The Turning Point
"HEY WOULD YOU JUST SLOW DOWN FOR ONE SECOND!?" Naruto wheezed, still managing to yell at Idate who sped up effortlessly in front of them.
"If you ninja can't keep up then go home! I don't need you holding me back!" Idate called back over his shoulder.
Naruto growled in response "What's this guy's deal? Why would he turn around and run away from the starting line? Doesn't he know he's gonna lose?"
"Maybe he just doesn't want to do it. You saw how reluctant he was to accept us guarding him, what's to say he feels the same about this race" Sakura replied propelling herself forward and securing a solid landing on the next tree branch.
"I don't think that's it. You saw how much he respects that boss of his, why would he double cross him? Hn it's possible he planned to come this way from the start" Sasuke said keeping his eye trained on Idate below.
"I guess so and if that's the case he clearly knows something we don't" Sakura said glancing at her teammates.
"Well I'm fed up with running after this idiot it's time to see what his game is!" Naruto said using a burst of chakra to jump gracefully from the tree tops and match Idate's speed on the ground.
"That seems like a solid plan" Sakura muttered as the two males began bickering furiously.
They raced along the forest floor which quickly merged into a rocky cliff which began crumbling under their weight. Exchanging quick looks of conformation Sasuke and Sakura registered the appearance of genjutsu.
"Is there much point in warning Naruto? They're already caught in it and Idate doesn't have the training to notice" Sakura asked Sasuke who smirked.
"I think you just answered your own question. Besides with all their bickering I doubt the dobe could even hear us calling out"
Below them Naruto and Idate had stopped running and were standing in front of an old tree that Idate had already run past.
"Great genjutsu just what I need, in that case I guess I just need to do this" Idate said and pressed his hands together. "Release!"
"Hey wait how did you do that?" Naruto stared wide eyed at the hand sign Idate had just made but the older man left no time for questions as he raced towards a beam of light coming out of the densely thick forest.
"No stop!" Sakura called out as she and Sasuke could see that break in the jutsu would cause Idate to go over the side of the cliff.
Sasuke immediately opened his travel bag and reached into it for a coil of rope. Naruto quickly followed Idate out and over the edge of the cliff grabbing hold of the man by his waist. Sasuke had managed to tie a hole in the rope and throw it over the cliff edge to hook around Naruto's ankle preventing them from falling.
Assuming an effective leverage position Sasuke draped the weight of the rope over his back as Sakura picked up the end and both began hauling their teammate and client up.
"You saw how that worked right? Two genjutsu blending into each other which means whoever set them off is at least Chunin level or higher" Sakura observed as she grit her teeth and pulled on the rope harder.
"Hn" Sasuke replied in agreement and glared viciously down below where Naruto and Idate had begun arguing again and were causing the rope to sway unsteadily. "Stop fighting you'll break the rope!" he called down angrily.
"GAHHH! I TOLD YOU TO KNOCK IT OFF!" Came Naruto's pained cry as his ninja tools were knocked out of his pouch and down into the crevasse. Within a few minutes Sasuke and Sakura had pulled the two very annoyed men up.
Deciding she would rather avoid a headache Sakura busied herself with re-coiling the rope and let Sasuke handle the friction between Naruto and Idate.
"Whatever I told you I don't need you ninja. I have my own way of doing things" Idate decided peering over the cliff and shrugging his shoulders.
"You don't need us! If it wasn't for us pal you'd be at the bottom of that cliff where my ninja tools are! Not to mention we all saved your stupid life!" Naruto demanded.
"Please don't act like I actually owe you anything. You're ninja and you saved my life because it's your duty! I wouldn't thank a woman selling me groceries because that's just her job!" Idate shot back.
Naruto lurched forward but Sasuke blocked him with his arm. "Dobe he's completely right but if you don't want to end this thing in a coffin I suggest you stick around us" Sasuke said fixing Idate with a blank look.
Scoffing the runner turned his back on the ninja and began to walk along the cliff. "So I take it we're not going to back to the port" Sakura said stuffing the rope back into Sasuke's bag and raised an eyebrow at Idate.
"Forget that port it's completely useless. I'm heading north from here it'll be faster that way"
"That's what you say anyway, for all we know you could be leading us into a trap!" Naruto exclaimed loudly.
"That's the problem with all you ninja you can't trust anyone and are always suspicious of everyone's motives. I noticed that the winds were blowing towards the start line whereas there is a port up north that will sail me straight into the island" Idate explained as though they were a bunch of children.
Jerk, Sakura thought and picked up her and Sasuke's bags from the ground. Sasuke seemed to have the same opinion as he glared at Idate, but when Sakura handed him his bag his face softened and managed to give her a small smile.
This didn't go unnoticed by Idate who raised his eyebrows knowingly. Fearing he may have revealed too much Sasuke's face reverted back to a blank mask. "Let's go, you want to win this thing don't you?"
"Whatever" Idate replied and Sasuke's eyes narrowed dangerously until Sakura pulled him by the wrist to indicate they needed to get moving. Idate smirked widely and trailed behind the two with Naruto walking beside him grumbling angrily.
"What's with your friends?" Idate asked midly.
"Huh what are you talking about?" Naruto replied uncrossing his arms and staring intently at the older boy.
"You can't tell me you don't see it. Ah forget it you're totally oblivious" Idate sighed and continued on pushing past Sasuke and Sakura to get to the front.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN OBLIVIOUS!"
Like Idate had said the port at the north did exist, with some help from an old man of the Wasabi family Team 7 and Idate were soon out on the ocean sailing towards Motoroki Shrine and the half-way point of the race. Sasuke had taken command of the rudder intent on getting them to the island as quickly as possible. Sharing the fact that he had some experience steering a boat, Sakura and Naruto were more than happy for him to take on the task.
I don't like being out in the open like this. Even though the Wagarashi family runner and their ninja should be behind us, we were still attacked by someone with that double genjutsu. The sooner we make it to this island the better, Sakura thought as she tied off a rope on the side of the boat.
"Sakura are you almost done? I think I could use some help" Naruto called out sheepishly having tangled the rope into a series of complicated knots.
"How on earth did you manage that?" Sakura asked clearly amused as she bent down to undo the knots Naruto leaned closer toward her.
"I did that on purpose because I wanted to ask you about this Idate guy" Naruto whispered and Sakura nodded keeping her attention fixed on untying the knots.
"When we were in the forest he knew how to release the genjutsu and normal citizens just don't get that kind of training right? Plus how did he get to run so fast, he's almost as fast as Fuzzy Brow" Naruto explained and Sakura pinched his ear at the mention of Lee's nickname.
"I was thinking about that too and maybe he spent some time in one of the Hidden Villages or maybe someone in his family was a ninja and passed on the skills" Sakura said as she finished tying the rope off.
"I guess but come on that guy is a complete blockhead! I mean he ran through the genjutsu and almost got himself killed. An idiot like that could never be a ninja!" Naruto exclaimed standing up and resting his hands behind his head.
"Well last time I checked Naruto your track record isn't exactly stupid-free" Sakura said and got to her feet as well.
"Y-yeah but I did make it to the final round of the Chunin exams. We all did! That's got to count for something right?" Naruto said hastily feeling slightly embarrassed.
"What? You three all made it to the final round? That's impossible!" Idate exclaimed and stared wide-eyed at Sakura and Naruto.
"There was an interruption of sorts but yes if that hadn't occurred there is a good chance that Naruto, Sasuke and myself all would have become Chunin" Sakura answered feeling the disappointment rise within her at the memory.
"You're proctors clearly a push over if he allowed you in. The other too maybe but you, no way! Those exams have lowered their standards a lot" Idate said directly to Naruto who gritted his teeth angrily.
"Hn how do you know so much about the Chunin exams if you're not a ninja" Sasuke asked keeping a tight grip on the rudder. Idate stiffened at the question and quickly turned to face the ocean.
"I knew it when your name was announced at the starting line I just forgot to pursue the question. Idate Morino. Our proctor for the first exam was Ibiki Morino" Sakura recalled.
"I-Ibiki? What are you saying that my brother is alive?" Idate asked frantically. "Of course he's alive man that tenth question he threw at me was insane!" Naruto exclaimed oblivious to Idate's panic.
"That's right he's alive which I guess begs the question of why aren't you in the Leaf Village with him?" Sakura asked her eyes narrowing with suspicion.
Suddenly an arrow flew into the boat landing mere centimetres from Idate. "Saved by the bell" Sakura said dryly as Sasuke looked up to see another boat tailing them. "Looks like an ambush"
"The Wagarashi family already but I thought you said we'd be miles in front of them" Naruto asked Idate who seemed frozen in place looking at the arrow.
"Although it's possible they would attack us, the Wagarashi family runner would benefit more from passing us rather than engaging in a fight that could waste precious race time. Maybe try and disable the boat to slow us down but it's highly unlikely they'd engage in a full on ambush" Sakura decided and Idate gaped at her.
"What its basic logic right?" Sakura asked in response to the looks she was getting from her teammates and Idate.
"That's impressive for a fifteen year old" Idate said.
"Even a ninja?" Naruto asked sarcastically and Sakura smirked.
"Heads up!" Sasuke called out jumping away from the rudder to deflect the barrage of arrows that covered the boat.
Drawing out her own kunai Sakura deflected as many as she could with Idate using his knife and Naruto rendered useless thanks to the loss of his ninja tools.
"Right we need a plan. Someone has to cover Idate while the other two handle this threat. It's too late to run now" Sasuke instructed as four more arrows were fired into the boat with ropes attached to them to hold Team 7 and Idate so they couldn't escape.
Naruto looked at Sakura who sighed. "Guess it'll be me who guards him, you two can't work together without wanting to kill each other" she said motioning to the space between Idate and her blonde teammate.
"Thanks Sakura-chan I totally owe you one!"
"You can thank her later dobe now get working on those ropes and I'll cover you" Sasuke said and Naruto nodded reaching for the ropes but finding he had no knife to cut them with.
"Hey lend me your knife quickly so I can cut these ropes. After all it's thanks to you that I don't have my own" Naruto said motioning to Idate with his hand outstretched.
"What give you my knife? This thing is more precious to me than my own life there's no way I'm just going to give it to you!" Idate said hugging the knife to his chest.
"You've got to be kidding me even in an emergency like this you're thinking of yourself! Just hand it over!" Naruto demanded and attempted to reach for the knife.
"Just take mine and cut the ropes we're running out of time!" Sakura exclaimed and tossed her knife to Naruto who made quick work of the ropes attaching them to the other boat.
"What the hell are those things!?" Idate yelled as clones began rising up out of the middle of their boat.
I recognise these clones they're the ones who attacked us during the Chunin exams. The first Naruto imposter we faced and then at the end near the tower in the Forest of Death. But why are they here now? Sakura thought as she watched Sasuke activate his Sharingan.
"They're just clones! We'll be fine because only the real one can attack us" Naruto said trying to reassure Idate.
"I wouldn't be so sure. Sakura, Naruto you need to be careful one of them isn't a shadow clone" Sasuke called out his Sharingan revealing all that needed to be seen.
"Idate you need to stand back and stay out of trouble got it?" Sakura asked turning to the runner for the Wasabi family.
"Yeah right like I'm going to take help from all of you!" Idate shot back holding his knife tighter.
"Well it's not like you really have a choice at the moment" Naruto said and failed to see the clone that had jumped from the mast of the boat and straight for him.
"Behind you!" Sasuke called out and Naruto turned just in time to be crushed under the weight of the real ninja. Before Sakura could assist her teammate a familiar puff of white smoke covered the ground and Naruto had disappeared.
Four Naruto clones came charging down from the mast, the real Naruto being among them and hit the real enemy ninja but he dodged the attack and managed to jump into the safety of the ocean.
"That Shadow Clone kid is turning out to be a handful. Looks like we'll have to switch to plan B" The leader of the masked ninja said to his team breathing into the metal mouthpiece in front of his face.
"Right, Water Style: Black Rain Jutsu!" Another ninja said performing the necessary hand signs.
Within a matter of minutes Sasuke, Naruto and Sakura were making their way through the clones destroying as many as they could. Raising his fist and landing a hit on one Naruto's hand was immediately covered in water.
"They've changed to water clones" Naruto announced.
"I know but why?" Sasuke asked slicing another clone across the abdomen.
Round-house kicking a clone across the chest Sakura stopped momentarily to catch her breath and noticed a drop of black liquid had landed on her cheek. Suddenly it began raining but as Sakura held out her hand black liquid began to pool in it.
"This isn't ordinary rain and there's not a cloud in the sky. It smells like oil and has the same consistency" Sakura muttered.
Enough of this messing around, we need to finish these guys and get Idate out of here. With my fireball jutsu I can take them all out in one shot, Sasuke thought and quickly arranged his hands oblivious to the danger.
Sakura's head snapped up to see Sasuke performing the Tiger Seal hand sign. Shit if he performs that jutsu this whole boat is going to go up in flames
"Sasuke stop! We have to get everyone off this boat. It's raining oil and if you fireball jutsu these clones this whole boat is going to go up in flames!" Sakura warned and Sasuke stopped before he could activate the jutsu.
"Dammit this is getting out of hand" The masked man said from his position on the ambush boat. "Where there's a will there's a way" One of this teammates spoke up aiming the crossbow with a flaming arrow at Idate's boat.
"In coming! Sasuke, Naruto get away from the puddles of oil!" Sakura yelled as the fire arrow made contact with the boat and erupted into flames.
Having jumped out of the way of most of the oil Sasuke turned to see Sakura and Idate cut off from himself and Naruto due to the huge mast of the boat which had started to come apart sending hot flaming pieces of wood down to the deck to form a barrier.
"Sakura! Idate!" Naruto called as he too noticed the wall of burning wood that had now separated himself and Sasuke from Sakura.
"There's no other option we have to swim to the shrine! We need to go now before those masked men see that we've slipped away. I'll stay with Idate and you two stay together as well. We'll all meet at Nagi Island!" Sakura yelled to her teammates and coughed a few times due to the thick black smoke that filled the air.
"Sakura don't be stupid you can't guard him on your own! There's no way I'm letting you go alone!" Sasuke yelled back destroying yet another clone and made a desperate bid to clear the barrier the fallen debris had made but the flames were too strong.
"Sasuke we need to go, Sakura can do this okay. Those guys aren't going to give up so easy and we need to lead them away. She'll be fine" Naruto said motioning for Sasuke to join him in the water.
"At Nagi Island don't go anywhere. Stay and wait with Idate until we arrive and don't die got it?" Sasuke said but there was a tone of desperation in his voice, almost pleading that Idate had never heard before.
"I'll be there and I'll wait. Don't worry, you and Naruto stay safe as well and don't die" Sakura called back her voice sounding more measured than Sasuke's but the uncertainty leaked through.
Pushing Idate forward before she could have any second thoughts Sakura dived into the ocean and quickly matched pace with Idate as they swam for Nagi Island. Sasuke jumped into the water after Naruto but they moved in a different direction knowing that the masked men wouldn't hesitate to follow them.
"She'll be fine Sasuke, she always is" Naruto offered as they began to swim slowly not too far from the direction of the island but far enough to draw the fight from Sakura and Idate.
"Hn I just wanted to be there, to make sure" Sasuke replied trying to keep his focus on swimming forward.
"I do as well but Sakura-chan is a great ninja she just needs chances to prove it!" Naruto exclaimed oblivious to Sasuke's feelings.
"Right, I can sense the chakra of those masked men. They're heading towards us. Let's finish this quickly and get to Nagi Island" Sasuke said and stopped swimming.
"There it is, that's the fringe of Nagi Island" Idate said point to a rocky outcrop which led into dense looking forest.
"Right let's get onto those rocks and out of this water" Sakura said as they paddled closer to shore.
Sakura decided she'd feel a lot more able bodied once they were on dry land, fighting in the water was definitely not her forte and she wondered how Sasuke and Naruto would fair. Idate went first climbing out of the water and onto the rocks with Sakura following behind eager to get out of the water.
Reaching for the next rock to grab onto Sakura looked up to see Idate was frozen above her. Peering around him to see what the problem was Sakura felt her muscles tense and coil when she saw a man with violet coloured eyes smirking down at them, an umbrella strapped to his back.
"Hello there Idate, long time no see"
"You, you were behind that attack!" Idate said glaring at the man. Sakura managed to lever herself onto a better rocky surface and quickly drew her kunai. "Who is this guy Idate and what does he want?"
"Oh how nice you brought a ninja with you. I'm surprised she'd want to protect a traitor like you"
"You're Aoi Rokusho" Idate said his eyes fixed on the man and ignored Sakura's question.
"It's funny you should still be standing here Idate. I was half expecting you to run away and leave your friend here for dead. After all that's what you normally do isn't it" Aoi taunted Idate twirling his umbrella.
"It was all because of you that I ran! You caused it all!" Idate spat angrily.
"Now Idate how can you say those things when we're so alike. It's our selfishness that unites us, an inability to trust anyone and only think of ourselves. Which is why you betrayed your village and your brother" Aoi said his voice dripping with false sympathy.
"You betrayed Konoha and Ibiki?" Sakura asked Idate who looked at the ground in shame.
"He did indeed which is why I don't believe a person like that deserves to live. So you won't mind standing aside while I finish him off" Aoi said and threw his umbrella up into the air.
Drawing out a handful of senbon needles Aoi aimed straight for Idate and threw the needles in a split second. Knowing her knife wouldn't be able to take out all of the needles and the fact that she wasn't going to have the time to jump in front and then reposition to block the needles effectively. Seeing only one course of action Sakura threw herself in front of Idate and took the hit completely.
The sting was familiar and Sakura knew as soon as she'd been hit that the senbon were laced with poison. When she had been training with Shizune on how to lace a senbon with poison Sakura had been shown what it would feel like to take a hit with a poison senbon. The poison Shizune had used had not been lethal but she had said that the sting would be stronger than just the initial hit.
Crumpling to the ground Sakura could feel the poison spreading through her blood stream and as much as she willed her limbs to move she could do nothing to protect Idate from the blow to the head from Aoi that rendered him unconscious.
"I'd say you're pretty much out of the race Idate and the runner for the Wagarashi is at Motoroki Shrine. But just to be certain that you won't ruin their chances" Aoi withdrew a further four poison senbon and rammed them into Idate's unconscious body.
Sakura made a noise of protest but the poison was already so debilitating that her head began to swim as her heart pumped the poisonous blood around her body.
The antidote was in my bag that I left on the, boat without it I won't last more than twenty minutes given time for the poison to circulate, Sakura thought as Aoi stepped back proud of the task he had completed.
"SAKURA-CHAN!" Naruto called out running across the rocks with Sasuke right behind him. Using all her strength Sakura could see both looked visibly shaken but determined nonetheless.
More importantly strapped to Sasuke's back was her travel bag with the antidote needed to combat the poison running through her system. Sakura licked her lips slowly and attempted to speak but her voice was raw and hoarse. Hardly any sound came out and bile bubbled to the surface of her lips and leaked out of her mouth.
"S-Sakura. What did you do to her?" Sasuke demanded staring at his teammate in shock his heart beating out of his chest. She looked so pale and tiny and what was that substance leaking out of her mouth?
"I see those Rain Ninja were incompetent once again. Beaten by a bunch of genin to think. But I wouldn't be so concerned you will join your friend in death very soon" Aoi said and drew his umbrella out again.
"Yeah let's find out then!" Naruto said and ran forward Sasuke right behind him. They each tried a series of well-aimed martial arts manoeuvres but Aoi dodged them effortlessly.
Jumping into the air the violet eyed man opened out his umbrella and sent a torrent of pressure down to pin Sasuke and Naruto to the earth. Seeing that they were weakened and unable to stand fully to fight Aoi wasted no time in drawing out his poison senbon. Successfully hitting Sasuke and Naruto to the point where they were completely disabled Aoi stood up and smiled upon hearing cheers from up on the island.
"He has arrived at the Motoroki Shrine; those cheers will be the only sound that you all hear. Mercifully I suppose the pink haired girl will die first, she has been poisoned a lot longer than the rest of you. So long" Aoi finished his victory speech and disappeared completely.
P-Pull the needles out. It'll delay t-the flow of poison through your bodies" Sakura managed finding her voice and attempted to pull her body upright. Sasuke abandoned the needles in his arm and moved as quickly as he could to Sakura to help her up.
"Is she going to…?" Naruto trailed off staring fearfully at his female teammate.
"No!" Sasuke said fiercely and began to pluck the needles out of Sakura's body as gently as he could.
"M-My bag. I need it Sasuke" Sakura said quietly and motioned for it feeling slightly better since the needles had been removed.
Quickly unstrapping the bag from his back Sasuke opened it and rifled through the medicinal supplies in a panic. "Dammit Sakura what am I looking for!? Sasuke asked running a hand through his hair in exasperation.
"Red tube, small tablets" Sakura said quickly not having the energy to get angry with Sasuke or to look for it herself.
Sasuke quickly retrieved the tube and popped the lid open taking one of the tablets and forcing it into Sakura's hand but she shook her head and pointed at Idate who was still alive but motionless on the ground.
"Don't be stupid you took way more needles to the body than any of us and you were hit first. Open your mouth" Sasuke growled and Sakura complied allowing Sasuke to feed her the tablet.
Sasuke took one for himself and handed the tube to Naruto motioning for him to feed one to Idate. Sakura could slowly feel the strength returning to her limbs but knew the antidote would take a few more minutes to work in full. Sitting up Sakura could see that Sasuke had neglected to remove the needles in his own body and quickly set about removing them herself and healing the torn skin. Naruto watched their interaction silently and considered what Idate had said to him at the beginning of the race, was this what he was so oblivious to?
Sasuke visibly relaxed seeing that Sakura had recovered slightly but refused to move from her side even when she insisted on attending to Idate. The rain came down in a torrent making visibility zero but Sakura knew they had to move onto the island and get Idate out of the rain. Quickly locating a cave just up a hill from where they were Team 7 carried Idate into it. Using his fireball jutsu Sasuke was able to start a fire to keep warm.
Sakura resorted through her bag making sure all her supplies were there. She took out bandages and herbal medicine to heal the wounds Idate had sustained as well as checking Naruto and Sasuke for major injuries.
"So what happened with that guy Sakura? What was his deal anyway?" Naruto asked biting hungrily into the fish they were able to catch from rock pools and cook.
"His name is Aoi and he and Idate know each other somehow. He was here when we climbed ashore and I wasn't quick enough to deflect his senbon attack so I took the first hit instead of Idate. Not that it mattered. He's clearly working for the Wagarashi family but he also said something about Idate betraying the Leaf Village" Sakura explained orienting herself towards the fire for warmth.
"Hn that makes sense, Idate and Ibiki Morino" Sasuke added watching the fire. Sakura had failed to notice it when they had been down on the rocks but the Uchiha boy had become more withdrawn. Perhaps it had something to do with the fight with those Rain Ninja.
"How did you two fair after I left. I was worried for you both given that the fight was in water and that's not exactly our strong point" Sakura asked touching Sasuke's arm as both an affectionate gesture and a way to get his attention but Sasuke stiffened at the subject matter and her touch so Sakura withdrew silently.
"Piece of cake Sakura-chan! We annihilated those guys they didn't stand a chance!" Naruto exclaimed happily and reached for another fish but Sakura slapped his hand away. "Those are for Idate when he wakes up"
Naruto continued to whine but Sakura ignored him and fixed her attention on Sasuke. His face was completely blank and void of emotion as he looked into the fire. Naruto must have shown a huge display of power again for Sasuke to act like this. I can't talk to him now about it though.
"Mmmm where am I? My head it hurts really badly, what happened?" Idate mumbled slowly sitting up and rubbing his head.
"That Rain Ninja Aoi knocked you out and you got hit by some senbon needles laced with poison. But you've taken an antidote and you should recover. But he did give you some other injuries, one to your leg especially which may prevent you from continuing on in the race" Sakura said switching into medical mode.
"Out of the race you can't be serious! I've let everyone down and the Wagarashi family will win for sure. My boss, he put so much faith in me. No I have to keep moving I can't stay here!" Idate declared and frantically got to his feet only to fall down again because of the pain.
"You shouldn't move your leg still needs to heal. I've repaired the wound but the tissue can only become stronger again with rest" Sakura said coaxing Idate into a sitting position and handed him a fish to eat.
"Who was that guy Aoi anyway and what's this about you betraying the Hidden Leaf Village" Sasuke asked monotone causing Sakura and Naruto to look at him incredulously.
"Sasuke you can't just ask him that" Sakura said trying to remain calm and not let her temper get the better of her.
"Why not huh? I think we deserve to know exactly what kind of person we're guarding especially if he betrayed the village we're from" Sasuke snapped his anger at Naruto's newfound abilities getting the better of him.
"Well maybe because he was knocked out cold and shoved full of poison senbon and what he should be focusing on is healing his body and not reinjuring himself rather than answering questions straight away" Sakura replied acidly.
"He's right Sakura. I'm well enough to talk and tell you what happened. For all that you've done for me I guess it's the least I can do" Idate said and began to explain.
Idate told Team 7 that Aoi was once his sensei in the Hidden Leaf Village and had promised Idate that there was another way to become a Chunin as Idate had failed the exams for the first time and would have to wait to attempt them again. All he had to do was take two treasures from the village a special scroll and the Sword of the Thunder God. Once Idate had presented his sensei with the treasures it had been thrown back in his face and Aoi had told him they would have to go to the Rain Village for Idate to become a Chunin as there was no way he could return to the Hidden Leaf village after what he had done. The only one who had faith in him was Jirōchō who had given him the knife he held so dear.
"But a hell of a lot of good that all does me now I'm out of the race" Idate muttered clearly upset and angry.
"Like hell you are! You're still a Leaf Ninja even though you sensei betrayed you; you were too young to understand. We're still in this race to win it and I'll carry you on my back if I have to!" Naruto exclaimed pulling Idate up by his collar.
"Hn we'll need to leave now if you still want a shot in this thing" Sasuke said and Naruto nodded happily.
"Sakura-chan what do you think?" Naruto asked a little apprehensively.
"Medically this goes against everything I've ever been taught. But I guess if you carry him Naruto and he keeps his leg in a splint that I'll make then I really can't stop you from trying" Sakura sighed.
"Alright we're in this race to win it!"
Hi guys!
Finals are over! Celebration time ^^ Here is the next chapter to the Land of Tea arch so let me know what you think of it :3 Now that University is done for the semester we are back to regular updates and things shall start to get complicated soon with the big question as to who will leave the village :P
Thanks again for sticking with me and I hope you enjoyed the chapter! See you next week!