~28~

"Why do you have that?" Sai asked, overwhelmed at seeing his precious picture book again. "So you remember what this is, huh?" Naruto said. Sai's face turned to Danzo, not sure of what to do.

One random thing had occurred after another. "That is enough!" Danzo finally said.

Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "As you can see, Sai has a very serious condition. He has lost his memory of the past year. He is my direct responsibility and I am doing what I can for him."

"Why did you tell us he was dead? Tsunade asked.

"I am not obligated to answer accusatory questions, Tsunade-hime. Nevertheless, I will, for all your sake," Danzo replied with obvious indignation. "If, by chance, he does not regain his memory, association with the villagers will only serve to confuse him further. He is a trained shinobi under Root and it will be to the country's detriment if he becomes ineffective in his missionary functions."

Tsunade almost gagged at Danzo's attempt to appear noble with his reasoning. Plus, he called the rest of them 'villagers' as if ninjas from the regular units were beneath Root's own.

"Such emotional outbursts," Danzo added, pointing at Naruto and Sakura, "prove the validity of my concern." Naruto and Sakura did their very best not to explode.

"Tsunade-hime," Danzo began again. "Please advise these young ones that I have sole discretion when it comes to my own subordinates. This is the end of the matter. We shall take our leave." And with that, he motioned to Sai to follow him to the exit. Sai obeyed.

"Wait," Naruto said as Sai was walking past him. He held out the picture book in his hand. Sai stopped. He wanted to take it back more than anything. But Danzo-sama didn't know he had it in the first place. He wasn't supposed to have any possessions. He was sure it was going to get confiscated later. He looked at Naruto and decided the book might be safer with him for a while. He walked away, leaving Naruto still holding out his arm, picture book in hand.

"Danzo-sama," Tsunade called out as Danzo reached the door. He stopped without turning around. "I am a medical ninja," Tsunade began. "Better than most, I am told. Won't you let me try and help with Sai's condition?"

"It's very kind of you to offer, Tsunade-hime," Danzo said. "But isn't that another attempt to interfere with something that you have no authority over?"

"Of course not," was Tsunade's quick reply. "I merely want to do what I can to help. I will not permit anyone to question Sai any further. Nor will anyone answer his questions."

Danzo doubted this very much. However, he was fully aware how suspicious he seemed at that moment. Further discredit with the Hokage would only serve to be a disadvantage. If he couldn't prevent others from questioning Sai, he could just order him not to ask anymore questions and forbid him to answer anything they ask. Ikioku assured that the memory seal was untraceable so there was little harm in playing with these fools for just a little while longer. "Very well," he finally said. "However, I can only permit half a day for you by tomorrow, and no more. We have our own means in Root. If you cannot do anything within that time, you have to promise that the matter will be closed."

Naruto and Sakura turned to Tsunade for some assurance. She stayed silent for a moment, her mind racing. "Agreed," she finally said. Danzo continued his exit with Sai at his tail.

Outside Tsunade's office, a row of people stood by the wall of the hallway, watching as Danzo passed by. Sai saw them but gave no acknowledgement. Shikamaru, Chouji, Ino, Hinata, Kiba and Shino were not surprised by this as they were listening in at what just transpired inside. They came straight over when they heard Sai was picked up by the Anbu.

"Byakugan," Hinata thought quietly, activating her technique aimed at Sai.

~29~

"Tsunade-shishiou, is half a day really enough?" Sakura asked addressing Tsunade as an apprentice would a teacher.

"Not really," Tsunade answered. "But it's half a day or nothing."

The young ninjas in the hall joined them. "What if he does something to Sai before tomorrow," Naruto asked still holding the picture book.

"Danzo will not do anything now that will invite serious investigation. I think Sai's life is safe, at least," Tsunade assured.

"I'm amazed the Anbu got hold of Sai before Root did. That's the Hokage for ya," Kiba exclaimed.

"It wasn't me," Tsunade admitted. "Judging from which Anbu brought Sai in here, I'd say Kakashi had something to do with it," she said turning her attention to the two Anbu who were still in the room.

"Before he went on a mission, Kakashi-senpai asked us to intercept Sai within the parameter of the forest, a few kilometers ahead of Root Anbu who were manning the wall," one of them explained.

"That's Kakashi-sensei for ya," Kiba said this time.

"Uhm..." Hinata stammered. "I checked Sai's chakra flow and it seemed normal. What do you suppose is wrong with him?" Everyone had been wondering the same thing.

"By the looks of it, Sai is not likely to cooperate with us willingly," Sakura lamented.

"I may have a plan," Shikamaru said. "So do I," Tsunade replied. "Let's combine ideas and see what we come up with." Shikamaru nodded.

oOoOoOoOo

Danzo was walking along intersecting bridges en route to Root's headquarters. Sai kept his pace behind his master. It was the place where Danzo informed Sai he was to be assigned to Team 7 a year before.

"You now know that your failed mission involved the jinchuuriki," he began as he kept on walking. Sai had his mind on his picture book. Danzo stopped and turned to face him. "The past no longer matters," he said. "Konoha's future is Root's priority, do you still believe this?"

"Hai," Sai replied.

"Tomorrow, you shall go to the Hokage and let her perform her examination as she pleases. They may tell you things that might confuse you. Don't believe them. I will explain the details of your lost memory when you return. Tell them nothing, ask them nothing. Is that clear?"

"Hai," Sai said again.

"Good. Proceed to your chamber from here. I expect a full report about your last mission by tomorrow afternoon." Sai bowed.

Danzo walked away but then stopped. "Is your wound healed?" he said not turning around. Sai's gaze turned to his bandaged shoulder. "Hai," he replied remembering something pleasant.

"I'm glad," Danzo said attempting to exhibit a kind of fatherly concern for the first time in his life. He walked on.

Sai raised his head and followed Danzo with his eyes. His emotions were tangled deep within him. This was not quite what he expected upon his return.

Continue to Part 30