Chapter 106 Jailbreak.
We woke up in a white empty room.
I frowned; this has happened a lot lately, waking up in unfamiliar places. Sitting up, I frowned at the curtains of pale pink… hair. Reaching out, I took a handful; sure enough, it was hair. I reached for my head and found two small horns protruding from my forehead. I cursed when I saw my pale hand. I reverted to my Otsutsuki form.
Sighing, I surveyed my surroundings, but there wasn't much to see.
Pale hair scattered over a white room, a single bed in the center; No windows, no doors, nothing. My frown deepened. Did they put me in a psych ward? What was I, Rapunzel?
I touched the hard walls that felt cold to the touch. The walls were too hard to be a padded room, or did the shinobi world not care about the clinically insane?
I huffed, walking around the room, searching for an indent in the walls. They had to place me here, somehow. I couldn't feel anything on the walls, neither with my touch nor my senses. I was cut off from the world. I paused, trying to think of a reason. A reason I would be locked up and by whom. It felt a bit concerning when the list grew the longer I thought about it. Sighing, I called out.
"Hello?" I yelled. "Anyone there?" I waited for a response or anything to happen, but there was silence.
"Sensei?" I called again.
Nothing.
"Ibiki?"
Silence.
"Inoichi?"
But no one came.
Those guys were the only ones dumb enough to imprison me. I could still feel my chakra, so I wasn't too worried. An enemy knew to seal my chakra, since it still flowed, I wasn't in danger.
I hummed in thought.
What to do, what to do.
The guidebook said to observe your situation and act based on the mission. We weren't really on a mission, so I had nothing to go on.
It couldn't be that the Akatsuki attacked again. Did the other nations betray us?
I recalled the last moments; the seal broke and everyone worked hard to fix it.
Ah! I struck my palm in understanding. They were worried about who would take over the body. I nodded to myself. They were concerned about the seal and locked me away for my protection and theirs. Aw, yes, that is the only logical explanation for why I'm in a white room like a crazy person.
I struck the wall out of habit, but the white structure didn't break. The vibration of my attack moved through the room before settling like a ripple in a lake.
"Shock absorption?" I muttered in awe. I paused, touching the wall again and placing my ear against it. I tapped the wall with force, and the vibration spread out, but that was it; the wall didn't budge.
I was starting to reconsider my previous hypothesis.
I channelled fire chakra to my hand, pressing my palm against the chilly wall. The wall hissed and steam scattered in the room. I waved a hand to clear my vision; the wall was undamaged.
"Ah." dread rose in my stomach. Did they not take my chakra because they were confident in the room's durability?
My heart rate sped up. Was I caught by the enemy, after all?
"Breathe," Madara warned. "You're not alone."
Closing my eyes, I inhaled deeply and released.
My mind was clear when I opened my eyes again.
Right. The worst thing they could do was leave me with my chakra. A bridge connected Fire and Wood; chakra rushed to my eyes, and my vision changed.
Chakra flowed around me like water. I was already sensitive to the flow, but this felt different; I felt like drowning.
Just as the pressure came, it was gone, and I could breathe again.
"Thanks," I muttered. The last time I felt so overwhelmed was sharing senses with my summons.
"You'll get used to it," Madara told me.
Putting aside the implications, I could see the shinobis beyond the walls. Looking around with new eyes, I saw the seals in place to trap me here. Complicated seals used to seal wild beasts, Minato tells me.
I was offended.
"Well," I stretched my limbs. "Time to test this new seal," I smirked. From my senses, I could tell that my captures were in front of me. I hopped in place. This box was supposed to hold a beast, not a god. I took a low stance, drawing my fist back.
If they want to hold me, they should have sealed my chakra. Then again, it wouldn't help.
I dashed at the wall, channelling chakra through my arm as I threw a punch. My fist stopped an inch from the wall, chakra launching from my arm and crashing into the wall like a tidal wave.
The wall was dented, and the room shook violently. When the shaking stopped, their chakra leaked into the room; they were terrified.
Good.
I took a Hyuga stance, the damaged wall my enemy.
"Gentle fist, 32 palms!" I struck the wall focusing on a single point, each strike stronger than the last. The wall crumbled under my assault, exploding outwards when I reached the 32nd palm.
There was a loud crash, as the wall slammed into the ground and then silence. I looked unimpressed at my jailers. It was the usual suspects Inoichi, Shikaku, Anko and Ibiki. My eyes trailed over to an old man with his palm on the ground in a futile attempt to hold the seal on my prison, Jiraiya.
"If I were a cruel person, you all would be dead," I said flatly, my eyes reverting to their vibrant green.
"Are you saying you are in control now, Sakura?" Shikaku scoffed, saying my name with sarcasm.
"I was always in control," I informed him, stepping out of my cell. "I don't see you questioning Naruto's every move; he has less control than I do."
"Naruto isn't carrying a raging murderer," He retorts. "Isn't that right, Madara!"
My steps didn't pause by will alone. I didn't show a reaction, but I was impressed. I didn't hope to hide the first soul after my actions, but I didn't expect them to figure out it was Madara; there are a lot of dead Uchihas, after all.
"Hmm~" I hummed as I stopped two metres away from the group of traitors. "Just out of curiosity, why do you think I'm housing the ghost of the Uchiha?"
"That seal of yours is for five souls, but you were seen swallowing only three," He began.
"The fourth Hokage counts as two," I pointed out. "He took half the Nine tails into death," I explained when he didn't get it.
Shikaku smirked. "That still leaves one soul!" He proclaimed.
"Still doesn't explain your assumption," I pointed out.
"I saw him," Inoichi spoke softly. "When I entered your mind, I saw him there. I thought it was from the trauma, but after what I've seen, I know better."
I hummed as I stepped closer, and they stiffened.
"You suspect me of housing the most dangerous shinobi that ever lived, and your first instinct is to seal me away and not kill me?" I wanted to make a villain laugh, but a childish giggle came out instead. "You can't be that stupid, so it wasn't your idea, right?"
They stilled as I turned to Jiraiya.
"You're gross," I said flatly. "Gather, Senbonsakura."
Pink petals floated through the room, rushing to my person. Ibiki yelled with alarm, but I ignored the chaos around me in favour of linking to my summons on the outside.
Finding the link I wanted, I swapped places with the summon. Teleporting out of the room and leaving the traitors behind.
"I know how you feel, Naruto, but we have orders from the Hokage to keep you here," Kakashi said, his voice filled with regret.
"This is like that night all over again," Kurenai muttered, not meeting her genin's eyes.
"What of Sakura then," Neji asked with narrowed eyes. "She has yet to return."
" Sakura can take care of herself," Asuma stepped forward.
Pale eyes focused on the Sarutobi.
"Are you referring to the girl who almost died in a cold cave?" Neji asked.
Asuma sighed.
"Do not worry, Neji!" Guy placed a hand on his shoulder. "Sakura is in good hands!" he gave his signature smile but failed to assure the boy.
"Why don't you tell them that the Hokage doesn't trust Sakura and is isolating her," Itachi said from his spot in the corner of the room with Yamato. "The only reason she wouldn't be here is if you plan to separate her from the other genins."
"Sensei!" Sasuke screamed.
Kakashi sighed.
"You can't expect everything to go back to normal after what she did Sasuke," Kakashi looked pained. "She has the strength of the Kages at her fingertips, she's no longer the Sakura you knew."
"Try to understand," He placed a hand on Sasuke's shoulder. "We're doing what we think is best for the village."
"What about what's best for Sakura," Sasuke growled.
"This is bullshit!" Kiba objected. "Sakura saved us and protected everyone with her life on the line. Why are you guys treating her like a criminal!?"
"Sakura would never do anything to hurt us!" Hinata added.
"Sakura wouldn't, but what about the souls she has in her body?" Kakashi pointed out. "Can you trust that they wouldn't take over and harm you?"
"Sakura has control, and the souls are that of the previous Hokages; why would they hurt the village?"
Kakashi's expression turned dark as he looked away.
"They are afraid of the consequences of their actions," Itachi surmised. "Naruto, the Uchiha, Danzo," his eyes grew dark. "The village is a mess, what do you think the Hokages will do when they see their legacy?"
"That's…" They were speechless. The Hokages were helpful when interacting with them, the genins couldn't see them as the threat they were.
"This whole situation is ridiculous," Neji scoffed. "You think pissing Sakura off at this stage is a good idea?" He turned to the Jonins with narrowed eyes. "Sakura isn't stupid, and that killing intent that she spreads all over the village isn't for show. She's held herself back all this time, why do you want to give her more reason to hate all of you?" Neji knew what it was like to feel uncontrolled rage. He lost his father to the spineless village, but he moved past it since there was nothing to be done. Sakura was headstrong and protective of those she cared about. She wouldn't do what anyone says unless it aligns with her own ambition.
"We know what we're doing, Neji," Kakashi offered.
"Do you though?"
The room froze at the new voice.
They all looked up to see Sakura crouching on the ceiling. She defied gravity as pink hair gathered around her on the ceiling.
"If I were a lesser man, I would really kill you, ya know," she smiled. She floated to the floor in a flurry of sakura petals, landing gracefully. "But since I like you, I'll refrain."
"Sakura!" Naruto cried, tackling her. She didn't budge from the attack. Naruto wrapped his arms around her and squeezed desperately. She patted his head gently.
"There, there, everything is ooof-"
The reserve Sasuke Uchiha grabbed her from behind, uncaring of the people watching. Sakura blinked in surprise but patted his head too. The display inspired the room to act. The genins rushed her, overwhelming her in a group hug. Sakura became flustered by the display. Neji stayed behind, along with Shino and Tenten.
"Yes, yes," Sakura cooed. "Everything is okay now, I'm not going anywhere."
I needed to get kidnapped more often, who knew I would return to this kind of affection. Seriously, what was wrong with everyone all of a sudden?
I showed them equal affection, before turning to Ino.
"Hey, Pig, help me with my hair," I said.
The Jonins were acting odd as I sat in front of Ino to get my hair cut. While I liked it long, even this much was too much for me. I was sure to cover any Otsutsuki traits before revealing myself, no horn or pale hair and skin. I felt proud of my deception. The children didn't need to worry about useless things.
"How did you manage to get it this long," Ino complained, cutting off the excess.
"I woke up like this~," I told her. She stilled in her movements before I felt a faint killing intent.
"Do you want me to turn you into a monk?" She threatened.
"No actually, and I wasn't lying," I brushed off her threat. "When I woke up in that cell, my hair was like this."
"Cell?" Shikamaru asked.
"Mhm," I hummed. "The torture department thought it was a good idea to lock me away like I was some beast," I told them. "No offense," I sent Kurama's way.
"They locked you up!?" the room exclaimed. I was just as shocked as they were.
"I know, right," I shook my head. "How stupid."
"Ah," Ino flinched. "Was my Dad there?" she asked nervously.
"I came here as soon as I escaped that room so don't worry."
"She sighed. And I felt offended.
"I guess that explains what my father's been up to, Shikamaru sighed tiredly.
"I can't believe he's letting idiots dictate his actions," I agreed. "Can you make it mid-thigh," I asked Ino, and she glared at me.
"How did they get me anyway?" I gave them side eyes. " I thought I was with you guys."
"Not much we could have done when lord Third showed up and moved us to this room," Itachi sighed.
"They really did kidnap me," I laughed.
"They think Sakura-chan is a threat," Naruto pouted. I smiled, patting his spikey hair.
"I think being feared is better than being looked down on," I assured him. "Ah, that reminds me, Naruto, Sasuke, I think we should start your training."
"Training?" they asked. I nodded.
"Kaka-sensei and Itachi will train Sasuke and Minato and I will train Naruto."
"Shouldn't you get my approval before volunteering me?" Kakashi whined.
"Once we get back to the village, we will begin," I told them, ignoring Kakashi's words. He was the teacher but he was lacking.
"We have company," Neji said right before the door was knocked off its hinges.
Ibiki stood before the door with a blank expression that turned to confusion when he saw us.
"You could have just opened the door, I pointed out, "It wasn't locked," I swear I saw him blush before he stepped aside to let Hiruzen in.
Here we go.
Sorry, I'm late. My light and internet are back in order, so we'll start the training arc now!
Next Chapter
September 15
Until next time
Night song!