Konoha's Lost Kunoichi

Terrifying Secret

"Fire Style: Searing Migraine!" Shit, shit, shit! That's too strong, too powerful, too hot!

Without much thought, I slung my arm over both Shikamaru and Choji, using the arm around Shikamaru I shot my hand out and snatched Ino's shirt.

Kakashi can avoid it. I don't have faith they will.

So I flickered away, just barely in the nick of time. Not nearly as fast as Flash Step, but it did the job. The four of us are out of the way as the attack shot past where we were.

Like I thought, Kakashi avoided it with little effort. Thank god, I couldn't grab all of them at once. Of course Hidan went after Kakashi, which worries me. It's not like my Sensei can't handle his own, but the guy's totally batshit.

"Seiran . . . thanks." Choji muttered, staring at the melted ground before us. I released them, stepping away. That was the first time I touched Choji since I left. Same with Ino.

Shikamaru's one thing, I never stopped seeing him. But them . . . It doesn't matter. I'm glad I got them out in time. I nodded in response, eyes on the enemy.

Kakashi and Hidan exchanged blows, none hitting either of them. Once they separated we returned to his side to face off against them.

"Kakashi-Sensei!" Choji spoke worriedly. Ino eyed his arms. "Are you okay?" She questioned. Of course Kakashi's eyes never strayed from our foes. "Yeah. Though I've performed the Lightning Blade four times, all while using the Sharingan. Can't let this drag on."

I see. So that's how it is. For him to say it, it must be bad. I can use Chidori, or at least a form. Sasuke never really had time to teach me, but when I had my curse mark I did get the basics of it all.

Of course if I use it it could reveal my identity. Though I'm rather good at most Lightning Jutsu's, so hopefully we can manage.

"They're good. They work seamlessly together." Ino observed, even more on guard than before. "Yeah, but Kakashi-Sensei got him, with the Lightning Blade. And last time, the other person got another."

That's right. But that still leaves a couple more. Those beasts, and possibly his own if they aren't it.

"Yes. I took down one of the monsters in his body. It died in his place."

Shikamaru grit his teeth. "Twice his heart should have been taken, but the fact that there's more is a problem. Look at the way he dodged my Shadow Possession Shuriken. He detached his arm with what looked like a beating heart. And it was moving all on its own. It's exactly as Seiran had told us. They all have separate hearts and yet all five of them were his. Good news is that two are done. Still, they do pose a problem."

Yeah, it really does. But there is one way to win. "We need to take out all of his hearts. Then we'll kill him." I spoke, careful with manipulating my voice.

"Good eye once again. Each of these hearts once belonged to a Shinobi that I faced in battle and got the better of. They can easily be replenished- with your hearts for example." Kakuzu's gravely voice cut through the air.

Now that I didn't see that coming. While the other three Chunin were surprised by it, I wasn't.

Sasori made his worthy adversaries into puppets. It isn't surprising that there'd be others in the Akatsuki like that. He and Kakuzu didn't have any ill feelings towards each other.

Though it doesn't make the situation any less morbid.

So that's how he does it. He taps into the chakra network of the hearts he's stolen, enabling him to incorporate their chakra natures. What a pain.