(Hello, my friends. Welcome back. It's a glorious occasion because Avatar Naruto has gained over a thousand reviews. Originally it was my fic Green Shinobi Ranger that broke that record, but since it had to be remade it lost a lot of them, but regardless it will always have been my first fic to reach that many, while Avatar Naruto has second place in that field. Enjoy my friends.)

One afternoon at the training grounds, Sasuke was practicing his swordsman skills with his two swords, along with his aim, and jutsu. As he practiced he had only one thing on his mind... Itachi. With every swing of his sword, and release of his fire or lightning style jutsus he kept thinking about that night where his brother betrayed him and his family. After thinking about his recent encounter with his brother, he knew he still had ways to go to catch up to his brother's level. Especially since he was after Naruto. And it had been a week since Naruto left for Kumo to undergo his Tailed Beast chakra training with Killer Bee and Yugito. Since that day, he and Sakura and their friends have amped up their training to keep up with Naruto.

After Sasuke finished his training, he sheathed his two swords, and spoke to himself, "I will not let the family name be tainted by treason."

Suddenly Sakura appeared behind him, "Sasuke." she addressed him.

Sasuke looked back at her, and spoke, "Sakura, what's up?"

"Lady Tsunade has a mission for us. Sensei's already gone ahead to her office." she explained.

Sasuke replied, "Well, let's go." the two headed off.

At the Hokage's office, Tsunade was at her desk with Shizune, Naomi, and Kakashi off to the side. When Sakura and Sasuke entered, Tsunade spoke, "Good, you both made it. We can finally talk about your mission."

"Which is?" Sasuke asked.

"We've received word of Akatsuki whereabouts." Shizune explained.

"Akatsuki?" Sakura gasped.

Kakashi nodded, "Yes. And we have been told the two members sighted are Itachi and Kisame."

"Itachi?" Sasuke asked, before frowning.

"That's right." Tsunade confirmed.

"How did you get this information?" Sakura asked.

"Through me," came a voice, as they saw Naruto's spirit friend Gochi on the desk, "Hey, there, guys."

"Gochi?" Sakura asked.

"That's my name."

"You spotted my brother?" Sasuke inquired.

"Oh, yeah. I saw him and his partner around a place with your family crest on it." Gochi explained.

"Any other specifics on their location?" Shizune asked.

"It's built into a terraced mountain with forests growing on each level."

Sasuke squinted his eyes, "I see. One of of the last remaining Uchiha bases outside the village."

"Figure's he'd be spotted someplace like that." Kakashi figured.

"This could be a chance to take these two down and weaken the Akatsuki further." Sakura suggested.

"And while I agree, we must also remember the Akatsuki members are not to be taken lightly." Tsunade reminded her pupil.

"The Hokage's correct," Kakashi agreed, "Sasori, Deidara, Kakuzu, and Hidan were some of the worst shinobi you guys have ever faced. And they're not going to be getting any easier to fight."

"Still, we can't do nothing," Sasuke spoke up, "Who knows when we'll have another chance at finding Itachi again. He needs to be taken down once and for all."

"I agree," Sakura added, "We can't wait around for Naruto to finish his tailed beast training. He may be a valuable asset to our squad, but we can't keep relying on him for everything."

"Which is exactly why I've been called here to serve as a temporary stand in." Naomi added.

Tsunade nodded, "You are to go to the hideout and see what you can find about Itachi and Kisame, if not the Akatsuki organization itself. And should you end up engaging the enemy, be extremely careful."

"Hai." the team agreed.

"Then all of you get ready and head out." Tsunade finished.

"Good luck, guys," Gochi said, as the team left, and thought to himself, 'You'll need it.'

After packing the necessities, Kakashi, Sakura, Sasuke, and Naomi took off with Sasuke and Kakashi up front knowing the location of the Uchiha fortress.

Meanwhile outside Orochimaru's base in the Hidden Sound Village, the Snake Sannin was admiring the day, until Kabuto appeared behind him, "Lord Orochimaru, I bring news."

"Speak, Kabuto." Orochimaru answered, without having to look back at him.

"We have reports of Squad Seven on the move. They appear to be heading for the old Uchiha fortress in pursuit of Itachi Uchiha." Kabuto answered.

"Interesting." Orochimaru said while sounding intrigued.

"And there's also this. Naruto isn't among them." Kabuto finished.

Orochimaru looked back at Kabuto, "What? The Avatar is not with his squad?"

"I'm afraid not, sir."

"Hmm. This could be better than I hoped," Orochimaru said, "Sasuke and Itachi, both Uchiha's ripe for the picking, and Naruto isn't around. I can eliminate Itachi and Kisame and capture Sasuke at the same time. There's no better opportunity. And I have just the one to send for the job." he summoned a coffin, and it opened up to reveal the resurrected corpse of Amon.

Amon stepped out and looked at Orochimaru, "So what is it you need me to do, Orochimaru?"

"I am sending you to take out two members of an organization known as Akatsuki, and you'll be running into another group as well." he explained.

"Take them out as well?"

"Only two of them. Bring me back the younger boy with the red eyes." Orochimaru smirked.

"And where exactly will I be going? I don't know my way around here."

"Not to worry, because you're bound by my jutsu I can order you where to go and your body will take you there on its own."

"All I have to do is just fight, even if it's against my will?"

"Precisely."

"Well, then where am I going?" Amon inquired.

"Go to the abandoned Uchiha Fortress outside Konoha, and bring me the boy Sasuke Uchiha."

Suddenly on instinct Amon took off, leaving Kabuto to question his master, "You're only sending one of your resurrected Benders, my Lord? Why not send them all?"

"I won't risk sending them all out. Besides, Amon may be all we need for a task like this." Orochimaru smirked, as Amon ran through the land without even needing to know where to go.

Later on, Squad Seven arrived in a forest, with Sasuke looking up ahead seeing the mountain Gochi described, "That's it." he confirmed.

"That's where your brother's residing?" Naomi inquired.

"No doubt about it." Sasuke nodded in assurance.

"We're this close." Sakura said with determination.

"Come on. But keep an eye out." Kakashi ordered, as they continued on with extra caution.

Before they could get any closer, they were almost hit by a Water Shark Projectile, had Kakashi and Sakura not create earth walls using jutsu and bending, "Where'd that come from?" Naomi asked in shock.

"From him." Kakashi squinted his visible eye.

Walking out from the bushes was Kisame armed and ready, "Sorry, but Itachi is only expecting one of you."

"Is that really..." Naomi began.

"Yes. Kisame Hoshigaki, the Scourge of the Mist." Kakashi answered.

"And a member of the Seven Swordsmen like Zabuza." Sakura added.

Kisame aimed his sword at Sasuke, who was ready to draw his blades, until the shark man spoke, "You, Sasuke, may pass through. The rest of you are staying here."

"So Itachi wants to meet me alone, huh?" Sasuke asked with a scoff, "Fine by me."

"Sasuke, I know this is your fight, but we shouldn't split up like this." Sakura warned him.

"He's not giving us a choice." Sasuke replied.

"There's always a choice," Kakashi said, as he lifted his headband up to reveal his Sharingan eye, "We'll get past Kisame and go to Itachi together."

Suddenly the group was almost hit again by a water attack which was more like a wave. Kisame growled and looked in the direction of where it came from, "Now what?!" he asked in annoyance.

Suddenly approaching them was Amon, which put Squad Seven in a state of shock. The zombie bender spoke, "Sorry to cut in, but the Uchiha boy is coming with me."

"Who the hell are you?" Kisame asked rudely.

"I am Amon, leader of the Equalists."

"Amon?" Naomi gasped.

"No way." Sakura gasped.

"That's impossible." Sasuke finished.

"Oh, it is possible." Amon assured him.

"But you're supposed to be dead." Kakashi recalled.

"Was dead. But I've returned to the living as an immortal corpse to carry out the orders of one known as Orochimaru."

"I don't buy it," Kisame spoke, "How do we know you're not some poser?"

"Would a poser be able to do this?" Amon asked, as he extended his hand out at Naomi, and used Bloodbending on her making the girl scream.

"Naomi!" Sakura gasped, as she frowned at Amon and Earthbended a chunk of land at him. Amon jumped out of the way and was forced to release his hold on Naomi.

"Are you ok?" Kakashi asked the Firebender.

"I'm fine," Naomi answered, while trying to pick herself up, "But he Bloodbended me. No Waterbender can do that unless there's a full moon."

"And only Amon and his family could do that without the full moon." Sasuke recalled.

"So this is the real Amon." Kakashi looked at the villainous bender.

Kisame gripped his sword, "Bloodbender or not, not even you can match the power of me and Samehada!"

"Then let's put that to a test." Amon got into a stance.

"Come on, while they're distracted." Kakashi whispered, as Squad Seven tried to make a break for it.

They were cut off by Amon who used Waterbending to knock down some trees cutting off their escape, "I'd rather you all stay!"

Kakashi turned to Sasuke, "Sasuke, go."

Sasuke looked surprised, "What? But didn't you say..."

"Change in plans. You need to go ahead and rendezvous with Itachi, or Amon's going to take you."

"You guys sure you can handle him and Kisame?" Sasuke inquired.

"We'll hold them." Sakura promised.

"All right. Good luck." Sasuke said, as he ran on ahead.

"Stop!" Amon ran to stop him, only for Kakashi to jump in blocking him.

"I won't let you lay a hand on my squad member."

"Have it your way, kid." Amon answered, as the Bloodbender did battle against Squad Seven and Kisame in a free for all.

Sasuke ran through the edge of the forest with his eyes set on the fortress up ahead. He thought to himself with determination, 'Itachi, here I come.' his Sharingan eyes activated.

(And there's the chapter. Squad Seven minus Naruto is after Itachi, but now must deal with Kisame and the re-animated Amon. Don't miss next time where Sasuke and Itachi have a true battle of the Uchiha. Also how would fighters like Kakashi and Kisame manage against someone like Amon? Would either one be strong enough to resist or break out of his Bloodbending on their own? Give me your thoughts to help me in how I should handle the fight between them.)