Chapter 13 Treading into shark infested waters
*Konoha*
Ino was on top of the world. She stood with her teammates and there Jounin leader and Asuma just told them that there wasn't anything planned for them today. So her plans were coming together.
"Is there anything else, Asuma-sensei?" She asked putting on a mask to hide her excitement.
With a drag of his cigarette he nodded. A smile formed across her face.
"Well I'm off!" She said and began to run towards her house.
"He won't be there." Shikamaru said causing the girl to stop in her tracks.
"What do you mean? Arrg, I knew it he went and forgot about me!" She said clenching her fist.
"It's not his fault, something big happened in the Sand and Team Seven was chosen to go…" Shikamaru said causing the girl to calm down a little.
"Did Temari tell you before she left?" Chouji asked his best friend.
Shikamaru didn't answer.
"Hmm I guess you didn't get to talk to her before she left." The husky boy said as he regretted bringing up the brash Sand girl. "I guess it's pretty obvious to send Naruto and his team since he is friends with Gaara." Chouji said trying to shift the conversation.
"But was it wise to send a team with Roronoa on it." Asuma said.
The three younger ninja's looked at Asuma with intrigue.
"During the battle with the Sand and Sound, Zoro protected the evacuees from the sand onslaught." Asuma said.
"Yeah and he was deemed a hero from that action." Chouji said as Ino nodded.
"In that same battle, the Sand lost numerous amount of troops to one at the time genin, and he was well on his way to defeating their current Kazekage. The sand would see Zoro as a villain and potential threat." Shikamaru said as Chouji and Ino started to understand Asuma's point.
Asuma looked at the Hokage's monument. "Sending Zoro to save the Kazekage to dispel any doubt about his intentions, this is a big gamble Tsunade, my father would have done the same."
*Outside Konoha.*
Kakashi stood beside Zoro as the two waited on Sakura and Naruto to show up outside the gates. Kakashi was surprised. While Naruto and Sakura were slightly thrown off by the mention of the fate of the Kazekage and the name of the group that took him, this boy showed no signs of fear or worry. While he wouldn't say it out loud, but his calm demeanor and coolness under the stress of the situation, reminded him of his wayward student.
"I'll assume that you know that you understand the importance of this mission." Kakashi said breaking the silence. "It's not only to assist our allies but to also keep the one tail out of Akatsuki hands."
Zoro smirked. "It's never something simple as helping a friend with ninjas it seems." Zoro replied.
Kakashi let out a sigh. "But I get it, everything for the greater good of the village and its nation." Zoro finished waving the thought off.
"If only it was that simple Zoro…" Kakashi started before he noticed the distinct figure of the Hokage walking towards
"Kakashi, Zoro. You are the only two here?" She asked as without wasting time with a greeting.
Kakashi nodded. "The kid travels light." He said gesturing at Zoro as the swordsman scoffed at the kid remark. "I wasn't expecting to get here this early."
Tsunade stared into Kakashi's one visible eye "Its better this way. I wanted to see you to in private before ya'll left." She said as her expression turned serious. "Kakashi, if all possible keep him out of Suna." She said pointing at Zoro. "If, for any reason, you have to go into the Suna insure that Zoro never leaves you sight."
Kakashi looked over to the boy and Zoro remained, as usual, expressionless keeping his usual stoic face. "Ok." The copy ninja complied said.
"And Zoro, none of what you did in Kirigakure. Your actions there made it hard for all of us." Tsunade said.
Zoro's face contorted to the mention of the mist village. "How did you…"
"You didn't think that we wouldn't find out and your actions while you were with Mifune wouldn't impact us here?! You are still a chunin of the Leaf even if you are away from the village! I swear between you and Naruto I'm going to start getting grey hairs." She interrupted as she pokes Zoro in the chest. "And once you get back we are going to have a serious talk." She continued and slowly closed the distance between herself and the green haired youth. "Once I receive word from the Sand that your mission is complete, I'll wait for you right here. I'll carry you all the way back to my office if I have to." Zoro noted the dangerous tone her voice took.
"O-ok." He answered breaking eye contact with the older woman.
"Granny what's going on?" Naruto asked from behind the woman. The small group looked to see Sakura, Naruto, and surprisingly Iruka walking up to them.
"Nothing." She said walking past Naruto and Sakura before stopping by Iruka. "You two ready for this mission?"
"Yes sensei." Sakura said tugging on her bag. Naruto nodded as he also adjusted his bag, his determination to save Gaara apparent to all.
"Well off we go!" Naruto yelled.
"Off we go." Sakura said echoing the foxy ninja.
"Do your best!" Iruka said.
"Yeah!" Naruto answered his old teacher.
But before the group could leave, Jiraiya appeared before them. "Yo! Going on a mission Naruto?" He asked.
"Yes sir!" Naruto asked his emotion still high.
"Um, more importantly, Tsunade something terrible has happened. The Kazekage…"
"I know…" Tsunade interrupted. "I'm about to send these guys there now." She said pointing to team Seven.
Jiraiya moved closer to Tsunade and whispered something to her. Then he pulled Naruto to the side. As the two talked Zoro noticed Naruto expression slowly change.
"Kakashi… make sure Naruto doesn't do anything stupid. I'm leaving him to you." He said to the copy ninja.
"Yeah…" Kakashi answered.
"And you too Zoro." Jiraiya said placing his hand on the swordsman.
"Yeah." Zoro answered in the same nonchalant tone as Kakashi.
"Kakashi-sensei, Sakura, Zoro, let's get a move on!"
"Wa-wait a minute Naruto!" Sakura called out as she and Zoro began to follow the orange clad ninja.
"Well… see ya." Kakashi said as he left after the three young ninja he had been placed over.
*3 days later- Outside Suna*
A group of five ninja's approached the Suna. Team Seven picked up the sand's Temari along the way. The Sand kunoichi wasn't aware of what had happened in the Sand and joined the group. There was, as expected, a lot of commotion in the village. As the closer they got to the village, the more Zoro could feel Temari's eyes burning a hole into him.
"Kakashi, if it's all possible, I would like to ask if it's possible to station one of you outside the village to keep an eye out for those who attacked us." Temari said never taking her eyes off the swordsman. Kakashi easily picked up on what Temari was trying to do.
"Good idea." Kakashi said. "Sakura, you're the better sensory, I want you to stay out here with Zoro assisting you." Sakura nodded in agreement as the group landed in front of a passageway. As soon as they hit the ground, a member of the Sand ran up to them.
"Temari was with you? Good! We have been waiting, please this way!" The unnamed Sand ninja said.
"Yeah!" Naruto yelled as they started to walk away.
"But…. The Kazekage was abducted. After that, Kankuro pursued them, but he was wounded…"
"What?!" They got Kankuro too?!" Temari yelled.
"Yes, and he was caught by the enemy's poison. We have no way to neutralize it… At this rate he has half a day at the most…" The Sand ninja replied.
Shock spread across the group. "Shit…!" Temari cursed.
"Let's hurry Temari." Sakura said. "I'll examine him!"
Naruto, Temari, and Sakura ran off.
Kakashi sighed. "There's no avoiding it." He said gesturing Zoro to follow.
As the four ran through the village, Kakashi was quick to pick up on subtle hostility directed towards them. They looked past the Naruto and Sakura. The two that had chased down Gaara during the battle. The eyes were focused on him and Zoro. Leaf headbands, one with a covered eye while the other carrying three swords, it would be hard for them not to stand out. Zoro too felt the raising hostilities coming from all around as they ran towards where Kankuro was being treated. Kakashi looked back and he noticed that Zoro had placed one hand on the white hilt of the Wado. This might turn into a worst case scenario before they even encountered the Akatsuki members that took Gaara away.
"Zoro, don't do anything rash and pick up the pace." Kakashi ordered.
Zoro looked at the masked ninja and nodded. The two caught up with the three that where ahead of them.
The group ran through the hospital. Kakashi was periodically looking back at Zoro to ensure that he didn't do is infamous disappearing act and to make sure no one was following them. He knew that the villagers quickly realized who he was.
'This is what Tsunade wanted to avoid.' Kakashi thought. 'I'm going to have to keep Zoro on a short leash until we can….'
"The White Fang of Konoha!" A voice called from inside the room that he had unconsciously ran into.
"Eh?" Kakashi answered taken off guard by being called the title of his father.
Without warning a small old lady sprang into action. To the surprise of the group Naruto deftly blocked the blows of the old lady and sent her sliding backwards.
"Why are you going after Kakashi-sensei for?!" Naruto asked. "You wrinkled old hag."
"I remember that time…. That White Fang of Konoha!" The old lady raved. "My son's enemy… I'll get my revenge for him today!"
"Ah! No, I'm not….!"
"There's no use in arguing!" The Old Lady interrupted.
"Sister, take a good look." Another ancient looking person said placing himself between the two. "There's a strong resemblance, but he isn't the White Fang of Konoha."
"Huh?" The old lady said as she squinted. He face changed from rage to shock to amusement. "No Way! I was pretending to be stupid! Gahahaha!" The old lady laughed as Kakashi let out a sigh of relief.
After the drama was over Sakura ran over to Kankuro's side and began to operate on him. While she did that Zoro was being stared down. As soon as he entered the room Baki had locked eyes with him. An intense look of hatred and disdain filled Baki's intense glare. Zoro was use to this. His job as a bounty hunter and a a memeber of the straw hat had earned him many enemies.
"Got it!" Sakura yelled snapping the two from there death glare. "There isn't any need to worry about his life anymore. I've directly removed the poison."
Temari slowly fell to the ground, relieved that her brother's life had been saved.
"Now I have to make an antidote for the little bit of poison left in his body. Please gather what I say." A small smile crept onto Zoro's face. The girl reminded him of his own doctor, Chopper. Her intensity to save a life was close if not on the same level as the little reindeer. As one of the Sand escorted Sakura to where she could make her antidote, the focus once again shifted.
"What is Roronoa Zoro doing here." Baki said.
The two ancient people in the room had a look of surprise on their face. "That young man is Zoro?" The man asked as he pointed at Zoro.
Baki nodded. "We asked for help. His presence in this village will be counterproductive."
"Tsunade sent the best team on hand to help with this." Kakashi said. "We are not looking to do any harm."
"Tch. I won't be responsible for…"
"Stop Baki." Kankuro said still breathing heavily. Temari walked to her brother's side. "I-we've seen firsthand what he is capable of. We might need someone with his skills in this situation! I'll take full responsibility for any complaint about him being here!" The puppeteer declared.
Baki bit his lip. Silence reigned in the room.
"As soon as Sakura's done with the antidote, let's get going!" Naruto said becoming more and more restless.
"Naruto, hold on." Kakashi said. "There is something I would like to ask. Did anyone else join him in the pursuit of the Akatsuki?"
"Kankuro went after them alone." Baki answered.
"Then have we completely lost them?" Kakashi continued.
The look on Baki's face answered his question.
"Hmm… well could you please guide me to where Kankuro was fighting?" Kakashi asked. "Though I might not seem it, I am an expert at pursuit. Even if a small amount of their scent is left behind…"
"That's not necessary." Kankuro said as he forced himself up. "There are two enemies, one abducted gaara. You should follow Gaara's scent. Even assuming they split up, I caught a bit of their clothing on Karasu's hand."
'Two man team…' Zoro thought as the image of the only two members of the Akatsuki he knew popped into his head.
"Was one of them from the mist?" Zoro ask in a stern voice needing conformation.
"No, neither one appeared to be." Kankuro answered. "One I didn't recognize and the other was Sasori…."
"Are you absolutely sure that one of them was Sasori?" The old lady asked.
"Chiyo and Ebizou!?" Kankuro answered as he registered the two were in the room.
"What about that Kakuro." Ebizou said.
"Yeah… it was him… he said it himself." Kankuro answered.
"Sasori… of the red sand?" Kakashi said seeming to be familiar with the name. "May we hear any information you have on the two Akatsuki that attacked?"
*Later*
After Sakura applied the medicine, Naruto and the rest of Team Seven prepared to begin their pursuit.
"If you wait a little we can have a skilled ninja help with your search." Their sand escort said.
"I'm going too!" Temari said appearing beside them.
"Temari, stay here and work on defense of the country border." The group looked up the see the old form of Chiyo sanding above them. "From the Sand, I am more than enough to help them."
"But Chiyo that would be too much for you!" Temari protested.
"Don't treat me like an old woman!" Chiyo yelled as she jumped and landed flat on her face. Not missing a step she was up in a heartbeat. "I've wanted to give my cute grandson some love for a while now…"
"I don't care who comes! We need to get going!" Naruto yelled.
"I agree. The longer we put this off the farther they get away." Kakashi said as the group took off. They sped through the desert.
They had long exited the desert surrounding the Suna and where once again traveling through the forest. One thing bothered Kakashi. He didn't like being left in the dark about someone he was supposed to be responsible for. Kakashi slowed slightly to match Zoro's speed.
"Zoro, the reception you received back there. Baki reacted a little harsher than what the villagers. It is something more to it that than the past assault on Konoha?" Naruto and Sakura ears perked up.
"It's the only a natural reaction considering who you sent." Chiyo said. "The people of the leaf wouldn't have to worry about him. Considering the steps he took to "save" Utakata of the mist, any village would be wary of him in this situation." The old woman peered at Zoro. "I'll take action if it appears to be going in that direction Zoro."
"Utakata…?" Naruto asked.
"He's just…"
"No one important, he fell under the sway of an enemy and had to be rescued." Zoro said cutting off the old lady before she finished. "Let's leave it at that."
"Your reaction makes me even more curious, Zoro." Kakashi said. "I'd appreciate it if…! Everyone halt!" And on that command the five stopped and before them stood a cloaked individual.
Kakashi, Naruto, and Zoro recognized instantly who it was. Sakura looked on recognizing the Akatsuki cloak but wondering which member it was.
"…. Right from the beginning." Kakashi said.
"This guy… Those eyes…" Chiyo said.
"Uchiha Itachi!" Naruto finally identified the man bringing a shocked look onto the face of Sakura.
"Itachi… Ho, this is the child who killed his entire family." Chiyo said.
"It has been a while Kakashi, Naruto, Zoro." Itachi said, greeting the ones who he had become familiar with.
"You bastard… Not just me, but even Gaara!?" Naruto yelled. "I'll beat you all down!"
Zoro wasted no words on the man. He quickly drew the Wado and charged Itachi.
"Zoro! It's dangerous! Everyone, don't look directly at his eyes!" Zoro ignored the warning knowing full well a counter strategy to the Sharingan. Itachi moved his hand into his cloak and Zoro prepared to parry any shuriken or kunai he had prepared.
"Pistol!" A familiar voice yelled from beside him.
"Luffy!?" Zoro yelled as the attack connected across his jaw sending him crashing through nearby trees.
"You friend has interesting ability, Kekkei Genkai?" Itachi asked as he stood beside Luffy.
"Heh, figures a genjutsu from you would hurt for real." Zoro said as he pulled himself up. 'Tch must been that initial contact.'
"So this is where you've been hiding?" Luffy said. "So being one of us isn't enough?"
'This isn't real.' Zoro thought. 'I have to figure out a way to break this.' Luffy sprang at Zoro.
Zoro sidestepped the fake and rushed Itachi, he raised his sword.
"Zoro, help me." Another voice called out from behind Itachi. Much to his shock behind Itachi stood Kisame holding Kuina with the Samehada held to her throat. All rational thought slipped from his mind.
'She wouldn't ask for help like that!' Zoro thought but before he could regain himself Luffy wrapped his arms around Zoro rending him motionless.
"Hahaha. Zoro how weak you've become over the years." Kuina gloated. "I though those 2001 losses would teach you a thing or two."
Itachi walked over to Zoro. "I'm glad that I was able to trap one of you from the beginning." The Uchiha said. "It would have been troublesome to fight you, Kakashi, and Naruto at the same time." The pulled out a kunai as placed it close to Zoro's heart. "I should kill you right here and now and be done with you. But my partner would be cross knowing that you were killed so close to him."
"Kisame is close!?" Zoro asked.
"Yeah." Itachi said.
"Tch, I don't have time to deal with him." Zoro said as he begins to try to break the hold he was in. "I have to get past you and complete this mission."
"As focused as ever." Itachi said. "What if I told you that your friends are in danger."
Zoro stared at the Uchiha. "Like I'd believe you." He answered as he broke. He readied the Wado to pierce the Itachi. In an instant Kisame disappeared and Kuina stood in front of Zoro shielding Itachi with her body. Even though he knew she was a fake he couldn't do it as the fake rubber man wrapped around him again even tighter this time.
"I speak the truth." Itachi said. "I still owe a debt to you. I'll create a bushin and lead you to Kisame. He can kill you and your friends that are with him, while I deal with the ones here. Will you risk the fact of your friend's lives might be in danger over someone who tried to destroy your village?"
"By taking advice from someone whose goal is the same?" Zoro said. The two stared at each other for a couple of minutes.
"Fine…." Zoro said not wanting to chance it.
"Zoro, don't do anything rash!" Kakashi ordered. Zoro looked around. It was exactly the same as when he initially attacked Itachi.
'Was that even real.' He thought. Without any seals a bushin formed. The bushin narrowed his eyes at Zoro then took off into the forest.
"I'll catch up with you guys!" Zoro said as he ran after the bushin.
"Zoro! Don't chase after that! He's trying to split us up!" Kakashi yelled as he formed a bushin and it tried darted after Zoro, but before it was even able to move Itachi threw several shurikens at it causing it pop out of existence.
"Idiot Zoro." Sakura cursed as the remaining four got ready to fight Itachi
*Elsewhere*
Zoro chased after Itachi's clone knowing full well it might be a trap. It had to be that illusion of Luffy that spurred his action. His captain would have made the same choice. They exited the forested area to a place with an abnormal amount of water in it considering the surrounding landscape.
"Now we're even Zoro." Itachi's clone said.
"No not even close. Who repays a debt by trying leading someone to their death." Zoro said as he drew the Wado and the Shusui. Hiding a smile the Itachi clone disappeared.
The lone Akatsuki members from the mist stood in front of three recently trapped Leaf ninjas and prepared to face off against the green beast also known as Gai.
"This great blade Samehada acknowledges none but me." Kisame said as he pulled his sword out of the water. Gai looked on and reached into his bag to arm himself when someone shot past him.
"No way!" Gai said. Zoro appeared in front of Kisame.
"Ah! Zoro!" Kisame said with excitement in his voice. Without a word both of Zoro's swords erupted into a blue flame.
"Nitoryu: So Shogeki!" Zoro slashed with the Shusui sending a wave slamming it into Kisame who burst into water. Zoro looked at the three remaining clones holding Gai's team prisoner. He slashed the Wado releasing the remaining energy at the center one. The center bushin smiled and jumped leaving Neji in the path of the attack. Zoro quickly dispersed the attack and the lack of someone holding the justu in place freed the Hyuga. With quick moves Neji destroyed the remaining two bushin freeing Tenten and Lee.
"Zoro, why are you here. You should be with your team! We came to assist you until Kisame stopped us." Gai said.
"Hahahaha! Today is my lucky day! I get to settle things with my little Zoro!" Kisame said as he rose out of the water wielding his sword.
"Go ahead. The rest of my team is dealing with someone just as dangerous." Zoro said. "You guys can go ahead and keep on searching for Gaara. Kisame is mine."
'Just as dangerous…?! Itachi….' Gai thought. "No way! I can't possibly let you handle him on your own!" Gai protested.
"We all can't be stopped here." Zoro said. "We'll fail our mission."
Gai bit his lip.
"Don't worry I'll.." Neji started.
"I'll assist Zoro!" Tenten interrupted. "We need your skills to search for Gaara!"
Gai didn't like it but Zoro had a point. "Tenten make sure you assist him properly." Gai said.
"Yes!" Tenten said.
"You two make sure you catch up! Lee, Neji, let's go!"
"Yes!" They said in unison as they left Zoro and Tenten behind.
Kisame made no attempt to stop them.
"Tenten…" Zoro said.
"I know, I know." Tenten said as she turned around. "But if you start looking like you're doing badly I'm jumping in no matter what you say." Then Tenten left the two swordsmen to watch from a nearby location.
"You've grown! The last time we saw each other you barely came up to here." Kisame said gesturing on his body.
"Shut up!" Zoro yelled. "Nitoryu:…"
"Suiton: Amesuikoha!" Kisame yelled slamming his hand onto his makeshift lake causing a column of water to burst from the calm surface and as it fell towards Zoro transformed into hundreds of miniature sharks. Abandoning his attack Zoro parried as many of the shark projectiles as he could. Kisame appeared in front of him, Samehada raised above him. With a mighty yell he brought it down. The blow sent Zoro beneath the surface of the water.
"What's wrong Zoro?" Kisame asked from the surface. "I though leaving you alone would improve your skills! Appears I was wrong!" Kisame prepared to unleash another jutsu. Zoro shot out of the water, wielding all three of his swords much to the surprise of Kisame.
"Ul-Tora Gari!" Zoro yelled unleashing the attack only to be soaked by the water left behind by the bushin he just destroyed. A hand reach from below the water and one again forced Zoro underneath holding him to prevent another reemergence.
"Ah too close." Kisame said as he walked on top of the water. He formed to more bushin and sent them underneath the surface to assist in Zoro's capture.
Tenten had seen enough. Gai was right. Zoro might be strong but clearly he wasn't on par with this member of the Akatsuki. She pulled out her scroll and left to assist her friend.
Kisame looked down to see Zoro struggling. "Ah a little anti-climactic but I guess it's over between us Zoro." The shark man said as he put his hands together and then slammed them into the ground. "Suiton: Goshokuzame!" And from his hands rushed five sharks. Kisame dismissed the bushin binding the green haired swordsman as the sharks closed in. Zoro sliced the first one with the Rettenjo and the second one with the Shusui. The third one bit his right arm. Zoro sliced it with his free hand. After freeing himself he noticed that the one he had cut began to regenerate. He tried to make toward the surface but the remaining two appeared in front of him and sent him back down to the bottom.
On the surface Kisame wore a huge smile as he watched Zoro's unsuccessful attempts to return to the surface. "Heh regretting turning down my offer huh?" He laughed. "I should have just killed you while you trained in the Iron like I wanted to. Damn that Itachi, this fight was so underwhelming!" While he continues to think of what he could do next to lengthen Zoro's suffering a kunai whizzed by with an explosive tag attached to it. Kisame was barely able to shield himself from the blow. Tenten stood in front of him. She summoned a naginata from her scroll. She twirled it around to quickly re familiarize herself with it before preparing to attack.
"Girl I thought you would be long gone by now." Kisame said a little annoyed that he was being disturbed.
"I can't let you kill him!" Tenten said as she rushed the Akatsuki swordsman.
Kisame easily dodged the attacks before slapping the weapon away from the girl. Wasting no movements she quickly summoned two tonfa and continued her attack. Kisame casually blocked the attacks with the Samehada much to Tenten's dismay.
"Girl you're willing to die for him?" Kisame asked. "Are you his girl or something? Figures he'd pick an apparent weapon nut." Kisame joked as he continued to block Tenten's attacks.
"Ha nothing like that!" Tenten said showing no signs of backing down. "He is a dear friend to me! He trained hard and I won't allow someone like you to put him down!"
"Someone like me?" Kisame said. "Girl you're annoying" Kisame slammed the Samehada down. Tenten was barely able to avoid the blow but couldn't shield herself from the resulting shock wave. Tenten reached for her scroll only to have it knocked away by Kisame.
"I admire you bravery girl." He said brandishing the Samehada. "But this is the end for…." The water erupted drawing Kisame's attention. Zoro rushed across the top of the water to Tenten's side. Slashing at Kisame sending him jumping back.
"Are you alright?" Zoro asked. Tenten looked up, the swordsman was covered with blood, bite marks on his body, yet he checked on her. "I told you not to get involved."
"Idiot! He was going to kill you!" Tenten raved. "We have to run! Sakura will be able to heal you!"
"No." he said as he took his protector off his arm and placed it on his head. "I'm going to finish this here and now!"
"Ah, you're putting it on!" Kisame said. "I guess this means you're stepping it up!"
"Tenten." Zoro said.
"I'm not leaving!" She said.
"Ok…. Then promise me you won't tell anyone that I used this skill." Zoro said. Tenten looked at him with a confused look on her face. "Ok." She agreed.
"Kiki Kyutoryu: Ashura." Zoro said as Tenten looked on in amazement. She had never seen or heard Zoro talk about this skill.
"Ah the skill you used to defeat Orochimaru!" Kisame said. "You think a technique that you used on that small fry will work on me?" Zoro ignored the taunt instead he closed his eyes and focused. Slowly blue fire started to extend from each sword hit before all nine swords where covered in a pale blue flame. Zoro jumped into the air and readied each sword.
"Ashura: Kafuu Seiunken!" He yelled as he descended onto Kisame. The shark man held up his Samehada as four slashed appeared along the length of the long blade and five appeared on his body as Zoro stood behind him and his extra limbs faded away. Kisame looked at the wounds on his sword and body. Blue fire began to spread from them.
"Heh just like our first fight!" Kisame said as he readied the Samehada to eat the flame. But before he could the blade let out a terrible screech before it was engulfed into flames. Kisame looked on in shock for a second before laughing.
"Chakra that Samehada can't handle!" He reveled as flames began to engulf his body and the water began to disperse since its controllers chakra was being burnt away. "You're a beast Zoro! But if this is the extent of your growth you have a long way to go before you defeat me!" The fishman said as the blue flame continued to burn his body. His rant stopped and he hit the ground. Zoro rose to his fee and looked over at Tenten who had a look of surprise on her face as she looked into the blue fire. Zoro looked at the still at the still burning body and he could easily make out. With a quick wave of his sword the flames dispersed. The person who he had just killed wasn't Kisame.
*Elsewhere*
Itachi snapped back to his body. Naruto had just defeated his imitation. He looked over to his partner who wore a huge smile on his face. "I guess I should thank you." Kisame said as he stood up placing his sword on his back. "That kid Zoro continues to amaze me! He's grown stronger. If he continues he'll be someone worth fighting!" "It wont take him long to figure out he fought a fake you. He'll just start training again." Itachi said. "The leader will want to hear about him." Kisame nodded. "I might just leave some details out. I don't want anyone else to begin seeking him out. That freak Hidan might if we tell him everything. From now on, Zoro's life is mine to take."
*Forest*
Much to Zoro's dismay Tenten lent him her shoulder as they began to follow the trail that one of her teammates had left for them. Tenten was on one hand worried about her friend and on the other hand curious about this technique she had witnessed.
"Zoro about your Ashura technique…." She finally said.
"Drop it. I know I should have used another move." Zoro said expecting the question sooner or later.
"I don't know. I think I should put it in my report. The chunin Roronoa Zoro used an in my opinion S-rank skill to defeat a member of the Akatsuki. Subject Zoro should be studied further." Tenten said.
"I'm already in hot water with Tsunade! I don't need that!"
"So…" Tenten lead Zoro.
"So… I'll tell you about it after the mission." Zoro caved as Tenten smiled in victory.
They reached the end of the trail to see both teams had met up.
"Zoro!" Naruto yelled as the two landed by them. Naruto ran and punched Zoro in the side. "Why did you run off! I thought you might be dead!"
Tenten grabbed Naruto. "He's injured moron!" She yelled as she held back the angry orange ninja. Sakura ran to Zoro's side and began to heal him.
"So you got him." Gai asked.
"Yeah, but it turned out to be some strange jutsu and not truly him." Tenten answered.
"Just like Itachi." Naruto said.
"Zoro." Kakashi said as he walked over to the swordsman. "I know your intentions might have been well, but you can't just go running off like that. From now on I want you to do exactly what I say."
Zoro reluctantly nodded.
"Ok once he's healed up well disable this barrier." Kakashi said as the group of leaf and one sand ninja waited for the continuation of their quest to find Gaara.
Haha, long time no see... Final's on top of family during the holiday season really hampered my writing. But still I apologize for the length between chapters. So I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and are having a happy holiday season! Next chapter will be quicker!
Rough Translations:
So Shogeki: Twin Impact
Kafuu Seiunken: Fire Gale Azure Cloud Sword
Amesuikoha: Rain Water Shark Wave
Goshokuzame: Five Feeding Sharks
~B.O.X~