Chapter 196: Discoveries
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 196: Discoveries
"Let's see…" The girl tried to recall the last events.
"Did you see a boy named Sasuke Uchiha? He has black hair, black eyes, and he's always in a bad mood," Naruto asked.
"I have a picture here," Kakashi added, showing her a photo of Sasuke.
"Oh!" Her eyes lit up. "The handsome boy. I didn't know his name, but yes… he visited today."
"So never saw him here before today?" Yamato clarified.
The girl shook her head. "The only ones who visit this facility are Mister Kabuto and very occasionally, Lord Orochimaru."
"Did you say Kabuto?" Naruto's reaction was immediate.
He had killed that man over two years ago. If this girl had only been here for a year…that should not be possible.
Kakashi's thoughts mirrored his. "When did you last see Kabuto?"
"Eh?... well, today. He came here with the handso—I mean, Sasuke Uchiha," the girl responded.
"Could it be?" Yamato glanced at Naruto.
"I reduced him to dust. There's no doubt he died. I even got paid for it," Naruto said with a scowl, already guessing how Kabuto could still be around. "How does resurrection work when it comes to bounties?" He sighed. There was no way he could return the money now. He had already spent most of it.
"Resurrection?" Yamato looked confused.
But Kakashi's mind went to a forbidden jutsu Orochimaru had used against the Third Hokage. While not public knowledge, Kakashi was one of the few who had learned of it. The name 'Impure World Reincarnation' echoed in his thoughts.
"You think he used that again?" Kakashi asked Naruto.
"Why wouldn't he?" Naruto retorted. According to the texts he'd memorized, Orochimaru only needed a sample of Kabuto's blood or skin and a human sacrifice to bring him back. "Tsk. How annoying…"
Even if Naruto's technique hadn't left remains, Orochimaru likely had samples from his most trusted subordinates, so he could bring them back if they died.
The jutsu was not without flaws, though. Those who are brought back only have around half their original power, so they are less useful for combat. There is also the risk that they will lose control and turn against their creator.
"Now I have to kill the same guy again," Naruto lamented.
"Kakashi, what is h—" Yamato began.
"Not now, nor here," Kakashi interrupted, there was no way to tell if anyone could be listening. "Let's focus on the more important parts." He turned to the girl. "How long has it been since they left? And do you know where they went?"
The girl shook her head. "I know they came here early in the morning. Then… a bit later, Lady Guren arrived, and I was told to stay in my office, so I didn't see what they were doing."
"Lady Guren?" Yamato glanced at Kakashi, but the latter seemed equally unsure.
"Please, continue," Kakashi urged her.
" Lady Guren is one of the persons in charge of this hideout" She clarified. " When she arrived, well… she looked upset, and I was told to stay in my office," the girl said, trembling at the memory. "A bit later, I heard loud noises, like people yelling and fighting… but I didn't dare come out. No one disobeys Lady Guren and lives for long."
"I see. So you didn't witness what happened, just heard the commotion," Kakashi summarized. "And then?"
"Then… I heard several people passing close to the corridor and up the stairs. After that… there was nothing but silence for hours. I still didn't dare come out, just in case." The girl's voice softened. "Eventually, I got too restless and decided to pick a book… reading calms me down, and…"
"The bookcase fell down," Yamato finished.
Kakashi turned to Naruto. "You said there were three signatures inside the facility?"
"The two others are that way," Naruto pointed toward a corridor.
"It's probably the arena. That's where most of the noise was coming from," the girl said.
"The arena?…" Yamato wondered why an arena would exist in such a place.
The girl's expression turned grim. "Sometimes… they make the prisoners fight each other. Either to test something… or when they're bored. The fights are usually to the death. I have to clean up afterward."
"I'm sorry," Yamato felt sympathetic for her.
"Yamato, stay with her. Naruto, let's check the arena," Kakashi ordered.
As they approached, a strong stench filled the air.
"This place reeks of death," Kakashi said.
The room was circular, with seating areas overlooking the arena below. Cells lined the perimeter, larger than the ones they'd seen before, but equally empty.
"Yes, something big happened here," Naruto said as they reached the viewing area. "I think we found most of the missing prisoners."
The arena floor was littered with bodies, discarded weapons, and pools of blood. Many corpses were piled on top of each other.
"Are you sure someone here is still alive?" Kakashi asked. His enhanced sense of smell was overwhelmed by the stench.
"Yes." Naruto jumped down, approaching a pile of corpses. "I guess they've been waiting until they were sure no one was returning before showing themselves."
His gaze landed on a large man near the bottom of the pile. Though his body was covered in cuts, subtle movements betrayed his breathing.
Kakashi followed and confirmed. "This one's alive."
As Naruto pointed at him, the man suddenly rose, twisting his body to throw a powerful hook at Naruto's face.
"Rahhh!" The large fist connected with Naruto's cheek, making a loud sound.
Naruto stood still, unfazed. "For now, that is."
Kakashi swiftly immobilized the man. Judging by the punch, the man's strength was around genin level, so he was nowhere near enough to hurt Naruto.
"Ahh, wait, please!" The man's desperation was clear. "Don't kill me!"
"We didn't come here to kill you," Kakashi assured him.
"Hold on, let's not discard anything yet," Naruto added dryly.
Ignoring him, Kakashi continued. "We just want some information. What happened here? Who's responsible?"
"Lady Guren came and ordered us to fight. I don't know where they went after that… I was knocked out quickly. When I woke up and saw the arena, I pretended to be dead," the man explained.
Naruto's eyes shifted to a suspicious pool of blood. "What about you?"
"Heh heh…" A figure rose from the blood: a thin, snake-like man with a mask covering most of his face and unsettling eyes. "I know a lot more than that fool."
Kakashi's eye became fixated on the new appearance. This one seemed to be a lot more dangerous than the other one, but despite his gruesome appearance, he did not perceive any hostility coming from him.
"Go on," Naruto urged, his patience thinning.
"Not so fast… I want something in exchange," the man said.
Naruto sighed. "You get to live. Isn't that enough?"
"Promise me you'll get me out of this hellhole, and I'll talk."
"That's it? Sure, I prom—"
"Not you." The man pointed at Kakashi. "I recognize you… Copy Ninja Kakashi. You're an honorable man. Promise me, and I'll tell you."
Kakashi nodded. "You have my word. We'll take you out of here, and you'll be free to go."
The masked man relaxed slightly. "I don't know their plan, but… I know where they're going next."
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