HPDBC Chapter 196: Discoveries
Chapter 196: Discoveries
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.
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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