The Cloud Village: Site of a Massacre

The next day, Tsachi & Kurenai have gone to get food. Shikamaru walks over to Sakura & says, "Sakura, we need to talk, alone.". He looks down at Ino & Sakura, who are checking to see if their clothes are dry. She nods with a soft smile & walks with Shikamaru over to an empty part of the hideaway. "I heard you last night.", he states bluntly. Sakura gasps & looks around to make sure nobody else can hear, "What did you hear?", she inquires. He sighs & leans against a wall, shoving his hands in his pockets while answering, "Everything. I was awake last night, going over strategies. I heard everything, you were crying about Naruto, weren't you?". Sakura nods & demands, "You can't tell anyone, especially Naruto. I....I might not know what to do, but I'll figure out something.". Shikamaru pushes off the wall & starts to walk off, "You wanna know what to do? Tell him, or don't. I'm not getting involved in this, just telling you I know.", he states before leaving, feeling more uncomfortable than he probably has at any other point in his life.

Meanwhile....

Kurenai heads toward the Cloud Village with a small, silver-grey cat walking beside her. She looks down, & remembers that she can't show any kind of affection towards it, unless of course she wants Tsachi to find out about her feelings. This form, which Tsachi simply calls 'Animal', needs a different name. A better name, she smiles down softly & says, "You know, I can't call you Animal. If we're going to do this, you need a name. How about Gatchi?". Animal looks back & stares at her like she's gone crazy, shakes its head & continues walking. "Ok, you don't like it. How about...Gatasachi?", she asks warmly. The cat turns around & jumps onto her shoulder, "Fine, if you gotta call me something, the name's Shitora.", it whispers softly before jumping back down.

"You can talk?!", Kurenai exclaims in shock. Shitora, this time not looking back, answers, "You think just cuz I'ma animal, that I can't talk? I'm one-na the 6 Inner Paths ya know. All of us can talk, just some do less than others.". Kurenai nods in understanding & inquires, "So, if you're 1 of these Paths, why don't you help Tsachi understand how his powers work? It seems like sometimes even he doesn't understand.". Shitora scoffs & answers, "Look lady, I know what he knows, see what he sees, hear what he hears & vice versa. He don't know nothing I don't & I know all he knows. So trust me, he ain't the only 1 who don't know all these eyes can do & all the powers we gots.".

The rest of the way, Shitora & Kurenai stay quiet, especially as they near the Cloud Village. As Kurenai climbs up a mountain, Kurenai wonders if Tsachi, or possibly just Shitora, is tricking her by making her go all this way just to climb a giant mountain. "Something's wrong.", Shitora states as she jumps off Kurenai's shoulder. Kurenai stands on the small plateau & inquires, "Is this it? This is the entrance to the Cloud Village?". Shitora nods slowly & replies, "But there ain't nobody here. The bottom of the mountain I get, but right at the entrance & not a single guard? Let's go in, see what's goin' on.". Shitora runs in quickly, followed by Kurenai who is trying to stop the diminuative cat.

As they see the village, they both wish Kurenai could have stopped Shitora, even the cat herself. The carnage...it's indescribable. Blood sprayed over every building, mangled bodies & organs littering the city streets like they exploded. It is monstrous. "Tsachi is on his way, with the others.", Shitora states as she hops back on Kurenai's shoulder. What they didn't know, is that they would need all the help they could get.

"I thought I had gotten rid of all the pests around here. Oh well, 1 more isn't a problem.", a familiar voice says wickedly from behind Kurenai. "NO, KURENAI!", Tsachi yells out before a clash of metal is heard. She turns around & sees Tsachi, a broadsword in hand, deflecting the attack of another sword. The other sword, a longsword, has a long, serpant like tongue at the end of it. The wielder pulls back & grasps the sword in their hand. Kurenai looks at the wielder & whispers fearfully, "O....O...orochimaru."

Tsachi & the rest of team look at Orochimaru, who himself isn't alone. "It's nice to see you again Sasuke. Still feeling inadequate? I'm sure I can help you out.", Orochimaru chuckles sinisterly as he looks through the ninja team in front of him. "I'm surprised you can still find people who buy into your crap Orochimaru, I thought you lost them all. Oh who did that again? WE DID!", Sasuke fires back. Kabuto speaks up, "You couldn't possibly understand the brilliance of Lord Orochimaru's plans. You had the chance to be a part of it, now you will simply be eliminated!". The other people with them; a boy with white hair, purple eyes & a purple shirt; a girl with red hair, red eyes & a purple shirt; a larger boy with orange hair, orange eyes & a pale green tunic; & a slightly older woman with pale blue hair, brown eyes & a coat step forward. "Are these the last of 'em?", the boy in purple shirt asks.

Shitora jumps on Kurenai's shoulder & whispers, "when i jump on tsachi, run towards the tallest tower, & take the others with you. he'll catch up.". She disagrees, but something in her tells her to trust Tsachi. Shitora jumps onto Tsachi's head, & Kurenai yanks the collars of all the Chunin, Naruto & Sasuke. Orochimaru's team begins to dash after them, but Tsachi responds, "Sorry, I won't allow that!".

DEVIATION OF THE INNER PATH!

Ninja Facts: Orochimaru

It's time for the final part on the Legendary Sannin!

Like his counterparts, Orochimaru has power comparable to any Kage. However, he chooses to use that power to reek havoc & to obtain more power, seeking immortality. He's willing to use anyone or anything to accomplish this task.

Age: 54
Weight: 126.3 lbs
Height: 5'7" (approx.)
Chakra Types: Earth & Wind
Signature Jutsus: Snake Jutsus (summoning, attacks, etc.), Rashomon Summoning, Cursed Seal Jutsu, Reanimation Jutsu, Immortality Jutsu
Birthday: October 27th
Reg. #: 002300
Mission Stats: 16 D-rank, 332 C-rank, 521 B-rank, 491 A-rank, 108 S-rank

Random Points of Interest

Orochimaru means "great snake circle" in Japanese.

Like the other Sannin, the basis of his character was derived from the Japanese story, "The Tale of the Gallant Jiraiya".

He was the 1st Sannin shown in the series (both anime & manga)

His favorite hobby is creating jutsu.

His favorite food is eggs, while he hates anything cold. Ironic, isn't it?

Notable Quotes

"A ninja, as the name suggests, is a warrior who uses Ninjutsu."

(To Hiruzen Sarutobi AKA The 3rd Hokage) "I want to obtain all the jutsus & gain a true understanding of everything in this world. The first one to mix blue & yellow called the new color 'green'. I want to do something similar to that. If blue is the chakra, then yellow is the seal, & green is the jutsu.... just as there is no end to the variety of colors, there are so many thousands....tens of thousands of jutsu in the world as well. But in order to obtain every possible jutsu & truth, it would require an eternity. Only one everything after spending such time on this can fittingly be called the Ultimate Being".

Well, that's the end of that...Orochimaru sure is messed up isn't he? Well, come back soon for more Ninja Facts!