Hi all,
Here's the next chapter. It's been a while since I have posted. I will be posting every week from now on, but I haven't got a set day as to when I will post a chapter yet.
Chapter 5
It was time to escape the Root Compound.
Naruto's eyes opened after leaving his mindscape, immediately catching sight of the lantern suspended from a hook near the entrance. The soft glow it emitted revealed that the steel gate was partially open.
Kabuto did not disappoint him. Despite already showing his ability to enter his cell undetected before, he still found it astonishing how effortlessly Kabuto could navigate through the compound with impunity. He knew it was unlikely that Danzo would give him full access to all areas of the compound. The Hokage seemed intelligent, making it highly improbable for him to trust a criminal such as Kabuto. There was a strong possibility that Orochimaru was present, causing him immense worry. That lunatic was evil.
Naruto retrieved a piece of paper from beneath his pillow. On it was a map of the compound that Kabuto had given him. Not only did the map display all the exits, but Kabuto had also drawn a route devoid of guards. Now it was time to put that theory to the test.
Naruto raised his hands, forming a tiger seal to summon a Shadow Clone. With a soft popping sound, he materialised beside the bed.
"Hey boss, what do you need?"
"It's time to leave this place," Naruto said, handing him the map. "I want you to scout the hallway for me. Follow the route marked on the map. There shouldn't be any opposition, but you should still be cautious. Come back once you've scouted half the route, as we don't have time to check the entire route."
"I got this," the clone said as he ran out of the room.
He regained the ability to use jutsu. Kabuto was correct in that whilst in the cell, he could not perform any jutsu because of the presence of Fuinjutsu seals inlaid on the door. It formed a kind of buffer zone that inhibited the manifestation of chakra. He regained the ability to use jutsu only when the door was open. His mindscape was the sole exception, as it appeared to have its own unique set of rules. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to train with Kurama.
After hearing Kabuto's proposal two weeks ago, his first inclination was to refuse. Although he could sense Kabuto's emotions and discern the truth somewhat, he still couldn't trust the man. Kabuto's actions leading up to the invasion came to light after he had escaped the village. Not only was he found guilty of espionage, as he had been spying on the village for Orochimaru, but he also killed several Anbu operatives.
He had no alternative but to trust him. If Kabuto had another motive that he wasn't aware of, he would worry about it later. His priority was to leave before Danzo grew restless and resorted to even more drastic measures to brainwash him.
He performed a hand seal to deactivate the chakra weights attached to his arms and legs, instantly feeling the burden on his body easing. Fu had him training with the weights for the last week, never letting him remove them. Despite the significant improvement they his physical conditioning, it was not advisable to wear they would only be a burden during the
Naruto tensed at the sound of loud footsteps but immediately relaxed when he realised it was his clone coming back. "Why are you making so much noise?"
"Boss, no need to worry. There is no one here," he assured, waving the map with a cheerful smile.
"Oh? Did you check the entire building in such a short amount of time? That's truly impressive."Naruto asked, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
"Ah..."
"Never mind," Naruto sighed and recalled the clone.
Unfortunately, his clones were significantly less intelligent than him. This hindered his ability to trust them with complex tasks, as he had to provide them with detailed and explicit instructions. They behaved precisely as he portrayed himself to others. Seeing it from an outsider's perspective made him cringe.
He rose from his bed and made his way towards the door. Even though the clone had scouted ahead, he remained alert for anyone who may still be in the area.
As he was about to step out of his prison, a thought struck him. He bit his thumb and weaved a series of hand signs before firmly pressing his hand against the ground. In an instant, a small puff of white smoke appeared, revealing an orange toad.
"Yo Naruto!" Gamakichi raised a foreleg and gave a salute. "How's everything going?"
"Not bad, considering all the shit I have had to deal with," Naruto said. "I am making my escape. Could you do me a favour and let Jiraiya know? I might need his help once I have made it outside."
"What a coincidence. Jiraiya is outside the compound at this very moment, getting ready to rescue you."
"Seriously?" It was a relief to know that at least one person cared about him. "Well then, let him know that I'll meet him there."
"I got it," Gamakichi replied. "Get ready for some serious chaos. Jiraiya is not messing around."
"I sure hope he can handle himself," Naruto said. "Let him know Kabuto aided in my escape. He is currently living within the compound. As for Orochimaru, I am unsure of his whereabouts, but he is likely staying here as well."
"That seems kinda sus," Gamakichi said. "Alright, I'm outta here."
Gamakichi vanished with a quiet pop, and Naruto stepped into the corridor. He consulted the map once more and then set off down the corridor. Despite his best efforts to quiet his footsteps, they still reverberated loudly through the eerily silent building. It appeared abandoned, but that was because Kabuto cleared the path for him.
A row of lanterns attached to the walls provided the sole source of light, casting some areas into shadow. Have they ever heard of technology? Perhaps their lack of access to electricity in this compound was a deliberate measure, implemented to maintain secrecy.
Naruto walked for a few minutes, navigating through a maze of corridors and ascending several flights of stairs. He noticed the absence of windows, which fueled his suspicion that the compound was located underground. What better way to hide a secret organisation than to build it beneath the ground?
According to the map, he was only two more floors below where the exit was located. As he neared the next staircase, a figure detached from the shadows, revealing a man standing there.
"Damn it!" Naruto cursed.
"How did you escape?" Fu inquired. He wore a heavy cloak, suggesting that he had returned from a trip outside.
"Sorry, but that's highly classified information," Naruto replied, assuming his fighting stance.
"No matter. I shall have ample time to uncover the truth once I conclude administering your punishment," Fu stated. "I was too lenient with you."
"Not from my perspective," Naruto snapped back. "Let's get this fight underway. I have other places to be."
Fu imitated him, assuming an offensive stance. "Do you really believe that you can defeat me? Despite the advancements you have made in your training, it still falls considerably short of being able to pose a challenge to me."
"We will see about that," Naruto replied.
Fu was prepared to confront him using Taijutsu. Given their current location, this seemed like the most prudent choice. They did not want to bring the building down on them by using any destructive jutsu. It was helpful for Naruto since they were less likely to draw attention from other Root operatives.
His chakra tendrils emerged from him, invisible as they reached out and latched onto Fu. Their appearance had changed from before, now resembling a pair of crude chains. Though they were not complete, the foundation of their final evolution was there.
After discovering his unique chakra, Kurama proposed a theory about where it came from. The Uzumaki clan possessed a sealing technique known as the Adamantine Sealing Chains, which involved generating chains made of their chakra that extended from their bodies. These chains were primarily used to bind and immobilise targets, and they were so strong that they could even restrain Kurama.
Kurama realised that the chakra he shared similarities with these chains, although it had undergone some kind of mutation and became its own distinct form of chakra. As soon as he heard about the chains, it was strange how they seemed to form naturally outside of his body. It wasn't a conscious effort, but some innate ability that was triggered after his understanding of the chains was unlocked.
He decided to name them Adamantine Sensing Chains. They could not restrain targets, but they possessed they could perceive people's emotions and intentions. With the chains, he found it easier to maintain his connection to a target, and their reach had doubled. His reserves of the unique chakra were significantly lower compared to the other two, but he was still able to sustain the chains for a decent amount of time.
Naruto conjured two shadow clones that positioned themselves on each side of him. The corridor proved too narrow to accommodate any more clones, not that he needed them. His Taijutsu style in its current iteration operated best with a pair of clones. Adding any more clones would cause his form to deteriorate.
Fu made his preparations by removing his cloak. He then reached behind his back to retrieve a weapon. Naruto eyed it with caution, as he had never seen Fu wield it before. The weapon in question was a tanto, a smaller version of a katana. Fu's tanto looked different from a normal one, however, featuring a straight double-edged blade without a tip. With its range, Naruto knew he had to exercise extra caution when engaging Fu at close quarters.
"By the way, did you know that I originally come from the Yamanaka clan?" Fu inquired.
"You still want to chat?" Naruto asked. "Alright, I'll humour you. I couldn't help but notice your peepers resemble those of Ino from my academy class. Large blue eyes with no pupils."
"Just like the Hyuga, we Yamanaka also share similar eye traits with the rest of the clan."
"Where is this conversation heading?"
Fu disregarded him, persisting in continuing with his monologue. "Our clan is known for our Mind Transfer Jutsu, which enables us to swap bodies with our target."
"That's creepy," Naruto exclaimed. "Are you telling me you could take control of Danzo's body and make him play with himself? I bet that would really get your rocks off."
"Don't insult Lord Hokage," Fu admonished, before resuming his speech. "Unfortunately, the jutsu is completely useless against you. Your status as the Jinchuuriki prevents me from taking over your body. If I attempt it, the Kyuubi is likely to destroy my mind."
"Well, at least the fox is good for something," Naruto quipped. "Appreciate the intel, you absolute moron."
"You're the boss! Give it to him!" The shadow clones cheered.
"Even if I explained all of my strengths and weaknesses to you, it won't make a difference," Fu commented. "I felt like giving you a fair chance, but then you had to be mouthy."
Naruto was about to respond when a deafening explosion reverberated through the entire building. Fu, momentarily distracted, instinctively looked up at the dust falling from the ceiling. However, Naruto, anticipating a disturbance of this nature, remained focused.
Seizing the opportunity, he charged forward and delivered a hard punch at Fu's midsection. Fu skillfully evaded the blow by twisting his waist to the side. Naruto's two clones appeared at that moment and swiftly joined the fight against Fu. The three individuals launched a series of attacks against Fu, pushing him into a defensive position.
Naruto named his Taijutsu style the Reverse Maelstrom Style after spending a significant amount of time carefully deciding on the name. First, his name meant Maelstrom. He refused to acknowledge the other interpretation. Second, it reflected the chaotic nature of his fighting style, which was an improvised fighting style that integrated shadow clones into it. The name also paid tribute to his skill in countering adversaries' attacks by anticipating their next attack. Through dedicated practice over the last fortnight, he had significantly honed his ability to harness his chains and predict Fu's movements.
The Reverse Maelstrom Style comprised two stances: the Offensive Shadow Clone stance and the Defensive Counter stance. He would use the first stance against weaker opponents to swiftly defeat them with the help of his shadow clones. As for the latter, he would use it when faced with stronger adversaries, relying on counterattacks to secure the upper hand. The only reason he was employing the offensive stance against Fu was because he knew he couldn't win with either, so he would rather use his clones.
The style was not perfect by any means, however, there was a solid foundation to build upon.
He hated admitting it, but the counter-attacking stance bore a striking resemblance to the Uchiha style. Sasuke used his doujutsu to anticipate the movements of his adversaries and effectively counter their attacks. Both styles have the same weakness. It didn't matter if you could predict an opponent's moves if your body couldn't keep up with them.
Fu launched a powerful high kick at Naruto, who quickly crossed his arms to defend his body. Despite his efforts, the force of the kick sent Naruto sliding back a few feet. Seizing the opportunity, Fu swiftly destroyed the two clones with his tanto. Before Naruto could summon more Shadow Clones, Fu sped up and closed in on him.
It was now Naruto's turn to defend himself, skillfully evading, ducking, and swaying out of the sharp tanto's reach. His ability to anticipate Fu's movements was the only thing keeping him from being impaled like a pig. Still, Naruto felt himself being pushed back by Fu's relentless assault. He couldn't even launch a counterattack.
The tanto sliced through his sleeve, leaving a long scratch on his arm. Naruto winced, but he refused to be distracted by the pain. Fu continued to increase his speed and intensity, steadily breaching Naruto's defences with each passing moment. Naruto was cut again, this time on his chest, and the wound was slightly deeper.
Naruto needed to do something. There wasn't enough time for him to play around because the longer the fight went on, the higher the chances were that he wouldn't be able to escape the compound. He knew it was impossible to defeat Fu at his current level. It was time for him to reveal his secret weapon. First, he needed to create an opening.
As Fu thrust forward with his tanto, aiming for his stomach, Naruto improvised. He allowed it to stab him, and Fu's eyes widened a touch, incredulous that his opponent would allow himself to be stabbed. It was the first sign of emotion from the man. After the split hesitation, Naruto head-butted him in the face, breaking his nose and sending blood flying.
Fu staggered backwards, clutching his face in pain. At that moment, Naruto seized the opening and swiftly extracted the tanto from his stomach. Despite the excruciating agony, Naruto remained stoic, betraying no other outward signs of distress. For Naruto, enduring suffering was nothing new, considering the countless torments he had already weathered at the hands of the very man confronting him now.
"That was unexpected," Fu acknowledged. "I never thought you would go to such lengths to gain an advantage. It's still not enough, though. It's time to stop holding back."
"That's amusing," Naruto growled, his voice laced with a potent intensity. "I was just about to say the same thing."
A vibrant cloak of crimson chakra enveloped his body, accompanied by the appearance of two distinctive tails. "Get ready to face your reckoning, you bastard."
This marked the culmination of all his hard work. He successfully gained the ability to maintain two tails while in his Tailed-Beast mode. Every aspect of his physical capabilities experienced a substantial surge, including a massive increase in his chakra reserves. Although he could only sustain this state for a short period, it was more than sufficient to match Fu. The major disadvantage of it is his inability to maintain a connection with his Adamantine Sealing Chains, forcing him to rely solely on his heightened instincts while it was active.
Naruto swiftly disappeared and then materialised directly in front of Fu, as if he had teleported. Surprised by the turn of events, Fu could not react in time. Naruto delivered a forceful uppercut to Fu's chin, propelling him into the air. But before he could hit the ceiling, one of Naruto's tails grabbed him and forcefully slammed him back down to the ground.
Fu gasped for air as Naruto repeatedly lifted him and slammed him down. The relentless assault left no time to recover. To get away, Fu reached into his pouch and retrieved a smoke as Naruto was about to lift him into the air once more, Fu threw the bomb directly at his face. The explosion engulfed Naruto, causing him to howl in pain as his eyes burned from the stinging smoke. Naruto released Fu and took a step back. The corridor filled with smoke, making it difficult for them to see each other.
Wincing, Fu got to his feet. In an instant, the fight had turned on his head. The disorientation from being slammed repeatedly into the ground was affecting his skills, and it felt like he had broken several ribs. He quickly asserted that he was outmatched and that he needed to escape and get reinforcements. He turned around and ran away.
"Get over here!" Naruto roared. One of his tails had extended out and latched onto Fu's throat. The man gasped as it lifted him into the air, limbs flailing as he struggled to breathe.
Not only that, but the corrosive chakra was gradually eating away at his skin, akin to acid. He was utterly powerless, slowly succumbing to his impending demise, which promised to be excruciating. Uzumaki was exacting his revenge for all the abuse he endured. When he was reaching the limit of his ability to cope with the pain, he suddenly heard a snap, followed by a comforting descent into darkness.
Naruto placed the lifeless body of Fu on the floor, his mind torn between two conflicting emotions. The first was a feeling of horror and realisation that he had just taken someone's life for the very first time. The second emotion, which overshadowed the first, was a sense of elation in finally getting revenge against the man who made him endure so much.
A sudden shout interrupted his thoughts, causing him to turn around. The forces were gathering, likely in response to the commotion outside. Realising it was time to leave, Naruto swiftly moved forward, making his way towards the exit.
Ten minutes earlier.
Hidden within a small cluster of trees on the outskirts of the village, a group of Shinobi were scrutinising a clearing with a tall boulder sitting in the centre of it. Little did others know the boulder concealed the entrance to the Root compound. The location, situated in the Forest of Death, was one of the most isolated areas in the village. It was the ideal hiding spot, as there would be fewer chances of the Root operatives being spotted coming and going from the compound. Those who were too curious and investigated this place further were likely to vanish without a trace. Since there were countless dangerous beasts inhabiting the forest, the disappearances were likely attributed to them.
"Prepare yourself," Jiraiya commanded. "As soon as we receive the signal, we will proceed with the mission."
Standing alongside him were five Shinobi: Hiashi Hyuga, Inoichi Yamanaka, Choza Akimichi, Maito Gai, and Anko Mitarashi. All of them were part of the group of defectors that were leaving the village, each driven by their own personal motivations.
They were one of three teams, each with a specific mission. The Suna Retrieval team had the first task - to rescue the Kazekage's children and cause an explosion as a diversion. This would serve as a signal for Jiraiya's team, who were going to rescue Naruto, while also causing some and revealing the Root compound to the village.
The two disturbances happening right after one another would give Danzo a headache, and he would have to hurriedly deal with the aftermath. He definitely wouldn't want his secret Root operations to be revealed, particularly at such an early stage in his role as Hokage.
This will enable the third team, comprising the remaining Shinobi and their family members, to escape the village. The former commander, Shikaku Nara, was leading this group. They will use a secret exit that only a few people know about to escape from the Anbu. All their belongings were going with them, sealed within storage scrolls.
"I can see five Root operatives positioned around the building, keeping out of sight," Hiashi said, his eyes bulging as he tapped into the power of his Byakugan. "The scale of the compound is surprising. How was Danzo able to construct it under the Hokage's watchful eye?"
"Maybe Hiruzen already knew?" Jiraiya said, his foot tapping against the ground.
He was impatient to enter the compound and rescue Naruto. He hated waiting all this time, but he knew it was logical to wait until he gathered some allies. Still, he couldn't help feeling guilty for leaving Naruto alone in the compound for so long. He was also terrified that something bad might have happened to Naruto, even though he had faith in the kid's ability to handle himself.
"Do you truly desire it to go down this way?" Tsume growled, showing off her fangs.
Sitting beside her was her faithful companion, Kuromaru. The huge canine came up to her chest in height and wore an eyepatch over one eye. It was he who located the compound, with the help of Hiashi Hyuga.
"Yes," Jiraiya said shortly.
"I understand the importance of getting away from Danzo," Choza grunted, "but it is still distressing to leave the village behind like this."
"We are all aware of Danzo's many crimes," Maito Gai declared, offering an encouraging thumbs-up. "The village no longer possesses its former youthful vigour. Therefore, we must establish a new village embodying the essence of springtime and youth."
"Ugh, can we not let him be in charge?" Anko groaned, munching on some Dango. "I swear, we'll all end up dressed in green spandex with ridiculous bowl-cut hairstyles."
Jiraiya was on the verge of snapping at them to treat the situation seriously when Fukasaku materialised out of a billow of white smoke. The Shinobi instinctively tensed, expecting an imminent assault, but relaxed upon realising who it was.
"Fukasaku, what on earth are you doing here?" Jiraiya exclaimed.
"Jiraiya, my dear boy, I came bearing a message from one of the younger toads — Gamakichi."
"Naruto's personal summon?"
"That's correct," Fukasaku replied. "Naruto has grown tired of waiting for you to save him and has taken matters into his own hands by escaping on his own."
Jiraiya had to stop himself from shouting in surprise. "How on earth did he escape?"
"He found an unlikely ally in Kabuto Yakushi."
Anko leaned down and hoisted Fukasaku, vigorously shaking him. "If Kabuto is there, then his master cannot be far behind. Tell me, is Orochimaru inside?"
"Naruto doesn't know," Fukasaku gasped, desperately trying to break free from her grip. "But, given that Kabuto is a medic-nin and Orochimaru's arms need medical attention, it's safe to assume that he is nearby."
"This is troubling," Jiraiya grimaced. "I never expected his presence here."
Anko released Fukasaku, causing him to fall to the ground. "I knew I made the right decision to leave the village. It's no surprise that a man like Danzo would collaborate with Orochimaru."
"This is indeed troubling," Hiashi stated. "Do you think Danzo played a part in the invasion?"
There was a brief pause as they considered the extent of Danzo's betrayal. It made sense that he had a hand in it. The rapidity with which Danzo rose to power as the new Hokage was suspicious.
"It changes nothing," Jiraiya said. "We still need to leave this place."
"It would have been easier if we just assassinated Danzo," Anko grumbled.
"You're speaking nonsense," Hiashi stated calmly. "Assassinating the Hokage is a profound violation, regardless of his actions. It is important to acknowledge that Danzo has the support of the Daimyo. If such an act were to occur, his police force would carry out an investigation, and the Daimyo would take command of the village until they identified the culprits."
A powerful explosion sounded in the distance, immediately capturing their attention. It served as a signal for them to proceed with the mission.
Jiraiya commanded, "Let's go. Anko and Gai, your job is to eliminate the guards protecting the building and then stand guard. Choza, you know what you have to do. The rest of us will infiltrate the compound. Should we encounter Orochimaru, I will handle him. Your focus should be on rescuing Naruto."
Maito Gai left first, the speed at which he disappeared shocking. He reappeared in front of the building, with his hands on his hips. "Hello, my youthful friends. I want to spar with you.."
"You moron," Anko shouted, appearing beside him. "Who starts a fight like that?"
Four of the five Root operatives emerged from their concealed positions, their faces hidden behind white masks. Without uttering a word, they split into pairs and engaged Maito Gai and Anko separately. The fifth operative tried to escape, but Hiashi crushed him with Gentle Fist Style.
Against the backdrop of the intense battle, Choza Akimichi executed his expansion jutsu, transforming into a colossal giant that dwarfed the surrounding trees. His task was simple. He needed to use his immense strength and obliterate the boulder concealing the entrance to the compound.
The boulder held an intricate Fuinjutsu Array, preventing them from a swift entry. Jiraiya could unravel it given sufficient time, but time was a luxury they didn't have. He still spotted a vulnerability at the top of the boulder. If enough force was applied to the top of the boulder, it could cause the entire thing to crumble to pieces.
Sure, using Choza was an extreme measure that would likely attract attention. However, the village was already dealing with the other commotion, so Jiraiya wanted to take a chance. He wanted Danzo to struggle to hide the existence of his compound from the public.
"I recommend we move this battle, my friend," Maito Guy suggested, effortlessly evading a fireball unleashed by one of his adversaries. "Or else Choza will trample us beneath his feet."
Maito Guy swiftly seized his two opponents and employed Shunshin to teleport away from the clearing. Anko skillfully disentangled herself from her adversaries and commanded her snakes to ensnare them. She copied Maito Guy and took her opponents away. They would dispatch them quickly and return to keep an eye out.
Choza's massive foot came crashing down onto the boulder, causing immediate cracks to form. The boulder withstood the impact barely. Choza remained undeterred, raising his foot once again to stomp on the boulder. This time, the boulder succumbed to Choza's power, shattering into pieces.
Jiraiya patiently waited for Choza to cancel his transformation before making his move. A stubborn piece of the boulder remained intact. With a swift motion, Jiraiya produced a Rasengan and charged towards the remaining boulder. The impact of his attack instantly shattered the boulder into fragments. It revealed a staircase descending into the ground.
Hiashi, Choza, and Tsume gathered next to him by the stairs.
"Remember, we get Naruto and get out," Jiraiya reminded them. "We are on a tight schedule."
They descended the staircase and swiftly moved through to the first floor to locate the stairs to the next floor. It was unfortunate that the stairs were not all in the same location, likely as a precaution to slow people down, either from entering or escaping. As they were passing a room that served as a cafeteria, Hiashi shouted out a warning.
A head emerged from the ground, followed by the rest of the body. The individual was a Root operative, though noticeably shorter than others, suggesting they were still young. He wore an unusual top, with its lower half absent, revealing an exceptionally pale stomach. There was a huge scroll on his back, looking similar to what Jiraiya carried around.
"Are you infiltrating the compound?" He asked curiously. He appeared unperturbed by their sudden appearance.
"He is just a kid," Choza exclaimed.
"Danzo prefers to recruit them at a young age," Jiraiya said "It allows him to manipulate them easier and shape them into emotionless tools"
"Let's dispose of him and keep going," Hiashi stated.
"We are not going to hurt him," Choza asserted. "Let's just knock him out and continue forward."
"Kind of reminds me of Orochimaru with his skin colour," Tsume said, and Karomaru barked in agreement.
"I ran away from Orochimaru," Sai calmly explained. "It seems like he wanted to use me to gain a new body, but I managed to hide from him. After the commotion you caused outside, they left in a hurry."
"He must be getting desperate to get a new body. Where did Orochimaru go?" Jiraiya asked quickly.
Before the Root operative answered, an individual enveloped in an orange cloak delivered a powerful blow to him from behind. As a result, the operative face-planted into the ground while his assailant loomed over them.
"How's that for an entrance?" Naruto smirked.
"Naruto!" Jiraiya shouted. "It's good to see you are okay."
Kuromaru nervously stepped behind Tsume, releasing a low growl.
"Why is he releasing the Kyuubi's chakra?" Hiashi asked, his tone filled with caution.
"It's perfectly fine," Jiraiya reassured Hiashi. "It's known as Tailed-Beast mode, where the Jinchuuriki has learnt to harness the Biju's chakra."
Something dawned on him, and he spun around to confront Naruto. "Hold on, how on earth did you harness the Kyuubi's chakra?"
Naruto dispelled the cloak and reverted to his original form."Should we be having this discussion right now?"
"You're right, we need to get out of here," Jiraiya said, turning to the downed Root operative. "What are we going to do with him?"
"My name is Sai," the boy replied, sitting up and looking at Naruto. "I will call you Little Prick."
So, what do you think? Next chapter, Sasuke has an encounter with Itachi, and the group make their escape from Konoha.
Thanks for reading.
