Chapter 8 Fractured Strength.
*Konoha*
The morning sun shined down on Konoha. All the deviation from the failed Sand and Sound invasion has been repaired and the citizen began to forget the event that had nearly destroyed their town. Ino looked through the window of the apartment that Anko and Zoro shared. She knew that both residents where at the Tsunade's office but that worked in her favor. She looked around to make sure no one was watching and slipped into the apartment. She went from room to room until she found the one she was looking for, Zoro's room. The sun bled through the window, as Ino surveyed the dimly lit room. It was the first time she had been in a boy's room. The thought made her blush. The room didn't contain much. A bed, some weights scattered around, and small table. She expected as much from the stoic swordsman. She navigated the poorly lit room searching for target.
'Ah! There it is!' She thought. As she moved towards her target, the lights came one.
"Ino? What are doing here?" Zoro asked not expecting the blonde to be in his room.
"AHHHH ZORO! What are you doing here?" She yelled quickly turning around to Zoro with her hands behind her back hiding her prize.
"This is my room…." Zoro said growing suspicious of Ino's actions. "You still haven't answered my question." He said as he started to take a couple of steps towards the girl.
"T-t-there was something that I gave you a while back. I just wanted to get it without bothering you." She said backing away from Zoro.
"You're not a bother to me." Zoro said nonchalantly grabbing her shoulders. Ino's mind went hazy. Zoro stared deeply into her eyes and held her with his strong hands and they were alone in his room. It was almost too much for the girl to handle. Is this the place where they reveal everything to each other? This is nothing like she had envisioned it.
"Zoro…" She said sheepishly almost lost in the moment.
"Ah Zoro, I told you to quickly get ready to leave, but I wasn't expecting this." Anko said standing in the doorway. "If you need a few to finish up…"
"It's nothing like that!" Zoro yelled a slight blush on his face. Anko laughed at the usual serious kid's reaction.
"Anko I was just leaving!" Ino said as she moved away from Zoro always facing him. Anko caught a glimpse of what Ino was trying to hide. She grabbed the retreating Ino's arm.
"You know that's important to him right? He'll notice it's gone." Anko whispered.
"Please Anko. Don't tell him. I'm going to give it back." She whispered back.
Zoro started to approach the pair. She pushed Ino out of the room.
"Zoro you don't have time to worry bout your little girlfriend. We have to leave. You've wasted enough time!" Zoro opened his mouth to protest the statement, but Anko grabbed him by the arm and dragged him to the window and opened it up.
"Wait Anko!" Zoro said.
"Wait for what? You're a Chunin now you should be able to survive a little jump out of a window." Anko said as she threw the green haired boy out of the window.
"Anko…. That was a little extreme…" Ino said.
"He's sturdy he can take it." Anko said with a smile as she prepared to jump out of the window. "Just make sure you keep your promise. The last thing I need is a rampaging Zoro."
Ino nodded. She walked over to the open window and looked down at Zoro and Anko arguing on the street. She clenched the item she went through so much to get. "When he gets back I'll tell him how I feel." She says, eyes filled with determination.
*Konoha- Gates*
Sakura, Naruto, and Sasuke walked towards the gates that lead out of the village. Sakura looked ahead at her other two teammates. For the first time in a while they were together again. Well nearly together. Kakashi was assigned to another mission, so team seven wasn't entirely back together.
"Oi! Zoro! Anko!" Naruto called out. Sakura watched the orange clad ninja run towards his friend and Sasuke clench his fist. Sakura tensed up. Zoro was the last person she wanted to see.
"Ah Zoro… they really did make you a Chunin… AH WHAT ABOUT ME! I DEFEATED OROCHIMARU'S LACKEY!" Naruto yelled. "How can someone like you who goes around saying 'I am not a ninja' become a Chunin before the future Hokage!"
Anko laughed. "Great impression, you just need to act like you've never had fun in your life."
"Oh like this 'I am not a ninja.'" Naruto said with a super serious face.
"Hahaha perfect!" Anko cackled.
"That's nothing like me!" Zoro protested as Naruto and Anko continued to laugh.
"Oi Zoro." Sasuke said as he stormed up to the three.
Zoro turned to him.
"Kakashi isn't around to stop us so let's finish what we started!" Sasuke said.
Everyone in earshot stopped what they were doing. Zoro's expression never changed.
"Anko, you're not gonna stop this?" Naruto asked the older woman.
"Heh, this won't last long, but you might not be able to go on your mission. Zoro is kinda stupid and doesn't hold back."
Sakura who was standing alone, behind Sasuke was worried. She looked at Zoro, he had no look of worry or fear on his face. His very presence sent fear down the pink haired girl's entire body.
*Flashback Days earlier- Konoha Hospital*
Naruto and Sakura stood outside of Sasuke's room as Tsunade healed him. Sakura was in a great mood. Not only did Naruto return faster than she expected he brought someone to heal Sasuke. There was one thing that bothered her, when Gai brought back Sasuke he was tight lipped about what had happened. He only said a missing nin took him down. She wanted to know who so she got her hands on a bingo book. That was part one of her plan, part two…
"Hey Naruto, you were there when Sasuke got hurt right?" Sakura said.
"Ah yeah, it was his brother Itachi." Naruto said.
'That was way too easy…' Sakura said.
She searched the bingo book and found Itachi.
An S ranked missing nin.
Perpetrated the Uchiha Massacre.
Known affiliation Akatsuki, known to travel in groups two.
'Two.' She thought. "Was he alone?" She asked.
"Nope. He was with some shark looking guy, carried a big sword." Naruto said.
"Shark looking guy with a big sword?" She asked as she flipped through the book looking for Akatsuki affiliated swordsman.
"Hoshigaki Kisame." She said as she read his entry in the book.
Also an S ranked missing nin.
Monster of the Hidden Mist.
Numerous assassination missions.
One of the seven swordsman of the mist.
"What happened to him? Did Jiraiya take care of him?" Sakura asked just wondering how they escaped the duo.
"No he fought Itachi, Zoro took care of him." Naruto said with pride. "They fought to a standstill. Zoro is pretty amazing huh?"
Sakura dropped the book. The sound of the book hitting the cold tiles of the hospital floor caught Naruto's attention. He looked at Sakura. The look on her face was total fear and lacked the little color it usually had.
'No way! He has to be lying.' She thought as she looked at the fallen book and Kisame's toothy grin seemed to peer back at her.
"Seriously Naruto, this isn't something to joke about." Sakura said as the color began to return to her face.
"I'm not!" Naruto yelled. A couple of doctors turned to him with evil gaze. Naruto shivered slightly then lowered his voice.
"You should have seen it!" Naruto said. His voice started to rise. "Zoro was like Ittoryu: something Kaen and then Kisame burst into blue flames!"
"Naruto. What are you yelling about? This is a hospital." Tsunade said stepping out of Sasuke's room.
"Ah granny, just telling Sakura about Zoro's fight with Kisame." Naruto stated.
'This idiot!' Tsunade thought. 'Even if we hide Zoro's defeat of Orochimaru, if he goes around telling everyone about his fight against the Akatsuki…' She looked over at Sakura who was slightly shivering. "Well, Sasuke is better now." Tsunade said snapping Sakura from her stupor. "You can go see him now."
With that Sakura ran into the room. Naruto tried to follow her but Tsunade grabbed him.
"Naruto. You mustn't tell people about Zoro's fight with Kisame." She said in a hushed tone.
"Why not?" Naruto said.
"Just don't! That's an order!" Tsunade said. People around them looked on, wondering what warranted such a strong response from the new Hokage.
*End flashback*
Zoro and Sasuke stood off. A crowd started to form around them. It's rare to see the number one of a class face off with the strongest of the class, even rarer that they weren't one in the same.
"Sasuke. You shouldn't do this! We have a mission!" Sakura protested.
"Shut up!" Sasuke yelled. He ran towards Zoro. How much strength did this green haired nuisance have? Zoro made a fool out of Gaara while he never stood a chance against the sand ninja. He had to test himself. As soon as he got closer he felt a lighting quick blow to his midsection. All of the air rushed out of his body and he collapsed to the ground. The crowd murmured in confusion.
"What happened?" One man asked as Sasuke writhed on the ground.
"A blow with the hilt of his sword." Anko answered barely able to see Zoro's quick movement herself.
"Hmm I guess Zoro should have been number one overall." A random girl said as the crowd began to disperse talking amongst themselves how much a disappointment the fight ended up being.
"Come on Zoro you've played around enough." Anko said. Zoro nodded and the two started to walk away.
"Wait, moss head!" Sasuke yelled as he stood up. Black markings started to flow across his body.
'The seal!' Anko thought.
"We're not done yet!" Sasuke yelled as his Sharingan activated. He rushed Zoro with speed that dwarfed his last attempt.
Zoro blocked the blow with the Wado. Sasuke stared at Zoro, eyes filled with hate and rage.
'What is this power?' Zoro thought. He pushed Sasuke away from him. 'I recognize this feeling… Orochimaru!' Zoro drew out the Sandai just on the idea that the Snake Sanin might be near.
"Oh I see you're taking me serious now Zoro!" Sasuke yelled as the black marks began to cover his face.
Zoro began to inch closer to Sasuke.
"I won't let you get in range! KATON! Gokakyu no Jutsu!" The gigantic fireball tainted with purple fire in places rushed towards Zoro. The remaining members of the crowd stared on in amazement having lost sight of the green haired swordsman. Then to the surprise of everyone the fireball was consumed by blue fire then dispersed. Where the fireball had been stood Zoro, blue flame dancing across the Sandai and Wado.
'What is this!' Sasuke thought as Zoro sheathe both of his swords.
"Nitoryu Iai." Zoro said bending his knees.
Before he could say anything else snakes wrapped around Zoro's body rendering him immobile and Anko appeared behind Sasuke with an open palm she slammed the spot where the seal was causing Sasuke to yell in pain and the seal to retreat.
"Ok folks shows over." Anko said in a forceful voice.
"Man, it was getting good!" Protested a member of the crowd as they all left as ordered.
"You three get going before I get really mad." Anko said.
Sasuke looked at Anko with the same anger as he did Zoro before he walked away. Naruto chased after the Uchiha survivor.
"Thanks Anko." Sakura said with a bow before she ran after the two. Anko walked over to Zoro.
Once she was sure that no one was around, she hit him on the head. "What's your problem? You intended on killing him!" She said as she released him from his binds.
"That power. It's Orochimaru's." Zoro said. "Anyone associated with that snake should be dealt with." Anko hand shot to her own mark.
"So that's how you feel?" She asked as the two started to walk down the path.
"Yeah." Zoro said. "Plus I owe him one for you…" Anko let out a small laugh before wrapping her arms around the swordsman.
"Oh Zoro you're going soft."
"I'm not!" Zoro yelled escaping her embrace.
'I wonder how he'll act when he finds out…' Anko thought.
*Days later Outskirts of Sora-ku*
Zoro and Anko stood outside of the broken city. This was the first time Zoro had seen a place like this.
"Well this is the place." Anko said. "But, why send us here?"
"I don't know. You ninjas are still a mystery to me." Zoro said as he once again started to walk towards the broken city.
"Mystery? You seem to be fitting in pretty well." Anko said as she followed suit. "You should abandon your three sword style and become a true ninja!"
"I'd never lower myself to that standard." Zoro said.
"Lower!" She said as she hit the boy. "One day, I'll show you my true power and you'll be crying in pain."
*Hours later*
As they moved through the broken city they both felt like they were being watched. Zoro's hand never left the hilt of the Wado since they enter the broken maze that use to be a city and Anko even stopped her usual chatter and seemed to be on heightened alert.
"Do you even know what we are looking for?" Zoro asked.
"Yeah we are looking for an Uchiha vault. Danzo seems to think that there's an important artifact hidden in there." Anko said. "I think this just might be retaliation for our actions when he came to recruit you. That bastard I'll kill him if this is for nothing."
"I think they heard you." Zoro said as both of them sensed movement ever since Anko said Uchiha vault.
Zoro and Anko moved so they were back to back. The rustling continued as whatever watched them darted from building to building. Then quiet. Zoro and Anko stood in that position for a while longer before they relaxed as much as their current situation would allow them too.
"Well there's definitely something here." Anko said. Zoro nodded. The two started to walk. Anko let out a small scream of pain before clenching her left shoulder.
"Anko! What's wrong!" Zoro yelled rushing to her side. She pulled away from him as he reached for her.
"It's ok… I'm fine." She said as her seal continued to torment her. Then Zoro pushed her down and she heard the sound of steel meeting steel. She looked up and quickly averted her gaze.
'What's he doing here!' She thought. Zoro was once again standing across from an Uchiha, but this time it was Itachi.
"As expected from one who pushed Kisame so far." Itachi said as Zoro stood in shock.
"Are you the one doing this to her." Zoro said drawing the Wado and Sandai.
Itachi looked at Anko who was still clenching her shoulder. "No. I don't have anything to do with that puppet of…."
"Not another word!" Anko yelled interrupting him never looking at him.
"My business concerns you, Roronoa Zoro." Itachi said.
"What." Zoro said. With those words Itachi appeared behind him.
Zoro barely had time to bring the Sandai forward to stop the kunai Itachi had thrust at him. Zoro took the Wado and swung it at Itachi. As soon as it connected, Itachi turned into multiple crows.
"Sanjuroku Pound Ho!" Zoro yelled as he sent the wave of air at an airborne Itachi. Itachi shielded himself from the blow being knocked a couple of yards higher before he was able to stop himself.
"I didn't think you'd find me so quickly, Zoro." Itachi said as his feet touched the ground.
The two began to clash. Anko watched on as the Uchiha and the swordsman battled in the rundown alleyway.
"You sense it too don't you." Itachi said in a voice only to two could hear.
"Yeah…" Zoro replied. "The presence that was watching us when we entered this place seemed to have run away in fear of them."
"What do you want to do? It's clear they intend to attack both us near the end of our fight."
"How about we work together till we can clear out them out." Zoro said.
Itachi was caught by surprise. "You suggest this even though I'm here for you?" Itachi asked.
"You're clearly holding back, for this fight to continue is pointless." Zoro said.
Itachi was quiet for a second before answering. "Ok." The two rushed past each other. "Sanjuroku Pound Ho." The two said in unison.
The two attacks rushed towards the buildings surrounding them. There intended targets exploded and out jumped ten figures, five on either side of them. Their skin was a darkish brown and there shape was more animalistic than human.
"What is this?" Zoro asked.
"The cursed seal level two." Anko said as she joined the two fighters in the middle of the circle.
"Zoro! We meet again!" One of them said. "Orochimaru, your infinite wisdom to send me to retrieve an Uchiha artifact has blessed me with this chance to fight Zoro again!"
Zoro looked on face void of any emotions.
"You don't remember me! I was your first victim in the Chunin exam, Zaku!" The boy was entirely different. Beside his brown skin, His hands where webbed, his feet where like a birds talons, and his face was like that of a dog, a true monstrosity. "After you defeated me, Orochimaru couldn't even use me for his Impure World Reincarnation!" Zaku spat. "He was prepared to discard me when I pleaded for the power to destroy you! So he gave me the cursed seal! It felt like my whole body was being torn apart, it felt even worse when I upgraded to the second level! But the thought of sinking my fangs into you brought me through this!" Zaku brought his webbed hands together. "Zakuha!"
Zoro, Itachi, and Anko jumped out of the way as the enhanced sound wave ripped the area they were standing to shreds even killing the five beast that stood opposite of him.
"Oh maybe I should of warned them. Ahahahahaha!" Zaku yelled.
Zoro clenched his sword and began to walk back towards Zaku. Itachi grabbed his shoulder.
"No. This terrain is to his advantage. We need to regroup."
"I'll just end this fast." Zoro said as he pulled away.
"As much as I hate to agree, he is right. They seem to be searching for the same thing. We have to beat them to it." Anko said.
'He also must be near.' Anko thought as she rubbed her still throbbing seal.
"What are you two looking for?" Itachi asked.
"It's none of your business traitor." Anko said drawing a kunai with her right hand only to have it taken by Zoro.
"We'll be working with him temporarily." Zoro said.
"Working with him!" Anko yelled. "You know who he is! We could be banished from the village, stupid swordman!" She said punching Zoro.
"ZAKUHA!" Zaku yelled as he unleashed the attack towards Anko's loud voice. The attack tore through the building, going straight through and damaging three more buildings behind it.
"Ah… too close..." Anko said observing the damage.
"It was your fault he found us!" Zoro yelled.
"ZAKUHA!" Zaku said launching the enhanced air attack. Once again it caused major destruction, yet none of the targets where anywhere near.
"Quit toying with me Zoro!" Zaku yelled. "All you're doing is increasing the time I'm going to torture you before I kill you!" From their new hiding spot, Anko and Zoro stared at Itachi expecting something.
"Don't expect me to make the same amateur mistakes you too made." Itachi said voice not going any louder than it needed to be.
'Amateur!' Zoro and Anko thought in unison faces full of rage.
Itachi inwardly chuckled while his face stayed in its usual emotionless state. "You never told me why you two are here." Itachi said observing the remaining five cursed seal users.
"I don't care what deal you and Zoro made." Anko said putting her hands on her hips. "I'm the higher ranking ninja…"
"Here" Zoro said handing Itachi the dossier containing there mission details.
"Zoro you mother..!" Zoro quickly placed his hands over Anko's mouth to muffle her rage. Having enough of Zoro hands over her mouth she bit down on his hand forcing him to pull away.
"Give me that!" Anko said snatching the document away from the Uchiha betrayer.
"That's an interesting place." Itachi said moving away from the window, satisfied on how far away Orochimaru's followers where.
"That place is a known deathtrap. Why would someone willingly send you there with this much information." Itachi stated as he started to make his way out of the ruined building. Zoro and Anko looked at each other and followed.
"This isn't good." Anko said to Zoro as they followed the cloaked Uchiha. "If Itachi is right, this really is retribution for turning him down. That means we are also being watched by the Root right now. Not just the inhabitants of this city." Zoro looked around. He hadn't felt anything other than the animalistic presence watching them. But if the sound ninja's could catch him off guard then they're going to have a lot to explain when they get back to the village.
*Later*
The unlikely team of Itachi, Anko, and Zoro continued to make their way through the busted city, but this time with a more definite route. They still felt like they were being watched but since they met up with Itachi, they felt more welcomed than before.
"I didn't appreciate you using my technique." Zoro said breaking the silence.
"You should feel honored. I've been all over this world and have never seen a technique like that." Itachi said.
"That's not the point. That Sharingan, you cheated you way to the top stealing others techniques." Zoro said.
"Wrong, before he betrayed us he was the greatest genius we've ever had." Anko said.
Zoro looked at Anko. "More importantly, are you ok? I didn't see any blood so this guy didn't hit you." He asked pointing at Itachi.
Anko nodded nervously. "Yeah I'm better..."
Itachi looked back at the green haired swordsman. 'That stern outer look is just a farce.' He thought. 'He would of stayed and fought me and those guys if he thought it would help her. The leaf hasn't changed… That's why I must persist for people like this.'
"We're here" Itachi said. Down the road was a great door emblazoned with the Uchiha crest and standing guard outside it was two of the five remaining members of Orochimaru's forces.
"Ok, I'll take care of them and then we can go forward." Zoro said as he started to walk forward.
"No Zoro. My ancestors build this place I should be the one to secure the passage way." Itachi said stepping in front of Zoro. Before Zoro could voice a counter, Anko sprang into action. She ran at the two Cursed Seal users and threw several kunai at them one dodged while the other one blocked them with his arms.
"You think a simple kunai attack could stop us!" He growled. He pulled one of the kunai out of his arm and noticed the nearly invisible wire
"Katon: Ryuka no Jutsu!" She yelled. Fire rushed down the wire and incinerated the over confident seal user.
The second one extended his claw like hand towards Anko as he began his decent. Anko raised her right hand a devious smile on her face.
"Sen'ei Tajashu!" A multitude of snakes rushed from her raised hand. The airborne monstrosity tried to cut the snakes with his claw but there were too many. The snakes overwhelmed him and surrounded him till only his head was visible then he fell leaving a sickening thud as he hit the cold unforgiving ground.
"Are you boys going to stand there and argue all night?" Anko asked as she plunged a kunai into the creatures head to make sure he was properly disposed of. "Or are we going to get this thing."
Zoro and Itachi looked on with their usual look of disinterest.
"Oh come on! That didn't impress either of you?" Anko said as the two walked past her to the door. Anko ground her teeth together in anger. "I'd probably had to destroy half of this town to get any reactions out of you bastards!"
Itachi put his hand on the door. "There's a seal on this door. It might take…"
"Move." Zoro said as he bent his knees placing his hand on the Wado and Sandai. Itachi moved to the side and he lowered his face and activated his Sharingan.
"Wait Zoro, Brute force won't…." After to flashes of light, two lines appeared along the door before it crumbled. "Magnificent, That door was reinforced with one of the Uchiha's greatest seals yet you sliced it with ease." Itachi said. 'But you didn't come out of that fight unfazed.' Itachi thought as he followed the two leaf ninja's into his ancestor's stronghold.
The trio walked through the poorly lit passageway, dodging the numerous traps. Before long they came to a huge open area, burnt seals, floor traps, and slightly melted stones surrounded by scorch marks littered the room. Yet in the center was an untouched stone chest with the same crest they've seen since they entered the rarely used place.
"Strange the traps in this area have all been disarmed." Itachi said as the three looked over the room.
"You Uchiha's sure knew how to guard you secrets." Anko said as she began to walk towards the chest carefully looking out for any traps that Itachi didn't notice. A loud laugh rang throughout the room.
"Welcome current and former leaf ninjas!" Zaku said as he and the remaining two members of his force appeared. "Now, you have nowhere to hide from me!" Zaku said as he looked on at the forces he was prepared to fight.
Neither Anko, Itachi, nor Zoro offered a reply to Zaku's declaration. They just let their combined killer intent wash over there soon to be opponents. And at that moment Zaku realized, they might have the monstrous appearance, but he stood before two ninja's and a swordsman with monstrous power.
'What is this feeling!' Zaku thought. 'Even with this seal Orochimaru gave me, his power still trumps mine! I need more! I won't go back to him in failure.' Zaku looked over at one of his teammates. He jumped on his back and began to consume him alive. After he was finished with one he sprang on the other one and continued his cannibalistic ritual. When he finished his "meal" his body began to contort. Plates began to form on his skin, his body expanded in size, his fangs and claws grew and became sharper, a tail sprouted out of his back, and most importantly his power grew exponentially.
"Grrrrrr…. What do you think of me now Zoro?" Zaku growled.
"Usually enemies transform after a couple of rounds, not right off the bat." Zoro said as he stepped forward.
"It's alright he needed this edge against someone of your caliber, Zoro." A familiar voice said as it stepped out of the shadows.
"Kabuto." Itachi said as he narrowed his eyes and activated his Sharingan.
"Oh my Itachi." Kabuto said pretending to be scared. "I wasn't expecting you to be here." Kabuto quickly spit senbons at Itachi. Itachi instinctively jumped backwards. Kabuto reached into the shadows and pulled a lever causing a wall to spring up out of the ground separating the two leaf ninjas from the Akatsuki member.
"Every time we meet you have a surprise for me, Zoro." Kabuto said as he walked over Zaku. "Defeating Orochimaru twice."
'Twice?' Anko thought.
"Teaming up with the genocidal Itachi and one of Orochimaru's prized students." Kabuto continued.
Zoro raised an eyebrow.
"Don't Kabuto…" Anko said in a shaky tone Zoro had never heard her speak in.
"Ah he doesn't know yet." Kabuto said. "You see Zoro. While Orochimaru was in the leaf, Anko was Orochimaru's top student."
Anko stood there in disbelief. She knew Zoro's hate for the snake sanin. He stood there swords still not drawn.
"Zoro I…." Anko couldn't find the words.
Seeing an opportunity, Zaku lunged at Anko.
"Ha, suffer!" He yelled. If he couldn't hurt Zoro he would hurt those he cares about. He brought his claw down, but not rending flesh like he thought he would. His extended claw came down onto the cold stone floor. He looked at an Anko who hadn't move.
"Why would I care about what Anko did before I met her?" Zoro said with a firm grip on Zaku's tail preventing him from reaching the woman.
Anko looked at the swordsman in disbelief.
"Oh Zoro, you seem wise beyond your years." Kabuto said inwardly swearing. 'This kid… He didn't even hesitate when he said that. Zoro, I'll find your weakness and destroy you with it for what you did to Orochimaru!' Zoro drew the Sandai and sliced Zaku's tail off causing him to howl in pain. Zaku back pedaled away from Zoro. Even with the power he received from Orochimaru and the power he had stolen, he was still no match for the swordsman. Zoro began to walk towards Zaku causing him to quickly put his hands together.
"Zankukyokuha!" He yelled desperation clear in his voice. Zoro simply raised his sword and with a quick slice laced with blue flame the attack quickly dissipated. Even in his current form fear was clear on his face.
"What are you? Stay away from me! Zankukyokuha! Zankukyokuha! Zankukyokuha! Zankukyokuha!" Zaku yelled sending them off in rapid repetition.
Zoro simply sliced each wave with his flame strengthen strikes. Zoro happened to glance at his sword as he prepared to a final strike. Zaku just looked on, knowing his fate was sealed then he saw Zoro's face contort to one he hadn't seen yet, surprise. Along Sandai's blade, multiple hairline fractures had formed. Zaku finally saw his chance.
"Zankukyokuha!" He yelled. Zoro quickly reacted and sheathe the blade and crossed his arms to block the blow. The blow created lacerations on his face, arms, and legs. Zaku rushed the guarding swordsman both hands extended with the intent to skewer him with his claws. Zoro prepared to side step him when he felt his feet start to sink.
"What!" Zoro said.
"Doton: Yomi Numa." Kabuto said with his hands on the ground. Zoro quickly shook his surprise and caught Zaku's hands with his own. A smile formed as Zaku started to push him deeper into the muck. Zoro tried to push off Zaku so he could reach one of his non-fractured swords, but he couldn't get the leverage he needed and continued to sink further and further into the localized swamp. Zoro mind went in quick repetition trying to think of a way to get out of this, and then a familiar killer intent filled the vault.
"You're mine Zoro!" A sinister voice called out from behind Kabuto. Out of the shadows, Orochimaru's head snaked through the air, his fangs ready to sink into Zoro's shoulder. Zoro quickly tried to reposition himself but Zaku was holding him in place. Then he felt something hit his back. But it wasn't anything sharp.
"I won't let you hurt my cute lil brother…" Anko said holding off Orochimaru with a kunai back pressed against Zoro's.
"Anko…!" Zoro said.
"Move girl!" Orochimaru yelled as he activated the cursed seal. Anko's eyes wavered a little but quickly returned to a look of determination.
"No! I won't let you mark him like you did me!" She said as she struggled against his strength. Anko reached to Zoro's side and grabbed the Shusui with her free hand and sliced at the Snake Sanin. Remembering how sharp that sword was, Orochimaru instantly retreated. Putting chakra in her hands she vaulted herself out of the muck and landed on the ceiling then twisting her body and she launched herself towards Zaku face, who instinctively let go of Zoro to block the outstretched sword and kunai.
Seizing this opportunity Kabuto stopped channeling the Swamp of the Underworld, trapping Zoro in the ground. He reinforced his arm with a chakra scalpel and rushed towards Zoro. Anko could only watch as Kabuto pierced Zoro back arm extending through his chest.
"If you won't serve Orochimaru then you die." Zaku said as Orochimaru appeared from the shadows with a victorious smile on his face. Anko looked on her eyes filling with tears.
"Zoro!" She yelled. She looked on as the seconds seemed to past like hours. She looked down at Zoro his mouth wide open in shock then a smile formed across his face as he burst into a murder of crows.
Orochimaru's face instantly switched to fear as Zoro stood side by side with Itachi. Zoro stood with the Wado drawn while Itachi's Sharingan morphed into the Mangekyo Sharingan.
"Tch. We'll just wait and see if the others can bring back Sasuke in time." Orochimaru said lightly. Then Orochimaru and Kabuto instantly vanished, knowing that they wouldn't survive this encounter. Zaku tossed Anko to the side and quickly swiped at Zoro who simply jumped towards the direction Anko had been thrown. When he landed in front of their eyes met. With a smile Anko lifted the Shusui up and Zoro returned the smile as he took it.
"Let's finish this" Itachi said.
"Yeah." Zoro said returning both swords to their respective sheathe. Zaku realized he was in-between Zoro and Itachi.
"Y-y-you won't take me so easily!" Zaku said voice shaking with fear. He pointed an arm at Itachi and an arm at Zoro. "Zankuk…."
"Nitoryu Iai" Itachi and Zoro said in unison. "Rashomon!" Itachi and Zoro swapped places, there back towards Zaku. A black tear ran down Itachi's face as blue embers dissipated around the respective sheathes of the Wado Ichimonji and Shusui. Then the forsaken ninja burst into blue and black flames. Anko watch in amazement as the two flames danced together over Zaku's screaming body before the black over took the blue and consumed the pawns body.
After making sure that the sound was nowhere in sight, the trio met over the stone chest. Zoro looked at his wounded Sandai. There was no way that Zaku should have been able to even chip his sword. Yet now his blade was ruined.
"Zoro, it seems like you overpowered your blade." Itachi said. Zoro looked at the Uchiha as he ran his hand over the blade. "This blade, though masterfully crafted seems to be weaker than your other two. The amount of power you were releasing just put too much of a strain on the blade. A few more strike, enhanced or not, and this blade will shatter. You should find yourself a skilled smith to reinforce this sword when you get back to the village."
Zoro nodded as he sheathes the overworked blade. Afterwards, Zoro put his hand on the chest and push the lid off to reveal a smaller wooden box inside. Itachi reached down and grabbed the box. His face contorts under his cloak as he looked down at the box realizing what is inside.
"I can't let you turn this over to Danzo…" Itachi said as he placed the box at his side.
"Really after that fight you're ready to fight again?" Anko said as she took a stance. "I told you Zoro, you can't trust the traitor."
"Fine. Take it." Zoro said.
Anko punches Zoro in the head. "You're going to just give him our objective!" She yells. "It was bad enough to work with the traitor but to do this is too much! I won't allow it!"
"He saved my life. I owe him this much." Zoro said as he looked Itachi right in the eye. Itachi returned the gaze and nodded picking up the box again.
"…..Fine you did save Zoro…." Anko said finally admitting defeat. "But you said you were here for him, are you simply going to leave?"
"I got what I needed from Zoro." Itachi said as he started to walk away. "And my associate took care of your Root followers, so you don't need to worry about anyone knowing we cooperated in this mission." And with those words he vanished from the sight of the two leaf ninjas.
*Days later- Location unknown*
Itachi stood in a dark cave. With a couple of quick seal eight holographic images appeared before him.
"Welcome back, Itachi. You're a little late" A holographic version of Pain said to the Uchiha betrayer.
"Had a little snake problem." Itachi said.
"I heard." Pain said. "So what do you think of him?"
"We trailed and watched Zoro in action." Zetsu said as he appeared beside Itachi. "Beside the one slip up he displayed great power. With the right training he could be a great asset to us, and then again with the same amount of training he could be our worse enemy."
"Hehehe. I told ya'll!" Kisame said. "That kid is something else. He has great power and skills." The other members remained quiet and looked at Pain for his verdict.
"Ok. We will extend an offer to join us, but if he declines kill him." Pain said. "Deidara, you and Sasori will go and issue this…."
"Let me and Itachi go." Kisame said.
"What." Deidara said. "You think I will let either of you take away this chance to showcase my …"
"I'll allow it." Pain said as Deidara started swearing then disappeared from the cave followed by the others leaving only Pain, Kisame, Zetsu and Itachi.
"Kisame, if you two convince Zoro to join us you two will be responsible for training him." Pain said turning to Kisame.
"No problem. It'll be fun." Kisame said with a big smile on his face. Pain closed his eyes for a few seconds.
"Kisame, if you kill him right after you're done with him, there will be consequences." He said as he turned to Zetsu. "Zetsu, return to me at once. I have a job that suits your skills."
Without saying a word Zetsu sank into the earth his presence disappearing from the cave and Pain's image disappeared soon thereafter.
"Itachi, do me a favor and find Zoro for both of us." Kisame said. Itachi narrowed his eyes at his partner.
"He has broken one of his swords, I told him to have it fixed but after seeing it in action for the third time. There isn't anyone here that could match its craftsmanship, even if it was just to fix it." He said.
"Oh you did see him before the sound attack, I'm kinda jealous, maybe I won't be late for a mission anymore." Kisame said with a chuckle. "Pain is right. If me and Zoro see each other, there will be a brief conversation then an all-out war, and one of us will die."
"So you want me to meet Zoro and train him if he joins?" Itachi said
"Haha no. You'd have nothing to teach him." Kisame says his laughter ringing through the empty cave. "Put a genjutsu on him so he doesn't recognize me."
"Hmph, I guess I could do that." Itachi said
"If I am to meet Zoro again I want him to be at full strength." Kisame said. "It wouldn't be fun to kill him unless he's using that Santoryu style. I guess I'll go out and find a sword he can use. I'm counting on you, partner." Kisame disappears leaving Itachi alone it the cave.
Itachi looked down at the box he had acquired from the vault. If Zoro joins the Akatsuki, it would severely hurt his true mission of protecting the leaf. But this gives him a chance to test Zoro's loyalty.
'I'll offer him this.' Itachi thought taking the item out of the box. 'If he denies us, I'll let him live. If he joins, the only thing he will get is a swift death.' And on that Itachi disappeared from the cave.
*Outside Konoha*
On the way back Anko told Zoro everything about her years with Orochimaru. Zoro didn't say a word nor did he judge her. In return Zoro told Anko about his second defeat of Orochimaru during the hunt for Tsunade. Anko was pleasantly surprised.
"Who would think a serious brat could defeat a Sanin twice." She said as Zoro flinched. "That's all good to know but that's not an equal trade. I want to know about you, before you got to Konoha."
On that Zoro stopped. Anko looked on at the boy. No one in the leaf knew anything about Zoro or his past. Other than his swords, but that was as far as anyone could get. Even Ino, who she thought Zoro would eventually open up to, knew as much as the rest of them. Zoro started walking without saying a word.
"Hey Zoro, sorry if I brought out any pain…."
"I was a pirate before I came here." Zoro said.
Anko laughed. "You didn't have to li…" She stopped midsentence as she saw the serious look on Zoro face. He wasn't joking. Anko coughed to try and diffuse the situation.
"And before that I was a hunter." Zoro said continuing his story.
He told Anko everything. She just walked beside him in amazement. He described places, people, and powers that she had never heard of. If it came from anyone else she would have call them a liar, but for someone so young to go through so much is insane. They walked in total quiet after his story.
"I'm going to go ahead and make the report about our "failure"." Anko said breaking the silence. "When I get back we'll do some serious drinking!"
Zoro smirked and nodded as Anko disappeared. Zoro continued to walk to the gates.
"Tenten might know what to do about this." Zoro said as he touched the hilt of his crack riddled sword. As he got closer he noticed Ino and Sakura standing at the gates. Ino spotted the swordsman. Zoro prepared himself for the usual questions. But it wasn't her that greeted him first.
"Zoro! Thank god you're here!" Sakura said eyes tinted red.
Zoro was taken off guard by this. They didn't exactly see eye to eye.
"You have to go get Sasuke!" She said tears starting to fall again. Ino walked over to him.
"Some sound guys came and he left with them!" Ino said.
'Sound!' Zoro thought as his mind going straight to the snake.
"Naruto, Chouji, Shikamaru, and Neji went after him. Lee followed just now but we have heard nothing!" Sakura said as she grabbed Zoro. "Please Zoro! If you're as strong as you seem to be this should be easy!"
"Zoro… Sakura made Naruto promise to bring Sasuke back at any cost!" Ino said. Zoro's face switched from near understanding and pity for the pink haired girl to an unrivaled rage. He knew Naruto and he knew the risk he would take for this girl. Sakura cringed at his gaze.
"If anything happens to any of them…" Zoro said then quickly left.
If anything happened to those guys…. If anything happened to Naruto…. Nowhere would be safe for Sasuke.
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AN: AH thats done. To answer a couple of PM's I got, Zoro is the same age as the rookie nine. How he got de-aged will be addressed in a future chapter.
Yes Zoro is about to loose the Sandai Kitetsu. I chose this one because it is currently the weakest of his three swords, but don't worry. He'll get a new sword in two chapters!
Thanks to all my readers and I hope this chapter was up to your standards. If you have any question's, critiques, or just want to say hi, don't hesitate to PM me.
~B.O.X~