Crystal In the Darkness (Sequel To The Crystal In The Light)

2

Sasuke's PoV

We all look at Sasori, the mad puppeteer. He had a traumatic childhood. I have heard in Suna that he considered two puppets as his parents because they never returned from a mission. I sympathized him because I know how it feels like to lose your loved ones.

"Alright team, get ready for the battle against Sasori and Chiyo take care of Gaara.." Kakashi ordered.

"Hai sensei."

I rushed to Sasori and tried to thrust my chidori into his chest. But he blocked it by using one of his puppets and tried to poison me by using his blade. But luckily I escaped from the poisoned blade and looked at Sakura who immediately nodded and punched Sasori.

(A/N: I am going to skip Sasori vs team 7 battle to the end. If I can I will later edit it. Its hard to think of battle scenerios.)

"Are you ok, Sakura?" I asked looking at Sasori who was dying.

"Do you want to know the reason why Naruto was killed?" Sasori asked weakly.

"I already know."

"It was only the fraction of reason. Go to the Valley of End. There, you will find a clue of Silent Blonde's true identity. I will finally be able to meet my parents. Farewell, Granny Chiyo." With that his puppet neck fell.

I took Kakashi who was seriously injured by one of the Sasori's non poisonous blade and Sakura and Chiyo Samatook Gaara who was weak from the fight against Deidara.

When we got to Sunakagure we all saw the people were waiting for Kazekage's retrieval. As soon as the village appeared in the horizon, I thanked Kami Sama

No one's POV

Sunakagure

The Kazekage Entourage finally reached the Sand Village. Temari and Kankuro quickly came out rushing out of the village along with the villagers to welcome them.

Sasuke and Kakashi, who were holding the Leader of the Sand slowly and carefully released Gaara who was quickly taken to the hospital by the medic.

The Konoha shinobis started to go back to Konoha. They were met up by a weak Gaara who was held by Temari. He whispered into Temari's ear to let him standing up by himself.

He walled to the Konoha shinobi, especially towards Sasuke and said "I, the Kazekage, would like to thank the Leaf for rescuing me whenever I needed."

"No need to thank, Kazekage Sama. It wa-" Sasuke began but Gaara quickly interrupted and said "No need for formalities, Sasuke San. And call me Gaara instead of Kazekage."

"Bu-" Again poor Sasuke was interrupted by Gaara who held out his palm.

He looked at Gaara confused before proceeding to do the same. This was the sign and the new dawn of renewed alliance between Suna and Konoha.

In the meantime, from far away, the gesture was noticed by the Silent Blonde aka Naruto who smiled at the new alliance. "At least Konoha has regained the alliance with Suna by the price of Sasori.'' Naruto thought before turning his back towards Suna and moving back towards the Amekagure.

As the wind lashed against his black cloak, he was soon out fron the horizon.

Konoha

3 days later

Three familiars figure was seen across the horizon from Konoha. Izumo and Kotetsu were the first to notice them. They quickly identified the figures as the remaining members of Team 7.

The three of them walked across the gate and went to Lady Tsunade's office.

"Wait, Kakashi kun. You are back." A lady shouted out of nowhere.

The trio looked at the Direction to see that it was Aiko, Kakashi's fiance. He proposed to her just a few days back.

She was the one who helped Kakashi to snap out of depression after the death of one Uzumaki Naruto. After hanging out for a few months, he realised that Aiko was the one whom he needed in his life. And the rest, as they say is history.

"Ah Aiko, its been awhile since the last I saw you. So what are you doing." Kakashi enquired.

"YOU HAVE COME BACK!"

"Yes, Aiko. So, how about a date after reporting to Lady Tsunade?"

"Sounds great."

Tsunade's office

"Kakashi, you are back!" Tsunade exclaimed.

"Hai."

"Give me the report."

"Well, Tsunade sama. We have saved the Kazekage and killed Sasori, one of the Akatsuki members."

"Well done. Kakashi. But it seems you are leaving something. Mind saying that?"

" There has been serious revelation about the true nature of Akatsuki."

"We already know that the Akatsuki wants the jinchchurikis and extract the bijjus. So mind explaining?"

"The good news is that they are not after the jinchchurikis. But the bad news is that they are after something else."

"And what would that be?"

"Kekkei Genkais." Kakashi said after a long pause. "The process would be same. Kill the user and extract the Kekkei Genkai."

"WHAT? THAT'S A DISTURBING DEVELOPMENT!" Tsunade shouted.

"Yes, indeed. And one more thing we need to go to the valley of the end after 3 days of break."

"Why?"

"Well according to Sasori we will get the intel behind the demise of one Uzumaki Naruto."

"Alright. You may take Tenzo or Captain Yamato with you. And one more thing you will get a replacement for now deceased Naruto. He is waiting for you in the training ground 7"

"Thank you Tsunade sama."

"Alright dismissed."

Konoha training grounds

Sasuke and Sakura were training in the training ground number 7 when suddenly they were attacked by some ink lions.

"Ink?" Sasuke pondered as he killed one of the lions.

But he didn't have any time to keep on pondering as another ink lion attacked which he was able destroy easily.

"Who are you? Why are you attacking us?" Sasuke asked to the boy who held a paintbrush and a scroll. He was deadly pale. He wore a ROOT Anbu uniform which Sasuke immediately recognised since he had once seen another Anbu discussing.

"My name is Sai. And I attacked you to test your strength before joining you. Your strength is remarkable considering that you are an Uchiha." The now identified Sai said as he gave a fake smile to Sasuke.

"You seem weak." Sasuke commented to Sai.

"Thank you for your compliment. Dickless." The last word made Sasuke look Sai angrily."

"YOU BASTARD! YOU WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO REPLACE OUR DEAREST NARUTO." Sakura quickly placed her hand on Sasuke to prevent him from killing Sai.

"You made a bad impression Sai. You shouldn't have said to Sasuke like that." Sai remained calm and collected.

"Thank you for your help. Ugly."

A/N: Sorry for disappearing like that without informing. You see I was suffering from the goddamn writer's block. But now I have returned.