Watch My Back As I Move On

Chapter 43: Protect You Until I Die

Sakura stared at Naruto's unmoving body, not believing that Tobi just silenced him with a single glance. Sakura walked towards Konan and Tobi but abruptly stopped when she saw Tobi fall on his knees. Covering his eyes underneath his mask, Tobi shouted in agony. Sakura's eyes widened when she saw blood drip from underneath Tobi's mask. "S-sakura, watch out!" Tobi shouted. Sakura turned her head and saw Naruto running towards her at full speed with Rasenshuriken at hand.

Sakura tried moving but she was frozen in place. She shut her eyes, awaiting for the pain. She opened her eyes when she heard a loud explosion. A wall made off papers protected Sakura. She turned and saw Konan standing up with a ferocious glare towards Naruto.

"Firstly, you call her weak despite knowing how much she trained. Secondly, you left her under your own shadows, pushing her deeper into the darkness. Thirdly, you believed a rumor over your so called friend, not believing her one bit. Then, you come to her, shamelessly showing your face to her, stating that your on a mission to kill her. Inconceivable!" Konan said, sending thousands of shuriken-like papers towards Naruto.

Naruto dodged but a single paper managed to cut his cheek. Sakura felt a spark of different chakra in Naruto. "Tobi! Let go of the jutsu! You'll go blind!" Sakura shouted as Tobi let out another cry of agony. "It's a jutsu that prevents him from... transforming any...further. " Tobi said, panting as he gritted his teeth in pain.

Sakura ran towards Tobi, Naruto followed Sakura with his deadly gaze, looking for an opportunity to attack her. He growled when his eyes landed on Konan. Sakura removed Tobi's mask and made him uncover his eyes. She sent healing chakra, trying so hard to fight against the jutsu.

"Sakura, no matter what happens, don't. Get. Killed." Tobi said, slowly calming his breath as he felt Sakura's soothing chakra enter his eyes. "I promise, I won't." She answered, smiling slightly. Sakura flinched when she felt Tobi suddenly grip her hand. "Help Konan. She won't be able to hold out any longer." Tobi said, pointing at the now struggling Konan.

"What about you?" Sakura asked, glaring at Tobi. "Forget about me. Now go!" Tobi shouted. Sakura nodded and ran towards Konan, putting on her gloves. She looked for Konan and saw her up on the sky, wings attached on her back, glaring at Naruto fiercely. "I'll end you. Right here right now, dattebayo!" Naruto said, his voice lower that usual.

Konan was caught off guard by what he said. Her eyes dilated when she noticed that Naruto is readying a Rasenshuriken yet, again. Sakura ran full speed towards Naruto. She extended her hand back loading chakra as much as she can. Naruto turned to her and was about to attack her. But Sakura ducked and sent an uppercut with chakra filled fist on Naruto's stomach, sending him flying upwards. Naruto spit out blood, almost making him unconscious.

Naruto snarled and turned to Sakura with a scowl. He lunged at her mid air, his canines showing. Sakura clenched her fists, readying another attack.

Meanwhile...

Pein looked at the scene before him. Scanning the area and finding things suspicious. 'The copycat nin is missing.' He thought. 'It's either he is not here, or he is hiding somewhere.' Pein continued. He concentrated. Looking for Kakashi's chakra signature. His eyes snapped open when he found his chakra signature with Konan and the others.

"Zetsu. I expect you to report to me when the battle here is finished." Pein sternly said, making Zetsu look at him. "Where are you going ?" He asked. "The copycat nin is with Konan and Sakura. It's dangerous with just them fighting alone with the Kyuubi and the copycat nin." With that, Pein ran for their battlefield.

Meanwhile...

"Tobi!" Sakura and Konan shouted as Naruto ran towards the weakened Tobi with a jutsu at hand. Tobi leaned on one foot. The next second, Tobi appeared beside Sakura with him covering his eyes in pain. Sakura crouched in front of Tobi and sent another wave of healing chakra in his eyes. "To think that you've stoop so low as to attack someone in a weakened state." Sakura said, glaring at Naruto as she stood up. "Konan, please keep Tobi safe for a while." Sakura said as Konan landed beside Tobi.

Sakura glared at Naruto. If looks could kill, surely Naruto would be lying on his own pool of blood right now. They lunged at each other at full speed. Enough to make Konan stare at them in awe. 'To think that Sakura's gotten this strong with just Itachi's, Sasori's and Deidara's trainings.' Konan thought. Naruto made shadow clones to render Sakura's attacks. But what shocked the three Akatsuki is what happened next. Sakura was about to punch the real Naruto's head off until a hand with chidori emerged from the ground, aiming for Sakura's abdomen. "Sakura!" Konan shouted.

To Be Continued...