Hello! The great Bahamut Slayer descends with another update. I have to say, it still pains me to still receive reviews on 'the Last One'. Anyways, a lot of thanks and gratitude to those who have sent their reviews. Twelve for the first chapter. I have the readers with alerts, so those who didn't send, I'm on to you... Joking. Joking. I have to say this is one of the worst chapters I've ever written. Slow development, but definitely a hot spicy action in the next chapter. Hope you will rate and review! Please?
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any other form of references to any related copyrighted materials or works. I never did, obviously never will.
"What…? You are the most perverted man I know! You even have a prophecy about it. I don't see why you of all people would have problems giving Naruto the talk about the birds and the bees…"-Fuusetsu Raetsu, just when he thought he was safe from giving the 'talk' to his daughter.
The unexpected sound of bodies already dropping down to the ground wasn't a good sign for Hatake Kakashi, as he heard a smooth female voice entailed on the results, "Did you really think we won't notice them, Hatake-san?"
Kabuto observed the Leaf Jounin, "Here we thought you're not the type who underestimates his opponents."
"This is your last chance, we mean it, are you in or are you out?" asked Naruto irritably, obviously not happy with the presence of Sasuke, Sakura, and Sai.
Jiraiya had his arms crossed, where as Kabuto just had his hands on his sides, as if ready to pull out the kunai from the holster on his thigh. It was lucky for Kakashi to reveal his Sharingan eye only after the blinding white light had begun to recede, because even though his right eye was still blinded from the bright flash of light, he still had his Sharingan to see everything. On the other hand, he didn't like seeing what had happened during those brief seconds. A typical ninja would be emphasizing his or her threats with a kunai in hand at least, but they weren't typical in the Leaf-nin's point of view. Kakashi grimaced at the new revelation of events, currently having to see Naruto sitting his ass on the back of Sasuke without care. Somehow, the Uchiha had been knocked unconscious and currently had his face flat into the ground, the chokuto still within his hand. The medic-nin, Sakura, was slumping down on her knees out cold in joining her teammate, just as the kunai in her hand fell out of her grip. Apparently Sai was only spotted a few seconds later, the moon light rays only illuminating more of his pale skin, sprawled almost seven feet away from Kabuto and Jiraiya, out cold as well.
They didn't harm his subordinates, not yet at least, which was a good thing on his part so far.
He was outnumbered, four to one, but he had faced far worse odds than this. Then again, he somehow had the feeling that these shinobis were more than they appear to be. Kakashi considered his options, "If I'm not?"
"Simple. It's your loss then, the deaths of your fellow shinobis right here," answered Asami directly without losing a beat, though she didn't sound like she was trying to convince him.
Kabuto pointed out the obvious, "That's a pretty big loss if you ask me, Kakashi-san,"
Naruto, still not bothering to get off Sasuke, picked up the chokuto with small interest. He threw it towards a tree to his right in on fluid movement. The blade had cut into the tree all the way till it stopped when its hilt had touched the bark, lodging it. "Believe me, you don't want that,"
"Is that a threat?" asked Kakashi, this time with a hint of hostility from his voice in tow, a kunai appearing out of his right sleeve and his gloved hand catching it without difficulty.
Were they planning on playing him by torturing killing Sasuke, Sakura, and Sai?
"Hm…I don't know, did that really sound like a threat to you?" wondered Naruto, directing it at Kabuto and Asami, pretending that he didn't know what he was doing... "I don't care if you really want to start a war, because you Leaf-nins just can't stop making more enemies. Those Sound-nins just aren't enough, how about you make more?"
Kakashi didn't know what to say.
"That's enough!" interrupted Jiraiya wasn't going to let this happen, hoping there was some way to convince Kakashi, they were ruining everything, "we're not here to threaten to you, we're only here to negotiate,"
"It doesn't look like it," stated Kakashi as he eyed Naruto cautiously, this one seemed to be a troublemaker.
"You got that right," replied Naruto with narrowed eyes, then he was looking to the long white haired leader of the group, no longer interested, "Come on. How about we just forget about it, Jii-san? I told you we should have just stick with the original plans. We might be better off with the Sand-nins or Cloud-nins."
Jiraiya gave an incredulous look on the Uzumaki legacy, since the blonde wasn't called the number one most unpredictable ninja for nothing.
"Somehow, he does make it sound a good point, Jiraiya-sama. I have to go with Naruto on this one." said Kabuto, knowing that Asami was probably in support of the idea as well.
This confused Jiraiya even further.
The red head actually had mixed feelings about it, because this was and could be as all four had hoped to be a crucial source of information in their mission. But not that it meant this was the only source or method. Asami knew it would be a stupid to simply go the other way, after days of waiting for a response. She played along, "You're kidding, right? Oh, forget it…I'm in,"
Kakashi felt as if his presence had been completely been forgotten by the four shinobi, they were simply talking amongst themselves without regarding the possible risks of him attacking. Being a real ninja meant taking advantage of every opening there is, using one's weakness in turning situations around. But a ninja must be also able to distinguish between openings and traps. At this moment, Kakashi couldn't risk endangering his three subordinates or afford to let these four get away.
Naruto was getting off Sasuke's back, standing in his full height. Judging by his height, he's probably older than even Neji. Just a few centimeters however, he would already be as tall as the Leaf-nin himself, "It's been fun knowing you,"
"Too bad though, may be we could've been friends, Hatake-san. You and possibly this whole team of yours," commented Asami, observing the pink haired kunoichi and that white circle crest on her back in association of the Haruno.
Thinking that they were going on to fight him, Kakashi was in for it, with the gift of deceased best friend ready to aid him in battle let it be reading through his opponents' hand seals, their chakra flow, or body movements. Knowing this was going to be a handful as to the full prospect of Sasuke, Sakura, and Sai in danger, while he himself could be busy trying to figure out of the situation against four mysterious opponents. May be cooperating with them didn't seem to be a bad idea for the moment.
"See you when I see you," said Naruto, Kakashi's Sharingan had barely caught his body blurring out of existence, a clear sign of the typical Shunshin no Jutsu, leaving the place. Kabuto and Asami disappeared the same way, leaving an unsuspecting Kakashi with the Toad Hermit.
They left. They just basically left.
Kakashi felt their presence going further and further away from him, 'What?'
"I guess you didn't really see that coming did you?" asked Jiraiya, probably ready to run off as well and catch up with his own team. "You thought we were going to fight and kill you?"
"Since none of you weren't going to kill me, I take it you were serious the whole time? Assuming you with everyone from this 'Land of Whirlpool' is going to fight a war because of a small matter like this?" responded Kakashi carefully.
This might be just some bluff on their part. If there was the smallest possibility that these strangers were actually going to declare war over, that by all means he hoped he didn't just add this one to the list of great catastrophes to ever befall upon Konoha. Hyuuga Hishashi lost his twin brother in preventing a potential war with Kumogakure. At least he did it because of many justifiable reasons: securing the safety of his daughter Hinata, and protecting the secrets of his clan's blood limit, the Byakugan, from the Cloud-nins. The Cloud-nins never had the intention of making treaties with Konoha.
'You could've at least given me some sort of sign, Naruto,' thought Jiraiya, catching on to the Kyuubi Jinchuuriki's bluff, "What do you think, Kakashi?"
--Flashback--
Hatake Kakashi had decided that he was going through a large assortment of books, probably checking the various titles, in a bookstore after finishing a simple escort mission. It wasn't anything out of the ordinary, only being as opportunistic as a ninja should be, divulging on the world of literature that this remote place on the edges of Fire Country had to offer. The Copy Ninja was going to try his luck again, perhaps he would cross against another special edition of the Icha Icha Series like he had two years ago. Almost going through most of shelves in the bookstore, Kakashi arched his neck in looking the top shelves with his visible eye.
He heard someone's amused voice, "Didn't know that the Copycat Kakashi was into books,"
Being the elite veteran of Konoha that he is, Kakashi continued to remain calm, sneaking a look to his left to find Kabuto pretending to look through the contents of a book. "I'm into a lot of things actually. I take it you're not here to kill me?"
Direct hostility was never the first option, despite living in world where hostility is rampant.
Kabuto flipped a page, absently looking through its passages, pleased, "No, I'm not here for that. But I'm very much interested in knowing your large interest. Does sharing happen to one of them?"
"That depends," Kakashi reached up and pulled out a book, "what do you have in mind?"
"Information. Regarding two of your S Class missing-nins, those most dangerous to date, Uchiha Itachi and Orochimaru," answered Kabuto, getting an effect out of Kakashi when he heard the latter than the former. "
Kakashi darkened at the mention of name of the Sannin, the snake's devious acts still fresh in the minds of Leaf-nins everywhere. The name of Uchiha Itachi didn't escape him however, intrigued to hear about him as he had disappeared without a trace over the decade. Not a single rumor of his whereabouts, much less a single report of the Uchiha by the ANBU division.
"I take it no nobody else is supposed to know about this?" asked Kakashi professionally.
Kabuto answered, "If we wanted to, we could have asked one of your teammates to pass it off to you,"
"Exactly what is it do you expect me to share about them in return?" asked Kakashi in further.
"Well you have find out about that later," Kabuto closed the book, carrying it with him as he was walking past Kakashi with a smirk, a folded paper barely larger than an eraser already in Leaf-nin's glove worn hand. "Whatever it is that you're looking for, I hope you find it."
"Don't worry, we didn't come to kill you," Kabuto came to a halt just before he could take a turn and disappear from the Leaf-nin's view. He gave a side glance, "If we wanted, trust me, you'd already be dead,"
Yakushi Kabuto took a turn to his right and disappeared.
The Leaf Jounin opened the given object, which turned out to be a small receipt from a Yakiniku restaurant at the edge of town. He turned the piece of paper around, finding the message left behind.
'Two o'clock sharp. Come alone.'
Not that difficult to figure out, considering the details that this guy wanted to meet at the rooftop of that very restaurant after midnight. The Jounin still wasn't sure whether this guy was on his own, taking orders as instructed by someone else that could possibly be laid out instructions or he came together in a group. They were good enough, knowing that he wouldn't have time to discuss this matter with the Hokage or any superiors. Kakashi could always give any of ninja dogs a sniff of the receipt and start looking later. At that very moment, he was surprised to see small, fine texts of sealing around the edges of the small piece of paper. It had glowed in a faint hue of blue chakra in less than a second, before completely reducing the paper into fine ash and ember in a quick burst of flames.
'May be not,' thought Kakashi, brushing his glove-wearing hands together.
--End Flashback--
The meeting that followed after turned out to be more informative on Kakashi's part,
"Since our last meeting, do you really think we have the time fooling around? You have to understand something, Kakashi. Those two missing-nins of yours aren't the only things we are really worried about," explained Jiraiya.
Kakashi watched him turn around, as he too was about to leave.
"Wait. Just wait a minute," wondered Kakashi, dismissing his aggressiveness he had. "Can we still make it work?"
"Of course," Jiraiya was relieved for the day, seeing as he never did like forcing information out of his 'contacts' if it came to such circumstance. He'd pity anyone if he had to resort to leaving to Kabuto or Asami for interrogation. He searched for something in his clothes, but he never did pull out anything. 'That brat better be coming back,'
"I guess I consider myself lucky for bringing the info after all, just in case," Kakashi sighed, tilting back his headband back to its usual position, over his left Sharingan eye. "Don't ask. It's a long story. Besides, that one is a story that I don't really want to tell."
"I wasn't going to," shrugged Jiraiya, these Leaf-nins were perceptive as he knew they would, ready for anything. "But I always knew there was something under that headband of yours, with the title of Copycat Kakashi. It's been more than ten years since the last time I've ever fought against the Sharingan, never thought I'd see the day someone other than an Uchiha wielding that Doujutsu."
Just as Kakashi was smiling in return, he was taken by surprise when he detected the presence of Naruto, Asami, and Kabuto returning.
"I tried checking everything," said Kakashi.
"And what did you find?" wondered Naruto teasingly, jumping down from the trees back with Kabuto and Asami by his sides.
Kakashi didn't answer his question, "I take it that was all some ploy to convince me?"
"Heh heh, of course, you don't need the Sharingan to see that," said Naruto.
"We thought you were setting us up, bringing them. You didn't say anything about bringing someone along," commented Kabuto a little too unhappily, "You were told of the strict policy of this being specifically to be only between us five."
"If I was setting you up, I would have brought more than just my team," explained Kakashi indifferently. "Even if I did have a team of ANBU along with me, I don't think it would've made any difference to any of you, right?"
Asami scowled at the Leaf-nin, "Great, but no offense Kakashi-san, you're a slacker."
"None taken, I've heard worse," said Kakashi, after developing the sense of uncaring to anyone's complaints of his tardiness, unless it was urgent matters concerning the Hokage or the safety of his village. Tapping his chin thoughtfully, "But what matters is that you didn't hurt them, well not too much anyways. None of you tried to threaten me with the lives of my teammates. I guess that proves that you're not anything hostile like a group of Mist-nins."
His past experiences had taught him that nothing appears as it seems, seeing as that common knowledge has been centuries old in the shinobi world. Women were categorized in a different scale, let alone a kunoichi. Whoever they were, Kakashi knew to be more cautious with this one particular kunoichi. The more beautiful they look, the more deceptive they become, and that means the more deadly they are. Either that or they would just be plain weak. Kakashi couldn't disagree, since having a fifty three year old kunoichi that hides under the illusion of her prime looks was a good example.
Jiraiya had to make sure, though he knew asking questions weren't really going to solve it. "Are you sure this time?"
"Yes," answered Kakashi, not angered by the confirmation. He unbuttoned one of his many aligned vest pockets, a scroll the size of a ball pen dropped down into his awaiting hands, "Here, that's everything you will need for now."
It was finally time to get back to business for the five shinobis. The hermit wasn't wasting any time as he was already pulling out the edge of the paper without hesitation, where as the three young shinobis waited for some kind of reaction. Several minutes later, Jiraiya's eyebrows arched towards the unexpected revelation, taking a long good and continuing through the scroll.
"Well?" asked Kakashi, wanting to know if the veteran of the four had any complaints or questions.
Jiraiya passed the scroll to Naruto, with Asami and Kabuto peeked over his shoulders, and then turned to the Jounin, "That was far more than enough. You must have gone to great lengths to come up with all of this."
"You came prepared," noted Asami, "If there was the smallest possibility that you and your team here could catch us, you'd do it."
"As any real shinobi would," replied Kakashi, "However, I have to clear certain matters about that scroll,"
The four of the so called Land of Whirlpool inhabitants thought it was only fair for him.
"Matters, huh?" repeated Naruto in consideration, rolling the scroll much to Kabuto's annoyance since he wasn't finished reading, but the Jinchuuriki held it over his right shoulder for the medic-nin to take. "Let's hear it then."
"I hope this isn't going to cause us too much hassles, Kakashi-san," Kabuto was stowing away the scroll, his empty hands like after performing a magic act.
Kakashi stopped for a moment, "None of us do. Now, about the about the scroll, standard rules about scrolls retrievals applies here. It's everyone's duty on the secrecy and safeguard of the scroll. No copies, no what by piece or whole, well, you know,"
This came to no surprise; with every village of shinobi all having a generally similar system of scroll handling. Of course depending heavily on what type, more specifically its content, of scroll it is in the first place. Let it be scrolls in delivery or retrieval within missions, typical library scrolls, forbidden scrolls, or clan scrolls.
Naruto nodded, Jiraiya, Asami, and Kabuto in understanding, "Okay…., it's not like one of us can't memorize it or anything."
"I want the scroll back once this big problem is gone," continued on Kakashi on the terms, everything going smoothly so far. "No matter how long this is going to take, the scroll needs to be returned."
Before Asami, Kabuto, but most likely Naruto, had anything to say about it, Jiraiya held out his right hand to the rest of them in an order of silence. As it played out, Naruto was about to say something but then kept silent with a grimace; he wasn't going to complain or anything. The Toad Hermit had his eyes closed ever since Kakashi had start telling them about the terms of the scroll. Jiraiya opened his eyes, "Understandable."
"After the rough start and everything, of course," agreed Asami.
"Lastly, I want anyone of you four, probably best if all of you, meet a certain 'someone' in Konohagakure," stated Kakashi, although tentatively, since he knew this was the term of all terms that truly tests the bond of understanding between them."
This time, Naruto was quick enough to speak out before Jiraiya could stop him, "What the hell?!"
Kakashi quickly held out both hands, a sign of trying to pacify Naruto's disapproval, "Listen, let me explain, there's one man that can help you. He knows things that you'll never find in any of the village's archives. He'll gladly tell everything you ask. He's the only person other me that knows about this deal, and I wouldn't agreeing if I hadn't discuss this with him,"
Naruto knew he had no saying in this, staring at Jiraiya as he knew the toad summoner was the one calling the shots when it came to dealing with the Leaf.
"Who is he?" asked Jiraiya, no questions as to why did Kakashi broke their secrecy or anything else, as if he expected this to happen.
"He ordered me not to tell and had specifically told me that all of you will have to figure that out by yourselves, the answer is hidden in the codes and clues within the scroll." stated Kakashi, almost too happily, "I guess it is his kind of test to see whether you're good enough or not."
"Great," answered Naruto sarcastically, "I really don't get you Leaf-nins, seriously. One minute you're this, and then one minute you're that."
Jiraiya scratched his white bristly mane, a habit that Naruto had picked up. "It was too good to be true when I knew all that information in the scroll was more than just the work of a shinobi like you, someone must have knowingly helped you in this. Don't worry, we'll do it."
"If that's done, I think we need a little change of plans," suggested Naruto eagerly with a mischievously look. "Of course, you can join if you want,"
Asami, Kabuto, and Jiraiya knew him well enough to expect there's going to be some more minor changes to what had been days of their carefully thought out plan. Kakashi was interested enough to hear what Naruto had in store for Sasuke, Sakura, and Sai. He was amazed once again, as he and the rest of Naruto's team members caught on to every single word that escaped from the ecstatic shinobi's mouth. There were occasional doubts here and there, but any plan always had its own fare share of risks. Somehow, in the end of it all, Kakashi had found himself convinced along with Asami, Kabuto, and Jiraiya. It was totally unexpected, having them totally trusting him this quick, to actually include him in his plan. His role was important, proving the level of trust they had in the Konoha Jounin.
"Is he always this so convincing?" asked Kakashi, shaking his head a bit, may be Naruto could have used some unknown Genjutsu, that or he has the most miraculous convincing skills around. "Despite the fact his plans can sound somewhat rather outrageous?"
Asami chuckled for a bit, a proud smile for her best friend, "You have no idea,"
"He can be more convincing than Jiraiya-sama when he wants to," added Kabuto, Naruto and Jiraiya were getting ready as they checked on Sasuke, Sai, and Sakura.
"So I take it all of you have done outrageous plans like this before?" asked Kakashi, testing Naruto's response.
"Once in a while, here and there. Nothing too big," answered Naruto confidently, faintly hitting his own chest with a fist.
After hearing it, Kakashi somehow found it very hard to believe the blonde's last statement. He huffed to the leering possibility of Sakura breaking the bones of what's left of his already Chidori impaled body, followed by the various artistically drawn animals mangling his remains should the three ever found out this little escapade.
"Don't worry, Kakashi. No matter what happens after this, I'm going to make it worth your while," Jiraiya couldn't stop himself, taking Kakashi by surprise as he brought his right arm over the Leaf-nin's shoulder in a friendly manner.
In turn, Naruto, Asami, Kabuto, and Kakashi gave the Toad Hermit such apprehensive looks. Kakashi slowly lifted Jiraiya's resting hand off his shoulders; backing away into what he felt was a safe distance by being on Naruto, Asami, and Kabuto's side. There would have been a moment of silence if it wasn't for the sound of noisy crickets, croaking frogs, the blowing of gentle night breeze, and rustling leaves.
Asami rolled her eyes, "Perverts…"
"That's just sick," remarked Naruto disgustingly. May be having very wild imaginative skills did have its own drawbacks…
Kabuto could think of Jiraiya showing Kakashi around the forbidden districts of any town in any place like the Toad Hermit owned it, expenses covered and everything.
"What? What are you talking about?" Jiraiya was confused to the comments and reactions of the four, understanding dawned on his face followed by a blush, "Dear Kami, that's not what I meant! I swear you are all so dirty minded."
The three felt as if they've been insulted for no apparent reason by some random stranger.
"You're joking right?" scoffed Naruto against the comment.
Jiraiya didn't need this right now, his reputation just plummeted a good distance of a hundred down to the earth's core. May be if he was lucky, he could still fix this.
"What I meant…," explained Jiraiya, his hand fishing out a desired object under his clothes, "is this!"
May be it was plain nothing to the eyes of Naruto, Asami, and Kabuto. But for Kakashi, it was as if the great Amaterasu and Tsukiyomi had bestowed him a part of the heavens itself. Kakashi was shaking in content, the rush of emotions and realizations flooding his mind. The illusionary flashes of light radiating from the book was so heart lifting, let along the illustrations and title meant.
Icha Icha Chaos: Engagement Ring, Wedding Ring, and Suffering.
"This…this…so…I mean…you…you…that…," were the only words that Kakashi could mutter, incoherently, such comprehensions in one night can be so mind wrecking.
Being best friends with Uzumaki Naruto might have increased Asami's tolerance to ridiculous matter, but she knew just when enough was enough. "If you guys are done, I think all of us should get on with the new plan. Unless we're sticking with the original. "
Just when they were about to start, Kakashi remembered to ask the question that he thought he might forget when he saw something. It was the dark blue whirlpool crest on the back of Naruto's jacket. Kakashi had searched through the Konoha's latest bingo books, along from the other villages which usually meant international threats, asking his associates that were still in ANBU, only to come up with nothing.
The Leaf-nin asked, "The Land of Whirlpool wasn't something that you just made up, was it?"
Naruto didn't say anything in return, but flashed that mischievous smile again. Somehow this blonde shinobi seemed to be the driving factor of the team, forming some kind of special mood around him that Kakashi had completely. He knew how it felt, but couldn't actually put it to words.
Kabuto replied the question with another question, "Why ask a question when you already the answer?"
Naruto cracked his knuckles, "If we're really going to pull this off, I think we should make this as believable as possible. It wouldn't be fair for them anyways if you got off easy."
The Kyuubi Jinchuuriki was already standing behind the Leaf-nin; Kakashi could feel the utter glee breathing into his back. Kakashi's vision had quickly turned pitch black, the feeling of pain he felt just seconds before he passed out somehow told him that the blonde shinobi was still angry over the fact he came six hours late.
A flash of light.
Correction, a bright flash of light.
It was somehow piercing, despite being aware that his eyelids were closed. Haruno Sakura's already closed eyes shut even tighter, peaking at one moment, blinking them several times, and then to finally open them in accustom to the bright light. She looked around, only to realize a faint sensation of soreness at the back of her head. The pain didn't really bother here, but she tried to reach it .That was when she realized that she couldn't, after finding out that she was being bound by what she felt like wires. She was a sitting position, legs on the ground with her back to a tree.
"What happened…?" asked Sakura as she opened her eyes, trying to recall everything that could have lead to her to this current state.
Sakura finally spotted Naruto who was lazily sitting on a branch, his left leg on the branch while his right was swinging casually. Unlike her, Naruto had his eyes closed as if basking in every passing peaceful moment, in which Sakura took as a sign of insult in her own current situation. If it wasn't for his swinging legs, Naruto would have looked like he was asleep.
Naruto didn't bother to open his eyes, "You're finally awake."
Sakura began narrowing her eyes in contempt, grinding her teeth hard. Even if she wasn't the smartest kunoichi walking around the Land of Fire, it doesn't take a genius to figure out what was going on.
"Where are my teammates?" demanded Sakura at once.
"Around." answered Naruto without second thoughts as opened his opened his eyes, but Sakura could see little of him from her spot, "But that's being taken care off,"
As if waiting upon queue, Sakura was startled when she suddenly heard a loud cry of heart agonizing pain boomed through the forest, causing any birds around them to fly off for safety. She paled having recognized the cries to be Sasuke's voice, which she hasn't heard ever since the day that Orochimaru had branded the Uchiha with his Curse Seal many five years ago. Whoever these shinobis were, she knew that they must be crazy. In broad day light? Out in the open? In the middle of nowhere?
Sakura knew she wasn't thinking straight, trying to clear her head, after realizing she was asking such stupid questions. However, her face paled even further, blood draining from her face, when the resonating cry came to an abrupt stop.
"Took them long enough," Naruto rolled his eyes, as he looked at the direction where the shouts came from.
The Jinchuuriki jumped down, landing on all four quietly reminiscent with the grace of a cat, its whiskered cheeks only adding more to the idea in Sakura's opinion. "You think they would be faster with fishing out those Sharingan eyes and kill them off."
Faint whispers from Sakura could barely be heard, "No….."
"Oh yes, baby," said Naruto, as if he fed on every sign of her misery, "The last of the Uchiha shinobis around. Between you and having a Sharingan implant, it was a hard choice to make, since there were only three eyes to go around. Then again, I never really could get enough out of you Leaf's kunoichis."
Sakura knew that this has got to be some kind of nightmare, it had to. She tried struggling against the thin metal wires, already feeling her skin being cut. "If you think-"
Naruto spat out a needle, a direct hit just below her neck, in which caused her to topple sideways. Somehow her whole was now limp and yet she was fully aware of her surrounding.
The blonde's face was only centimeters away from her, the face cocked to a certain angle as he squatted down before her, "You should be grateful that I didn't disturb your little beauty sleep. I would say you're the prettiest Leaf kunoichi I've ever laid my eyes on, if it weren't for that big forehead of yours. Oh well, nobody's perfect."
Holding Sakura's face in his left hand, Naruto slapped her.
To say that Sakura waking up gratefully after a few decent slaps in the face would be an understatement.
"Sakura. Sakura. Sakura."
Sakura jerked awake in the hands of her Jounin instructor, Kakashi, startling him a little in effect. She was panting hard, noticing that she had been sweating, actually relieved when she realized that it was nothing but a nightmare.
How she hated nightmares.
"Kakashi-sensei! Oh thank Kami, it was just a dream, just…a dream…" panted Sakura, she felt as if she had sweated after a good training, glad that she wasn't tied as her hand went up and covered her forehead.
"More like a nightmare if you ask me, Sakura." Kakashi felt a bit guilty for the medic-nin's condition, the dreams weren't his fault, but having her knocked out was, "I tried shaking you awake, but that didn't work."
Sakura turned her head around, scanning the place in looking for Sai and Sasuke. She seemed alerted, "Where's Sasuke-kun?"
"Sasuke is fine, so is Sai. I was about to wake them up when I saw you thrashing in your sleep," answered Kakashi, just making sure Sakura was okay.
"Ouch. Those shinobis…" Sakura winced, feeling the throbbing of pain in the back of her head. The kunoichi was slowly relieving herself of the ache, realizing that it was already morning. "They didn't kill us?"
"Let's just say we were fortunate that they didn't anything else except for the info they were hoping for. They got me too, but only after they found out there was no deal," Kakashi made his way to Sai, left untouched since Jiraiya had given him a stunning elbow to the gut. "I woke up just a few minutes ago."
Sakura got up on her feet, "You and them talked?"
"Nothing much, they tried convincing me for a while but I said no. They didn't look happy, so they left, but the red haired kunoichi gave a hard blow before they did," said Kakashi as he began waking up Sai. "How about you help out by getting Sasuke?"
Sakura's face reddened in embarrassment, because she had been simply been standing while doing nothing but watched her Jounin instructor the whole time. "Right."
Sai woke up without much complaint, typical, with his usual expressionless demeanor. He dusted himself, cleaning off the dirt and blades of grass, unaware of the green smear on the back of his shirt due to the long friction on the grass. The member of the ANBU 'Roots' division gave an assessment on the clearing, merely saying, "They got away."
Sakura looked disappointed even further when she heard what Sai had said, she can't really remember the last time Team 7 had ever failed their mission. Tsunade wasn't going to be pleased. The guilt of pulling one of stupidest mistakes any amateur ninja would, underestimating your opponent. Most ninjas like that would have died, and never did get a chance to learn from those mistakes. Fortunately for the cherry blossom in the situation, she just so happens not to be one of those ninjas who lost their lives. As Kakashi expected when he saw the Uchiha, Sasuke was angry with himself at the instant he knew what had happened. His enlarged fuming Sharingan eyes, hard clenched fists, and the tight pursed lips, clear signs Kakashi had learned to recognize over the years in determining the level of his anger.
'He's angry alright,' confirmed Kakashi in thought.
Sasuke tried to pry his chokuto off the tree, evidently getting angrier when he had a hard time pulling the blade out. Conducting his lightning chakra through the blade, damaging the tree in the process, Sasuke was finally able to take back his prized weapon and store it back into its sheath, confronting Kakashi when finished.
Kakashi raised his visible eyebrow, looking at the silent Uchiha. "Is there something you want to say?"
"I'm going after them," merely stated Sasuke, as if he could just make a decision.
"No, you're not going after them, all of us are going back to Konoha and report this to Hokage-sama," countered Kakashi, though his tone was unusual since it sounded too casual for Sai, Sakura, and Sasuke after everything had happened. "Besides, even if I let you, you don't know how to track them over the large time lapse,"
If there were things Sakura didn't want to do at that moment, it was telling her mentor that she had simply failed her mission. "What? But Kakashi-sensei... aren't we suppose to be doing something about this? Besides returning back and giving up just like that? We can't just give up and let them get away,"
"We can still chase them, perhaps your ninja dogs can help, Kakashi-sensei..." trailed away Sai with the honorifics.
"That's a good idea! You can summon Pakkun and have him sniff around this place," agreed Sakura to the idea.
Sasuke didn't want to say anything, despite being beaten by Sai, all he wanted was to get even with that wild blonde haired shinobi.
Kakashi was looking in the direction that would eventually led him back to Konoha, he explained, "I appreciate all this determination and everything, and for once I'm thrilled that you, Sakura, to have actually praised Sai for the first time instead of bickering with him. But right now, all we need right now is to quickly report this Hokage-sama as soon as we can. I don't want to hear any protests coming from any of you,"
The three tomoe Sharingan eyes of Sasuke was observing Kakashi from head to toe, giving a thorough inspection at his head, looking for any signs whether he's under some kind of genjutsu. He didn't detect any abnormal flow of chakra, meanwhile Sakura approached her superior with a hand seal.
"Kakashi-sensei, wait up," called Sakura, blue chakra flowing in her glove worn hands. The messy silver haired Jounin turned around, only to have Sakura tap her index and middle finger on his hitae headband. She didn't say it out loud, 'Kai! (Release)'
"He's not under a genjutsu, Sakura," stated Sasuke, because his Sharingan could've seen any irregular flow of chakra in Kakashi's body or brain.
Before Sakura had anything to say about it, Sasuke mildly shook his head, "No, he's not an enemy under a henge,"
"I want to be sure, you kept on saying that we should go. As if you're avoiding something. Can you summon Pakkun for us, Kakashi-sensei? Just to be safe," asked Sakura carefully.
Kakashi was impressed that they were taking the necessary precautions; damn that Naruto was right on the spot. They're more suspicious like this and stalling more time, a summoning technique is a great way to confirm one's identity than asking questions, "If it's going to make you believe me."
The so called man of a thousand jutsu bit him thumb, performed the necessary chain of hand seals, and called out. "Kuchiyose no Jutsu."
Pakkun appeared out of nowhere, onto the place where his summoner had placed his palm, after the usual puffs of smoke cleared away, looking as bored as ever. Sai looked at Sakura, "I think it's best if we forget this and focus on more important matters, I find this to be a waste of time."
Sakura's hands trembled, really controlling herself from crushing down her teammate's neck. "Shut up, Sai. I know that."
"It's nothing, Pakkun, Sakura here just wanted to see me summon you. You can go," said Kakashi towards his ninja dog, Pakkun huffed, calling him only to dismiss him only a few seconds he appeared; now disappearing in a puff of smoke.
The dog's voice could be heard muttering, "Call Bull or someone else the next time you want a pointless summon,"
"Wait! Why did you do that, Kakashi-sensei? We could've asked him to lead us to their trail," said Sakura in frustration.
"It wouldn't have done us any good Sakura. We don't have anything for Pakkun to smell first, I'm sure if they're good enough to beat us means they're good enough to cover their tracks. So how about we calm down a little?" asked Kakashi, 'Sai doesn't count. As usual,'
Sakura finally admitted, "I guess so..."
"How about we leave first and I'll explain why it so important that we should return to Konoha on our way there, okay?" smiled Kakashi, though the smile was hidden under his face mask.
Sai studied the care free Jounin, "You think they're heading towards Konoha."
When everyone heard him, Kakashi noticed that Sasuke was already gone, thinking that he was probably running back as fast as his feet could carry him.
Kakashi mused, 'That went well. I can't say I haven't done a good job stalling them without raising any suspicions,'
Meanwhile, Jiraiya had been leading his team straight towards Konohagakure without a single stop, having unanimously agreed that they would only sleep once they reached the village. Uzumaki Naruto was at the rear, jumping his way from branch to branch on all four, only to occasionally land on his two legs once in a while in a hunched form. The tapping of Jiraiya's wooden sandals onto the large branches could be heard.
"Jiraiya-jiisama, don't you think it's ironic?" Asami asked straightforward, the formalities between her and Kabuto were different, knowing that man just as long as Naruto had.
"Hm? About what?" replied Jiraiya in focus, after paying most of his attention on the problems laid ahead while keeping up pace with the three youths.
"You finally end up coming here again; it must have been forty one years since,"
"Eh?" asked Naruto, the question had grabbed the attention of both him and Kabuto also.
"Didn't you know, Naruto? Jiraiya-jiisama used to live in Konohagakure," answered Asami, her hand briefly grabbing onto a branch before she swung herself forward.
"Was it Raetsu or Hasuki that told you?" asked Jiraiya, not that he was angry or had forbidden the Fuusetsu couple from telling his past to their daughter.
"Mom did," smiled Asami, as that question was asked on the same day she signed her own animal summoning contract.
Naruto slowed down his pace to let them catch up, asking his guardian, "Then how come you've never said anything about Konoha before?"
"Because there's nothing much to be said about it when I was there," replied Jiraiya indifferently, "I lost my family in a shinobi war, lived in an orphanage ever since I could remember, and went to the ninja academy until I was ten. That's when I met Bunta."
Naruto didn't like the hermit's brief answer, "That's it? Oh, come on! There's got to be more than just that. Were you already a pervert back then?"
"No, that's just it, you brat," said Jiraiya in annoyance, not completely answering Naruto's question since he didn't say anything about him being a pervert back then.
"Exactly how did you meet Gamabunta in the first place, Jiraiya-sama?" asked Kabuto, sparing a side glance to his left.
"Fine! If you want to know, I was the dead last of the class," answered Jiraiya crossly to Naruto's question first, Asami was about to say something, "Okay! The whole academy. Happy?"
"A little, I guess that's why you never did go berserk back when I failed my Genjutsu test." smiled Naruto. The Toad Hermit didn't go berserk, despite the miserable marks the blonde shinobi got, but he did train Naruto to the point that he heavily regretted when the boy took the make up test.
"I stumbled upon Bunta when I got lost during the class's survival training exercise," continued Jiraiya, a slight frown from embarrassment, "Had been walking around pointlessly for days, I was really hungry and thirsty."
Naruto didn't know what to really say, but said it anyway, "You sure know how to mess things up big time, eh Jii-san?"
From that day, Jiraiya never was choosy when it came to eating; reaching to the point that he never spared a single grain of rice from his bowl. Something he had passed on to Naruto, although the Jinchuuriki would rather choose ramen over anything.
The fifty three year old veteran contemplated on the plans that were soon to be carried in Konohagakure, "Its time like these that I'm glad you're one of us Naruto, not some enemy, because you've given me enough headaches as it is."
The said blonde shinobi made on large somersault over a branch, toying with his guardian, "I don't know what you're talking about, Jii-san."
Jiraiya's eyebrows furrowed, "Don't play with me,"
"As if, I'd rather play with my yo-yo than play with you," Naruto joked.
Asami and Kabuto only grinned at the usual antics, already used to the two's trivial family arguments.
"If Naruto was your enemy from some other village, I don't think he'd be much a challenge than he is right now, would he?" pointed out Kabuto. "He wouldn't be everything that he is,"
Asami landed on one large branch, and gave another jump to the next. The Fuusetsu didn't seem to agree, "May be, or he could still be just as strong or may be stronger."
"Who knows, I might be just a civilian who gets to eat ramen for breakfast, lunch, and dinner," thought up Naruto, one of his many daydreams.
"And still hate vegetables with utmost contempt," added Kabuto.
They laughed to their heart's content, all because each and every one of them was fully aware of their surroundings and knew there wasn't a single person within a hearing distance. Their laughter died down soon enough, Jiraiya looked up ahead and evaluated, "It won't be long now before they realize what we're doing and decide to make their move."
"How I wish by the time they do, we've already got the rest," commented Kabuto in response to Jiraiya's words.
"Wouldn't that be something," said Naruto, all four knew that would be too good to be true. "Anyways, it's a good thing you met Toad Boss."
Asami grimly shook her head, "Given its dark history so far, I don't think they know that it's going to get worse,"
They were already halfway towards Konohagakure. Jiraiya, Kabuto, Naruto, and Asami began increasing their speed, each and every one of them busy with their thinking, though the thoughts were on the same subject matter.
'Sanbi was the only tailed beast that wasn't sealed,' thought Jiraiya, recalling the day of their intense battle with the three tailed water beast. They almost got themselves killed fighting it when knowing that they couldn't risk killing the tailed beast itself.
The scenery from the reflection on Kabuto's round spectacles sped like those passing on a car's windows, 'The others are definitely not going to be easy,'
Asami gazed the clan crest on Naruto's back, then at her finger where the 'North Ring' would be worn, her mind thinking, 'We're going against people with tailed beasts sealed inside them.'
Naruto's eyes flashed in red for a moment, his lips moving in an inaudible whisper, 'Two down, three to go,'
The foundations that made Konoha were going to be shaken up once more, its dark pasts and secrets returning back once more. All in all, the village has become a checkpoint in their race in going after the tailed beasts.
There! How about that? Rate and review, people! Here goes the magic word, uh...Please? Oh come one! A nice job would be nice enough...Mwa ha ha ha ha, I feel like the review monger that I was once more. Weird thing, isn't it? I mean a review can mean that the story's not doing well, but people still like and try to review it. The harshest ones become FLAMES, scary...I remember a guy ranting in his story's summary when people sent him flames.