Memories of the Blossom Heart

Chapter 19: Progression

The boss was kneeling with his hands folded in a meditating position. He rolled his neck around and inhaled at ease. He uttered the words in a deep tone of his voice once he displayed them on the circle that glows bright purple. "Summoning Jutsu: Silver Fang."

Instantly, the creature had unveiled itself right in front of him and growled ferociously where its paws took a few steps forward. Then, the wolf obediently waited for his order.

"Hunt these two lovebirds and make sure they are not fully alive. Don't forget to fetch this item to the four underlings," he instructed, showing the pictures of their names written in black ink and giving a tiny pouch.

The wolf bowed its head to hold the laces with its teeth courteously and made a run through the dark tunnels. The color of the hazel eyes transformed into red ones as the creature pounced on the way out.

"Let's see who will win the game of survival, Miss Haruno..." the boss chuckled darkly with a menacing grin, whilst his Sharinnegan eyes were set ahead.

In the meantime, Sakura was beginning to have another headache and grunted in pain. "Ugh!"

Gaara held her shoulders steadily and said. "Hey, you alright?"

"No... I..." the pink-haired kunoichi stuttered until some of the memories were flashing back in her mind. The moment where she met Gaara and his siblings at the Chunin Exams. The images of him being the cold-blooded monster during Orochimaru's invasion in the leaf village had her feeling overwhelmed and noticed herself, crying out for him in plea. Then, she turns around and stared at him with a livid expression on her face. 

"Hey, tell me," Gaara tried to reach out softly, but his hand was slapped away.

"Don't... I'm the one who hurt you back then..." Sakura said weakly, stepping back hesitantly. 

"It's not your fault. It was mine," he countered as he raised the gentle tone of his voice. He walked up and wrapped his arms around her and hush her comfortingly in silence. 

Then, both of them left the enchanted place as they proceeded to find their friends. They headed to a different path and avoided the enormous shrubs, blocking the main road.

At the same time, the mysterious boss began the next phase of initiating the barrier around the island, which he was very pleased with his own work.

For the leaf squad, they were still having trouble finding them, but they picked up a few clues of their scents, and their footprints. Kiba wasn't always patient, however, he held back his eagerness and temper just because his friends scolded him.

"We are somewhat there," Ino said.

"Just a little bit longer," Tenten agreed.

"Gaara and Sakura must have passed by," Neji noted.

"So should we follow this way?" Choji asked.

"Hmm," Neji insisted with a hum.

"Damn. If only we are able to use our powers to teleport them, we wouldn't be stuck in the same spot," Naruto mumbled, then his eyes started to widen when he heard cackling voices echoing above them. They glanced around instantly to see who they were on top of the trees.

"Hehehe. What do we have here? Boy, I thought those little brats are short," the second one snorted.

"I meant their outfits, not their heights," the first one rolled his eyes in annoyance.

"Who the hell are you guys, anyway?" Naruto questioned, narrowing his eyes at them.

"Allow me to introduce ourselves," the fourth one smirked. "I'm Zanchi."

"Hara," the third one said.

"Raki," the second one emphasized it slowly.

"And Mingyu," the first one slightly grinned arrogantly.

"Funny how you all showed up in the same place as us," Shino stated.

"For what business do you have going on?" Neji wondered.

"May I remind you we are just exploring around for some insights and I believe you might have acquired something of my master," Zanchi said.

"What are they?" Neji asked.

"And I don't think we've stolen or committed any crimes here," Tenten noted.

"Yeah, so you can now skedaddle your stinky asses out," Kiba chortled until he got stomped by the foot and hissed. "Shit!"

Tenten gave him a warning look, so he bit off his lips to remain silent.

"Hahaha. You kiddos are so hilarious. If I recall, I would say that one of your friends is the worst criminal," Zenchi laughed hysterically.

"Uchiha, isn't it?" Hara smirked knowingly.

"How's your life coming along as an outsider?" Raki wondered.

"I bet he's been thrown off onto the deepest ends of the earth, eating moss and grass. What a sap," Hara snickered.

"He probably didn't even shower or sleep for months," Raki chuckled amusingly.

Sasuke decided to walk slowly forward to them and stared at them, saying. "I have no time to explain things to moronic losers like you. I could care less what you think of me. If I were you, I would leave rather than squandering over a treasure that is not even yours."

"Oh? And what are you going to do? Let's not forget that you were once power-hungry as well," Zanchi pointed out.

"That phase is over. I'm a changed man," Sasuke declared boldly.

"Hahaha! How certain can you be?" Mingyu burst out laughing in disbelief and continued on. "By the little speck of dust in your eye, I doubt you are."

"Y'all talk as if you are all clean. Please shut the fuck up," Ino mumbled under her breath in annoyance.

"Well, well. I suppose you're only defending him because of his handsome looks," Hara rolled her eyes sarcastically.

"You're just another blonde bimbo, only going after the type of men that you want," Raki clicked his tongue, much to the others' shock.

"Take those words back," Sai stepped in as he glared darkly, much to their surprise.

"Sai..." Ino blinked worriedly and pulled his arm back from trying to shove them aggressively.

"Or what? You're going to brush me off with your paintbrush. Please, your art must've sucked," Raki said.

"Then, I guess this means we are not going to be moving forward anytime soon," Neji spoke lightly.

"I couldn't agree more," Zenchi smirked beamingly in a thrill.

Zanchi and his other teammates began to raise their weapons, including the leaf squad, who is now facing them head-on. The silence became their essence, but the dire tension between them remained in close proximity.