Chapter 92 Strike.
Konoha 11 rushed through the battlefield to the cherry blossom tree. With the forest surrounding it, they leap from tree to tree, moving faster because of it. However, they weren't alone in the forest; chakra chains sprung from the ground and threatened to shackle them. Neji took point, breaking the chains with his gentle fist.
"Attack from all sides," Hinata warned as Uzumakis surrounded them. The team didn't stop, however, as Tenten pulled out a scroll.
"Rising dragon!" she announced, throwing the scroll forward. Smoke in the form of a dragon surrounded the genins as she unsealed her weapons. With a twirl, she grabbed a handful of kunais and threw it at the Uzumakis; those that dodged were stabbed in the back when she recalled the weapons with wires. It was a beautiful display of skill and control. The Uzumakis, injured, fell back but were reanimated so they wouldn't stay down.
"Multi shadow clone jutsu!" Naruto summoned an army of clones that scattered and pinned the Uzumakis. He looked at Tenten, who nodded and pulled out another scroll.
"Twin rising dragon!" Two dragon smoke surrounded her as she unsealed kunais and threw them at the pinned Uzumakis. Naruto's clones leaped away, and a series of explosions shook the forest.
"You were amazing, Tenten," Naruto praised her. He huffed, but a blush tinted her cheeks.
"This place is crawling with these guys," Kiba warned them, throwing a kunai at the shadow that leaped at him. It groaned and fell back into the foliage. "We might have to split up."
"Negative," Shikamaru objected. "We stick together. We're currently outnumbered, and the moment they get us alone… we're done."
Lee kicked another attacker, sending them flying back into the trees.
"We will not have the strength to fight if this continues," Lee warned.
"That's likely their plan," Shino informed them. "Drain us of our energy and subdue us at the finish line."
"Those bastards," Kiba growled, and Akamaru barked in agreement.
"No need to worry," Hinata informed them. "We have backup."
"Fire style, Phoenix flower jutsu!"
"Chidori!"
Fire and lighting descended upon the surrounding area, and Shikamaru smiled.
"About time the adults showed up."
"Most of the enemies have retreated, so we're free to move, " Asuma explained, keeping pace with them.
"Though it seems everyone is heading for that tree now," Kurenai chimed in.
"Since it seems that tree is their enemy, we must protect it," Guy leaped before them.
"Guy sensei," Lee called out, earning a shining smile.
"That three has Sakura in its branches," Shikamaru explained.
"What!?" their senseis exclaimed.
"Why am I even surprised, this is the land of Waves all over again," Kakashi complained, joining the ranks.
"Since the tree is everyone's target, we need to get Sakura out of there," Shikkamru Explained his plan.
"Easier said than done," Itachi joined in. "The Uzumaki are merely moving the fighting to the foot of the Sakura tree. It won't be easy to get to her without a fight."
"Peace was never an option," Naruto growled.
"Well send, Naruto~"
Black hair flew into view, and the group gasped.
"Sakura!" they called.
"Not quite," she responded, looking back with green eyes. "Our connection was cut off a moment ago. I'm not aware of the situation inside that tree."
"It shouldn't be a problem," another puppet said. "We still have our mission."
"Our priority is to secure the Jinchurikis and eliminate all threats to them."
Soon, they were surrounded by Puppets in Sakura's likeness.
"Forget about the main body," the first informed them. "I'll be more pissed if you come looking for me and the Jinchurikis get hurt or worse."
"How can you worry about someone else when you're like this!" Neji yelled.
"If I don't worry about them," she said softly, looking back. "Who will?"
The Hyuga knew that look; there was no changing her mind.
"You want us to go to the Jinchurikis instead?" Shikamaru asked for clarity.
"The situation has changed, and that tree stands as a variable no one saw coming. I fear they might take the Jinchurikis and run, and that's something more terrifying than Moryo's reign.
"Something worse?" Naruto muttered.
"What aren't you telling us?" Shikamaru asked.
"When has she ever told us anything," Neji muttered.
Sakura's puppets laughed.
"What's the matter?" their voices said at once. "Don't you trust me?"
"Right now?" Shikamaru grumbled. "Not really."
"Fine," she sighed. "You might not remember the nine-tail attack but think of that happening again. Except there is no fourth Hokage to protect the village."
Naruto gripped his stomach.
"If the enemy takes the tail beast, they will be unstoppable."
"Hate to break it to you, but they're already unstoppable," Kiba told her.
"This is nothing. You haven't seen war." Her voice was low and grave. "And hopefully, you won't have to!"
She stopped before the barrier of chains, summoning a pink sword.
She sliced through the chains and leaped ahead, waving her hand.
"Go to them!" she commanded. "No one deserves to be alone at a time like this. Protect them as you would me."
Sakura-shaped marks began to glow on their body.
"I'm counting on you," she smiled before the genins disappeared in a flash of pink.
"That's pretty sneaky," Itachi said, falling in step beside her. "Sending them to protect weapons of mass destruction. I'm sure they need "Help."
"Even as a puppet, you're still just Sakura," Kakashi chuckled.
"I don't get why you didn't send us instead," Asuma said. It was the Jonins and Anbu running together now.
"As Itachi said, it is more likely that the genins will be protected than protected, but this is the only way to keep them safe," the puppet said
"What to say, the Jinchurikis don't attack them," Kurenai challenged.
Sakura smiled. "That's why I sent a puppet with them." Sakura's puppet explained. The Jonins looked around, noting that the number of Puppets did in fact decrease.
"You really thought of everything," Guy said in awe.
"Not everything," Sakura's puppet dismissed the praise. "Like I said, I have no idea what's the situation with that Tree and why the main host created it."
"Guess there's one way to find out," Kakashi commented as they broke through the tree line.
The tree was more imposing up close, looking more like a mountain than a tree.
A body fell from above, crashing into the ground with a crack. As the dust settled, they saw the porcelain body of a puppet before it reformed into the image of a red-haired Uzumaki. The redhead grumbled before noticing the Leaf shinobis. They summoned chains to attack, reaching for them. They didn't get far; wire threads pinned them to the ground in a flash. The Uzumaki groaned as the team stood over them. Kakashi looked up to see more redheads crawling up the tree like bugs.
"Gross," Sakura's puppet said, having the same thought.
"Let's get going then," Itachi stated, running up the truck.
"It will take forever to get there at this rate," Asuma complained, following suit.
"My Rival," Guy said excitedly. "Let's race!"
Sakura's puppet watched the jonins ascend the tree, deep in thought.
"Hang in there, me."
/
The pink bud pulsed with life and chakra. It looked like a heart that provided energy for the entire tree. Sasuke was out of breath as he looked at the sight before him. His wounds healed faster the closer he got to the score. He reached out and touched the bud; warmth rushed through his body, and he felt safe. He placed his forehead against the bud and sighed in relief. She was finally in front of him. He closed his eyes, his body sagging. When they opened again, they were red with the Sharingan and hard with determination.
"Time to go, Sakura," he said and gripped the edge of the bud. He pulled, but the flower didn't budge. "Come on, Sakura," he groaned. "Stop struggling!" his grip slipped, and the Uchiha fell to the wooden branch below. Looking up at the bud that didn't move, he gritted his teeth.
"Why are you always like this!" he yelled in frustration. "You can't stay here! You just made yourself a huge target. It won't be long before they get through your defenses!"
"Indeed."
The sweet voice sent shivers down Sasuke's spine. With a quick movement, he pulled out a kunai and threw it at the wench. Her movements were graceful as she stepped out of the way of the attack. Sasuke growled at the woman with red hair and green eyes.
"You," he spat with venom.
"Me~" she smiled at him as though they were friends, as though she hadn't massacred his clan. "Come now, Sasuke, no need to be like that.'' She stepped forward but stopped as a line of shurikens stabbed the branch below her.
"Don't come any closer!" he demanded.
She didn't drop her smile, instead standing her ground.
"Alright, I'll just stay here and speak," she pointed to the bud. "Destroy it."
"What!?
Sasuke's eyes widened as a man wielding a bandaged blade dashed forward. The Uchiha, seeing no way to dodge, activated his clan's technique.
"Susano!"
Purple chakra engulfed Sasuke, and a ribcage formed around him. It was an unbreakable technique. Or it should have been.
The blade cut through his Susanoo and across his chest. Pain radiated through his mind, and he screamed. Blood fell to the branches below, and Sasuke fell to his knees. He gripped his chest and coughed blood.
"Kisume looked down at the kid with disappointment. Fugaku was a demon among the Uchihas; it was hard to believe this was his son. Perhaps Itachi would be a better challenge. He was lost in thought when black flames roared to life, forcing him to leap back. Kisame ripped off his sleeve and grimaced at the burn marks underneath. The wound wasn't healing.
"Oh," Kisame was amused as he watched the small Uchiha rise to his feet, his wound healing extremely fast. No one said anything about a Uchiha being a Jinchuriki." Kisame muttered, looking at Ina for an explanation. She looked up at the branches and pink petals.
"This place is a Saturday for those she holds dear," she explained. "It seems that healing wounds is one of its perks."
Kisame grinned. "So that means I can cut him up as much as I want, right!" he dashed forward without waiting for a response. With a downward strike, Kisame attacked Sasuke again. This time, the Uchiha was ready. He leaped into the air and kicked out, landing a kick to Kisame's face. The sharkman grinned. This kid wasn't half bad.
Kisame dragged his bland along the brand and swung up at Sasuke, who leaped off the bandaged blade onto the branches above. With fast hand seals, he landed a phoenix flower jutsu at the man.
"Water wall," Kisame announced, and the water doused the flames, revealing the shurikens that flew through the water to strike him. Surprised, he raised his blade to block, smirking at Sasuke's cunning nature.
Kisame retaliated, cutting the water and leaping up at Sasuke to strike him down. Sasuke ran along the top branches, his hair falling to the ground. He summoned a sword and swung it at the swordsman, but he was no match for Kisame in strength. Sasuke barely managed the block as Kisame swung his sword wildly. Ina watched the two run around above her before locking eyes with the bud.
As she stepped towards it, she found herself sidestepping Sasuke's attack. Wasn't he preoccupied? She looked up again but found Kisame wrapped in wire strings, his hands bound and his blade ripped from them. She raised a brow at their partner and then smiled down at Sasuke. The Uchiha brought his fingers to his lips, strings caught in his teeth, and released a burst of roaring flames.
"Great Dragon Fire Jutsu!"
"Oh, my~" Ina sighed as the flames ran up the wires to Kisame and scorched him. Sasuke's Mangekyo spun, and the flames became black. "That won't do."
Golden chains sprung from the branches below and wrapped around Sasuke. He groaned as she sealed his chakra. His eyes faded to black, and he slumped, his strength draining.
"No," he groaned as he fell to the ground, empty. Kisame landed a bit more gracefully, catching his sword as it fell.
"I was almost toast there," Kisame commented, acknowledging Sasuke's strength. Ina huffed.
"If he keeps this up, he'll go blind. Let's get this over with." Ina approached the bud, but once more, Sasuke stood in her way. Even without chakra he refused to back down.
"So stubborn," she sighed.
It happened in a flash, and Ina would forever regret her life choices after that moment. Kisame, seeking revenge, threw his trusted blade that pierced Sasuke and pinned him to the ground. Without any defense, the boy was sure to die. But that wasn't the worst of it. Ina looked disapprovingly at Kisame, who shrugged. She sighed. Now she would have to come up with a reasonable excuse as to why she was healing him. Ina rolled up her sleeve and approached the boy; she would heal him first and then deal with the bud. She didn't get to reach him.
The tree trembled violently, the branches rearranging themselves. Perhaps it was Sasuke's blood that caused such a violent reaction, or it was time for the flower to bloom, whatever the case, their time was up. The branches moved to expose the bud to sunlight, and like a flower in spring, the bud bloomed.
"What a drag," Ina said mournfully.