Chapter 48: No Answers
Simple; to pave the way for the future.
"Pave the way for the future . . ." mumbled Gaara as he continued to look forward at where Sakuya was last standing. "I wonder what that would mean for us . . ."
"Who knows?" mumbled Tsunade as she finished healing A and made her way over to Onoki. "But something tells me is that whatever Amegakure is planning, Izuka is going to be an instrumental part of it."
"That Sakuya guy . . . he was able to decimate three of us Kage in no time flat," mumbled Gaara as he shook his head. "That speed . . . that speed of his was practically disturbing and inhuman. It was definitely faster than A's own."
"Practically inhuman . . . but possible," said Tsunade as she looked up at the Kazekage. "It was actually . . . recognizable."
"Recognizable?" asked Gaara as he raised an invisible eyebrow. "You've actually seen that kind of speed before, Lady Tsunade?"
"Yes I have, and you should have too." answered Tsunade as a small scowl came across her face.
"Me?" asked Gaara as he narrowed his eyes at him.
"Why of course . . . didn't you recognize that kind of speed, Mr.?" asked Tsunade as she placed a hand on her hip. "That's the same kind of speed Izuka possess when Izuka changes . . . you know . . . into that 'other' her."
Gaara continued to look like he didn't follow until realization dawned on him. Tsunade was right . . . Sakuya's speed and the 'other' Izuka's speed were eerily similar. They were almost . . . the same.
"How do you suggest he has such speed then?" asked Gaara as he let out a deep breath.
"Well . . . he wasn't born with it, that's for sure," mumbled Tsunade as she began to focus her attention on Onoki. "But . . . Amegakure does have a known past of genetic experiments on their citizens, especially on their ninjas. It was reportedly discontinued after the Second Great Shinobi War . . . but maybe they've decided to bring that program back to life."
"And Izuka's DNA is a part of those 'revived' experiments now. . ." mumbled Gaara as he thought back to the time him and his group traveled to the Rain Country.
"You and the Lady Sage were in Amegakure for a while," said Tsunade as she shrugged her shoulders. "The ninjas there must have taken advantage during your time there to get some of Izuka's DNA. It's possible."
"Yes . . . but I don't think Sakuya's speed was given to him through an experiment that happened months ago."
"Lady Mei?" asked Gaara as he turned to the now woken up Mizukage, who was currently getting back on her feet.
"That's my name . . ." mumbled the Mizukage as she shook her head. "And like I was saying before, I don't think Sakuya's speed was given to him through an experiment that happened months ago. I think he may have gotten that speed even earlier."
"Earlier? Like a few years at least?" asked Tsunade as she finished healing the last of Onoki's wound.
"That would be a good estimate." answered Mei as the three turned to a now stirring A.
"What happened, and where is that bastard from Rain country?" mumbled A as he slowly sat up. "I'm going to tear him a new one once I see his face."
"Which may not be for a long while A," said Mei as she looked at him with a tired look on her face. "He's gone. He made his escape while you were out of it."
"Dammit!" muttered the Raikage as he resisted the urge to punch the ground. "He's probably planning on regrouping with his partners."
"If our bodyguards haven't stopped them as yet that is," said Mei as she looked up at the sky. "I haven't sensed any spikes in chakra in the direction our men went off too."
"I doubt things ended that quietly," mumbled Tsunade as she shook her head. "Something happened between our bodyguards and the Rain nin, and I want to find out what it is."
"I want to find out too," mumbled A as he placed his hand on his hip. "We should get moving."
"But what Onoki? He's still unconscious." said Gaara as he turned to the fallen Mizukage.
"Leave that to me."
Everyone turned to see Mifune arrive with a few of his samurai subordinates right behind him, finally arriving after being basically missing for the past few hours.
"What happened to you Mifune?" asked A as he looked at the samurai leader in disbelief. "You've been missing out on all the action that went on around here."
"My apologies, but my group and I have been busy dealing with Rain nin that reappeared around the main building, so we dealt with that first," answered Mifune as he unsheathed his sword. "My men can take the Tsuchikage back to the medical clinic while the rest of us go after your bodyguards."
"Sounds like a plan to me . . ." muttered A as he watched the samurai place Onoki on a stretcher. The samurai then left going back the way they came, leaving Mifune and the remaining Kage to continue on by themselves.
"We should get moving; we're burning daylight." said Mei as she began to run in the direction Ryu flew to. Mifune and the other Kage followed right after her, jumping into the trees and across branch to ranch in order to get to their guards.
"How far do you think the Rain nin were able to run before our guards reached them?" asked Tsunade as she looked at her fellow Kage.
"Who knows?" asked A as he turned to her. "We'll find out once we get there."
They continued traveling the rest of the way in silence till they reached a large valley that looked pretty undisturbed.
"Hmm . . . there's a small stream that runs through here just up ahead." muttered Mifune as he pointed forward.
"Not just that; I sense a whole lot of weakened chakra too." mumbled Tsunade as she suddenly took the lead. The group followed the Hokage until the valley went downward and into the streambed. All of the guards were strewn across the streambed, all of the m unconscious; some were injured.
"Oh my goodness." mumbled Mei as she looked down at the subordinates.
"Those Rain Nin work fast." mumbled Tsunade as she walked over to the closest injured guard, who was one of the Tsuchikage's own.
"Yeah . . . but my question is this," mumbled Gaara as he crossed his arms. "What happened here? And where have the Rain Nin gone off to now?"
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