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Before the Storm: T Minus 9

A seventeen-year-old Sakura Haruno stood in the hospital room, her brow twitching in visible irritation. Her patient was making no sense whatsoever. "So... where exactly is the pain?" she asked for what felt like the hundredth time. "Your head? Your leg? Right side? Left side?"

The man looked at her sheepishly, mumbling something unintelligible that only made her frown deepen. Eventually, she gave up trying to decipher his ramblings. By the time she was done, he was bandaged from head to toe, despite his feeble protests of, "I'm sorry, really!"

Once her shift was over, Sakura tied her hair into a loose ponytail and decided she deserved a nice, quiet dinner. She headed to a small, cozy restaurant that had become her go-to spot after long, exhausting days at the hospital. The familiar warmth of the place immediately put her at ease—until her eyes landed on a very familiar sight.

There he was. Kakashi Hatake. Sitting in a corner, slouched comfortably in his chair, nose buried in yet another brand-new, pervy book. Sakura sighed as she approached him, her hands on her hips. "You know, you really should quit reading that junk in public."

He lazily glanced up at her, his visible eye crinkling in amusement. "Why quit when it's so entertaining?" he replied before returning to his book as if she hadn't said a word.

Sakura rolled her eyes and sank into a chair nearby. She couldn't help but reflect on how much had changed over the last four years. Time had flown by. The Konoha 12 had all become Chunin by now—except for Sasuke, who remained in containment after his attempt to defect. Naruto and Neji, on the other hand, had leaped ahead, earning their Jounin ranks. Naruto, though... she was still something else entirely.

The "creepy robotic girl," as Sakura still sometimes thought of her, had become slightly less robotic over the years. Slightly. But she was still as much of a pain in the ass as ever. Just as Sakura's thoughts wandered further, the door to the restaurant swung open, and in walked the subject of her musings.

"Dattebayo, smells nice. Is it edible?" Naruto Uzumaki's voice rang through the restaurant, loud and carefree.

Sakura groaned and gestured for her to come over. "Naruto, we're at a restaurant. Of course it's edible. Get over here."

Naruto shrugged and plopped herself into the chair across from Sakura, her movements unceremonious yet oddly graceful. Over the last four years, Naruto had grown quite a bit—now standing at five foot six, she was almost as tall as Neji. Her once-short bob had grown out, styled like Kurenai-sensei's, though Naruto somehow managed to make it look more striking. Her synthetic features had matured, her eyelashes more pronounced, and the remnants of baby fat on her face had disappeared. Even with her porcelain-like complexion and sharp features, though, she still hadn't grown much in certain areas. Flat as ever. And though she still donned that eerie black frilly dress on missions, she'd adapted to more casual outfits in her daily life—T-shirts and shorts that made her blend in a little better. Well, as much as someone like Naruto could blend in.

As they sat and talked, their conversation meandered to the oddest of topics. Naruto, in her usual blunt way, complained about her latest frustration. "Naruto's so sick of bleeding ink every month. Dattebayo, it's disgusting."

Kakashi, who had been quietly reading, visibly flinched at the comment. His book trembled slightly in his hands as he muttered, "Some things are better left unsaid, Naruto."

Sakura, being a medic, simply sighed. "That's just how you're built, Naruto. You'll have to live with it. At least it's not actual blood, right?"

Naruto rolled her eyes but didn't argue further. Instead, the topic shifted to something far more serious. "What about Sasuke?" Naruto asked, her tone unusually quiet.

Sakura exchanged a glance with Kakashi before replying. "The council and Lady Tsunade are preparing to release him soon. They think he's... ready."

Naruto leaned back in her chair, her expression unreadable. After a moment, she simply said, "Good."

Naruto leaned forward, her glowing sapphire eyes gleaming with determination, though her head cocked slightly to the side in that familiar stiff, robotic manner. "Naruto will make sure the Bastard doesn't run off again. Dattebayo. If Sasuke tries, Naruto will tie him up and drag him back like a sack of potatoes."

Sakura sighed, shaking her head. "His eye transplantation was successful, you know. They used some Uchiha eyes the village had stored. Turns out, they were his mom's eyes." She paused for a moment, her voice softening. "So... good, I guess."

Naruto blinked, her expression blank for a beat before her mouth stretched into an exaggerated O. "Oh. Sasuke must be happy. Naruto bets he's all like, 'Hmph, I am so cool, my eyes are my mom's.'"

Sakura couldn't help but chuckle at the impression. "Well, he's... better now. He's been getting therapy from Inoichi Yamanaka. And honestly? He seems to be doing well. More grounded. Less... broody."

Naruto gave a slow nod, though her stiff posture made it look like her head was on a rusty hinge. "Good. Naruto was worried the Bastard would stay emo forever. But now Naruto doesn't have to punch him to make him smile. Dattebayo."

Sakura smirked but decided not to comment further. Instead, she asked, "And what about you, Naruto? How's everything else going?"

Naruto's face lit up—well, as much as her slightly monotone voice and blank stare could express. "Naruto is taking lessons from the hag to become a great Hokage. Dattebayo. Tsunade says Naruto has potential. But Naruto thinks..." She trailed off for a moment, tilting her head as if trying to process her own thoughts. "Tsunade is using Naruto. She makes Naruto do all her boring Hokage things while she drinks and naps. Dattebayo."

Kakashi snorted into his book, clearly entertained. "That sounds... about right."

Naruto ignored him, her tone turning slightly more animated—though still awkwardly stiff. "Kakashi-sensei is doing good too." She giggled—though it came out more as a weird monotone 'heh heh heh,' which made Sakura roll her eyes.

Sakura leaned back, crossing her arms. "And what about you being some big-time star now? I heard you've been working with McPhoenix David. Two movies as the lead? Seriously, Naruto?"

Naruto straightened in her chair, her voice taking on an oddly proud yet still robotic edge. "Naruto is a superstar now. Dattebayo. McPhoenix David said Naruto is the perfect protagonist. Naruto's 'Dattebayo' is a trend now." She paused, almost smug. "Naruto is famous."

Sakura groaned, rubbing her temples. "Yeah, I've heard. People are calling you the 'Hottest Actress in the Elemental Nations' now. They used to call you the cutest, but I guess you're growing up."

Naruto cocked her head again, blinking blankly. "Hottest? Naruto thought ramen was hottest. Dattebayo."

Kakashi chuckled, his eye crinkling with amusement. "Speaking of McPhoenix David, I heard he's working with Jiraiya to make a movie adaptation of 'Make Out Tactics.'"

Naruto froze, her expression blank for a moment before she spoke, her tone dripping with exaggerated disbelief. "Movie of Pervy Sage's book? Ew. Dattebayo."

Kakashi grinned, clearly enjoying her reaction. "They're saying you'd be the perfect protagonist for it."

Naruto's eye twitched as if her brain had short-circuited. "Naruto will not act in Pervy Sage's pervy book movie. Dattebayo."

Sakura let out a loud laugh, leaning back in her chair. "Well, you are the hottest actress now. Maybe it's destiny?"

Naruto crossed her arms stiffly, her expression pouty. "Destiny is dumb. Naruto will stick to action movies. No pervy movies for Naruto. Dattebayo."

T~T

The room was dimly lit, the flickering shadows from the flames of a solitary candle dancing across the eerie holographic forms of the Akatsuki members. They stood, or floated rather, in a circle, their auras heavy with malice and ambition. The air was thick with tension as their leader, Pein, surveyed the group with his Rinnegan, his godly presence silencing any idle chatter before it even began.

Zetsu's black-and-white form was the first to break the silence, his voice slithering through the air like a serpent. "We've secured six of the tailed beasts," he announced with a strange mix of pride and malice. "The Nibi, Sanbi, Yonbi, Gobi, Rokubi, and Nanabi are all ours. Only three remain now: the Ichibi, Hachibi, and... Kyuubi."

Pein's expression was as stoic as ever, but there was a certain weight to his next words. "The remaining three are the most troublesome. Each of them is guarded by individuals who are either exceedingly powerful, well-protected, or both."

"The Ichibi..." Kakuzu voice cut through the room, cold and clinical. "Gaara of the Desert. He's no longer just a Jinchuuriki—he's the Kazekage. Taking him down will be more than just a challenge. He has the Hidden Sand's entire military at his disposal and has grown stronger since our last encounter."

Deidara snorted, tossing his hair back with exaggerated arrogance. "Tch, Kazekage or not, art will prevail. I'll handle the Ichibi personally. It'll be a beautiful explosion, unworthy of that brat's sand tricks."

Pein's gaze shifted slightly, acknowledging their bravado but not indulging it. "The Hachibi is no less formidable. Killer Bee of the Hidden Cloud is an exceptional shinobi and Jinchuuriki. His mastery over the Eight-Tails makes him one of the most dangerous hosts we've encountered. Not to mention the Raikage won't stand idly by if we go after his brother."

"And then there's the Kyuubi," Konan said, her voice quiet but laced with a gravity that silenced even Deidara. "Naruto Uzumaki."

Zetsu's white half chuckled. "Ah, Naruto Uzumaki. She's the strongest of them all now. Over the last four years, she's grown absurdly powerful. Not just physically, but strategically too. She's not the same reckless kid who relied solely on luck and determination. Plus," he added, his tone taking on an annoyingly enthusiastic edge, "I've watched her movies. They're fire. Really, she's—"

"Shut up, Zetsu," Konan interrupted, her sharp tone cutting through his rambling.

Pein's hand raised slightly, silencing any further commentary. "Naruto Uzumaki is indeed the most formidable of the remaining hosts. Her abilities have surpassed what we initially anticipated. She is no longer just a Jinchuuriki—she is a threat."

Kisame grinned, baring his shark-like teeth. "Heh, if she's that strong, it just makes her more interesting prey. Wouldn't mind testing my blade against her, though I'd probably need to bring a bigger fish net."

Hidan rolled his eyes. "Tch, you're all overthinking it. I'll just gut her and offer her blood to Jashin-sama. Problem solved."

"Idiot," Kakuzu muttered, his voice laced with disdain. "If she's as strong as they say, you'll end up dead before you even get close."

Pein's voice cut through their bickering like a blade. "Enough." The room fell silent once more. "Naruto Uzumaki will be dealt with personally. By me."

The declaration hung in the air, heavy and undeniable. Even the most arrogant members of the Akatsuki didn't argue. Pein was their leader, their god. If he said he would capture the Kyuubi, then it was as good as done—or so they believed.

"And the Ichibi?" Kakuzu sked, his voice cold and emotionless.

Pein turned his Rinnegan eyes on him and Deidara. "You two will capture the Ichibi. Gaara is strong, but he is not invincible. Work together and ensure success."

Deidara scoffed but didn't argue. "Fine. I'll make it a masterpiece."

Kakuzu simply nodded. "Understood."

"As for the Hachibi," Pein continued, "he will be dealt with in time. Focus on the Ichibi first."

The members of the Akatsuki murmured their acknowledgments before their holographic forms began to fade one by one, leaving only Pein and Konan in the darkened chamber.

Konan turned to Pein, her expression troubled. "Naruto Uzumaki... Are you certain you should be the one to face her? She's unpredictable, and if what Zetsu says is true, she's stronger than any Jinchuuriki we've encountered."

Pein's gaze remained unwavering. "Naruto Uzumaki will fall. The Kyuubi will be ours. This world will know pain."

T~T

Author's Note:

I hope you liked this chapter. Drop your thoughts in the review section. Your words inspire me to write faster, better and with more depth.

See you next time!