As Hidan ran across the ocean waves, the sea water remained relatively calm, providing a welcome relief from the strain on his stitched-together body. Finally reaching the ship, Hidan scanned the back and spotted the name: Prestige. With a sigh of relief, he clicked his palms together, grateful to have avoided a potential jail cell for both himself and Sarada.

Calling out to the side of the ship, Hidan was met by the sight of two crew members who wielded strange-looking sticks emitting smoke. "Halt there, stranger. Who goes there?" one of the crew members demanded, while others held out lanterns to get a better view of Hidan.

Taking a step forward, Hidan raised his voice.

"Whatever you guys have in your hands, I pray you don't use them."

"Speak up! Your name! Quickly!" Shouted a different man, a hint of authority in his voice as he appeared more regal, and cleaner than the rest of the crew.

Clearing his throat, Hidan identified himself.

"My name is Hidan. Hidan Mimimuza. I'm a former member of the Akatsuki, and I have been traveling with Sarada Uchiha of the Uchiha clan."

At hearing Hidan's words, the regal man motioned for his sailors to lower their weapons, and throw a ladder over the side of the deck. Smirking, Hidan thankfully remarked,

"How kind of you, but that won't be necessary," With little effort, the exhausted Semi-Immortal effortlessly leaped aboard the Prestige. The seasoned sailors stood by his side as the regally-dressed man approached him welcomingly.

"So, you're Hidan? The one Sarada told us she would be arriving with?" Inquired the man.

Hidan simply nodded his head in response.

Regally dressed man spoke up.

"Well, allow me introduce myself. My name is Captain Jinn Wan-"

Hidan finished his sentence for him.

"Jinn Wanta." Wanta nodded in acknowledgment as he welcomed Hidan aboard his ship. Stepping toward the deck's edge, Jinn's voice spoke out with concern.

"And where is Sarada?"

Hidan's eyebrows furrowed with his own concern as he pointed an index finger back toward the mainland of the Fire Country.

"Have you kept your ears closed?, Hidan spoke irritatingly.

" Did you hear that thunderous noise early? That was not a devine phenomenon that was just happening, that was a Kage level duel you were hearin. But since it has gone quiet, Mrs. Crimson Creep Eye should be hear soon. Unless she lost."

Jinn's curiosity was piqued.

"Who was she fighting?" Jinn asked.

"Her mother, Sakura Uchiha," Hidan replied with a bored tone.

Jinn's eyes widened in surprise at the revelation.

"I see. Then there's a chance she could have been caught?" Jinn speculated.

Hidan couldn't help but snicker as he spoke out with a speculative tone.

"Well, I don't know Sarada that much, but she does give off a badass vibe. Sakura? Well, in the past, I briefly learned that she was supposedly the weakest of the trio of herself, Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha, so I don't really know."

Jinn weighed his options, knowing time was of the essence.

"I can't wait much longer. The sun will begin rising in a couple more hours, and my ship is in the open seas."

Hidan protested, puzzled by Jinn's sudden urgency. "What do you mean?"

Jinn went on to explain his predicament

"You see, Hidan, my ship is in Fire Country waters, and what im doing here is not exactly legal. My shipping license only permits me to Captain the waters between the Mist Village and the Lightning Village,"

With a firm resolve, he concluded, "I'll give her thirty minutes. After that, we anchor off and set sail for Kirigakure."

Hidan scoffed as she leaned on ship barrels.

"Sure, Im positive shell be here. Nobody with eyes like hers will lose."

As time slowly passed, Hidan's nerves began to fray.

"Damn, The She bitch is sure cutting it close! Seriously, am I going to have to kill these merchant assholes to buy you time, Sarada?"

The stitched up man's heart raced, and an uncomfortable wave of dizziness washed over him.

"Speaking of time," muttered the weakened immortal,

"I need to perform a blood ritual sooner rather than later, or im looking forward to collapsing into a wet bag of shit!"

Meanwhile, Jinn scanned the horizon through a telescope, but the view offered little information. Shaking his head in frustration, he realized that the allotted time had come to pass.

"Alright, men, Ready the sails! pull the anchor!" Jinn commanded.

Hidan's eyes widened in disbelief.

"What in Satans gay asshole? It's been a half an hour already?" Hidan questioned, looking up at Captain Wanta.

"Sorry, Mimimuza, but other ships will start to sail soon. I have to get out of these waters," Jinn replied apologetically, his tone laced with urgency.

Before Hidan could protest, a crew member from the crow's nest shouted, "Ahoy, Captain! We have a person approaching on starboard side of the ship!"

The small crew immediately shined their lanterns and flashlights toward the lethargically paced figure. Hidan's eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"What in Jashin's ass hairs?" he muttered, his voice tinged with tension and apprehension.

As Sarada's feet slowly traversed the roughening waters, a storm was approaching. Gentle rain droplets fell all around as rumbling thunder could be heard in the near distance. Hidan rushed to the deckside, his expression mirroring Jinn's questioning look.

Sarada made a labored leap onto the deck, barely catching herself as she landed heavily, gasping heavily for air. A lone sailor apporached her side, asking if she was alright.

Sarada shot a spine-chilling glare directly at the Sailor making him fall over in freight. Hidan only watched in awe, feeling his heart pump in ways he never thought possible. He blushed and chuckled to himself, incredulous at the sight before him.

Meanwhile, Sarada stood up and limped up the cabin stairs up to the ships helm, coming face to face with the fear-riddled Captain Winn.

"Sorry to keep you anxiously waiting, Captain Winn," she began, her voice carrying a dangerous edge, "based on our agreement, I trust you have us sailing straight for Hawthornshire?"

Winn, taken aback, straightened himself out. "Well, Sarada, you see, I um..." He struggled to find the right words.

Finally gathering his courage, he continued, "You see, Miss Sarada Uchiha, we ran into some issues with marine laws with our ships inventory at Kaminari no Kuni, and to avoid any suspicion, I had to sell nearly all my shipping supplies there. So, we must reload our goods at Kirigakure before I can sail you to Aldermark an-"

Before Winn could finish his explanation, Sarada seized him by his throat, her broken form radiating newfound power. She briskly walked him over to the ship's edge and hung his flaying body over the side of the deck. She resonated with an animalistic predatory aura permeating the air with terrifying tension. Nobody was her equal in the fear, or in intimidation that she could produce.

One crew member shouted out, "Stop, Captain! Bring him back aboard, Witch!" Sailors drew their Guns, others drawing their swords, and the crew approached Sarada with hostile intent. Just before tensions escalated further, Hidan jumped between the wounded Uchiha, and the belligerent sailors, spreading his arms out.

"In Jashin's name or whatever other false God you morons worship, I suggest you all lower that idiotic courage of yours right now. I Don't want to kill you before you've had time to repent in Jashin's name in this world,"

Hidan cackled. The crew settled down and lowered their weapons as Hidan smiled and side eyed Sarada dangling Winn overboard. "Anyways, this is just too entertaining for you damn sea rats to interfere with. This beastie is in need of doing beastly things!" he declared.

Sarada's face contorted with a wicked gleam, her eyes flashing with intense fury. Winn yelped out with a dreaded panic fearing for his life,

Listen, Sarada, i'm sorry, okay? I really had no choice in this, i swear! But, um, its just a slight delay, just half a day, I promise! You won't have to get off the ship, and neither will Mimimuza,"Winn pleaded, his voice tinged with panic and urgency.

Sarada head shifted eerily back and forth, her gaze piercing as Winn pleaded for her understanding. With a vexed grunt, she violently slammed Winn back onto the deck by the ships helm, the impact causing the captain to cough out blood.

"You better understand that I'm about to become the most hunted shinobi across all the Gokage Nations. And if you dare to waste my time, Winn, mark my words, you'll have far more to lose than just your precious merchant sea license," Sarada hissed, her tone dripping with venomous threat.

Winn stood up, clearing his throat. "A half-day, Sarada. I promise, then Aldermark or the oceans depth's!"

Sarada manifested a malevolent glare as her head slowly turned downward, her tone and body language pacifying, as her adrenaline mellowed.

"I hope my and Hidan's lodging is what i paid for?"

Winn shook his head up a down, as he sighed with grand relief.

"Yes, my cabin boy will take you. Its a room comfortable enough for two. Please, let us get underway, Sarada! The sun will rise soon!"

Sarada's voice turned low and vulnerable as she questioned Winn,

"How long till we reach Kirigakure?"

Composedly Winn replied, "Five hours in calm waters, but with this approaching storm, I roughly estimate eight hours."

With that, Sarada began to walk down to the main deck, with Hidan following closely behind. The cabin boy navigated for the two as they descended below ship decks, ready for whatever lay ahead.

The cabin boy bid both Sarada and Hidan a good voyage before shutting the door behind them. The room, relative to the ship's size, was surprisingly spacious, with two single beds placed across each other, providing ample space for privacy.

Observing Sarada's condition, Hidan noticed the purple hue of her arm and hand, indicating a clear break. Despite her efforts to conceal her pain, her eyes betrayed flinches with certain movements.

Rubbing his chin thoughtfully, Hidan remarked, "Well, I'd like to think you'd win that fight without much effort, but... well!?"

As she plopped down onto a wooden chair, Sarada's frame shook with exhaustion. The Uchiha began the arduous task of cracking her fingers back into place, accompanied by labored grunts with each adjustment. Hidan watched with a mix of amusement and fascination as he settled onto his bed, observing her all the while with keen interest.

With a guttural scream, Sarada cracked her broken wrist back into place, eliciting an anguished gasp from her as she exhailed heavily. Then, utilizing her one free hand, she covered her mangled wrist, whilst a green glow emitted from her palm.

Hidan couldn't help but laugh uproariously.

"An eternity in a dirt-filled hole, with not even a chance to befriend the worms, and in the span of just a day, I'm literally in a movie titled 'Crazy-Eyed Uchiha Bitch's Revenge.' Jashin is surely merciful!"

Sarada glanced up, lethargy evident in her eyes. "As much as I can appreciate your twisted sense of humor, Hidan, I can't help but feel that you're a little too amused with how vulnerable I am."

Hidan scratched his cheek, his back meeting the bed with a contented sigh. Placing his hands behind his head, he let out a deep breath. Tears welled in his eyes as a sense of comfort washed over him.

"I haven't felt this comfortable in a lifetime. Jashin, thank you for delivering me from that hellhole," he murmured between chuckles and laughter. "See, You red eyed bitch, we can be vulnerable together!"

Sarada shook her head, genuine amusement dancing in her eyes. "The Akatsuki records said you were pathologically unhinged, and a loose cannon even among your peers, but i can simple say after just a few hours around you, Hidan. You're just fucking nuts."

Hidan smirked, offering a playful wink. "Yeah, i agree. Say Sarada, can we agree to disagree that your rage is just lashing out for just being a baby crazed, sexually unsatisfied woman?"

Sarada stood with a smirk that grew, both shared a laugh, their cackling voices melding in unison. The ship groaned softly as it began to navigate the rough seas.

"So." Hidan began, wiping away his tears, "What exactly happened back there?"

Sarada reclined, favoring her noticeably better-looking left arm. Hidan observed her with a sense of wonder.

"Strange," he mused, "medical ninjutsu shouldn't have been that effective in such a short time?"

Sarada's response was succinct.

"I made it clear were i stand now to the Nanadaime and my father."

Kakashi and his masked kunoichi companion navigated swiftly through the dense forest, their senses on high alert. "Damn!" exclaimed the ANBU Kunoichi, frustration lacing her voice.

"I felt Sarada and Sakura's chakra flickering violently several times throughout the last hour, but... now...?"

The unnamed kunoichi froze, her voice trembling with nervousness. "But now Sakura's chakra has disappeared completely just minutes ago, while Sarada's flattened to nearly nothing shortly afterwards. Damnit! I cant even feel Sarada's chakra now!"

At the mention of Sarada, the feminine ANBU agent's voice cracked, revealing her deep concern.

Kakashi cursed himself aloud, his frustration observable. "I should not have been so blind at seeing that Sakura would try this," he admitted with a heavy heart.

The mysterious kunoichi spoke up once more, urgency tingeing her tone. "We're close now, very close! I just picked up Sakura's chakra once again..." Her voice trailed off, replaced by a sense of terror.

"What? It's fading dangerously fast! We have to..No we MUST HURRY!"

Kakashi and the ANBU kunoichi burst into an opening field that was wholly decimated. Debris all around including cracked stones, split rocks and turned over boulders, all spread out in a chaotic maze with giant craters spread out all around the broken grounds. All Indicating a titanic clash of power and will.

The ANBU kunoichi frantically scanned the ocean ahead as the sun began to rise on the horizon, casting an early dawn glow. "Damnit, Sarada!" the ANBU agent cried out, her frustration mirroring Kakashi's.

The red-headed kunoichi's fist clenched tightly as her whole body spasmed with anxiety. "Miss Shadowthorn, keep your emotions in check and scan the area for Sakura, please pinpoint her. If her chakra is this low this close to us, than she's in a great deal of danger!"

Kakashi and Shadowthorn began to run through the large rocky field, their footsteps echoing against the devastated terrain. "No surprise," Kakashi spoke above a whisper, "Sakura and Sarada went all out. We're lucky this part of the coastal front is not part of the sea!" Kakashi stopped for a moment to looked around and think clearly.

"Still, despite Sarada's incredible skill set, she still should not have been able to defeat Sakura."

Kakashi's eyes widened as if he had an epiphany.

"Wait! What if Sarada..."

"Rokudaime-sama! Rokudaime!" Shadowthorn's urgent voice pierced the air, causing Kakashi to dash towards her.

Hastening his steps, Kakashi took a troubled stance besides Shadowthorn. Her masks form focusing down hill. His heart sank as he saw how troubled Shadowthorn was, her entire being trembling with heavy dread.

"What is it, Shadow?" Kakashi asked, his voice strained.

The kunoichi sank to her knees, her audible cries filling the air.

"My God!" Kakashi murmured, his own dread growing with each step as he descended down the slope of the hill.

As he approached Sakura's mutilated form, Kakashi's breath was caught in his throat.

"Oh my God," he whispered, sweat beading on his forehead. The former Hokage slowly removed his headband, letting it slide out of his trembling fingers. "Sakura?" he spoke tenderly.

Sakura's body lay mangled, her limbs severed and scattered around her torn form, each one cruelly pinned to the ground with kunai and shuriken. The limbs formed a grotesque, yet deliberate, symmetrical patter around her. Distinctive blood streaks traced a pentagram around her torn body, encasing her in a macabre symbol. Smoke rose from her cauterized eyeholes, her upper face marred by severe burns, while her stubby limbs bore the the same fate. A sharp laceration adorned her abdomen, blood slowly seeping from the deep wound, completing the horrifying tableau.

Kakashi stumbled forward, his hand trembling as he touched the burned grass where her arms had been severed. "This was Amaterasu?" he spoke, his voice breaking with emotion. "Sakura..." Tears welled up in his eyes.

The red-headed kunoichi on the hill top removed her mask, her hands clutching the grass tightly. "Sarada," she spoke, her voice choked with angst of devastation, "What have you done?"

Kakashi collapsed to the ground, the weight of realization now crashing down on him.

"I understand now," he spoke solemnly, tears streaming down his face. "Sarada freed Hidan because he's a fellow believer.

Kakashi looked to the sky with Pure Heartache.

Sarada is a follower of Jashin!?"

Authors notes. Loving the editing process. Always a challenge, and love it. Hope again you like this enough to leave a comment, what are your thoughts of the story? What do you suppose is going on? Whatever the conversation or critiques let me know.