-xxx-

"A favor owed to the king is a dangerous one. It is unlike any other favor."

"Why do you say that?"

"A favor requested by the king cannot be refused."

-xxx-

Ch.4 Power vs. Weakness

Her discomfort around the king had not deceased. Though he was the most powerful and influential man in all the great nations, it was his outlook on life that distressed her the most. Watching him carelessly disregard the young boy who had died in his name at the hands of the mist demon was unsettling. Words of his cruelty always flutter to her ears, but she was unaware of their extent until the moment she had finally met him face to face. After their brief disagreement in terms of art, they had gone without words as the tourney continued. They finally reached the last entry round of the tourney. After this last round, all the previous winners would face up against each other until there was but one remaining. With Zabuza in the king's competition, she knew more blood would be staining the arena by the day's end.

The verdict had been met that Kisame would not be fighting in this tourney, but he did promise she would see him in action. If his skills were as legendary as she had heard, a fight against Zabuza may have worked out in a positive favor for the good captain. Sakura held in the thoughts as it wasn't right to wish for death, no matter how heinous the demon of the mist's crimes were.

The next two opponents stepped onto the field and Sakura took note of the sigils decorating their armor. One she was shocked to see as her eyes widened. The leaf emblem of her home was displayed proudly across the fighter's armor as he took a few practice swings with his sword. She whispered Kakashi's name, catching his attention to follow her gaze. It seemed the silver knight was just as shocked at the princess was.

"Is that…" Kakashi's voice trailed off as he tried to get a better view of the opponent who would fight in the name of Konoha.

Before she knew what she was doing, Sakura felt herself lifting from her seat as her feet drew her towards the railing of the king's podium. Her hands gently graced the wooden railing. Her green eyes were drawn towards the fighter as her pink lips delicately parted. So enthralled in the man before her, she tuned out the questioning voices from the powerful men seated behind her.

"It can't be," her whisper was carried by the breeze that blew around her, tousling her pink waves in its action. As if her tones carried down to the arena, the Konoha knight's attention drew towards her. Recognizing her appearance, he gave her a formal bow. When he stood at full attention, she fully took in the exterior of the man who now faced her. His hair the color of sunshine, his eyes the color of the bright cerulean ocean, his skin handsomely kissed by the sun as the familiar whiskered markings held upon his cheeks. The familiar face of her childhood that had been absent for so many years.

She felt the tears of joy spring to her eyes as her lips pulled into an effortless smile. She whispered his name as his boisterous grin graced his features. As his match was about to begin, she found her way back to her seat and attentively watched her native knight.

"Someone you know, my lady?" Itachi's voice questioned as he glanced down at her from two seat away.

"A friend I have not seen in many years, my lord. Certainly a face I had not expected to find here, but I cannot say I am displeased by that fact," she replied as the smile still could not leave her features. The men around her took note of that fact. The match had begun and Sakura was not surprised by the speed and skill of the familiar Konoha knight. It seemed his skill had significantly improved since she had last seen him.

"Naruto Uzumaki, if I recall correctly," Itachi's musing reached the ears of those around him.

"Ah, the Kyuubi of Konoha, yeah," Deidara ruminated as he inspected the battle with evident interest.

"A name he is not particularly fond of," Sakura added with slight aversion as she watched her friend in battle.

"Isn't it better to be known by infamy than not at all?" the Iwa prince bantered back towards the Konoha princess, a teasing smirk pulling at his lips.

"A matter decided by the ones who are trailed by infamy, I suppose," Sakura retorted as Naruto knocked his opponent to the ground, holding his sword to their neck. The chivalry of a Konoha knight, who gives their opponent the choice of life over death. The defeated opponent chose life as he yielded from battle. The victory would go to her shining knight.

The victor turned his attention towards the king's box where he appropriately bowed to the royalty in attendance before dedicating his battle. "I dedicate my victory to Konoha and its beautiful princess," Naruto's voice announced through the air as a beaming smile was sent towards the woman in question. She returned his smile with one of her own as he dismissed himself from the arena.

"If you don't mind, my king, I'd like to go congratulate my knight and wish him luck in his next battle during this short rest between battles."

"Of course, my lady," he replied as he watched her from the corner of his eye. "Luck is something he'll need in the battles to come."

The underlying warning was clear in the king's words, but she chose to ignore them. Giving the royal gentleman a collective curtsy, she made her way from the podium to find Naruto. Her silver protector was not far behind her.

The men watched her leave until she was out of sight. Hints of amusement played at the edge of the Ame leader's pierced lips. "If you do not move quickly, King Sasori, I will have her first."

"You may try, Pein. But you are not the only one after the young flower. Besides," the king began as he swirled around the red wine in his cup before turning his attention to the gray eyed man, "You are at a disadvantage."

"And what would that disadvantage be?" he questioned back blandly, with no real interest behind the king's comment.

"You hold no power over her," the king stated simply.

"And you do?" Pein tested, as his words bordered the edge of crossing a royal line.

The blunt words did not bother the king as a smirk carried across his flesh colored lips. "Power is an interesting form, my lords. It battles with its rival; weakness. For where there is weakness, there is power. To hold power, all you need is a weakness."

-xxx-

Sakura felt a weight lift effortlessly from her shoulders as she found her steps taking her further and further away from the royalty she had been seated around. Their presence had been suffocating as the vied for her attention and the king struck displeasing chords within her. A child would be better fit for the throne than he. In some sense, she viewed him as a child. The one purpose for his tourney that day was to appease his boredom. Like a child bored with his toys, he used violence and death to quench his fill.

She and Kakashi made their way to a tent that was setup nearby where the tourney participants spent their time between matches. It wasn't hard to pick out the person she was looking for as his voice carried effortlessly louder than the others emanating from the tent. Kakashi stepped before her, pulling back the fabric that kept them separate from the rest. The commotion and the entrance caused attention, calling forth the person she had been waiting for.

"Sakura," she heard his barely audible whisper reach her ears as he rushed towards her. Completely ignoring the others in the vicinity, his larger form enveloped her smaller one in a fierce embrace. Her arms held around his neck as his went to her small waist. He had grown taller since the last she saw him. She barely reached passed his shoulder and found her faced into the crook of his neck.

She whispered his name into his skin as she felt his hold tighten against her, the tears of joy returning to the brims of her eyes. When they finally pulled away from each other, she finally had the chance to take in how much he had truly matured in their years apart.

"What had this freaking sand king done to you?" the blonde questioned with clear bluntness as he took in her appearance. It's true that the princess of Konoha was known for her modesty, so the fact that her wardrobe surprised the knight was not unexpected.

"A gift, meant to be somewhat meaningful as it originates from Suna, but a ploy for attention none the less," Sakura's words were quiet as she kept them from the prying ears filtered through the tent.

"He is playing with fire," the blonde knight dared.

"As am I, Naruto. But what choice do it have? There is always a chance when playing with fire that you will come out unscathed, is there not?" she retorted back as she played a light hand across his marked cheek.

"A risky gamble to take, Sakura," he replied back as his smile retouched his lips as he pulled her into himself once more. "I've missed you."

Her own smile returned as he embraced her. "I've missed you as well, Naruto. But what are you doing here? Do you realize how dangerous it is to be here?"

"For you, my lady, I would run through fire and back," he told her as they finally separated, ocean blue matching with clean cut emerald. "I needed to make sure you were safe when your father informed me of your invitation to Suna."

"She'll be safe, Naruto," Kakashi's voice finally spoke up from behind the two reuniting friends. "I am here with her now."

"Kakashi," Naruto greeted the older man with a smile shone in his direction. The older man shot him back with a nod and a small smile of his own. "I know you are more than capable of protecting Sakura, but I worry when we are under eyes threatened simply by our presence around her."

"Naruto, what I'm worried about now is you," the Konoha royalty stated as she watched her blonde companion. "What were you thinking? Do you have any idea of who you could be up against today? Your insatiable thirst to thrust yourself into battle without knowing your opponents is dangerous."

The blonde knight rubbed the back of his neck shamefacedly as she chided him. Her eyes could not help but wonder as they found the large from of the mist demon. He was casually wiping all remnants of his kill from his blade. As if sensing eyes on him, his dark eyes turned up to meet her own. If she could see his lips that were now hidden under his white bandages, she knew would be met with a dangerously pointed smile as he watched her. His predatory natures was all too suffocating.

Turning her attention away from Zabuza's asphyxiating gaze, she grabbed her friends hand as her eyes down casted to the floor. "I just…I just don't know what I would do if I lost you. I can't lose another precious person to me, Naruto."

The men felt the pain in her voice as she spoke, but Naruto also felt how much she truly cared and it made his heart swell. He brought her hand to his lips as he kissed her knuckles affectionately as he gave her one of his familiar grins. "I know, Princess. I know. I promise to be careful and fight to my best ability."

She knew her knight was being sincere. He only used her formal title when he was. It alleviated some of her anxiety, but not all of it. Not when Zabuza Momochi was still allowed in the arena. She gave Naruto a smile as she took a step towards him, placing a feather light kiss upon his tanned cheek. "I wish you luck, Naruto. Please be careful."

A light flush barely danced upon his cheeks at her gesture, but it could still be seen. He gave her a nod and one of his brilliant smiles as he replied. "Of course, Sakura."

As she turned to leave, she caught the attention of the second in command of the king's guard. The confidant man took the steps that separated them as he appeared before. Just as before, he bowed lowly before taking her hand and lightly kissing her knuckles. "My lady, you are the most radiant thing my eyes have ever had the pleasure to lay eyes upon. I hope you have enjoyed the tourney thus far."

"Your words are kind, Suigetsu," she replied with a smile dancing at the corners of her lips. "And I enjoyed watching you fight. You are as skilled as you let on, if not more so."

"You flatter me, my lady," he said as his pointed smirk graced his light features. "I am glad you will have the chance to see me battle again."

"I look forward to it. Good luck to you," she told him with her smile still in place. She found that she did not need to force the motion, as she genuinely enjoyed the violet eyed king's guard. He gave her another bow and small smirk before she made her way to return to her seat, Kakashi as her shadow not far behind her.

-xxx-

The next round of battle was set to begin. All victors from the previous round were to face off against one another. The princess prayed that Naruto would not face Zabuza. She knew he was skilled, but the killing intent was rolling off the mist native in waves. The idea was unsettling in the least.

As the next match was announced, Suigetsu happened to be facing Sasuke, Itachi's younger brother. After watching the young Uchiha's battle, she knew he would be a good opponent for Kisame's right hand man. The purple eyed knight seemed as though he would be someone who could enjoy a challenge that possessed genuine skill, and Sasuke would be just that.

"An interesting pairing," she heard Kakashi muse from behind her seated position.

"Suigetsu certainly appreciates a challenge," Kisame added with a small smirk touching his lips as he watched the knights enter the arena. "Your brother will be a formidable opponent, Lord Itachi."

"As will your knight," The eldest sibling replied back with amusement of his own touching his lips before he glanced down at the pink haired beauty seated a few chairs away.

"The Uchiha is going to win, yeah," Deidara declared as he watched the two titled fighters move to the middle of the battle grounds, sizing each other up. "He's the better of the two fighters."

"Because is name is more widely known?" Pein inquired as he leaned back in his seat, placing an inquiring hand at his jaw and under his bottom lip. His interest was captured.

The Ame leader's point was a valid one. Sasuke was much more well known that Suigetsu. In fact, most people outside of the city probably had never heard much of him. But Sasuke; his name had carried him through the ranks of battles and he had be given titles that most, like Suigetsu, had to work so hard for. After a while, he had lived up to the titles he had been thrust with and gained others on his own. But his name would always carry him further than most titles. It was the most prominent title he owned.

She could feel Suigetsu's confidence radiating from his body as his eyes focused on his opponent. She couldn't deny the small attachment she felt towards the man with blue hued hair. He was one of the only ones who treated her as an equal, regardless of their different in titles. And so she decided she would, as his fiercest support, root for him through the entirety of his battle. Kisame was right behind her with that idea.

-xxx-

Their battle had ended in Sasuke's victory. Though it was highly anticipated, the battle was a very close one. A fact that winning fighter was not satisfied with. Suigetsu ended up yielding, but he came very close in a few instances to striking Sasuke down. Their skill was almost too equally matched which is probably what upset the young Uchiha so much after he stormed out of the arena. Sakura smiled in Suigetsu's direction as he limped from the field. Sasuke had gotten in a few good strikes that would have him out of commission for the next few days.

Their intent was not to kill each other, which was a factor Sakura could greatly appreciate. That was deemed quickly into their battle as they gaged the other fighter's skill. The fight continued in efforts to push one another. To fight as equals. And although the battle did end with a winner, she could tell that Suigetsu was more than impressed, and dare she say happy to have fought someone as skilled as Sasuke. She was unsure of the young Uchiha's true feelings towards the outcome of the battle, but she felt that they would declare each other rivals and fight to best one another in the future.

As the next battle was announced, Sakura felt her throat tighten. As Zabuza's name was announce, she felt pity towards the one he would fight. But her pity turned to something else as his opponent was announced. Fear. It was fear gripping the inner workings of her chest, her heart suffocating from the crippling emotion that gripped her. Then her heart clenched painfully again in her chest. What was this other emotion?

"My king," her tone was not the one she was used to. The undertone was beseeching as she spoke. She never intended to ever ask the king for anything, but this instance was a time to reconsider. "I implore you to reconsider this fight."

The men seated around the remained quiet, but their full attention was on the tense princess seated next to the king. Her posture had gone stiff as her green eyes stared widely down at the arena.

"He has agreed to fight in this tourney, my lady, so he must face the consequences of his actions," the king replied with no sign of emotion in his stern voice.

"My King, is it really necessary for more bloodshed?" she tried as she turned her full attention to the man seated upon the large throne. She did not go into more detail with her plea. She couldn't. If she did, she knew her tears would not remain at bay in the depths of her emerald orbs. "Please reconsider."

She knew her request was a bold one, but she pressed on with it anyways. The king, now facing her, watched her in silence after her words. He took in her feminine features; her artfully high cheekbones, her perfectly pointed nose, her full pink lips, the curve that raced from her jaw down to the smooth column of her neck plunging into the deep neckline of the dress he had gifted her with. She was beautiful, like many woman he had seen before. But her beauty found a way to overshadow the other women. It was unique and breathtaking. But what really called to him, was the fire that stoked within her. She was a woman strong and independent like he'd never encountered. But there was a small part within him that wanted to see her break. And from the familiar emotion ebbing its way into her expression, he knew it was working. For he was the king. Every wish was his command.

"Though your plea for his life is sweet, my lady, it is too late for him to be saved by your words," the king told her as he instructed for the battle to begin. Sakura watched as Zabuza's opponent glanced up at her in the stands and gave her a confident smirk. His bright blonde hair fluttered around him through the cooling Suna breeze. She wished she could return the gesture, but her assurance was not as high-strung as his. The battle had begun and Sakura fingers clenched into the familiar wood of her armrests.

Those sitting around Sakura were silent as they watched the fight before them. Zabuza's strikes were brutal and fast. His intent was to kill, that much was clear. His opponent was keeping up for now, but Zabuza was not giving him the chance to retaliate with his quick advances. One quick enough strike was able to cut through the supple flesh of his opponent's outer arm. She heard the man let out a painful hiss as his facial muscles clenched in discomfort. He staggered back quickly to avoid the next blow as they rapid swings came at him once again. His stamina would be exhausted before he had the chance to fight back. She knew her knight was strong, but this man – this monster – was inhuman. His skill was built off brutal strength and bloodlust. A combination that could not be matched.

He was going to die. He was going to die if she didn't do something.

"My King, please," Sakura tried once more as the color of blood dripped to the dirt on the battlefield. She felt the tears peak to the brim of her eyes. "Please stop this battle."

"Once the battle has started, it cannot be stopped," was all the king replied back as he watched the fight continue to unfold. Naruto was doing his best to dodge and evade all of Zabuza's attacks. He was even lucky enough to nick the side of his cheek in a timely strike. This seemed to shock the mist fighter for a moment until his eyes narrowed on Naruto shorter form. His gaze was lethal. His objective to kill was even more prominent.

If she didn't stop this battle, Naruto would be dead. She could not bear to lose another person close to her.

"Please," Sakura's voice came out in a desperate whisper. Holding back her tears was becoming even more difficult as her grip on the armrests of her seat became painful.

"Nothing is gained from stopping this battle. He will win or he will die trying. That is an honor of a knight and the terms he agreed upon to battle here today. You must accept his fate," the king told the young princess as her world started to crumble around her. She would not accept a fate such as this for her closest friend. No one should have to accept a fate such as this. It was no way for a life to be ended. Her use of kind pleading was over. She would take the outcome into her own hands if it came down to it.

"Stop this battle now, or I will," her voice was harsh this time when it escaped her lips. Tears were still threatening to fall, but she would not allow them. Her proper nature flew from her body when she watched her friend as he began to fight more desperately.

Though the king should have been insulted by her tone and the demand she was posing, he couldn't find any emotion besides amusement as this girl posed the impossible. Very few dared to defy the king so out rightly. Even fewer lived to tell the tale. "And what will you do, my lady?" the king challenged as a taunting smirk played at his features.

"Whatever it takes," she whispered fiercely as she pushed herself from her seat.

Sasori allowed for an effortless flick of his wrist in the fierce girl's direction. In mere seconds, Kisame had the princess in his grasp. His hands holding her otter arms as her back pressed into the cold metal of his armor. The princess had not been expecting to be held back, especially not by Kisame.

"Let me go, Kisame," she demanded as she glanced up at him from the corners of her emerald eyes. Trying to pull herself from his grasp proved to be useless when she tried due to his large stature and obvious strength. "Unhand me. Now."

"I apologize, my lady, but I cannot," Kisame's gruff voice replied simply as his eyes stayed locked with the king's.

Kakashi attempted to move forward, but some of the other members of the king's guard moved forward to block his path at the order of the eldest Uchiha. "It would be best if you stayed out of this, Hakate," Itachi warned as he glanced at the knight from the corner of his eye before turning back to the unfolding scene.

"You have an unconcealed weakness, Lady Sakura," the king addressed as he remained seated amongst his allies. His slender fingers grasped the stem of his wine glass and swirled the remaining liquid around the bottom. "A weakness you wear openly on your person for all to witness. Would you like to know what that weakness is?"

The princess tried shoving Kisame off her person once more with no avail. Now her patience was truly wearing thin as her temper began to overtake her better judgement. "And pray tell, what is my weakness? Enlighten the court, my king," her voice dripped with venom as she spoke. Her tone could have her killed on the spot, and she had slightly wished it would. It would prove that she could be just like anyone else. But yet again, another instance that proved how different she really was, she knew her words would only play on the king's sadistic favor.

"You hold life on the highest pedestal, above all other things of this world," the king began to explain, as he took a short swig from his drink before placing it on the small stand next to his throne. His form rose from his seat as he took slow steps towards the incapacitated woman. "It's selfish of you, really. You're what we consider a hypocrite, my lady. For you hold life on a vast pedestal, yes; but only the lives that benefit yourself."

"That's not-" she attempted to protest against him, but was cut off when the king claimed the distance between them and now towered above her. One of his strong hands gripped her jaw and tilted her face up towards his own, their eyes meeting. His eyes the color of cinnamon, were harsh and overbearing against the color of her wavering emerald. She met the cool texture of the rings decorating his fingers, but she felt that it was burning through the delicate skin across her jawline.

"I wasn't finished, my lady," he scolded as his eyes bored down into her own. His grip on her jaw was effectively silencing her. Fear blossomed in the pits of her stomach, but she refused to let it come across on her face. "You care not for the lives of your enemies as you would casually throw them away as if they were nothing. You also care nothing of the lives of your own men if they can be sacrificed for something greater; something you've done before."

At the mention of his last comment, Sakura's eyes widened. It brought back painful memories she wished not to relive, but knew they would forever scar her. The lives she wastefully ended with no second thought, to save one person she held dear. The brave warriors had their sacrifice thrown back in their faces as the life they had surrendered themselves for could not be saved. All of their blood was on her hands. It was her fault. And now all those around her knew of her sins. Her mistakes. Her regrets. Her weaknesses.

But he didn't know the whole story. He wasn't there. None of them were. They had no right to magistrate her when the aftermath of their own crimes stained their hands much deeper than her own.

"It's not-" he cut her off again as the hand on her jaw pulled her closer and his other free hand moved to grasp the small of her waist. "It is, Sakura. It is. You cannot deny it further. You will not deny it further."

Her breaths were shaky as she felt them leave her slightly parted lips. His dark eyes were pinning her to the floor below her. Kisame's grip was still present on her outer arms while the king's grip added to that fact that she was indeed trapped.

"You said you would do whatever it takes, my lady. So what will you do?" the king's voice tested as he pulled her close enough that she could feel his breath on her face. He smelled of rich red wine and sandalwood. A deadly combination. Only the most dangerous men would smell so intoxicating.

She heard another cry of pain from the battlefield as the crowd cheered presumably at the deadly display. She felt the slight sensation of tears creep to the corners of her eyes as she recognized the anguish of her friend and what she would have to do to save him.

"I will do anything to save him," her voice finally whispered in reply as her eyes pleaded with emotion. "Please, I'm begging you; stop this fight."

She saw the smirk pull at the corner of his mouth as it spread proudly across his face. The thumb trailed across her plump bottom lip before he lowered his mouth to her ear. "I find myself liking when you beg me, my lady," he smugly purred into the shell of her ear. His hot breath starting a shocking fire against her skin. "I'll accept your plea for his life if you accept my price in return." He paused as his words sunk into her subconscious. He glanced up at Kisame, signaling a release. The large captain released the princess and bowed lowly before moving further away. The king took this opportunity to move his hand from the small of the woman's waist to her low back, pulling her into himself. Her chest was pressed lusciously against his own, and he inwardly groaned at the sensation stirring inside of him.

"Your men will leave my city. Immediately," he began to elucidate in hushed tones as she stood stiffly in his grasp. He wished he could witness the expression on her face. "I presume you are keen enough to realize the motive for which you were brought here." He felt her stiffen further at the mention of her purpose in the capital and it made his amusement deepen. His lips briefly pressed into the shell of her ear, and due to his closeness of her person, he felt her throat constrict. "Though I could easily ask that of you, I prefer the thrill of a chase. Make no mistake, I will have you. Instead, you'll owe me a favor. I will call upon it whenever I wish and it will be whatever I desire. If you do not comply, I will make you this promise that your friend will die. Is that understood?"

All words were caught in Sakura's throat. She wanted none of this. But if it meant that her friend would live, she would selflessly give what she could for his life. Even if it meant giving her own in the process. His terms were as if she was signing her own death warrant.

"Come now, my lady," Sasori's voice brought her from her from her musing as his lips hovered over the start of her jawline. "Have I truly left you speechless? Do not make me ask a second time."

"I…I accept your terms," she finally whispered, her breath caressing lightly over his own features.

She felt his cool lips form into a smirk against her skin as they dared move to her neck and leave a small kiss in their wake. "Delightful," he responded as his face pulled away from hers slowly. He gave Kisame a slight nod before he glanced down towards the arena.

"By decree of the king, this battle is over. Zabuza Momochi is the winner. The next battle will proceed." Kisame's words were simple, but clear. The battle was over. Naruto would live and Zabuza would move on to the next round of fights. Naruto would live. She did not have the chance to glance down at the battlefield to see men carry Naruto away for medical attention, or the look of repulsion crossing Zabuza's features at the king's ultimate decision in terms of his battle. She missed the way the mist demon glare up at her back in the king's private sector. All she could do was hear the sound of her own shaking breaths and the loud beating of her heart in her ears. Her watery emerald eyes were staring into nothingness behind Sasori's throne.

What had she done?

-xxx-

Author's Note: Was that what you expected it to be and more? I rewrote this chapter like 3 times before I found myself with something I thought would play out the best with Sakura's development as a character. There were some complaints that Sakura ran along the lines of being too perfect and cliché, which I see how you could skew that, I suppose. This story is still very early in its development. If you think about it, not much has happened between a lot of the characters, which in turn, doesn't allow us to see much within Sakura as a person. This chapter gave into a little bit of her darker past. I intend to elaborate on it more in later chapters. She's not all rainbows, butterflies, and cotton candy pink hair. No one is for that matter. I wanted her portrayed as the most important character of my story (obviously), but also a strong one, because that's who she is as a person. It's how she tries to hold herself in my stories as well as the anime/manga (In my opinion). But she's like any human, and true to her original self; selfish, short tempered, and stubborn. She's obviously my favorite character from the anime/manga, she's the main character in every single one of my stories for goodness sake. I would call it an obsession, but not one that I will seek professional help for. I love her, end of discussion.

Besides my little spew of nonsense, I hope y'all liked this chapter. For the guest that reviewed, I gave you the Naruto you wanted. Did you really think I would kill him though? I think I might punish myself if I did something like that. Maybe. Though there was only one new character in this chapter, that being Naruto, there will be more in the next one. I left you guessing with the favor Sasori requests. What do you think his favor will be? I'd also like you to take into consideration what the rest of the men seated around the king were thinking as onlookers of the final scene. I'd like you to let your minds reel on that one. Please feel free to share your thoughts, your hopes, your dreams, your fears, and your love about this chapter or about your life in general. See you in the next chapter!