"So you finally became a Jonin huh? It was within our expectation but in just 2 years? You're definitely genius Kuro." Hana complimented him. Right now they are having a celebration at Iori's Teashop which she now helps run along with her parents. Hana was also helping out with their flowershop but was dragged over by sakura who was with kuro insisting they all get together. And so all 4 of them are now celebrating kuro's promotion.
"Right? He truly is. But when I think about it I still just don't understand why sensei didn't show off his talent back in the academy. If you were already strong back then, why didn't you show it to class sensei? you could have been easily on top and not sasuke kun."
Sakura does have a point but back then kuro was trying to hide his talent from danzo. He doesn't come from a large clan or family to be able to protect him if he caught danzo's attention. But now that he made a contribution to konoha. Danzo won't be able to touch him.
"Well sakura. I've had many reasons. But if you want me to answer you. I'd say it's because as a shinobi, you should only show your cards at the right moment. That way your enemies won't be able to anticipate you."
"I think Hana and I could understand what you mean. Each time we took some C rank missions you always have had something new to show us. Both of us didn't notice that we were rushing to keep up with you. We didn't even know we could get that strong and it's all because of you for motivating us. But in the end, it was not our dream so we had to step down." Iori could only reminiscence the past and share it. Surprisingly Sakura was listening keenly about her sensei's past.
The conversation went on for a few hours until kuro decided to leave since he has a life to save. Surprisingly though, Sakura stayed behind. It seems they will have their girls talk which was held back because of kuro's presence.
Kuro got back to his house and prepared himself but he could sense Sasuke's chakra on the training area near the house. It's also the place where he had trained sasuke over the past. "He doesn't seem to be training any ninjutsu but his chakra is resonating, better check it out."
As he approached near the area he could see sasuke meditating and he also sensed 3 persons surveilling him from a distance. 'Hmmn?? This is? Captain Zo? and... must be the roots, which means Danzo was listening to them and will probably decide what to do after observing sasuke's behavior.'
'For as long as I can remember. I have always hidden my cards fearing danzo would recruit me once he saw it and force my parents if I didn't cooperate. I didn't want to endanger them so I've worked hard in secret. It was a good thing the Hokage found a good reason for me to be excluded. I'm pretty sure that's the same with sasuke. It would also mean that if Danzo can't get sasuke under him, he will kill him instead. '
As sasuke was concentrating to empty his mind. The words his sensei and the 3rd told him rings in his ears.
'You're brother was supposed to be a hero, but he went as far as making himself a missing nin so he could spy the akatsuki and protect the village from within' the 3rd's voice breaks his heart as he heard those words but.
'That was the night your brother was given the dirtiest mission ever given in the world of shinobi. Shimura Danzo, He's the one we need to put to rest so your brother can return.' Anger was also was present in his heart and he knows exactly who to vent it to. Then he heard his sensei's voice talking to him.
"So how did it go? what do you want to do right now my disciple?" sasuke opened his eyes to see kuro in front of him.
"Huh? Sensei, I-..." sasuke hesitated what he was about to say.
"How about I tell you something. Maybe it'll help you decide?" kuro proposed. Sasuke nodded prepared to listen to what kuro will have to say.
"Before that. You two who's hiding there. I dont know where you came from but, Are you sure you guys won't stop listening and just go away? or do I have to use force and kill you?" Kuro pointed with his katana at the two root anbu that was hiding from a distance as killing intent for the first time came out of him directly pointing at the 2 root anbu.
No one answered.
"Guess I'll have to use force then." flames ignited from his blade as he slashed it at the direction where the root anbu were hiding and flames went through a tree. One of them intercepted the attack while the other run away.
"Captain Zo! I'll leave the other one to you. I'll take care of this one" then an anbu who's wearing a familiar mask came out. He immediately set off to catch the runner. Kuro's hands and feet ignited with flames as the giant sheath beside him was slowly set to the ground by him. The root anbu prepared himself for the inevitable clash ready to die but that wasn't enough for him to be able to anticipate kuro's speed. Even without the Hiraishin, he was already fast with his original Shoka Gijutsu. With a burning katana on his hand, it only took him a second to decapitate the root anbu's head as his sheath was settle on the ground and he disappeared from his spot.
It took a few more minutes for Zo the come back and explained why he was observing Sasuke. It seemed that the 3rd knew Danzo was aware of sasuke's visit and assigned captain Zo to protect him.
"I understand. Then captain Zo you can go back to your post but could I ask you a favor?"
"If it's within what I can do then yes, I'd be honored." Zo answered
"Thanks captain. Then my favor is that whatever you hear from here on out if you must report it to the 3rd. Please refrain from doing so until I say it's okay.?" Zo was a little helpless when he heard the favor but mustered the courage to nod.
"don't worry captain it will only be some details. You can still report the other details that sasuke will do after this. okay?" Zo could only continue to nodded and sigh. Then he went back to his post a little while later.
Going back to sasuke. He then set a condition.
"As your sensei. I will only help you with two things. One is to take Shimura Danzo down. and two is to take Itachi back to konoha from the akatsuki. If you aske me what to do first. The answer would be to take down Danzo first so that your brother can return. Or it's also possible to take your brother from the akatsuki first then take down Danzo together" Sasuke was surprised to hear his sensei was going to support him.
"Why? Why would you go so far to help me sensei?" Asked sasuke with confused and tearful face.
"Why? Well. I don't think you really need to have a reason to help your friend don't you? Tell me when you acquired your sharingan because you were protecting Naruto. Is there a reason why you protected him besides that his your friend?" Sasuke understood kuro's words and was unable to hold back is tears.
"I- I want to bring my big brother back home..." was sasuke's answer as tears continued to run down his face. Kuro then bit his thumb and weaved signs.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
A giant Yellow eagle showed up.
"Kuro, you have summoned me again. But I don't see you facing any enemy right now. So why have you summoned me?" was the introduction he got from Lord thunder.
"Well Lord Thunder. I was just going to introduce to you my very first direct disciple and I wonder if you could teach him Sage Jutsu. His name is Uchiha Sasuke."
"Hmmn. I see a great potential in him. You have chosen a good disciple Kuro. Wait a moment. Isn't this the kid you brought to the flying temple in the past?"
"Yes he is. You have given permission for him to be able to summon Red and Cham. And now, it's time for him to train Sage Jutsu as I did. Can you help him please Lord Thunder?"
"Well of course if that's what you want. You are already considered a part of the flying temple so we definitely will be able to teach your disciple sage jutsu." Sasuke on the side was amazed to what they were talking about. There was only 3 people who were considered sage masters. They were the 3 Legendary Sannin. Jiraiya
"Sage jutsu? Does this mean that you have already mastered Sage Jutsu sensei?" asked sasuke by the side who couldn't hide his excitement.
'Well would you look at that, in the original story right now sasuke should be colder. But I managed to change him to this. I don't know if I am going to regret this one day.' was kuro's thought looking at sasuke excited face.
"Well not yet mastered but I can assure you my sage mode is way better than that of Jiraiya sama. And besides for now, I have Lord thunder here who can immediately get me to sage mode." was kuro's answer but sasuke was again confused and was about to ask something but was cut off by kuro.
"I don't have time to show you since I have somewhere else to be right now" kuro cut off sasuke as he could feel asuma's chakra. It would only mean they have engage in a battle with Hidan and Kakuzu.
"So, I need you to go back to your house and prepare for a long term training. I'll take care of the rest and tell the Hokage where you'll be so train hard. I will leave a clone here to assist you on going to the flying temple. Lord Thunder thank you for granting my wish but for now I need to be somewhere else. please take care of sasuke for me. Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Kuro left a clone that will be responsible to transport sasuke while Lord Thunder already went back to prepare for sasuke's arrival. Sasuke also left to prepare. Then kuro picked up his sheath and strapped it back to his left side prepared to leave.
"Hiraisin Jutsu!" Kuro vanished from his spot and arrived at the battle field where a burned asuma beheaded Hidan. Eveyone was surprised by his sudden appearance.
He immediately throws his sheath in the air and the katana rained around them. He then pounced the headless body with his katana pinning it down to the ground.
"Hey! What are you doing! That's cheating! Oi Kakuzu help me!" A shout was heard from the head on the ground but only the konoha shinobi were surprised excluding kuro who was expecting it. Kakuzu immediately acted and picked up the head from the ground then tried to kick kuro. But he only hit empty air. And just after the kick kuro appeared again holding two katana. He then dashed towards kakuzu slashing with both hands in a cross style but kakuzu used the brief case he's holding as a shield. The brief case was destroyed but this was enough time for kakuzu to make some distance. Kuro then seized the moment to thrust more katana on Hidan's body so it's pinned to the ground. No limbs was spared.
"Hey!!! Stop that!! Lord Jashin will definitely punish you!" Hidan could only scream as his body was pinned down. But kuro didn't even bat an eye at him. Meanwhile the konoha shinobi finally came back from their shock.
"Kuro how did you get here I mean-? how do you-" Asuma was lost for question to ask due to what happened which was too fast for him to comprehend.
"Questions later. Stick together with shimakamaru. And leave this to me until reinforcement comes." was kuro's answer to asuma's confusing question. As he walked in front of them and faced kakuzu who was looking at him as if he realized something.
"You! That jutsu you used. Only the 4th Hokage could do such a feat. You must be the ninja that faced and killed sasori right? You were actually recognized by our leader and gave you a little nickname of 'Red Flash' just like that of the 4th Hokage's moniker 'Yellow Flash' before putting a bounty on your head." Kakuzu spoke and Hidan was surprised to hear that his partner recognize the teen in front of them that pinned down his body as the one who killed sasori.
"And should I be thankful for that? Dream on.! I only have one thing to say to you and your organization. For as long as I'm around you shall not take away the lives of my comrades.!" Kuro declared as flames ignited on the 2 katana that his currently holding.