Hinata and I walked side by side, staying alert and ready for any information or presence around us.
Kakashi-sensei's summoning hounds trotted along with us, their senses sharp and ready.
Suddenly, I felt someone nearby. I glanced at Hinata, and she gave a small nod, indicating she noticed it too. I signaled to her, and she nodded back slightly.
Without wasting a moment, we both jumped back and threw shurikens at a nearby tree where I sensed the person's presence.
"Come out now! I know you're there... and you're not very good at hiding, Kabuto!" I called out.
As soon as I spoke, a figure stepped out from behind the tree. He wore a hood that covered his face and a black cloak that concealed his entire body.
"I didn't think you would sense me that quickly," he said, removing the hood from his face. Now that his face was visible, it was indeed Kabuto. "But it's even more impressive that you recognized my chakra signature and knew who I was so easily. No doubt, you are a genius," he added.
"So, you came here just to say nice things and try to get on my good side?" I replied, unimpressed.
"Do you know him, Naruto-kun?" Hinata asked, her voice tinged with concern.
"Yes, he's one of Orochimaru's subordinates, Kabuto," I explained, noticing her starting to panic a bit. "Don't worry, Hinata. He's not much of a threat," I reassured her, and she blushed
"So, tell me, Kabuto, is the news true that Orochimaru is dead and Sasuke was the one who killed him?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.
"Yes, it's very true," Kabuto confirmed. "But I didn't come here to get on your good side or anything like that. Instead, I brought you a present—something I thought you might find interesting." He pulled out a diary or a book of some kind.
"And what might that be?" I inquired, curious but cautious.
"It's intelligence our organization managed to gather regarding the Akatsuki," he revealed.
"Go on," I let him to continue, wanting to know more.
"It's all yours now. You can have it all," he said, as I carefully watched his every move, trying to read his intentions and thoughts.
I could see it in his eyes—he had some kind of malicious and hidden agenda behind what he was doing.
"What are you thinking, Naruto? Don't you want this?" Kabuto asked, noticing my hesitation. "I think you're judging my intentions. But believe me, it's nothing but a small gesture of gratitude and a gift from my side to you. After all, the Akatsuki is pursuing you," he said, while I remained silent, still not trusting him.
"When Lord Orochimaru died, I lost my sense of identity again. Who I was... I never knew my parents or homeland. The enemy took me into their custody when I was very little. I was used as a spy since I was a child, moving from country to country, village to village. For a long time, the idea of home was unknown to me. Until I became Lord Orochimaru's disciple. And now, that's gone again," he said, as he threw the intelligence book in front of me.
"Instead of letting go of Lord Orochimaru, I cling to his power fiercely," he declared, fully revealing his face and turning the other side towards us.
His eyes were just like Orochimaru's. Not only that, but half of his face bore an uncanny resemblance to Orochimaru's.
I knew something was off from the beginning. His chakra signature felt different, and I could sense Orochimaru's chakra within him as well.
"I'm going to use the power I absorbed from Lord Orochimaru to become a better and stronger Kabuto Yakushi," he said confidently.
"You think you can just come here and tell me all this? What do you think I'll do now?" I challenged him.
"You'll try to capture me, of course, but you should realize that's easier said than done," he replied coolly.
"I know, I've always known."
"That's great to hear, but let me tell you, Naruto. When I fully control Lord Orochimaru's power, the real me will come and face you. But before that, my target is to avenge Lord Orochimaru's death, so my priority is Sasuke. See you again, Naruto!" he said, waving with a smile as he dispelled his shadow clone.
I picked up the intelligence book and opened it to check if what he said was actually true. "Let's go, Hinata," I said, and she nodded in agreement.
[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]