3,126Author Note
Hi there and welcome to another chapter of Nidaime no Sairin.
I had plenty of commentaries from the last chapter, most of them focusing on the fact that I let Danzo and Sasuke live. Easy there ... .both characters – Danzo and Sasuke – have a lot of plot involved in this story for reasons that will be revealed later on, of course. And while Danzo had yet to cross blades with Hiruzen, Naruto's fight went the other way with him effectively delivering the killing blow. It's completely different from saying Naruto let him live in the end. If it weren't for Orochimaru appearing to save him, Sasuke would be dead. I really thought the readers would catch on to the way I used to end the fight as it being the same as what Tobirama used against Uchiha Izuna, but it appears that no one caught on to that…shame.
Well, let us move on, shall we. Now the consequences arrive of course.
Also for those that asked me, this chapter shall contain a lemon scene, so I will alert beforehand for those who wish to skip it.
Please enjoy!
Nidaime no Sairin - Naruto Shippuden
Chapter 37 - Consequences
Beta: Scheffinator
Uzuki Yuugao and Hyuuga Tokuma had arrived at the precise moment when the two opposite elements collided in the middle.
The two techniques collided in the middle, causing a major steam cloud as a result, covering the entire area for a while, as the two combatants eyed the result of their efforts.
At this point, however, Sasuke was already feeling too much strain on his chakra coils. Naruto, however, was too far to realize that and had decided to make the final move…one that he has been practicing for a long time.
Quickly gathering a single kunai from his holster, the Uzumaki threw the kunai straight at Sasuke. Despite feeling the strain of the battle, Sasuke's Sharingan was still active, hence how he was able to dodge the incoming projectile from killing him. However, his eyes widened into impossible proportions, as soon as Naruto appeared in front of him with his ninjato already wielded. Yuugao and Tokuma both bore witness to the technique being performed, before Naruto's ninjato pierced Sasuke's stomach.
Hiraishin Giri
The amount of blood that erupted from the wound was far too extensive and Yuugao knew that it was a fatal wound carved by her prodigy.
Sasuke had placed his hand to cover the wound in a vague attempt to stop the blood as he spilled blood as well.
His eyes saw Naruto's back as his opponent's sword was dripping with Sasuke's blood. The Uzumaki's expression was stone cold as he came to grips with his actions, needed as they were. He turned to eye the downed opponent, knowing that Sasuke didn't have much time in this life. However, Naruto wasn't done with his assignment and approached to deliver the final blow that would finish the job. His sensor capabilities, added by Tokuma's warning, impeded the blond from being skewered as a never-ending number of white snakes erupted from the water, surrounding Sasuke's downed body.
Naruto watched as Orochimaru appeared in front of him.
Yuugao and Tokuma soon joined with Naruto, while Yakushi Kabuto kneeled behind Orochimaru to use Medical Ninjutsu on Sasuke.
The Uzumaki could see plain as day the level of Medical Ninjutsu being used to save Sasuke from certain death.
"Well…well…well, Uzumaki Naruto…" The Snake Sannin licked his lips in anticipation for the future as he saw the exquisite display of abilities, not to mention the drive to do what needed to be done. "Quite vicious indeed. I was wondering why everyone was taking this long, but it was because of you. And to deliver the killing blow like you did. I just couldn't hope for a better outcome. Sasuke now will be more driven, no doubt about it. I am quite eager to see what you two shall accomplish!" Orochimaru was smirking the entire time, while he awaited Kabuto's diagnosis.
"We managed to reach him in time, Orochimaru-sama. He had suffered extensive wounds from the attack, but he will live."
The Snake Sannin chuckled as his eyes had never left the Uzumaki's.
"Let's go then…Kabuto."
Naruto, Yuugao and Tokuma then only observed as the snakes vanished from their position.
Yuugao and Tokuma looked around the perimeter, as per the mission requirements. They could both see the level of destruction caused by two heavy ninjutsu users throwing chakra right and left. The Uzumaki, for his part, was in his own little world right now as he held his ninjato that was still dripping with Sasuke's blood, courtesy of the fatal wound he inflicted on the Uchiha.
His mind was still busy processing it all.
Even though the Uchiha was taken away by Orochimaru, in Naruto's blue eye reflection, he still saw the agonizing body on top of the water, trying in vain to keep the blood from flowing and turning the water red. Obviously, this wasn't the first time he had killed while on a mission, but it was the first comrad he had done the deed to. A fellow shinobi of the Leaf, even if the bastard had never cared much for that title. Sure, it was his mission and it was in the sanctioned orders of the mission leader next to him, once it was established that Sasuke did betray Konoha willingly. Tobirama-sensei would no doubt be proud of his actions, but Naruto wondered if the accolades were truly deserved.
"Naruto…"
Naruto had released a sigh in dismay at what happened, while turning to Yuugao. He returned the sword back to the scabbard and turned to Tokuma and Yuugao. The former ANBU captain looked at his eyes and gave her prodigy a subtle nod in acknowledgement. Tokuma, for his part, looked at the Uzumaki with a new light. The Hyuuga had understood that Sasuke, being in the same class as Naruto, that the recently promoted Jonin would be hesitant to commit the final deed.
"Let's return to Konoha and debrief…Tsunade-sama will need to know what happened and plan accordingly…as of now, Uchiha Sasuke shall be labeled a nukenin (missing-nin)." Tokuma and Naruto both nodded as they followed their captain towards Konoha.
===With the Hokage===
With Hana now back from the Hospital, the full team aligned in front of a packed crowd inside the Hokage's Office – Hiruzen, Jiraiya, Tsunade, Shizune, Shikaku, Shinji and Tsume.
Yuugao, being the team captain, became responsible for the report.
"…After dealing with the last of the cursed seal users with multiple arms, Tokuma and I arrived at where Naruto was battling against Sasuke at the Valley of the End and we witnessed Jonin Uzumaki deliver the killing blow to the Uchiha. Within seconds, Orochimaru appeared with his second in command Yakushi Kabuto and managed to heal Sasuke, before taking him away." Tsunade had her hands joined just beneath her chin as she processed the information, together with what information Hiruzen acquired from Danzo.
"Yuugao, can you ascertain that Uchiha Sasuke has left willingly?" The former ANBU Captain turned to Nara Shikaku and nodded.
"Certainly…he was captured by Orochimaru, true. But the cursed seal user named Kidomaru had confirmed to me and Tokuma what transpired, once Sasuke was offered the choice to betray the village, he had chosen to go with them, hence why he received the treatment needed to use the Cursed Seal Level Two and Jonin Uzumaki Naruto had reported to have repeatedly pleaded him to return, receiving the same response in the end." Tsunade had then turned to the young Jonin.
"Naruto, what were his words, precisely? I need to put it in writing."
Naruto had closed his eyes for a moment, as the image of the deranged maniac appeared, with his face filled with the Juuin (Cursed Seal).
"At the time, he became perhaps inebriated with the feeling of the cursed seal passing through his coils, but it was plain to see the look in his face. He said that with this power at his disposal, he would be one step closer to finally killing Itachi for what he did." Hiruzen had kept a straight face at that, wondering about the consequences of his past decisions. Letting Orochimaru and Danzo roam free, had led to the actions against the Uchiha Clan being exterminated and in the end, Itachi had caused irreparable damage to his little brother and Sasuke ended up becoming a criminal that could potentially turn his anger back at Konoha. Orochimaru could do that quite easily.
Hiruzen then turned as Naruto kept on talking.
"I had even attempted to compare Sasuke to Itachi, saying that Itachi had become an S-ranked shinobi without resorting to becoming this low for power, but I guess that in the end, I was only fueling his hatred." Tsume snarled at Naruto's report and showed an angry fist at everyone.
"Well, I don't need to hear more, the bastard must be labeled a criminal, Hokage-sama. He may be Kiba-kun's teammate, but he is a Chuunin now and responsible for his actions." Tsunade looked at the fiery woman next to her.
"Indeed, the consequence is inevitable, Hokage-sama. Why? Three Jonin corroborated what transpired and even attempted to reason with him to come back. Tsume is correct. He had left on his own accord."
Tsunade closed her eyes and with a nod, turned to Shizune.
"Alright, Shizune, make the arrangements. From now on, Uchiha Sasuke is now labeled as an A-ranked traitor, order is to be captured on sight." The second in command medic sadly nodded and began to leave the room, before Tsunade stopped her. "Oh and please bring me the chart of the girl that Naruto had captured. I wish for Anko and Ibiki to begin her interrogation as soon as her DNA chart arrives." Shizune acknowledged the order and began to leave once more.
Naruto watched her leave as Jiraiya turned to everyone. In this turmoil, he had forgotten about the girl he and Hana captured.
"I take it that I shall keep tabs on Danzo now just like I do with Orochimaru." Tsunade nodded as she turned to Hiruzen, who also nodded.
"Yes, Danzo is also labeled as a traitor. The Daimyou has been informed and shall inform us in case he finds a base anywhere in Fire Country. Of course, the odds of Danzo getting caught by them is literally zero." Tsunade then turned to the four shinobi that were still waiting for the mission debrief and addressed them. "Yuugao, Uchiha Sasuke may be in Orochimaru's hands right now, but the mission has progressed as well as it should have, until the snake's sudden appearance. Go rest, everyone."
"Very well, Hokage-sama."
And with that, the three Jonin and Chuunin left via shunshin (Body Flicker), leaving the top brass to discuss the future events.
Jiraiya wouldn't let Naruto leave however, without a confident nod that he had done a good job in the end.
…something that both him and sensei had failed to do when the opportunity arose.
===With Kurenai===
Naruto didn't waste time after leaving the Hokage's office and went immediately to Kurenai's house.
Luckily, she was home and the hidden couple had exchanged a nice kiss once Naruto got inside. Considering that it was almost night time when he arrived, the couple had taken the opportunity to have some nice quiet time together, before dinner. The illusion expert thanked the heavens to see her lover back in full health, despite his visual expression telling her more than she needed to know regarding how the mission went. Naruto had summed up his fight against Sasuke, with the culmination of his kill strike, which would have been successful, had Orochimaru not intervened at the last minute to save Sasuke from dying.
While it wasn't unpreceded, Kurenai wondered if Naruto wasn't able to incapacitate him, before going for the kill. She asked after giving him a cup of tea.
The question had hit Naruto deep inside and he wondered about the influence his first sensei had on him. Truth be told, now that Kurenai asked, Naruto went back to the moment where he used his sensei's signature move.
"The entire fight revolved around that first notion. Along the way, I tried repeatedly to talk him out of it, but he was only interested in using Orochimaru's power against me. When I made the last move, I was too far away to see for sure how he was fairing. As soon as I got within striking distance, he had his Sharingan activated, so there was a slim chance that the strike would pass his defense, even if I had caught him by surprise. He wasn't fast enough to block it, though." Kurenai saw Naruto grab the cup of tea in deep ponder.
"…He must have been exhausted then, not everyone can endure a fight against you on that level, Naruto." He nodded, still in deep ponder.
"True, throughout the fight, there were times that he would lose his footing and in those moments, I urged him to stop it. The cursed seal, however, would pump malevolent chakra into his coils…gave him boosts after boosts, while at the same time corroding his mind and chakra coils."
"Orochimaru…" Naruto heard the venom in Kurenai's voice. "I saw firsthand how badly Anko-chan had to cope with after she received hers. It is a vile technique for sure."
"It influenced his mind of course…but it only fueled his trauma even more, to the point that he stopped listening, altogether."
Kurenai sighed, seeing the distress in his tone and facial expression.
The two had a quiet dinner, before resuming their conversation about what transpired, but one thing still lingered in her lover's mind.
"I now wonder how I will face Kakashi-sensei, Kiba and Sakura." Both were sitting close together at her couch, when she urged him to stop talking with her hand holding his chin.
"Naruto-kun, none of what happened is your fault…you did everything in your power to avoid the final consequence. You needn't worry about Kakashi. As far as Sakura and Kiba are concerned, if they are your friends, they will also understand. Kiba's clan specializes in hunting nukenin and Sakura, from what you told me, is mature enough to understand it." Still, his eyes looked troubled. She then hugged him close to her, before lifting his face with her hand. When eye to eye met, Kurenai smiled deeply at him.
"Let's forget this for now and let's appreciate the fact that you came back to me alive. Trust me, you'll feel better in the morning."
===Lemon Start (feel free to skip, if you don't feel like reading)===
Kurenai started kissing his cheeks slowly and tenderly, before stopping mere inches from his lips. Within less than two seconds, Naruto reciprocated it.
The kiss started out slowly, before Naruto's arms enveloped around her neck and brought her closer to him. Her hands went around his back, feeling the excitement gathering after missing him for so long. She took a seat on his lap, facing him while maintaining the kiss for a while, until Naruto broke the kiss, while maintaining eye contact with his beloved. His hands both quickly went to hold her face and Kurenai smiled deeply upon gazing at his cerulean blue eyes.
For a moment there, time had stopped mattering…everything from the outside world stopped mattering.
"I missed you too…" Kurenai once more leaned in and enveloped her lover into a fierce embrace, while kissing him yet again.
She pressed her chest against his, while being enveloped by his strong and warm arms.
The kiss went on, until she felt the need to feel him more. Her hands easily and expertly removed his Jonin vest as well as the white fur and the Nidaime's style helmet. Without it, his golden hair was free for her to gently pass her hand throughout. Naruto also didn't waste much time, gesturing to remove her outfit. Within seconds, he was wearing only his pants, while she was completely naked still on top of him, as they made out. She could feel his member slowly growing beneath her thigh and her own arousal as well in anticipation. She would have a word with the Hokage about sending her lover on a continuous mission like this one.
Being two weeks without him on top of her was driving her crazy in anticipation.
She had to withstand Anko's continuous tease about her missing her 'blond hunk' in Anko's words.
"Do you want to remain here or head upstairs, Naruto-kun?" Naruto smiled.
"Upstairs is fine…last time we had it on your couch, Yuugao-sensei had complained about smelling something funny."
Kurenai rolled her eyes at the memory as she got up from his lap and offered him her hand.
"Yeah, I feel glad it wasn't Hana or else I would never hear the end of it." Naruto laughed as he followed his hidden lover upstairs.
His eyes glued to the perfect shape of her body and her luscious hair dangling sideways. Kurenai could feel his eyes sizing her up from head to toe, even though she was looking forward. She smiled in pure seduction mode as soon as they entered her bedroom, while enveloping his neck with her arms.
"I can see how much you missed me, Naruto-kun…" Her hands then went downstairs, before removing her lover's pants. She could see the damage done to his muscles after the fight…plenty of bruises and small cuts.
She knew, however, that those wouldn't take too long to be mere scars that would only complement the warrior that he became. Naruto soon took some steps forward and Kurenai obliged to what he desired, by walking backwards towards her bed, before both fell on it, him falling on top of her. He started kissing all over her body and became marveled at the little moan that escaped her lips at being taken care of by her lover. This is what she has been craving for a long time…
Feeling him on top of her. Her hands danced around every inch of his upper body and even highly defined glutes, while Naruto provided pleasure in all of the right places.
…including… there…
Slowly stimulating it with his fingers just like she liked it. She really wanted him to take things up a notch, but his lips were keeping hers occupied and she could feel her insides about to burst.
However, she was inclined to do something different this time.
"Stop…" Naruto looked at her in question and she smiled deeply as she caressed his whisker marks. "I want our first orgasm of the night to be at the same time, Naruto-kun. Please…"
He obliged of course and enveloped her neck with one of his arms, while aligning himself with her. Kurenai had lost her breathing as soon as it happened and released her breath in one go, as she felt him become truly connected with her. She enjoyed the progression of his work. It started slow as she got adjusted to him. It was like missing a piece of a puzzle for a long time and finding it. Naruto had adjusted his weight to be on top of her and she managed to wrap her arms around him as she could feel his heartbeat was beating faster.
"Yes…oh I missed you so much, you have no idea." Naruto whispered his objection close to her ear as he picked up the pace.
Kurenai was seeing stars at this point, since Naruto has been stimulating her beforehand. She could feel his member filling her insides with enough pleasure that she was biting his shoulders.
Within minutes, the speed increased and both began to hyperventilate as sweat poured over their bodies. Soon, Kurenai felt her control slip away, not being able to hold herself any longer. Luckily for her endeavor, though, her insides stimulated him and Naruto felt his own excitement gathering. When he announced that he was close, her chest expanded at the notion. She could feel it alright as both proclaimed their love for another, right in the middle of the climax.
The action itself made Kurenai's eyes roll and she had lost her breathing, inebriated at the feeling of her lover inside of her.
When it finished, both looked at one another's eyes, with her heartbeats in pure synchronization. At this point, her mind and heart became one as she looked deep into his eyes.
"Naruto-kun, I am…in love with you." She saw his smile at her and felt on top of the clouds.
"Me too, Kure-chan…me too." The two then kissed tenderly while in bed, forgoing completely any need to clean themselves, afterward.
===Lemon Finish===
The hidden couple just fell inebriated from the night events and had quickly fallen asleep together in a tight embrace, completely naked.
===With Naruto===
The next day, the couple woke up and had a nice breakfast. Then, they moved up to her couch, with Kurenai catching up on some news, while her hidden lover was seen checking up a scroll of two. The Genjutsu user could only snort in derision as she observed his focus on training now of all times. Just yesterday, they had talked extensively about taking advantage of the three-day vacation granted by the Hokage for him to focus most on leisure activities.
"And here I thought you'd take it easy after what happened…" Naruto looked upward from the two scrolls in his hand, before looking back at the scrolls.
"It's just some notes of mine regarding Fuuinjutsu and space-time ninjutsu." Kurenai snorted at that, as she understands very little about both subjects. "If I am to use Fuuinjutsu in the midst of the battle, I must be faster and more precise. In Sasuke's fight, I had taken advantage of the steam caused by our techniques to move without him being made aware, but against a higher-tier enemy, I won't have that luxury." Kurenai released a sigh and closed the newspaper in her hands, before getting up and sitting closer to him and gently rolling both scrolls to close them.
"Naruto-kun…such a work ethic is commendable, but you can't overdo it." She smiled as his shoulder fell slightly. She then caressed his whisker marks. "The mind needs time as much as the body."
"I guess you're right, though this has been a sort of routine for a long time now." Kurenai was glad to hear that and even gladder to see him seal the scrolls back inside the seal hidden in his right wrist. "It's been some time since I had taken the time to walk around the village without doing something, so I guess I can do that. Didn't you say that you'd meet up with Yuugao-sensei soon?"
"I am…we will meet up for lunch in a couple of minutes, I will get dressed right away. Just promise you'll take it easy at least for today, alright?" Naruto nodded as he saw her getting up from the couch.
"Consider it done…" She smiled, wondering if he was truly capable of committing to his word. In any event, after her lunch date, she and Yuugao could drag him away from the training ground if need be.
Her concern was unfounded, as Naruto was truly intent on taking it easy at least for today.
In no time, he was outside of her house and began to casually walk around the village with hands inside his pocket.
Of course, it couldn't be said that his sensor capability has been turned off, but at this moment, he would have to work hard merely to stop using it. The sun beam had blessed the village today, despite the cold wind picking up a bit. Konoha's weather was mostly summer, with a short period of cold weather. A heavy winter, the likes of which occurs in other villages like Kirigakure, happened only twice in his life. Still, the overall population were all wearing heavier clothes to protect them from the cold.
Even so, It was a nice day as the young Jonin took advantage of the mission passed by his lover to take it easy. Intaking long breaths and releasing it slowly as he walked around really did wonders to his mindset. Of course, the last night activities had contributed to his now relaxed stance. He wasn't so relaxed as not to realize that a familiar presence was nearby observing him, though.
"…I really figured you'd be much tenser after what happened, Naruto…"
As he crossed a red bridge that passed the village lake, Naruto looked up to see Kakashi-sensei sitting on the bridge's higher point.
"Well, it has been pointed out to me that I need to relax more, so I am trying to do that, Kakashi-sensei." The scarecrow Jonin smiled as he dropped from his sitting point.
His favorite book swiftly tucked inside his kunai holster seconds before his feet touched the ground.
"Tsunade-sama has updated me on what happened with Sasuke." Naruto had taken a heavy breath at that, waiting on what he would say about what happened. "It pains me to realize that perhaps his hatred ran too deep for anyone to reach out…" Naruto looked at the sensei in surprise as he could feel the chakra reflecting a saddened emotion. "I figured that Kiba and even you could become a nice enough rival for him to measure himself and create roots here." The two Jonin now stood side by side as they observed the water passing by beneath the bridge.
"The Cursed Seal may have fueled his hatred, but sadly the intent was there already. Orochimaru's influence had only given the last push needed."
Kakashi understood some of the influence from Anko, but he had never seen its influence in his student.
"True, I suppose…unfortunately, Itachi's actions had caused too much damage. And what you had to do…"
Kakashi didn't need to complete the sentence as Naruto's shoulders deflated once more.
"…Do Sakura and Kiba know what happened?" Kakashi looked sideways to see the water reflecting on Naruto's eyes.
Indeed, considering Naruto's bond with his teammate, he would be concerned about her reaction.
"Kiba is away on a mission, so he will be made aware afterward. Sakura is going to be informed by Tsunade-sama today."
"…I see."
"You did the right thing, Naruto…" Naruto snorted at the notion.
"Mission wise, sure…but Sasuke is her teammate. I don't think that she will take kindly to what I have done."
Kakashi said nothing to that. It could go either way, as far as Sakura was concerned.
"Well, I have somewhere to be right now, so see ya around Naruto." The young Jonin merely waved, before Kakashi vanished in a shunshin (body flicker).
Naruto took some more time on his own, while observing the peaceful waters passing by below him. Closing his eyes and extending his chakra towards the water body, Naruto truly felt connected to the water once more. Eventually, he resumed his walk away from the bridge. Right now, it was the end of the day as the few rays of sun illuminated his pathway. He walked for a good while, looking at the faces of the people passing by him and enjoying their own lives.
When he once more looked forward, his chest clenched at the sight of Sakura, taking a seat on a bench in complete disarray, while holding a bag of groceries.
He took a long breath, knowing he would have to go through this last step.
Haruno Sakura for her part had woken up this morning, and went through her normal hospital routine.
Since Kiba was away on a mission and Sasuke was nowhere to be found, she figured that she would either hang out with Ino later on, however Ino's mother had asked her to work today, so she was left all alone. So, she figured she would buy some dinner and be by herself tonight. That was the plan, before Tsunade-sama had summoned her to inform her of what happened to Sasuke. Throughout the explanation, she felt completely numb, barely registering what truly transpired. Tsunade had then said for her to go home and take some days off to process it all. Her feet had taken her to the local market and then to the park bench where she now fell apart.
"Mind if I take a seat?"
Sakura had tears in her eyes as she looked up to see Naruto. She was about to greet him, when she remembered what Tsunade said happened on the mission.
Naruto didn't need to be a sensor to realize that he wasn't welcome right now.
"Oh, ok I will get going, then."
He turned to walk away, when he heard her voice, even if barely.
"...Is it true?" Kakashi did say that Sakura would be informed by Tsunade about what happened. He then urged to take a seat and Sakura nodded.
For a moment, neither said anything as both looked down. Sakura then looked sideways to see his downed look just as much as she was.
"Naruto…" The Jonin sighed and turned to meet eye to eye.
"It is…Sasuke was kidnapped by Orochimaru and ended up agreeing to betray us in exchange for power. I had tried to reason with him to come back, but…well, he has always been stubborn that way." She was still unresponsive, as Naruto knew that she was asking about something else. "I am sorry…" The Chuunin medic looked surprised at him. "…sorry for what I had to do, Sakura." It was one thing to talk to Kakashi, because he was used to these sorts of missions going south. Sakura, however, was much more personal.
"I don't blame you, senpai. I am just trying to wrap my head around what happened…Sasuke-kun has always been stuck in his own pain, but I really thought that Kiba and I…"
Naruto understood.
"It's like you said…the anger he has for his brother tops everything Konoha has to offer him. From the look in his face, this was bound to happen anytime now."
Sakura could only offer a numb head shake to that.
"Tsunade-sama asked me to relay what happened to Kiba. He will likely have a fit and go hunt him down immediately."
The Inuzuka was indeed a hot head, but Naruto couldn't really fault him for going down that road.
"…not without reason, Sasuke is not even my teammate and I would hunt him down if given the chance."
"Right now, I don't know what to do from here, I mean…Tsunade-sama will likely disband us as a team or choose a replacement." Naruto nodded.
"What did Kakashi-sensei say about that?" Sakura sighed, remembering their sensei.
"He doesn't know much at this point, either. It works that both me and Kiba have other occupations aside from regular team assignments. It makes sense, then, for us to go our separate ways from here on out." Naruto placed a hand on her shoulder, in a comforting manner.
"With all of you becoming Chuunin, that would happen eventually, even if Sasuke remained in the village. With Kiba going with his family on hunting missions and you at the hospital, Sasuke would have become Kakashi's apprentice or something amongst those lines. Right now, perhaps you can take advantage of the time off to do some thinking." Sakura looked at him for a while, before looking down in pondering. "Only the future will tell us about Sasuke's situation, but all we can do right now is keep up with our training, our responsibilities and wait…"
"Wait for what?" Sakura saw Naruto's fist clench.
"For the time when either one of us gets to face him and knock some sense into his stubborn little head!" Sakura showed a smile and used humor this time.
"You're sure you will be able to do that without killing him next time, senpai?" It could be meant as criticism, but the tone used was anything such.
"No promises…although I can forego the use of the sword…just punch his head repeatedly until he suffers from memory loss."
Sakura laughed, now more eased with the fact that there isn't much she could do right now.
"I guess I shall be going, senpai…I still need to make this dinner." She said, showing the bag of groceries in her hand.
"Sure…get some rest."
She got up from the bench and waved him goodbye, before walking away. Naruto merely observed her back for a while, before getting off the bench as well.
It was already night time when he decided to return to his house.
===With the Hokage===
The next day, Tsunade was in her office, going through reports when Shizune came inside the door.
"Tsunade-sama, the DNA test of the girl Karin is ready." The Senju Hokage looked up from the reports and grabbed the chart from Shizune.
Shizune's eyes were expressing surprise.
"What is that look about? What does it say?" Shizune took a long breath, but opted not to say it right away.
"It's better if you look for yourself, Tsunade-sama." Tsunade looked at her assistant in curiosity and started to look at the chart more closely. It took, however, mere seconds for immediate surprise to sink in as she looked up.
"Is this accurate?" Shizune nodded.
"It was done twice to be certain, it is completely accurate." A lone drop of sweat formed on her forehead as she pondered the implications.
"Call Naruto here immediately!"
===At the Interrogation Chamber===
Sitting inside one of the prison cells, Karin was sitting there with nothing to do but complain to anyone who would dare listen.
"Oi, I need water in here…and some food, damn it"" Quickly adjusting her glasses, she was fake complaining of course. Water and food has been provided for her a couple of hours ago. While it wasn't a fried pork cutlet bowl, it was edible…huh, compared to the goo that Orochimaru would provide for everyone, anything was better than that. Still, it's been three whole days since she was captured by that irritable blond shinobi and she has woken up in this prison cell.
A lone shinobi would come with water and food, but nothing else.
She knew that this treatment wouldn't take long. She is a prisoner of war…Konoha could do with her as it very well pleases.
She knew the one responsible who would do the interrogation to extract information.
Her chakra was completely sealed off, as it was standard protocol. Her amazing sensor skill being shut down made her on edge.
Without it, she couldn't do anything but wait when they decided to come and kill her, after extracting the information from her brain. There was no sound in this place…there was merely a dim lighting that barely allowed her to see. For all intents and purposes, this was more of a forsaken place. She couldn't hear anyone complaining nearby, meaning that she was the only one locked in here. The one who brought her food and water was her only company and he barely extended a greeting aside from 'here it is', before continuing on walking.
She was surprised, however, when she heard footsteps echoing throughout the empty corridors.
The sound of someone approaching echoes in her sensitive ears. The guy who brought her food had already appeared and left, so it couldn't be him. Her heart started to pound faster, considering that perhaps it was her interrogator coming. Konoha is a peaceful village and all, but she wouldn't kid herself into believing that they wouldn't treat her like another low-life criminal.
When the steps stopped close to her cell, she didn't look at the person right away.
"I have to admit…" Karin turned abruptly to see the one responsible for her capture. "I never thought that I would meet another Uzumaki like me, but life is full of surprises, isn't it?" Karin's eyes widened to impossible proportions as she looked at him…with what he said being registered in less than a second.
"W….what did you just say!?" Naruto did smile at her shock.
"Yep, that was my response when the Hokage informed me that I may have a long lost cousin." Karin was still looking at him like he was crazy, when the image of her mother appeared in her mind. "In any event, she has also chosen me to have a little chat, hoping to get some intel about Orochimaru's bases, so if you could help me out by starting to talk, that would be tremendous." Karin just hummed and crossed her arms, before turning away from him, saying nothing. Naruto snorted as she responded.
"If this is Konoha's idea of an interrogation, you are wasting both of our time. I don't care if you are a long lost relative or whatever, I ain't talking."
Karin was surprised when Naruto laughed, however.
"Well, for sure, our idea of interrogation is something else entirely…or rather someone…" Anko was a piece of work, indeed. "If I were you, I would start talking…if you don't, I will have to bring in the real interrogator, but I can say you'll regret it. I can't say much about her, but she has a thing for inflicting pain." Karin kept up her bravado for a while, but Naruto knew that it wouldn't take more to make her talk. "Your options are rather limited. No one is going to come and rescue you and if you don't comply, then chances are your life is going to end here. I don't believe that you would rather die than betray Orochimaru of all people."
Karin looked at her fellow clan member and saw him lift an eyebrow, while waiting for a response.
After a long consideration, however, it didn't seem like she had much of an option in this mess.
"Alright fine, I'll talk, but I have some conditions." Naruto nodded.
"Of course, if the intel you provide checks out, the Hokage is willing to grant you temporary citizenship here in the village…" Karin looked at him in surprise. "Of course, you'd be in constant surveillance, but It's better than staying here." As such, the delightful conversation between Uzumakis began, while Karin was completely unaware that they weren't alone in the room with Kurenai, Anko, Ibiki and Tsunade overseeing the interrogation.
If just so happens that Naruto has taken care of casting a disorienting Genjutsu on his little cousin to make her think that they were alone.
Author Note
Ok, that's it for now.
And that wraps the Sasuke retrieval arc. Once again, I understand that some would have enjoyed seeing Sasuke and Danzo dead, but the story is still young. There's plenty of action still to happen. About Karin, I plan to rehabilitate her into the village, slowly. I am still scribbling about some ideas for her. Now we shall proceed to the next arc, that is Akatsuki related.
Lastly, I have recently created a P-atreon account for those who wish to follow my stories more personally, sending suggestions and occasional polls to help me.
Also for those who wish to make a pledge there, it will be highly appreciated.
P-atreon Account: Anime-Enthusiast
Next update: Avalon Bond