"..." Normal chat.
ABC. Thought.
Chapter 23
Godaime's office.
Once there, they see Tsunade's sitting at her usual desk. Standing nearby is Shizune, her apprentice. And the person in the middle of the room having her back facing toward them, is assumed to be Nina.
"Nina-chan!"
Excited to meet their long-awaited friend, Naruto rushes to her side.
"It's been a while. Naruto, Sakura."
With a gentle smile, Nina greets them. She's still having that outfit and hairstyle from before. While Sakura notices that they're sharing the same height now.
"Gosh! Don't you *it's been a while* to me! Just where the heck have you been! We've missed you so much!"
Sakura joins in and starts throwing a bunch of questions at her.
"When did you return? Why didn't you come to find me? And for how long are you intending to stay this time?"
"Well I-"
Then they see Shikamaru and Temari stand by the door. Their appearances cause the room to become even more crowded and lively.
"Ahem!"
It's Tsunade who reminds them that they're still standing inside her office.
"It's been a long time, you three. I'm sure that your training produced good results, right?"
She wants them to prove their strengths to her, and Kakashi's picked for the job. The very guy who has been lying outside listening to their conversation from the beginning.
"Kakashi-sensei! You haven't changed a bit!"
After their heartwarming reunion, Kakashi takes off to read his newly obtained favorite book. And they're left with some time to waste before the test begin.
"Come on, let's get ourselves something to eat."
Therefore Sakura suggests going downtown for lunch.
While on their way there, Naruto learns from Shikamaru that he and Nina are the only Genin among their peers. As the others have promoted been to Chuunin when he's away for his training session. And then there is Neji, who is already a Jounin.
Later on.
"Can you leave me out of this?"
Standing at one rooftop watching the sunset, Nina speaks to the shadow behind her.
"Sadly, this is Godaime's order. If you didn't want to join, you should have to talked to her about it earlier."
Kakashi says, fixing his mask.
"Relax, all you need to do is to show us what you've learnt from the past two years."
Feeling her anxiousness, he adds.
"I..."
If she acts up now, Tsunade will realize that something's wrong and puts her up on the main radar.
"Fine. But don't even think about changing the test just because I know what will happen beforehand."
Nina reminds Kakashi to stay on track. Since she has a feeling that her teacher is thinking of a way to adjust their test.
"Oops, you caught me."
In response, he smiles.
"I'm being serious."
Not convinced by his happy-go-lucky attitude. Nina warns him.
"We all wants you here, Nina. Perhaps try to loosen up a bit and-."
Kakashi convinces Nina to think herself as one of them instead of acting like a loner all the time. They had one before and he ended up leaving the village. So they definitely do not want her to go the same path as him.
"Loosen up? I can't believe you would say that to me after seeing what happened."
Silence fills the air as they recall to that moment. It's such a terrible incident that Nina knows that she will never be able to forget.
"The real cause is still unknown to us. Though as far as I can tell, it's possibly linked to-"
"You say the cause is still unknown yet it's always my power that you're blaming for."
Nina finds his assumption ridiculous.
"I simply trust what I saw."
As the sore witness of the whole ordeal, Kakashi states.
Having tired of arguing with him for the nth times about the same topic, Nina sighs.
"More than anything, I just want to-"
"Live and go home, I know."
Full of determination, he says. "However, keep torturing yourself over till we find a solution won't do you any favor either."
"We're done here. I'm leaving."
Realizing that their conversation is no longer what is intended to be, she jumps off to the street below.
"Running off again, are we?"
Watching her from the distance, Kakashi sighs.
The next day.
It's the same old sight. Kakashi showing them three silver bells in his hand. While the other two are excited to have their abilities tested, Nina simply doesn't bother.
Can't you at least act like you're interested? Godaime is watching us, you know?
Unsatisfied by her uncooperative attitude, Kakashi frowns.
"Alright, let's us begin!"
During the bell test, Nina does try showing off her skill like her other two teammates, though only in bare minimum. It's mostly the basic stuff that any shinobi can pull off. Still, Nina doesn't even try to steal his bell when she has the chance to.
It isn't hard for Kakashi to figure out her intention.
"If you're still in need of my help. Then do your test properly."
While they're exchanging fists, Kakashi whispers into her ear.
"What?!"
Not giving her a chance to protest, he disappears.
"Nina-chan! Did Kakashi-sensei say something to you?"
Quick to notice an odd in their flow of battle, Naruto asks her.
"I-It's nothing. He only reminded me to stay focus."
Reluctantly taking more kunai out of her pocket, she says.
At the end of the day thanks to Naruto's amazing Icha-Icha tactic that both he and Sakura manage to snatch a bell each for themselves.
However when it comes to Nina's turn, she hesitates.
"Come on, Nina-chan!"
Both Naruto and Sakura urges her to move.
"What are you waiting for?! Hurry up and grab it already!"
Stressed out by her friend's pressure, Nina takes the bell from him and eventually passes the test. Much to their joy.
"Naruto, Sakura, Nina. You three will be appointed to Kakashi's team!"
After Godaime's announcement, they are now back to four man team. Much to Nina's fear.
Nightfall.
"Just-what-do-you-think-you-are-doing?"
Nina accuses Kakashi's of alternating test result by extending his vulnerable time-frame on purpose.
"Doing my best to support my lonely student."
In contrast to her fuming aura, Kakashi states.
"Supporting?! You are clearly pushing me into danger!"
"Calm down. You won't be appointed to important or high-ranked missions unless necessary. Just think of yourself as a back up member of team 7 for now."
After hearing his explanation, Nina sighs in relief. But then he adds.
"Still, you're not allowed to slack off too much. So plan your path carefully."
Irritated, Nina groans. After spending a moment thinking, she speaks up.
"...Sand."
"Hm?"
"I'm not good with sand. That's all."
Once again, Nina gives him a hint before walking off. However after taking a few steps, she stops.
"I'm such a coward, aren't I? Abandoning my friends when knowing that they'll face danger."
Hearing so, Kakashi pats her head.
"Don't be so hard on yourself. I'm sure that they'll understand once knowing your condition."
"No! They can't know about it. Don't let them know. Especially Naruto and Sakura."
However Nina requests him to stay silent about her circumstances. And when he asks why, she states.
"I don't want to become another burden to them. It's already enough."
Therefore Kakashi sighs. "None of us thinks of you as a burden."
"...I know. But it helps me sleep a night knowing that my problem is my own only."
Still, Nina smiles sadly. "Surely you would do the same if you were me, Kakashi-sensei. So please."
Two years ago.
"Took you a while, huh?"
Casually Nina confirmed about her unique knowledge.
"Stop fooling around and just tell me far you had foresaw us."
Therefore he's told that her info would span up to twenty or thirty years from then.
"How is that even possible? What kind of power do they possess?"
"I don't know. Perhaps you should ask the guy who wrote the records when you get the chance to meet him."
Nina jokingly mentioned that she had already revealed the *author* to him. However a single name wasn't enough when there's no other info about him. No origins, no whereabouts, no picture. Nothing.
"Like I said before, I'm simply an observer. What are written inside the records are what I know. No more, no less."
As if trying to ease up his anxiety, Nina added.
"And to prove myself being truthful, I'd let you experienced that quite a few times."
She recalled leaving hints to him from time to time. Although back then, Kakashi didn't expect what she'd said turn out to be important pieces of information.
"Are there any others like you who read the records?"
"...A few of us."
Before Kakashi could jump from his seat by the shocking news, Nina added.
"But I'm the only one who to get to be here, alive."
"And what make you feel so confident about it?"
"Those people and I know each other. Beside, if any of them manages to come to this place, their top priority is finding me. Not targeting Konoha."
Kakashi frowned. "And how would that make me believe that your people are non threatening to us."
"Please, we don't give a damn about your little shinobi village. Heck, we don't even know that your world exists."
On the spur of the moment, Nina revealed one of her big secrets right at his face. Figured that she messed up, Nina gasped and covered her mouth. But it's already too late.
"What do you mean we don't exist?"
Kakashi pressed on, he's determined to learn the truth and Nina knew that she couldn't run away.
"Let's just say that I came from a different world. A different universe. A different timeline or whatever you call it."
Therefore Nina explained every word carefully for him to understand.
"And from where I live, you guys are only fictional. Completely out of reach."
"Al...right? Then those records..."
"Are simply story books. Your stories. A series work of fiction coming from a guy's imagination. Like the Icha Icha paradise, your all time favorite."
Nina pointed at the book hanging at his pocket to make a reference. "That's why a feeble kid like me managed to get my hands on and read them."
Then she pointed to herself. "By using that same logic on me. It means that I'm a fictional character and don't exist in your world. Therefore, no chakra."
Watching Kakashi's frozen at his seat trying to process everything. Nina added.
"Okay, I know everything sounds very crazy to you right now. But I swear to you with all my heart that I'm speaking the truth."
After taking a deep breath and managed to grasp the situation, Kakashi calmed down.
"How? What in the world are you?"
"I'm a human being. Same as you are. And because of some ridiculous accident, I was transported into your world against my will."
Only then Nina revealed her ultimate goal to him. To survive and returned to where she belonged. Not wasting her time on doing something ridiculous as crushing Konoha.
"I do realize that I'm considered a threat just by knowing these things. But I'm truly on your side and I need you to trust me on this."
Standing firm and looking straight into his eye, Nina stated.
"Out of all people, I expect that you'll be the one to understand my genuine feelings. Kakashi-sensei."
Next morning.
Godaime's office.
"As informed, Nina's still in unstable state. Therefore she won't be joining with you guys on this mission."
After announcing her decision, Tsunade glances at Kakashi, who in turn gives her a thankful nod. While Naruto can sense Nina's subtle sigh of relief right beside him.
Later on.
"Akatsuki, huh?"
"Ringing a bell?"
In response to Kakashi's comment, she simply smirks.
"Anything you want to say before we take off?"
"I don't know. Go kick their asses?"
Resting her hands on the handrail, Nina watches the colorful street below.
"..."
Kakashi forces a smile, though it's soon to fade when he hears her speaks again.
"Those guys. Everything about them isn't... simple."
Departure day.
"Be careful, everyone."
Nina comes along with Godaime and Jiraiya to see them.
"What are you going to do?"
Sakura's curious about her upcoming plan since Nina won't be able to take part in other missions when the rest of her team are currently in one.
"I'll continue with my training while waiting for you guys to return. There's still a lot of stuff to be done."
After saying goodbye to her team, Nina returns to her daily routine. And days go by quickly...
At Nina's usual training area.
The place is secluded, near a waterfall and several miles away from the forest. Up till now only Nina and Kakashi are the frequent guests.
What if I infuse a bit of wind into it?
Standing in the middle of the area, which is a big empty ground, Nina holds out her arms and attempts to tweak the fire ring that is burning around her feet.
"Tch!"
Instead of turning bigger and stronger like expectation, the fire dies out like a blown out candle.
More fire then.
From the other hand she casts a bigger flame then fuse them together again. It's starting to get better, until...
"Gasp! Cough... Cough!"
Her view begins to spin and her skin's burning hot. A sign that she's overdone it.
"Shit, I fucked up."
Nina quickly suppresses the fire before collapsing on the ground, gasping for air. But why? I didn't even do much.
"Why am I feeling... weaker?"
She watches her hands trembling, confused and frustrated more than ever.
A few days later.
The Kazekage Rescue Mission's considered to be a success. Though it has left Kakashi in immobilized state that lead him to be confined to the hospital. Unable to attend any upcoming mission until he's recovered.
"Ugh... Again with the bed rest?"
Lying on his bed with half of his face covered by the bed sheet, he complains.
"Be grateful that you're still alive."
Nina, who remains by his bed side after everyone's gone, answers.
"Judging from your expression this whole time. Surely I'll be living a long life!"
"Enough joking and get some sleep."
Looking at his positive attitude, Nina sighs. Though what he says isn't so far off.
"So, how's the self-training when I was gone?"
Notices the strained acts that she's been trying to hide, Kakashi comments.
"It seems that you didn't listen to my lectures, again."
"I just... wanted to try something new. Since the studies from those old scrolls bore me."
Can't stand his all-knowing stare. Nina admits her fault. "But I guess I wasn't ready for it."
"There's no need to rush. When your body clearly isn't built to make use all of that power at once."
"Now that's something we are still unsure of. I mean-"
As Nina opens her mouth to objects his idea. Kakashi stops her.
"Nina-chan."
So she groans in defeat.
"Sigh... Fine. Anyways, since you're temporary immobilized, Kakashi-sensei. Someone will replace you as our team leader for the next mission."
"Right. And I take my guess that you've already known who that will be?"
Therefore Nina nods.
"So what will you do?"
Kakashi's started to catch on with her way of thinking. And that whenever Nina decides to hide from something, it will turn out to be a special event.
"I know that you are expecting something. And you're right. This is also one of the missions that I'd love to avoid as much as possible."
Seeing him staring back at her, she groans in defeat.
"But being a shinobi, I can't keep refusing orders whenever I see fit, can I? Let's just see how things go."
Meanwhile.
"As all of you has already known, Nina's presented as a a backup member. Even if she joins the team in this mission, you guys still in need of a properly trained teammate to fill up the slot."
Tsunade explains the situation to them.
"Then I'll go look for members right away!"
Hearing so, Naruto takes off to find a suitable teammate. While watching him from afar, Sakura starts pondering.
I wonder if Nina-chan will be going with us. I need to talk to her to make sure!
Once making up her mind, she walks off as well.
At the park.
"Meeting up with a spy to learn about Sasuke's whereabouts?"
"And you'll come with us. Right?"
The moment seeing Nina walking down the street, Sakura immediately has her cornered by the tree.
"Actually, I'm still thinking about it. Beside, Godaime said that it'd be fine if I stayed behind this time as well."
"But this mission is important, Nina-chan. We need you."
And Sakura tries to persuade her into it.
"...I'm not sure if I'm suitable for it."
Realizing that Nina's trying to find her way out, Sakura grabs her wrist to stop her from running away.
"This is about Sasuke-kun! Don't you care about him? At all?"
Being reminded about the day he left, Nina frowned.
"You know that this can be a trap, right?"
Still, she questions the validity of their source of info.
"E-Even though we're not sure whether the information is correct. But it worth a try. Right?"
Sakura loses her posture for a moment but is quick to step back up.
"We may get to see Sasuke-kun again and even convince him to come back with us! Are you just going to let this chance go?!"
"I know. It's just that-"
"Nina-chan!"
"Alright! Fine! I get it! I'll come!"
With one last push, Nina gives in and agrees to go with them. Still, not believing in the decision that has just made up in a spur of moment, Sakura keeps staring at her.
"Sigh... I'll be there."
Until Nina confirms her words properly, Sakura smiles.
"Great! We'll be waiting!"
At night.
Naruto's room.
Nina comes by to visit him and they talk about his previous mission. How he met and fought with the Akatsuki's members in order to save Gaara.
"So I've heard from Sakura-chan that you've decided to take part in the next mission."
While eating his instant ramen, Naruto says.
"Yeah. She's way too convincing that I couldn't refuse."
Turning the cup of water in her hands, Nina says.
"Heh! That's Sakura-chan for you."
Still, Naruto's torn by this decision. Half of him wants her to go, but the other half doesn't want her to get involved with risky situation.
"Don't worry. If something happens, I will protect you! There's no need to rely on that strange power to fight, you know!"
To cheer her up, Naruto promises to do everything he can to help.
"Thanks, Naruto. You're too kind."
"Duh! That's what friends are for!"
Naruto grins and gives her a thumps up.
"Hey, Naruto."
"What is it?"
Nina stares at him for a moment before speaking up.
"From then until now, I've enjoyed my time here in Konoha. With you and everyone else."
Then her gaze lowered.
"But there will always be something that won't go the way we want it to be."
Unable to comprehend with her random speech, Naruto's head tilts.
"Huh? What do you mean? What won't go whose way?"
In response to his questions, Nina simply smiles. Her eyes filled with unnamed sorrow.
The next morning.
After the unpleasant meeting with Sai. Everyone gathers at the front gate and be ready to depart.
"What is it?"
Feeling uncomfortable with Sai's dead stare behind her neck, Nina speaks up.
"I'm simply curious why they agreed to let a dead weight stay with the team. Is it a part of testing our strength?"
Therefore Sai blurts out what's running inside in his mind.
"Hey! What do you know about-"
Instantly annoyed by his statement, Sakura calls out.
"Shut up! Nina-chan is not a dead weight!"
But Naruto's quicker to jump in.
"It's fine. Just ignore him."
Not wanting to cause anymore unnecessary fight when Yamato's watching behind their backs, Nina asks them to stop.
"Dead weight or not. I'm still a part of team 7 and it's my job to be your supporter."
Nina explains her role to Sai, her tone and expression remains calm unlike the others. "If you're not happy with it then you can try asking Godaime to replace me later."
"Who knows. Perhaps there's more to you than meets the eye."
Sai claims to respect Godaime's decision. Though soon after, Sai says that he'll consider following Nina's suggestion when this mission is over. If he finds that she doesn't fulfill her so-called support role properly.
"Grrrr! Can this jerk be any more annoying?!"
Standing beside them, Naruto's angry by Sai's attitude but he has to hold back his fist.
And Sai bickers with the team a lot more. Ends up earning a punch from Sakura in the face. Plus threatening from Yamato that he will lock everyone up inside his wooden cage if anyone of us act up again.
At the Inn.
"Cough! Cough...!"
"Are you okay?"
While sitting next to each other at the bench for a little chat, all of a sudden, Nina starts having trouble breathing.
"Probably choking on the air. That's all."
"Hmm... Now that I can see your face clearly. You don't look so well either."
Concerns about her health, Sakura checks on her but Nina instantly backs away.
"It's nothing! I'm fine!"
"But-!"
"Sakura-chan! Nina-chan! Captain Yamato is looking for us!"
Their conversation is cut off by Naruto's call for afar. Quickly Nina stands up and walks away from her.
In the next morning, they get to learn more about Sai from himself. From the picture book of in his hand, to his older brother, his lack of social experience and personal initiative.
"Hey, Naruto."
"Huh?"
Carefully, Sakura walks up to Naruto and whispers next to him.
"Have you spoken to Nina-chan yet?"
"Yeah."
"And how is she?"
"Well, Nina-chan looks fine to me. Sometimes she still says strange things. But it's all good. You know."
Naruto's confused when seeing Sakura frowned at his words.
"What's wrong?"
"It's just that... I have a feeling that Nina-chan is hiding something from us."
Looking at his oblivious face, Sakura let out a sigh.
"It's not a surprise, I guess. Since she's always full of secrets."
Her gaze turns to Nina's back as she speaks.
That night, at the meeting inside Yamato's newly-built house, two small teams are formed under his instruction. One includes Sai and Naruto, the other includes Yamato, Sakura and Nina.
Sakura's with Yamato because she's their only medical ninja. And Nina because of her support role. Therefore everyone agrees.
The next morning.
Right now, Nina and Sakura are watching Naruto's and Sai's teamwork practice.
Notices her friend is coughing again beside her, Sakura speaks up.
"Are you alright? Do you want to rest?"
"I'm fine. It's simply a cold."
And Sakura looks at her suspiciously.
"We have cold medicines, yet you don't take any."
"I did, you just didn't see it."
"Uh huh."
Before Sakura can press further, they hear Naruto's yell. "Hey! Sai! Get this off me!"
Turns out while testing their teamwork capability, Naruto's stuck with Yamato's doll thanks to Sai's Ninjutsu and is abandoned at the spot. In the end, their teamwork result doesn't come out so great. Tension between them raises again.
"Why does he still care about Sasuke that much?"
Even now, Sai's still wondering why Naruto's willing to go this far just to save a traitor.
"Because Naruto thinks of Sasuke-kun as a brother. You have a brother too, don't you understand this feeling?"
Sakura explains to him. However in response to her question, Sai simply states that he has no emotions.
"So you're confused to all of this because you know nothing of emotions. You don't understand what bonds are."
And for the first time, Nina actively steps into their argument, which she has been trying hard to avoid from the start.
"Then how about learning those directly from Naruto. Maybe you'll get to understand him and what he's going through. Sometimes books aren't everything."
Hearing so, Sai glances at Naruto, who is in turn spare him a not so friendly look.
"Come on, let's get going. If we're not there by noon, it'll be all for nothing."
The next day.
Tenchi Bridge.
"Here we are."
Yamato announces their arrival. As everyone hides at the side of the bridge, Yamato, disguised as Sasori, goes alone to meet the spy. There, the spy is revealed to be Yakushi Kabuto. Much to their shock.
"Nina-chan, what's wrong?"
Seeing her looking around the area, acting somewhat nervous. Sakura turns to her.
"Someone's coming."
Sakura's somewhat confused when Nina reminds her to stay vigilant.
Soon, Orochimaru arrives and Sasori's disguised is destroyed by Kabuto. Following Yamato's signal, everyone jumps out of their hiding spot to confront the enemies.
"I'll give you the pleasure of telling which one of you has gotten stronger. You or Sasuke."
Taunted by Orochimaru's word about his friend, Naruto immediately transforming into his three-tailed fox state to fight him.
"In my presence. Don't you dare talk of Sasuke as though he belongs to you!"
Naruto roars and releases his powerful attack. Knocking both Kabuto and Sakura out of their position. Due to the impact, Sakura's head hits the base of the bridge and she loses consciousness almost instantly.
"Sakura!"
Nina charges straight into the battlefield to drag her friend out to safety. While Yamato attempts to fix the broken bridge with his ninjutsu. At the front, Naruto pushes Orochimaru further into the thick forest up ahead, having Sai following right behind.
"Hey...! Hey!"
After a few slaps on the face, Sakura wakes up. Holding her head in pain.
"Ouch... What happened?"
Watching the ruined bridge before her, Sakura asks them.
"It's Naruto's doing."
Therefore Yamato explains Jinchuuriki's destructive power to her.
Right now, there's nothing more they can do but to stand behind. As Yamato creates a clone and sends it to the battle up ahead to collect more info. And that in his four-tailed state, Naruto fight Orochimaru to a draw.
"That is... Naruto?!"
When Orochimari throws Naruto back to the bridge. Everyone jumps out of the way to get to safer spot. It's then they're able to see clearly of what Naruto has finally turned into.
"Take a look at that. Willing to become like that just to save Sasuke-kun. What a sad boy."
It's then Sakura's realizes Naruto's feelings, the things that he's willing to sacrifice in order to reach to Sasuke.
"Naruto! Enough already! I'll save Sasuke-kun for you! So you don't have to-!"
Completely disregard of the danger standing before her, Sakura charges forward in hope to talk reason into him. And Naruto, unable to distinguish friend from foe, attacks her with his tails.
Quickly, Yamato ties him up with his ninjutsu before he causes any more trouble.
"Sakura! Hang on!"
In instant, Nina appears by her side to check on her. Cold air engulfs her body as she feels Naruto's deadly gaze on both of them.
"Naruto, it's me. This is Sakura. We're your friends. Don't you recognize us?"
In response to her raspy voice, Naruto growls louder and struggles stronger.
"You and us have the same objective. The Akatsuki are in the way."
Just then, Kabuto walks over to heal Sakura's infected wound. Since they're now sharing the same enemies, it'd be wiser to rescue the other for the future benefit.
When the right timing has come, Yamato uses Hokage Style Elder Jutsu to revert Naruto back to human form. Once safe, Sakura heals Naruto's severe injuries with her her medical skills, while still suffering from her previous injury.
"The only things I can do for Naruto... are so small."
Sakura comments after knowing that how little she can do to help. Comparing to other people around her.
"It's not a problem of small or big. What's important is the strength of feelings you have for Naruto."
While to Yamato, they've done more than enough.
After healing Naruto and finally get a breather, Nina appears by Sakura's side with a small piece of fabric contains several pills in her hand.
"It may help with the pain."
Nina says as she gives them to her.
"Thanks, Nina-chan."
Sakura smiles in appreciation.
"Don't tell him about this, okay?"
Not wanting Naruto to feel guilty and trouble himself over the accident, she asks Nina to keep it as secret from him. Therefore Nina agrees.
Soon, Naruto wakes up from his slumber and finds Sakura injured. As well as the surrounding landscape destroyed.
"So, what happened to Sai?"
"Right now he is moving together with Orochimaru."
After a bit more of talking for Naruto to gasp the current situation and achieving Sai's belongings on the ground, they start moving again to track down Sai. Until Sakura's fall because of her injury.
"Orochimaru attacked me. It only hurts a little. I'm fine."
Resting by the tree, Sakura lies to ease his concern.
"Let's take a break here."
Not wanting Sakura to overwork herself,Yamato suggests they take a short rest. Despite Sakura's objection that they have to keep going.
"He's right, Sakura. Right now your health is more important."
After hearing Nina's reason, she gives in and Yamato leads Naruto elsewhere to talk with him.
"Does it still hurt?"
While checking Sakura's wound, Nina asks her.
"Not as much as before. The pills you gave me are really helpful."
Sakura replies while searching Sai's bag on the ground, then she takes out a piture book, which is Sai's precious item.
"Isn't that Sai's art book?"
Then they start turning the pages. Soon, both Yamato and Naruto return and join in for the search.
The sketchbook contained drawings of Sai and whom they assumed to be his brother. When reaching to the centre pages, where the two brothers were supposed to meet, were unfinished. Sai's face was incomplete and his brother's picture was missing.
"Let's get going. It looks like my Bunshin has located the lair."
Yamato informs them about Sai. And they arrive to their destination following his lead. Once there, Yamato hands each of them a seed to swallow.
"Even if we end up getting separated, I'll be able to locate you immediately."
Therefore Yamato explains to them its use as a tracking device, which he had also planted on Sai.
"Alright, let's go."
Having done with the preparation, they carefully steps into the base and eventually find Sai inside his room.
"Why did you betray us?!"
There, Naruto confronts him right away.
"Here, I believe it's yours."
Sakura steps in to stop Naruto from raising his voice and return Sai's book to him.
"Since you've already known so much. There isn't much reasons to hide things anymore."
Only then, Sai admits to them that Danzo is planning another strike at Konoha. By acting as a spy, he transmits information on Orochimaru to Danzo. Though Sai's already marked his mission as a failure.
"It's time to rescue Sasuke!"
After tying Sai up and leaves him in Yamaro's bunshin care. Naruto states.
"It'd be better if you give up now."
Having met with Sasuke and realized that he didn't see Naruto as a brother, Sai advises them to stop. Not to mention Orochimaru is too powerful for them.
"Even if it means getting torn to pieces. I'm going to take Sasuke from Orochimaru no matter what!"
Still, Naruto determines that he will fight Orochimaru with everything he has, even if it means sacrificing his own life. All because of the special bond that they share with each other.
"Sai, judging from your situation. I suppose this means you're captured."
Just then, Kabuto appears to save Sai, who in turn shocks everyone by helping the team immobilize Kabuto. Once done putting Kabuto in his place, he provides information on the interior of the lair, but not Sasuke's actual location.
"We'll split into two teams to search for Sasuke."
The members are divided exact like before. With that, they begin their search. But soon having to regroup in order to help Naruto to fight off Orochimaru. When the Sannin gone, they turn their searching target to Sai.
"What is this?"
Sakura locates a sketchbook inside Sai's bag and picks it up. turning the pages to the newly drawn one. It's the picture of the two brothers holding hands.
"They're both smiling."
Needless to say they're happy with Sai's improvement.
Meanwhile Yamato finds another notebook inside Sai's bag. From the information it provides, they realize that another part of Sai's mission is to kill Sasuke, who has been listed as an enemy of Konoha by Danzo.
"It's Sai's chakra, let's keep going."
Under Yamato's lead, Sakura spots Sai in the hallway standing under the sun and runs to him. There, she confronts him shortly until hearing a familiar voice coming from above.
"Sasuke-kun...?"
Upon seeing Sakura's bewildered face, Naruto rushes forward and find Sasuke standing on top of a hill before them.
"Naruto, huh? So even you are here."
While Sasuke remains expressionless to their long reunion.
"Then is Kakashi also with you?"
"Sorry, it's not Kakashi. I'm his substitute. And we, team Kakashi, are going to take you back to Konoha."
To answer his question, Yamato steps out to meet him.
"Team Kakashi, huh?"
Realizing that there's one more person missing in his old team, he asks them. "And Nina?"
Can't stand having the whole team staring at her face. Nina lets out a sigh and steps out from the shadow to reveal herself.
"So you still remember me. I'm flattered."
Standing beside Sakura, Nina comments nonchalantly.
"There's a reason why Naruto-kun and Sakura-san chase after you with so much passion. In order to prevent their bonds with you from breaking..."
Then Sai and Sasuke start talking about bonds. How one wants to destroy it while the other one wants to mend it.
"Why didn't you kill me back then?! Is that what you call severing bonds?!"
"I chose to spare your life at nothing more than a whim of mine."
After the argument, Sasuke approaches Naruto and draws out his sword to stab him. In instant Sai comes to stop Sasuke, but get electrocuted along with Naruto because of Chiori coming out of Sasuke's whole body.
Not going to stay idle any longer, Sakura charges forward to take Sasuke down with her fists. Though Yamato foresees Sasuke's intention and jumps in front of Sakura to shield her from his sword.
Meanwhile Naruto, frustrated that Sasuke's overpowering everyone by miles, struggles to avoid the temptation of using the Nine-Tails power. Notice the changes in him, Sasuke uses Sharingan to enter Naruto's subconscious.
Seeing that Sasuke's busy, Nina takes out her Kunai and swiftly moves behind Sasuke's back to attack him. All in order to free Yamato from his grip.
"Too slow."
However Sasuke's quick to return to reality as he draws his sword back and slices the kunai apart.
"Had those years staying back at the village rotten you already?"
He comments, watching her keeping distance from him.
"How arrogant. So you think that you're better than everyone now? Just because you trained with Orochimaru?"
Throwing away the broken Kunai, Nina mocks him as he aims his blade at her.
Taking the chance that Sasuke's attention is elsewhere, Yamato summons a small wood prison from the ground to trap him. Yet Sasuke escapes easily and retreats up to the highest part of the area.
Then he attempts to cast a powerful move to get rid of them. Until Orochimaru appears by his side to stop him. By saying that the Konoha's shinobi are still useful to his plan.
Eventually Sasuke spares their lives and leaves, by Orochimaru's order.
When they're finally gone, Naruto starts crying helplessly.
"Crying isn't going to bring Sasuke-kun back, you know. I'm here too, we'll get stronger. Together!"
Same goes to Sakura as she tries to comfort themselves over their failure.
This is only the beginning of our friendship story and I'm already feeling tired...
Watching them both from behind, Nina thinks about the long future laying ahead of her and sighs.