Here's the next exciting chapter!
In the manga… I wonder if Karin is really going to be able to escape. I hope so, but Madara wanted her dead… and Konoha probably will too because she was with Oro and then Sasuke. Anyway, unless Madara intervenes and hauls Sasuke away for being out after curfew, it looks like we're in for another 3 or 4 weeks of Sasuke and Naruto battling it out. xD
Thanks for all the reviews and favs!
Disclaimer: Naruto is owned by Kishimoto
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Chapter 57 – His New Master
Even though Sasuke had been told by his Tai Jutsu master that he had the day off, he still walked the short distance to the Uchiha clan's training grounds and proceeded to practice several of the more difficult moves on his own. There wasn't really anything else to do, as far as he was concerned. Juugo was working in the aviary, supervised of course by an Uchiha who had been assigned to study his malady, and Karin seemed perfectly happy at the hospital.
He was happy for them, but at the same time he was lonely. He knew it wasn't the company of his new friends that he was longing for, but his old ones. He hadn't had a chance to see Naruto's new jutsu and was feeling guilty about it. Even in the time they had spent together at Orochimaru's lair, they had spoken about other things.
Hinata was in his thoughts as well. The shy girl who was the leader of the Hyuuga clan. Naruto had told him that she was actually learning to stand up for herself in front of her clan's elder council. Sasuke worried about her, she wasn't anything like Fugaku or her father, the two clan leaders he knew the most about, and he wondered what the future would hold for her. She had also developed a crush on Naruto that the boy pretended to not know about. Or at least Sasuke hoped he was pretending. No one could be that dense. Right? Well, in retrospect perhaps he didn't know.
Sasuke ceased his mid-air kicks and laughed, drawing some odd looks from his kinsmen who were also on the field practicing. He gave them a wide grin and proceeded to return to his training. Several of them laughed at the boy's attempt at lightheartedness.
'I guess things aren't so bad here.' He thought to himself. But there was still a hole in his heart that quickly ate away at his smile. His family back home were probably worried about him. And most of the clan were very friendly. He stopped his kicking drill and stood still, staring into the sparse forest beyond the training grounds. The ever present fog impeded his vision, but he failed to notice that as he gazed at the leafless trees, blowing slightly in the breeze.
"You seem a little pre-occupied." Sasuke turned around and nodded to Sora, who was leaning heavily on a plain wooden cane. He was dressed in a heavy gray jacket and a black wool hat covered his head.
"I'm just training." The boy gave the clan leader a half-hearted smile.
"You have the day off, young Sasuke. I would recommend you take advantage of it. Even in the days before the villages when our name was enough to put fear into the hearts of our enemies, we still found time to kick back and enjoy ourselves."
"Odd. I was under the impression that you and Madara wanted me to ramp up my training for some reason."
"Why would you say that?" Sora smiled.
"Are you planning on using me as a replacement for one of the Akatsuki? Because I won't do that." Sasuke still remembered his brother's words and was suddenly wondering if perhaps they were true.
Sora laughed, "Sasuke, I can truthfully say that Akatsuki is not something you need ever concern yourself with."
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"How long are you going to sit there and stare at me?" Kabuto was back in Konoha, in the Hokage's office and feeling rather grumpy. Itachi had been left alone to guard him while Fugaku was in another meeting in a different room. The teen was restrained rather securely; his ankles, wrists and arms were tied tightly with a rope that was, in turn, looped around the chair. For some reason he couldn't understand, the chakra restraining rope had been replaced with a regular one several hours earlier.
"How long are you going to keep thinking about escaping?"
"I'd rather die trying than live as another man's puppet…" Kabuto was interrupted when the door swung open and Fugaku strode into the room, followed by Sakura and Sai..
"Humph. We'll see about that." Fugaku took a seat behind his desk, while the two young shinobi stood respectfully at attention several feet behind Itachi.
Kabuto sneered, "Why am I in your office and not in a jail cell?"
"Because I have an offer for you." The Hokage leaned back in his chair and stared at the empty ceiling. "If you accept, you can walk away a free man; your crimes will be erased, although never forgotten. I would suggest you accept."
The door opened again and a white-haired Kakashi entered the room, smiling and scratching his head, "Am I late?"
Itachi answered, "I think the question should be 'are you ever on time'?"
The Jounin laughed, then laid eyes on the prisoner, "Caught him, I see. That much has worked out at least."
"I was about to inform him of his options." Fugaku waved at a well-worn wooden chair next to Kabuto's and Kakashi sat down heavily, spreading his legs out in front of him.
"Then get on with it." Kabuto hissed.
"Tonight, Sakura and Sai will assist your escape and escort you to Danzou…"
"Then you should have just left me alone. I was about to join him anyway."
Fugaku shook his head. He was not pleased about having to "forgive" Kabuto's crimes. The teen had aided the man who had killed Sarutobi after all, and while he had always had his doubts about the man's effectiveness as a Kage, in the end Fugaku had finally learned to respect him.
His voice was filled with bitterness when he continued, "Once you have ensconced yourself with Danzou you will report his whereabouts back to me."
Kabuto laughed with an equal amount of bitterness, "And why would I do that? Once I'm with him, I am completely out of your sight. You won't be able to touch me."
"True, we won't. However, should you cooperate, and that cooperation leads to Danzou's death, your crimes will be erased and you can return to Konoha a free man."
"What if I don't want to come back here?"
"We can't allow you to roam free or go to another village. Your freedom rests solely on your return to Konoha." Fugaku stated firmly.
Kabuto snorted derisively, "And if I disagree you will use a mind-control jutsu on me to make me."
"And you will be summarily killed upon the death of Danzou." That news surprised Itachi and he turned his head quickly to gaze at his father. "A man who operates under a mind-control jutsu must remain in that jutsu's power forever to ensure cooperation. And at any time, someone could come along, remove the jutsu, and gain control of you through something you have mistakenly described as 'gratitude.' Kabuto, you cannot be trusted and that is the end of that."
The teen hung his head, and took a couple gulps, considering his options. Konoha wasn't such a bad place, he had grown up there and was used to its people, but he was also tired of the Shinobi world and the way it considered its citizens as nothing more than pieces on a chessboard. Sacrifices to be made for the sake of whatever mission it was working on at the moment. It was a sick way to live. Full of death, betrayal, false sacrifice, and above all, infinite heartbreak.
He turned his head slightly to look at Kakashi. He had heard the stories, how the man's father had been driven to suicide for considering the lives of his teammates over his mission. He was considered a disgrace and there were still those who criticized him and it was even rumored that Danzou had tried to block Kakashi's entry into ANBU on the grounds that the "traitors" son was not to be trusted.
Of course, if that had actually happened, the real reason for his resistance was probably due to the Sharingan Obito had given Kakashi. Kabuto smirked, that would definitely have made Danzou nervous.
"What's so funny? Kakashi asked, grinning broadly.
"Just thinking… if Danzou had succeeded in wiping out the Uchiha, you would have been next. Did they tell you what Orochimaru was doing for him?"
The Jounin turned serious, "Yeah. They did. And you're right. A lot of what that man has done… or tried to do to me makes sense now. But why worry about me all of a sudden?"
"He's just biding time." Fugaku answered impatiently.
"This isn't something to decide on a whim." Kabuto's voice turned bitter again.
"Just accept." Itachi spoke quietly.
"Why? So we can be buddy-buddy again? So we can go have some lunch at the barbecue restaurant and sit by the river and talk, just like old times?" Kabuto was quickly getting angry. He felt like he was being patronized, and was surprised that Itachi would indulge in such childish whimsies.
Itachi's answer was barely above a whisper, "Yes."
That was too much and Kabuto practically shrieked his response, "You're insane! How could you possibly think that? Everything is different! They're all dead! They aren't coming back!"
Even though everyone else in the room was now completely confused as to who "they" were, Itachi understood completely. He hung his head, memories of himself, Kabuto, Shisui and Yota washed over him. It seemed like so long ago since the four of them had last been together, and every year that distance grew wider and wider.
"Whoever 'they' are," Kakashi spoke up, "death won't completely overtake them until you have forgotten them."
"It's Shisui and Yota Hyuuga." Itachi added.
Kakashi grunted, "I guess I should have known."
"It won't be the same," Itachi continued, "but for all four of us to fall into darkness, after being offered a ladder to climb into the light… doesn't that seem rather selfish?"
Kakashi spoke up, "It'll be hard for a while, Kabuto, when you get back. I remember what it was like when dad died. Everyone was pointing at me like I was just as much of a criminal as he was. Only my team believed in me. And I never appreciated that until it was too late."
The room was silent for a long time. Everyone seemed to be lost in their own thoughts until Kabuto finally spoke up. "Fine, I'll do it. So what do I do to get out of here if I'm tied up?"
Sai stepped forward, "You'll be escorted to a cell that has already been rigged. Sakura and I will then come by sometime during the night and get you out."
Sakura continued, "But to make it more real we will be pursued by people who don't know the escape is rigged."
"But…" Kabuto's eyes opened wide with shock, "They'll see you helping me, won't they?"
The two young shinobi looked at each other and sighed before Sai answered, "Yeah. That…. That's the hard part. We have to go with you, which means we will be returning to Danzou. Everyone will think we are traitors as well. But it'll be okay. Once Danzou is dead, Lord Hokage Fugaku will let everyone know what really happened. Who knows, you may become a hero!"
"Don't make me laugh. This is far too serious for that." Kabuto berated the teen who was now giving him one the fakest smiled he had ever seen. And he had seen a lot of them over the years.
"Yeah. Right." Sai's face fell and he stared at the floor. "Sorry about that. Still trying to get this emotion thing down and I get it wrong a lot."
"Well, take me to my cell then. I'd like to get some rest and something to eat before we leave."
Fugaku stood up, "Sai, Sakura, escort Kabuto to Ibiki and tell him everything is on schedule."
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The isolation cell was barren except for a bedroll, toilet and overhead light that gave off very little radiance. However, Kabuto was surprised to see the meal that Ibiki had personally delivered. Expecting only a little rice and some water, he got a full boxed lunch from a local restaurant. The interrogation specialist had even provided him with a supply of vitamins, saying that his blood sample had come back anemic and Lady Tsunade had selected them herself.
Of course, Kabuto remembered the last time he had run into her and was very hesitant to take them. He had, after all, nearly killed her. But in the end he trusted her professionalism and decided if she wanted him dead she would have made a personal appearance, not hidden her feelings behind some poisoned pills. He swallowed a couple and stuck the rest in his pocket.
There was no way of knowing what time it was and the teen was beginning to get antsy. Despite everything, Kabuto had never been patient. Sasori had punished him on several occasions until he had finally learned how to disguise his feelings and "pretend" to be patient. He rubbed his arms subconsciously, remembering the agony that the puppet-master would inflict on him.
"Hey! Where are you kids going? You aren't allowed in here!" Kabuto recognized the voice as that of one of the guards.
He smiled, "So it begins." He couldn't deny the exhilaration that was now running through him. He was a ninja, despite all his objections, and this was certainly right up his alley.
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Despite the late hour, and cold winter night air, the park near the center of the village was the scene of a small party. Several picnic tables had been spread with tablecloths and the remnants of homemade snacks decorated its surface. The full moon was shining brightly over the earth and Itachi had used it as an excuse to gather Naruto and all his friends in one place. Mikoto, Sheeta and Kisa had done all the cooking, and Toshiro had rigged up some gas-powered lanterns earlier in the day to brighten the area.
Itachi had chosen the group of young Shinobi because he knew how they felt about Sasuke leaving. When they realized Sakura and Sai were also leaving the kids would likely revolt and take off on their own to bring their friends back. He had argued with his father about it, of course the older man saw it as too dangerous for Naruto, but had relented only on the condition that Itachi keep him in sight at all times.
Shortly after eleven Sakura and Sai discretely separated themselves from the group and disappeared. Itachi resisted the urge to sigh as he munched on some pink colored dango balls. The overly sweet confection was his favorite and his mother had, perhaps, the best recipe in town. Then again, perhaps it was just the one he was used to.
"Itachi!" Kakashi came running up, "Kabuto's escaped!"
Itachi took a deep breath and let it out before answering, it was time to begin the mission. "When? How?"
Kakashi looked over at the Genin who were now all ears, "Umm… maybe we shouldn't speak in front of them. This is kind of a delicate situation…"
"Itachi! Kakashi! Sai and Sakura helped Kabuto escape and are now running away with him!" Another ninja, notorious for his big mouth and ability to always say the wrong thing at the wrong time, ran up broadcasting the information for all to hear.
Itachi had to suppress the urge to smile when he saw the looks of disbelief turn to anger and betrayal on the faces of the gather children. Of course, he also felt sorry for them, but he knew, or rather hoped, that this would all be forgotten and forgiven when it was over.
And right on cue, Naruto spoke up. Or rather, he yelled, "We have to go after them! It must be a mistake! They would never help Kabuto!"
"Yeah!" Ji grabbed Naruto's arm in a tight grip, "It has to be a mistake. If we can talk to them… Maybe he's holding them hostage or something?"
"Let's go see Fugaku!" Shikamaru was clenching his fists and sneering. "We know them better than anyone. We're the best choice to go after them."
"No time." Kakashi spoke up, "You all take after them. Itachi, you take command. I'll report back to Fugaku and then join you. Now get going!" The group dispersed immediately, the remains of their feast left abandoned on the table.
"Time to eat?" The big-mouthed Chuunin grinned rather broadly.
"Yep!" Kakashi returned the grin as he sat down and reached for some bean paste buns. "They didn't leave much for us though."
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Upon leaving the village the trio had taken to the trees and were now leaping at a moderate pace from branch to branch. They needed to be seen together, which meant their followers would have to catch up first. This was the part Sakura and Sai had been looking forward to the least. The part where their friends would consider them traitors.
Sakura felt something wet falling across her face and wiped it with the back of her hand. It was a tear. Betraying Ino would be the worst. He foster sister didn't know she was a double agent and would be devastated, as would her foster parents. It was possible Inoichi knew the truth, but Sakura had never been sure of that. As a high ranking Jounin he was often seen in the company of Fugaku.
"Are you okay?" Kabuto asked kindly.
"Ye…yeah."
"I know what you're going through, Sakura."
Sakura was quiet for a couple minutes, "I guess you would. It's hard, but we have to think of the end result. If this works out, not only will Danzou be gone, but you, Sai and myself will finally be free to live our own lives. It's almost too good to be true, to think we're so close…"
Kabuto interrupted her, "It's considered bad luck to talk like that, you know, before the mission is over. Any number of things can go wrong."
"I know, but…"
"You aren't cut out to be a kunoichi, Sakura. You're too kind hearted. It's a pity. You should have a job where you help people, not hurt them."
"Help them?" There was another small silence. The ground was barely visible as they jumped through the trees, "I have been considering asking Lady Tsunade to take me on as an apprentice."
"Perfect! Your problems are solved!" Kabuto laughed.
Sakura smiled before turning the teen's words back on himself, "It's bad luck to talk like that before the mission is over! I haven't even asked her yet. She might say no."
Sai spoke up, "Or she might say yes." He suddenly craned his neck to look behind him, "They're here."
"Finally." Sakura said, relief evident in her voice. "Took long enough."
"Itachi is probably slowing them down by looking for clues. If he went all out we wouldn't have a snowball's chance in hell of escaping." Kabuto explained. "Let's slow down so they can see us, then get out of here. It's going to be hard enough as it is for him to explain letting us go without us hanging around for too long."
"As you command!" Sai teased.
The group stopped on a large, wide branch and waited until their friends had caught up. Spread over several branches, a good thirty feet away were Itachi, Naruto, Shikamaru, Ji, Ino, Hinata, Shino and Kiba.
"Why are you doing this?" Naruto yelled across the void. "Is he forcing you?"
Sai spoke up, "Sakura and I were not 'rescued' from Danzou, Naruto. We were sent to Konoha to act as spies. And now our mission is over as soon as we deliver Kabuto to him."
"What?" Ino screeched incredulously, "You? You were spies? That's impossible! My Sakura would never do that! She's like my sister! My family! And Sai! We opened our hearts and our home to you! Me and my parents…" Her voice drifted off as she caught the eyes of her "sister". They were cold and hard; the eyes of a killer with no emotion. "It can't be true."
Sakura shook her head and sighed, "Think what you want, Ino. But we were using you. All of you. And you fell for it so nicely. Danzou will sure have a lot of work getting you all up to par when he returns. If he lets you stay that is. After all, you are actively supporting that traitor Fugaku."
"Shut up!" Kiba gritted his teeth, and a small white dog propped on his head gave a short "yip". He raised his hand and pointed at the trio, "We have Itachi with us, one of the most powerful ninjas in the village, and if you don't come back with us…"
"What? You'll sick 'big brother' on us?" Kabuto teased. He found the entire situation amusing and had a feeling that Itachi was probably rather pissed off over the insinuation that he was going to have to fight someone elses battle simply because he was older. However, the teen remained quiet and let the kids do all the talking.
"You have no chance of escaping." Shino added, almost in a monotone. He raised his arms and bugs flew out of his coat sleeves, to swirl around his arms awaiting a command.
Kabuto looked at Itachi and watched as the teen's eyes bled into their Sharingan form. "Time to go." He took off through the trees at full speed, followed closely by his companions.
"Follow them!" Naruto also took off, but jumped back quickly, nearly falling to the ground when a large explosion blew the tree he was about to land on into a million pieces. Smoke, dust, and tree pieces clouded the vision of the friends and they also found their chakra cut off for a few short seconds.
"That was one powerful jutsu." Itachi coughed as the smoke invaded his lungs. Despite the treatments he was getting from Tsunade, his lungs were becoming less and less resistant to irritants such as smoke.
"Are you okay?" Naruto jumped back to his foster brother, just as the teen collapsed to his knees.
"Can't… breath…" Itachi started gasping in between coughing fits and his face was twisted in pain.
"We have to get him to the hospital." Shikamaru stepped forward and threw one of Itachi's arms over his shoulder. Naruto grabbed the other one.
"I guess they got away then." Hinata sighed, wiping her eyes on the back of her sleeve.
Ino gazed longingly into the forest, "Yeah. I guess… I guess having a sister was too much to ask for. This… can't be real…"
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"Comfortable?" Fugaku asked his son as he entered the hospital room and sat down on a chair near his eldest son's bed. "I thought you'd be asleep. It's almost five in the morning."
"Nah. I keep seeing the disappointment on their faces… maybe having them chase after Kabuto, Sakura and Sai was a mistake."
"It was the only way." He changed the subject, "I thought you were only going to pretend to get sick. Tsunade says you had an asthma attack."
"Yeah, well… I guess asking a sick person to pretend to be sick is rather pointless. That smoke wasn't normal, though. Kabuto's learned some powerful jutsus over the years. But I'd never had an asthma attack before, even though I was told it would likely be one of the conditions I would experience. It was minor, though, luckily. I don't even need to be here, but for appearance sake."
"Well, you may want to spend the week here. In case you forgot, Sheeta has the decorators working on that second floor starting tomorrow. Anyway," He stood up and crossed his arms over his chest, "It's up to Kabuto now. All we can do is sit back and wait."
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Fire country was known far and wide for many things, but perhaps one of the most famous images that came to mind for most people were the forests, populated with massive trees. When tourist came to the various hot springs located throughout the country, they would also take side-trips to visit the trees.
However, there was one section of forest that no one visited. Even though the trees were several times bigger than the ones near the resorts, this forest had become a no-mans land.
The trees in that part of the forest were so large that you could easily fit a city block inside of each of them. Covered in old, thick bark, no branches could be seen unless one climbed all the way to the top of the forest, and then they were so thick that no light reached the ground. In that way earth was cut off from heaven and only rain and snow could connect them. It had been centuries since the sun had shone there, maybe longer, and predictably there was also no vegetation. No bushes, weeds, ferns or mushrooms. Or even animals.
The thick, sweet smell of vegetation that was present in the rest of the forest was absent here as well. Instead it was replaced with the bitter, sour smell of mold and mildew. For that was the only thing that did grow here. It attached itself to the sides of the trees, as well as any branches that had fallen. The smell was so strong that most people avoided the place.
As for sound, well, basically there was none. Occasionally you could hear something fall as an old branch or maybe some bark dropped almost soundlessly onto the soft loamy soil that made up the ground.
And that was the forests one great benefit. No animals or plants to eat, no sunshine, and a horrid smell. In the past, anyone who entered the forest quickly regretted it. In the present, they regretted for a whole new reason.
It was where Danzou was currently residing and he didn't take well to unannounced visitors.
Even if they were following orders.
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Sakura and Sai were very tense as they lead Kabuto through the woods. They had never been there before, but had been given very direct instructions on how to find it. Over several days, many different contacts had lead them to this location. It seemed that no one person knew the way. Only bits and pieces. And there was no way for the two young ninjas to relay the information to Fugaku. The seals on their tongues had seen to that. The cat that usually followed them had stayed behind. It was too dangerous to bring him.
The creepy blackness of the dark forest and the soft, dry dirt on the ground that practically echoed with every footstep was disconcerting. They knew the area was strewn with chakra traps and barriers and they moved cautiously, avoiding each and every one of them. However, they knew that in order to catch Danzou's attention and deliver Kabuto to him they would have to get caught in one of them.
The problem was, which one? Non-lethal would be the first choice, of course, but so far they hadn't found one of those.
Sakura groaned with frustration, "How are we going to do this? We can't even set one off from a distance, it would just move and get us anyway!"
"He could have people following us and we just don't realize it yet." Sai offered.
"Hey!" Sakura called out, causing her two companions to cringe.
Sai jumped forward and put a hand over her mouth. "Shut up, Sakura! Are you insane?"
"By now? Yes. I am." Sakura responded matter of factly.
"I think I can second that observation." A voice rang out clearly from behind the nearest tree, and a figure moved into view. "I have been waiting for you Kabuto. Welcome."
All three dropped to their knees and kowtowed.
"Humph." Danzou leaned forward on his cane. "I hear you were seen during your escape. I am quite disappointed with you, Sai, Sakura."
"We will accept any punishment you deem appropriate for the infraction." Sai stated calmly.
"Good. Because I am quite angry with the two of you." He turned to look behind him, missing the look of panic that crossed Sakura's face, "You three, take our two miscreants away. Kabuto, come with me. I have ordered facilities worthy of your skill to be set up. I believe you will find them more than adequate."
Kabuto rose to his feet, but kept his eyes politely averted, "I thank you." He glance worriedly at his companions as he followed is new "master". The desire to speak up in defense of Sai and Sakura was strong, but he had to stay in character. He knew they would understand. But the look in Sakura's eyes was too much to keep to himself.
"What will happen to them?"
"Are you concerned?" Danzou glanced at him. His bandages prevented him from turning his head much, but Kabuto clearly caught the glint of anger in his eyes.
"Yes. They saved my life. Fugaku would have killed me by now. You know that."
"Humph. Since I believe in repaying my debts, I will allow you to heal them afterward."
Kabuto opened his mouth to object, but closed it quickly. "Yes my Lord."
"That's better. See, we're going to get along fine here."
They reached the far end of the tree just as Danzou was raising his cane. He waved it in an intricate pattern, opening a wide door. As they passed inside Kabuto was surprised to see that the inside was completely hollow. As far as he could see, various floors were sticking out of the side with and endless number of staircases linking them.
"These trees are as strong as iron and as they slowly rot over the centuries it leaves bits and pieces sticking out. Perfect for building on. This tree is probably around nine thousand years old."
"That's impossible!" Kabuto said, disbelieving his eyes.
"Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. Your quarters are on the twenty-third level. We have elevators, so you don't have to use the stairs. Please refrain from using jutsu teleportation here. There are too many people and any excess use of chakra is frowned upon."
As they entered the elevator, which was built against the inside of the trunk, Kabuto once again felt his eyes grow wide at the site. A window on the side of the elevator revealed a very disturbing sight.
There were levels were Shinobi were training, others were barracks, some were "civilian" in nature with apartments and shops, and Danzou had also informed him that at the top were several levels being used for high-yield agriculture.
The entire inside of the tree was not only filled with several thousand people, but was completely self-sufficient.
But what kept Kabuto awake that night, and many nights after that, were the next words uttered by the ex-Root leader, "This is only one of my trees. I have ten others just like this. So you see, now, what the real situation you have just walked into is, don't you?"
"Itachi," Kabuto muttered to himself, many hours later when he was alone, lying on his back and staring at the ceiling of his small bedroom, "Konoha is going to die, and there is nothing we can do to stop it."
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Next week – Kabuto's adventures in tree land! Also, more Itachi and Sheeta, and Sasuke and Madara.
I like the idea of massive trees people can live in. It seemed like the perfect hideout for Danzou. He has his own little ninja village! I'll describe more of it next week as Kabuto begins his duties. I hope I explained why Sai and Sakura couldn't be used to track down Danzou. I might have to revisit that point next week, it seems a little lame to me.
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