"What do you think about Sai, Naruto?" Sakura asked.
"He's alright. But there's something about him that I just can't figure out. I can't read his mind or his emotions," I replied.
"What do you mean?" Sakura questioned, puzzled.
"I don't know, but he's just so different. Unlike anyone I've ever met."
"Yeah, he is strange. This morning, I saw him drawing and asked if he names his drawings. He said he never does and that he doesn't feel anything while drawing. It's really weird!"
"Yeah, but let's stay focused on the mission," I said as we approached Tenchi Bridge. Captain Yamato had already gone ahead, disguised as Sasori.
Sakura, Sai, and I found a good hiding spot near the bridge.
"He's not here yet, and it's almost time," Sakura whispered.
"Wait... I sense something. He's coming," I said as I picked up on a new chakra. Do I recognize this chakra signature? I don't think so.
Suddenly, a figure in a black cloak with a hood started walking towards the bridge from the other side. He looked around cautiously before heading to the middle of the bridge.
From the other side, Yamato, disguised as Sasori, began to walk slowly toward the bridge as planned.
When he reached the middle, the spy revealed his face, and it was none other than Kabuto.
"What are they talking about? We can't hear them because of the wind," Sakura said.
The wind is strong, and it's making it really hard to hear their conversation from here.
"Yeah, just wait for his signal," I said.
"So, he was the Akatsuki spy all along?" Sakura questioned.
"It's surprising, but something feels off. I can't put my finger on it, but I sense something isn't right," I said.
"What the heck?" I thought as I glanced up. I felt something over there, but it seems to be gone now.
"What happened?" Sakura asked.
"Nothing," I said, turning my gaze back to the bridge.
"I don't know, but I feel like we're wasting too much time," I said.
"Have you forgotten that's Kabuto? Playing it safe is the right move. If he escapes, it'll all be for nothing," Sakura replied.
"But if he takes too long, the spy might get suspicious, and our whole plan could go to waste," Sai added.
"Maybe, but we have to trust the Captain's judgment," Sakura said.
"Well, let's see," I said. "The question is, where is he? It's not like he'd let his subordinate spill information so easily," I thought.
Wait, is he asking something from him? What's that gesture Kabuto is making? It looks like he's asking something from Sasori—no, I mean Captain Yamato.
Hold on, I think he's about to strike, but I sense a new chakra signature out of nowhere. What's going on?
Suddenly, Yamato drew a kunai and moved to attack Kabuto, but before he could, Orochimaru appeared right behind Kabuto, surrounded by his snakes. As I suspected, there's no way Kabuto would come without Orochimaru knowing.
"Orochimaru!?" Sakura exclaimed.
On the bridge, Orochimaru attacked with his snake, but both Kabuto and Yamato, disguised as Sasori, jumped out of the way and landed on the opposite side of Orochimaru.
"Still can't hear them!" Sakura said.
"Shh... Don't speak and wait for the Captain's signal," I said, and Sakura nodded.
I see Yamato is panicking now. What should we do? But I don't think his cover is blown yet. Kabuto is still standing by his side, so he must have misunderstood Yamato's earlier attack.
But Orochimaru showing up here makes things a lot more complicated than we expected.
Yamato can't keep his disguise up for long in front of someone like Orochimaru. It's only a matter of time before he's found out. Think fast, Captain!
Wait, what is happening? He's generating chakra in his hands. What's he planning? Will Kabuto attack Orochimaru?
Out of nowhere, Kabuto spun around and struck Yamato, sending him flying and breaking his disguise.
Sakura and Sai were too stunned to speak. "What should we do now?!"
Right after, Orochimaru unleashed snake attacks at Yamato while he was still in the air. The snakes coiled around him and started biting. But suddenly, Yamato's body turned into wood, and the snakes were still wrapped around it.
"Substitution Jutsu," I muttered. Nice move.
Yamato landed on the other side of the bridge, clutching his arm like he might be hurt.
"Should we go now? They're still talking, and the captain hasn't signaled for help yet," I thought to myself.
Then, Yamato signaled us.
As soon as he did, Sakura, Sai, and I jumped onto the bridge and landed in front of the captain.
[P.S: America]
"Well, if it isn't you again, Naruto!" Kabuto said with a smirk. "You've changed quite a bit; I almost didn't recognize you."
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed. "I know that face. The Nine-Tails brat is here. This could be interesting." He sneered. "Let's see who's stronger now, you or Sasuke."
[A. N: Thanks for reading, drop Powerstones that will help a lot and drop reviews if you like the story and add to your library]