Naruto Akkipuden

s i x

s i x

The radiant illumination of the moon peeked through the trees, and were disrupted by passing shadows in the mid of night. Team Naruto—in a vertical line, their footsteps in perfect unison—sprinted through the darkness.

      Sakura kept a close eye on Naruto, whose silent, perfect face was set into the abyss they furthered themselves into.

     Kakashi knew he and the rest of the team were only slowing their leader down, he knew Naruto could reach his destination in a matter of moments. Kakashi knew much about Naruto, but there was still so much a mystery to him. The Sensei knew he was soon to find out every ounce of Naruto’s true strength, and was anticipation enough, motivation enough, in due time.

     The Team’s cloaks—excluding Akamaru, who’s fur was free to soar through the wind—trailed behind them, fluttering through the dark night; that was the only sound made with their foot-prints. That is until Lee decided to ask.

     “Where exactly are the unknown lands?

     Kakashi knew through experience. The rest of the Team turned to take in Naruto’s blank expression. He said nothing for a minute.

     “They aren’t the unknown lands, Lee. Shinobi call them that because they lack the knowledge of it’s true name. Northwest of Sunagakure, and East of Iwagakure. This where the Land of Tornadoes resides. It is the judgement of all the strong Shinobi. No one has ever been able to pass through these lands—that is why the war is commencing. But we are not going to this destin-ation right now. Another matter needs to be taken care of, and the time it needs to be completed in is of greater urgency.”

     Shino remained silent. Sakura, Hinata, Sai, Omoi and Shikamaru all wondered the same question. Kiba was the one to ask, as Choji was too concerned with a wasabi sushi.

     “If we’re not going to the unkn—sorry—Land of Tornadoes, than where are we going to go?”

     There was a change in Naruto’s expression, but only a twitched change. Too short of a time for anyone to analyze.

     “I need to take care of a matter in Uzushiogakure. This is where we’ll meet Sasuke.”

     “Hey, Naruto.” Shikamaru said, he was on the far left, raising his voice enough so Naruto could hear.

     The team went silent, Naruto smiled. “Yes?”

     “I just wanted to thank you, for, you know. . . . We were caught in quite a rut back there with the Bakuton Shinobi.”

     “Thank me?” he asked, confused. “I wasn’t going to let you die there, was I?”

     Shikamaru laughed. “I guess not.”

     Naruto laughed as well.

     “But how did you know,” Choji asked, still with a wasabi mouthful. “about the Bakuton Shinobi. How did you know you couldn’t touch them.”

     “Experience. I had to fight a great deal of them in the Suna invasion.”

     Sakura gasped. “You were there?”

     Lee suddenly clicked. “You were the cloaked Shinobi, weren’t you? You took out the whole front line of Bakuton’s.”

     Naruto nodded. “Yes. I was on my way to see Gaara to discuss certain matters, that was when he was assassinated. When I found him his office, I knew something was coming. I waited until the invasion began. That was when Kakashi discovered me.”