Chapter 21.Members of the Akatsuki

Kakashi and Saruto left the village to find Sasuke. Naruto came along with them to save his friend. Saruto felt uneasy when he passed through a tree. He paused suddenly. "What is it, captain?", asked Kakashi.

"I think we're under a genjutsu"

"Huh, a genjutsu", said Naruto. Kakashi looked around. He felt it too. They released themselves from the genjutsu to face Mizuki on the way.

Mizuki clapped as he said, "Impressive Saruto! You're a remarkable shinobi. That's why I must kill…what are you two doing there"

"…that would be the perfect opportunity to attack Naruto", said Kakashi.

"I see! So, villain monologue is just an advantage for us"

Kakashi was teaching Naruto while Mizuki was speaking. "Stop ignoring me!"

"Sorry, you were saying something?", said Kakashi with an uninterested face. Mizuki went mad as stripes started appearing on his body.

Mizuki transformed into an ugly beast, which was a lame excuse for a half man half tiger. He charged toward Saruto.

Saruto yawned and then lifted his right leg as Mizuki's throat faced face first Saruto's feet. He lifted him and shook his feet as Mizuki was tossed away.

Wood grew up from the ground trapping Mizuki. Mizuki was struggling to get out. "Kakashi go get Sasuke with Naruto! I'll take care of this guy!"

"Yes, captain! Come on Naruto let's move!"

They went ahead as Mizuki broke through the wood prison. He then made some hand signs in the air while falling,

He disappeared inside the ground and then multiple clones appeared on the ground. Saruto smirked and placed his hands on the ground.

Lava burst through the ground burning and disrupting clone illusions of Mizuki. Saruto got up but he was already being strangled from behind.

Suddenly Saruto disappeared and a log appeared in his place.

"What the…"

A kick went through Mizuki's right cheek as he flew away. Saruto stretched his legs and said, "You call yourself Orochimaru's lackey? You fell for a simple substitution"

Mizuki was knocked out. Adamantine chains appeared around Mizuki and tied his body with a tree.

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Kakashi was caught up in a fight with Biwa Juzo leaving Naruto to reach Sasuke. Kakashi had a tough time killing the man as he was one of the seven swordsmen of the Mist and a member of the Akatsuki. Eventually, Kakashi managed to kill him using Raikiri. He left Juzo's body and his Kubikiribocho to catch up to Naruto. He was too late. Naruto was already defeated by Sasuke. Sasuke was already gone leaving Naruto's incapacitated body in the valley of the end. Kakashi carried him on his shoulder and went to meet up with Saruto. Saruto felt bad because he didn't help them but it was the only way. He knew that with Orochimaru's help Sasuke will improve his skills. They returned to their village.

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The next day at the hospital, Naruto was on the hospital bed. He couldn't accept the fact that he failed his friend. He took the flower vase beside him and threw it at the door in frustration. Jiraiya caught it before it could reach his face. "Ero-sennin? I didn't see you there"

He sat on the chair near the bed. "Naruto, your friend Sakura I saw her on my way here, she is devastated"

"She loves Sasuke. At least that's what I think it is according to what Saruto-san taught me"

"Come on Naruto! Once you are back on your feet, let's go train!"

"For what?"

"So that you can do the upcoming chunin exams in six months and save Sasuke"

"Ero…sennin?"

He smiled and spoke, "Maybe it's too late to save my friend. I heard Sasuke is the first friend you made. If that's true I believe that you can get him back"

Naruto made a wide smile and said, "I'll get him back, ya know"

Outside the room, Saruto was standing against the wall. He put his hands inside his pockets tilting his head up and thought, 'I can leave him now! He's in good hands'

Then he turned just to bump into someone. That person fell on their ass as they dropped the documents that they were holding. Saruto rubbed his head and saw who it was. "Anko sensei? Hey, I am sorry! I didn't see you there"

Saruto helped her get up. She dusted off and said, "Saruto, right?"

"Oh, You remember me"

Just as she was starting to speak, the curse mark on her shoulder started hurting her. She grabbed her shoulder as she screamed lightly in pain. Saruto quickly caught her before she could fall as he helped her to stand steady. "Let's get you somewhere so that I can give you a treatment for this pain"

"Arg…thank you Saruto!"

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Meanwhile, somewhere away from the village, Sasuke entered a cave with Zetsu. Orochimaru was waiting for him. "At last, you're here!"

"You promised me the power to beat Saruto"

"Yes but let me explain the situation here first!"

Sasuke crossed his arms and listened to Orochimaru. Orochimaru explained his intentions. "So, if I understand correctly, for one year you will train me and I would be doing missions for this organisation"

"Yes, that's right. After that, your body will be mine. You see I waited all these years so that your body would be matured enough for my regeneration jutsu", Orochimaru flicked his tongue.

"Then you will fight him by using my body, right?"

"Of course"

"Then I accept"

Orochimaru smiled. He then brought him to the centre of the cave. "I'll introduce you to our leader"

Holograms appeared in front of him. "Zetsu, did you take the sword?"

The Hologram figure in the centre talked. "About that, my clone met someone who claims to be its owner. He looks strong and determined. So, I proposed he and his partner join the Akatsuki in Juzo's place"

"Is he coming?"

"He will be joining us any minute"

"Okay! Sasuke, we're all rogue ninjas from our respective villages. Our goal is to find tailed beasts and we do also other missions to earn money. With your current level, you will only be doing missions with your partner"

Sasuke turned his gaze around the cave. All holograms of the members were present it seems. "These are the members of the Akatsuki…Konan, Kisame, Sasori, Deidara, Kakuzu, Hidan, Orochimaru and Zetsu. As Zetsu mentioned two others will be joining us. Orochimaru will be your partner and you will work with his subordinates"

"You didn't introduce yourself. Who are you?", said Sasuke. The pattern on his eyes was bothering Sasuke. He wanted to know who this leader is.

"You can call me…Pain"

"Pain Huh?", a voice was heard behind Sasuke. They all turned their gaze at that voice. White Zetsu's clone arrived with the recruits. "They are here" After saying that White Zetsu clone merged with the ground. Pain spoke, "Momochi Zabuza, the demon of the Mist along with Haku of Hyoton and Uchiha Sasuke, welcome to the Akatsuki!"

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