Chapter 9 Crossroads

*Unknown - Orochimaru temporary hideout*

Screams filled the dimly lit operating room. Unable to hold off any longer for the arrival of Sasuke and Zoro not an option at the point Orochimaru sat in his newly acquired body, bandaged from head to toe save one exposed eye.

"Will this work Kabuto?" Orochimaru said voice slightly muffled.

"It theory it should." Kabuto said as he checked reading. "With such short notice I wasn't able to prepare properly."

His usual plan of holding a life or death contest to see who was worthy to hold his essence had slightly changed this time. Instead of stopping at one he had stopped at four, taking the strongest one for his sinister transfer, while the other three are the source of the unholy screams. Random tubes connected the three suffering people to a figure shrouded in sheets and seals, its occupant remained in total silence. Slowly the shrills and screams stopped. Kabuto walked over to the still covered figure.

"Kimimaro, how do you feel?" Kabuto asked as he began to remove seals and tubes. Not waiting any longer the figure on the lone table rose up from the table, seals tore and tubes snapped as he sat up.

"I feel better than I have in years." Kimimaro stated. "Am I cured?"

"Sadly no, if it was that easy I would have done it years ago." Orochimaru said capturing Kimimaro's full attention. "I have given you this temporary relief so that you won't be distracted by your condition."

Kimimaro raised an eyebrow.

"I have a mission for you. My new body is on its way. I need you to protect him." Orochimaru said.

"Yes Orochimaru-sama. I will personally escort him to your side." Kimimaro said while turning to leave.

"No. You will not escort him. Your one and only mission is to stop a green haired swordsman. You will fight no one else." Orochimaru stated.

"Roronoa Zoro…" Kimimaro said having heard the name bounced around throughout the Sound. "Don't you wish for him to be a potential vessel?" Kimimaro asked.

Orochimaru let out a small laugh. "Yes, as intuitive as ever. Alas he is outside my reach at this moment. I want you to stop him, killing him if you have to. If he reaches Sasuke before you reach him, this will set me back tremendously. He is not at full strength right now so you will have the edge."

Kimimaro nodded and disappeared immediately.

"Do you really think he can stop Zoro?" Kabuto said as he began to dispose of the dried up husks of the three unfortunate Sound ninjas.

"Fufufufu. Zoro is down a sword. Most of his devastating moves require three swords. That's the edge that Kimimaro needs." Orochimaru said.

"He has other moves…"

"I know Kabuto." Orochimaru said interrupting his student. "As long as he gets Sasuke to me, I don't care if he wins or loses."

*Traveling through the Forest outside Konoha*

Zoro was focused as ever. His usual lack of direction replaced with cold determination. He traveled towards the nearest concentration of killing intent. With every step his rage slowly grew. He looked up and saw an opening rapidly getting closer and two figures facing each other. One he quickly identified as Chouji, the heavy set member of Ino's team oddly thinner than he remembers. As he got closer he was able to identify the second.

'Kankuro of the sand!' Zoro thought as he drew the Wado.

"Thanks Kankuro. You're the last person I expected to come and help me." Chouji said as he sat on the ground trying to catch his breath.

"Are you going to be ok… I don't need you dying on me." Kankuro said as he rubbed his head. "But I have to admit, you probably could have took him on your ow-….."

"Ittoryu: Sanjuroku Pound Ho!" Yelled a voice from above. Kankuro quickly jumped out of the way barely evading the explosion that followed then brought forth Karasu. Every instinct told him not to stop moving, his life was still in danger. He looked down to me the murderous eyes of Zoro. Zoro shifted the Wado in his hand and slashed upward at the puppeteer. The slash cut through the puppeteer in half. Zoro quickly turned around sword pointed at Kankuro preparing to grab him with Karasu, not fooled at all by the clone.

"Wait Zoro! They are not the enemy!" Chouji yelled out.

Zoro looked over at Chouji.

"They are here to help!"

Zoro looked over at Kankuro.

"Ye-yeah! Orochimaru killed our Kazekage and manipulated us! We would never help him!" Kankuro said sweating bullets. Zoro slowly lower the Wado, returning it to its sheathe.

"Where's Naruto?" Zoro asked. "I don't know. I stopped to hold back that guy." Chouji said pointing to the downed Sound Ninja. Zoro scanned the area.

"Wait Zoro." Kankuro said. Kankuro summoned forth a light blue string.

"Gaara went towards the biggest chakra feeling. If anyone is close to Naruto it would be him." He said handing the string to Zoro.

Zoro nodded and disappeared into the woods.

Chouji let out a sigh of relief. "With Zoro here, there's no way that we are going to fail."

Kankuro still looked in the direction that Zoro left. 'His eyes where the same as Gaara's…' Kankuro thought. 'When he catches Sasuke…"

Zoro rushed through the woods. On his way he passed a down Neji next to a six-armed man. He stopped to insure that Neji was still breathing and the quickly left after he was sure he was alive. Further down he passed Shikamaru with the fan girl from the sand. Seeing that they were in relatively good shape he didn't stop. Further into the forest at a small stream he could make out four figures fighting. Zoro approached it expecting Gaara, Naruto, and the remaining Sound Ninja's and/or Sasuke.

Zoro landed and saw only one of the people he expected to see.

"Zoro! I was hoping I could catch up with you before I got in this fight." A healed Lee said.

'When did he pass me?' Zoro thought as his respect for Lee's speed when up. He looked over at Gaara, and Gaara returned the gaze.

"Where's Naruto?" Zoro asked.

"He went ahead after Sasuke." Lee said.

"You think we'll let you pass?" One of the horned men said.

"Yes brother! We cannot let another reach Sasuke." The other said lunging at the swordsman. Zoro reached for his swords when a wall of sand appeared before him.

"Go. We'll take care of these guys." Gaara said in a monotone voice. Zoro nodded and left the two before leaving.

"Yosh!" Lee yelled grabbing a vial from is side. "Now that Zoro is here I don't have to hold back! I better take my medicine!"

*Valley of the End*

The black orb of energy slowly dissipated. Sasuke stood over a downed Naruto.

"I've done it…." Sasuke said. His seal slowly starting to retreat, his wings retreating back into his body. The path to the Mangekyo Sharingan was right before him. Kill his best friend would make it awaken, then he would be one step closer to Itachi. The gaping wound in Naruto's chest slowly started to heal over. He took one kunai in his hand as he watched Naruto struggle to breathe.

"Sorry Naruto. We are two totally different people. If you were in my position you would make the same decision." Sasuke said as he brought the kunai down. Sasuke's eyes widened as his kunai flew out of his hand. He looked down and Naruto was not in the spot he was moments ago. He scanned the area and his eyes quickly met Zoro's.

"Roronoa…" Sasuke seethed. "Why must you continue to get in my way!" He yelled as the seal started to spread across his body once again. Zoro bent down.

"Naruto…" He said.

The orange clad ninja slowly opened his eyes. "Zoro…. You made it back…" He said. "Good… then you can help me stop Sasuke… he's not a traitor… if we don't stop him Sakura will cry…. I can't have that…. I promised her I…."

Zoro stood up no longer able to listen to Naruto. He cared so much for this bastard and yet he tried to kill him. Zoro untied his leaf headband from his arm and wrapped it around his head.

"Oh… the ritual of Zoro! You think this scares me!" Sasuke yelled as he returned to his Cursed Seal Second Level form.

"With this power and my Sharingan I'll finally put you in your place!" Sasuke yelled rushing Zoro. The swordsman quickly drew the Wado and parried the clawed blow. Zoro countered with an upward slash that Sasuke easily dodged. Zoro went on the offensive. Even with his expert use of the Wado he couldn't get a blow to land.

'It's like when I fought Naruto.' Sasuke thought as a smirk formed on his face. 'I can see all of his moves before he makes them.'

"Ittoryu: Nezumizan!" Zoro yelled. Sasuke side stepped the attack and unleashed one of his own.

"Katon: Gokakyu no Jutsu!" Zoro focused on the Wado causing blue fire to erupt from the white blade. Zoro sliced the giant fireball splitting it in two. The embers of the black tainted and blue flame fell close to Naruto. Zoro silently cursed. He had to move the fight away from the downed ninja.

"What's wrong Zoro?" Sasuke gloated. "Where's that quiet confidence you usually show. After I'm done with you I'm…."

"Nitoryu…" Zoro said as he dashed towards Sasuke drawing the Shusui. "Nihonshu!" Zoro yells as he slashes Sasuke.

The Uchiha nonchalantly dodges the blow he turned to say something only to be met with a black blade thrusting towards him. Sasuke dodged once again and created the some distance. Sasuke started to sweat. Zoro's attack was getting dangerously closer. Then a surge of pain rushed through Sasuke's body. Zoro took no time capitalizing. Before Sasuke could react Zoro had thrust the Shusui through Sasuke's right wing. He brought the blade up severing the hand-like wing from Sasuke's body. Sasuke yelled in pain. Zoro brought down the Wado down to end Sasuke but the Uchiha quickly dodged the blow. He Zoro quickly followed the boy. Sasuke tossed shurikens at Zoro who easy deflected the attack. He reached the one winged Uchiha. He thrust his Shusui through a transparent Sasuke. He quickly scanned this environment to locate the real one only to hear furious chirping from behind.

"Chidori!" Sasuke yelled attempting to thrust his arm through Zoro. It was the swordsman turn to avoid near death. Zoro jumped to the side and let Sasuke pass right by him.

"Nitoryu: Nanajuni Pound Ho!" Zoro yelled unleashing the attack. Sasuke stopped channeling the Chidori. He turned and jumped through the attack once again charging the solid black Chidori. He looked at the swordsman. To his surprised Zoro no longer had any of his swords drawn. Sasuke watched as Zoro placed the white sheathe behind his back.

"Ittoryu Iai…" Then Zoro disappeared from Sasuke's sight. "Shishi Sonson!" Zoro yelled as blood erupted from Sasuke's chest.

The Chidori ceased to exist and Sasuke slid across the ground. Zoro took drew the Wado out of its sheathe and began walking towards Sasuke. He watched as Sasuke's skin lost all of its color and turned back to its original hue.

"Stop Zoro…. It's over…. We can go home…." Naruto weakly called out.

Zoro didn't respond. Sasuke turned on his back to examine his wound, the cause of his pain. Then he looked up. He saw Zoro, eyes void of any emotions, sword gripped in his hand.

'This can't be happening!' Sasuke thought as he subconsciously inched away. 'He never even withdrew his third sword! I can't be this weak compared to him!'

"Stop Zoro…!" Naruto cried out from his resting place. Zoro once again ignored it and continued his death march to Sasuke.

"Yes Zoro, you should stop." A new voice said. Zoro turned to see a person who he didn't recognized. White hair, two red dots on his forehead and his hand extended towards the downed Naruto. "Sasuke, Orochimaru-sama is waiting on you." The stoic faced boy said.

Sasuke slowly rose to his feet. He stared directly at Zoro. No quip or sly smirk, just a stare. The turned and made his way into the Land of the Sound. Zoro began to give chase.

"I wouldn't do that Zoro. I can't guarantee your friends safety." Zoro turned and rushed the new arrival bringing the Wado down upon him which the kid only held up his arm and held off the blow. Zoro looked on surprised at the development. His white haired opponent lifted his free arm and pointed his hand towards Zoro. He shot a projectile from each finger which embedded inside Zoro's chest. Using his new advantage Zoro's opponent pushed off and a bone started to protrude from his hand. Zoro quickly brought the Wado forward to block the blow pushing his arm up Zoro quickly drew the Shusui and slashed at the boys open chest. The Shusui slid across the boy's body. Zoro quickly grabbed Naruto and jumped back. The boy examined the small wound across his chest.

"Hmm, I have to be more careful. That black blade actually did a little damage to me." Zoro looked on. "Oh how rude of me. I am Kimimaro. Orochimaru-sama has sent me to deal with you and it seems that I arrived just in time. A couple more minutes and Sasuke would be dead."

Zoro sat Naruto down and took a stance. "Oh you're not disheartened by my bloodline limit?"

"Why would I be?" Zoro said. Zoro charged at Kimimaro. He slashed at the boy. Kimimaro made two makeshift swords out of bones and parried the blow and made an attack of his own that Zoro parried in returned. The two clashed neither one giving any ground. Both seeing this clash was meaningless they both jumped back. Kimimaro stood unphased while Zoro was starting to show signs of fatigue. Kimimaro noticed that and slightly lowered his guard. Zoro once again rushed at the bone user. Kimimaro pointed his hands at Naruto and shot ten projectiles at him. Zoro quickly reacted and deflected all of the projectiles before they got near his downed friend. Zoro looked up only to see Kimimaro above him.

"Tsubaki no Mai." The Sound ninja started to thrust his makeshift swords at Zoro. Zoro quickly started to parry the barrage of blows. Slowly but surely the quick unpredictable thrust started to surpass Zoro's guard and strike his body.

"Tatsu Maki!" Zoro yelled. The tornado enveloped Kimimaro blowing him away from Zoro giving him a moment to recuperate. 'This fight was just like my fight with Daz Bones. Except this Kimimaro seem to make his bones harder than regular steel.' Zoro thought.

While he dwelled on this Kimimaro went back on the attack. He started to block the blows once again. This bloodline limit was strange… wait bloodline limit! Zoro focused on the Shusui and viciously slashed at Kimimaro, a blue trail of flame in its wake. Kimimaro brought his bone sword up to defend and Zoro's black blade went through it like a hot knife through butter. The severed end of the bone blade quickly burned away. Kimimaro quickly tossed aside the other end as it too began to burn away. Kimimaro's expression changed for the first time since they started the fight. Zoro side slashed with the Wado blue flame engulfing the treasure blade. Kimimaro quickly jumped to the side.

"So your bone weapons are reinforced with chakra." Zoro said wiping some stray blood from his lip. Kimimaro ruled out a couple of his "dances". Once again Zoro rushed Kimimaro. The two clashed a little more seriously and a lot deadlier than the initial charge. Zoro would switch between enhanced and normal blows trying to keep Kimimaro off balance, and Kimimaro would switch the density of the blade to vary the strength and speed of the blow trying to keep Zoro off balance. Seeing that Kimimaro started to get predictable in his defense Zoro brought down both the swords in a flame enhanced strike.

"Nigiri Otoro!" Zoro yelled. Kimimaro jumped back. Zoro quickly sheathe his swords.

"Nitoryu Iai: Rashomon!" Zoro appeared behind Kimimaro as he clutched his stomach in pain. Zoro, wasting no time, went in for the kill only to be blocked by large bone protruding from Kimimaro. Kimimaro's skin began to become littered with black marks signaling the activation of the cursed seal.

"Tch." Zoro said frustration starting to grow. "Maguma!"

Kimimaro spun out of the way of the attack as multitudes of bones started to protrude from his body.

"Karamatsu no Mai." Kimimaro said as he launched himself towards Zoro. Zoro brought down his swords in response, blue flames covering it from hilt to tip. Using his arms, Kimimaro guided Zoro's blow away from his body all bones that where touched by the flame was quickly discarded and replaced. Zoro quickly realized his vulnerable position as Kimimaro continued his attack, punching his bone spiked hand towards Zoro. The green haired swordsman blocked the fists was unable to prevent the longer bones along his arms from piercing his body. Zoro stopped moving. A small smile formed on Kimimaro's face as Zoro arms fell to his side.

"Orochimaru-sama it seems that I had to…" Zoro eyes suddenly focus on Kimimaro and he pinches him between the Wado and the Shusui.

"Nitoryu: Togyu!" Zoro yelled, slamming Kimimaro to the ground. Zoro thrusts again this time aiming for Kimimaro's head only to be stopped by an ominous rumble from the ground. Everyone of his fighting senses told him to abandon the attack and dodge. Trusting his instinct he quickly jumped to the right. No sooner than he left the spot a spike erupted from the ground. Zoro looked over at Kimimaro to see that he had pushed himself up with one hand firmly planted on the ground the other clutching the wound from the Rashomon. Kimimaro's face showed his rage.

"I've never been pushed this far." He said as he lifted his hand from the ground dislodging the bone he used for the attack from his body. He slammed his right foot into the ground.

Wasting no time Zoro dashed from the spot as another spike appeared where he stood. Zoro dodged and weaved as bone spikes appeared all around him preventing him from making any progress towards Kimimaro. Zoro seeing how futile a forward assault ran up the side of one of the spikes and vaults over the spikes towards Kimimaro. The bone ninja points his hands towards Zoro and shoots out multiple projectiles. Zoro ignores them as some zoom past him and others hit him.

"Nitoryu: Kama Kiri!" Zoro yells as he thrust both of his swords towards Kimimaro. Before he could reach the Sound ninja another wall of spikes appears between to obscuring Zoro's vision. Zoro attack was stopped as both of the swords where embedded into one of the spikes. With a simple grunt Zoro was able to power the rest of the way through the spike. When he reached the other side Kimimaro was nowhere to be seen.

"Zoro, now I understand why Orochimaru-sama wanted you." Kimimaro said voice ringing all over the place. "For someone using pure kenjustu to push me to this length… No matter, my job was to stop you from capturing Sasuke, so I have succeeded in my mission."

"So you're going to run off like that bottom feeding snake Orochimaru." Zoro said scanning his surroundings.

"To refer to Orochimaru-sama in such an uncouth manner." Kimimaro said. "I cannot allow this to go unpunished!" Then a whip like weapon rushed through the air towards Zoro, wrapping itself around one of Zoro's arms. Zoro wasted no time in slicing the weapon off of his arm and following the remaining portion, knowing his opponent would be on the other side. When he turned a corner he was met with a huge white object aimed straight at his head. Zoro quickly parried the blow with the Shusui. Kimimaro readied his bone whip and wrapped it around the black blade and attempted to disarm the swordsman. Zoro once again cut the whip then slashed the Wado at Kimimaro's head, leaving a pale blue flame trail behind the strike. Kimimaro quickly ducked beneath the blade then jumped back. Zoro looked over his opponent. He had changed. This skin was brown and bones protruded from his back and he now had a tail. Kimimaro had activated the second level of his seal. Kimimaro backed up to one of his bone spikes and melted away into it to the surprise of Zoro. The ground around him rumbled and more spikes appeared out of the ground. Some close to him, others in the surrounding area. Giving his opponent no time to rest, Kimimaro appeared from one of the closer spikes, his bone whip regenerated and lashed out at Zoro this time wrapping around his leg. He took his enormous bone weapon and thrust at the Swordsman. Zoro parried the blow then responded with an attack aimed for his neck. The bone Kimimaro's body sprang from appeared to suck the bone ninja back into it pulling him out of harm's way. Wasting no time, Zoro cut down all the spikes near him to avoid another point blank sneak attack.

"Hmm, seems this exchange will get us nowhere." Kimimaro said voice filling the battlefield. "But it seems we have forgotten one participant in this battle." Zoro gripped his swords tightly on the realization of who Kimimaro was referring to. Then bone spikes started to erupt from the ground getting closer and closer to the downed Naruto. Zoro dashed towards his downed friend. Kimimaro started to pop out of random spikes to attack Zoro trying to slow the swordsman down to no avail. Zoro managed to get to Naruto before the bone spikes. Zoro placed the Shusui back in is sheathe, unceremoniously grabbing the downed boy by the collar, and leaped into the air as the spikes erupted from the very spot Naruto had laid. Kimimaro took the opportunity to wrap his whip around Zoro's foot and pull him down towards the spikes he just narrowly avoided.

"Sanjuroku Pound Ho!" Zoro yelled. The attack destroyed the spikes below them before shifting Naruto above him taking the full force of the blow. Zoro pushed Naruto off of him and rose to his feet. He not only had to defend himself but now Naruto was back in the mix.

Zoro had no choice. It was do or die time. Zoro placed the Wado in his mouth and withdrew the Shusui and the fractured Sandai.

'With his body composition I have one shot at this.'

"Finally pulling out you signature style." Kimimaro said. "That alone won't save you!" He yelled.

"Kiki Kyutoryu: Ashura." Zoro said as he took on the form of a six armed, three headed demon. Kimimaro couldn't shake the overbearing feeling that rushed out from Zoro. Even a demonic presence stored in its container nearby felt the outpouring of power from the swordsman. A small bubbling tendril stretched out from Naruto towards the swordsman. Kimimaro shot out of one of his spikes knowing that Zoro wouldn't abandon his friend.

All the Swordsman did was slightly shift his feet. Kimimaro caused a spike to form near Zoro kicked Naruto out of the way while Kimimaro attacked with his strongest bone spike. Using three Shusuis, Zoro sliced the bone along with Kimimaro's left arm off his body.

'No way!' Kimimaro thought as his eyes met with all of Zoro's.

"Ashura: Makyusen!"

*Unknown - Orochimaru temporary hideout.*

"Orochimaru-sama, we are all set to leave when Sasuke reaches us." Kabuto said.

"Good work, Kabuto. Sasuke should be here shortly." Orochimaru said.

"Should we wait for Kimimaro?" Kabuto asked. Orochimaru and Kabuto looked at the candle which represented Kimimaro's life suddenly flare up then fall over cut into nine perfectly cut pieces.

"Zoro, how you continue to amaze me!" Orochimaru said as his snakelike tongue poked out from underneath the bandages.

"We must begin Sasuke's training immediately." "Yes Orochimaru-sama."

*Valley of the end*

Rain started to fall. Zoro stood triumphant, as his blood and the blood of his opponent began to wash off of his body. Zoro looked down the Sandai Kitetsu had been reduced to a hilt and a small piece of fractured blade. Lightning struck revealing shards of the blade scattered around him. Zoro turned to see a familiar masked ninja.

"Zoro… are you ok." Kakashi said as the swordsman returned his weapons to their respective sheathe. Not speaking a word he placed Naruto on his back.

"No…Zoro… I can't go back without Sasuke… I promised…"

"Shut up Naruto!" Zoro said slightly raising his voice.

Naruto bit his lip.

Then Zoro began the long journey towards Konoha. Kakashi quietly looked on. He turned to his summoned dogs.

"Can you guys collect the shattered pieces of Zoro's blade? It's the least I could do." They all nodded and began to collect the pieces of the shattered blade. Kakashi caught up with Zoro.

"Your prized student defected." Zoro said finally breaking the silence.

"Yeah." Kakashi replied tone showing his feelings towards the recently transpired events. "I thought I got through to the boy before I left on my mission."

"Just to let you know. If I come across Sasuke again, he is as good as dead." Zoro said.

"Yeah. He's a traitor now." Kakashi weakly replied.

Yes Sasuke being branded a traitor would make it easier, but his fight with the misguided Uchiha was now personal. So focused on his current route Zoro didn't notice a small red tendril form from the stomach of his downed friend and start to burrow into one of his wounds. Zoro blinked his eyes then…

*Unknown- Gigantic Sealed Cage*

Zoro was just running towards the village, yet now he stood before a cage.

"Hahaha. It seems I've mistaken you for a Jinchuriki." A voice from the other side of the cage said. Zoro looked up to see two huge eyes and a gigantic foxy smile.

"You're the demon fox…?" Zoro said recalling hearing the term from Mizuki what seemed like ages ago.

"Yes, I am. Zoro, twice you had displayed power that has caught my interest. Your little demon form." The fox bellowed.

Zoro knew immediately what he was referring to: The Ashura.

"I thought you might hold another tailed beast inside of you." The fox continued. "If I could consume just a little of that power and I could break free from this wrenched boy." Zoro looked at the fox.

"I could use a new fox skinned shirt." Zoro said.

"Heh come if you seek death." The fox chuckled in amusement. Zoro rushed the cage and drew the Wado. Before he could pass the bars a great surge of electricity ran through his body, rendering Zoro immobile. The room lit up.

"Who are you? What are you doing here?" Asked a voice that seemed to agitate the fox.

"Oh you brought him here. Making me waste what little chakra I still have remaining." A figure appeared before Zoro and touched his forehead.

*Forest around Konoha*

Zoro vision returned to see they he was near Konoha. They had been joined by the Sasuke Retrieval Team. He tried to remember what had just happened. It was all a haze. As they got closer to the gates Zoro could make out two figures at the gate. Ino and Sakura stood waiting for them. The people around Zoro could feel Zoro's rage start to grow again. They all stopped and look around.

"What do you sense Zoro." Shikamaru asked. Zoro stopped eyes focused on the gates. He sat Naruto on the ground and began to walk towards the gate. The members of the Retrieval team and Kakashi looked at Zoro. His pace went from a slow walk to a brisk jog to a full out dash. Ino took a couple steps forward to greet the team and see what had happen only to catch a glimpse of Zoro speed past her. Zoro placed his hands around Sakura's neck and slammed her against the red gate with a sickening thud. Sakura was about to let out a cry when she saw a white blade pointed at her.

"Zoro!" They all called out.

"You set us up." Zoro said. "Wh-what…..?" Sakura said eyes widen with fear.

"You told someone in the sound about this. You had to be working with that traitor. How else would he gotten so far without us knowing." The chunin gate guards approached Zoro, weapons drawn.

"He knocked me out! I wouldn't held him betray the leaf!" Sakura yelled tears streaming down her face. She stared down into the eyes of the boy, every second she felt like she was closer and closer to death by his hands.

"Sakura wouldn't do that Zoro…" Naruto said. He was leaning on Kakashi's shoulder for support.

"Naruto... did…" Sakura said.

Naruto forced one of his signature foxy smiles before grabbing his wound. Zoro, who had his back to Naruto, lowered his sword and let removed his hand from around Sakura's neck. Everyone let out a sigh of relief. Zoro placed Naruto's free arm around his neck and helped Kakashi take the boy to the hospital.

*Days Later – Hokage's Tower*

Tsunade sat at her desk, after using her powers to make sure the members of the retrieval team healed properly she was sacked with this frustrating meeting. Across from her stood the Konoha council and Danzo. Behind her were Shizune and Jiraiya.

"So it's settled. Uchiha Sasuke will be placed in the bingo books as a kill on sight missing nin." Homura said.

Tsunade nodded in agreement.

"Yes, defecting to a hated enemy of the leaf warrants no other response." Koharu said agreeing with her male counterpart and the Hokage.

"So is that it then? It has been a very stressful couple of days." Tsunade said.

"Not yet one more thing." Danzo said. The occupants of the room turned their attention to Danzo. "I would like to have permission to take custody of Roronoa Zoro."

Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Shizune gasped in shock.

"What has warranted this request?" Tsunade said trying to figure out the older ninja's aim.

"He put in danger one of our genin." Danzo said slightly opening his eye. "If he is allowed to roam unpunished, it might inspire others that they can do the same."

"The genin in question didn't want any actions taken against the boy. She attributed it to the stress of the mission." Tsunade said.

The members of the council nodded in agreement with Tsunade much to the surprise of Jiraiya.

Danzo let out a heavy sigh. "I didn't want to show my hand but…" He said as he tossed a file onto Tsunade's desk.

Tsunade opened it up to revealed four pieces of paper. All four had a picture of Zoro on it with various stats.

"You see Tsunade, the escapades of the young Zoro has spread. All the other major villages have classified Zoro as a class A threat, and the Sand has took it further and classified him as a class S threat due to having a better understanding of what Zoro is capable of. I want him to join the Root so I can properly train him for the future. He will come under attack from other nations, we need to up the rate of his training."

Jiraiya let out a hefty laugh. "I can already hear him now. 'I'm not a ninja.' He would never accept this."

"Then force him too. Zoro beat the One Tail's Jinchuriki, he had him scared for his life. If we hone his skills we could use him as a deterrent… a weapon against other nations. We wouldn't have to fear the Kyuubi any longer."

The two members of the council looked at each other.

"This would be great for Konoha." Homura said. "We should…"

"Wait." Jiraiya said interrupting the older man. "You want to improve Zoro's skills right?" The toad sanin said looking straight at Danzo.

The root leader slowly nodded his head.

"Then let him come with me. I have called in a favor from an old friend, he said he will judge if Zoro can be trainable."

"You said that he wasn't a ninja yet you set something up like this?" Danzo said hiding his anger at Jiraiya.

"Who said he was a ninja?" Jiraiya said.

Danzo's eye shot open. "You're taking him to the mist!"

"No. Why would I take him somewhere he would be in danger? There's other, stronger swordsman besides the mist."

Danzo when silent for a second, then squinted at Jiraiya who had a huge smile on his face. "You don't mean…"

*Anko and Zoro's apartment*

Zoro and Anko stat around the small table in their house, dozens of empty beer, sake, etc. littered across it.

"Hahahaha, Zoro you're truly an idiot!" Anko laughed as she slammed down another empty can. "Only you would use a friend as a weapon in a life or death situation. Hana Arashi, bwahahahahah."

"Shut up, he was the only thing in reach." Zoro said as he placed his mug on the table and began to fill it up.

Anko wiped the tears out of her eyes. "You guys seemed to be a lively bunch. Oh what I wouldn't give to spend one day with you crew."

"Tch. You'd just be showing off to Luffy, Chopper, and Usopp, while that pervert cook drooled over you." Zoro said.

"That wouldn't be so bad!" Anko said a big grin on her face.

"Stupid snake lady…" Zoro said finishing off his beer.

Then there was a knock at the door.

"Zoro get that." Anko said as she to open another can.

Zoro stood up complaining the whole way.

He opens the door to see Jiraiya with a big smile on his face. "Yo Zoro."

"Ah Jiraiya! Come in have a drink!" Anko said.

"I would but I have business elsewhere. I just came to talk to Zoro." Jiraiya said waiving off the inebriated jounin.
"Zoro, how would you like to go on a training mission with me?"

"No, I'm…"

"You're not a ninja I know." Jiraiya said finishing his sentence for him. "But this isn't going to be ninja training. Trust me you'll regret not taking my offer." Zoro looked at the sanin.

"So how long will this be a month, two?" He asked

"A couple of years." Jiraiya said like it was nothing. No answer. "Zoro, if you don't like it you can just come back to the village."

"Just go Zoro." Anko said with a wiry smile. "If it's not ninja training then it will be in your best interests to at least check it out… since you're not a ninja."

"Ok, ok. Even if it's just to get away from you." Zoro said. Jiraiya smiled and placed his hands on his shoulders.

"Trust me Zoro, this is right up your alley!" Then the sanin disappeared.

"Come little brother! If this is our last night together lets drink the night away!" Anko said.

Zoro smiled and shut the door to join his "big sister".

*Couple of days later.*

Zoro stepped outside of his apartment a bag slung over his shoulder.

"Zoro, you be careful. You won't have me to run to when you scrape your knee." Anko said as she stood in the doorway.

"You be careful, you won't have anyone to take care you." Zoro said.

Anko smirked before embracing the green haired boy. "When I figure out where you are, I might drop in to see you."

She pushed away from Zoro as he started to walk down the stairs.

"When you get back we'll drink the night away again!" Anko yelled waving at the departing boy.

Waiting at the bottom of the stairs was Tenten, Kurenai, Kiba, Hinata, and a boy he'd never seen before. Tenten was the first to approach him. She grabbed the broken blade and its scabbard.

"Kakashi gave my dad the pieces of the Sandai Kitetsu. He said that I could fix the blade." She said. "Here, my gift!" Tenten handed him a blade. "I spent the last four days forging this blade…. With your strength it won't last long though…" Zoro took the blade and drew it. It was expertly made, he could see that Tenten put her heart into trying to make this blade but she was right, it wouldn't last long with his style.

"Thanks Tenten." Zoro said returning the unnamed blade to its sheathe. "When you get back you have to show me your new skills!" Tenten said as she walked away leaving team eight by themselves.

"Zoro. We're going to escort you to the gate." Kurenai said.

"I can find it on my own." Zoro said as he turned and started to go the exact opposite way.

"Sure you could idiot!" Kiba said as he grabbed the swordsman turning him the right way. The group began their walk. Zoro looked over at the hooded figure.

"That's Shino, he was assigned to be your replacement." Hinata said.

"Yeah He's just like you but with bugs not swords." Kiba joked.

"I didn't want to take him at first, but it was forced on me." Kurenai said. "We had a big mission come up while you were gone with Anko."

"Yeah this guy is the reason we didn't make it back before retrieving that idiot Sasuke." Kiba said. "I would have loved to have been on that mission!"

"Me too…" Shino said.

"But Zoro, you'll always be a member of team eight." Hinata said as each team member smiled. "But I have one request, please make sure Naruto stays safe." A small blush formed on her face.

"Haha Zoro, she went to see Naruto and fainted at the sight of him in bandages!" Kiba said.

"Ah Kiba! Don't tell him that!" Hinata said in an unusual loud voice as she began to punch the dog boy.

The group laughed.

"Ah don't look now, but I think this is as far as we get to take Zoro." Kiba said with a wolfish grin.

The group looked up to see team ten standing in front of them. Kiba patted Zoro on his shoulder as the puppy on his head placed a paw on Zoro, Hinata gave him a short hug.

"Zoro, take care of yourself. I know I wasn't able to teach you allot but..." Kurenai started.

"You taught me enough. I appreciate it Kurenai-sensei." Zoro said. The older woman smiled as she walked over to her boyfriend who simply patted Zoro on the head.

"Heh Zoro, do you really need to get any stronger?" Shikamaru said.

"Well he's not a genius like you Shikamaru." Chouji added.

"Well, we all can't be lazy like you." Zoro retorted.

Shikamaru smirked as the two shook hands. "Maybe we'll get to work together again in the future."

"Heh that would be a fearsome sight, the strongest and the tactical genius of the rookie nine working together." Chouji added. "I want to be a part of that."

Then there was silence. Zoro looked at Ino and she returned the gaze. The others around them began to leave.

"So, you're going to be gone for a couple of years." Ino said.

"Yeah." Zoro said.

Then silence once again. The two started to walk towards the gates of Konoha.

"I'm going to begin training with Tsunade soon, and I convinced my dad to train me." Ino said breaking the silence. "He didn't want to train me in the harder techniques, but I convinced him! I have someone…. to… pro…" She trailed off and began looking at the ground.

Zoro looked at the girl, her face was solid red. "I have someone I have to protect to, that's why I'm going to get stronger." Zoro said.

Ino's gaze snapped back up. 'How can he say stuff like that with a straight face?' Ino said. "So when we get back we should fight again." Ino said as she could make out the gate in the distance. "I want to show you how much stronger I'll be and make sure you didn't just slack off." She said jokingly poking him with her elbow.

"Sure, I still owe you that date. So we can call it that." Zoro said.

'Did he say date!' Ino thought. "No you can't! I still get the date!" She yelled causing Zoro slightly pull away from the loud girl.

"Ok I got it." He said as he rubbed his ear. The two stopped as they reached the gate. Naruto and Jiraiya had yet made it.

"Oh man, I still have to meet the guys at the restaurant!" Ino said as she yanked the leaf headband from around his arm. Zoro looked on as the girl wrapped another one around his arm. She pulled away and Zoro noticed that it was his old black bandanna with a metal leaf head protector expertly sewn into it.

"Can't have you representing our village with a traitor's headband." She said.

Zoro looked up to thank the girl only to have Ino steal a kiss. She pulled away face even redder than before. "Come back soon Zoro. I'll be waiting on you!" And with that she ran away from the surprised swordsman.

"Oh ho Zoro! Quite the farewell you got there!" Naruto joked.

"Shut up idiot." Zoro said slightly embarrassed.

"Oh Naruto look, did you ever think you'd see Zoro blush?" Jiraiya said. Zoro punched both of them.

*Snow covered land*

A fierce snowstorm raged around the three travelers from Konoha. "Achoo!" Naruto sneezed. "Hey Ero-senin! Where are we headed!"

"First we have to drop off this guy before we start your training." Jiraiya said pointing at Zoro. "We won't be here long." Then they heard rustling amongst the trees. Zoro placed his hand on his swords and Naruto placed his hand in his kunai pouch, both ready for and attack. Jiraiya raised his hand.

"We're here on business." Jiraiya called out. Exposed several figures stepped out of the tree line, Naruto let out a gasp of amazement. The figures were covered head to toe in heavy armor, either blades or axes in their hands. They cautiously walked towards the group.

"What business would ninja's have here." One of the armored men asked.

"To see me off course." An older man said. He had bandages tied around his head, eyes like an eagle, and a blade strapped to his side. With a wave of his hand the guards dispersed.

"Mifune! Thanks for this." Jiraiya said extending hand. Mifune grabbed Jiraiya's hand. He looked over Naruto then he looked over Zoro.

"So is this the young man you want me to train?" Mifune asked.

"Yes this is…"

"Roronoa Zoro. In a recent deal the cloud shared intel on him, but it seems it's wrong." Mifune said still sizing up Zoro. "The cloud thinks you're older…. and taller."

"So when will he begin?" Jiraiya asked.

"Don't leave just yet I want to test him. He might be a hoax and not worth my time." Mifune said as the storm settled down revealing a fortress like city. "Welcome to the Land of Iron."

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Almost time for the time skip! Thanks for the warm reviews, and PM's! I tried to hit them all, but if I neglected yours I apologize. A special thanks to zen neeon, for spotting a super glaring error. I'll try and be faster with my updates. Thanks again!

B.O.X