A/N: Here is chapter four. I can't help but notice that there is a very large discrepency between the amount of hits/visitors and the number of reviews; if you're reading this story at all, PLEASE review. It means a lot to me, and helps other readers discover this story. The more reviews a story has, the more likely it is to be noticed by new readers. Aside from those factors, hearing what you all think helps me improve my story and encourages me to write.

Without further ado...

**********Chapter 4: The First Domino********

When faced with a significant decision, Sasuke rarely had trouble deciding what to do. Usually, the answer simply came down to which path would lead him to more power. But today, he had to decide between doing the world a favor or being on his way to his true goal.

Needless to say, taking on one of the legendary Sannin tended to bring pause to Sasuke's thoughts. As he neared the door to his "master's" room, he listened in on a conversation between the snake and his favorite pet.

"…so they've finally made their move?"

"Capturing the Kazekage in front of all of Sunagakure fits Akatsuki's profile. No one else would even attempt such a feat, let alone succeed."

"They're likely to use the hideout in the nearby River Country…it might be time to pay my old friends a visit."

"Orochimaru-sama, forgive my impudence, but with the ritual being so close, perhaps—"

"Yes, patience would be rather rewarding. I've waited years for this, so a few weeks shouldn't be a problem."

'Akatsuki is in the River Country,' thought the Uchiha prodigy, 'which means he will be too. It would seem that I've got more important things to do than take on the Snake Sannin.' Even as arrogant as he was, Sasuke held some limits with his ego. He knew that taking on Orochimaru without some significant advantage to tip the scales would be unwise. But Kabuto, on the other hand…

It would be far easier and still be a significant blow to the snake. Not to mention that it would help smooth things over with Konoha, should he decide to go with that option. The setup wouldn't be difficult; a believable distraction, during which Sasuke would appear to show up as backup, only to turn on him at his most vulnerable moment. 'Tonight.'

A low, amused whistle broke the silence that had settled over the Konoha 11 ever since the beginning of the fight. "It looks like the idiot grew in more than his height," the shaggy-haired teen said as has dog barked in approval.

Casting a furtive glance at his chronically shy teammate, Kiba noticed the admiration and pride that swelled beneath her pale eyes. 'You've grown too, Hinata. I hope you realize that.'

Having sparred with Sakura frequently, the ninja near Kiba weren't surprised by her performance. But the blond's case was a very different story. The looks of surprise were evident across each of his friends' faces as Naruto unleashed several powerful fuuton jutsus and demonstrated excellent usage of his famous Kage Bunshin. The biggest shock, however, was his demeanor. Gone was the seemingly idiotic way of speaking, or the hyperactive, overexcited attitude he had constantly, even in battle. Instead, the teen looked like he had actually grown up a bit while he was away.

"Let's not keep them waiting," said Tsunade, who had been observing the battle with a prideful smirk.

The group descended towards the trio below, who looked up with expressions of shock, amusement, and indifference. Respectively, of course.

"How long have you all been watching?" asked the pink-haired kunoichi.

"Whole time, Forehead," replied her old friend.

Tsunade never dropped her smirk as she spoke, "Well done, both of you. I'm thoroughly impressed. Naruto," she then switched to her 'Hokage' voice, "you demonstrated many unique tactics, versatility, adaptability, and ability to keep a level head in times of action. I hereby promote you to Chuunin status."

After a few moments of shock, Naruto rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment from the praise as he displayed a sheepish grin. She wasn't finished, however. "And I must say, it's about time. The rest of the group has been wondering when you'd catch up."

"Huh? You guys are all Chuunin?" replied the exasperated blond. He turned to his teammate. "You too, Sakura-chan?"

Everyone nodded, though Tenten spoke up. "Neji made Jounin, actually." At that, Naruto's head snapped to the face of his former rival, determination for a rematch burning in both of their eyes. This wasn't missed by the crowd.

"I see," said Naruto, in a tone that seemed out of place coming from him.

Seeing that there was likely to be another lengthy spar if she didn't intervene, Tsunade spoke up. "Naruto, Sakura, Kakashi, you're all dismissed. Good work. As for the rest of you, it's about dinner time anyway. Why don't you all catch up over a nice meal?"

Knowing that Ichiraku's couldn't possibly seat so many, Sakura expected Naruto to bring everyone's attention to the fact immediately. But once again, she was surprised by her formerly idiotic teammate. "Sounds great, everyone. How about we let Chouji decide?"

Little did she know that Naruto had already decided to have a clone pick up 10 bowls of miso-ramen to go.

Sometimes, things were too easy, Sasuke decided. Setting one of Orochimaru's more powerful experiments free had created just the type of distraction he needed. And he didn't even need to ask. As he waited in the shadows, Kabuto approached the escaped prisoner with a twisted chuckle.

"Orochimaru-sama doesn't appreciate it when experiments try and take matters into their own hands. You should know that escape is futile by now, Suigetsu."

The teen showed a twisted grin of his own. Sasuke could easily deduce that Suigetsu had been looking forward to such an opportunity for a long, long time. The water-based shinobi charged the medic-nin, using a jutsu to enlarge the muscles in his arms. Kabuto's hands emanated blue chakra as he initiated the chakra scalpel technique that Sasuke was all too familiar with.

Suigetsu's fist raced towards the glasses-wearing shinobi when his arm was sliced clean off by a smirking Kabuto. The severed arm quickly reverted back into water, and started to form a small spear behind the white-haired man's back. As Suigetsu tried to keep up Kabuto's unrelenting attacks, Sasuke waited for the right opportunity. Kabuto was about to successfully slice off the water-nin's head, but just as the water spear was about to impale Kabuto from behind, Sasuke saw his opening. He used the body flicker technique to shoot forward, and caught the water spear mere inches from the medic-nin's back.

Suigetsu turned to look at Sasuke in confusion and anger, while Kabuto looked behind him, seeing what Sasuke had done, and turned back to Suigetsu, relief evident on his face. "Thanks for the assist, Sasuke-kun. I guess this pest wasn't so brainless after al—"

He never finished the sentence. With his back to Sasuke after turning to face what he believed to be the true threat, Kabuto was impaled from behind with the same water spear that Sasuke had seemingly saved Kabuto from a moment ago. The Sharingan master didn't miss; Kabuto was dead before he hit the ground.

"You're welcome." Sasuke began to head to one of the exits to the hideout. It was time to move.

A/N: I hope you liked this one. Kabuto had it coming, really, and I still don't understand why (in the manga) Sasuke didn't kill him after beating Orochimaru. It will obviously come to bite him in the butt later.

Things are going to start seriously deviating from canon at this point. And please, review! There are a lot of hits/visitors, but reviews are the reason I keep writing, and writing as often as I do. There is no greater joy for a writer than hearing specific feedback or comments about their work.