Ohh Cringe

When the sun came up, Travis woke up feeling the hot sun slapping his face through the blinds. He sat up and began going through his daily contemplation. After that, he got up and went to the bathroom.

A couple of minutes later, he was ready to go. He walked out to meet the gang, who were rejuvenated except Naruto, who still wished to sleep. They then continued their journey towards the Bridge, where they would meet the spy.

On the way, Naruto softened up to Sai. He no longer hated him as much as before, which is quite the advancement. Though he still didn't like him, and that's something that's not going to change for a while; in fact, it was mostly going to get worse from here.

When nighttime came, Yamato created a wooden house for them to stay the night. They sat together in a room as he gave them the plan now that they were near.

Yamato asked Sakura if she could give him a brief on Sasori's characteristics and habits just so he can make a very accurate transformation so the spy won't be suspicious.

'Man, this arc is kind of boring, even in the anime it only got exciting when Naruto went four Tails and fought Orochimaru, who single-handedly bodied bro. Just goes to show that the Sanin don't play,' he thought.

When they were done planning everything, they all went to bed as they rested one last time before they would go to the meeting area.

The next day, it was now time for the plan to commence. Travis had zero use in this plan; his only job was to support as backup, so he stayed very far away from the others. Yamato transformed into Sasori and proceeded to walk on the bridge; the spy also came. If you've watched the anime, you must already know that it was Kabuto.

'How could they not sense this mf's killing intent?' He thought as he stared in Orochimaru's direction. 'He's basically soaked in it.'

"It's been a long time, Sasori-sama. It's been five years," Kabuto said as he showed his face.

'Kabuto? It's that guy we fought three years ago. Man, I hate his guts!' Naruto thought.

"Were you followed?" Sasori (Yamato) asked.

"No, it's safe," he replied.

"How are you?"

"Well, when your jutsu was lifted, and I remembered who I really was, I felt somewhat disoriented. I am still heavy in now."

After that, Yamato asked him about their bases.

"We have many bases. To keep from being discovered, we change bases on a weekly basis. There are, of course, bases in countries besides the sound. Orochimaru's spies enter those countries and guide us. But we have various movement methods, which can sometimes be cumbersome. Our current base is hidden on a small island in a lake to the north. We will move from there in three days. Uchiha Sasuke is also there."

They continued to talk for a minute, then suddenly, Orochimaru appeared behind Kabuto. The snake on his back began to constrict around him, but he hurriedly leaped back, escaping from its grasp.

"If it weren't for you, I would've been caught, Sasori-sama," Kabuto said.

"Ahh, Sasori... seeing you like that takes me back," Orochimaru said in his usual fox smile.

"You tailed Kabuto," Yamato said.

"What's with that tone? I simply wanted to thank you. To develop a new jutsu, I would have needed hundreds of bodies to experiment on... but thanks to him. I can use a single one countless times. Which helps considering how tough it is to get test subjects," he said.

Kabuto covered his hand in Chakra and immediately struck Yamato, who was in the wooden disguise. Yamato, being crafty, hurriedly backed away before he could attack him.

'Multi-shadow snake hands!'

An innumerable number of snakes darted out of Orochimaru's hands; they caught Yamato, who was mid-air, unable to move. As soon as the snakes bit him, it turned into a wooden replacement, and Yamato landed down on the bridge.

Yamato pulled out the signal for everyone to come out of hiding, and that's what they did. They landed on the bridge, ready for battle, especially Naruto, who was already crazed with the nine Tails Chakra.

"I've seen that face many times. The Kyuubi is here too, why don't we have a little fun? I'll tell you, who is stronger now. You or Sasuke."

Immediately, Naruto's whole body began to ooze out red and orange Chakra; it surrounded his body like a cloak; his teeth became sharper. His eyes turned to that of a foxes; his hair turned spiky as if he were a super saiyan.

"Give Sasuke back!!" He shouted.

Kabuto chuckled and said, "It's not a matter of us giving anything, Naruto. Here, let me explain it to you. Sasuke came to us under his own free will. It's about time you got over it and start taking the past for what it is. Just like a real man would."

Sakura, her heart pounding in her chest, watched as Naruto's rage consumed him, oblivious to her attempts to reason with him. With each step forward, his determination grew, his eyes fixed on Orochimaru with unwavering intensity.

*Woosh*

In an instant, Naruto closed the distance, his muscles coiled like springs ready to unleash their fury. With a primal roar, he unleashed a devastating blow; his fist connected with Orochimaru's cheek with bone-crushing force. The impact sent Orochimaru hurtling through the air, a comet of destruction trailing behind him as trees splintered and earth trembled beneath his force.

Orochimaru, regaining his bearings amidst the wreckage, glared at Naruto from a distance of a hundred yards, a mixture of fury and contemplation swirling in his eyes. The temptation to end Naruto's defiance once and for all tugged at his senses, yet a sliver of reluctance held him back, an unexpected hesitance in the face of Naruto's unyielding resolve.

'My, oh my. He sure became quite the Jinchuuriki,' he thought. He leaped back towards him, landing at a distance. His face was shed odd, revealing the one underneath, like a true snake.

"That explains why you were chosen to watch over him. It would appear my experiment was of some help after all. I think the Leaf should be a bit more appreciative, wouldn't you agree, dearest guinea pig of mine?"

'Huh? What does he mean by that?' Sakura thought as she looked back at Yamato.

Even Kabuto was curious of what he meant, so Orochimaru was prompted to explain.

"Well, you see, the first Hokage was a shinobi who possessed the most unique abilities. His Wood style ninjutsu and what's more, he was able to bend Bijuu to his own will. Having obtained his data, I began experimenting on his DNA and tried to replicate someone who could use that ninjutsu. Let's move on, Naruto. Do you wish to meet Sasuke? All you have to do is defeat me. Maybe I might even let him fight you. I wonder who has gotten stronger."

"He isn't yours! In my presence, don't you dare talk of Sasuke as though he belongs to you!" He shouted, three Tails sprouted behind him as the cloak around his body became even more ragged.

Travis, who was watching all of this from a ledge behind them, couldn't help but cringe.

"Man, I hate watching this. It's not good for my heart," he thought.

TO BE CONTINUED