Dangerous Bond: Clan of Peace

Part 35

Sasuke glared at the ground as he walked along the path of the forest with the rest of his team. Their training with the island leaders was short-lived, too short-lived in Sasuke's opinion. 

All he had really learned was how to communicate better and control his Susanoo for a longer period of time. 

"It won't do to sulk about leaving, Sasuke. We knew they'd call us back eventually for aid" Kakashi stated from the front of the group as he glanced back with his book in hand.

Sasuke's glare hardened "Why should we aid them? We're rogue ninja now. We are walking into a trap" 

Kakashi sighed as he turned back to his book "That may be but Konoha is still our village and we will do whatever it takes to protect it, right?" Kakashi questioned, not bothering to look back as his charges muttered their agreement. It was their second goal after all. 

"Are you sure we're ready, sensei? We barely scratched the surface of our training on the island and now we're heading into a warzone." Sakura questioned.

"What about our comrades? Did they get special training to prepare?" Naruto suddenly spoke up with a grim expression "I bet you most of them didn't even know a war was coming until recently. We've known for a month." The blonde stated as he eyed his teammates "Let's do our best and help our comrades win this war dattebayo!" He grinned, ever optimistic.

Kakashi smiled, though no one could see it. The blonde resembled his father more and more every day. 

Sakura smiled, Naruto's enthusiasm brushing off on her as she felt more reassured. 

Itachi walked just behind Kakashi as he simply enjoyed being on the road again. He wondered what he would do once this was all over, if he would be allowed to stay in the village or if he would travel. 

Sasuke returned to glaring at the ground as he thought about exit strategies they could use to escape in case there was a trap laid out for them. He remained the strategist of the team.

The group continued on their way until nightfall. They had left the island first thing in the morning and made camp just outside the Land of Fire's border.

The group sat around a small fire and ate their rations quietly.

"Have you thought about what you'll do after the war, Itachi-san?" Naruto suddenly spoke up as he was the first to finish his meal.

Itachi tilted his head as he wondered that himself "I'm not sure. I will probably continue to travel for a while" He smiled.

"Eeh? haven't you traveled a lot already? Don't you get tired of it?" Sakura complained as she leaned back onto her hands.

Sasuke ate quietly as he listened in whilst Kakashi laid against the base of a tree, reading his book.

Itachi shook his head "The Akatsuki does not have many routes to travel by so we alternated to ease suspicion. There is still much I haven't seen. I would like to see the Genjutsu-Tree Village and test its capabilities" Itachi continued.

Naruto perked "Hey, I've been there! Pervy-sage trained me in Genjutsu-repelling. The villagers were creative too! they used Chilli Pepper Bombs to counter Genjutsu" The blonde explained with excitement.

Itachi sighed, envious of the blonde. It seemed he had traveled more than Itachi at this stage.

"Don't worry, Itachi-san. I'm sure you'll get to travel plenty once this is all over and when you're tired of that, you can come back to the village" Sakura stated, optimistic of the outcome.

Sasuke frowned, doubtful things would end with such happiness. However, Itachi smiled at the pinkette, grateful for her optimism. It wasn't often in his life he'd been surrounded with such optimism. It was a breath of fresh air whenever he spoke to Naruto and Sakura.