The next chapter of Vessel of The Demon King. The Venom Five make their move as Sakura meets a familiar face unaware of the other being in The Land of Grass.
Chapter 5: Vengeance and Justice
Three Years ago...
The Tortoise Demon looked on at The Five beings laying on the ground before him. The remains and bodies of deceased Humans that had been found.
"Interesting," Gebu noted as The Demon stared at them. He had discovered their bodies whilst Seiya and Suza had taken the boy who was to be their Sibling's vessel. He had first discovered one who was in a field of bones.
The second had been buried amongst a field of trees, her lower half battered and crushed.
Three more he had discovered as well. Dead as well but he noted that they eminated fury and anger even in death.
"They died with anger and hate in their hearts, hatred that is on par with a Demon." Gebu said as he looked on at the five. "They maybe of use for us." He noted as he looked on at the five bodies.
There had been a sixth one discovered next to one of them, but his body was too badly damaged and mangled, he would of been no use and had been left to rot.
He stood before them as he was in a room in The Castle, as Suza was watching over Naruto's body. Inside the room that he was in with them was a pool, a pool containing a purple liquid.
"Our armies will be regrown, and you five shall do as his Warriors." Gebu stated as he brought his hands up forming a Hand Seal.
A gust of wind entered the room and they were shown being lifted up off the ground as they were picked up. They were shown levitating off of the ground as they were placed and carried over to the pool, hovering above it.
The five were then dropped into the pool, their bodies sinking into the depths of it as they disappeared.
As they sunk to the bottom, their bodies began to change, undergoing a transformation.
A hand was seen shooting up out of the pool as one of them emerged. Sticking their head out and climbing up out of the pool drenching wet.
"Where am I?!" He shouted looking on as he saw that he was alive, but felt different now. He remembered what had happened. He was mere inches away from skewering both of his opponents, before the disease that had infected him finally claimed his life. He could've sworn that he was dead but he found himself alive now to his shock. He looked on as he saw that he was clad in blue.
Splashing was heard as he turned his head and saw four others climbing up out of the pool, each having been changed as well and clad in different colors.
"Where the hell are we?"
"What is going on?" The group shouted as the Five had no idea what was happening. They each remembered their final moments when they had been about to die.
"Silence!" A voice called out and they turned and saw to their surprise a Tortoise like being standing before them.
"Who the hell are you? Where is Lord Orochimaru, is this his doing?" Sakon demanded from him.
"I am Gebu, and I am responsible for you being back alive." He told them. "Your allegiance and loyalty is now forever to The Great Demon King, Byako." He proclaimed.
"Byako?" Kidomaru said in confusion, The Sound Five looked on at themselves seeing the changes they had undergone. They felt different now, and also stronger, even than when they were in their Cursed Seal forms.
"I gave you life and I can easily take it away." Gebu informed them. "You now serve our King once he is awakened. Your former Master now means nothing to you." He told them.
"What makes you think we'll listen to scum like you?" Tayuya demanded to know narrowing her eyes.
"And what's to stop us from killing you?" Jirobo stated and Sakon was shown nodding his head eagerly the horns that he now had bristling.
The Demon reached to his gourd that he carried and pulled the lid off of it. A great burst of wind shot out of it and slammed into the five as they were hit with the force of a Tornado it felt like. Knocking them off their feet as they were slammed into the wall at the back of the room leaving dents in it as they fell and hit the ground as they were shown sprawled all over on the floor.
"You maybe now more powerful as Demons than you were as Humans, but are no match for me." Gebu told them. "You have a choice, die once more and return back to the afterlife. Or live and serve My Brother as he conquers the Land." He informed them. "What shall it be?" He demanded to know
The Five slowly got up off the floor and kneeled before him, swearing their servitude to King Byako.
"Get them!" Kimimaro shouted as the scene changed to Konoha in the present day as he and the others charged at The Leaf Ninja. Those who were responsible for their demise three years ago.
Neji, Lee and the others had to defend themselves as battle began, each squaring off.
Choji Akimichi faced off against Jirobo as the two largest of the groups battled one another.
The two bitter enemies rammed into one another as Jirobo snarled at Choji who glared at him. "I'll say this, at least you aren't as ugly as you were before." Choji said to him.
"And you're just as fat as when I last saw you!" Jirobo taunted him causing Choji to growl but kept his cool. "Take this!" Jirobo shouted and began to leap around bouncing from place to place all over as he used his Toad legs to hop.
"He's like a pinball!" Choji shouted as he dodged an attack.
Jirobo continued to leap as Choji was forced to try and follow his movements. Jirobo leapt off the ground diving at him and hit him with a headbutt to the chest which staggered Choji as he backed up regaining his footing as Jirobo prepared to attack again.
"Now!" He shouted and his stomach expanded, enlarging and gaining size. Jirobo hit him but could not penetrated as he was knocked back. "My turn!" He shouted and began to roll looking to crush him.
To Choji's surprise, Jirobo leapt up, jumping high into the air, taller than the buildings and then dove down at him, aiming to crash into him. He moved just in the nick of time, avoiding the attack as Jirobo hit the ground and left a deep crater from the impact
"Now's my shot!" Choji shouted as he reverted back to his normal frame and he reared back his fist and it quadrupled in size, becoming twice as big as his body. He then threw the punch, aiming to smash Jirobo with it as he put all of his strength into it.
To Choji's shock, his enlarged fist bounced off of Jirobo's skin. "W-What?!" He said as he should've been knocked out or crushed from the blow but his punch didn't even stagger him. That blow would've shattered a large boulder.
"My Turn!" Jirobo shouted and rammed his hands into Choji's chest as he had absorbed the attack. He slammed his palms into Choji who was knocked back sent flying as he felt like he had been hit with his own attack.
Jirobo's special power; any attack that he takes, he would absorb it into his skin and then deliver it back onto his attacker with his own attack.
He crashed and smashed through several buildings as he was shown lying in debris. He groaned in pain as he tried to pull himself up as he saw Jirobo standing over him.
"I'm not done yet!" Choji said as he strained to lift the debris off of him.
"Oh, yes you are, fatty!" Jirobo said jabbed his claw like appendages into Choji's chest. Choji cried out in pain as he was infected with Toad Poison as his skin where he had been hit began to change color.
"Come on!" Kidomaru shouted raising up all six of his arms as he squared off with Neji.
"I defeated you once, I'll defeat you again!" Neji declared as he took a fighting stance. The two then charged at one another.
They engaged in hand to hand combat. Exchanging and countering blows. (This foe, he is different than before when I last fought him.) Neji thought to himself as Kidomaru's fighting style had changed. Before when they had previously fought, Kidomaru had opted for long range tactics, but now he was engaging him up close in hand to hand.
Kidomaru unleashed several fast strikes at him ultilizing all six of his arms to attack. Neji activated his Byakugan as he gritted his teeth as he was fast. Each one of his six arms was moving rapidly. It was comparable to The Gentle Fist's own style.
"Eight Trigrams: Air Palm!" He shouted and thrust his palms forward sending compressed air at Kidomaru. Kidomaru brought up his arms and blocked the attack surprising Neji that he withstood the attack.
"Centipede Style: Burning Palms!" Kidomaru shouted and to Neji's shock all six of his hands became on fire. He then threw a punch one at a time as he fired off six fireballs at Neji who had to dodge in the nick of time as he felt the searing heat from them. Kidomaru launched more at him but Neji spun and deflected the attacks
"Chakra Point Needle!" He shouted as he held up two fingers and lunged at Kidomaru aiming for his heart.
"Not this time!" Kidomaru shouted and he suddenly burrowed underground dodging the attack. Neji his Byakugan active looked around as he saw the ground shifting below as Kidomaru was digging, he realized he was preparing an ambush.
Kidomaru emerged from the ground behind him and Neji smirked as he whipped around
"Eight Trigrams: One Hundred and Twenty Eight Palms!" Neji shouted as he prepared for one of his strongest attacks.
He delivered rapid attacks, each one faster than the last as they multiplied. But to his shock, Kidomaru was blocking and countering the blows. Easily avoiding the attacks to Neji's disbelief as this was the move he had used to defeat him three years ago but was nullified.
"Too slow!" Kidomaru taunted him with a laugh. "Let me show you what real speed is like! Centipede Style: Rapid Fire Punch!" He shouted as he attacked
To Neji's shock the attacks went even faster and he found himself unable to keep up with how fast they were as his defense was being overwhelmed. His guard was broken as he was hit and pummeled numerous times on his body feeling mutliple hits with each passing second on his stomach, chest and kidneys.
He was knocked off his feet from the blows and he hit the ground his body covered in bruises and welts from all the attacks he had withstood. Before he could try to recover he was jabbed by Kidomaru's appendages as he was infected with Venom.
Kiba and Shino found themselves facing off against Sakon as The Lizard Demon was shown his arms folded standing on the side of a building a taunting smirk on his face.
"Come down here and fight us like a man!" Kiba shouted at them as Akamaru was shown having transformed into a copy of him.
"Ha! Too scared to fight me up here?" Sakon taunted them causing Kiba to growl.
"Kiba, control your temper." Shino told him as he got out and threw several Shuriken. On them were several of his insects
"Nice try, I know all about your bugs'!" Sakon said. He then produced several kunai that were glowing green. He threw then at them and they hit and exploded destroying them. "That's not all though. Lizard Style: Horn Barrage!" He said and let loose from his head multiple horns as he fired at them forcing them to move out of the way.
"That's it!" Kiba said and he and Akamaru scaled up the wall of the building as they attacked Sakon.
The three engaged in battle on the building. Kiba and Akamaru fought him together but Sakon held his own as they battled him. Kiba and Akamaru fought but were not used to fighting in such a way as they had to focus staying on the side of the building. But Sakon with his special ability to stick to the surface without the use of Chakra had no such problem as he threw kicks at them.
Akamaru nearly lost his footing as he was hit and was about to fall off but Kiba grabbed him catching his partner. Sakon then pressed the attack and Akamaru and Kiba fell off the building landing on the ground.
"We're not done yet!" Kiba shouted and they both leapt up at him. Sakon countered by leaping and delivering a kick to both of them knocking Akamaru to the ground whilst Kiba grabbed onto the side of the building.
"Down you go!" Sakon taunted them as he stomped on his hand making him lose his grip. He then felt a presence as suddenly a swarm of insects just missed him as he avoided them.
Looking down he glared at Shino as thousands of insects had emerged from his body creating a giant mass of them that lunged at Sakon.
"Don't you know bugs are a Lizard's main course?" He said to Shino and pulled out several more kunai and shuriken that glowed green. He threw them at the swarm and they detonated killing many of the bugs. He then ran down the building right at Shino.
"Lizard Style: Bloodshot!" Sakon shouted and suddenly fired a blood like substance from his eye sockets.
The blood hit Shino in the face before he could react who cried out in pain as he brought up his hands to his face. "My eyes! I can't see!" He shouted in pain as he stumbled around as he felt stinging pain on his face. He tripped and fell on the ground as he was in agony.
"Shino!" Kiba shouted at his teammate who was blinded from the attack. "You'll pay for that!" He said with a snarl as he charged at Sakon. "Fang Over Fang!" He shouted as he and Akamaru attacked unleashing their signature move. The two attacked Sakon who leapt over it. The two stopped and got ready to attempt it again.
To their shock, Sakon then fired out his long tongue from his mouth. The appendage struck and hit Akamaru in the chest as the force of the impact made him cough up blood as he reverted back.
"Akamaru!" Kiba shouted in alarm. Before he could try to react, Sakon shot out his tongue again and whipped it hitting him knocking him down.
"Ah! Victory is so close, I practically can taste it!" Sakon boasted as he retracted his tongue and licked his lips. "Now, for the coup de grace!" He said as he held up two kunai that were glowing purple.
He threw them at Kiba and Shino and before they could react or try to block, they changed becoming liquid. It sprayed all over them as their bodies were covered in the purple liquid.
"H-Hey! What is this...?!" Kiba shouted as he found himself starting to sweat as beads appeared on his forehead as he struggled to catch his breath.
"It's...poison..." Shino said before he fainted from it falling unconscious.
Tayuya faced off against Ino and TenTen. The redhead engaging the two Leaf Kunoichi in battle
"Where's that scumbag?!" Tayuya demanded. "Is he too cowardly to face me? Tell me where he is and I'll kill you swiftly." She told them as she demanded to know where Shikamaru was as it was he she was after for the role he had played in her death.
"Like I'll tell you where he's at!" Ino shouted. Reaching out she produced a Rose inserting her chakra into it which then turned into a green whip with several thorns on it. "Rose Whip!" She shouted and lashed out with it. Tayuya avoided the attack as it was strong enough to cut through rocks. Ino lashed out again aiming at her legs to trip her up, Tayuya dodged the attack as she attacked forcing Ino on her guard.
(It's like I'm fighting a Scorpion!) Ino shouted in her mind as Tayuya attacked, ultilizing both punches and kicks with precision. Her punches resembling the pincers of it whilst her legs symbolized the tail as she attacked.
Tayuya then leaned down and did a hand stand, walking on her hands as she began dishing out kicks driving Ino backwards. The kicks hit her in the chest and knocked her off her feet.
"Ino!" TenTen shouted as she threw multiple shuriken at Tayuya who shifted her body to dodge it. TenTen then summoned a Bo Staff as she twirled it and attacked, fighting Tayuya with it. Using it to block her attacks
Ino needed an opening, if she could hit her with her Mind Transfer Jutsu, she could stop this. But Tayuya was too fast and she couldn't find an opening, she now wished Shikamaru was here as he could use his Shadow to grab her.
"Little girls should stick to dolls instead of weapons." Tayuya taunted TenTen who glared at her. She swung her staff at Tayuya who dodged and moved easily dancing around her attacks.
TenTen went for an overhead strike and swung but Tayuya ducked under. She then attacked delivering several quick pressure point attacks, causing TenTen to lower her arms unable to lfit them up as Tayuya then delivered a chop
TenTen gasped in shock as her Bo Staff was broken in two. She was then gripped by Tayuya and thrown onto the ground.
Tayuya stood over her and lifted up her leg over her head and then slammed it down hard onto TenTen's back, making her scream in pain from the impact of it.
"That's it!" Ino shouted and she grabbed several seeds from a pouch, she infused her chakra into them and threw them. The seeds became razor sharp thorns that flew towards Tayuya.
"Scorpion Style: Hardened Exoskeleton!" Tayuya shouted performing a Jutsu. A Brown Exoskeleton covered over her protecting her as the thorns were unable to penetrate them as they bounced off of her.
"Scorpion Style: Poison Fingers!" She then shouted and her hands became covered in poison and she attacked. Ino gasped and brought her arms up to block.
She felt the stinging pain as the attack made contact with her skin as she was infected with poison making her vision blurry. She was then hit multiple times by Tayuya who then finished it up with a roundhouse kick that knocked Ino out.
"And then there was one." Kimimaro taunted Rock Lee.
"My youthful spirit will see to it you are vanquished again!" Rock Lee proclaimed not backing down. Charging at Kimimaro he attacked, engaging him in Taijutsu.
The two fought fiercely as they did battle. Fighting with quick speed and reflexes as they attacked, blocked and countered.
They appeared to be evenly matched as neither were able to gain an advantage. Kimimaro did several jabs and strikes at Lee who dodged them, he pulled out a pair of Nunchaku and swung them about, adding them to his repertoire of attacks driving
"Leaf Gale!" He shouted and kicked him, tripping and knocking Kimimaro down.
Kimimaro turned and over, like a Cobra, slithered on the ground towards him, before standing up. He then ran at Lee and charged at him. Lee charged as well at him, but to his surprise Kimimaro duck and went low aiming for his legs.
He delivered fierce blows and jabs to Lee's knees who could not defend or react in time as he tripped and stumbled. He hissed in pain as he was on the ground.
"Cobra Style: Serpent Bite!" Kimimaro shouted and reached out with his hands. To Lee's shock they transformed into Snake's which then extended and bit him on the legs. Lee screamed in pain and agony as they bit through the fabric of his clothing and into his flesh, sinking their venomous fangs into him. The snakes retracted and went back to Kimimaro as they turned back to his hands
"When you face a Cobra, always know that we prefer to fight dirty." He said mocking Lee who continued to scream in pain. "Now to finish you." He said as he produced his Sickles.
The Leaf Ninja were shown beaten and infected with poison, with welts on their bodies from where there had been infected. They were unable to fight back now.
"What's going on here?" A voice called out from the rooftops that caught The Venom Five's attention.
Two Chunin were shown, one with bandages on his face and the other with hair covering over his left eye.
"Who the heck are you guys?" Izumo said as with him was Kotetsu. "What is the meaning of this?" He shouted as they had heard the ruckus and saw the building that Choji had been knocked through before investigating.
"Hmph," Sakon said in annoyance. "More lambs to the slaughter."
"You're gonna pay for attacking our village!" Kotetsu claimed. "No one attacks The Leaf and gets away with it." He boasted.
"I'll handle this!" Kotetsu shouted as he pulled out a scroll and summoned a large weapon. It was a two handed weapon that had a large Conch Shell at the end of it. "You're through!" He proclaimed as he attacked Jirobo
"No!" Choji shouted straining to sit up as he did not know about Jirobo's special ability. "Don't!" He called out but was ignored as there was nothing he could do to stop him.
Kotetsu swung his Conch Shell Mace, preparing to bash it up against Jirobo's head. The weapon hit and he grinned thinking he had knocked him out. But to his shock, his blow had no effect making his eyes widen in disbelief as Jirobo acted like he didn't even feel it as he absorbed the blow.
Jirobo smiled mockingly at him and then rammed his head into Kotetsu's chest his Flak Vest being torn about from the force of the blow. Kotetsu's chest caved in as in his final moments he felt his ribs being broken and feeling like his heart was being crushed.
He fell down his back hitting the ground his eyes open but no emotion or life in them as he was dead.
"Not a bad weapon, I'll take it!" Jirobo stated as he picked up the Mace from the ground and slung it over his back.
"Kotetsu!" Izumo shouted in horror at what he witnessed, the death of his comrade "You bastards!" He yelled at them and did hand signs. "Water Release: Starch Syrup Capturing Field!" He began shooting out streams of syrupy water at them
The Venom Five dodged and got out of the way from his attacks as they avoided it. Izumo didn't let up as he fired more.
"Stop it! They're too strong and fast for you!" Neji shouted at him but Izumo wasn't paying attention. Too consumed with grief and anger as he continued firing. The Venom Five easily dodged and avoided his attacks as they laughed at him.
He was then struck in the back by Kidomaru who hit him stopping his firing. Jirobo then slammed an elbow into his stomach whilst Sakon threw shuriken that got him in the legs. Tayuya then followed it up with a hard spinning kick to his head.
"You wear him down, and I'll go in for the kill!" Kimimaro proclaimed as he, moving like a Snake dashed at him. "Cobra Strike!" He shouted as he lunged at him with his twin sickles. Izumo saw him coming but he was too fast for him to react and defend against.
Kimimaro swung his weapons as he dashed past him in the blink of an eye, too fast to be followed. He appeared behind him holding his sickles.
"Let's see, I believe I hit you sixteen times just now." Kimimaro said as he had counted how many times he had delivered slashes as cuts and marks appeared on Izumo's arms, face and neck.
Izumo's blood began to fall from his wounds as he opened his mouth to speak but no words came as he fell forward collapsing on the ground as his life had come to an end.
"No!" Rock Lee yelled at what he saw happened. "You cursed monsters!" He shouted as he struggled to pull himself up. "I'll make you pay for what you've done!" He vowed but dropped down to one knee as the venom was taking hold of him.
The Venom Five looking on laughed at The downed Leaf Ninja. "Now then, I think it's time we put you all out of your misery." Sakon said.
"Yes, let's." Kidomaru said agreeing.
They started to advance towards them when a blur intercepted them. Standing in front of them was Might Gai. "Lee! Neji! TenTen!" He shouted at his team seeing the state they were in.
"S-Sensei." Neji said wearily before he fell unconscious from the poison in him. Asuma Sarutobi and Kurenai Yuuhi had shown up as well having accompanied Gai.
Kimimaro sensed others approaching and gave a hiss as their vengeance would be delayed it seemed. "It appears we must settle this another time." He said and he and the others vanished.
"Ino! Choji! Stay with me!" Asuma shouted at his students seeing how bad they were injured as several Anbu had arrived.
"We've got to get them to the hospital!" Kurenai said as this was urgent as she tended to Shino as she saw he was sweating all over as poison spread all over him. Not even his insects were able to counter it as they were shown dying. "Inform Lady Tsunade and The Medics at once!" She ordered Yugao who nodded and departed in a flicker.
As chaos erupted in The Leaf Village from the unexpected attack, a figure was shown lying on his side on a futon in a building.
He paid no attention or did not care what had happened just now. He was disheleved and a mess with his white hair sprawled out. On the front of his face was a beard that was untrimmed as he hadn't shaved in ages.
By his side was a jug containing sake as he laid there.
His hand fumbling, he reached over and grasping the handle of it, Jiraiya brought it to his mouth and took a swig uncaring that part of it spilled onto his face and clothes as he drank.
He didn't care...
Everything was pointless anyway...
The Land of Grass
As that had happened, The Leaf Team sent to Grass were shown going down the road. The Four Ninja Team went on as they continued on their path.
"There's an Inn about an hour from here." Yamato, The Field Captain said to Sakura and the others. "We'll rest there for the night and prepare for the meeting tomorrow." He informed the others. "The Tenchi Bridge is about ten miles from here." He told them.
Sakura nodded her head as they were going to need to be at there full strength for the task tomorrow.
"Sakura," A voice said and she turned her head towards Sai.
"What is it Sai?" She asked hiding her annoyance as she still didn't like or trust him. Especially with the way he would unknowingly take normal words and insult you.
"Sasuke was your teammate before, right?" Sai asked her.
"Yes, he was, what about it?" Sakura replied to him.
"Is that why you are so adamant in going on this mission. How will you feel about facing someone from your past?" He asked her. "From what I was told, you were rather smitten with him."
Sakura narrowed her eyes. "It's none of your business, but yes, I was smitten with him."
"Hmm, I see." Sai noted. "Are you still in love with him then?" He bluntly asked.
Sakura frowned. "What are you getting at?" She demanded to know. "I was in love with him for a time but no longer."
"From my viewpoint, you are letting personal matters get into this Mission. He is a Traitor, having joined the man who killed The Third. And your other teammate, Naruto Uzumaki was a fool in going after him."
Sakura glared dangerously at him.
"Lord Danzo told me that Naruto was an ignorant fool who failed in his duty as a Ninja and as a Weapon to the Leaf, that he was doomed from the start to never achieve anything. And I can see his point." Sai commented.
"You're right." Shikamaru said speaking up just before Sakura could smash his face in. "Naruto was a fool, he was stubborn and bull headed. He was loud and brash, he did things his way and only his way." He said as if agreeing with him.
Sai smiled in response
"But he was also kind, he was loyal, he'd always lend a hand and would give you the shirt off of his back without you even asking for it." Shikamaru told him as he stared angrily at him. "He was determined to succeed no matter what and would never give up, and in doing so inspired others as well to never give up. And he sure as hell wasn't a failure or a weapon like you just called him." He told Sai raising his voice.
"You can say whatever you want about me, call me lazy and insult me, that's fine But don't you dare insult or speak Naruto's name ever again. You got that?" Shikamaru warned him.
"That's enough." Yamato said and a cage of wood separated them all. "I want you all to settle down and end this foolish bickering." Yamato told the group. "There's two ways we can do this. We can continue on and rest at the inn up ahead and prep for tomorrow." He said as his face became rather unsettling. "Or we can abort the mission and head back. Know that I will put all three of you on report for your unprofessionalism and squabbling when we get back." He warned them. "So what's it gonna be?" He asked.
Sakura took a deep breath and calmed herself. "I'm ready to continue on with the mission." Sakura responded.
Shikamaru put his hands in his pockets and nodded as well.
"Sai?" Yamato asked The Root Ninja. "All three of you must be in total agreement if we are going to continue on." He told him.
Sai was silent for a moment before he nodded his head. "I apologize for my previous words." He informed them.
"Very well," Yamato said dispersing the wooden walls as his face returned to normal. "Let's continue on." He informed the group as cooler heads had prevailed.
A short while later that night, Sakura was shown as they were at the Inn. Having a room all to herself. Clad in a bath robe as she had taken a dip in the Hot Springs they had available which was refreshing and soothed her muscles after traveling for the past days.
She remembered her last meeting with Chiyo. The Elder Woman had passed away at Suna the day they had went back to Konoha, dying not from her wounds from her battle with Sasori, but from old age as she had passed away peacefully in her sleep. Chiyo reminding Sakura that she must not fight in anger when she faced Sasuke, that attacking in fury will only lead to disaster. She would have to control her emotions for the upcoming fight.
She checked her gear, double checking her swords as well as her pouches and tools including the orbs containing knockout gas Tsunade had gave her.
"Sakura," A voice said knocking on the door and she opened it. To her surprise it was Sai.
"What do you want?" She demanded as she wasn't in the mood.
"I came here to make up for my previous words and actions today." Sai informed her surprising her. Unlike before, he seemed geniune. "I...have a problem with emotions and admit that I tend to offend those who I am sent on Teams with. But only because of my Training with Root. We are meant to be detached from emotions and chose the most logical choices regardless of personal feelings"
"It's gonna take you more than an apology before I forgive or trust you." Sakura told him folding her arms over her chest.
"I...still have much to learn but I thought you may have liked this." He said and handed her a piece of paper. Sakura took it and she saw what was on it.
"This is beautiful." She said as it was a drawing of an Eagle. It was perfectly drawn and looked like it was alive and would come right off the picture.
"You can keep it." Sai told her and went to his room he was sharing with Yamato.
After getting some sleep, Sakura met up with the others in the morning.
"Where is Sai?" Sakura asked as she did not see the fourth member of the assigned group.
"He got up this morning before we did and said he was doing scouting and was going to be back soon. Get a layout of the meeting spot." Yamato informed her. "But he should have been back by now." He noted. "Let's undergo our plan one more time." He said as they talked.
Yamato was to dress up as Sasori, having made a copy of his Hiruko getup and meet the spy. When they met the spy, they would find the location of the base and sneak in and get Sasuke. With any luck, they would get him off guard and get out of there before anyone realized what was happening
They waited and soon it was almost time for the meeting. But Sai had not yet returned which was starting to be worrysome.
"He should have been here by now." Shikamaru said in an annoyed tone.
"Do you think something's happened to him?" Sakura asked Yamato.
"I don't know, he's one of the best when it comes to being a spy with his special ability." Yamato said to her. "This isn't like him." He told them.
"Well he's picked a perfect time to mess up." Shikamaru grumbled. "What are we going to do?"
"We got no choice it seems, we must go to the meeting spot as this is our only chance." Yamato said shaking his head.
The now group of Three went on, going to the meeting spot at The Tenchi Bridge.
They arrived there and Yamato donned his disguise and approached the Bridge. Sakura and Shikamaru stayed hidden as they would only move when he gave them the signal.
After a few minutes, a figure was seen on the other side of the bridge approaching them. He had grey silver hair and wore glasses, across his head he wore a Hitai-ate with a Melody Note on it.
"It's him!" Sakura said with a hiss as she recognized who it was. There was no mistaking that person, the figure who had been spying on them in The Forest of Death the whole time and pretended to be a friend.
Kabuto Yakushi...
"Lord Sasori." Kabuto said and kneeled before him.
"I am glad you are here, I was getting tired of waiting." Yamato said as he did an imiation of Sasori's voice.
"I apologize, you must understand I have much to do." Kabuto said.
"Hmph, where is Orochimaru?" Yamato demanded. "Does he suspect?"
"He does not know, and frankly we must hurry. I was to meet him within the hour."
Yamato continued to talk with Kabuto as Sakura and Shikamaru waited for the signal from him. When he did, Shikamaru would grab him with his Shadow and Sakura would use knockout gas from the orbs to put him to sleep.
"By the way Lord Sasori, I am glad that your incident in Suna went well. You are one more step closer it seems." Kabuto said as he pushed his glasses upward. "Sad the same couldn't be said of your partner rumors say."
"An unfortunate loss, but no matter." Yamato said.
"Yes, it was." Kabuto said and then smirked. "You were intrigued by Deidara's art weren't you?"
"It was quite amusing, with his sculptures and tactics." He replied and then Kabuto let out a low chuckle. "What is so funny?" Yamato asked.
"Oh nothing, just amusing how pathetic this charade has become!" Kabuto said and he pulled out a scalpel glowing with chakra and stabbed at him.
Yamato leapt back in the nick of time just avoiding it as he discarded the outfit.
"Damn!" Shikamaru cursed. "He knew!"
"The real Sasori despised Deidara's art you fool!" Kabuto taunted him and lunged again
Kabuto went to stab him but was suddenly unable to move as though something had a hold of him. He looked down and saw that his Shadow was connected by another. Lifting his head up he looked and saw Shikamaru at the other side of the bridge using his Clan's technique to grab him.
"I don't think so." He told Kabuto. "Sakura go!" He shouted at her.
Sakura charged and pulled out a orb containing the knockout gas and threw it at Kabuto.
"Not so fast!" A voice shouted and a kunai hit the orb in midair causing it to explode harmlessly before it reached him.
Sakura's eyes widened as she saw a figure at the end of the bridge. A tall figure with ghastly pale skin and golden eyes. A snake smile was on his lips as he wore a tunic with the yin yang symbol on it with a purple bow around his waist.
"O-Orochimaru..." She said in shock and horror at who she saw. She remembered the feeling in The Forest of Death when he had preyed upon them.
"Well, well, it seems the rumors were true. Sasori is dead." The Snake Sannin and Leader of Sound said with a cackle. "Kukuku, no matter, less people in my way now. I suppose thanks are in order."
Sakura was joined up by Shikamaru who stood beside her as well as Yamato.
"Kabuto, let's go." He ordered his henchmen and they quickly departed.
"No!" Sakura shouted and chased after them.
"Sakura, wait!" Yamato called out to her but to no avail.
Sakura chased after the two fleeing Ninja, pumping all her chakra to her legs as she chased them.
She chased them for ten minutes refusing to let them out of her sight until they stopped having come to a stone wall.
"Persistent girl." Orochimaru said in annoyance.
Sakura grasped her swords before she was suddenly stopped by Shikamaru as he and Yamato had caught up with her.
"Sakura, we must go!" He said to her.
"No! This is our only chance!" She protested.
"Be reasonable!" Yamato said to her. "Orochimaru is too dangerous to face like this!"
"I don't care!" She exclaimed. "They are responsible for everything has happened. I won't let them escape!" She said in defiance.
"You've gotten quite stubborn." A voice suddenly said from above.
Sakura and them heard the voice. For her and Shikamaru, it was one they remembered. One that they hadn't heard in three years but still knew who it was after all this time.
They lifted their heads up and looked up, as standing above on a rock was a Teenaged Male. He had crow black hair and emotionless blue eyes. He wore a grey Shitagi shirt with his chest exposed and had the Uchiha symbol of a Fan on its back. He wore dark blue Hakama trouser with black pants and had a purple bow belt tied around it. Attached to his back was a Chokuto sword.
"Why are you here?" Sasuke Uchiha said to them. "I told you all a long time ago that I'm not coming back." He said as he looked down at him.
"Sasuke," Sakura said and she looked on at him. Her expression hardened as she stared at her former teammate. "I'm only going to ask you this once, so listen good." She said as anger appeared on her face.
"Why'd you do it? Why did you kill Naruto?" She said, demanding to know at long last his reason why.
Three years ago...
"I trust that these accommodations will be suitable for you." Kabuto said to Sasuke as he was in the sleeping quarters that had been provided for him. "If not I'm sure we can arrange and make it more comfortable."
"It will do." Sasuke said as he paid him no mind as he had his back to him. The man was a wretch who wasn't worth his time.
It had been a day since he had arrived. Having joined Orochimaru so that he could learn the power and strength he needed to kill Itachi.
"Very well, oh, there's one more thing." Kabuto said to him. "Something that may interest you."
"What is it?" Sasuke asked.
"It's about your teammate; Naruto Uzumaki, apparently, he is listed and announced as dead." Kabuto informed him. "Konoha has declared that he has died. Apparently you killed him." He said with a smile.
Silence come from Sasuke at the information he had just received. He made no movement nor showed no emotion.
"Is that all?" He asked. "It doesn't matter, tell Orochimaru I wish to start my training immediately." Sasuke told him.
Sasuke looked on at Sakura and said nothing for a long moment. "I told him he was foolish to continue chasing after me, that he should leave." He said finally speaking as he recalled that day. "But he refused to listen, he stubbornly insisted that I went back to Konoha with him. I gave him multiple chances to leave and he wouldn't. Naruto would still be alive if he hadn't been so idiotic which was always his greatest flaw"
Anger flared within Sakura. "You selfish bastard! He was our friend! He was your best friend!" She accused him. "Did all the missions and stuff we did together mean nothing to you? We couldn't even bury his body because of what you did!"
Sasuke stared at her with no remorse. "Naruto's death was something I did not intend or plan, but remember. I told you all the day we was put on a team that my only priority was gaining the strength to kill Itachi and avenge my family." He said to her. "Nothing else matters to me. Not friendship, not camaraderie, nothing. Power was and still is the only thing I seek. And he wasn't my best friend." He informed them. "If he was, then when I killed him, I would have unlocked The Mangekyo Sharingan when I did." He said to them
"So you went and sold your soul to the Devil over there?" Shikamaru spoke up. "Have you forgotten what he did and that he killed The Sandaime?" He said his mother's anger slipping through him. Standing there with his arms covered, an amused look was on Orochimaru's face at his accusation.
"I made my decision, and I have no use for your whining about what I've done." Sasuke said in annoyance. "Go now, and never seek me out again." He ordered them as this was the only opportunity he would give them.
"I don't think so." Sakura said as she gripped the hilts of her swords. "I've trained too hard and long for this moment." She told Sasuke who raised an eyebrow at her.
"You hated Naruto remember?" Sasuke said to her. "You used to complain nonstop that he was on Team 7 and that it should just be me and you, so you could continue to have your schoolgirl fantasies." He said to the Kunoichi.
"Yes I did," Sakura replied. "I said things about him that I'll never forgive myself for doing." She said recalling all the times she had been mean to him. "But, he was my friend and teammate, he inspired me to not give up even at my lowest when I felt like quitting. It's because of him that I've come so far." She said and drew out her Sabres from their sheathes.
"Sasuke Uchiha, for your crimes of being a Missing Nin, aiding a known Terrorist and the murder of Naruto Uzumaki. I, Sakura Haruno: Kunoichi of The Hidden Leaf, Apprentice to The Godaime, will bring you back to Konoha so to face Justice!" She declared
"Hmm," Sasuke responded as bringing his hand up reached to his own hilt. "Have it your way then." He informed her as he grasped it
He then leapt down, having pulled out his sword to attack her, to cut her down. Sakura brought her Sabres up and blocked the attack as her green eyes glared into his emotionless blue. Sasuke broke the deadlock and swung again at her which she evaded and slashed at him which he avoided the Sabre just missing his arm.
The two then began to fight as their swords clashed and rang against one another
"Should we intervene Lord Orochimaru?" Kabuto asked watching on. "Sasuke maybe underestimating her." He advised The Sannin.
"No, let him have his fun. She's the last remaining remnant of his tie to The Leaf." Orochimaru said. "I am intrigued myself as to witness how far this little blossom has improved. Besides, perhaps if he disposes of her he'll finally unlock The Mangekyo Sharingan since Naruto-kun's death had failed to do so. But if her comrades do get involved, then we shall as well." Orochimaru informed him.
The two former teammates of Team 7 went at it. Fighting each other as they did battle.
Sakura expertly dodged, blocked and parried his attacks as her Sabres countered his Chokuto. She was holding her own against him as they fought.
(Stay calm, don't let him think you're being pressured) She said to herself in her mind. (Let Sasuke wear himself out, fight defensively and look for an opening! Don't let him think his Sharingan is needed.) She said as she blocked the attacks. Sasuke attacked her but he did not break her guard as she parried and countered. Her twin Sabres clashed against his Chokuto as Sasuke stared at her with no emotion as he attacked.
"Have your forgotten all the time The Three of us spent together? All the missions we went on?" Sakura shouted at him. "Everything we did at Wave? Learning to Tree Walk? Does nothing that we did matter to you?" She said as she swung her swords at him.
"All that was just a stepping stone." Sasuke stated as he blocked her attack "Konoha could not give me what I needed, it was filled with nothing that was holding me back!" He said as he swung at her and missed an attack.
The two continued to battle, steel clashed against steel. Sasuke fought with cold fury, whilst Sakura battled with burning vengeance.
"I'll admit I am surprised by how strong you've become Sakura." Sasuke told her as he was impressed by how far she had come as he hadn't expected her to improve so much. "But you cannot hope to defeat me." He informed her.
"If that's the case, then why are you sweating?" Sakura responded and he narrowed his eyes.
"Fireball Jutsu." Sasuke said and fired one at her. She countered with Hand Symbols of her own.
"Water Shuriken!" She shouted creating one out of water. She threw it and the two attacks collided and dispelled one another.
"Multi Fireball Jutsu." Sasuke said and unleashed several of them.
"Water Style: Geyser!" Sakura said and a Geyser of Water shot up from the ground in front of her and blocked the attacks as steam was created from it.
Sakura emerged from the steam as she attacked again swinging her swords. Sasuke blocked and avoided her attacks before he leapt backwards and then threw his sword at her. Sakura avoided it but then it turned and came at her from behind as it was controlled by a wire that Sasuke was using. Sakura avoided it again as it returned to Sasuke.
"Water Release: Dolphin Blow!" She shouted and she charged at Sasuke. She swung her swords and a Dolphin made out of Water appeared behind her as she attacked. Sasuke blocked her swords but The Dolphin hit him knocking him backwards but not losing his balance.
"Stupendous!" Orochimaru's voice called out and he was shown clapping his hands. "Well done Sakura! Not even I would have guessed you were capable of such strength and skill!" He said applauding her, which made her feel flithy. "I wouldn't have thought that Tsunade would put down her sake to train such a student. But there is still more you can learn." He said to Sakura.
He grinned as he looked on at her. "Join me Sakura-chan, Join me and I can shall you how to unlock true strength." He offered her. "The powers you have now are but a fraction of what I could teach you. You could survive The Cursed Seal that I gift you no problem I believe. I can teach you things that Tsunade wouldn't even dream of." He said his gold eyes gleaming.
Sakura responded by spitting right at him. "Go to Hell. That's what I think of your offer." She said letting him know clearly what she thought of him.
The Snake Sannin smirked in response. "Suit yourself, this was only a one time offer. Sasuke, dispose of her." He ordered him.
Sasuke looked on at her as the two prepared to continue.
Elsewhere...
He had discovered The Base, after spending the day scouting The Land of Grass. Discovering the hideout of the man he had been looking for.
Easily killing the guards there, he then ventured forth into it as he demolished the steel door blocking his entry as he went underground.
Naruto was shown walking through the base, any Sound Ninja that had found him he had killed, until eventually they were all dead or had fled as he left a trail of bodies.
He continued on the only sound being that of his footsteps on the ground as his boots echoed.
He found a room, in it were several tubes and beakers. Kabuto's personal lab that he had, filled with poisons and potions he was developing. He gave it no notice as he went on.
One of Naruto's discoveries was a personal room, that which someone was using to reside in. Not Orochimaru or his lackey, but someone else Looking around he did not find anything that was of use to him.
He came to the center of the compound, where a giant stone snake was shown with Candles in its eyes. Finding it an unappealing sight, Naruto destroyed it with a Jutsu shattering it to pieces.
Hearing a noise coming from another room, he opened the door finding himself in a Dungeon.
Inside the room were several cells, and each of them were occupied. Sounds of deranged screaming like animals filled the room as hollering and crying emitted from the occupants.
These were the unfortunate test subjects of Orochimaru. Men and Women, Young and Old, it did not matter to him as he had experimented on them, uncaring that they had been driven insane by the side effects, becoming little more than wild beasts. Some rammed themselves against the cell bars reaching out through them with their hands at him to grab at and kill him but he paid them no mind. They were nothing but Vermin.
"Humans..." He said with a scoff. "And they call my kind Monsters." He said as only a Human would do such a thing to another Human.
He stepped on a tile in the floor and it suddenly gave way, collapsing from his weight.
The cell doors in the dungeon suddenly opened, all at once. The occupants then left their cells, deranged and feral looks on their faces as they looked on at him.
Wordlessly, Naruto drew out his broad sword as he showed no fear.
A/N: That's it for this chapter. Review please.