~30~

According to Danzo and Tsunade's agreement, Sai was to report to Konoha's research facility the next morning. He was to be examined by Tsunade and one assistant while Root representatives would be allowed to observe from outside. Danzo took no chances despite giving Sai his orders.

Sai entered the compound with two Root Anbu and they were led by a research staff member to a laboratory room with a large square glass window overlooking the hallway. He was asked to enter while the Anbu remained outside. The two proceeded to the hallway about three meters from the window where they can monitor the examination.

Tsunade was already inside along with an assistant. Sai was seen as he approached Tsunade who asked him to take a seat on a narrow clinic-style bed. Tsunade and her assistant proceeded with routine medical examinations. Sai responded with neither emotion nor enthusiasm. This was what the two Root Anbu witnessed for the remainder of the half day allowed by their master.

But things were not what they seem. In another location early that morning, Sai sat unconscious, strapped on an oversized mechanical seat. Tsunade had prepared a powerful sleep-inducing drug which knocked Sai out immediately after the door of the initial room closed behind him. He had no time to react.

The two Root Anbu did not witness Sai being carried by Naruto and Shikamaru through a secret door that led directly to the next room and out a passageway leading to a large cavernous chamber where Tsunade herself was waiting, along with Sakura, Ino, and Hinata. Chouji stood guard by the entrance outside. Kiba and his faithful canine partner Akamaru, were positioned on opposite sides. Neji was guarding the entire parameter from the rear.

Back at the laboratory room being observed by the Anbu, Tenten, who morphed as Tsunade, continued to perform fake tests on a fake Sai, played by a morphed Shino. Rock Lee, in complete lab uniform with a white mask over his mouth and cap over his head acted as the medical assistant.

The group in the large chamber waited anxiously. They had only a few hours, yet they were still unsure of what their bold actions would lead to. A minute later, the sliding door opened revealing a figure who would serve as their last and only hope. Yamanaka Inoichi.

"Good morning, father," greeted Ino.

Tsunade acknowledged his arrival then said, "I made initial tests but couldn't find anything."

I'll do what I can," Inoichi promised. He approached Sai and placed his right hand on the unconscious ninja's head.

Everyone stood watching Inoichi's face. He looked disturbed with his eyes closed and the gap between his brows contorted. A few minutes later, he released his hand and addressed the group. "It's hard to explain, he began. "There are large black spaces in his memory. There are images of events that seem to have occurred in recent weeks but it's..." Inoichi tried to search for a proper word. "It's 'thick'."

"What do you mean?" Tsunade asked.

"It's like, it's layered, on top of something," he answered, not quite sure if it's the right term. Everyone was lost with the description.

"I guess we can assume that the black spaces are his memories of us," Sakura offered.

Shikamaru nodded then said, "I'm not sure if we can pry too much into Sai's private memory of recent weeks but I'm interested to know what happened between the time he disappeared and the time he lost his memory. That would begin around the 19th of last month."

Tsunade turned to Inoichi, "Can you try and trace to that point?"

"Inoichi-san", Shikamaru said. "Maybe you can start from the time his current visible memory appeared," he suggested.

Inoichi pondered on this for a while. "I'll try. I'll need some assistance from my friend here, pointing to a gigantic device in the middle of the chamber.

~31~

Inoichi pulled out a metal headgear attached to translucent sensory cables connected to the huge device. He placed his hand back on Sai's head and concentrated. The group nervously waited keenly aware of the time. An hour had passed since Sai's fake examination started in another room. They had less than four hours left.

Another hour had gone by quickly. At last, Inoichi spoke after what seemed like forever.

"I think I found something. I think..." He paused. "I think I can get in between the layers." Nobody understood what he was talking about but it sounded promising. "There it is," he said again. Then he opened his eyes. "It's Danzo."

Inoichi faced Tsunade after a moment. "Hokage-sama, I think you may want to see this for yourself."

"I see," Tsunade nodded in understanding. She scanned the young ninjas present then settled on Shikamaru. "I'll need you."

"Huh?" a surprised Shikamaru uttered.

"Unfortunately, you're father is not available so you will have to do," she said motioning for him to come over. Shikamaru obeyed.

"As you know," Tsunade started, noting Shikamaru's bewildered expression. "Your father has the *ability to transfer telepathic messages to others in partnership with Inoichi-san^ here." Shikamaru nodded.

"He can also transfer direct images," Tsunade revealed. The others were impressed.

"But," Shikamaru interrupted, "I can't do that yet."

"Of course you can," Tsunade assured. "It's in your blood," she added leading him toward Inoichi. "You don't even have to do anything. Of course, you may not have the ability to send out images through the air yet so I'll have to hold on to your head."

Inoichi motioned for Shikamaru to kneel down. He placed his left hand on the young ninja's head. Tsunade did the same. Shikamaru felt kind of awkward.

"I want to see too!" Naruto demanded.

"So do I," Sakura said.

"Me too," Ino said.

"Uhm," Hinata began. "May I also...?"

"You've got to be kidding!" Shikamaru protested. But Tsunade gave her consent and so everyone placed one hand on his head. "This is troublesome!"

Inoichi placed his right hand on Sai's head again and everyone's mind traveled fast into a sea of black. Then an image of Sai's apartment, a Root shinobi appeared informing him he was being summoned by Danzo. Flash. Danzo appeared.

"You are to return to Root to perform black op missions just as you have done before."

"Hai!"

"Lift your head."

Chakra wires came from opposite sides pulling Sai's wrists back.

"Why did you betray me?"

The events played according to how it happened and they were witnessing it through Sai's eyes.

"Sai, you like that name, don't you? But it's not your name. You have no name. You are...," Danzo's tirade went on. Then, "eliminate Uzumaki Naruto."

Naruto flinched, his eyes still closed.

"But...didn't you want Naruto protected, Danzo-sama?"

"The jinchuuriki is no longer valuable to the safety of the country..."

"Forgive me; I cannot do as you ask."

"... There are a few other subjects who are contributing to the degradation of Konoha's morals. Choose any one of those and consider yourself redeemed."

"Haruno Sakura, Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Chouji..."

The ninjas gathered saw their own names on the list.

"I'm sorry," they heard Sai say.

"It's too bad, young one. I had placed great value in your abilities but you exercise poor judgment. None of those you consider friends care about you or your whereabouts."

Right then, Hinata pulled out her hand from Shikamaru's head. But she already saw it. The wires cutting through Sai's wrists. She glanced at everyone else, still with eyes closed but with pained expressions on their faces. She forced herself to put her hand back on.

Sai was on the floor staring at the wall. His left arm visible from the way he lay, handless. Blood was gushing out. Then, flashing images. Sai was remembering things from his past. Smiling faces. Their faces. Their clowning around, their missions, their hardships, their victories. Then darkness.

Continue to Part 32