Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto in any way, nor its characters.
Chapter 4:
"Ninja art: Super Beast Scroll!"
At the young ANBU's call, two inky creatures that looked like hounds came alive from the scroll and headed for Jun Akira who was frozen in one place.
"Damn you, Sai!"
Those words caused all the masked shinobi to flinch visibly. These people were trained ops that could shield any kind of emotions, but in this situation, knowing about their identity would be proof that the enemy can find out more secrets than just their names.
Sai, too, froze causing his ink beasts to be forcefully retracted. The only thing that would normally await a root ANBU after such a situation was death, yet Sai remained breathing for a longer time than expected.
What? They stopped attacking? Jun thought to himself. Well, that's no problem at all. It actually works in my favour.
Jun summoned his metallic rod towards him and in doing so, one of the wires was cut loose causing the rest to untie perfectly. Just as he had thought that he had escaped, the two ANBU appeared in front of him in a flash blocking his path of escape.
Oh, Crap! I had forgotten about these people's insane speed.
Jun performed a quick body flicker technique and was able to evade the incoming simultaneous strikes to his chest and legs. Landing about two hundred metres away from them, he did not hesitate to go into an all out parkour race.
Of course, he was not the only one who could use the body flicker. His company was able to do it so better and faster than he could that, in no time, they had already reached him.
Why are these people ridiculously fast? Jun thought to himself. I've got no choice now but to use this.
Jun reached out for his pockets and removed the stone that he used for time travelling.
I'm not at full power right now, but I have to do it. Otherwise, being captured by Danzo is hell in its own way.
A bright light in the night lit so brightly, that the pursuing ANBU lost sight of their target and footing as well. The light didn't stay around for a long time, but some people couldn't help but notice the bright light in the pitch darkness.
"Huh? What's that light?"
•••
"Urg!" Jun let out a deep grunt in pain, one that he couldn't have avoided at all because of the intense pain that coursed through his body.
It seems I escaped successfully!
This time, it was day outside; afternoon to be more accurate and he was in a large room that looked like an interrogation room. In the room, there were four people with him. Three blondes and…
Bingo! The pinkette!
"Why did Jiraiya have to ask me to allow Sakura and Ino to see our strange visitor?"
In the Hokage's office, Lord Third and Inoichi Yamanaka continued their talk after receiving Jiraiya's letter. Hiruzen Sarutobi had already sent out an ANBU operative to go fetch them.
"I don't know why Ino would want to see him as well." Inoichi replied with a worried face. "May I request that she doesn't get involved, Hokage-Sama?"
"Inoichi, I called them so that we can find out who's involved so that we can act accordingly." The Hokage replied. "As things stand now, we can't choose who's involved or not. But if she isn't, you're free to place constraints on her."
"Hai, Hokage-Sama!" Inoichi turned his attention to the letter. "But this letter is rather bizarre."
"Is it?"
"Hai, Hokage-Sama."
Inoichi scanned through the letter one last time before giving his opinion on it.
Yo, Sensei
Long time no see
Please allow Sakura and Ino here to see that blond prisoner of yours.
In return, I'll give you the next two volumes of icha icha tactics. They haven't been released yet and you'll be the first one to get them.
Thanks as always.
Jiraiya frog smiley
"His assumption that everyone loves his book is rather inaccurate and pitiful, I suppose."
The Third Hokage almost choked on his own smoke on hearing his opinion. He perfectly covered it up by coughing professionally twice before sitting back in his chair facing the window.
"Ah! Pay no mind to it. That's how he is." Hiruzen replied. "I only brought them here to find out the connection between them, and the time travellers."
"Why do you think there's a connection, Hokage-Sama?" Inoichi asked, with the hidden intent of knowing how his lovely daughter could be involved in all that.
"Patience, Inoichi!" The third replied to him as he stood up from his chair. "We'll figure out way more than now if we just ask him. Though at this point, I'll leave you to handle all of this as I've got another meeting that I have to attend now. I expect a report tomorrow at noon."
Inoichi looked at his leader in complete puzzlement. He had just left him with a big load of responsibility so suddenly that he didn't know where to start.
"But, Hokage-Sama—"
"Inoichi, my priorities point to the Chunin exams which are resuming in just under two weeks now. Find out all we need to know about this man and depending on that, we might have to add Ibiki or Shikaku, or both to the team."
The blonde man no longer had a choice because however polite that sounded, it definitely was an order.
"Hai, Hokage-Sama!"
"Good! Then I'll be on my way… Oh what a coincidence, It seems that they have reached."
A small knock was later heard at the door followed by an affirmation of entrance from Hiruzen, loud enough for the two girls outside to hear well.
"We've been summoned, Hokage-Sama!" Sakura. Of the two girls spoke out to the two gentlemen in their midst, only for one of them to go out of her formal mindset.
"Dad! What are you doing here?"
"Well, good luck, Inoichi!" Hiruzen waved off as he gently walked past them all towards the door with no one to stop him or ask where he was going.
•••
"So, Dad is leading the case with Sakura's mystery guardian. That's so cool! I can't wait to—"
"Do what, Ino?" Her father sternly cut her short. "You are not going to have anything part of this whole investigation, or whatever it is however much you're involved."
At this point in time, they had left the Hokage's office for where they had confined their current mysterious prisoner. They reached an old metallic door with a small sliding window. In fact, there were more doors around them but the big one stood out quite more.
"Huh? Why, Dad?"
"It's too dangerous, Ino and I'm not going to allow something that I know that I'll regret knowing that I could have stopped it." Inoichi stopped walking and looked back at his daughter. "I believe you understand it when I say it like that."
In short, Ino didn't want to be left out in this case, but what excuse could she cook up?
"Oh!" A sudden idea popped up in Ino's head.
"What about Sakura?" Ino loudly inquired of her father. "She's going to see him, isn't she?
Inoichi looked perturbed indeed. How far did her daughter want to get involved in this? He, as usual, wanted his daughter to be safe, but it seemed that she did not want any concern.
"Yes, she will see him, but I'll—"
"So you'll protect me too, right Dad?"
Inoichi looked at his daughter with a sigh on his face. His daughter had cornered him in a way that he would not wriggle himself out of. He couldn't explain himself further about how he was going to let Sakura in a place where he couldn't let his own daughter.
"Hurry up, Dad! Let's go!" Ino hopped passed Inoichi towards Sakura who had moved up ahead towards the large door. "Is this where he is?"
Inoichi took a deep breath to force contentment about his daughter coming with him. He didn't have to worry since he would protect her, but the possibility of him being defeated in case of a breakout incident wasn't nil either.
"That's where he was!" He replied. Pointing to a smaller door guarded by two ANBU, he continued talking. "He's been moved here for interrogation."
"Yamanaka-Sama." The two ANBU noticed the trio approaching their way.
"Any changes?"
"Nothing, except constant yelling to request an audience with Hokage-Sama."
"Unfortunately, he'll have to make do with me..." Turning around and looking at the girls once more, perhaps making sure that his company wasn't an illusion, he continued speaking. "...with us!"
"Are you sure, Yamanaka-Sama?" One of the ANBU who had caught up on the same matter, politely asked Inoichi. "He is by no means an ordinary shinobi. If he were to go out of control, casualties are to be expected."
"Then make sure you prepare for that. Get more man power if that is what it takes." The blond man replied. "I'll do my part from inside."
"Understood!" The ANBU replied as the other opened the door for them.
•••
"Hey, Inoichi-San! I thought Ibiki was the one coming next. I'm so glad to see you walking in instea—"
The stranger paused in his talk. His short blond hair still looked well groomed with the Konoha headband around his forehead. For one moment he had an unserious expression on his face just like a certain peer of the two girls before changing to a confused one alongside his sudden pause in speech on seeing the two girls accompanying Inoichi.
"Sakura-Chan? Ino-Chan? What are you doing here?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi, the last border of defence of the village of Konohagakure in case of foreign attack, the one the villagers place their hopes in, the strongest, wisest and the most knowledgeable in the village. He knew of the fate that was coming upon him and this time wasn't like the others, where he knew that he had time. Time had run out for him. He could feel it in his blood, the reaper knocking at his door of life, yet he was able to carry the burden of the village in addition to his. If anyone had known about it, they would have no choice, but to say 'As expected of Lord Third.'
Hiruzen made his way to the Nara compound that was as peaceful as ever. No signs of noise, just peace and calm until…
"YOU LAZY SLOTHS, GET ON YOUR BLOODY FEET AND GO TRAIN FOR KAMI'S SAKE. QUIT LYING AROUND LIKE BEARS AFTER A HEAVY MEAL." A loud female's voice suddenly contaminated the quietness around. "YOU SAID YOU'LL STAY AND OVERSEE SHIKAMARU'S TRAINING. HOW CAN YOU DO THAT WHEN YOU'RE ALL LYING LAZILY LIKE THAT? GO! I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOU IN THIS HOUSE FOR AT LEAST FIVE HOURS."
Not before long, Two people, both having black hair tied into a spiky collection at the back of their heads were sent flying out of the door, landing on the ground near each other before the door closed shut at the same force as the words that were heard. One was older, having scars on his face and a goatee and the other was way younger. He didn't possess the scars and the beard.
"Ahh. Your mother's angry!" Shikaku, the older of the two, groaned as he sat up in a sitting position.
"And whose fault do you think that is?" the younger one, Shikamaru only twisted his body whole to lay on his back. The gentle rays of the sun hit his face and, yes, that's what he wanted, that comfortable position.
"Ah come on Shikamaru. I also wanted to stay home for a while."
"By telling mom that you'll be training me for the chunin exams. Nice work! Now I'm also out of the house."
"I did want to train you, but I felt lazy to do so!" Shikaku got onto his feet, still oblivious to the Hokage's presence, by the way. The father looked down at his son, urging him to get up. "Get up now, or your mother will not have any dinner left for us."
"Ah troublesome. We share a mutual interest, why not– Hokage-Sama?" Shikamaru was shocked to see the old man in their compound, but the effort he used to stand showed absolute laziness. Shikaku as well looked back with surprise.
"Shikaku, Shikamaru! I hope I am not interrupting anything." Hiruzen spoke out with his usual smile. He was guarded by one ANBU, one that was in sight. The rest were definitely out of all sight and other senses.
"Hokage-Sama! Truly a surprise to see you here. Welcome to our home–"
"We were chased out the house remember? Unless he's going to see mom, we can't enter the house!" Shikamaru interrupted his father without care.
"Shikamaru! Don't talk like that in front of the Hokage." said the man who talked like that just moments ago to the same man. The Hokage couldn't help but release a small laugh. "Besides, it's the Hokage, I'm sure your mom can allow us to–"
"AM I STILL HEARING YOU THERE? IF I DO IN THE NEXT MINUTE, NO SUPPER FOR YOU!" Yoshino Nara had no chill. She drove the lazy bones farther away.
"You were saying?" Shikamaru looked up to his father.
"Troublesome!"
"Perhaps we can take this somewhere else!" The third Hokage, with his gentle laugh, told the father-son duo.
•••
"What would you like to talk about, Hokage-Sama?"
Shikaku asked the Hokage who was seated at a table opposite to him. Shikamaru sat at the other side of the table, so each had a whole edge to themselves. They were in the library in the classified section. People who would want to read classified documents would go over there, borrow the document and have a whole room for themselves to read. Then later, they would return them.
"Before I start, I want to confirm if having Shikamaru is here is okay with you." Hiruzen replied Shikaku. "This is a rather bizarre matter."
"Uh! Then I think I'll–" Shikamaru had just stated to speak to find his way out of the grown men's crew when his father interrupted him.
"He's a carefree lad, this one. He'll either have a bit of contribution to the matter or sleep if he finds it boring. I think I'll take this as a method of training him." Shikaku said, looking at his son with a face saying, If I'm not getting time to relax, then you won't either.
"I don't get a say! How troublesome!" Shikamaru sighed and leaned far back in his chair.
"Alright then!" The Hokage said. "Moving straight to the point now, did you feel that ominous presence earlier today?"
"I surely did! There's no way that anyone could have not." Shikaku replied the Hokage suddenly putting on his serious face. "Even Shikamaru here felt it and feared to leave the house."
"Yeah! It was the perfect excuse to stay home, I couldn't let the opportunity go." Shikamaru put in his thoughts before keeping quite to let the adults take over.
"And that, my dear Shikamaru was the right thing to do." Hiruzen then looked over to Shikaku. "Not to worry though, the perpetrator has been caught!"
"Really!" Shikaku questioned in confusion. "Like what? You arrested him?"
"Yes! He's behind bars for now, and no, it's not who you think it is?"
Shikaku looked at the Hokage once and then to Shikamaru. He scratched his head and then turned back to the Hokage.
"I think you might be mistaken, Hokage-Sama! This feeling was the same as that thirteen years ago and the only person that is capable of doing something as such would be…"
Shikaku looked over to his son again, who was watching the ceiling until his father paused in his speech that he looked at him too. He was being attentive, quite unusual for him.
"Who, Dad?" Shikamaru asked as lazily as he was. "Naruto?"
"It seems we are already on the same page here." Hiruzen let out a small chuckle as he informed Shikaku. "Don't you think, Shikaku?"
"It's quite troublesome that your my kid!" Shikaku only took his gaze away from his son and sighed.
"What's more troublesome is how everyone in this village tries to hide it."
"Why didn't you say anything?"
"It's troublesome to ask!"
"Now I see that we can discuss without restraints. Although Shikamaru-kun, make sure that you watch yourself with that information, as it's too big a burden for you to handle." Hiruzen suddenly cut them short to put them back on the original track. "Anyway, it's not Naruto this time round, not exactly perhaps!"
"Not exactly?" Skikaku asked.
"Yes! This stranger is indeed Naruto from a time beyond our own."
"You jest– erm…Hokage-Sama!" The laugh out of Shikaku's mouth could almost not be stopped until he remembered who he was talking to.
"Great! Now we have two of the most troublesome person in konoha. This day just keeps getting better!" Shikamaru sarcastically commented on the Hokage's statement.
"How is it that you believe what I say, Shikamaru?" The Hokage asked Shikamaru, quite shocked at the young lad's statement.
"Well! You're the Hokage! Truly, the statement is so absurd that even now I can believe it up to less than one percent." Shikamaru frankly commented on the Hokage's statement. "But I would rather believe that than think that old age has finally reached the strongest man in Konohagakure!"
"Oi, oi, oi! Shikamaru! Apologise! Right now!" Shikaku suddenly stood up and placed his hand on Shikamaru's head, forcing it down in a bow.
"Haha! It's alright, Shikaku." Hiruzen couldn't help but laugh at the comment that was lashed out towards him. "That's what I expected. I would have been worried otherwise."
"Is it true then, Hokage-Sama?" Shikaku asked.
"Would you like to have a look at Inoichi-San's report?"
Both Shikamaru and Shikaku's eyes lit up. Damn, if there was proof from Inoichi that he was indeed from the future, then there was no mistaking it. Hiruzen continued speaking after taking a look at the father-son duo who were too surprised to talk.
"When he released that aura, he was fighting against another man from the same time as him who has a grudge against Sakura, the future one."
"So he decided to come back in time to kill her when young?" Shikaku asked in confusion. "Does she become that strong?"
"That's the only explanation! Currently, he is being interviewed by Inoichi with Sakura and Ino." Hiruzen continued talking. "That's to find out if anyone other than Sakura is involved."
"Ino?" Shikamaru asked in confusion. "Is she involved?"
"I doubt, but we shall find out more answers when Inoichi submits his report."
Shikaku finally took a deep breath and leaned back into his seat. Even for him, Konoha's current best analytical and tactical mind, this information was too much to take in. looking at Shikamaru, he had done the same ages ago.
"I surely have a lot to ask about that Hokage-Sama, but there's one question that I have to ask and I do request you to hear me out."
"Go on!"
"Why did you tell me… or rather us about this matter?" Shikaku asked the Third Hokage while looking directly in his eyes.
Shikamaru perked up as well. Honestly that was a good question considering the fact that, according to theory, people in the past should not know anything about the future, else they might try to change it, causing drastic effects.
"Actually, the reason I came to talk to you is to answer that question." The Third Hokage suddenly turned serious. "The rest was but an introduction."
The two anxiously waited for the Hokage to tell them the reason. What could be more shocking than time travel itself?
"Do you remember about the Stone of End?"
Shikaku suddenly tensed up. His eyes suddenly narrowed at the Hokage. He did not reply to him, but the very expression itself showed that he did remember. Shikamaru was quite shocked to see his father like that. Although, he patiently waited for the time to ask about that stone. It had taken so long to pay attention to a conversation that closely. After some time of calming down, Shikaku answered the Hokage.
"I can never forget about it. Though, how is this connected?" Shikaku's tone had completely changed. He was more serious than he usually was.
"I found out that one of the travellers has its counterpart, the Stone of Genesis." Hiruzen replied. "I believe it has some connection to this and before I–"
"Sorry for interrupting, Hokage-Sama. I would prefer it if Shikamaru doesn't hear of this." Shikaku, who had suddenly stood up, interrupted with a slight bow and looked over to Shikamaru. All that Shikamaru could see was darkness and fear in his eyes. His father didn't show it, but he still knew.
"Very well!"
Shikamaru didn't have to say anything, let alone wait. He stood up, gave a slight bow, moved outside and closed the door behind him. For once in a long time he wanted to listen to every single detail, but it seemed that even the amount that he had absorbed was already a threat to him.
Once the door closed behind Shikamaru, Shikaku turned to the Hokage.
"So, Lord Third, are you trying to say that your time has come?"
"That's what I mean, Shikaku! I wanted to leave you with the information at least before I– you know…" Hiruzen looked over to Shikaku and replied in affirmation. "And about destroying the stone, we shall have to wait because–"
"–there's a person from the future here in the past." Shikaku finished the Hokage's statement. "I'll find a way to destroy it once he goes back! I'll make no mistake, Hokage-sama!"
"Thank you, Shikaku. You have been the only one I could talk to about all this. Hopefully, you get someone to talk to after I leave."
"I shall, Hokage-Sama, if that's an order."
"Just a word of advice!"
"You know who we are?" Ino asked the blond stranger in the interrogation room. Truly she was surprised that, first of all, he existed. Not that she didn't believe Sakura, it was actually quite hard to believe. Secondly, the stranger knew who she was. That was quite rare in her opinion as she was not one of the strongest ninja that people knew about her. If it was one of her peers, she'd say yes.
"Of course I know who you were, I was part of the–" Naruto suddenly paused in his tracks and started whistling before contradicting his former statement. "I didn't know who you were until your father talked about you, Dattebayo!"
"Nice try!" Ino looked over at him as the other two sat down at the table opposite to him. She delayed to sit, trying to get him to talk somehow. "Dad can never talk about his family at work."
"Then I'm that awesome, 'ttebayo!" Naruto put on self confident smile on his face as he replied. "I got information out of him too!"
The time traveller was obviously constrained with paper seals on his body under his clothes to make it difficult for him to mould chakra. The sheer number of paper seals that were administered to him clearly showed his strength and Inoichi was not a fool to ignore that fact.
This might be Naruto, but not the Naruto that we know! I've got to be careful around him. Inoichi thought only to see his daughter checking him out visibly close.
"W-What is i-it, 'ttebayo?"
"Hmmm!" Ino hummed out. "You do look like Naruto alright! Tell me, do–"
"Ino! What are you doing?" Inoichi angrily at the opposite side of the table stood up and yelled angrily at his daughter.
"What? I was just trying to find out whether he is Naruto."
"Listen, he may be Naruto, but he is not the one you know, he can be a villain, a murderer, a missing nin or even a war monger and until we find out what he truly is, you are not getting near him, understood?"
"Yes, dad!" Ino replied sluggishly as she walked back to sit beside her dad, who was now in between the two girls.
Sakura had not said anything, but couldn't help but take a closer look at the stranger who saved her. He looked more familiar in her eyes every time she took a glance at him. She saw the annoying little boy who's always on her team in him. All the doubts that she had faded.
"Naruto?" Sakura softly called out his name, and despite how soft she spoke, the blond time traveller definitely heard her int the midst of the father-daughter arguments.
"Sakura-Chan?" Naruto responded to her call almost automatically, forgetting that he was trying to feign ignorance for not being Naruto, not that it mattered anyway. The sudden conversation forced the other two to keep quiet to listen to what the two were saying.
"Are you really Naruto?" Sakura asked the stranger.
"Yeah, I am–" Naruto's auto answering was on full auto drive that his speech was a mess filled with visible lies. "–not Naruto. I'm, …hmm… Yes, Toneri. I am Toneri, 'ttebayo."
"You can stop with the act, Naruto. I don't want you to forget that I went through your head." Inoichi, fed up of this whole comedy, told the stranger upfront. He wanted to get his report done as soon as possible and then possibly have Shikaku and probably Choza to help him out after presenting to the Hokage.
"Ehhh? You did?" Naruto spoke up in surprise. His some-what deep voice didn't leave a mark of shouting which was a great improvement from way before. "I thought that Jiji was not going to allow that."
"And why would he not? And perhaps, he already placed this case into my hands so, I could do whatever I wanted." Inoichi then finally went down to business. "Why are you here, Naruto?"
Naruto looked at Inoichi. He didn't want to tell him anything as one bit of information in the past might be catastrophic in the future, only if, of course… he'd erase their memories. But how? He had got a glimpse of one of his father's techniques for memory wiping, though he didn't remember much about it.
But the records have to be in Konoha. I'll make sure that I get to those records before leaving this time to successfully wipe their memories.
"Did you not hear me, Naruto? Why are you here?" Inoichi was insisting for his question to be answered. Naruto simply closed his eyes and looked down, still in doubt whether to answer or not.
"I came to protect Sakura from a man who seeks revenge against her." Naruto replied after having so much to think of. Yep, he was going to steal the records.
"Revenge? What did I do to him? In fact, who is he?" Sakura spoke out in shock and fear.
"You don't know him yet, Sakura-Chan." Naruto replied in a way that seemed reluctant, reluctant to answer her questions. "On a mission, you supposedly killed this man's wife. He sought revenge against you, but you had become stronger than he could match. That's why he decided to end your life when you're still… um… when you're not yet that strong."
Sakura definitely noticed how Naruto tried to avoid calling her weak, but she couldn't complain at all. She couldn't prove her strength to the Naruto that she knew, so how could she to the one from the future. At least she got affirmation that she doesn't remain weak forever.
"I killed a person?" Sakura inquired in disbelief.
"Not yet, but yes. She was not innocent." Naruto assured her. "She smuggled children for the Orochimaru, and she attempted to escape, by the way."
On hearing Orochimaru's name, Sakura could not help but shiver. Her eyes opened wide in terror on remembering what happened to them as team seven in the forest of death. She couldn't forget what that man did to her crush, Sasuke. One that she trusted to the uttermost on her team especially in strength was beaten so ruthlessly that she couldn't bear to watch.
"Sakura? Are you alright?" Ino noticed the change in Sakura's behaviour and out of concern, she reached out to her.
"Ino, why don't you take Sakura over to that table and let her rest?" Inoichi asked his daughter, Ino. "This information must be to much for her to take in."
After the mild movement, Inoichi turned back to Naruto and in a low volume, continued interrogating him.
"So, this man, the one you came with. Does he bear a name?" Inoichi asked Naruto. "What are his fighting techniques, and any more data that you can provide?"
"His name is Jun Akira." Naruto answered as Inoichi jotted down on his paper.
"Jun Akira, huh."
"Yes! He has some ropes, made out of ninja wire I think, that he can control freely. They are so firm that no ordinary weapon can cut through them, except when wrapped in chakra. They are also covered around his body."
"Huh! That's extremely rare." Inoichi commented, not looking away from the notes he was writing. "What was his facial appearance?"
"Hmmm! He has brown hair and a large cut across his face, 'ttebayo!"
"That's it?"
"Yeah! I figured he can change clothes so that's it, 'ttebayo!" Naruto said while smiling.
Inoichi took a deep sigh and nodded in consent. He took a bit more time to finish writing up to where there they had stopped. Once he had finished, he still had more to ask, but hardly had he opened his mouth when a bright light appeared in the room.
"What in the–" Inoichi had began to curse when the light faded from the room.
"YOU!" Naruto angrily shouted at the remnant of the light. Inoichi rubbed an squinted his eyes to ease the effect of the light, only to see the full description of the man that he had just written down minutes ago.
"Jun Akira!"
•••
"Why must you be here, Uzumaki?" The current entry to the room asked of the prisoner that currently dwelled in the room.
Naruto quickly moved to face Akira. His face wasn't showing anything but anger, a total opposite of him that they had seen while investigating.
"Why are you here?" Naruto ignored the pointless question fired at him. "I will not let you harm anyone!"
"Truly, you've been a boulder to my plans!" Jun replied while going into a fighting stance. He held a spear int his hands, the one that he had used to fight off the ANBU on his tail. He launched it towards Sakura. "But for today, I shall not fight you."
"Sakura-Chan!" Naruto cried out as he created a shadow clone. The energy he used was too much because of the multiple paper seals around his body that made it difficult for him to mould chakra and as a result, the shadow clone, however perfect it looked, was quite weak.
Jun hurled the rod towards Sakura, just as the same time Naruto's clone entered its path. Sakura and Ino had already braced for impact and Inoichi was still running towards the girls. The unthinkable happened. Just as when everybody thought that Naruto's clone was going to intercept the rod, the clone was merely popped like a balloon.
"SAKURA-CHAN!" Naruto yelled out on realising that Sakura's life was in danger. Sakura could only manage to give a short lived loud shriek before impact.
"SA–kura-chan!?"
It was extreme puzzlement that came out of the others in the room. A girl that was supposed to be lying in her own blood, remained on her feet, still in her stance of bracing the impact. But before anything else, weren't they glad to see the girl alive!
"Sakura-Chan! You're okay right?" Naruto rushed over and started checking to see if she was alright. Inoichi did the same for his daughter.
"Yeah! I'm fine!"
"Tch! It didn't work?" Jun Akira, from behind them could be heard cursing before a bright light enveloped him once more. "Don't worry Sakura Haruno, I'll definitely have my revenge."
The light receded revealing no more signs of the man.
"Sakura, what happened? I could swear that that spear had gone through you!" Ino asked worriedly.
"I don't know either. For one second, I was waiting for my death and the next, I could see him holding onto the same spear." Sakura shakily replied, trying to gain her composure.
Inoichi looked over to naruto who eyed him back. He knew what he was going to tell him and he was right. The paper seals that he had placed on Naruto would have cost Sakura, and probably his daughter's lives. Before the time traveller would take it out on him, he decided to confront him.
"Hey Naruto! I'm sorry for putting those seals around you. That action clearly almost cost Sakura's life as well as my daughter's." Inoichi sincerely apologised. "I will arrange for them to be removed as soon as possible. And I wish for you to watch over Sakura."
"It's alright Inoichi-San. Thank you for understanding." Naruto, as carefree as he could, replied in his own sense of honesty. "But I don't want to stand out more than I already have!"
"I already have plans for that!"
"Really? What plans?" Naruto asked, eager to listen to the interrogator's plan.
"Have you ever been in the ANBU?"
The third Hokage sat in his chair looking out of the window as he usually did after doing his paper work. He didn't miss a smoke in this lovely late afternoon. The sunset was nigh. He didn't want to forget to go on top of the tower and see it at a wider view than back in the office.
Today's been so long. Hiruzen walked out of his office heading to the roof to take glance at the whole sunset. I sure do hope at least I get a good night's sleep.
The sun crept back behind the western horizon slowly and gracefully. The skies had a nice yellow, orange and red gradient that accompanied the sun into the horizon. The Third Hokage always looked towards the sunset, believing that tomorrow shall come a lot better than today did, than yesterday did, for the flames of Konoha to burn brighter.
"What a beautiful sunset it is! Don't you think so, Tenzo?"
Hardly anyone would have noticed the presence of the ANBU standing behind him. He wore a cat like mask with some green about its sides. Behind him, he knelt and replied in affirmation.
"Surely! Hokage-Sama!"
"I have a feeling you didn't come to watch the sunset with me?" Hiruzen asked in a low voice. "What's the matter?"
"Our mission at the Northern Caves was compromised." Tenzo spoke from beneath his mask. From the sound of his voice, he was clearly fatigued.
"The stone?" The Hokage asked in concern as he turned towards him.
"We don't know the current state of the stone as per now."
"Any idea which people did this?"
"Only one person, Hokage-Sama, we were overwhelmed by only one man." Tenzo replied as his face turned downcast. It was a major embarrassment to have a whole team of ANBU defeated easily by one person.
Hiruzen looked at him with a pipe on his mouth.
"What did he look like?"
"He had black hair and wore a dark robe. He carried a sword at the back of his waist and he was also missing an arm?" The ANBU delivered the information to the leader of Konoha.
"Missing an arm!?"
"Hai, Hokage-Sama."
Hiruzen glared intently at the ANBU behind him and angrily spoke out. "You want to tell me that a full team of Konoha's elite ANBU black ops was thrashed by just a one armed man!"
Tenzo felt the man's anger creeping up inside of him, but he still had to finish his report.
"Hai, Hokage-Sama! And that wasn't all…"
"... he had the Sharingan!"
(Hello guys,
Thank you for reading chapter four, I have nothing much to say about this one indeed.
By the way, someone asked if this was a NaruSaku fanfiction or not…
Definitely not.
For starters, romance isn't in my plans, but if I include some there, there will be not more than small time crushes. Otherwise, I plan to follow canon pairings.
Stay Cool!
Peace out!)