever seeing a dead body," The boy admitted. "This isn't a sight you come across every day if you know what I mean."

"We'd like to get this area locked in, so if it isn't too much to ask we'd like for you to leave," Temari said. "You being here only complicates things."

He took no offense to this in the least, simply nodding his head as a sign of his understanding.

"As you wish."

With that said he took off into the forest, leaving just the four of them to commence with matters. There was no stop until the corpse was reached, all looking down except for Kelsho who couldn't bear doing so.

"What happens now," Shuen asked crossing his arms. "How do you plan on finding out what happened, surely you don't plan on finding out what happened by simply looking at him."

"That's exactly what I'm going to do." Sakura proclaimed before lowering down to her knees.

And with that first look began her inner assessment with what might have conspired in the time leading up to his death.

….

The path the two had chosen was now being walked in full. There was no certainty for what the end would bring, but either way the two had no plans of stopping. The stream continued to voice its rush, a constant which brushed away any possibility for complete silence. The two had now walked for over twenty minutes with no kind distraction and still no sense for where they were. Unknown to them they would soon come across something that would change their course entirely.

As they walked he couldn't help but glance over at him from time to time, wondering if this was truly the one they had been sent to find. And if it was, why? What could be so dangerous about him that would warrant for the search that was launched? From what he had observed thus far there wasn't much that would green light alarm. Either way if this was truly the 'one' all that remained was finding the others and reporting back to Hitsugaya.

"I wonder how the others are doing, it feels like I haven't seen either of them in weeks," Uryuu thought to himself. "I guess that'll happen to you when you find yourself in the middle of nowhere for an extended period of time."

A concern had grown over the course of their separation, one which he was now truly beginning to acknowledge.

"Hey, you ok," Bart asked unexpectedly with his eyes slowly focusing in on him. "This is usually about the time you start interrogating me for more information about myself."

"Interrogation, at what point did I ever interrogate you?" Uryuu retaliated in an upbeat fashion.

"Ok," Bart said backtracking slightly. "So I need to be more selective in my word choice, my mistake."

"Don't mention it; it's not really a big deal." Uryuu assured.

"Now onto what I wanted to bring up," Bart continued. "Most every conversation we've had has been about me, what about you, it seems like whenever things get shifted on your way you change the subject altogether."

He knew this topic would soon be brought to the front, never anticipating it would come at a moment like this. There were many ways he could choose to answer, quickly deciding to answer with the simplest of responses.

"What about me?"

"I don't know… friends, family," Bart listed. "Where you're from maybe?"

These were the questions he knew would be the first to come, preparing himself for how he would choose to respond. It was in those moments that something from up ahead caught his attention, blocking out everything else from the mind.

"Look, there in the grass," Uryuu pointed. "Do you see that?"

"And he attempts to change the subject again." Bart remarked upon hearing this.

"I'm not kidding," Uryuu said picking up in pace. "This could be something serious."

The change in tone was enough to gain his interest, looking to the spot that was pointed out to him. A large portion of the grass they now found themselves staring down at was drastically darker in color, a dark red to precise. All it took was a mere seconds for its odor to flourishes its way to their senses, now more than clear what they had stumbled across.

"Blood." Uryuu hissed.

"Yea, but what does it mean?"

"Only one thing I can think of," Uryuu hypothesized while turning to face him. "Someone's injured, this blood still appears to be wet which means whoever it is should be close."

"The thin trail of blood continues back into the forest," Bart informed after tracing his eyes that way. "Which means that's where we're going."

"Are you sure about that," Uryuu questioned. "There's no telling what the situation is, it could be dangerous for all we know."

"I've never been one to think about what I don't know, but rather what I do," Bart replied. "And what we do know is someone is hurt, no way we can help by standing around here."

He did not feel the need to say anything further, following the trail of blood that snuck back into the forest. This series of events left him speechless, making him question his current perception of him even further.

"Is this really the person we were sent to find?"

…

It started with the outline of the eyes, noting minor bruising under the right which indicated he had been hit. Further bruising was to be found on the left which only hinted at further assault. That was only the beginning. Her sights then fell down to the lower body, counting out at least a dozen slash marks across the chest area, continuing further down to sight five more cuts on his lower abdomen. It was in the process of this that she caught glimpse of him watching her every move, the look on his face couldn't have told a clearer story. All hope of getting the truth to surface was shouldered upon her through his eyes.

She then focused back to the body to review her findings, taking into account that a majority of the cuts found were on the left side of the body. They varied in stroke. Some cuts showcased a sense of control, while others hinted at a fury of an absolute disconnect of containable emotion. The deepest in diameter was found at the top half of his rib. The rest of the body showed no sign of lethal ware. A story for what might have happened was now slowly beginning to construct in mind.

"What's this?"

She looked back to his upper body, to his short straight hair in particular. She felt the top of his head to find that his hair was dry, yet his hair on the half of his head that rested on the ground was wet. What did this mean? After observing it all small detail after another she stood to her feet, looking down at it all as a whole for another perspective.

"So," Shuen said uncrossing his arms. "Have you learned anything?"

"Yes," Sakura replied still gazing down at the body. "I believe I have."

"Don't stop there," Temari said stepping up to her right side. "Let's hear it."

Before another chance came for her to speak the sound of several approaching from the far right grabbed the attention of the five of them.

"Someone's coming," Choji said. "Who could it be?"

"I think I've got a pretty good idea." Temari said in response.

The wave of the branches could be heard as the incoming party closed in on their location, taking only seconds more before they appeared from behind a large tree. It was exactly who she anticipated would come walking through.

"Hinata-chan, you're back."

"And with reinforcements," Dorsel announced with four other shinobi following from close behind. "I was told the man man whom you all traveled here with was killed, what's the situation, do you have an idea for who might have done this?"

"We're still trying to figure that out." Sakura replied as she turned to face him.

"Like hell we are, it's more than obvious who killed my son." Shuen stated.

"Your son," Dorsel questioned as he turned to face the man he had never seen before. "Are you saying the victim was your son?"

"Yes," Shuen confirmed. "And the one to have killed him was this boy here."

He pointed directly to the accused who stood no more than ten feet away.

"You're not serious are you," Hinata said stepping forward in disbelief after taking another look at the body. "There's no way he would have done this."

"These allegations are rather severe," Dorsel said after hearing his claim. "Do you have any proof to back what it is you've claimed?"

"Yes, when he was found unconscious he held a bloody kunai in hand," Shuen informed. "A kunai which I believe was used in the assault."

"Where is this Kunai now?"

"The ground," Sakura replied before looking into the direction of where he had been found when they first arrived only to make a shocking discovery. "The kunai, it's gone."

"What do you mean it's gone!" Shuen erupted angrily.

He too looked to the spot it had last been seen, racing over to learn that it indeed was now gone. This only fueled his fury even further.

"You have got to be kidding me, no way it just disappears on its own," Shuen exclaimed before turning back to face all others. "One of you must have stashed it away."

"I'm certain none of us did," Temari said in response to this. "I was watching at all times, at no moment did anyone grab hold of the kunai."

"She's right Shuen," Kelsho said backing her. "I was the last of us to return to view our son's body again, at that time the kunai was still sitting in the grass."

The frustration in his face and in his posture couldn't be any more obvious after learning this.

"So much for that," Shuen spat as he angrily retraced his way back to the group. "You know what I think, I think this is all one big conspiracy!"

His next step would bring him to a stop, prompted by an unfamiliar call.

"Finally, something the two of us can agree on." A soft and calming voice spoke from behind.

He immediately turned around, shocked to find no one standing before him.

"Who's there?!" Shuen yelled in an almost demanding fashion.

It took only seconds for his question to be answered, watching as a young man with his hands rested deep in his pockets casually stepped out from behind the large tree he had just passed. All eyes were now on this newcomer. One look was all it took to have all seemingly become frozen. Her eyes fell directly to the black wide brim hat that rested atop his head, no doubt in her mind who had just stepped into the fray.

"The hatted man we encountered in the land of fire, he's here," Sakura fretted in thought with all feeling falling off beat. ".. Why now?"

…..

The first step in the plan had already been fulfilled, all that remained was to launch the agenda which would grab the attention of all. He knew this very well, which is why everything needed to be perfectly executed. There was a single candle that provided for light in the darkened room, witnessing as a brief gust of air blew past, swaying the flame ever so slightly. This could only mean one thing, that someone had entered.

"You've returned, and you're early," A sinister yet trusting voice spoke. "What of your travels, did they amount to anything?"

The dark figure that had entered moved further in, even going as far as to pass him. They could hardly be made out in the dark room, but it was clear the visitor stood with their back to him.

"Of course, the required scope of the needed areas has been completed in full." A just as imposing voice answered in return.

"Good work, I guess I shouldn't be surprised," The seated man spoke. "You know the lands better than anyone no doubt."

There was no need to respond in their mind, turning to matters they found to be of higher importance.

"What of the Klarax, have you obtained it?"

"Tonight... we'll have it by nights beginning, along with the added addition of our hand selected generals," He took no time in announcing. "And once they've all been given the mission, we shall commence."

"Excellent," The one standing feet away spoke. "Though I must ask, how certain are you that the 'selected' will fall in compliance with our set agenda?"

"There's too much in it for them to decline," He said in response. "Rest assured, all will go according to what we've planned."

"I'll hold your word to that."

"Your part has been most astronomical, from your sampled dna all the way to the amount of preparation you've put in, none of this could have been possible without your involvement," He complimented. "You truly are the most extraordinary visionary the shinobi of this world has ever produced… however with that said your part in this cannot be common knowledge to the others, not until the Silver Bed operation has gone underway."

"Agreed, not to shy away from the fact we still need to decide on a host to hoist the seed of the ultimate weapon," The other reminded. "Of course that will solely rely on who presents themselves as the fittest of minds."

"It's only a matter of time before that moment comes."

The next seconds brought an unexpected quietness, giving both some time to think on the discussed further.

"I should be going," The one standing declared. "No doubt they'll be headed here soon, unless of course you have something further to add I'll see my way out?"

"No, I have nothing further to detail with this routine discussion," He replied. "We'll meet again in two days, if any adjustments need to be made we'll go over them then."

"And where will we meet?"

"Where it will begin," He replied with a smirk paving way. "And where it will all ultimately end."

Those words spoke of what would be displayed on the surface for all to witness. What remained was fitting everything into their favor. This would be a move they are certain would gravitate all in, with no means of escape.

To Be Continued