Chapter 137: The Sound Four

Chapter 137: The Sound Four

Disclaimer:

Naruto and all of its characters belong to Shueisha and Masashi Kishimoto. I own nothing but the original characters I create.

"Dialogue"

'Thoughts'

-Author notes-

Chapter 137: The Sound Four

"I found them," Neji said.

"So Kiba failed, then." Ino smirked.

"Hey! I was just about to say the same," Kiba complained. "I found them too!"

"Shhh! Keep it down," Shikamaru scolded. "Did you forget what we're doing? The enemy is close by."

"Right... sorry," Ino muttered, and Kiba grumbled in agreement.

"How many are there?" Naruto asked.

"Four... and Sasuke isn't one of them," Neji replied.

"Sasuke isn't with them? Have we been following the wrong group this whole time?" Ino almost shouted but held back.

"No. There are still faint traces of Sasuke's scent around here," Kiba said. "He must've been here not too long ago."

"They all look tired..." Neji observed.

"They would be, after setting up all those traps," Choji commented.

"Something tells me that's not all they did... but we've only got one choice now," Shikamaru said.

"Wait, I think I've found Sasuke!" Neji suddenly exclaimed.

"Where?!" Ino asked.

"One of them is carrying a large container on his back... it's like a coffin," Neji explained. "There is someone inside."

"Wait... did they kill him?" Shikamaru asked urgently.

"No, he's alive. The container is covered in protective seals, so it's hard to see clearly, but he seems to be sleeping," Neji replied.

"That sounds like some sort of ritual," Naruto noted, remembering past encounters with demonic sects that used similar methods.

"Then we'll have to ambush them and secure that container. Just give me a second to think," Shikamaru said. "Alright, here's how we're going to—"

"Careful!" Hinata shouted suddenly.

"It's okay, Jirobo, it's only two of them. I'll handle this," said the blue-haired ninja. "Tayuya, take Sasuke and go. Kidomaru, make sure no one follows her," he ordered.

"Wait! Leave Sasuke here!" Ino tried to rush forward, but Naruto stopped her.

"Don't be so reckless... we don't know what they're capable of yet, if we turn our backs on them we could get killed. " Naruto told her. "Also... I just heard someone else in the trees."

It was obvious that they had someone else hiding around. Someone had thrown a shuriken at Shikamaru when everyone should have been immobilized.

Ino looked around, realizing the situation.

"Let's focus on freeing the others. Then we'll go after the rest," Naruto said.

"Right..." Ino nodded.

Naruto noticed that the large man, Jirobo, had his hands rooted to the ground, maintaining the rock dome.

"Looks like that jutsu has a major flaw," Naruto observed, glancing at Jirobo. "You can't move without breaking it, can you?"

"Like I'd let you touch him!" The blue-haired ninja blocked Naruto's path.

"Ino, you know what to do," Naruto called as he moved forward.

Sakon, the blue-haired leader of the four, tensed when he saw Naruto's Rasengan forming in his hand. Realizing the threat, he activated his cursed seal, black marks spreading across his skin as his power surged.

Before Naruto could strike, Sakon pressed his hands to the ground. "Summoning Jutsu!"

A massive gate appeared in front of Naruto, absorbing his Rasengan as it shattered.

"You can summon non-living objects?" Naruto asked, more intrigued than anything.

"Got you!" Ino used her jutsu, aiming at Jirobo, who was maintaining the rock dome.

Naruto glanced her way and saw she had climbed on top of the dome to get a clear shot. But it left her open for an attack.

'Did she forget what I just told her?' Naruto thought, spotting a figure moving through the trees.

Ino gasped as she realized the danger, but it was too late to dodge.

Naruto appeared in front of her, blocking the attack. "What were you thinking...? Wait... there are two of them?"

Naruto realized, stunned, that the attacker looked identical to the blue-haired ninja who had summoned the gate.

"Hehe, now I've got you!" The blue-haired ninja grinned confidently, grabbing Naruto's arm.

"Ukon, wait!" Sakon called out, recognizing Naruto's strength. "Don't do it!"

But his brother, Ukon had already begun merging with Naruto, his body transforming into a liquid and phasing into Naruto.

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