Sasuke arrived at Suna's Headquarters and was welcomed by Naruto wrapped in his special vest.
" Temeeee-, fuck, what are you doing here? " Sasuke only grunted as he lifted his bag off from the van.
" Shit happened in Iwa. Those fucking monsters are on rampage and Iwa was not prepared for the bombing that happened just 3 hours ago. When I contacted Kakashi, we were forced to leave Iwa for our safety and just head here to Suna to assist you guys. " Sasuke looked around the village and saw the streets were empty.
" It looks quiet in here. " Suigetsu said as he moved to stand beside Sasuke.
"That's what makes it dangerous. Juugo go follow that car, I'll have a Suna Soldier pick you up. Keep the van safe. " Juugo nodded at Sasuke and closed the van and drove off.
Naruto jogged to catch up with Sasuke who was now walking ahead of them. Karin and Suigetsu followed suit behind them at a fast pace.
" Gaara informed me of your situation here. You've been staying here for a month already? " Naruto nodded at him then grinned.
" Yeah, you'll be staying with me since they had prepared that room for your coming. While the rest of your team will be staying in a room just in front of ours. But I doubt you'd be seeing more of them since Kakashi said you've got a special mission when you reach here in Suna. " Sasuke hummed in agreement at him and ignored his redhead teammate's whines.
" We had already discussed it a few months ago. What concerns me is, you? " Sasuke glanced at Naruto before he entered the elevator. Naruto stole a glance at Karin and Suigetsu before he looked back at Sasuke. Sasuke understood the confidentiality and stayed quiet. The elevator ride was quiet as the troops fell into their own thoughts
" So what are we doing in here if we won't be assisting our leader? " Suigetsu said breaking the ice and as he dropped his bag on the floor after his arms started going numb.
" Well- . . . " the elevator door soon opened and revealed Temari. Temari smiled wider as she saw Sasuke. Sasuke groaned at the blond and rolled his eyes.
" Sasuke! " Temari hugged him and was pushed gently by Sasuke.
" Don't give me that look Sasuke-kun. We're childhood friends that should treat each other nicely. " Temari added then glanced at the glaring Karin.
" Ugh, I'm happy you had a thing for pink. " Temari added then snickered at Karin. Karin glared at Temari and crossed her arms and turned her back from the blond.
" Heyyy, I've been pressing the open button for the door for quite a while now. So what now? " Suigetsu added as he kept his finger on the button.
" This is your floor. " Temari said and exited the elevator when everybody was out of the lift. Temari handed Sasuke a bundle of keys.
" You'll be staying with Naruto. Here's the key to your room, to your vehicle, to your office, and to the ANBU Arsenal. High-Rank ANBUs are only allowed inside, okay? " Sasuke nodded and turned his back on the blond.
Temari then pointed to the door just in front of Sasuke and Naruto's room. " And that will be your room, You, Suigetsu, and Juugo will be staying there for your duration in our village. You got a kitchen, living space, laundry room, 3 bedrooms, and 1 bathroom. Plus, you will have your orientation tomorrow. Well except for Sasuke. Gaara wants to meet you later at home. You know him, he always prepares dinner for you. " Sasuke nodded at her and glanced at his subordinates.
" You better not do anything stupid while I'm on my mission. " Suigetsu sent him a salute while Karin sent him a coquette smile.
When Sasuke entered his room, he was not even surprised to see the size of their apartment much more than his room. It was deluxe penthouse size. Call it special treatment but he had a good bond with Gaara. Gaara also shared the same respect for him and Naruto who had finally broken his walls for the blond. He went to the room that Naruto pointed to while Naruto went to his room for a quick bathroom break.
When he was done, arranging his clothes and securing his weapons, he exited his room and saw Naruto having a video call with Hinata. Sasuke cleared his throat and went to the open kitchen and drank a glass of water.
" Well, I'll talk to you soon Hinata-chan. You all take care in there and tell everyone that I said hi. " Sasuke ignored the blond sweet tone towards the Hyuga girl and scrolled on his phone, looking through his emails.
Naruto moved to stand beside Sasuke and took a can of beer from the fridge and stared at the city view through their kitchen window.
" I was sent here for the purpose of mastering my powers. " Sasuke raised a brow at Naruto and continued scrolling on his phone.
" I've been mutated, well with my consent of course. " Sasuke sighed and faced Naruto and pocketed his phone.
" I've got crazy powers teme like fox tails spurts out of my back, not my butt just to clarify that, just above my butt, anyway, I got crazy air powers while Gaara has can manipulate sand-like shit crazy. Tsunade said it must be because of the environment that we grew up in. "
" Really don't care about your power I need to know how that happened? " Naruto finished his beer and faced Sasuke.
" Mutation. Seeing that Orochimaru is using his intelligence for making mutated people. Tsunade said that it was understandable that they do the same. Tsunade took advantage of that since she was part of the International Science Council or ISC. So, to prove that it was humane, Gaara, took it first and saw that we can actually mutate people without hurting them. Gaara's transformation went well, to be honest. So I also volunteered a month after seeing Gaara being able to harness his powers. The Five Great Nation leaders went ballistic since this was going against the principles of the scientists but they also had no option but to agree. " Sasuke stayed quiet for a while then waited for Naruto to catch his breath before he continued.
" ISC even mentioned during the session together with FGN that an Uchiha made it possible decades ago, they said it was the purest mutation chemical ever. FGN never made a fuss with it, so why not allow it this time when we're in the middle of a science war, right? " Sasuke nodded then rubbed his temple.
" Uchiha who did they mention? " Naruto tapped his forehead then snapped his fingers when he remembered the name.
" Izuna Uchiha. Do you know him? " Sasuke sighed deeply and balled his hands and slammed them on the countertop.
" My grandfather's brother. " Naruto sent him an awkward smile.
" Uhh, so does that mean your grandfather had been mutating people before? " Sasuke shook his head and walked towards the living room and sat down on the couch and laid back while covering his face with his hands.
" No, Izuna must have registered it but all I know is my grandfather Madara used it. It affected his eyesight greatly before and his health deteriorated. My grandfather left one for me actually. The last vial of the purest mutation experiment for human beings. " Naruto's eyes widened and panicked and was about to call someone on his phone when Sasuke stopped him.
" Don't, it's best we keep it confidential. I can't let it fall into the wrong hands. It's best if I consume it rather than someone using it for evil. " Sasuke said then stood up.
" Shouldn't we inform Kakashi about this? "
" No, but I'll bet on my life that Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Minato already have an idea on this. Tsunade helped create this, she apprenticed under my grandfather for this. She will never forget her first mutation experiment. Sooner or later, Itachi will inform them, or maybe he already had. " Naruto nodded.
" So what's your plan? " Sasuke pulled out the vial from his pocket and then stared at the deep red liquid.
" Take advantage of the fact that I'm away from the village. " Sasuke smirked.
" So we'll let Gaara know then? "
" I know he already knows, why would they send me away for months in different villages and end up in Suna with you and Gaara, two mutated experiments of the government? " Sasuke pocketed the vial and then smirked at Naruto.
Naruto's eyes widened at the realization then gasped.
One month later
" You do know that I might kill you, one day? " Shisui said as he launched at the pinkette holding a katana ready to injure her.
" You've been doing that for months Shisui. Why are we still doing this again? " Sakura said as she dodged Shisui's katana.
" Go ask your mama Tsuna. " Sakura glared at him and sent him flying to the field with her punch.
Sakura smirked at him then raised her first.
" Ha! I finally won! That's 52-51" Shisui chuckled and walked towards her.
" Lucky, anyway, go take a break. You've been working your fine ass for months now. You'll be able to kick Sasuke's butt with that power. " Sakura laughed at him and shook her head.
" As if Karin would allow me to kick his ass. " Shisui chuckled and waved to Itachi who just entered the training room.
" Are they really dating? " Sakura shrugged her shoulders, ignoring Shisui's question, and walked to the corner of the training ground and took the bag that Itachi handed to her.
" How'd it go?" Sakura smiled at him and raised her fist towards the ruined wall.
" I see, great job Sakura-san. Shisui, I guess your going rusty. " Shisui rolled his eyes at Itachi and picked up his katana.
" I'll let you know that it was just a lucky-" Sakura glared at him, Shisui grinned at her and dodged the flying hand towel.
" Kidding, anyway I'll send my report regarding Sakura-chan's improvement later to Tsunade-sama. " Shisui added.
While Sakura was busy listening to the two discuss their new mission, a red-haired man entered the room.
" Sakura-chan " Sakura turned around and saw Sasori enter the room.
" Ah Sasori, what can I help you with? " Sasori smiled softly at her and brought a picnic basket.
" Just got out from the meeting with the Akatsuki, and passed here then luckily I saw you, so I wanna thank you for healing me, again, the other day, so I'll repay you with a lunch at the roof garden. What'd ya say? " Sasori smiled and rubbed his head.
" Sure! Just gotta wash off these sweat then we can head out. Anyway, I can't stay long since I had to see shishou and discuss something with her. " Sakura grabbed her duffel bag and approached the ladies' shared bathroom.
Itachi stared at the retreating pinkette then at Shisui who was glaring daggers at Sasori. Itachi stole a glance at Sasori then turned his back on the redhead.
" I hope this isn't one of your games. " Itachi said loud enough for the two to hear.
" I hope you know that Sasuke has her first. " Shisui emphasized and glared harder at Sasori.
Sasori sneered only at him and shook his head. " I don't give a fuck who had her first. I like Sakura and I want her. " Shisui snickered and was about to approach the redhead when Itachi stopped him.
" We have no right to block men wanting Sakura-san just because Sasuke likes her and he's not around. But I know you, the Akatsuki team knows you since college, you toy with people just for gains and I hope you're not doing that to Sakura-san. She's too good to be played by you. " Sasori glared at Itachi and crossed his arms and approached the man slowly.
" . . " Sasori stopped behind Itachi while facing Shisui.
" I don't intend to play with her feelings. " Sasori spat and glared at Itachi's back.
" Well now that we're clear, just wanna clarify also that we are currently in a mutative war and love affairs aren't a concern at the moment. So please do what Sakura-chan and Sasuke are currently doing, focusing on their work and mission. " Kakashi said as he stood behind Sasori. Sasori glanced at Kakashi and left the training room silently, when he reached the door he suddenly spoke.
" Tell her, I'll be waiting at the roof deck. " Shisui glared at the now-closed sliding door of the training room.
" As much as how happy I am at the two of you for clearing the way for Sasuke to be with her again. They have the right whoever they wanna see. So let Sakura-san be, Shisui. " Shisui only crossed his arms and walked towards the middle of the room and ignored Kakashi's stare.
After Sakura's lunch with Sasori, she immediately left and went to visit Tsunade in the laboratory. While standing in the elevator staring at the view of the village, she couldn't help but think of avoiding Sasori. She was not naive, to not feel Sasori's adoration for her but out of respect and comradeship, she believed that it was okay to talk and have a meal with Sasori as long as she was clear with her intention and showed him the line between them.
She shook her head at the thought of continuing whatever they had. What she feared was that Sasori was titled as an ultimate player in the HQ but she couldn't deny that he was nice, kind, and smart. She bit her lip and banished that thought. Thinking that she needs to focus on her development while planning something for the incoming war.
She has no time for boys, real men would wait and not rush her. She said to herself.
When the elevator made a stop on her desired floor, she got off the lift and swiped her card in the security box of the laboratory. When she entered the room she saw Tsunade talking to Shizune while inspecting the vial. Sakura smiled and grabbed her cloak and wore it when approaching the two.
" I see that smile Tsunade-sama, have you finally distinguished the elements in the virus? " Tsunade looked up and nodded at her.
" Yes, we were able to finally distinguish the elements and how to trigger the virus. Thanks to your report yesterday, we found out that the virus will not activate after 5 days, so we still have 5 days to distinguish the patients with the virus and separate them from the group and cure them. Well, if we'll be able to duplicate the cure soon. " Sakura nodded at Tsunade and grabbed the folder on her table and approached Shizune and handed it to her.
" That was what I was working on the other day. It's the cure but since different variants are messing up our antidotes, we had to reinspect the patient by taking blood, saliva, sweat, and mucus samples from them. It'll be a lot of work, to be honest, we need more manpower but with the evacuation, we can't fully operate like that by taking all 4 swab tests on them. " Shizune sighed at Sakura's statement and leaned back on the table.
" I mean we could do that Sakura-chan, but of course, we'll have to cut short our breaks. We can set up the machines in the swab testing room. We can just take all the swabs at the same time and then put them all in their respective swabbing machines. What concerns me is, that we can't immediately see the result for another day unless we got a high-powered swab tester machine and a medical engineer to assist us. Which we currently lack. I can't believe Konoha had the best doctors but has the worst equipment and manpower. " Sakura looked up and couldn't help but agree with Shizune. Tsunade glared at Shizune's last statement which Shizune shrugged only.
" It would wreck the plan if we pull out men from the evac. " Tsunade said and placed the vial back in its tray.
Sakura snapped her fingers and pulled out her phone, dialing a number on her screen. " I know someone who is a medical engineer and has a high-powered machine. " Tsunade was about to ask who when Sakura smiled wider and answered the call
" Hey, I need your help. "
" Well, I'll be leaving tomorrow. " Gaara looked up and stopped his discussion with Naruto and Sasuke as he saw Temari enter the room while waving her phone up in the air. Sasuke and Naruto stopped talking and glanced at Temari who was busy taking all the documents on their table.
" Sorry lil' bro, but you'll have to ask Matsuri to take my responsibility and fill my spot in the HQ. " Gaara leaned back and only stared at Temari, waiting for her to fully explain her urgency.
Temari glanced at Gaara then sat down beside Sasuke and started fixing the documents she lent to the group.
" Konoha's Medical Department just called and they had a breakthrough but they lacked the equipment and manpower. I just talked to Sakura-chan and she wants my specialty since she was able to make a solution to distinguish the virus and its variants. " Sasuke's ears perked up at the mention of the pinkette who he have not heard from for a month now.
" I know how hectic the medical department can be that's why I stayed at the HQ but seeing that my specialty will finally be in use, I need to leave ASAP and help them. " Temari said and leaned closer to the table and ushered the boys to lean closer to her.
" Aside from that- . . . " Temari bit her lip and paused for a few seconds before continuing. " I-. Tsunade-sama helped me during our master's degree, I can't just ignore the opportunity that I can finally examine her daughter's current health situation and maybe find a cure for her; and Sakura has done so much for granny Chiyo and helped Suna's medical department better than it used to be before. I can't turn her down. " Gaara sighed and leaned back then crossed his arms.
" Oh, come on Gaara, you can't just let your old crush die just because you feel paranoid about leaving me alone in another city. " Sasuke stole a glance at Gaara who was already staring at him. Gaara sighed and looked back at Temari.
" Fine, but make sure that Shikamaru or Sakura is always at your side. " Temari grinned and immediately collected the stacked documents.
" Puhlease, I'm your older sister so no need for the concern but thanks, I'll tell them bout it. "
" Mmhmm, old crush ey. " Naruto wiggled his eyebrows at Gaara. Gaara grunted and threw a biscuit at him.
" Should I remind you that I was only 14 when I had petty feelings for her while you had been crushing over her just two years ago. " Naruto laughed at Gaara and ate the biscuit that fell on his lap.
" Please, no matter how much we argue, Sasuke still won. " Sasuke glared at Naruto and smacked his head.
" Now back to the topic. " Gaara sent a smirk to Naruto when Sasuke changed the topic.
Temari scoffed and rolled her eyes. " Yeah, anyway since Suna and Konoha are allied it's understandable to send some of your men to Konoha since Konoha is currently doing it. Let's be honest Gaara, you have all the manpower but most of our men lacked the initiative while Konoha lacks manpower but has all the brains. It's like Suna's close distance to the sun, dried our people's brains. " Temari said and rolled her eyes and slumped down.
Gaara leaned forward and placed his chin on his clasped hands. Thinking thoroughly of it, Temari was one of the people he could trust the most, not because she was his older sister but because Temari was smart and can actually come up with a plan. He couldn't just send Temari to Konoha while leaving Suna with brainless people. He glanced at Temari who was conversing with Naruto while Sasuke would show his agreement and disagreement throughout their conversation.
He then glanced at Sasuke who had finally rubbed his temple and spoke up to rebuke Naruto's stupid ideas. He glanced at Temari while listening to her expertise in medical engineering. He thought that it would be a waste to see Temari's study and hard work go to waste in a field she has no specialty.
He stayed quiet then after a while he took out his phone and dialed someone on his phone. The three finally turned to Gaara who was looking out the window while waiting for the call to be answered.
" Ah, Tsunade-sama, yes Temari has informed me of the current situation. Will you be leading her this time? " Gaara spoke to Tsunade while the three listened carefully to the conversation.
" Mmhmm, I see, I was not informed that you had resigned from the medical head position. It has been a month? " Naruto sent a shocked face to Sasuke and Temari who also were left gaping at the news.
" I see, I figured that the FGN had sent their request for you to work in the council? Correct me if I'm wrong. "
" Ah, so they did? But Minato and Jiraiya are holding you back. It would be a great waste. But we all know the work in FGN, and I too had to agree. "
" Ah yes, really? Well, congratulations ISC Director. It sure may not be a big position compared to FGN but being the Director in ISC, is a high rank that may be equally high to Jiriaya's and Fugaku's. "
" May I ask to whom, you left the medical chief position? So I can properly discuss this person regarding Temari's transfer? "
" Ah, I see. It was no doubt she would soon take over your place, but send her my regards, she reached that rank at a very young age. I guess she's the youngest chief? "
" Shizune took over? " Naruto whispered to Temari and Sasuke who bought shrugged their shoulders.
" Alright, please tell the medical chief that I will wait for her call. Thank you, Director. "
Gaara hung up the phone and then looked up at the three who were waiting for him to share the conversation with them.
" So? Are you just gonna stare at us and not explain to us why Tsunade just fucking resigned the position and would rather sit with the ISC? " Naruto blurted out while his hands moved in the air in signals.
" Hnmm, it seems that the FGN had promoted Tsunade-sama as a council but when she rejected they offered the seat to lead the ISC since she is much more careful and would less likely to betray. She was hoping Chiyo would take the offer but the old woman prefers to be Tsunade-sama's assistant. So Minato-sama instead chose the next medical chief to take over Tsunade-sama's place just 2 months ago. They officially sat in their offices just a month ago. "
" So who will I be working for? Is it Shizune? Tsunade-sama's Assistant? Please let it be someone as good as Tsunade or as patient as Minato-sama. " Gaara shook his head to Temari when he was about to answer, his phone rang.
" Hello, yes, I had just talked to Tsunade-sama. Congratulations on the promotion, I wouldn't deny that it shocked me for you to have that position this early but I also had high hopes that you'll lead the medical department to success. " Gaara glanced at Temari who waved her hand in the air for answers. Gaara lifted his palms to shut Temari's antics.
" I see, I trust that you'll take care of my sister. "
" Mmhmm, no rush, She'll be staying for quite awhile with you not until, we, in Suna are ready to execute our final plan. "
" Ah yes, she will be at good use. This is her specialty, trust her in this. "
" Okay, Thank you and congratulations again Chief, I hope to see you soon for us to celebrate your promotion. "
Gaara sent a laugh which shocked everyone in the room, especially Naruto and Sasuke who rarely hears Gaara being joyful.
" Yes, I'll bring your favorite champagne, I'll give you a box of it. Think of it as a congratulatory gift. " He then chuckled and would hum once in a while in the conversation.
" Okay, bye Sakura. " Naruto widened his eyes at Gaara's last statement and stood up with his arms up in the air.
" She finally did it. " Temari stood up and cheered along with Naruto.
" OMG! Why did she not fucking inform me of this news? " Sasuke stared at Gaara who sent a small smile to Naruto and Temari's joyous actions.
" FGN had asked Minato to that they will be taking Sakura under their wing as part of ISC which Tsunade had greatly disagreed and instead took the position to keep Sakura out of danger but she still got promoted as Medical Department's Head. " Gaara spoke and leaned back.
" I'm so happy for her, she did so well, even before this pandemic. " Naruto smiled at Temari's statement and sat down.
" Damn, Sakura-chan already surpassed me even when she was gone for almost a year. She really worked her ass off for these remaining months. " Gaara nodded at Naruto and glanced at Sasuke who had stayed quiet throughout the conversation.
" She didn't even waste her time even when captured by Orochimaru so she deserved that spot. Send my regards to her. " Sasuke said and nodded at Temari to relay his words.
" I think we should go back to our previous topic and tackle the situation while Temari prepares for her relocation. I'm sure Gaara would prepare a send-off dinner for her. " Sasuke said and took the stacked documents from Temari's area on the table.
Naruto's eyes widened at Sasuke's words while Temari was left gaping at Sasuke. Gaara glanced at the two and now Sasuke's uncomfortable situation and cleared his throat.
" You should go prepare Temari, now where were we? " Gaara muttered, Sasuke sent him a thank you look then waited for the previous discussion to continue.
Finally baaaaaaaaack, kidding, here I am for my monthly update.
Anyway, kinda got blocked on what Naruto's mutated power would be then just went for his anime-original power, same goes to Gaara. I am still contemplating for Sasuke's power, so leave me a review for his power, any ideas that might give me more creativity in it.
I hope you love this chapter, and worry not my moons cause you will be seeing more SASUSAKU interaction in these incoming chapters. Anyway, have you heard? They are going to do an anime adaptation of Sasuke Retsuden? Dude, kinda a few weeks late but I just can't contain my sasusaku heart.
I am so very hyped, trust me. HAHAHAHAHA I've been FANGIRLING over it.
Of course, don't want to forget but I just wanna greet you all HAPPY SASUSAKU MONTH! I'll try my best to post more than 2 chapters this month for you guys.
Hope you are all doing great and doing fine.
Take care and stay safe.
lovelots,
Luna