"Naruto, Tsukiko," Sakura spoke up as they travelled rapidly over the lake in the direction of Orochimaru's hideout on a small island, north Kusagakure. "This time, we'll definitely bring Sasuke-Kun back!"
"Usa," Tsukiko replied in agreement, glancing at Naruto's determined expression. "We're almost here..." She looked at the approaching rock formation in the distance.
They moved onto the plain area that connected them to the Country of Earth and Tsukiko could see the land turn barren. They travelled further for a few miles before they changed directions to the north again and found themselves meeting Yamato's wood clone.
"Is this it?" Yamato questioned his clone as they looked at the stone behind them, and his clone replied, "The entrance is right in front of us, beneath those boulders,"
"So, right beneath those rocks," Naruto said. "We'll find Sasuke,"
"There's a strong chance," Sakura agreed.
"Even if Sasuke isn't there, at the very least, we'll find some vital clues regarding him there," Tsukiko added, nodding at them. "Byakugan!"
"Do you see anything, Tsukiko?" Yamato questioned. Tsukiko looked at the stone in front of them and around it, but was not quite able to see anything.
"I can see numerous corridors beneath this stone," Tsukiko said as she deactivated her Dojutsu. "But the walls are running with Chakra and make it difficult to look through them,"
"That's more than enough information for now," Yamato said as he held his hand to his wood clone and turned it into a seed. "Swallow this first, Naruto. Here are yours, Tsukiko and Sakura,"
"Wood Style seeds don't work on me," Tsukiko replied. "My body will digest and destroy it," Naruto, Sakura and Yamato stared at her. "Hey, Usajii told that to me! Take his word at least!"
"I really don't like humans," Usajii muttered and Tsukiko shook her head as he closed the windows to his little room. "Don't disturb me! I don't want to meet that Uchiha either!"
"Naruto and Sakura should, in that case," Yamato urged. "This way, I'll be able to find out where you are if we get split up," Naruto was surprised.
"You can do that?" Sakura asked as she took one of the three seeds from Yamato. "What is this...?" Tsukiko still felt strange seeing Yamato with the same abilities.
"Basically, those seeds are transmitters used for tracking," Yamato informed them. "They're a type of ninja tool that will only resonate with my Chakra... or well, Tsukiko if she produces them. They're the same thing I slipped in Sai's clothes and food,"
"No wonder you were able to track him all the way here," Tsukiko muttered, yet again spooked by how she had contemplated doing the same to both Yamato and Sai earlier.
"Captain Yamato, when did you do that?" Naruto asked.
"Remember?" Yamato said. "I left the hot springs before you two did,"
"Oh yeah..." Naruto replied, remembering back to their first dinner together and the hot spring hotel. "Yeah, you did get out first!"
"Now you understand why I used my own money to treat you to a luxurious meal and hot springs, right?" Yamato mused. Tsukiko was rather impressed by the ruse.
"So, it wasn't just an attempt to make us get along," Sakura pointed out.
"Tsunade-Sama warned me to keep a closer eye on Sai," Yamato replied. "And I did. Good thing I took all those precautions. Anyways, forget that. Hurry up and swallow them! Tsukiko, you should keep close with either of them,"
"Let's go, now," Naruto said but Yamato stopped him, kneeling down and pressing his ear against the earth for a few moments.
"I can barely sense any human presence," Yamato informed them. "It's probably safe to assume there are only a few enemies in there. But don't let your guard down! Remember, we're up against Orochimaru! We must also think of Sai as an enemy now. We'll infiltrate with me going first, then Tsukiko, then Sakura and finally Naruto,"
"How will we enter?" Sakura asked, ready to punch the rock formation down.
"We'll go by the book," Yamato replied. "Enter from underground using Earth element Jutsus. I'll start by making a shaft right around here. After we're down far enough, I'll carve out a tunnel parallel to the entrance tunnel and proceed slowly,"
"We understand, Usa," Tsukiko replied, serious. Naruto and Sakura nodded in agreement with her.
"So, then, here we go!" Yamato said as he went through his hand seals and smacked his hand onto the ground, creating a tunnel in the ground. "Jump down after you hear my signal. Well, here we go,"
Yamato jumped into the tunnel and landed soundlessly by controlling his chakra – and whistled to signal them. Tsukiko nodded at Naruto and Sakura before jumping down. She landed next to Yamato, who whistled again and Sakura made her way down – followed closely by Naruto.
"This is what I meant by the chakra walls," Tsukiko muttered as she looked at the wall nearby, absorbing off the earth through her palm. "It looks like the base is completely surrounded by stone running with Chakra,"
"Please, one Rasengan and it'll all be dust!" Naruto said.
"Are you crazy?" Sakura asked. "A powerful attack like that will give us away in a second!" Tsukiko nodded in agreement.
"You can't make noise when you sneak in somewhere," Yamato replied.
"Then, how do we get in?" Naruto asked.
"I know it," Tsukiko said as she continued to move her hands over the wall. "I learned about it in infiltration tactics books. I'll get us in without getting detected!"
"Wow, you and Sakura-Chan studied a lot in the time I was gone, didn't you?" Naruto asked but Sakura turned red, realising she had not quite done that.
"Here it is," Tsukiko muttered as she felt the wall. "With strong, solid rocks like these, even with chakra flow, you just need to apply a little pressure to a small crack..."
Tsukiko pressed her finger onto the smallest crack and her finger began to grow a steam, cracking into the crack and widening into a circular branch until a clean way was created for them to crawl through. She held up a peace sign at her teammates, grinning.
"Good job, Tsukiko," Yamato said. "From here on, make sure you suppress your chakra as much as you can. Otherwise, Orochimaru will notice that we're here. Everyone, out,"
One by one, Yamato, Tsukiko, Sakura and Naruto all crawled through the opening and into the underground hideout. Tsukiko looked around, taking in the narrow hallways and the sparse fire posts keeping it lit up. She glanced at her teammates, anticipating meeting Sasuke.
"So far, our infiltration has been a success," Sakura whispered.
"Let's look for Sai first," Yamato replied before concentrating on the different passageways before turning around. "He's this way,"
Tsukiko, Naruto and Sakura followed right behind him, carefully masking up their Chakra levels to avoid detection as they crept onwards. Yamato led their way, looking around corners with mirrors and such in order to not just run straight into someone. Tsukiko held her breath, her heartbeat running in anticipation.
"It's all clear, let's go!" Yamato whispered and they went running swiftly down the corridor, completely silent. "We're almost there! Right... in here!"
Yamato reached out and carefully unlocked the door, pushing it open. Tsukiko knew before stepping inside that Sai really was in there – his chakra was present.
"I figured you'll be here," Yamato said as they all made their way inside.
"Nothing less from one of the Hokage's personal ANBU," Sai replied merrily, and Tsukiko knew that he was back to faking his emotions. "I see that corpse didn't fool you one bit,"
"Just what do you mean by that?" Yamato questioned.
"Why the hell did you turn on us, traitor?!" Naruto growled, grabbing Sai by the front of his jacket. Tsukiko grabbed Naruto's shoulder to stop him.
"You really shouldn't be so noisy, or things will get even more difficult," Sai replied nonchalantly. Tsukiko tightened her hold on the blond's shoulder.
"Naruto, now is not the time," Tsukiko muttered and Naruto turned to see a very uncharacteristic expression on her face. "Get back," Naruto released Sai. "And you, here are your belongings, idiot,"
Tsukiko pulled out the picture book from her pouch and held it out to him.
"Thank you," Sai replied monotonously as he reached for it. Tsukiko kept her hold on it and Sai opened his eyes to see what her expression was. But it was as monotone as his voice.
"Look at you, acting as the little liaison between Danzo and Orochimaro," Tsukiko said. "What are they up to? Or would you like to wait until we return to Konohagakure?"
"He wants to team up with Orochimaru to try a new 'Konoha Crush' plan," Yamato repeated, to see the spy's expression. "Doesn't he?"
Sai remained silent for a few moments and Tsukiko released the hold on his picture book.
"No," Sai spoke up. "He doesn't –"
"We know that smile is fake!" Naruto shouted, cutting into the black-haired boy's words. "And we also know you're lying!" Tsukiko stared at the male.
"Now that you've all discovered me here, my mission has failed," Sai responded. "I can't finish you all off by myself. And since you've figured this much out, there's no point in trying to hide the truth. It's just as you said. We're trying to destroy the current Konoha.
"I was to be taken in by Orochimaru with the understanding that I would help him conspire against Konoha. That is the true mission that was assigned to me," He kept his expression the same.
"Do you understand what you're saying?!" Naruto exclaimed. "That's –"
"That's not all," Sai cut in. "I'm also to secretly send back information on Orochimaru to Danzo-Sama. In other words, I'm also working as a spy,"
"Keep talking," Yamato said as he brought up a kunai to Sai's face. "And don't leave a single thing out,"
"So, you're supposed to be part of an alliance with Orochimaru while spying on him behind his back?" Sakura muttered. "That's so dangerous,"
"The moment Konoha is destroyed, Orochimaru will definitely betray us," Sai replied. "It's a preventative measure to make sure we keep the upper hand,"
"Danzo clearly wants to make Konoha in his image," Tsukiko said. "And he's using this idiot as his double agent here. What a circus, Usa!" She was beyond frustrated.
"You're supposed to make it happen all by yourself?" Sakura asked the black-haired boy in front of them.
"The information I write on my scrolls, takes on the form of small animals," Sai replied. "That's how I can still release information... without compromising my safety. I was chosen for this mission because of that ability,"
"If Konoha is thrown into chaos, lots of people will die again!" Sakura exclaimed. "Do you really understand what it is you're trying to do?!"
"Who cares?" Sai asked. "I'm just following orders. One more thing, the name 'Sai' was assigned to me for this mission. I am no one. I am merely one of Danzo-Sama's arms. I do not exist. There is no point in saying anything to me,"
"That's just a lie," Tsukiko replied, rolling her eyes in annoyance. "If there was any ounce of truth to those words, you wouldn't have held that picture book so dearly,"
Tsukiko had spoken it out in her frustration, but she saw her appearance reflect in Sai's dark eyes as they flew open in shock at her words, realising what had happened and how he had cracked by the single mistake of leaving this book behind.
"On that picture book, those two boys," Tsukiko said slowly. "It is you and your Nii-San, right? Is that why that book is so precious to you? Because at the end of the day, it is the only remaining thing that proves someone like you exists. Whatever that 'you' is there in your recesses. Clearly, you haven't lost all of your emotions... not anywhere close as much as you like to claim.
"It's true – no shinobi can fully throw away their emotions and exist as puppets. It doesn't even matter whether those emotions are positive or negative or somewhere in between. When I held that book out to you, you showed me exactly what I wanted to see. You accepted it and replied with a 'thank you'.
"You may have repressed your feelings but when the two of held that book, I could sense what you were feeling. It's one of the perks that comes with being who I am. The moon always finds your feelings. And you felt relief when I handed it to you,"
"In what way does carrying this picture book around prove that I exist?" Sai responded.
"Because of the reason why you don't want to let the picture book go," Tsukiko replied, her mind running faster as she stared at him. "You cannot give up the image you have of yourself as a little brother. Because you have created a bond with your brother, and that bond is very important to you. You cannot bring yourself to destroy the bond you share with your brother. No matter you do,"
"Bond?" Sai asked, staring at the white-haired girl in front of him, his eyes still wide enough to reflect.
"I apologise, but we took a look at the contents of the book," Yamato said, redoing his grip on his Kunai. Sai's eyes narrowed slightly. "Only the two centre pages are incomplete. Sai, I know that you're from ANBU Root,"
"ANBU Root?" Naruto asked and Yamato nodded.
"I also know that Danzo had you undergo special training to help you kill your emotions," Yamato continued. In onder to seal away all emotions, you underwent the vile training Kirigakure once used,"
"Kirigakure?" Sakura asked.
"That was Zabuza's –" Naruto started. He stopped himself and turned to look at Sai, his eyes narrowed. "Then you..."
Tsukiko was curious as she stared at Sai. They had heard first-hand about how Zabuza had graduated out of the academy in Village Hidden in the Blood Mist. But she had never really expected such a practise to go on within the walls of Konohagakure.
"Going by the flow of the book, you take the weapons and armour of the foes you defeat," Yamato said. "When you get to the centre pages, you would have to fight your brother. You killed your –"
"I did not," Sai replied, his voice unexpectedly thick and raspy. He composed himself and continued, "This was supposed to be a present for my brother. But just when the picture book was almost complete, he... Nii-San..." He gave them his usual smile. "... died from a disease.
"There are a lot of children in Root who were torn away from their parents because of war. He and I got along with each other as if we were real brothers, even though we weren't related by blood. He often praised my pictures. The centre two pages were the ones I wanted to show him the most. But since he died, I can't remember what I wanted to draw on them,"
It was silent for a few moments, and then –
"We need to get out of here," Tsukiko muttered as she looked to her right, feeling familiar chakra walking toward them. It was... Kabuto's. She recognised that now. "We need to regroup and look for Sasuke,"
"You're right," Yamato said and used his Wood Style binding jutsu to constrict a willing Sai before leading him out of there. Tsukiko turned to look at his belongings.
Sakura nodded at her and picked everything up as they left. Tsukiko took hold of the scrolls and felt them, trying to see if they contained anything valuable. They made their way quickly down the corridors and back out through the way they had made their way inside. Yamato steered Sai to the nearest rock formation.
"Tough break, Sai," Yamato said. "I'm going to leave you here and have my Wood Clone keep watch," Sai didn't respond to that.
"Alright!" Naruto said. "Time to finish the job, and save Sasuke!"
"You should give up," Sai replied. "I... met Sasuke-Kun..." Tsukiko, Naruto and Sakura stared at him. "Orochimaru is always with Sasuke-Kun. In other words, you'll have to fight Orochimaru again. If you pursue him, you'll be ripped apart and used for their experiments. Plus..."
"Plus what?" Naruto demanded.
"Sasuke-Kun no longer cares about you," Sai said, looking up at him. "Tsukiko-San said that you think of Sasuke-Kun as a brother. Yet even so... Why for someone like him? Why are you trying so hard to bring him back, even risking your life by going up against Orochimaru, when he thinks so little of you. Why? You haven't been ordered to do this,"
Sai's eyes widened when Naruto smiled.
"Back in the day, I couldn't stand Sasuke," Naruto spoke up. "Even though neither of us had families, he was an elite and I was the last in the class. But it really was a lot of fun when we were together. He... He acknowledged me more than anyone else ever did. Sasuke is my friend. Someone who I was finally able to form a bond with,"
"But still," Sai said, looking down. "Against Orochimaru, you –"
"I don't care who I have to fight!" Naruto said. "If he rips my arms off, I'll kick him to death. If he rips my legs off, I'll bite him to death! If he rips my head off, I'll stare him to death! And if he gouges out my eyes, I'll curse him from beyond the grave! Even if I'm torn to shreds, I'm taking Sasuke back from Orochimaru!"
They fell silent and Tsukiko looked at Naruto from the corner of her eyes, taking in his expression and posture. It had been a while since she had heard him talk about his feelings regarding this ordeal.
But then, they were attacked. Tsukiko, Naruto, Sakura and Yamato all dodged the shower of Kunai aimed at them and flew back to see their attacker – Kabuto.
"And here I thought we'd managed to fool our tracker," Kabuto said as he landed in front of the restricted Sai. "But you are one of Orochimaru-Sama's guinea pigs, so I suppose it's not unexpected,"
"You're persistent," Sakura responded.
"Sai, I see that you've been taken prisoner," Kabuto mused.
"Don't interfere," Naruto cut in. "If you do, I won't go easy on you," Tsukiko glanced at the clones rushing at Kabuto with a Rasengan.
"it's futile," Kabuto responded as he managed to dodge them.
"You don't know until you try!" Naruto responded as he created four more clones to rush at Kabuto. "I won't let you get in our way!"
Kabuto managed to keep up with the four clones and used his Chakra Scalpel to destroy most of them. Tsukiko used this distraction and used her Growing Crystal Thorns, sending thorn-like crystals, manipulating it to grow toward Kabuto while Yamato used his Wood Style.
"Sakura, go for it!" Tsukiko called as Kabuto tried to dodge them while still holding onto Sai. "This is your chance,"
At her words, Sakura went running up Yamato's wooden structures and aimed her fist right at Kabuto. But Tsukiko grimaced as Kabuto managed to dodge it and Sakura ended up smashing part of the rocky mountain behind him – releasing the hornets that had made their home there. Tsukiko watched as they swarmed Kabuto, who used his Chakra Scapel to quickly slice through them.
Tsukiko narrowed her eyes as Kabuto leaned down to whisper something to Sai before releasing him from his wooden binds, turning to Team Kakashi.
"I must say, I genuinely feel sorry for you people," Kabuto said. "Especially you, Naruto-Kun. You're the most pitiful one in the lot. Even if you do defeat me, you're wasting your time. People change. Sasuke-Kun's not the same person that you used to know,"
Naruto tensed up and Tsukiko was about to warn him against this when she saw Sai move swiftly, grabbing Kabuto and restraining him against the ground.
"What's the meaning of this?" Kabuto demanded. "Your mission was to be the liaison between Orochimaru-Sama and Danzo..."
"You said people change," Sai replied. "That means, I can, too. But there are also things that don't change. That bond... I want to see it for myself," He looked at Naruto.
☾
A/N: Happy New Year to all who celebrate it!