Let It Burn: Life [Sasuke Uchiha]

Chapter 4

The old woman from the hospital that had been looking into the incident joined the Sand and Leaf Ninjas. Her name was Chiyo. Her grandson was Sasori of the Red Sand, the man who attacked Kankuro and left him half dead in the desert outside Suna. No one really understood why she insisted on coming. Neither of them could quite figure out what her skills were as a ninja. But when Baki didn't protest her involvement, Kakashi trusted his judgment. There were going to need as much help as possible.

The Jounin summoned his dogs to scout the area ahead and sniff out their targets. No one had clearly seen the direction the Akatsuki had gone in. Tucked into the shadows of the outer, rocky wall of the Village, the ANBU Ninja watched the animals return with a set course Team 7 ran off, accompanied by Chiyo. Baki and Temari chose to stay. In order to protect Suna and mobilize their displaced ninjas. The spy from Konoha didn't follow after them right away. They waited for the Sand Ninjas to return inside and the group receded far enough into the distance so they wouldn't discover they were being followed. Kakashi wasn't clueless about their presence. That is why caution in stealth was important.

It became immediately known that Team 7 and Chiyo were headed towards River Country. The land was located between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind.

"Team Gai is in the field!" Kakashi's voice carried. "Pakkun is taking them to where the enemy is located since they are closer!"

"Let's speed up then!" Naruto shouted.

It had been hours without anyone saying a word. They focused all of their strength in their movements to try and keep up with Akatsuki. However, an unsettling question nagged at the Medical Ninja's mind before finally voicing,

"Naruto... can I ask you something?"

His head turned in his partner's direction.

"Since when did Akatsuki start targeting you?"

Heading bowing, the ninja thought for a moment. "I don't know..."

"A while ago," Kakashi cut in, "two of Akatsuki's agents infiltrated Konoha in order to make contact with Naruto. It's been three years since and they've started moving again. Though, I can't quite see the motive behind this."

"Why did they wait three years?" Sakura questioned.

"Maybe because they couldn't take action with Jiraiya by his side."

"We've heard differently," Chiyo stated. "It requires considerable preparation to extract a tailed beast that is sealed within a host. I assume that's what hampered their effort. The sand always possessed the One-Tail. That is the guardian raccoon sealed within Gaara."

"Then there are other different kinds aside from the Nine-Tail?" Sakura asked.

"Indeed. There are a total of nine tailed beasts in this world. Each beast differs in characteristics depending on the number of tails they have. 'One-Tail' possesses a single tail, 'Two-Tails' possess two, and so on until there are nine, which pertains to their names. The beasts are monstrous formations of chakra. During the Great Ninja War, every Hidden Village attempted to acquire the power for military purposes. However, no one can control such power. I've yet to understand why Akatsuki attempts to gather such strength. It's too dangerous. Well, even through the time of peace, the ages shift on. I've heard that all the tailed beasts are scattered across the world."

A beat of silence passed between the group before Kakashi spoke up, "There's something else, you all need to know... I'm sure Naruto may remember. Though the Akatsuki seem to have set their sights on the tailed beasts... there is someone else who has caught their eye."

"Who?" Sakura asked.

"Someone Itachi Uchiha was very close to before defecting and has released information regarding this ninja to the organization."