The Trouble With Itachi [On Hold]

32; Countdown

Chapter 32- Countdown

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"Welcome, people of Konoha," Rain started, making his way to the front of the stage and looking intently over all the faces, "Welcome to this grand celebration. You have all been invited to the joining of me and my future wife, Yuri, and the execution of the traitors of this village. It will usher in a new era for Konoha. You will have a new start, a new life, a new Hokage!" 

After that, several trumpets blew in celebration and streamers and paper confetti were released on the crowd. 

I was surprised. Rain went all out on this. 

Rain spoke some more about his hopes and dreams for this new Konoha, and the changes he planned to make. I wasn't really listening. None of it would be relevant after today, and none of it would have truly improved the village. I was too busy concentrating on the crowd; watching, waiting for that signal.

Twenty minutes later and I was beginning to get worried. Rain had called me out to the front of the stage with him and proceeded to gift me with a ring. 

"As a symbol of our love and dedication to one another," he told me, before slipping and arm around my waist and kissing me hard. His grip on me was rough and I felt nothing for him except bile rising to my throat. I was nothing but a trophy to him.  

The only reason he wanted me was for my powerful bloodline. 

After that I sat down and dared not look out into the crowd but tried to keep my face impassive.  

After that he announced the thing I was dreading, "Now- time for the Execution! My favourite activity of the day." 

My heart sank as the attendants were ordered to bring the cages closer to the stage. 

I looked around frantically for the signal. A crow. A crow. 

I was in two minds whether to just do it now and get it over with. Itachi was still sat in his cage, looking all but defeated. It couldn't end like this. No way.

Then I noticed a commotion in the crowd, people jostling around and people's attention on the cages was lost. Then an explosion, a puff of white smoke and several black hooded cloaks flew into the air. Among the crowd there was one overriding voice that stood out and I recognised that shock of blonde anywhere. It was Naruto.  

His clones were causing a big disturbance in crowd. They appeared to be fighting with Akatsuki members that rushed in to try to restrain him. 

Meanwhile, the cloaks that were thrown skywards began to reform and become a flock of crows. They flew towards the stage in a furry and then out in the air and disappeared from view. 

I gasped. The crows! 

Standing up, I bit my thumb quickly and performed the first hand sign. 

Rain was confused and it wasn't until I stood that his face went from confusion to rage. 

But before he could make a move toward me, an attendant ran out from behind me and attacked him directly. It was enough to distract Rain and buy me time. 

I thought briefly that the attendant looked familiar but had no time to dwell on it. 

While I performed the signs, Naruto's other friends emerged from the crowd and started to evacuate everyone from in front of the stage, while Kisame started to open the cages. The cages had been locked with powerful seals, but Kisame must've had help, as he placed a scroll seal on the locks and then they unlocked instantly.