Twenty: Picture Perfect

My Power is Your Security

"Okay pig you can't tell anyone about this. Especially not Sasuke. Better yet...Naruto. Naruto can NEVER know about this."

"But forehead, Sasuke deserves to know. And...he needs to know asap because he and Naruto have a mission to go on that will take months to complete. You need to tell him before he leaves later tonight."

Sakura sighs, "But...how can I tell him?"

Ino shrugs and places a comforting hand on her shoulder, "Just tell him. I'm sure that will give him extra motivation to complete his mission quickly."

Ino walks around the village looking for Sai. Naruto and Sasuke pass her on their way to the village gates. "Hey guys. Leaving for your mission?"

Sasuke nods and Naruto grins widely while speaking, "Yeah. We have to meet Sakura, Hinata and Boruto at the gates. Just spoke with Granny to get the mission scroll to give to the Raikage."

Ino nods and asks sheepishly, "Um...have you guys seen...Sai...kun?"

Naruto and Sasuke chuckle.

"You guys have been dating for a while and yet you still blush and act shy when he's the topic of the conversation. You have been around my Hina too long." Naruto says to her.

Ino's cheeks turn pink as the guys chuckle at her. Sasuke speaks up, "I think he said he was going to the training grounds. He said something about not being strong enough to protect the ones he care for. If you ask me, I think he's just overreacting."

Ino goes to the training grounds and gets amazed by the sight before her. Sai is standing there surrounded by what looks like dozens of Naruto and Sasuke clones. He unsheathed his rapier and channeled lightning into it. He then jabs it into the ground and does a fees hand signs infusing another chakra nature into it. With water and lightning styles into his rapier he faces the clones alone.

Ino marvels at Sai's ability to swiftly maneuver through the clones as if they were standing still. She thinks for a minute to herself before pulling out a kunai and throwing it at Sai. Sai detects it at the last minute and dodges but is left open to a kick in the side from a clone. He drops to a knee as two Naruto clones rush him with rasengans. Sai notices a Sasuke coming towards him with a high powered chidori. Unable to react he prepares for the worst.

Ino uses her Mind Transfer Jutsu to take control of his body. She side steps Sasuke and kicks him in the back straight towards one of the Naruto. She then takes Sai rapier and jabs it into the ground before using it to boost herself into the air. She forms a quick hand sign and throws a kunai fused with water at the Naruto clone. The clone contacts the kunai with its rasengan but fails to notice the explosive tag attached to it.

An explosion occurs and the clone is wiped out instantly with the rest surrounding it. Ino returns to her body and Sai looks around confused. Ino recovers and comes from her hiding spot. Sai looks at her shocked.

"Stop doubting yourself Sai. Never give up when things look grim. There's always a way out." she tells him. He looks down at the ground before raising his head again. "Wait...you did this?" Ino blushes and nods. "Wow. When did you restart your training?"

Ino thinks and says, "A little after we got back from the Lightning Village. Sakura and Tenten were a big help. Well, that was the case before we found out she's pregnant." Ino realizes her slip up and looks at Sai who has the same look.