Let It Begin

13. Sasuke vs Itachi

~Before Sakura's kidnapping~

Gradually, news of Orochimaru's death spread throughout the villages, sprouting more rumors and outlandish tales until Tsunade was finally forced to tell Naruto of the true circumstances surrounding the powerful ninja's death.

While Naruto seemed very happy to know the truth, Sasuke and Sakura had still not returned to the Konoha. Naruto had pinned all his hopes on his two friends returning once Orochimaru had been defeated, but they hadn't.

He was devastated and kept questioning Jiraiya why they hadn't returned yet. Jiraiya managed to endure Naruto's complaining for two solid days before he took Naruto aside and explained to him that, because the two Leaf ninja had not returned, they had likely chosen their own path and would not be returning until they completed the mission they were on, if ever.

"What the hell do you mean?!" Naruto lashed out, "Why not! How could they not come back now that Orochimaru's gone?!"

"Sasuke is obsessed with getting revenge." Jiraiya answered, "He'll try to find Akatsuki so he can kill his brother, Itachi. Apparently, with Sakura by his side."

"That bastard again! Damn him!" Naruto cursed, "Shit!"

He rushed to the Hokage tower. Curious what kind of conclusion Naruto had come up with, Jiraiya decided to follow him. Once inside the Hokage room, Naruto told Tsunade the plan he had come up with to find Sasuke and Sakura. Sasuke's desire was to get revenge for his family's murderer, which meant he was going after Itachi. If he found Itachi, he would find Sasuke and Sakura. Better yet, if he captured Itachi and brought him back to the village, Sasuke and Sakura would have no choice but to come back.

Kakashi, who was standing in the doorway, heard everything and ironically came to Tsunade to share the exact same conclusion Naruto had come up with. He created a plan to find his students or Itachi.

Kakashi took his team and Team Eight, as well as Ino and Yamato, to help in the search. Ino replaced Sakura in Team Kakashi, and Yamato filled in for Kurenai, who was on pregnancy leave in Team Eight.

The Konoha ninjas split into groups; Kakashi and Pakkun formed a two-man group. Kiba and Akamaru did the same. Ino, Sai, and Shino were accompanied by two of Kakashi's Ninja Dogs. Hinata and Yamato accompanied Naruto for extra protection since he was a target for Akatsuki.

Ino's Ninja Dogs caught Sasuke's scent and led her to an unfamiliar town. Once there, the Dogs lost the scent, and Ino was forced to search the crowd herself. She was unable to find Sasuke and unknowingly walked past the redheaded glasses-girl, Karin. Although she looked rather suspicious, she disappeared into the crowd before Ino could question her.

After witnessing the strange explosion, Naruto's group decided to explore the site of the blast, where Sasuke had battled Deidara. Upon arrival, Kiba immediately set to work searching for Sasuke and Sakura's scent.

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When Karin brought news of sensory ninjas heading their way, Hebi immediately left to search for Sakura. Aware that the Leaf team had scent trackers, Karin tore up one of Sasuke's shirts and instructed Jugo to give a strip to a bird and send it out in the opposite direction to divert attention away from their group.

The Leaf ninja continued to follow the wrong scent and were unable to locate Sakura's trail. Neither Kiba nor the ninja dogs could pick it up; it had simply disappeared. Had something happened to Sakura?

Naruto refused to believe such a thing and focused all of his attention on finding Sasuke. If he found Sasuke, he'd learn what happened with Sakura.