Author's Note:
Hey everyone! Sorry for taking so long to come back. It truly has been a crazy two months. Anyway, I'm excited for how the story is progressing and the new chapters to come. Even though I have not been updating here, I have been spending time working on this story, its details, and trying to keep the continuity going to the best of my abilities. So, when you guys point out the continuity errors, it's really helping me out. Thanks, and I love you guys.
Remember, if any of you would like you have any suggestions or would like to add something to the story, be sure to message me! By the way, what I have decided to do is do monthly bonus chapters to my readers and reviewers! Keep the reviews coming and you might be the month's lucky winner! Look on my Patron for more details!
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Chapter 42: Approaching Doom
Normal P.O.V.
The night air is crisp and smells of burning wood. The New Moon empties the clear sky of twinkling stars. Off in the distance, two ANBU shinobi have already gathered their intel on the remaining Akatsuki members. Now, their only concern is retuning the info to their Hokage safely. The leaves rustle with each of their movements, not knowing they're being watched by their very targets.
"You're letting them get away? That is unlike you," a female's voice whispers.
"It is not going to make a difference. We will infiltrate The Hidden Leaf soon enough. They will not be able to stop us. They too shall know pain,"
The soft glow of the fire dances in the reflection of amber eyes. Pale fingers play dangerously close as their owner listens to her companion's words.
"I guess you're right. But, are you sure that they still have the Nine Tails' vessel within their village?"
"I'm not understanding your question,"
"I mean, how do we know they have not moved Naruto Uzumaki to another location? And what of Sasuke Uchiha? Last I heard, he had been captured and taken back to Konoha,"
"If they have moved the Nine Tails, then we will rip that village asunder until the give up his location. As for Sasuke Uchiha, I doubt him a threat. From what Obito and Lord Madara have told me, he turned himself into their Hokage at the chance to save his precious Naruto. If we can eliminate them both, then there will be nothing left in our way of peace,"
"Hn. Peace, huh?" the female of the two lowly chuckles, "It's a funny concept when you think of it, isn't it?"
"As funny as it sounds, it will be a reality soon. Like I promised all those years ago, we will both have our peace,"
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"What?! Are you sure about this?!" Lady Tsunade yells as she slams her hands on her desk and stands up.
"Yes Milady. We saw them with our own eyes. They are not that far away. They will be here soon enough," one of the ANBU reports.
"Damn. That doesn't give us any time to prepare! Quickly, someone bring me Sasuke Uchiha!" she commands. The two ANBU nod before disappearing from her office. With a heavy sigh, she collapses back into her chair before pouring herself a drink, "Shizune!"
"Yes Milady?!" the black-haired pigs yells as she enters the room.
"I need you to bring me Asuma, Kurenai, Sakura, and Anko right this instant. We have a war to prepare for,"
"Yes, Lady Tsunade!"
Hazel eyes watch as her assistant slams her office door before reaching for her cup. Just as red, manicured nails are about to touch the cup, it chips on the side. Said eyes close as slender, fair fingers massage throbbing temples.
"This does not bold well,"
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Moments later, the three jonin, Sakura, and Sasuke Uchiha enter Tsunade's office with urgency.
"You wanted to see us, ma'am?" Anko asks.
"We have a situation… The Akatsuki are on their way to our village," she answers as calmly as she can.
Everyone gasps, "Are you sure?" Asuma asks.
"Yes. I received word from my ANBU team just moments ago. This means that we have a war to prepare for. So, I need you guys to start an evacuation with your respected teams. We must not cause too much panic among the civilians. This must be efficient and as organized as possible,"
"Yes, Lady Fifth!"
"Sakura, you and Shizune will be by my side, fighting and healing the wounded. Let's try to keep the casualties to a minimum,"
"Wait, you're fighting to, Milady?" Sakura asks in shock.
"Of course, I am! I am the Fifth Hokage! My call to duty is this village, my shinobi, its people, and myself! I will not turn and hide while my people are murdered in cold blood!"
"But Lady Tsunade, it's dangerous! As the Hokage, you need to go into hiding! We can't lose you!" Shizune argues.
"You expect me to turn tail and escape while you all are risking your lives?! I won't abandon any of you in this time of crisis! Not now, not ever!" she glares. "Now, get out of my office and prepare for war,". Everyone turns to leave her office, "Sasuke, you stay. There's something I need to discuss with you,"
The dark-haired feline stands tall and confident with his hands behind his back. Hazel eyes of the Slug Queen bears into endless black ones. The tense is thick between the two as she tries to find her escaped words.
"What is it you need from me?" Sasuke starts.
"To be discrete. You're great at that,"
"And you're great at keeping secrets,"
"And you're great at sticking your nose where it doesn't belong, so listen up. I need you to go to Turtle Island, brief and retrieve Jiraiya, Kakashi, Guy, and Yamato, but I need you to stay and guard Naruto and Killer B. Make sure neither one does not leave that island. We cannot afford to lose either of them to the Akatsuki,"
"You know that's impossible, right?" Sasuke says with a raised eyebrow.
"Of course, I do. Why do you think I'm sending you? You're his lover. He'll listen to you. You are the only one I can trust to keep them safe. As far as we know, no one knows they're on that island, so let's keep it that way,"
Sasuke glares hard at his Hokage intensely before speaking, "You tricked him into going to that island, didn't you? You knew that if he found out about this that he would want to fight,"
"Still the annoyingly sharp kitty cat," she took a final sip before putting the cup down, "Yes, I tricked him. You know better than anyone what Naruto would do if he found out. I love that annoying grandson of mine, but he does not understand the true consequences or the position it will put us in if he gets captured. It's a risk we cannot take. I hope you understand,"
"Of course I do,"
"Good. Then that means you also understand your value in all of this as well. Naruto and you are two of the most valuable people in the world right now. Losing the both of you would be devastating. That is why you have to stay on that island too. That is your assignment. Keep each other safe. If I die, Naruto must carry on as the next Hokage. We cannot afford to lose this war,"
"You're going to force that title on him?"
"Not one of my better plans, but while you're protecting him, I'll be sure to iron out the details. Now go. We don't have must time to waste," Sasuke reluctantly nods before turning to leave the office. Just as he reaches the door, Tsunade calls out a final time, "I know that this is hard on you, but Sasuke… thank you…"
Her words echo throughout his head as he bites a pale, thin lip, "Don't thank me just yet,"
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After using the Teleportation Room to reach Turtle Island, the first thing Sasuke sees is his senseis lounging around, reading that god-forsaken book: Icha Icha Paradise.
"Why am I not surprised," Sasuke sighs.
"Sasuke, what a nice surprise. What brings you here?" Kakashi smiles as he places the book in his lap. "I don't like the look on your face. It spells trouble,"
"Big time. Lady Tsunade leads you two, Guy-sensei, and Master Jiraiya to return to the village now. We're preparing for war,"
"I take it the Akatsuki are making their move then?" Captain Yamato asks.
"You assume correctly. Lady Tsunade will brief you guys at her office,"
"Alright. I guess it's time to stop playing babysitters and head back," Kakashi grunts while standing. He signals for Yamato to retrieve Guy while he leads Sasuke to Jiraiya. "Ready for your shift, Sasuke?"
"The fact you guys were all in on this idiotic plan doesn't surprise me,"
"You act like you weren't going to find out anyway,"
"Hn,"
"Look Sasuke, you know we're only doing it to protect Naruto. He can get a little excited about these things. He doesn't understand his role in all of this,"
"You all have severely underestimated him," Sasuke defends.
"I think you're the one underestimating here," Kakashi finishes before greeting Jiraiya at the Falls of Truth. "Master Jiraiya, we've been summoned,"
"Hn," the Toad Master turns around to greet his comrades, "Oh no. Let me guess, the Akatsuki?" Their silence confirms it and Jiraiya curses, "Damn. Alright. I guess I'll leave Naruto to you, Sasuke,"
"Where is he?"
"He's in there. This is the Falls of Truth. This is where he's merging ritual is taking place. He's been in there for a while though. Eh, I'm sure he's fine. I mean, this is Naruto we're talking about here," Sasuke sighs as he steps forward towards the Falls. Jiraiya stops him with a hand on his shoulder, "Just so you know, I will die in this battle. If things are happening the way I predicted, then there will be a lot of casualties including myself. Please, keep my godson safe. You two are the keys to winning this war. He'll mourn my death. Please, keep being his motivation. He must go on. He must survive and win. You both do. And, above all else… tell him I love him and that I'm proud of him,"
"You should tell him yourself,"
"You know I can't, so please… pass the message to him,"
White fangs bite into pale, thin lips again. This is the second time Sasuke has to push down his conflicting feelings. These people, his "family" are starting to take their toll on him, "I'll tell him,"
Jiraiya smiles before walking pass him, "Thanks kid,"
Sasuke watches as his sensei and Master Jiraiya leave in the distance. A thumbs up from the Toad Sage bolds a dark future for the fate of many.
A heavy sigh escapes the troubled feline, "Again, don't thank me just yet…"
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To Be Continued…