After the tense scene between Gaara and Deidara's fight, Tsunade decided for everyone to take a break.
"Haaah," Kiba sighed, he was holding a bottle of drink in his hand, "What is this drink? It's so refreshing, the tension I felt earlier has gone."
"I don't know, but I agree with you. This drink is very refreshing," said Shino.
"Me too," Hinata said.
"To be sure, all the food and drinks here are delicious," said Chouji happily, he was very happy to be here.
Right now, everyone was scattering around the room while enjoying the food. All the tension they had disappeared after enjoying the food. Some of them were checking the room, some were enjoying the view in the window, and some were alone like Itachi who was standing in the corner of the room.
After a while, Tsunade called out to all of them, "Alright, everyone back to their original positions, we will start the next video."
In Tsunade's hand, there was a remote that controlled the screen. A while ago, Oz had asked Tsunade to be in charge of the screen so that they could watch more freely. Oz had also told Tsunade how to use the remote.
After Tsunade's call, they all returned to their seats.
In the middle of the desert, Kankurou lay helpless, around him were his puppets that were falling apart.
The Suna trio instantly became tense, the rest they used earlier became useless when they saw Kankurou on the screen.
Gaara and Temari looked anxiously at the screen, they were worried about Kankurou's fate.
While Kankurou just sat limply looking at the screen, he already knew he would lose against Sasori, moreover he was completely unprepared.
"Unfortunately I can't see Sasori's fighting style," thought Kankurou.
"Ugh…. Ugh…." He groaned in pain, "My body is numb. No way, he used poison too…"
"Your plan is good. It's just not enough against me," said Sasori, "Your entire puppet poison preparation mechanism is worthy of praise."
"Why?" Kankurou gritted his teeth, "This is the first time my puppet preparations have been read so deeply."
Temari looked at Kankurou in annoyance "Next time think before you act."
"I know, I know, okay. I also didn't know that my opponent was him."
"Haha, you have a strange expression on your face. Why are your preparations known?" said Sasori, it seemed like he got what kankurou thought, "That's because the one who created your puppet, Karasu, Sanshuuou, and Kuroari was none other than me."
"!?" Kankurou widened his eyes when he heard that.
"A dexterous young fellow like you became my opponent, it was the most enjoyable battle I have experienced in a long time."
If it weren't for the fact that Sasori was a criminal, Kankurou would be happy to hear those words.
"So… wait, you're the one they call the genius model creator of the puppet army. Sasori the Red Sand!?" Kankurou said while trembling.
On one of Kankuro's puppetss, there is a sticker with a scorpion in it.
"For my name to be known to a child like you, it is an honor."
"You left the land of sand 20 years ago, why?"
"What's the use of someone who is about to die asking that?" said Sasori while pointing his poisoned tail at Kankurou.
Meanwhile, Temari was resting while drinking a glass of tea and dango. When she wanted to take the glass, suddenly the glass cracked.
"…." She frowned, "I don't believe in this kind of thing, but…. I have a bad feeling."
Temari was distraught seeing herself on the screen, her two siblings were now in danger and she didn't know what was going on.
"Relax, no one can blame you here," said Kankurou.
"I know."
Returning to the battle in the desert, Sasori's tail quickly headed for Kankurou, Kankurou who saw that tried hard to move his left hand, as a result Kuorari's head managed to fly and parry the attack from Sasori's tail.
Kankurou didn't give the opponent a break, he then moved one of the puppet's arms that was released and aimed it at Sasori, at the base of the arm came out a sharp knife and shot towards Sasori's head. Sasori who realized that immediately dodged the arm so that Kankurou's attack missed, the arm only tore a bit of the mask covering Sasori's mouth.
"Close .." said Sasori.
"Ugh.." Kankurou gritted his teeth because his attack missed, he then ran his finger on the arm that was sent flying earlier, the arm immediately caught the torn cloth from Sasori's mask.
"That…." Kankurou muttered when he saw his actions on the screen.
"What is it?" Temari asked.
"Not. It's nothing," Kankurou replied. He felt that it was not the time to explain his actions on the screen.
Kiba and Kakashi who specialize in tracking narrowed their eyes. They understood the meaning of Kankurou's actions.
"That cloth can be useful for tracking," thought Kakashi, he then glanced at Kankurou out of the corner of his eye, "Even though he knew he would lose, he still fought until the end."
Kankurou felt his consciousness getting further and further away.
"Apparently the poison has started to work," said Sasori, he then pulled back his tail again, hiding it under his cloak, "Fufu, you seem to be suffering a lot. If you really want to live, I won't kill you here. After all, the poison will kill you in 3 days."
"3 days..." whispered Sakura. She might be able to save Kankurou if she came in time.
"Can he still be saved?" Jiraiya asked Tsunade.
"The poison can still be removed, but an antidote is still needed if it turns out that there is still poison left," Tsunade replied.
"What kind of antidote is needed?" Kankurou asked Tsunade. He needed this information to confront Sasori.
"Do you have any medicinal plants?"
Kankurou looked at Temari with a questioning look, Temari who felt Kankurou's gaze replied "Yes, we have planted some of those plants."
"Then there's no problem, you can make an antidote with that plant."
"I see, thanks for the information, Hokage-sama," said Kankurou, he then glanced at Gaara, "Leave it to me about the antidote."
"Okay!"
"Gaara..." was all he could think of, his vision began to darken when he saw Sasori walk away, "Damn."
"He's here, over there! He lost, the puppet fell apart."
He faintly heard the voices of several people before he lost consciousness completely.
"At least some help is coming," Temari muttered as she breathed a sigh of relief.
In Konoha, Team Kakashi has finished preparing their preparations to go to Suna village.
"Alright, let's go," said Naruto.
"Okay, Tsunade-sensei, we go first," Sakura said to Tsunade.
"If we hurry, we'll probably arrive in 3 days, that would allow me to save Kankurou-san if he hasn't received treatment. I hope nothing happens during the trip," thought Sakura.
"Ah," Tsunade replied with a nod, beside her stood Iruka who was worried to see Naruto.
Iruka then closed his eyes before looking at Naruto with confidence, "Do your best."
"Yeah," he replied. Then he started walking, but his steps were stopped when someone appeared in front of him, it was Jiraiya.
"Yo, doing a mission, Naruto?" Jiraiya asked.
"Yeah."
Jiraiya then looked at Tsunade, "Um, more importantly Tsunade, something terrible has happened. The Kazekage of the land of the sands has-"
"I know," Tsunade cut off Jiraiya's words, "I will send these people there," she said while pointing at Naruto and the others.
Jiraiya came closer and whispered to Tsunade, "You 'do'… know about 'something' between Naruto and Akatsuki, right?"
He then turned to Naruto, "Naruto, come here for a moment."
As Naruto approached, Jiraiya began to speak, "Be careful when dealing with Akatsuki."
"They have something against me, this time I will come to them," replied Naruto.
Kakashi just stared at the two of them in silence.
"Well, you've gotten stronger, but… when you feel like you're about to lose control, get a grip on yourself or else you'll screw things up. Acting too fast is your bad habit," Jiraiya said.
Naruto sighed in annoyance.
"Naruto, I know you know, but…. Don't use that jutsu," Jiraiya said seriously.
Tsunade immediately glanced at Jiraiya, "What jutsu?"
"I can't say right now, but it's for Naruto's sake," Jiraiya replied.
Tsunade nodded in understanding, she knew Jiraiya would never give Naruto anything bad.
Hearing Jiraiya's warning, Naruto's expression became sour, "I know..." he said quietly.
After that Jiraiya approached Kakashi, "Kakashi, make sure Naruto doesn't do anything stupid. I completely trust you."
"Yeah…."
"Kakashi-sensei, Sakura-chan, let's move quickly," Naruto shouted.
"W-Wait Naruto," Sakura said while chasing Naruto.
"See you later," Kakashi said waving to the others, then he followed Naruto and Sakura.
"Geez…" Jiraiya sighed.
Iruka looked at them with a hint of worry on his face.
"Worried?" Tsunade asked who was beside him suddenly.
"Well he's… he's not the weak Shinobi I have to worry about, Sakura too," Iruka replied.
Tsunade and Jiraiya just smiled and didn't say anything.
"Maturity... is a strange thing."
In Suna Village, in the Kazekage building to be exact, several people were gathering.
"It's a new poison, we haven't found any antidote yet. If we don't hurry, he won't last for 2…. not 3 days is our limit," said one who could be identified as a medic.
"Even the medics in our village don't know the antidote, do they," Kankurou muttered. They are really behind in medical matters.
"Could it be that we can ask the siblings for help?" Temari thought. She thought it was possible, since Sasori was related by blood to them, maybe they would be willing to lend a hand.
Beside him stood Baki who narrowed his eyes nervously, "Gaara, and now Kankurou…"
In front of them, Kankuro was lying bandaged on the bed, he was groaning in pain.
"I guess all we can do is ask the retired siblings," Baki said.
"I guess that's the only way, but are they willing to help? They've been alone for years," Kankurou said.
"Maybe if we can use Sasori's name, they will help," Temari replied.
"Who are you guys talking about?" Lee asked them suddenly. Kankurou and Temari turned to him.
"Retired veteran shinobi," Temari replied.
"If they're from Suna, they must be helping, right?" said Tenten.
"I'm not sure, but I hope they will help."
Meanwhile in the middle of the forest, Team Kakashi is traveling to Suna. But on the way, Sakura saw someone unexpected, it was Temari.
"Temari-san," she shouted.
"!?" Temari looked up when someone called out to her.
"Finally," Temari muttered, she was annoyed at herself for not knowing what disaster was going on.
In the desert, Sasori had reunited with Deidara.
"You're late, Lord Sasori. Yeah."
"Don't be too upset. Anyway, we got your target 'One Tail'. Now it's my turn, but… we don't even know where it is, it'll be a lot easier if it catches up with us."
"Yeah. By the way, which 'Jinchuuriki' is Lord Sasori's opponent?"
"Well, my opponent is anyone, as long as I get one 'Jinchuuriki' then there's no problem right?"
"Psychopath," Ino said in a low voice, "He will kill anyone, no matter who it is."
"Well, that's what you'd expect from an S-class villain," said Shikamaru. He looked at Itachi out of the corner of his eye. He knew what Itachi's crimes were like, the Konoha traitor who massacred his entire clan leaving only his younger brother. He didn't know why Naruto could trust Itachi, he hoped the screen would explain.
Back in Team Kakashi, Sakura had explained the whole situation to Temari, of course it was a shock.
"What! Gaara!?" she shouted. She then recalled the cracked glass earlier, "I have a bad feeling."
"It will take 3 days to reach the land of sand from here, let's hurry," said Kakashi.
"Okay."
They then jumped up and continued on their way.
On the way, Naruto thought back to the first time he faced Akatsuki.
"To kidnap Naruto, that was the order given to us from our organization, Akatsuki."
Itachi's words echoed in his head.
"Could it be the first time he met Itachi?" Sakura thought, "Sasuke-kun has also changed back then, I think it's because of his meeting with Itachi."
"It's not you they want, but what's inside you. The Kyuubi is sealed within you, I believe that they want to put that power under their control."
It was the information Jiraiya had given him after his confrontation with Itachi and Kisame.
Remembering all that annoyed him, he then stomped his foot hard on the tree trunk to increase his speed. Kakashi saw Naruto's actions and quickly warned him.
"Naruto, just because I said to hurry, doesn't mean you should be separated from the team. Don't be too greedy, didn't Jiraiya-sama warn you."
"I can't stand still," replied Naruto, surprises everyone, "Even I know why they were after me and Gaara. You still don't know, do you, Sakura-chan?"
No one said anything, because they knew what Naruto meant.
"Inside me, sealed the 'Kyuubi' fox demon."
Sakura didn't say anything, she just lowered her head sadly.
"Me and Gaara, because we have monsters in our bodies, that's why they hunted us. That's why I can't keep quiet. Just seeing us as monsters, I can't stand them seeing us any way they feel!"
Iruka looked down sadly, he still remembered the gazes of everyone in the village on Naruto. Fear and hatred. It made him sad, since then he didn't want Naruto to feel lonely anymore. He will accept what he is, he will show everyone that Naruto is not a monster, but a shinobi from Konoha Village.
Konohamaru still remembers the people who told him to stay away from Naruto. They told him that Naruto was a monster, but to him Naruto was not that kind of person. Everyone was always respectful and careful of him because he was the Hokage's grandson, but Naruto didn't look at him that way at all. Since then he admired Naruto, and in the end they became Rivals.
"A monster? In this case, so am I. I was born a monster."
Gaara's words from the past echoed in his head.
"He and I are exactly the same, And he fights, he's lonelier than I am."
"…." Temari lowered her head and couldn't say anything.
"To them, I am a memento from the past that they want to destroy. Then, what is the purpose of my existence? When I thought about it, I couldn't find an answer. But, as long as we live, the goal is necessary. Without it, it's tantamount to death."
"Is this what a Jinchuuriki always faces?" Shikamaru thought. He didn't know what Gaara went through, but he did know what Naruto went through as a Jinchuuriki. He himself never thought of Naruto as a monster, that's why he never walked away when Naruto approached him. To him Naruto was just a noisy boy who wanted to get attention from others.
Shikamaru secretly glanced at Gaara, "No wonder he used to have so much hatred," he thought while remembering the old Gaara.
"He is Akatsuki's target, just like I was before. Even so, why is he always alone in such a difficult role, always alone!? That's why I don't want to just sit around and ask 'why'. Now, I definitely want to save him!"
Many people smiled at Naruto's sincere words.
Temari's eyes widened at Naruto's words, she didn't expect that Naruto would go that far to save her little brother. Her expression began to frown sadly and she closed her eyes, "Uzumaki Naruto, thank you."
"Thank you, Uzumaki Naruto," Temari said in her mind, following her on-screen words. She was very grateful that there were people who considered Gaara a friend.
"No wonder Gaara admires him so much," thought Kankurou as he recalled his conversation with Gaara, "As his older brother, I thank Uzumaki Naruto. Thank you for bringing Gaara out of his darkness."
Gaara smiled slightly at Naruto's words, "Thank you, Naruto."
At Suna, Kankurou who was in pain suddenly muttered, "That….him…"
"Kankurou!" shouted Baki who was surprised to see Kankurou, he then put his ear to Kankurou's face to hear his muttering.
"!" His eyes widened after hearing Kankurou's words, the medics who saw all of this were confused.
Then Baki without saying anything, left the room.
Somewhere in Suna, an old couple is fishing in a pond.
"So we ended up asking them for help," said Kankurou.
"Who are they?" Shikamaru asked.
"They are the Honorable Siblings of suna, they are suna's retired shinobi. Chiyo-baasama and Ebizo-jiisama," Temari replied.
"Ah, is she," said Tsunade.
"Do you know them, Tsunade-sama?" Sakura asked.
"A little. I've met that old granny several times during the second world war, for some reason she doesn't like me," said Tsunade slightly amused.
Jiraiya then whispered to Tsunade, "Isn't this bad."
"What's wrong?" Tsunade replied lowly.
"Sakumo, Kakashi's father. I heard he killed her son and daughter-in-law."
Tsunade was a little tense hearing Jiraiya's words, after a while she sighed, "There's nothing to do now, right."
Kakashi and his team had already left for Suna, so there was nothing they could do now.
Kakashi who heard Tsunade and Jiraiya's conversation slightly grimaced, "This will be troublesome."
"Nee-chan," said Grandpa, but Grandmother didn't respond, "Hey, I'm talking to you."
The grandmother still did not respond, she was silent like a statue looking at a fishing rod.
"Are you dead?" Asked the grandfather again.
"Impooossible! I'm just playing death. Gya ha ha ha," said the grandmother suddenly laughed.
"Hey. Seems like the jovial type," said Kiba.
"Only for those closest to her," Kankurou replied.
"Don't act stupid, nee-chan," replied the grandfather seeing the grandmother's actions.
Then Baki appeared, causing them to fall silent.
"Siblings, I ask you to help us," said Baki.
"Old books are left on high shelves, tied together. There's nothing we can do now," replied the grandmother.
"The organization called Akatsuki has taken Shukaku from our village. If this continues, it will result in a dire situation."
"This is your generation. Do something yourself," said the grandfather.
"As expected," Kankurou snorted.
"Not. It's not finished yet," Temari said. She hoped Baki did what she thought.
"You two have a strong relationship with every village. The special roots you two have in villages in other countries that are not allied with us. We cannot collect the information ourselves."
"We no longer have any attachment to this world. Even if there is, it is my wish to see my grandson's face one more time," said the grandmother.
"That's auspicious, one of the Akatsuki members is your grandson," Baki replied.
"HAH!?" Kiba shouted in surprise.
Not only Kiba, several people were also shocked to hear this shocking news.
"The Akatsuki member is her grandson? Who?" asked Lee in surprise at the suna trio.
The suna trio looked at each other, Gaara nodded his head to give permission.
"That's Sasori, he's the grandson of Chiyo-baasama. About 20 years ago he left the village, no one has heard of him since," said Temari.
Nobody spoke, they were processing all this new information in their heads.
Team Kakashi and Temari continued their journey towards Suna, they jumped from tree to tree.
"Naruto," said Sakura suddenly called Naruto.
Naruto glanced at Sakura.
"You've been through a lot, haven't you?" she said.
"?"
"Uchiha Itachi, and you're the target," said Sakura, making Naruto's eyes widen in surprise, "I haven't only been training these two and a half years. I looked through Tsunade-sensei's notes, and researched the outside as much as I could."
"So that's what she did," Ino thought while glancing at Sakura secretly. During their training with Tsunade, Ino had seen Sakura researching many things.
Sakura then recalled Sasuke's words in the past, when they were first gathered as Team 7.
"There is something I want to do. To resurrect my clan and kill that man. No one but me can kill that man. I have to become stronger than that man, here."
"The enemy that Sasuke-kun wants to kill, it's his older brother, Uchiha Itachi, right? A member of Akatsuki."
Several people glanced at Itachi. Itachi who felt people's gazes remained expressionless and looked at the screen.
Naruto was too shocked to say anything, he didn't expect that Sakura would know that too. He then recalled Sasuke's words in the past, "Don't do anything…. Somebody…. Which will kill him…. Is me."
Sakura recalled Orochimaru's words during the chuunin exams, "You are indeed brothers, your eyes have greater abilities than Itachi's eyes. I will have Sasuke-kun, I will have his power."
"Never happened, Orochimaru," thought Itachi. He knew that Sasuke would never submit to Orochimaru nor follow in his footsteps. After all, Sasuke's main goal was him.
"Therefore, Sasuke-kun is now with Orochimaru to gain strength. But Orochimaru just wants to have Sasuke-kun's body, right? And all we have is half a year."
"Sakura-chan, you too..." Naruto thought with wide eyes.
"And Orochimaru was originally a member of Akatsuki. In other words, what I'm trying to say is that as we get closer to Akatsuki, we get closer to information about Orochimaru, and therefore we get closer to Sasuke-kun. And our limit for saving Sasuke-kun is around half a year."
"Half a year, huh..." thought Sakura, "Can we save him? I hope this screen can show about that, no, I'm sure the screen will definitely show that considering the screen will focus on Naruto and Sasuke-kun."
"Yeah," Naruto replied.
"And after that Uchiha Itachi, our worst enemy who has made Sasuke-kun suffer and is after Naruto," Sakura clenched her fists tightly, "This time, I will save both of them!"
Sakura sighed, now she wasn't sure if she still had that kind of determination.
Itachi, a member of the Akatsuki and the one who targeted Naruto right in front of her. But after hearing that Naruto trusted Itachi, she didn't know what to do.
She decided to trust Naruto, because she knew that Naruto cared deeply about Sasuke, there must be a strong reason why Naruto could trust the person who had made Sasuke suffer.
Thanks for reading!
Next Update: The Orange Flash