Chapter 328: Maelstrom
n. a situation or state of confused movement or violent turmoil.
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Naruto awoke to a world of carnage. Metal clashed within the distance while bodies littered the ground around him, most of them sleeping but several of them were bleeding.
"Wha? What's happening Sakura?" he managed to gasp as he vigorously rubbed the sleep from the corners of his eyes.
"I'll explain in a second, I need to get to Shikamaru," whispered Sakura as she crawled across the sticky arena floor. Naruto took the time that Sakura was gone to take in what was happening around him. Nins brawled throughout the arena and he could see large summons within the distance.
Why were they attacking each other? What had happened to Sasuke?
"Naruto!" exclaimed Sakura in a hushed shout, as she gestured for Naruto to join her, Shikamaru, and a little doggy. "Kaka-sensei has an A-rank mission for us!"
"What!" exclaimed Naruto, excitement beating through him, as he narrowed his attention to the information that Sakura reported. At least this made sense in the world of chaos that he had awoken in.
"We need to get Sasuke, he was sent after Gaara, and then go to the caves," Sakura reported, the dog beside her nodding along in agreement.
"Yosh! Let's go!"
Amongst the bedlam Baki stuck to his plan. He dealt minimal damage to the enemy, and constantly rotated among the Sand Troops to keep them in line. A flash of gray caught Baki's eye with just enough warning to dodge under the barrage of shuriken that rained down on where he had just stood.
Baki rolled under the next swipe of knife that swung at his head. Asuma Sarutobi stood over him, a grin tugging at his lips as he bit down on his lit cigarette.
"Fancy meeting you here," Asuma drawled deflecting Baki's answering strike, glee twinkling in his countenance.
"Hmm," grunted Baki, his own lips ticking upwards.
"We never did get that Genmaicha the other day, did we?" Asuma questioned, retaliating with an answering kata strike.
"Damn Snake," agreed Baki, dodging. With a laugh Asuma struck out with a glancing strike of his knife that drew a thin line in Baki's cheek.
"Konoha doesn't seem to have gone soft, like our intel suggested?" queried Baki, his foot catching Asuma in the chest.
"Oof," groaned Asuma, absorbing the blow, "our intel seemed to have been more reliable."
Baki flashed a dangerous grin before parting ways to protect his comrades.
Konoha was quick in organizing their troops, thought Temari as she glanced around the forest, silently tracking the numerous genin in pursuit. Gaara was propped lifelessly between his two older siblings, his wound no longer gushing blood as it had been.
"How many are there?" asked Kankuro between clenched teeth as he shuffled his puppet higher on his shoulder.
"At least 2?" guessed Temari, "maybe more?"
"Why are they following us?" complained Kankuro, "don't they realize we are trying to save them by getting Gaara out of here before he passes out!"
"Maybe because our troops have invaded their village and they are trying to stop everyone involved?" drily observed Temari, huffing a bitter laugh at Kankuro's scoff.
They quickly pulled to a stop as Gaara's black-haired opponent managed to get ahead of them. Gaara groaned at the sudden speed change that jarred his wounded shoulder.
"Ugh," grumbled Kankuro, "I guess I'll take this guy."
"Wow, so selfless," groused Temari, taking Gaara's weight on her shoulders. Kankuro snickered and saluted his sister, she rolled her eyes before disappearing in a flash of chakra.
"Saskue," called a soft voice beside them. Both nins startled as they turned towards the newest arrival.
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