Chapter Five

WARNING: for those of you who don't like too much blood and slight torture, don't read the end of the chapter

It wasn't that Sakura wasn't happy about her life; somehow, she came back from the dead, was placed in her own team and was now able to change the gruesome future Konoha had yet to face. Still, as she looked at young Sasuke cleaning kunai a few meters away from her and her own past self clinging on him, she had a bitter feeling about the whole thing.

It has been a few days since their team passed and Morino Ibiki became their sensei – said man was sitting under the tree and, it seemed to Haruno, rested. Yep, her original team was way different.

The day before she came up to Hokage and talked with him about changing Ibiki to Hatake Kakashi, to which Sarutobi simply smirked and waved her off. Boy she was pissed but she wasn't in a situation to make demands.

Even after I explain to him how important it is for Sasuke to train with someone who has Sharingan and can help him with it..!

Suddenly, there was movement from behind and Sakura swiftly turned around, holding kunai in her hand, ready to fight back. Her blue orbs widened. "Kaka-"

"Eh?" Shinobi with gray hair questioned, his right eyebrow popped up. Moment later his eye barely widened – one wouldn't notice it unless one knew Kakashi.

He probably thinks how much I remind him of Minato, Sakura said and tried to control her urge to hug him. Ever since the fight against Madara and Obito started, she didn't get to see much of her sensei, so she missed him dearly but how could she express it if he didn't know of her true identity!

"Your name is Kakashi Hatake, isn't it?" she cautiously approached, keeping a silly grin on her face, not letting herself forget who this man really was. Occasionally, she used to let her mind slip and forget just how dangerous her sensei was but now was no time or place to do so. "I heard that you are one of the best Jönins in Konoha but I don't care because I'm gonna suppress you!"

Kakashi blinked a few times. "In your dreams, baka."

Her new team-mates and Ibiki approached soon after with Morino pushing Sakura aside by grabbing her jumpsuit's sleeve and past Sakura and Sasuke looking more annoyed than usually.

"Why did you come here, Kakashi?"

"I have some issues to discuss with you that are private," shinobi announced, nodding at the group of Genins.

"Sure. Oi, Sasuke, Naruto – its your turn to spar!" Morino shouted at them, causing all three to jump. "Sakura, fill our bottles with water – the river is to the south-east, it will take you about ten minutes to get there."

With that, the two men walked away and the next thing present Sakura knew, Sasuke's chakra suddenly burst out and it gave him out. Ducking, she was able to avoid a hit that was supposed to hit her skull and make her fly a few meters over the ground.

To hell with it, I'm not getting tossed around again, Shannaro!

As Sasuke turned to hit her once again, she rushed forward and she headbutted little prick's nose causing him to feel disorientated for a short moment. However, it was enough for her to place a good punch to his stomach using her chakra and her opponent flew to the ground.

Disappearing in a cloud of smoke.

Kso, Kawarimi no Jutsu, Sakura realised belatedly, already considering the type of technique to use on Sasuke. Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death? Even though this Sasuke wasn't nearly as strong as his brother, she was certain that his Sharingan will be able to detect Genjutsu. Then-

"Let's do it the old way, teme!" she shouted, turning 180 degrees with her leg already mid-air and hitting Uchiha that planned to attack her from behind. However, he was ready for it and simply grabbed Sakura's leg and flipped it, causing Sakura to almost lose her balance. Instead, she was able to land on her hands by turning away from him and, pushing, hit Sasuke right in the stomach with her left leg while her right one pushed on the ground and jumping which caused her hit to be more powerful.

Sasuke wasn't lucky enough to lend on his feet, for he was a mere Genin, Sakura has reasoned. Instead he felt on his back but he promptly got up in record time and was already making hand seals.

"Rat, Tiger, Dog, Ox, Rabbit, Tiger. Katon: Hōsenka no Jutsu!" Sasuke shouted, releasing a volley of small fireballs that were sent flying in her direction in unpredictable manner. Off-handedly, she remembered the first time she saw Sasuke using it – back in Chuunin exam where he almost killed the Sound ninjas that attacked them. In this timeline they weren't about to have an exam for at least next few weeks and Sakura, ducking from fireballs and throwing some kunais in response. It was difficult to constantly think which techniques would be alright for her to use at this age and which would seem too powerful for a typical Genin.

The fight was a matter of fifteen minutes before Ibiki came back and told them to break it off. Unsurprisingly, the spar seemed childish to Sakura and she couldn't help but wonder if Sasuke didn't have any major strengths back when they were Genins and that she only imagined him being almighty and powerful at this age.

"Kakashi just told me of Hokage's new program to make Genins' progress more effective," Ibiki announced, hands crossed on his chest. Out of the corner oh her eye, present Sakura could see her past self approaching them, almost beaming with pride and holding four bottles of water. "I'm sure you won't be too enthusiastic about the whole idea, but Team 7 is now going to work with two other teams that graduated this year – teams 8 and 10! This formation will be called Rookie 9!"

Well, this was definitely an unexpected turn of events! 'Rookie 9' was formed after Sasuke left Konoha, including 11 of Leaf's Genins. However, this whole plan about working together without Guy's team... Sakura felt suspicious.

Some time later she felt foreign chakra in the woods, and so did Ibiki, judging by his squinted eyes; past Sakura and Sasuke, however, were still Genins and weren't able to detect it. However, Haruno's fists soon loosened because she recognised the charka – in fact, she knew it all too well.

Leaves in the forest started rustling and all of them turned around to face the newly arrived members of Team 8. Just as she remembered, Shino looked secretive as ever, Kiba wasn't all too pleased with current situation, Kurenai beamed with pride and Hinata-

Oh dear Kami, Hinata.

How could she forget that the poor girl loved her turretless blond friend?

"Ah, do we really need to work with them?" Kiba sighed, looking at the team in front of him. "I think this whole ordeal is idiotic and I doubt we can work together with the weak ones."

"No one was asking you, Inuzuka," present Sakura growled with her Inner self ready to attack this little brat.

'Weak ones', my ass. If he's gonna act like Sasuke, I'll definitely punch him.

"Oh, look who's talking now," he mused, coming closer and lowering his head to be on the same level as Sakura. "I see that you are as short as even, Uzumaki."

Her left eye twitched and she started rolling up her jumpsuit's sleeves. "At least I'm not as weak as you!"

"A-ano, Naruto-k-kun," Hinata said while looking away and a bright blush on her pale cheeks. "Kiba-kun doesn't r-really mean that, he's just t-teasing you."

Praying to all Gods there were to forgive her, she smiled wildly and almost shouted, "Yep, because he's a complete baka! Hinata-chan, you are such a good friend and always help me!"

Girl's eyes widened as she was met with confused gaze of white eyes. Shit, Naruto and Hinata barely had any interactions before graduating from the Academy! "I-I mean, I'm sure you are a helpful and caring person! We never really talked but that's what I heard," present Sakura quickly added with her left hand behind her head and a goofy smile on her face.

She could see how nervous that made Hinata as the brunet looked on the verge of fainting.

"Stop flirting already, it makes me wanna barf," Inuzuka smirked, making Hinata blush even more – if it was possible.

"Hah? I'm not flirting with Hinata-chan, I'm already in love with Sakura-chan!" Present Sakura said throwing her fist into the air; internally, she was screaming and crying that confessing to her own self was now a compulsory thing to do.

"Shut up, baka!" Past Sakura shouted, placing a good punch to her face, causing present Sakura to fall with a loud 'thum'.

"Okay, I see you can work with each other if needed," Ibiki said with closed eyes. "We wait for Team 10 and begin our harsh training. Uzumaki, Inuzuka – get as far away from each other as possible."


Temari swiftly took off her cloak, throwing it at the nearest chair. She then proceeded to change her footwear and go further into apartment. Slowly, she looked around, realising that her brothers were still out and she had some time for herself.

Blonde breathed in deeply and collapsed on a nearby chair, rubbing her eyes – something she wasn't able to do for a very long time because her brothers were always there.

Today was a long and burdensome day as she and Kankuro were told of the arising situation with Akatsuki. For a few years now, Sunagakure kept close eye on the organisation that could potentially wipe their village off, despite it being an almost impossible task. It was difficult enough to find someone brave and smart enough to gather information on them. As of now Sunagakure's government knew of it's goal – to collect all 9 tailed beasts, though the reason for it wasn't known.

As it was written in files that she received a few hours ago, there were 9 members that Suna knew of, each being more powerful than other. It was hard for her to accept that one of them – Akasuna no Sasori – was born in Suna and happened to be one of the best puppeteer their village has ever known. It was a shame, really, that his skills were wasted.

Either way, today she and Kankuro were called up and told of the dangerous situation Suna was in. Apparently, two Akatsuki members were not far from Sunagakure and were looking for some information, considering her youngest brother. It was unlikely that they were about to attack – with Sand being fully ready for the attack – but this organisation consisted of the most dangerous men in the world. Who knew just how strong they really were?

Temari would be lying if she said that she wasn't worried for Gaara but then, what could she do? She was scared of him – no denying that – yet she still cared about him. If only he wasn't a Jinchuuriki, young blonde was sure their relationship would be pretty much opposite. Nevertheless, their own Father decided on leaving his younger children without a 'normal' brother. She couldn't say she hated him – he was her Father, in the end, and only did what he did to protect their village – but she sure as hell would never be able to forgive him. Secretly from everyone else, she blamed her Father for Mother's death and knew that if it was ever let out, she will face serious prosecution.

Suddenly, she sensed foreign chakra that didn't feel like ordinary chakra either. It felt cold and dominant while her own was warm and controlled; it felt as if its owner's body wasn't able to contain it. Was it enemy's shinobi? But if it was, wouldn't other shinobi notice?

Not bothering to change her shoes and grabbing her fan, she rushed out of the apartment, not locking the door.

Temari followed the chakra's flow and was surprised when she found its source in a spherical structure in the centre of the village where her Father – present Kazekage – spent most of his time. Not wasting any time, she ran into the building; when she approached the door that led to Kazekage's office, however, she stopped dead in her tracks because she heard voices discussing something. And the weird chakra was definitely coming from her Father's office.

Cautiously, she approached it and, leaning on the door, started intensely listening.

"... hope this is all you need," sounded her Father's muffled voice.

"I can assure you that this is all, Kazekage-sama," unfamiliar voice hissed and blonde couldn't help but think about big, slimy snake. This voice... it was just as powerful as its owner's chakra. Girl couldn't help but feel terrified – the damn calmness was the scariest.

"Then I advise you to go – the times in Suna aren't calm; albeit the majority of citizens not knowing about Akatsuki's future plans, those of them who were informed are very cautious. Appearance of a man with a suspicious attire like yours may cause questions."

"And I shall do just that but don't forget about our deal," the man said in a teasing tone and started moving towards the door. All Temari could do was run towards the stairs and away from the building, in hopes that she won't be chased.

She just found out about something important, she was sure of it – but what was it?


An abrupt swing of katana and man's head felt on the ground, his eyes and mouth wide open. Moment later, his body dropped on the ground, too, causing blood running out of his body like a stream.

"You know you could've done it in a more civilised way," Itachi calmly noted, a frown on his face. Indeed, this man knew too much about Akatsuki, but there wasn't any good reason to leave his dead body lying in the middle of the street. "It will cause unnecessary attention."

"So what," Kisame grinned, swinging the katana in his right hand. "Gee, it has been long since I used an ordinary katana – shame I had to hide my Samehada."

"You can retrieve it now as we found all the information we needed," Uchiha genius replied stoically, starting to walk. "We have to meet with Harui Mahuto in less than three hours. We need to start moving."

As they took off, Hoshigaki started with one of his pointless conversations. "I see you are timid today. Expecting something exciting with this Harui guy?"

"He's a Chuunin-rank nin, there is nothing exciting about him, except for his knowledge on the Nine-Tailed," came brunet's answer. "Even so, killing him would not be necessary."

"Eh? I though Pein told us to get rid on anyone who can become a possible threat," hummed Kisame but then smirked. "Leader was right, though – you are one of the smartest in Akatsuki and you are just 17!"

"Hm."

Older man gave out a rasped laugh, "As talkative as always, I see! And I still don't understand why would we leave him alive?"

"I will find out all the information I need on the Nine-Tailed beast and then torture him, using Mangekyo to tell everyone that two Akatsuki members were asking him about the One-Tailed, as I did the previous time," Uchiha elaborated. "Suna is in disastrous situation right now – all they need is a little push that their village might be in big danger, which will lead to a series of reckless decisions. It can go as far as announcing war to one of the Hidden Villages that will consume everyone's attention while we retreat the Jinchuuriki of the Nine-Tailed."

"Aah that's a good plan," the Monster of the Hidden Mist sneered, showing his sharp teeth that made most citizens freeze in shock or run away, screaming. He never told his younger partner why exactly he looked like a shark but Itachi already had a few ideas on his own. "Well then, I know that the Nine-Tailed Jinchuuriki lives in Konoha – the same village you are from – and I was wondering if you have any other business to attend there and if you need my assistance?"

"I can retreat Jinchuuriki by my own but Leader insists on us working together. You are free to do as you wish," Itachi said, his thoughts being far away from Jinchuuriki. Young nukenin knew that, were he wish for it, he would be able to sneak in Konoha and check his brother's progress; the urge was always there. Nonetheless, he hadn't been in Akatsuki for long enough for Leader to trust him completely and let him go to an important by himself. It was shame, really, but Itachi wasn't about to argue.

Truth to be told, being a double agent wasn't easy, especially when he had to kill innocent people for the sake of showing his loyalty to this organisation. It wasn't as hard now because all of the emotions that remained with him after leaving Konohagakure were turned off. The only type of emotion he felt anymore was fear when Akatsuki discussed their attacks on Fire nation as there was always a possibility that it would affect Leaf.

Begrudgingly, he tried to keep his mind off Konoha and instead think of the upcoming interrogation. Over the years torturing people became his second nature – the man wasn't completely sure if it made him feel disgusted with himself or proud.

He kept assuring himself that it was part of being ninja and he only did it to protect his little brother. However, he wasn't delusional and knew all too well that he was getting accustomed to killing people. That he liked it.

His family called him the genius of their clan, yet he was slowly, but surely indulging himself into something he, as a kid, deeply despised: killing not because it was an assigned task but because of the selfish reasons.

He wasn't sure he knew himself anymore.

Burn, doubts, because there is no way back. Burn, because no one can escape predestined path.


It was sunset in Konoha when Danzo received a letter, stating that the group of ANBU, sent out to retrieve an important scroll from the Land of Earth failed to do so as they were beheater; another group already set off to destroy the bodies – whoever it was that killed them, he didn't seem to care about secrets he would be able to find in their dead bodies. The Fire Daimyo will not be happy to hear this, Shimura mused, hiding the letter when he heard Sandaime entering.

"May I know the reason you are in my office, Danso?" The Third Hokage asked, looking rather displeased.

"I assume you know of Akatsuki's actions on the Land of Wind's border?" he asked all too calmly, facing the man he once treated as a friend.

"Hai, I was informed, yet I don't see what is there to discuss." Sarutobi passed by him and took a seat on his chair, looking out on the streets. "Unless the ANBU squad you sent out a week ago was able to find some information."

Danso didn't reply to the question – there was no need for Hokage to know about that group not being assigned to find clues on Akatsuki's future plans but instead on doing something for Fire's Daimyo that would bring them a great reward. Hiruzen, Danso knew, never put village's safety above money rewards, therefore Shimura didn't expect him to understand the importance of pleasing Daimyo for the sake of money.

"I expect them to return tomorrow," he said sternly, "and I prohibited any sort of communication with Konoha – even coded. This isn't a safe time."

"Agreed."

Silence.

"It's good that you are informed of Akatsuki's actions but, I'm afraid, I need to leave now," Danso nodded, the letter laying safely in his pocket. "There are still some things I need to take care of."

"I hope you understand why I don't trust you," Hokage said as the leader of 'Root' opened the door.

"The feeling is mutual," and with that the door was shut.

"Tch." Hiruzen thought about Danso's words once again. "Squad 5, enter."

The windows were opened all at once and the 5th squad entered Hokage's office as they were waiting outside for at least an hour, just as they were ordered to do. The four of them stood in a line, wearing masks to conceal their identities.

"Report on Danso's actions in my office before I entered," he ordered, his fingers locked.

"He was looking through a letter that was brought to you not twenty minutes ago," one of the ninjas said in a stern voice. "We do not know how he found out about it and its content, but it would accurate to assume that the letter concerned Konoha or some trading he had on the side, pretending that Konoha's Hokage was informed and agreed to it."

"Hm, that would be all," Hiruzen nodded. "Dismissed."

The squad was gone a second later and all windows were closed once again.

Danso. Shimura, what kind of games are you playing.

However, Sarutobi knew that he had no right talking about caring about villagers more than about other countries' opinion of Leaf – he never forgot what he did to make his older son stronger in order to show that Hokage's offsprings are as strong as he is.


18 years before Madara and Obito were destroyed

"Hanketsu, what did I tell you about being a shinobi?" Hiruzen Saturobi asked his older son with a blank expression.

"That they can't have mercy on their enemies," said Hanketsu, tears streaming down his face and hands trembling. The kunai he was holding with both hands was smeared in blood, some of it falling on young boy's hands.

"Then what are you waiting for?" Older man sighed, rubbing his temples. He had a lot of things to do, so he couldn't just waste time, standing in the woods with concatenated half-dead criminal laying on the ground not a few meters away from his son.

He realised that Asuma is likely to come out as a stronger shinobi than his older brother around four years ago when Asuma barely turned six, yet he refused to give up on Hanketsu.

"Mother said that I don't need to be a magnificent shinobi like you and Otōto," the boy sniffed.

The man groaned, "Forget what your mother said and, for once, be a man!"

Hesitantly, young boy let one of his hands drop and started to slowly approach the criminal. Sweat appeared on his forehead but he didn't seem to notice. His eyes were fixed on a broken but smirking man in front of him. All he had to do was kill him, and his Dad would be happy – it wasn't so difficult, was it? Hundreds did it on daily basis, and he, for Kami's sake, was one of the infamous Sarutobis!

He could do this. He could.

However, Hiruzen was tired of waiting. "Asuma!"

Instantly, tree crowns rustled and a ten-years-old brunet landed in between the criminal and his brother. "You were calling, Father?

"Your Nii-san can't perform a simple task of killing a criminal," he dryly replied. "To teach him a lesson, I want you to beat him up and kill like you would if he was your enemy and you let your emotions overtake you."

Nodding, Asuma turned towards the criminal and helped him to stand, taking off his chains in the process that surprised Hanketsu enough to start gaping. "Wh- what is he doing?!"

"Be quiet," came man's cold response and young Hanketsu soon understood why his brother was said to be one of the most talented ninjas of the Leaf.

Asuma's posture seemed cold and composed as if he wasn't about to mercifully kill a man in front of him. He got used to following his Father's rules precisely, therefore trying to imagine the worst case scenario of this man killing everyone he loved. It didn't take him long to get angry, and when old Sarutobi saw his son's fingers barely twitching and his chakra practically burning, he knew his son was ready.

Moments later, the nukenin was thrown in the nearby tree simply by Asuma's angry chakra. However, it wasn't the worst – Asuma's chakra was pushing on the weak body in front of him, especially on internal organs, causing man to breath very husky and cringe at the awful pain in his stomach.

It didn't last for long, though, as soon after Asuma let his chakra go back to its calm flow and instead stepping forward and grabbing nukkenin by his neck. In an instance, he raised man's body like it was nothing and pinned him back to the tree, his eyes burning with hatred. The pressure he applied to nukenin's throat was just enough to make him violently cough and, grabbing onto Asuma's hands, try to break free but young Sarutobi didn't flinch. Instead, using one of his hands to take two kunais from his pouch, he pinned the man to tree again but this time he sliced a kunai through each of his hands and, putting pressure, was able to put them into tree deep enough so that nukenin wasn't able to break free.

The man was screaming in pain, blood seeping through the wounds in his hands that felt like burning and he was sure that, were he to survive this, there was no way he would be so careless about attacking one of Konoha's ninjas alone.

Asuma then proceeded to the simplest taijustsu by repeatedly hitting man's face; it wasn't long after that he heard the sound of breaking bones and nukenin's face became so gruesome and bloody he wasn't recognisable anymore.

Swiftly taking out kunai's which caused hurt criminal to drop on the floor like a bag of bones. Not bothering to put them back in his pouch as Hiruzen will make him clean his kunais afterwards anyway, he dropped them on the ground. Young boy then took a few steps away and, running up, hit him on his back, causing nukenin to flatly lay on the floor.

Seconds later his body was picked up again and he felt an intense hit to his abdomen, making him inwardly bend over. Then – more hits to his legs and arms. More pain. More blood.

"You are taking too long, finish him, Asuma," Hiruzen commanded. His younger son nodded and, sitting down on the ground in front of beaten body, twisted his neck using his legs.

The man was dead.

"This is what is expected of you, being a Sarutobi," Hokage commented, turning around and taking off. "It's late, you can train tomorrow."

Asuma followed his Father after picking up his kunais and nodding to his older brother, not paying attention to how shocked and terrified he looked.

No. These were not games anymore, and Hanketsu realised it five years too late when he decided to follow his Father.


A/N:

Aaand the plot thickens. I feel like I'm finally getting somewhere! Also, anyone confused about the whole 'time-travel thing': don't worry, everything will be explained in time! Hope this chapter was alright and I know I suck at writing fight scenes :) Thanks for the reviews and I do hope for some more feedback soon (shorter/longer chaps, more Sakura & less other characters)