𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐤𝐢 | ɴᴀʀᴜᴛᴏ ꨄ︎ ꜱʜɪᴘᴘᴜᴅᴇɴ

Fourth Shinobi War

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✧˖*°࿐

(Sasuke's POV) Before Attack on Summit:

Juugo's been muttering over and over about Kimimaro's will ever since Kazumi's clone disappeared mid-battle. The Eight-tails in Killer B was a fake all along, just like Kazumi's presence. For a while now, we've been idly standing high in the trees.

"Sorry, Yin." Kazumi faltered back as she couldn't dodge the blast from Killer B.

Through my mangekyou eyes, I finally sensed her feigned chakra amidst the genjutsu. Utter rage shook throughout me as blood stained down my cheeks. "KAZUMI...!!!"

Her clone popped.

The concept of loyalty never bothered me until now. I was fine relying on the teamwork. But I've come to the conclusion that I can't trust Kumo Kazumi. To make matters more annoying, Konohagakure — the same village I swore to destroy myself — is in ruins. It's like the phrase she always grumbles; 'everything's gone to shit'.

"This is distressing." Madara spoke ahead of me. "You and I both share a common betrayal." His other Akatsuki companion is standing beside him, tucked away within his peculiar Venus fly trap.

An inward gasp squeaked out from Karin. Suigetsu keeps hissing half-assed reassurance toward Juugo's rattled anxiety. I don't know why that crazy bastard is so worked up. It's me who should be. I've known Kazumi far too long for my own comfort.

"There's no need to glare so recklessly." Madara pointed out. 

Uncaring, I respond. "You found us too easily, so do you know where she is?"

The last thing I need to hear is that her alignment is elsewhere. She swore to me. I can't control the anger on my face right now.

Madara paused for a short moment until he spoke again. "She's come into contact with the Kazekage. To our luck, she's heading exactly where you want to be."

Gaara?

Again, that person. The same person I barely caught sight of written in Kazumi's letters. So, she'll choose the useless political way? Pathetic.

I scowled as Madara continued. "There's a meeting being held. Zetsu will explain the rest."

The Akatsuki with a Venus fly trap began speaking clear as day inside of it. "Uzumaki Naruto defeated Pain and our other members during our attempt at taking his bijuu. Their Fourth Hokage is in critical condition, and that is why Danzou has stepped up as the new Hokage of Leaf."

"This Naruto defeated Pain all alone?" Suigetsu asked in a snarky tone.

"That's right. He's gotten really strong... He's probably stronger than Sasuke now." Zetsu cheekily remarked.

A bewildered scoff ripples out of me. "I don't care about that... Suki and the five Kage's are the problem."

"What're you doing to do?" Suigetsu asked with a frown as I turned to look at him. "Konoha's gone. Suki-chan might've switched sides and Danzou's your new target. If they're both going to be at this meeting, maybe that's where we should head." Karin shot him a pout, causing him to glare. "Wh...What?!"