-Akatsuki Hideout-
"What's the deal calling us together, hm?" The astral projection of Deidara complained. "We're tracking down the Six-Tails and were right on his slimly tail!"
"Relax." Kisame waved off his partner. "That overgrown slug can't hide from me."
Hidan and Kakuzu were equally annoyed by this sudden call for this meeting. It was never a good thing when Pain calls for every member back. Bad news usually followed.
"It is weird that our fearless leader hasn't joined us yet." Hidan pointed out. "The brooding purple eyed freak always waits for us to show up."
"Hidan...stop talking before I cut your tongue out."
"You've tried that before. Didn't work."
"Enough bickering."
Through the darkness of the dank cave, the lone man who was physically there appeared before the projections. Madara Uchiha stood in the center of the group, demanding respect from them. Madara could care less about respect. They had jobs to do. They would follow through.
"Hey! Who is this guy?!" Hidan boasted.
"If you shut up, perhaps you'll learn something." Kakuzu was equally confused.
"It's you..." Kisame had only encountered this man once before.
"Been a long time, Kisame. I'm glad you remember me."
"Shark breath, who is this guy?" Deidara questioned. "Where's Pain?"
"This guy...Madara Uchiha. The only man to ever rival the First Hokage."
The name 'Madara' carried a weight like no other. A mere whisper of his name brought terror into entire nations. His legend was just as terrifying as the First Hokage's. Madara was the one person to ever rival Hashirama. It was their battle that shaped land and history.
"Madara Uchiha is supposed to be dead." Kakuzu pointed out.
"If you believe history."
"It's him, Kakuzu." Kisame knew it was him. There wasn't a question. "There is no need to be hostile. We don't need him after us, as well."
"How are you sure it's him? He's hiding his face behind a mask, hm!"
"Trust me. I know."
"It doesn't matter if you believe who I am or not. What matters is you four are all that's left of the Akatsuki. And time is of the essence." If they were all physically here, he would show them the true power of Madara Uchiha. Then they would believe.
"What do you mean we are all that's left?" Hidan questioned. "Where's purple eyed freak show?"
"Pain...was challenged in battle and left defeated. He won't return for some time. I am taking up command of the Akatsuki for the time being."
The shock rippled through the four members. Pain was the strongest in the Akatsuki for good reason. Pain was the one who recruited them, and singlehandedly defeated them in battle to gain their respect as a leader. Each member of the Akatsuki are S-Rank shinobi. The list was short for someone that could defeat them.
"Someone actually beat him, hm?"
"Defeated, you say?" Kakuzu wondered the bounty Pain's head would bring in.
"Who did the purple eyed freak in?"
"Jiraiya, one of the Sannin." Madara still considered it impressive.
"That toad sage?" Kisame wasn't expecting that a Sannin would be able to take down the Akatsuki. He realized they underestimated. Maybe Orochimaru wasn't bluffing.
"So, you're just taking over then?" Hidan hated being commanded by Pain. He figured he'd hate being commanded by this masked weirdo. "No, thanks. My deal was with Pain. Not a masked man."
"I'm the one who started the Akatsuki." Madara proclaimed. "And I'm the one who brought Pain into the Akatsuki. This is my organization. Any deal made with Pain is a deal made with me." The Ghost of the Uchiha sent a shiver down the Immortal Butcher's spine. "If you'd like to challenge that rule...you know where I am."
Even through the projection, Hidan could feelMadara's power. Not just sense it. Feel it. It was like the man was standing right next to him. Perhaps it was the Sharingan's power and that ridiculous genjutsu that came with it. But, even then, Hidan wasn't physically there. Was it even possible to somehow cast a genjutsu through a projection jutsu like that?
Either way, Hidan bit his tongue and said nothing.
"Very well." Madara chuckled. He was hoping Hidan would legitimately challenge him. He was curious to see how much the Jashin follower could take before his body would give out. Immortality had different forms, and each had drawbacks. The inability to die from wounds certainly didn't mean that he couldn't be killed through different methods. It was just a matter of trial and error.
"Akatsuki...we are in troubling times. The Fourth Great Ninja War has been a great distraction for us, but it certainly has not completely hidden our plans. The Five Great Nations have learned that we are hunting the Tailed Beasts and are going to great lengths to protect the ones that remain. And to make matters more troublesome, one of our own betrayed us. Itachi Uchiha has been a double agent for Konoha."
The sting of Itachi's betrayal was still fresh. None of the Akatsuki liked each other, they were there for the mission and nothing else, but losing such a strong member hurt their cause.
"Hang on." Deidara interjected. "He killed his entire clan. Why the hell would he be a double agent for them?"
"A lunatic if I've ever seen one." Hidan stated for the irony.
"Then Konoha has known of our plans since the beginning." Kakuzu pointed out.
"Konoha used the Uchiha clan as a decoy to cover Itachi's tracks into the Akatsuki. It would have been hard to justify the dark turn of their best and brightest without a convincing catalyst. A mass genocide did the trick. He fooled us all."
Madara did not see the need to tell the whole truth. It would only further confuse the four about Itachi's motives. And, truthfully, he only left out two details of the story.
Hidan whistled impressively. "Damn Konoha. Killing an entire clan for the sake of spying on us? I like it." He chuckled.
"Are we going to kill Itachi or not? He's just like Orochimaru now, a traitor. Hm."
"Itachi will be dealt with due time. For now, we need to focus on hunting down the final jinchūriki. We are years behind schedule." Madara turned to Kisame and Deidara. "Have you located the jinchūriki of the Six Tails?"
"We've narrowed down our search to three different villages in the upper part of the Land of Lightning. Apparently, the jinchūriki abandoned his village and has been on the run for some time." Kisame wouldn't let this one get away. He still had a quota to fulfill.
"We're right on his slimly tail. It shouldn't be long now."
Madara nodded. "And what of you two?"
"There was no luck on the Eight Tails." Kakuzu annoyingly stated. "My contacts in Kumogakure stated that the Raikage has the jinchūriki hidden in a secret location that only he knows."
"I told you. Just let me let loose inside the village and he's bound to show up." Hidan groaned. "Lord Jashin is in need of more sacrifices."
"Picking a fight with the Raikage is something I would advise against." Madara stated. "He's a formidable shinobi. You would be fighting in a different weight class against him. It wouldn't go well for either of you."
Kakuzu huffed. "I fought against the First Hokage. I'm confident in ability against anyone."
Madara chuckled. "You didn't fight Hashirama, you survived him."
"You doubt my ability?"
"No, I don't. But there's a reason Hashirama beat me in our battle. There hasn't been another like him. You are nowhere near Hashirama's level. Your best couldn't even touch his worst."
Kakuzu grumbled to himself but let the statement stand. He had no argument. It was the First Hokage who left him in such a state that it caused him to resort to the method of immortality he uses now.
"The Three Tails should revive itself any day now. I will personally retrieve the beast and bring it in. There will be no more delays."
"Hang on a minute." Hidan spoke up. "We still haven't even found the Four Tails and the fucking Five Tails I brought in is still sitting in the damn corner! Why is no one hunting that bastard down yet?"
True to Hidan's words, Han's body was hunched over in the corner. He was still alive but hardly conscious. Madara had placed him under an extremely strong genjutsu that kept him in a coma until the time for extraction.
"Hm." Deidara grunted in agreement. "Do we have leads on the old man? I know him best. I should be the one to bring him in. Hm" They were from the same village, after all. It made the most sense.
"Do not worry about the Four Tails. When the time is right, he'll be brought in."
Kakuzu felt that was an odd thing to say. Something didn't feel right with that.
"Uh...you're not making any sense, Mr. Leader." Hidan knew he wasn't going to like this guy. "How can there be no more delays if we aren't going after the Four Tails at the same time as the Three Tails?"
There was that presence again. Hidan could feel as if Madara was standing right behind him, sending the fear through his undying body. Even with hundreds of miles between them, Hidan felt the power of the legendary Madara Uchiha.
"Plans are set in motion. By the time the Four Tails is ready to be extracted, only two jinchūriki will be left for capture. This is not a delay."
The convection in Madara's voice was strong and unchallenging. There would be no objection from any of the four remaining members.
"Hidan, Kakuzu...you will head towards the eastern front of the war in the Land of Rock."
The immortal duo could wonder what for.
"Send a reminder to our final hunt. Find Naruto Uzumaki and remind him we're still here. And we're coming for him."
The meeting came to an abrupt end. Each member released the astral projection, and their thoughts and images ceased from view.
Hidan let out a loud groan. "Man, this technique always leaves me stiffer than shit."
"It was a ten-minute meeting. Get over it."
"You should be just as stiff, you old fuck. How old are you now?"
"Shut up, Hidan."
"Older than the dirt, I know that."
Kakuzu grunted in annoyance, not bothering to engage in Hidan's continued attempts to get a rise out him. He has slowly realized that if he ignored Hidan, he would eventually shut up.
"So, we're going to walk into a war. That's fucking stupid."
"We have orders, Hidan. Just shut up and follow them."
"But isn't this Naruto the Nine-Tails jinchūriki? We can't capture him until all others have been sealed away. This doesn't make sense in the fucking slightest!"
While he agreed that these orders didn't make complete sense, Kakuzu had a feeling there was something else going on here. From a strategic standpoint, this was a horrible plan. But if this man really was Madara Uchiha, then there had to be reason.
"Oh yoo-hoo! Immortal duo!"
The Venus flytrap extensions that protected the head of Zetsu emerged from the ground while the rest of the body stayed burrowed underground.
"It's the plant freak. Wonder what he's doing here. Or they. Man, I never know if that thing is one or two things."
"I'm hesitant to call it 'human'." Kakuzu added on.
"Madara sent me to chat with you about your journey!"
"The quicker we talk, the quicker we can leave you two alone."
The proclaimed 'Immortal Duo' towered over the plant head man.
"Then talk."
"Lord Madara doesn't want the other members to know this." The ground beneath Kakuzu and Hidan changed slightly, allowing something to rise through to the surface. It was a body with a missing arm.
"Who is this?" Hidan questioned. "Looks like he got fucked up."
"This is Rōshi, the Four-Tails jinchūriki."
"And yes, he did get fucked up."
Both Akatsuki members were instantly confused. While Hidan only stared with a stupefied look, Kakuzu tried to put the pieces together. He realized that Madara's comment wasn't that odd. The legendary Uchiha knew what he was saying.
"Why bring the jinchūriki to us and not Madara? He specifically mentioned this one in our meeting." Kakuzu stated.
"It was Madara's orders to bring him to you."
"As you can see, his arm is missing." Zetsu produced a pale white arm from the underground. "He requests that you attach this arm to replace the one he lost. He still has a job to do."
"A job? What job? Why the hell are we helping this jinchūriki when we've been hunting the fuckers?"
"This particular jinchūriki has been working with us on gathering intel and capturing other jinchūriki."
Hidan whistled. "We got jinchūriki to work with us? That's an interesting turn."
"Why would a jinchūriki turn on his own kind?" "
"Madara knows but won't tell us. This guy killed the Three-Tails. So, he's the reason for our holdup."
"Lovely." Hidan grumbled.
"My assumption is that Madara is sending us the Nine-Tails for a reason other than stated." Kakuzu was getting annoyed with this conversation. The dual personality was getting on his nerves.
"Correct. While Rōshi distracts and fights with the Nine-Tails, you two will extract the Seven-Tails from Konoha's protection. With Kisame and Deidara about to capture the Six-Tails and the Three-Tails going to be reborn soon, the Akatsuki will have only two jinchūriki left to capture."
Hidan groaned. "Man, that's gonna take FOREVER to seal all of them away at once." But his attitude quickly changed. "At least I'll be able to kill some of those Konoha shinobi again for Lord Jashin. He likes to break their strong wills."
"So, if you would please attach this arm on this poor bastard, then you can continue on with your journey."
Grumbling, Kakuzu stretched out his palm and let thick, grey tendrils seep through his skin. Like tenacles, the tendrils gripped the white arm and forced it against the stump of Rōshi's arm. Kakuzu was impressed by the arm's tangibility. It perfectly conformed to the stump and suctioned itself to Rōshi. It gave Kakuzu the freedom to stitch the arm without an issue.
These arm...it feels familiar. I know the chakra that's woven into it.
"This arm...where is it from?"
The black half of Zetsu smirked. "I told you he'd figure it out."
"Damn it." The white half groaned.
"Hashirama Senju's cells were used to create this arm, weren't they?"
"Pay up."
"Answer me."
"Yes. Madara created the arm from leftover Hashirama cells. Quite fascinating, isn't it?"
Completely ignoring the talking plant, Kakuzu was fixated on the arm. The battle with Hashirama was his biggest failure as a shinobi. It was an insurmountably dangerous mission to assassinate the God of Shinobi. The battle was fierce but ended in defeat for Kakuzu. He always hated the First Hokage for letting him live. There was more honor in death than being harshly punished for his failure.
Kakuzu put his life on the line for his home village and was horribly treated for it. He was imprisoned for his failure and tortured. He grew a violent hatred for his village, broke free from his prison, and killed the village elders. Before escaping the village, Kakuzu stole the knowledge of their most prized forbidden techniques.
That night, Kakuzu's immortality began.
After Kakuzu was branded a rouge shinobi, he tried to find and fight Hashirama again. He wanted to prove that his defeat was a fluke and that he could beat the proclaimed 'God of Shinobi'. And then, add Hashirama's power to his own through the forbidden jutsu he stole from his former village.
But Kakuzu was too late. Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage, had died. Quite mysteriously.
Was Hashirama bested in battle? Impossible. He was the strongest of any generation.
Did he contract a disease? Possible but not likely. He was a world class healer. He would've figured out a cure.
Old age? Again, impossible. Hashirama and Kakuzu were similar in age when they fought. And barely a year had passed between their battle and Hashirama's death.
Kakuzu was convinced that his chance to gain Hashirama's power was long gone. But it seemed he was wrong. This arm held the power of the God of Shinobi. Even a fracture of his power was more than a regular shinobi held in their lifetime.
Kakuzu needed that arm. And he was going to get it.
"Done. Now, let's go."
-Western Front, Konoha vs. Iwa-
"They've breached the area!"
Rumbles from shattering earth techniques clashed with blazes from fire techniques. Iwa shinobi relentlessly ambushed the combined elements of the Gateway Attack Forces. It didn't take long for the camp to be overrun. Defeat wasn't going to be too far behind.
"Tajū Kage Bushin no Jutsu!"
By the hundreds, clones of Konoha's jinchūriki challenged the Iwa shinobi. Naruto, by himself, granted the chance for the others to regroup before engaging the enemy again. His clones held the enemy at bay.
"Everyone get back!" Naruto shouted. "Get what you can and get out!"
There was no reason to argue. This had become the usual thing anyways. Naruto held off the enemy while the others gathered intel, personal items, and anything else that was important to them or the force, before the enemy could get to them.
Ino hated rushing. Rushing made her anxious and caused mistakes. Performing under pressure was never her strong suit. It was one of the main lessons her late master continuously tried to instill in her.
Damn it!
She couldn't stop shaking. The immediate threat combined with her anxious nature under stress sent her adrenaline into overdrive. And it didn't help that she was trying to help gather up the medical supplies.
"Ino!" The head medic called out. "Help the others getting the injured out of here!"
Great idea. Let the nervous wreck help the helpless.
In all honesty, that was probably the easiest thing for Ino to do.
Fū ran to her side. "I'll help, Ino!"
"Shit!"
A group of Iwa shinobi burst into the tent, and no doubt had the outside surrounded. The medic certainly was no fighter. But he would stand against the opposition like everyone else.
"Take the injured!" One of the Iwa shouted. "They'll be easier targets for integration!"
"Not today, assholes!"
The few shinobi engaged the enemy but were quickly overpowered due to the lack of numbers. But they did buy Ino, Fū, and the two other nurses more time to get the injured out of harm's way.
Ino hoisted a shinobi with a broken leg over her shoulder. "C'mon! We gotta move!"
"I'm trying!" The injured shouted back.
Ino was the last one in the tent. Fū had helped carry out the unconscious kunoichi on the gurney. She wasn't sure if anyone would come back for her.
"I'm getting at least one of you Konoha bastards!"
The Iwa shinobi tripped Ino, causing the full weight of the injured to directly on top of her. As a last heroic effort, the injured shinobi used his body to shield Ino from the kunai knife that would have impaled her in the chest.
Blood leaked from the wound as the life left his eyes. Ino could do nothing as she watched the man who saved her die on top of her.
The Iwa shinobi tossed the dead Konoha shinobi off Ino. He immediately pinned her down and held the knife to her throat.
"You aren't injured...but such a beautiful prisoner will be better to look at." He pressed the blade to her skin. "You'll definitely be more useful."
Ino wouldn't let herself be taken so easily. She mustered the biggest wad of spit and shot it directly into her enemy's eye. The brief distraction gave Ino the opening to knee him right in the weakest spot on a man.
Reeling, the Iwa shinobi couldn't shake the pain and shot upright. Ino wiggled her hand into her weapons pouch and yanked the kunai free. Ino lost count how many times she stabbed him. She continued to stab as she was pulled off by another Iwa shinobi.
"That was my best friend, you bitch!" He cried in anger. "I'll kill you!"
But he never got the chance to take revenge for his fallen friend. A sword swiftly pierced through his chest, swiftly sending him into the afterlife. The body slowly fell back with the sword pulling. Naruto knelt to Ino's side.
"Ino!"
The poor girl was in shock. She probably had no idea what was going on around her anymore.
I don't have time for this! I sense more coming! There's just too many!
Naruto was doing everything he could to slow the enemy down. But they rushed in and overran the perimeter. Even with the clones he created, they were still outnumbered.
"Sorry Ino!"
A hard slap across the face seemed to do the trick for most people dealing with shock for the first time. He didn't want to be harsh, but this was a combat zone. There was no time for niceties.
The color returned and Ino felt the sting on her bloodied face. "N-Naruto?"
"Snap out of it!" Naruto yelled in her face. "We need to get out, now!"
As her brain caught up with her senses, Ino could only stare back at the mangled face of the man she had killed. Her first kill. She just couldn't move. "I..."
Guilt crept in. It contradicted his previous statement but felt the sudden need to console his comrade. "It was bound to happen, Ino. We're shinobi. It's a part of the job."
A part of the job?
Ino's eyes locked with Naruto's. She was used to seeing his eyes in that odd shape and color for his Sage Mode. But right now, she wanted his deep ocean blue eyes that held so much in them. She understood why Sakura always talked about them. Somehow comforting and hypnotic at the same time.
Ino was able to pull her eyes away and see what Naruto had to go through to save her. The bodies of four other Iwa shinobi laid in mixed blood puddles that soaked the grass. She was struggling with just one kill while he killed five just to save her? And who knows how many others he's saved today?
"Ino, you gotta catch up with the others." Naruto gently pulled Ino to her feet. "Go make sure Fū is safe. You're the only one I trust to do that."
Fū told Ino that Naruto did, in fact, trust her. But hearing come directly from Naruto carried different. Naruto's life had been in such turmoil that he's gone through a rough change.
"How do you deal with it?" Ino finally mustered up. "All this...death. How can you handle it?"
Naruto didn't hate killing, nor did he enjoy it. It was necessary in the life they were living, he felt. A necessity was how he viewed a lot of things. And it all stemmed from one piece of advice from his master.
"We're shinobi. We are considered old enough to kill. The way I see it, we're old enough to drink and have sex. It's...necessary, sometimes. It helps me protect what I love and cherish. I don't want to kill anyone...but I will if they stand in my way."
Ino listened carefully. Naruto broke it down in simple and easy terms that made it sound like taking another life was nothing significant. But he knew it wasn't something because he just wanted to protect what was important. That's what everyone wanted.
"Now, go." Naruto urged again. "Catch up with the others. I'll be right behind you."
"But..."
"Go!"
Naruto burst into a cloud, leaving Ino stunned. That was a clone the entire time?!
The ground rumbled again. Ino could hear the fighting dwindling. The real Naruto was still out there, fighting off the hoard while the others escaped. He was saving everyone.
But who saves you?
Ino wondered who could.
-With Sakura-
To walk through the streets of Konoha again were full of smiles and exhilaration. So many of the villagers recognized Sakura and welcomed her back with joyous words. She noted that the number of shinobi were greatly reduced, and that was expected. Most shinobi, outside of genin and instructors, were deployed against the enemy.
It did disappoint Sakura that her friends and comrades were all out there fighting, and she was stuck in the rear doing simple office work. It felt a little insulting that a capable shinobi, like herself, wasn't fighting with her fellow shinobi.
Everyone has a job to do. Even the smallest jobs can have the biggest impact.
Sakura tried to not diminish the work she was doing when compared to those fighting the enemy. Sunagakure needed help rebuilding their medical division. Once that was fully operational, more medical shinobi could be trained and sent to help with the injured on the front lines. She was doing the work she needed to help. The fighting would certainly come, whether she wanted it or not.
"Konoha looks like it'll rebuild just fine after Iwa and Kumo's attack." Kaito pointed out. He followed closely behind Sakura as they walked through the village.
"Yeah...it always comes back stronger than before."
Sakura loved to hear about how the Will of Fire would not only inspire the shinobi but the villagers too. The people of Konoha believed in the Will of Fire just as much as the shinobi did. It helped motivate and inspire after times of tragedy. Sakura believed that's why Konoha always bounced back after devastation.
The Will of Fire burned in them all.
"Where are we going, Sakura? Shouldn't we go see Lord Danzō?"
"We'll get to him. I'm sure he's probably busy with something. I'd be waiting for a while anyway." Sakura based that off how busy her master was when she was Hokage. "We're going to the hospital first. I need to see Lady Tsunade before I do anything."
"Very well."
Sakura abruptly stopped. "You don't need to come with me."
"What? Why not?"
"Because I don't want you to."
"What else am I supposed to do?" Kaito questioned.
"I don't know. I'll catch up with you later." Sakura turned back and headed back towards the hospital.
Kaito stood and watched as Sakura disappeared into a crowd. He wanted to follow but didn't want to upset Sakura more than she already was with him. He thought it was best to go find a spot and relax while he could. Maybe grab something to eat.
-Konoha Hospital-
"Shizune!"
The woman frantically scrambled into the office. "M'lady?!"
"Where are the charts for rooms 248 and 265?!"
"The nurse just dropped them off a minute ago! Where did they go?"
The two searched the office high and low. There was no file with either of those numbers on it. Tsunade was going to rip her desk to shreds when she saw them sitting right where she left them.
Both women physically twitched from bewilderment. This was the third time today.
"Stupid pregnancy brain." Tsunade sighed as she sat down in her chair. "I can't remember anything today!"
"It's normal to have memory problems when pregnant, Lady Tsunade." Shizune tried to be gentle. She didn't want another blow up. "Your hormones are fluctuating and..."
"You don't need to explain what happens to a woman's body when she gets pregnant, Shizune."
"Perhaps you take the afternoon to rest..."
"I'm not resting, Shizune. Stop suggesting it."
Tsunade really did want to go rest. She needed some rest. But she didn't want to be alone. She couldn't stop thinking about what happened. Rest only brought more nightmares. Being in the hospital and working was the only outlet she could get from it all.
None of that mattered when it came to him.
"Lady Tsunade..."
"I'm fine, Shizune. Just...get back to work."
She wasn't fine. She was furthest thing away from fine.
"...Very well, Lady Tsunade. Just call if you need something."
"I will."
Softly closing the door behind her, Shizune stifled her tears. She felt incredibly guilt-ridden. Tsunade had lost enough people in her life. She never expected Jiraiya to be one of them. He was the one who was supposed to stay with her forever, better or worse.
Shizune had been with Tsunade since she was a little girl. Both her parents died shortly after she was born. Dan, her uncle, took her in and started raising her like his own daughter with Tsunade. Tsunade trained her in every aspect of medical ninjutsu and medicine, even after Dan died. She was the closest thing to a mother that Shizune ever had.
It pained Shizune to see her mother figure like this.
"Lady Shizune?"
The woman gasped. "Sakura?! You're back!" She pulled the girl into a strong hug.
"It's good to see you, too!" Sakura wasn't expecting this kind of welcome.
Shizune remembered the first day Sakura started training with Tsunade and herself. The difference between the girl she started out as compared to the woman she is now is astonishing. Sakura was a completely different person. And Shizune was so proud of her.
"Lady Tsunade will be so happy to see you. She really needs something like this."
Sakura nodded. "I can only imagine." It was still hard for Sakura to think about. Master Jiraiya was the best of the best. "How has Lady Tsunade been?"
"Well...all I can say it's been a challenge. Her pregnancy hasn't helped her emotions."
"Pregnancy?!"
Shizune quickly remembered that Tsunade hadn't told anyone outside of herself and those elderly frog summons. "Shit! Please don't tell anyone! I wasn't supposed to say anything!" She whispered loudly.
Sakura tried her best to keep her surprise to a minimum. "Lady Tsunade is pregnant?! How far along is she?" She whispered.
"She's about seventeen weeks. She's already started showing. It's going to be really hard to keep this a secret for much longer."
"Oh my gosh. Who's the father?"
The crestfallen look in the woman's eyes told Sakura exactly who it was. And, in hindsight, it was obvious.
"Master Jiraiya is the father..."
"...Yeah. He was."
Sorrow piled on. "Did he know?"
It piled on more. "Lady Tsunade didn't even know until she took a test. It wasn't until after their mission."
Sakura pushed her tear away. This was no time for it.
"Lady Tsunade...she's been burying herself in the hospital to distract herself. It's...hard to see her like this."
Sakura knew how much their master meant to Shizune. From Sakura's understanding, Tsunade practically raised Shizune since she was a girl. Shizune and Sakura were probably around the same age when Tsunade took them in. Shizune was a woman now. They had been together a long time.
"That's why I came back, Shizune. I felt like I should come see her."
Shizune smiled. "That's very thoughtful. Lady Tsunade will be very happy to see you."
"I hope I can help."
Shizune nodded. "I'll walk with you."
The sisters-in-training went through the halls of the hospital that their master created. Tsunade personally designed the layout of the hospital for optimal assistance and patient care. And she purposely had the head director's office put in the corner of the hospital. She didn't like to be bothered constantly.
Shizune entered the office first. "Lady Tsunade...someone's here to see you!"
The woman groaned loudly. "I do not need another meeting with that dreadful therapist about...Sakura?!"
The pinkette smiled. "Lady Tsunade, it's good to see you again."
The Sannin immediately stood up and brought the teenager into a warm embrace. And Shizune was right, she was starting to show. "What are you doing here? You can't have already rebuilt Suna's medical infrastructure?"
"Oh god no." Sakura chuckled. "Lord Danzō requests quarterly updates. I figured I could delivery this one in person." There was no use ignoring the main reason she was here. "I also wanted to come and see you. I heard about Master Jiraiya."
Tsunade's features softened. "Oh, Sakura. You didn't have to come all this way to check on me. I'm fine."
The fake forced smile on the Sannin's face was worse than Sai's.
"I felt like I needed to, m'lady. You were there for me when my mom died. I should be here for you in your time of need."
Tsunade sat back down in her chair, trying to cover her baby bump with her robe. "While I appreciate the concern, I'm fine, Sakura." She wasn't doing a very good job of convincing.
"Master...I know you're pregnant."
Tsunade held the façade not a moment longer. "Shizune told you."
Sakura sat across from her master. "Don't be mad at her. Honestly, your bump would have given it away."
"I won't be able to hide it much longer." She sighed, rubbing her larger belly. "I just...don't want to deal with the questions. It's already been hard enough."
Sakura understood. She loathed talking about her mother's death. It was still fresh, and the questions continued to come, regardless of living in Sunagakure the last few months. "I'm sorry about Master Jiraiya. He was loved and admired by everyone. He was a good man."
Tsunade smiled. "Yeah...he was." And all be damned if this child of theirs isn't as good of a person as Jiraiya. She wanted their child to be like Naruto. Strong with a good heart.
"Have you heard from Naruto?"
"...No, I haven't. Have you?"
Tsunade shook her head. "No. But I have kept tabs on him. He's been really leading the push into the Land of Rock. As much as I didn't want to have him fighting...he's been winning us the western front."
"...I understand. It was a hard choice."
Tsunade knew how to read her student. "Still having trouble?"
Sakura sighed. "I wouldn't call it trouble. I realized Naruto isn't to blame for mom's death. You were right. I was...too angry to see the difference."
"I know. And it's okay."
"I just wish I didn't shatter him like I did. I regret calling him saying those awful things to him."
It wasn't a surprise that Sakura said hurtful things. Tsunade didn't hold it against her. "When you see him next, you'll just have to make sure he knows."
"Knows what?"
"That you still love him."
Sakura was too stunned to respond. Love?
"Let me tell you a story. After Dan died, Jiraiya was there for me. There wasn't a thing he wouldn't have done for me. When the time came for him to leave, he asked if I would come with him. I wanted to...I really did. But I thought I wouldn't be able to love anyone else like Dan. I said no...and I got mad about it. By not going, I knew he would go back to his perverted ways. And I was right."
Sakura held back her comment. Sounds like you did that one to yourself.
"I regret a lot of things in my life. Letting Jiraiya go was one of the biggest."
"Lady Tsunade..."
"It's okay to be angry. Just...don't let him go."
Sakura didn't want to. She never wanted Naruto out of her life. Anger was a new, wild emotion that ran through Sakura's mind and poisoned her feelings to the point that she believed, for the briefest of moments, that Naruto was the monster everyone thought he was. She had every right to be angry, hurt, and everything else under the sun.
But Sakura didn't want to be. She hated being angry with Naruto. It felt wrong.
Whenever she saw him again, Sakura would make things right with Naruto. No matter what she had to do or say.
Then, Sakura would figure out how to deal with the Kyūbi.
Sakura bid her master farewell and went along her way. It wasn't long after Sakura left that Shizune returned from her rounds checking the nurses.
"Did you tell her about her father?"
"...No. Though, I'm sure Sakura will figure out herself here soon."
-Western Front-
The Gateway Task Force was forced to retreat. The forward company regrouped with the main force at the main camp back towards the border. But it wouldn't be long before Iwa would be on their doorstep again and all hell would break loose. Gaara hoped he wouldn't have to order a full retreat to Gateway Base.
"Get the injured on a transport back to Suna!" Gaara ordered. "Baki, escort them! We can't have any mistakes with them!"
"Yes sir!"
The remaining shinobi were still trickling in from the Iwa ambush. Gaara sent a retrieval squad to help the rest to get back. He hoped they would all return safely.
"Lord Gaara!" Neji came running towards him. "I spotted Iwa shinobi towards our south! They flanked our position!"
"What?!" Gaara had to quickly recall the injured transport. They would run right into that. "Kiba?!" The Kazekage called out. "Find Baki and get those injured back here! They'll be slaughtered if we send them now!"
"We're on it!" Kiba and Akamaru took off running as fast as they could.
"Neji! Are they any enemies to the east or west?!"
"One moment!" Focusing, Neji used the full power of his Byakugan to scan as far as he could. "The west is horrible, mountainous terrain! We'd never make it out! The east is our only shot for an escape! But I can only see a little over a mile out!"
"East will be our retreat route! Spend the word to the soldiers!"
"Yes sir!"
Gaara continued to oversee everything he could. The enemy was upon them. It would be an all-out war for survival. He would use his sand to defend his shinobi at all costs. But even he couldn't be everywhere. They needed their ace.
Naruto, get back here.
"Iwa on the horizon!"
"Fire the catapults!"
Dozens of large catapults launched appropriately sized that were set ablaze at the enemy. The boulders hit the earth with fury and left trails of fire, burning the remaining enemy that survived the initial impact.
"That will buy us some time. But more are bound to come."
There were a few moments of silence. That was never a good thing on the battlefield.
"Kazekage!" Genma and more shinobi from their forward offensive came through the flames and into the camp. "We've got a HUGE force coming our way! Reload those launchers!"
"How many enemy shinobi?"
"Too many to tell!" Genma tried to catch his breath. "We need to start prepping for a full retreat."
"I've already designated an escape route, Commander. But I will not allow our progress to be stalled so easily."
"You think I'm gonna give that order? I'll die before I take a step back." Genma would never let the enemy win like that. "We lost our ground from the forward offensive. We won't lose another inch."
The consensus was clear and all parties throughout the task force. A full retreat was not an option. Hell or high water, Konoha wasn't going to budge.
"Look out below!"
Three bodies hit the ground and skipped around. It was a good thing the two shinobi were unconscious and hopefully didn't feel anything. But their savior sure felt the impact.
"Fū?!"
"Hey there, tomato hair!" Fū exclaimed. Her wings twitched from the fall. They would need some time to recover. "How ya been?"
"We should be asking you that." Genma checked on the two shinobi. "Are these some the injured from the forward offensive?" He would not forget about those giant wings.
Fū nodded. "Yeah. Me and Ino got the last of them out. But we got separated. I grabbed these two and flew right back here."
"How far away did you lose her?" Gaara questioned. They would need to send another search party out immediately. "And how long ago?"
"Not very long." Fū pulled herself out of the dirt. "She was helping another guy that was hit in the leg. She made me go on ahead."
"We gotta go get her." Genma was quick to regain his energy. "That Iwa group is coming fast. I'm not letting one of us get captured. I'll get a team assembled."
"No time, Genma. I'm on it!"
Sand from Gaara's giant gourd swirled around and created a solid platform that he kept suspended in the air with his chakra. The Kazekage and Genma leapt onto the platform and took flight. The two commanding officers reached a height that oversaw the entire valley.
Off in the distance, Gaara could see the Iwa army moving towards them. He could even make out a few pockets of remaining resistance from stranded Konoha shinobi that would taken out in moments without assistance.
There were so many enemy shinobi. Easily double what Gaara under his command.
We're outnumbered. The Tsuchikage sent his whole army to wipe us out.
Gaara had it right. It wasn't looking good.
"Lord Kazekage!"
"Commander Genma!"
A large white and black bird came swooping in with large gusts from its wings. The bird was carrying Ino, Sai, and a few injured shinobi. There was even one Suna shinobi in the talons of the bird.
"I'm glad to see you guys are safe." The Kazekage stated.
"You as well, Kazekage." Sai commented. "But we have a large-scale force headed straight for us."
"We can see that from here." Genma added. "How long do you think we have until their on our position?"
"An hour, two at the most. I suggest we fall back and regroup back at Gateway with the remaining forces."
"Retreat? Hell, we just got here!" The mere thought of retreating infuriated Genma to no end. "We'd lose all the ground we've gained and then some. We should call up reinforcements from Gateway."
"That would take, at least, two days for even a QRF response, according to Shikamaru." Gaara stated. "We have to make a decision now."
It felt like an impossible decision. Either lose all the ground and momentum they have gained thus far or try and fight it out against an army that outnumbers them two to one. Both scenarios held major losses that neither Genma nor Gaara wanted to stake.
I could send for reinforcements, but that's a two-day reply. I'm not sure we'd be able to hold out that long with the shinobi we have. Even with my ultimate defense, we'd be wiped out. Then, it would be a straight shot to Gateway and the rest of the forces.
Gaara could sit and think about the possibilities that would come after that. He needed to focus on the here and now. The threat was imminent, and the lives of thousands of shinobi weighed on his next decision.
They needed their trump card. The ace.
-With Naruto-
The war waged around him. Pockets of shinobi battled around him. Iwa had come out of nowhere and taken the Gateway Task Force by storm, ambushing and forcing them back. This was the first time they had lost ground instead of gaining it.
Naruto tried to fight. He sent waves of clones to get others to safety. He pushed his body to the limit so that the others didn't have to. But it wasn't working anymore. His body was starting to hurt more. Coughing harder. Blood followed.
It's back.
The familiar pain in his chest vibrated through his entire body. Every inhalation drew in more pain and every exhalation offered little relief. At certain points, Naruto could feel his face and hands tingle and briefly go numb from the pain. The only true relief was the shots of adrenaline his body produced during battle.
But the pain had become so strong and prominent that even the adrenaline of fighting couldn't cover it up.
I really should start taking those pills.
Naruto chuckled to himself. Even after all this time, Sakura was still looking out for him. He missed when they were together, laughing and smiling. He could still feel her fingertips grazing his skin, the goosebumps that tickled his skin. The smell of her hair. Soft skin. Beautiful eyes. That angelic voice that always calmed and healed his worries.
I miss her so much.
You're a monster.
But he didn't want to be anymore. He convinced himself to be one. He made a choice. He wanted to be better. He wanted to be like Fū.
She's a naïve child. She doesn't understand how the real-world works.
Why was that so bad? Fū was innocent, pure of heart. Innocence wasn't a bad thing. Fū could see the good in others, the better parts that some didn't know they had. Naruto admired that.
Innocence gets the good ones killed. That's why the young first. They believe that they can beat anything and underestimate the danger before them. One must harden themselves and become something that has the will to survive. A monster.
Naruto wanted to break the chains of the jinchūriki. The shackles that held him back. He wasn't a mindless monster that destroyed and killed because he was ordered to. He didn't want to be a destroyer. He wanted to be a protector.
He wanted to protect those he cared about from the monsters in this world.
And that monster stood before him.
"So...you are alive."
Rōshi did survive their battle. Barely from the looks of it. His clothes were tattered and torn. Everything about him was clinging to life.
"I have a mission to complete. I won't stop until it's done."
"Yeah, that's not gonna happen." Naruto rose to meet his opponent. "Your arm...that new?"
Rōshi rotated his newly attached limb. The white arm of Zetsu was still adjusting, even with those pesky stitches from that Akatsuki monger. "Our battle left me without one. I decided to get a new one. Though, Son Gokū is itching for some payback. I was lucky to get a replacement. He was not."
A pleasant surprise. Naruto was wondering if that final blast left any lasting damage. Whether or not Rōshi survived, the Four-Tails would eventually be reborn. He took some pride in knowing that there would be a memory of him with that Bijū.
"I'll be sure to compliment his new look when I see him."
Rōshi smiled. "Where is she, Naruto? It's time to give this up. It won't matter in the end. This is just a big waste of time."
No, it isn't. Not this time.
Naruto brandished his sword, displaying the power Tojin held. "We don't need to do this, Rōshi. We should come together against the Akatsuki, not join them."
"It's not about joining the Akatsuki. I'm fighting so that future generations don't deal with the hardships of being a jinchūriki. Throughout history, jinchūriki have always been the tool for war mongering villages and were cast aside when their usefulness ran out. We won them their riches and were treated like gutter rats!"
Rōshi's arm ignited in flames, molding into lava armor.
"Jinchūriki will no longer be tools for others! Tailed Beasts will be sealed away and no longer hunted!"
"You're handing over lives in exchange for what? A possible better future? You can't believe the Akatsuki are going to use them for anything but domination! They kill anyone that stands in their way!"
"Then lay down your weapon and stop fighting! Your inability to give in only causes more devastation! Is the freeing of future generations not worth the lives of us nine?"
"...They'll never stop at us." Naruto took his stance. "I'll take them all on if I have to. I won't let anyone else die because of me."
Rōshi hoped for a different outcome this time. With time, he thought Naruto might come to his senses. But he was wrong. "You are a hypocrite. You won't lay down your weapon to save your friends but won't let anyone die because of you. You said it yourself. The Akatsuki will kill anyone. You're so full of shit."
The moment of silence. War waged around them while they waged a war between themselves.
Rōshi was fighting for the future. He didn't want future generations to feel the pain and sorrow that he and all other jinchūriki knew. He didn't care about the Akatsuki's goals. All that mattered to him was the end of the jinchūriki linage. One way or another, it had to end.
Naruto was fighting for the present. His friends and those he cared about were all that mattered to him. He wasn't going to forsake anyone's life over his own. The Akatsuki wanted the Bijū for their own goals. It wasn't about peace for the future for them. Only power.
Naruto and Rōshi clashed with ideologies and power once more.
-With Haku-
Tracking had always been a strong suit for Haku. It was a natural skill for her. And it was refined under Zabuza's tutelage. Most of her skills and knowledge were learned when she followed Zabuza. Taking on the sword was a way she wanted to honor him and his teachings.
Parts of Haku's memory of Zabuza were soiled because of his final moments. He threw her to the side and thought nothing of her. It hurt deeply to hear that. Zabuza took her in after her parents were killed and that's how he viewed her? Haku questioned her own self-worth for a long time.
All that stopped and Haku's memory of her master changed when she returned to their hideout in the Land of Water. She rummaged through their things, trying to salvage what she could. Inside a locked box underneath a storage container they used for their weapons, Haku found Zabuza's journal.
Most of what Zabuza wrote was from before he found Haku, during his wandering days. His last entry was a few days before he was killed on the bridge. He wrote that he thought of Haku like his own child and that he was scared to admit it. He had become such a bad person that he didn't feel deserving of someone to carry on his name. And that no matter what happened on the bridge, he would make sure she survived. And if he were to survive, he was going to reunite the Seven Swordsman of the Mist and restore the name.
It was a twisted way to make sure Haku survived the battle. But it was his way. Haku admired that. To honor her fallen master, Haku took on the Kubikiribōchō and decided to carry on his task of uniting the Seven Swordsman.
Now, she just had to find the other swords. Haku hoped that the Mizukage would hold her end of the deal.
"I really don't appreciate being followed." Haku called out, seemingly to nothing. "Come out."
Four figures landed across from the tracker ninja. It was the newly formed Hebi.
"Man, you aren't easy to track." Suigetsu sucked down the last of his drink. "You have something I want. It would be better if you give it to me now."
Haku examined the four newcomers. Individually, they did not seem overly powerful. Together it was a different story, she assumed. But then she realized the one member looked familiar. "You...I know you."
Sasuke smirked. "You do remember me. It's been a while, Haku."
"What do you want with me?"
"It's not me. Suigetsu sought you out." Sasuke motioned for his team member to do what they came all this way for. "Hurry it up, Suigetsu. We don't have a lot of time."
"Yeah, yeah. Just let me do my work and we can leave. Just don't get involved." Suigetsu approached the tracker shinobi. "That sword...give it to me."
"You want this?" With great ease, Haku held the massive broadsword out. All were impressed by this feat of strength. "Do you know how many random merchants or low life bandits try and take this from me? It's not happening."
"I'm not some stupid bandit." Suigetsu chuckled. "Let's just cut out the middleman here. I know you're the student of Zabuza and feel entitled to that sword, or whatever. But the Kubikiribōchō needs to come with me. So, why not just hand it over so no one gets hurt."
"Your overconfidence will kill you." Haku twirled the Kubikiribōchō effortlessly. "Come then!"
Jūgo was impressed as he watched Suigetsu charge. "For someone of her size can wield a weapon of that size...she has trained to perfection."
Karin adjusted her glasses. "I don't have a lot of confidence in Suigetsu. Sasuke, haven't you fought her before?"
"It was a long time ago." Sasuke recalled his brief encounter with Haku. If it wasn't for Naruto, he doesn't think he would have won that battle. "She has a kekkei genkai for Hyōton release."
"Ice release?!" Karin questioned, stunned. "Suigetsu is at a complete disadvantage!"
"What do you mean?" Jūgo asked.
"Suigetsu's from the Hōzuki clan. They're known for very strong affinities to water release. Nearly every technique in his arsenal is based on Suiton. Suigetsu doesn't stand a chance!"
Sasuke watched the battle, sitting on a stump. "I know."
"Then why aren't doing anything?!"
"Because he doesn't want our help. I'm going to honor that the same way I expect him to honor my request to stay out of my battle with Itachi."
"I thought you brought us together to help you taken down Itachi?" Jūgo questioned.
"To help track him down, yes. To fight him, no. I'll be the only one to fight Itachi."
Suigetsu watched the heavy broadsword come down overhead. Haku was much faster with the blade than he anticipated. He quickly transformed his body into a liquid form and the sword passed right through his liquefied body. And just as quickly, he transformed back.
"Dead to rights!"
"Hissatsu Hyōsō!" (Shattering Ice Spear)
Several large ice spikes emerged from the ground below. The impact was so sudden, and the enormous size of the spikes left little room for escape.
With the Kubikiribōchō in hand, Haku stood atop one of the large ice spikes. She watched for her opponent to emerge from the frozen construct. "That was Hōzuki's clan secret technique. The Hydrification Jutsu. And by your looks, you resemble one of the former Seven Swordsman. You couldn't be Mangetsu, right?"
Suigetsu, in solid form, slowly walked out on another ice spike. "Nice try, but no. That's my older brother. And being the student of Zabuza Momochi, you should know how dangerous he was."
"Are you suggesting I should think you're more dangerous than him?"
"That's exactly what I'm saying!"
Suigetsu used the Hydrification Jutsu to pump water into his muscles to increase his strength. He jumped off the ice spike and reared his massive fist back.
"Give me that sword!"
Gracefully, Haku leapt directly over Suigetsu while slicing the Kubikiribōchō down to cut off Suigetsu's engorged arm. Water burst out instead of blood.
"Gah!" Suigetsu fell down the ice spike. He made a finger gun with still attached hand. "Mizudeppō no Jutsu!" (Water Gun Jutsu)
Using the Hydrification Jutsu, Suigetsu compressed a drop of water in his index finger and fired it with tremendous force. The compressed water bullet hit Haku in the shoulder, dislocating it.
"Ah!" The female hunter yelped as she fell back towards the ground. Kubikiribōchō fell into the ground blade first.
He's a true Hōzuki clan member, for sure!
Haku tried to push her shoulder joint back into place but couldn't handle the pain. She would have to finish this fight singlehandedly. She didn't want to resort to her trump card so soon, but she was left with no other choice.
Using a single hand seal, Haku released her chakra from the ice spikes, and they melted in seconds. The melting spikes created a massive amount of water.
"Thanks for the hydration." Suigetsu chuckled. The water absorbed into his body, and he grew another arm. "Thank God for my clan's techniques. I would be without my masturbating arm if it weren't for it."
Ignoring the lude comment, Haku made another one-handed seal. "That water wasn't for you. It's for me! Makyō Hyōshō!" (Crystal Ice Mirrors)
Once called the cursed kekkei genkai of his clan, Haku used his ability to create a dome of several large mirrors that surrounded Suigetsu. Haku entered the mirror in front of her and projected her reflection on all the mirrors.
"What the hell is that?!" Karin was stunned. She had never seen a technique like that before.
Sasuke remembered that technique well. He could recall the whole sequence perfectly. He and Naruto only survived that technique because of Sharingan. Suigetsu had neither the Sharingan nor Naruto's strength to shatter the mirrors. Suigetsu was in trouble now. The rest of the team outside the mirrors were the only ones who could help him.
Suigetsu couldn't tell which one was the real Haku. He couldn't see which mirror she entered, which was confusing in itself. Shit! What do I do?!
"This...will be your tomb." Haku had senbons between her fingers, her reflections mimicking her. "Die with a hailstorm!"
Hundreds of senbon shot down, aimed to kill Suigetsu. Without another option for survival, Suigetsu liquefied his body to allow the senbons to pass through his body. He needed to figure out a solution. He could maintain this form for a while, but he doubted he could outlast Haku and this demonic dome mirror construct.
"Again!"
Another hail of metal needles fell from the sky, passing straight through Suigetsu's liquefied body. He analyzed the reflections, hoping to see a distinction between them to find the real body. He figured if he stayed in the same place, he could trick his opponent into making a mistake.
Meanwhile, another mirror began to appear behind Suigetsu, unknown to him. The continued hail of senbons was a distraction.
The mirror pieced itself together with the image of Haku inside it. She fazed her head through glass. "Hyōton: Kogoeru iki." (Ice Style: Freezing Breath)
A mist of freezing air escaped Haku's mouth and quickly expanded around Suigetsu. His liquefied body instantly began to freeze.
"What the fuck?! How'd you get behind me?" Suigetsu's body was completely frozen already. Only his head remained.
"This is my domain." Haku stepped out of her mirror, shattering it. "Inside this dome. I can create a mirror wherever I need to. Keeping yourself stationary was your biggest mistake of this battle." With her non dislocated arm, she raised Kubikiribōchō up, executioner style. "You were a strong opponent, worthy of your clan's name. I hope the afterlife finds you peace."
Kubikiribōchō dropped.
"W-Wait!"
Sparks flew as Kubikiribōchō clashed with another sword. Sasuke dashed in through the mirrors and blocked Haku's death blow. He held the block against the heavy broadsword with relative ease. "Nice try, but I need him."
Suigetsu couldn't believe Sasuke's intercept speed. There was a reason he was able to take down Orochimaru.
Haku had a feeling that Sasuke might join the battle at some point. And just from their simple clash of swords, Haku could tell how powerful he had become.
"You aren't the same as you were back then." Haku pulled off the Kubikiribōchō and stabbed it into the ground. "I don't want to fight you, Uchiha."
"Funny. I was thinking how good a rematch might be."
"What is it you desire from me? I've done nothing wrong to any of you."
"If you'd had just given me the sword, then we would have left you alone!" Suigetsu shouted. His whole body was frozen but not his loudmouth.
"What is it you want with my master's sword?"
"I want to collect all seven swords to reunite the Swordsman Guild under my name. Then, rebuild the name of the Seven Swordsman of the Mist to its former glory!"
Haku was surprised. "Interesting. But, why didn't say that from the beginning? I'm trying to do something similar."
"Huh?!"
"I want to unite all remaining swordsmen to rebuild the Guild and restore their name. Though, I don't have any aspirations to lead them. If you'd like to assist in my quest, by all means, you are more than welcome."
The freezing ice instantly melted, freeing Suigetsu from his captivity. Haku slung the broadsword and clipped it to her backside. She nursed her dislocated shoulder.
"No thanks. I want all the swords to myself first." Suigetsu geared up for another fight, but Sasuke put his arm up to stop him. "Hey! What gives?!"
"I want to make a proposition to you, Haku."
The girl was intrigued. "What kind of deal could you make me?"
Karin and Jūgo approached from the rear. "What are you doing, Sasuke?" Karin questioned.
"We learned that you're hunting down a missing ninja for the Mizukage, correct?" Haku's silence answered Sasuke's question. "I'm willing to help you in that."
"You think I can't track down and bring in a missing shinobi?"
"Not this one. Did you know this particular shinobi is a jinchūriki?"
"A jinchūriki?" Haku had a feeling she knew what that term was but was having trouble with it. "That boy...Naruto. He's a jinchūriki, right? That means there is a Tailed Beast sealed inside them?"
Sasuke nodded. "Then you understand how powerful a jinchūriki can be. You're going to need our help to bring him in."
Haku was suspicious of this deal. "What's in it for you then?"
"If we help you bring this jinchūriki in, I want you to join us. We're on a mission to take down Itachi Uchiha. And with your expertise on tracking, you'll be a great asset to the mission."
"But what about after this mission is completed? What then? We go our separate ways?"
"If that what you desire, then yes. But I will help you in your mission to unite the Swordsman Guild, if you'd like."
Stunned, Haku weighed her options. The offer was enticing. It was a tall order to find the missing swords of the Mist. Then, she would have to convince the remaining living members to join with her under the name Seven Swordsmen of the Mist.
Kisame was going to be the hardest to convince. He seemed quite loyal to that group he's in now.
Some extra help would be nice.
"I'll join you...under one condition."
All members of Hebi were stunned. Even Sasuke was a little surprised. "Name it."
"The Mizukage and I arranged a deal that when I brought their missing shinobi in, I would become a member of their forces. I only made that deal so that she would help me track down the other swords and swordsmen. I need out of that deal. I don't want to be under a village name."
Unsure of how to break a deal with a Kage, Sasuke would cross that bridge when they came to it. For now, he was content with how things played out.
Sasuke outstretched his hand, which Haku accepted.
"Welcome to Hebi."