Glaciers

Chapter 36

'So fast!' Thorm thought as he chased after Naruto.

Naruto meanwhile felt the tainted chakra of the Curse Mark that merged with Sasuke and the chakra of Kyuubi and Menma. He skid to stop next to the outskirts of the Valley of End.

The fight already finished it seems. And Sasuke won. Naruto narrowed his eyes at Sasuke Curse Mark Level Two Form.

"........" 'So ugly' he thought bluntly.

Naruto took out his umbrella and opened it, shielding him and Thorm, who manage to finally catch up and was currently panting his lungs out, shield them from the rain.

They watch as the exhausted Sasuke head off before collapsing on the ground after he crossed the boarder.

Naruto and Thorm jump towards his location. Just as they landed, the rain poured hard and a rustle from the bushes had rang in the air, Naruto quickly acted, casting a light Mist Jutsu in the surroundings.

It was Pakun whom jump out of the bushes.

"Let's go" Naruto said and picked up Sasuke's body and disappeared with Thorm.

Naruto did not mind Menma, Kakashi will take him back.

Naruto placed a time seal on Sasuke before putting him in a scroll. He wanted to examine the Curse Mark, but he wanted those Medical and Poison Herbs more.

.............

Konoha was in a buss once more, specially the Uchiha Clan. Having lost two heirs in one go, really is a bitter pill to swallow. Fugaku carries resentment to Minato however he never really dare voice it out. Itachi was a Shinobi, Fugaku was aware that his Eldest son is sick, he was quiet relieved that Itachi died in the battlefield than in the hospital bed, he left it to think that Itachi encountered one of Orochimaru's minions strong enough to beat him, this kind of though scared him a bit, to think a Magenkyo Shariggan could be beaten by something created by Orochimaru. Thinking about it, Fugaku sighed and decided to cut it off.

His wife, Uchiha Mikoto was still grieving about her loss, with her best friend Uzumaki Kushina there to comfort her.

Kushina also lost her children, not literally, the two was taken by Jiraiya to train for 3 years while the other was out of her reach.

And Fugaku did not want to spend his night in his house where the matriarch of the Clans in Konoha decided to make it a 'Woman's Night'. Not that he would be able to, he would be kicked out of his own house.

Another night to the bar then. He need some strong Sake.

Shisui returned from his mission with his team when he heard the news.

He stared blankly at the Hokage.

"... Hokage sama, I would be rude to say this but... Could I ask for a leave and for Uchiha Izumi too. Only a few months" Shisui said

Everyone in the room knows his intention, he will search for Itachi's corpse or bring back Sasuke kicking and screaming.

"You may-" Minato paused when the teen already left

"-have my permission" Minato finished lamely before waving his hand to dismiss the ANBU.

Shisui packed some of his belongings and dashed towards the Uchiha Izumi's house, grabbing the orphaned girl from her bed, shrieking as she was rudely tossed in the room.

"Pack your stuff, we're looking for Itachi" Shisui said seriously, Izumi's eyes widen before she hurriedly got ready

After that they almost flew to the gates, tossing at the startled Chuunin Guard his permission slip and made a mad dash out of Konoha.

Izumo, the Eternal Chuunin with his partner Kotetsu, were startled awake when a strong gust of wind passed by and a paper smack him in the face. It was a permission slip.

"So, you have heard of the...." Izumi paused

"I know that Weasel is alive somewhere and even if he is dead, at least I have to see his corpse myself" Shisui said, Izumi but her lip to stop herself from breaking down.

Uchiha Izumi is Uchiha Itachi's girlfriend. You can say they are childhood sweethearts. They were distant cousins. And to know that her boyfriend had been... KIA or was it MIA, it shattered her heart.

And now Shisui, her 2nd cousin, appeared with a wonderful news, Izumi felt her world lighten up.

"Where are we going then?" Izumi asked in anticipation and anxiousness

"Dragon's Den" Shisui answered, Izumi was startled.

"Dragon's Den!? Dr Sotaru's I mean... Namikaze Naruto's territory?" Izumi felt cold sweat run in her back

Who in the Elemental Nations did not know what kind of place and who owned Dragon's Den? Everyone heard and knew of course! Specially to Merchants and Shinobi, missing nins or not. Dragon's Den was built half a decade ago, and since then it had an astronomical rise. All Medics wanted to get some Herbs or Medical Equipment in Dragon's Den however, it was consider as an fortress. You can get in but once your thoughts went improper or make movements that would cause the owner to be displeased or create a ruckus and violence, you will immediately kicked out by the seals around the place. It's one of the safest place in the Elemental Nation. Only that, there would be once in everyehile that Dr Sotaru would be unreasonable.

It's the place Doctor Sotaru owned. An Mnfamous Medic that rivals Senju Tsunade the Slun Princess. Although his charges are quite high, but he was very efficient and quick with his work. Not to mention he was one of the most respected individual of Pleasure Village, that's a great feat! Izumi had

"It's fine, I have faith that Dragon's Den. They have the ability to do everything and it would be impossible if they can't find Itachi" Shisui said filled with self confidence.

Izumi sighed and decided to place her hopes on that place.