Chapter 7: Deception
The journey to the Earth Country was filled with a mix of anticipation and trepidation for Sakura. As she stepped onto the solid ground of Iwagakure, the earthy scent and sturdy architecture surrounded her, reminding her of the tenacity and resilience of this village.
Flanked by her own ANBU detail composed of three shinobi, she was escorted through the bustling streets by two Iwa nin, their expressions a mix of curiosity and respect as they recognized the pink-haired medic from Konoha. While this is not Sakura's first trip to the village, she's not ashamed to admit that she will never get used to the terrain. It was unlike anything Sakura was used to—rocky slopes and rugged paths that required careful navigation. Her Anbu team moved with silent efficiency, their expert skills evident as they guided her through the challenging landscape.
"It's like they want to test our agility," Sakura muttered under her breath, her eyes chancing a glance back on the rough terrain they had just come from.
One of her Konoha ANBU escorts, a stoic figure with a badger mask, chuckled softly. "Just a warm-up for you, Sakura-sama."
As they made their way towards the grand building that housed the Tsuchikage's office, Sakura couldn't help but comment, "You know, the Tsuchikage should really consider investing in some pavements around here or, heck, cable cars! These rocky slopes are murder on the feet."
The Iwa nin escorting her shared a knowing look, clearly accustomed to the rugged conditions. One of them, a woman with a no-nonsense air about her, replied, "Where's the challenge in that, Haruno-san? Besides, it weeds out the weak."
Sakura huffed, rolling her eyes playfully. "Well, I don't see the fun in nearly breaking an ankle every few steps."
Finally reaching the imposing doors of the Tsuchikage's office, Sakura took a deep breath to steady her nerves before she was ushered inside.
"This is just Kurotsuchi with the kage hat. Breathe. Not like you're here to start a war. Peaceful times, remember?" Sakura silently reminded herself as she entered the office.
Seated behind a sturdy desk, the Tsuchikage herself, Kurotsuchi, greeted Sakura with a familiar yet businesslike demeanor. Her sharp eyes took in Sakura's appearance, noting some signs of weariness from her three-day journey.
"Ah, Sakura," Kurotsuchi spoke, her voice carrying a hint of amusement. "I see you've survived the rocky journey. Builds character, doesn't it?"
Sakura couldn't resist a smirk. "Maybe a little too much character, Tsuchikage-sama. I almost left parts of my sandals on one of those slopes."
Kurotsuchi chuckled, a glint of mischief in her eyes. "Ah, but where's the challenge in a smooth path? Besides, it keeps unwelcome visitors on their toes."
"Well, I suppose I should thank you for the unexpected workout," Sakura replied, her tone laced with playful sarcasm.
"How would you like to proceed? Some rest first? I could show you to your accommodations without goading you into a spar, or we could get down to business right away," the kage offered.
"Business, please. I take this mission very seriously if your personal letter is anything to go by. You nearly gave Kakashi a heart attack with your twin letters. I will never hear the end of it if it turned out to just be that–a love letter–rather than an encrypted request. Is everything alright?" Sakura asked, concern evident in her voice.
"Did you really think I requested you here just because I missed your ugly face?" The other woman laughed but quickly sobered up.
"Sakura, this isn't just a medical mission or a diplomatic one. While there is a legitimate request to your Hokage to send a high-ranking sensei to inspect our new laboratory for recommendations, and in the process hold our talent exchange in advance, there is something else. And I can only trust you with that," Kurotsuchi explained, her voice grave.
"What are you saying, Kurotsuchi?"
"Sakura, our village is in danger. And I know how that might look like to another country. I do not trust anyone with that information right now, not even someone like your Hokage. That's why I want to control it before word gets out somehow."
"Kurotsuchi…"
"I'm sorry, Sakura. But I'm a little desperate," Kurotsuchi admitted, her tone betraying the gravity of the situation.
Sakura felt a wave of concern wash over her.
"Our population is under attack. We don't know by what yet, but one thing is clear—we are in the middle of a health crisis," the Tsuchikage explained, her voice carrying the weight of the revelation.
"It began with the children. Our doctors initially thought it was the usual seasonal ailments that afflict those with vulnerable immune systems. We administered the standard immunizations, hoping to contain it. Then, unexpectedly, the sickness spread to the older generations. They would be alive and seemingly well one day, only to be gone the next," she recounted, the gravity of the situation sinking in with each word.
"And then," she continued, her voice barely above a whisper, "the pregnant women... they started experiencing stillbirths and miscarriages at an alarming rate. It's as if something insidious has taken root in our village, targeting the most vulnerable among us.
"We are at a loss on how to handle it," she admitted, a hint of frustration seeping into her voice. "Our medical team has been working tirelessly, but our resources are limited. I could show you the data we've collected so far, but I must confess, our methods are not as advanced as those of Konoha. It's a bitter pill to swallow."
Sakura found herself at a loss for words, her mind reeling as Kurotsuchi laid out the harrowing details before her.
"That's a lot to take in, isn't it? I'm sorry. I should have been more upfront," Kurotsuchi apologized, her expression somber, the weight of the situation palpable in the air.
Sakura nodded slowly, her heart heavy with the gravity of the revelation. "Yeah, you should have. This is clearly more than I signed up for," she replied, her mind racing with the weight of the revelation.
It was only now dawning on Sakura that this mission was well beyond the scope of a typical C-rank assignment for typical medical missions where medical ninjas provide support in medical facilities or create and distribute medicines. This mission was a beast of its own, far removed from Kurotsuchi's initial request for a simple facility inspection by a technical expert. Konoha and Iwa's friendly terms now felt like a fragile thread holding back a looming disaster. She was faced with a daunting task ahead—investigate, heal, catch culprits if any, all of the above?
Taking a deep breath, Sakura steeled herself for the challenges that lay ahead. "Tell me everything, Kurotsuchi. I'm here to help in any way I can."
Sakura sat at the desk in her temporary quarters, the soft glow of a dim lamp casting a warm light on the room. The day had been filled with revelations and plans, and now she took a moment to gather her thoughts.
In the morning, she would join a member of the Anbu squad to accompany her to the lab, using the guise of inspecting the newly established facility. It was a clever cover to begin the process of dissecting the data already gathered by the Iwa medics. Meanwhile, the other two members of the Anbu team would go on reconnaissance missions to gather additional information vital to their investigation.
After a soothing bath and a change into fresh clothes, Sakura felt refreshed and ready to tackle the tasks ahead. She reached for a pen and a sheet of paper, intending to compose a brief report for Kakashi to update him on her arrival in the Earth Country and the plans set in motion for the inspection of the new facilities.
As she began to write, Sakura found herself tempted to divulge every detail of the troubling situation in Iwagakure to Kakashi. However, she decided to hold off, opting to wait for the insights gleaned from the next day's investigations to strengthen her case.
With the report to Kakashi completed, Sakura turned her attention to another letter she wished to write. This one was for Neji, her heart warming at the thought of him. She penned a message to let him know that she had arrived safely, feeling no signs of anything out of the ordinary. She reassured him not to worry, though she could almost envision the premature stress lines forming on his brow from across the distance.
In a lighter tone, she mentioned the chillier climate of Iwagakure compared to Konoha. She also urged him not to forget to make sure Shiro brushed his teeth before bed. Sakura couldn't resist a playful reminder to watch out for any sneaky attempts by Shiro to hide creatures under his pillow, a mischievous habit of the young boy. She signed off with a heartfelt note, telling Neji how much she already missed his warmth and to give Shiro plenty of goodnight kisses for her.
As she sealed the letters and set them aside to be sent off in the morning, Sakura couldn't help but feel a pang of homesickness. Yet, she also felt a surge of determination to uncover the truth behind the mysterious afflictions plaguing Iwa. With a resolute nod, she tucked herself into bed. The exhaustion from the day's travel finally caught up with her, wrapping around her like a heavy blanket. Despite the weight of the revelations and the gravity of the mission ahead, Sakura found solace in the familiar comfort of a warm bed.
She pulled the covers snugly around her, feeling the weariness seep into her bones. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath, letting the events of the day fade into the background. Thoughts of the tasks awaiting her tomorrow swirled in her mind, but she pushed them aside for the moment.
With a contented sigh, Sakura drifted off into a deep, much-needed sleep. Her dreams were filled with snippets of rocky slopes, somber discussions with Kurotsuchi, and the warmth of Neji's embrace. It was a restless sleep, yet somehow comforting in its familiarity.
A/N: I don't own Naruto. Whoever says I do is crazy.
Sakura: This could have been an e-mail, Kurotsuchi.
Kurotsuchi: But where's the fun in that? Besides, I do miss riling you up. Motherhood did not change you at all. You still look so manly.
Sakura: You know what. I'm going home.
Kurotsuchi: Still can't take a joke, yeah?
Sakura: Bye, Kurosuchi. *walks away*
Kurotsuchi: But Sakuraaaaaa!