"So you're saying that your intent is to return to Konoha?" Kakashi looked down his nose at the man, eyeing him suspiciously, to which the medic gave a nod. "Somehow I find that hard to believe. I understand how you might see yourself as something of an asset to us now that Orochimaru is out of the picture, but that isn't enough," He shifted uncomfortably, the mere thought of the things this guy was capable of didn't help whatsoever. Kabuto glanced down at the pink-haired girl who lay still on the ground in front of him, her eyes stared up at the sky. He withdrew his hand from where he'd been healing the last of her injuries, and moved to stand. He heard Naruto's heel dig into the dirt, and when his gaze turned to the blond, he was met with fierce blue eyes.
"Yeah, Kabuto. After all the messed up tricks you've played and the twisted things you've done over the years, I don't think it's a good idea," He nearly growled, his nails digging into the skin of his palms. Kabuto only quirked an eyebrow at the boy, resisting the urge to smirk. It tickled him oddly whenever he was able to strike a nerve within someone. Kakashi looked to Naruto, who glanced back at him, and he could tell that like most things involving Naruto's strong emotions, this wasn't going to be simple by any means. The copy-nin heaved a sigh after moments passed, slowly making his way over to Sakura, who was now crouched in the same spot where she had been prone.
"Since you found him, I want to hear your input on this whole ordeal," His eyes darted to Kabuto momentarily before landing back on her.
Sakura thought it over, not expecting to have any say in the gray-haired man's fate. She knew he was likely scheming something up underneath that unreadable façade, but at the same time, there were many things Kabuto knew that they didn't. He was valuable in a way, maybe just enough to keep around for a while. Without a doubt, she knew Lady Tsunade was going to speak with him, and she would ultimately decide what they would do with him. He had to be asinine if he thought they were going to let him resume living a normal life, as if he hadn't committed atrocious acts. Sakura's brow furrowed, her lips parting to speak.
"I think we should give him a chance," She immediately looked to Naruto. He wore an expression of someone who had just been slapped. While she knew he was more than likely hiding something, she truly felt that he had been honest about everything he said before.
"But Sakura, it's him!" The blond shouted in exasperation, as if he hadn't been riled up enough by simple act of discovering the missing sound-nin.
"Look, I know it isn't really the most favorable option, but if it helps to sweeten the deal, I can tell you about many things… Secrets," Kabuto interjected, all eyes suddenly darting in his direction.
"I had a similar thought, as it may be your only ticket into Konoha — one that may grant you at least some freedom there, anyway." Kakashi replied smoothly. Naruto huffed, and Sakura's gaze flickered between the two gray-haired men.
"Either way, our orders are to bring you back to the village. You can take it up with Lady Hokage when we return," The rosette's words sounded in a final note to the discussion. What she figured to be the worst part of this mission was already over with, and had gone so much easier than she had expected. It unsettled her, because knowing Kabuto, he was likely scheming something beneath the surface of his all-too-cooperative behavior. His words seemed sincere enough, but his eyes told her a different story, one she wouldn't hear of until much later in time.
"Whatever, we've got him now so let's get going," Naruto gave an unsavory glance in Kabuto's direction before turning to walk down the path from which they'd come.
They began the journey back to the Leaf village, only stopping once to rest, and by the time the gates were within view, it was almost midday and they were all equally exhausted from the lack of sleep and proper food. It had been much worse before though, and this was hardly a speck in comparison to a few of the other instances.
As the team passed through the tall gates, Naruto stopped and slung off his rucksack, letting it drop to the ground. He spun around to look at Kabuto, who straightened upon meeting his eyes.
"Don't get any funny ideas. Just because we chose not to restrain you doesn't mean you're free to roam," He said sharply, but his rigid posture softened as he felt Kakashi's hand rest on his shoulder.
"That's not for you to worry about, Naruto. He is certainly not going anywhere by himself. The Hokage will know what to do," he offered reassuringly. While the blond's gaze was away from him, Kabuto let his own eyes wander to the pink-haired ninja beside him. It had been her idea to let him travel freely alongside her team, and for whatever reason, he felt a shred of appreciation for that, not like it was a big deal. Sakura turned towards him then, almost like she had felt his eyes on her.
"Are you ready?" She asked him, wondering if he was nervous or afraid. It felt a little dumb to even worry about things like that.
Kabuto raised his eyebrows, an odd expression crossing his features. He nodded and Sakura's eyes darted over his face before she gave her own brief nod, motioning for him to move forward.
The rest of the team followed along, heading for the tower where Kabuto's fate would be decided.
Hearing a knock on the large wooden doors of her office, Lady Tsunade gave permission for entry, and the members of team seven were spilling into the room along with their captive.
A long moment of total silence stretched on for a little too long, it seemed. Sakura could tell her mentor was not about to take it easy on this guy, and that made her stomach churn. She was aware of what happened the last time the two were in such close vicinity of each other, and she knew Tsunade was one to hold grudges.
"So, now that you're all here, I'm going to tell you what's going to happen for the time being. But before I do, I need to know why it seems as though Kabuto is here of his own free will," The Fifth Hokage began, her piercing gaze now set upon the man she spoke of. Sakura was the one to answer, finding the words slipping out faster than she could think.
"Because he is, ma'am,"
Tsunade was silent, waiting for more of an explanation.
"He claims he has no ill intentions, and his goal is to gain the village's trust in order to lead a better life," Sakura went on, still not giving all the details. She decided it may be better if Kabuto were to explain things in his own way if given the opportunity. Tsunade's hands fell into her lap as she sat back in her chair, her expression unreadable.
"Well," The blond sannin started, pursing her lips momentarily.
"That's a load of bullshit if I ever heard one. Hell, I'd even laugh if it wasn't for the absurdity of it all!" She nearly shouted, the air in the room was rapidly changing with the simmering intensity of her anger. Naruto huffed, stepping forward so he was directly in front of her desk.
"Look, granny, I feel the same way. But Sakura thinks it's worth a shot to let him try, just once. And if he screws up, we let the other guys take care of him,"
"And why should I agree to that just because you two seem to think it's a good idea? Do you forget who he is or the things he has done?"
"Because for one thing, he killed Orochimaru, and another thing — I trust Sakura's judgement. If she sees something in him worth giving a chance, then maybe it's not such a bad idea. I mean, we have been chasing after someone else who doesn't have the best track record when it comes to this stuff, what would you do if we brought him back here and asked you the same thing?" Naruto's tone had become heated, but he meant it. Just what would they do with Sasuke if he were to come home? Throw him in prison? Or give him a second chance?
Tsunade seemed to process the things she was hearing, weighing his words carefully. This would be a bigger risk than necessary, but Naruto was right. She had never expected things to become so complicated, thinking everyone would be on the same page with simply throwing this man into prison. She had a sliver of regret for not sending a different team on this mission, but it was too late for that now. With a long sigh, she crossed an arm over her chest, resting the opposite elbow upon her hand as she moved to rub at her temple.
"This is on you if things don't work out. If he puts so much as a single finger out of line, that's it,"
Tsunade's eyes landed harshly on Kabuto as she continued. "And he is not to be left unsupervised, ever. There is a place he can stay on the outskirts of the village for the time being, and since this was your idea, Sakura, I'm going to give you the honor of looking after him until I figure out what to do with him," Her gaze shifted to her student, and the look in her eyes made Sakura feel as though this was some sort of punishment. Which, in a way, it was.
"I understand, ma'am," Sakura nodded slightly, swallowing hard. She couldn't help but wonder what was going through Kabuto's mind at this time. If he was planning something sinister, it wouldn't be very hard for him to move things along after this.
"And I will be sure to give you a little more security. I will have two of my best agents escort you to the building I mentioned before, and they will remain stationed outside," Tsunade added, and Sakura let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
"Now all of you, get out. I have to sort things out," She waved a hand towards the doors for extra effect, and the team followed her command, heading for the exit. Kabuto followed them, but stopped when he heard the Hokage's voice once more.
"And you. Don't you think for one second I'm finished with you, you hear me? I don't know what slimy fuckery you may have in mind, but if you try anything, I'll see to it that there is nothing left of you but dust," The sannin said in a low snarl, her words like venom.
Kabuto simply blinked, seemingly unfazed by her threats. And then he smiled.
"Oh, I understand. But it's nothing like that,"
"Just watch yourself, I mean it. Now get the hell out of my sight before I change my mind." And with that, he turned to follow the ninja who had stopped to wait for him a bit down the hall.