Chapter 7: Enemy from the Past

First Year of the Zetsu Wars

23 BBY

Location: unnamed planet

[Sasuke]

A few months had passed since Kabuto's escape, and since then, no one had caught wind of him. The war was in full swing by now, and most of the galaxy, save for the Outer Rim and a few other powerful planets, was being divided between the Republic and the Akatsuki.

It was on a prospective Republic planet where Sasuke and Naruto, now full-fledged Jedi Knights, found themselves kneeling next to each other as they surveyed a map. Both were dressed in simpler robes, ones that were less loose, with basic armor adorning their chest and arms.

"We can't go in from here, dattebayo," Naruto mused aloud, jabbing an area on the map with a finger.

Sasuke said nothing, though his eyes moved to scan the map as he pondered their next move.

"We don't have much time, boys," Master Kakashi said, appearing from above and landing next to them with a light thud. He was out of breath, but otherwise fine. "The Akatsuki have sent in reinforcements. Master Jiraiya is keeping them busy for now, but it won't last long. They'll break past the palace gates soon. We have to get the Chiefs' families out of there, or else they won't be joining us."

"Yeah, okay, that's great and all, but that has nothing to do with us," a new voice piped up. A little to the side of the Jedi were two men the Jedi had hired to help them with their mission.

Kiba pouted from where he sat next to the ever-silent Shino. Akamaru lay across Kiba's legs, and the trio looked disinterested despite the raging battle just beyond the rocks they were using as cover. "I don't understand why you had to drag us all the way out here, Naruto."

"You two know this area well; you grew up here, after all," Master Kakashi said, giving the two wanted info-brokers a stern look. "If you don't wish to help us, I can always hand you over to the Coruscant Police. I'm sure they'll find you more useful than I. Aren't you close friends with Detective Fuma?"

Kiba swallowed, holding his hands up hastily. "Well, I mean, we do see a lot of each other, but I wouldn't exactly call the two of us best buds or anything."

"Detective Fuma hates you," Sasuke pointed out flatly.

"No," Kiba argued. "He strongly dislikes me. There's a difference there."

"Sure, there is," Naruto said, rolling his eyes. "Just like how there's a difference between you being caught by Hanzo and you being caught by the Hyuugas."

"Hey, I've done nothing against them both!" Kiba protested. "I mean, sure, Hiashi-sama probably hates my guts, but I've paid everything I owe him! It was no trouble, too, since I got a lot of it from good ol' Shikamaru."

"You got money from Shikamaru, dattebayo?" Naruto gasped. "Why would he give you money? You're a criminal! He's not!"

"Business is business, Naruto," Kiba smirked.

Master Kakashi let out a heavy sigh. "That's enough of that. You boys act like younglings sometimes. Anyway, does anyone have a plan yet?"

Sasuke had been thinking, and he spoke up, though he knew his idea was weak at best. "I was thinking we might be able to get in and out using this route."

"Impossible," Kiba interrupted, glancing at the spot Sasuke had circled on the map. "The land's unstable there. It'll collapse if the Akatsuki army comes after us. They've got those heavy tanks of theirs. It'll kill the supports for sure, start a rockslide or landslide or something."

"Then what would you suggest?" Master Kakashi asked, and Sasuke could tell his former teacher was trying his hardest to refrain from throwing Kiba at the Akatsuki's army—a huge accomplishment on Kiba's part considering how laid-back Master Kakashi was most of the time.

Kiba frowned, stroking his goatee, which, in Sasuke's opinion, looked ridiculous on him.

"There's always the maze," Shino said softly, and the Jedi turned to look at him. Sasuke felt a twinge of annoyance at the pair of criminals. If they had such crucial information, why hadn't they said anything sooner?

"The maze?" Naruto asked curiously, voicing Sasuke's thoughts.

Kiba scoffed. "It's not much of a maze."

"That's only because you have Akamaru," Shino said.

"Still, that's a family secret," said Kiba. "We can't just give the location away, even if it is to our Jedi allies."

Shino ignored him, turning to his Jedi companions. "There's a maze of sorts that starts out behind the palace, and then loops underneath it towards the bridge by the river. It's a tricky thing, but the natives can get by it with little difficulty. The bugs know where to go, and the dogs can smell the exit. There are some strong-scented flowers by the river."

"Then why haven't they gotten out using this maze of theirs?" Sasuke inquired.

"Probably too scared to make a move," Kiba said. "It's not really worth the risk if you don't know where the Akatsuki could be. What's the point of going under, only to hand yourself directly to the enemy? Or be trapped in there, if the Akatsuki find out?"

"So, we have to secure the exit, and then go in and retrieve them," Sasuke observed.

"The question is, how do we get in?" Master Kakashi asked.

"Easy," Kiba said. "There are a bunch of entrances scattered around."

"Then why didn't you speak up earlier?" Sasuke snapped. "We could have gotten to the royal family sooner."

Kiba shrugged, shuffling his feet in the dirt.

"He's sort of been banished from the palace," Shino explained. Sasuke was unsurprised by such news; Kiba and Shino were criminals, after all.

"Wait, are you saying you could get killed for going in, dattebayo?" Naruto asked.

"Yes," Shino said, at the same time Kiba said, "No."

Kiba glared at his partner. "Let's just say, my mother isn't too keen on seeing me these days. At least, not since I decided to set out to space and pursue a career in weapons smuggling and becoming a criminal rather than stay and take over."

"Your mother?" Master Kakashi asked, raising an eyebrow, and Naruto did the same.

"Wait, wait, what does your mother have to do with anything?" Naruto said.

"Your mother's the chief of the Inuzuka clan," Sasuke said, piecing the information together even as he watched Naruto's face continue to struggle to connect the dots.

"Maybe," Kiba muttered, neither denying nor confirming Sasuke's claim. It turned out he didn't have to, as Shino did it for him.

"Yes, she is," Shino said, and Kiba glared at him again.

"Shino! You can't just go around giving away my secrets," Kiba accused.

"It's not much of a secret," Shino said.

Master Kakashi sighed again, and Sasuke swore he said something about "boys will be boys" under his breath. Master Kakashi seemed to only be getting older; his energy was slowly trickling away from him, as well as his patience. Sasuke could only imagine what someone like Grandmaster Hiruzen must be feeling.

"Let's get going," Sasuke said. "Master Jiraiya is still out there; we should meet him at one of the entrances."

"There's one within fifty feet of here," Kiba said sulkily, pointing to the map.

Sasuke nodded, mentally noting the location, and then spoke into his Comlink.

"Master Jiraiya, this is Sasuke. We've found a possible entrance into the palace."

There was some static, and then Master Jiraiya answered, his voice calm and collected, though, by the sounds of blaster fire and yelling droids, Sasuke knew the Jedi Master was still in the middle of an intense battle. For more than once in his life, Sasuke admired the Jedi Masters' abilities to multitask in the middle of a fight.

"I think I might need some backup," Master Jiraiya said. "These tankers are more than I thought. Master Kakashi, if you're there, I'd like you to send one of the boys to help."

Master Kakashi accepted Sasuke's Comlink and spoke. "It doesn't sound so good over there. I'll send Naruto and some of my men over immediately."

"See you soon."

Master Kakashi shut off the Comlink and handed it back to his former Padawan. "Well, you heard Master Jiraiya. Don't do anything stupid, Naruto."

"I'll be fine," Naruto vowed, and then paused. "Wait, why are you sending me over to Master Jiraiya? I want to infiltrate the palace, dattebayo!"

Master Kakashi gave the young blond an exasperated look. "Now is not the time to argue, Naruto. Sasuke is better at infiltration work than you. Now go help Master Jiraiya."

Naruto nodded, albeit a bit reluctantly. "Where will we meet up with you guys?"

Master Kakashi turned on his lightsaber, its faint humming barely making a difference among the war din. "I need you and Master Jiraiya to create some diversions; draw them away from the entrance, so Sasuke and I can get in. Give us around an hour, Naruto, and then head over to the bridge. We'll meet up there. Our ships should be arriving soon, and I'll send a message for them to land around there."

Master Kakashi gestured to one of the Zetsu soldiers on standby. The Zetsu soldier stepped forward, his gear barely slowing him down. His helmet was tucked in one hand, revealing pale white skin and green hair, and he saluted smartly as Master Kakashi addressed him.

"Captain, I need you and your squadron to go with Naruto but leave a handful of soldiers to accompany me here. I need the ones best at stealth."

The Zetsu soldier nodded and turned to his squad, barking out orders. "You heard the general! Four-oh-nine-two, Four-oh-six-eight, Kuro, and Tobi, you're with Generals Hatake and Uchiha."

Four Zetsu soldiers came forward as their names were called, already dressed in their gear with their helmets attached snugly on their heads. Each of them looked weary, their armor dented in various places, with scratches and stains all over. Still, they stood at attention, giving their superior officers a salute as they awaited their next commands.

Master Kakashi inspected them, giving an approving nod, and then turned to his companions.

"Well, this is it. Naruto, you'd better get going before the Akatsuki overrun Master Jiraiya. Report back to me if any trouble arrives."

The younger men nodded, and Naruto let out a salute as he left, with the rest of the squadron marching in neat rows behind. Sasuke rolled his eyes at his friend, while Kiba stifled a snicker.

"You're not a soldier, Naruto," Sasuke called after him.

Naruto turned around. "Oh, shut up, Sasuke. I thought it fit the situation, dattebayo."

Sasuke sighed, shaking his head, muttering under his breath, "Idiot."

.

The retrieval team, as Master Kakashi was now calling them, made quick time, traveling as fast as they could without drawing too much attention. Blaster sounds echoed from around them, and as skilled as Master Jiraiya and Naruto were, Sasuke knew there was only so much they could do before they were overwhelmed by the Akatsuki's mass of droids.

"This is it," Kiba announced as they arrived at an ominous looking forest. The sun barely shone through, leaving Sasuke to squint into the darkness.

Kiba pushed aside some vines, revealing a dark, gaping opening leading into the ground. From where he was standing, Sasuke could hardly make out the outline of the opening, let alone see the hole in its entirety.

"Okay, let's get to work," Sasuke said, reaching out with the Force. He felt no disturbances, and looked to Master Kakashi, who nodded calmly, confirming Sasuke's evaluation.

"This is safe?" Master Kakashi asked, and Kiba nodded in confirmation.

"As safe as it'll ever be, yeah," said Kiba. "Provided you don't purposely go destroying it, obviously."

"Okay, Kiba and Shino will lead the way. Sasuke, take the front; I'll take rear."

Sasuke nodded obediently, following Kiba into the darkness. Each of the members carried a light stick, the glow illuminated the walls of the tunnel and casting eerie shadows about them.

The air was stale, and smelled strongly of dirt, but otherwise the tunnel was surprisingly clean.

Shino, noticing Sasuke's surprised expression, offered an explanation. "We make sure it's in good shape at all times. The royal families send out servants semi-annually to check up on them."

"Makes sense," Sasuke replied. They could have added some extra lights down here, though.

As if reading his thoughts, it was Kiba who answered this time, with a slight arrogant scoff. "The Inuzuka and Aburame clans don't need something so trivial like light to guide us through these tunnels."

"Not everyone has great smell like you and Akamaru," Shino said and Kiba scowled. Sometimes Sasuke wondered how those two had ended up as partners when they were so different from each other.

Not unlike you and Naruto, a voice in his head said, and Sasuke shook it away. That was different. They were both Jedi, so of course they would be working together often.

.

It took about fifteen minutes for them to finally arrive near the palace. Kiba had grown somber, speaking little as his eyes darted nervously about; Sasuke preferred him that way.

"They know we're here," Kiba whispered and Sasuke raised an eyebrow at him.

"Are you that scared to be back?"

Kiba shook his head. "You don't understand. My mother can be… impatient."

"So, not unlike you?" Master Kakashi commented wryly and Kiba spluttered.

"What? No! I'm not like that!"

"I would argue differently," a female voice spoke, and the troop of men turned towards the exit, where a woman was standing, with three identical dogs behind her, watching them. She was leaning against the wall, her hair tied messily into a ponytail. There were dark rings under her eyes, but she straightened and smiled as Kiba caught sight of her.

"Hana!" Kiba exclaimed, his eyes lighting up as he and Akamaru rushed forward.

Hana broke into a wide grin as she and Kiba embraced.

"It's been a long time, Kiba," Hana said.

"I know, I know," Kiba said. "I've been busy trying not to get caught and all that, ya know?"

Hana ruffled her younger brother's hair affectionately, and Sasuke was suddenly filled with a strong sense of longing, one he hadn't felt since his early days as a youngling at the Jedi Temple. Memories of his own older sibling surfaced in his mind—the way he'd smile as he stood in the sun, and poke Sasuke on the forehead, and say, maybe next time, Sasuke—and Sasuke forced it away. He had a mission to do right now. Besides, the man was dead. He'd been dead for years now.

.

Hana ushered them into the palace, and into the war room, where the chiefs of the Inuzuka and Aburame clans were joined at a table, planning strategy.

There was an older woman who resembled Hana and Kiba, and Sasuke assumed this was Kiba's mother, Chief Tsume of the Inuzuka clan.

Tsume looked up at the sounds of multiples pairs of feet marched in.

"What's the meaning of this—" Tsume's questioned died in her throat as she caught sight of the young man at the forefront.

"So, you're back," Tsume said, sounding tired. She relaxed. "Did you finally get caught and need me to bail you out of your predicament now?"

"I actually came to help you," Kiba muttered awkwardly.

Akamaru barked his agreement and Tsume smiled, her eyes softening. "I'm glad to see you two, either way."

She turned to the rest of the group. "And who might the rest of you be?"

"Hatake Kakashi," Master Kakashi said, stepping forward. "From the Jedi Council. And this is Uchiha Sasuke."

Sasuke nodded curtly. "We're here to help you out."

Tsume pursed her lips. "And how are you going to do that, when we ourselves haven't done so yet?"

As if on cue, Sasuke's Comlink beeped, and Sasuke answered it.

Naruto's loud voice rang through the room.

"Hey, Sasuke!" Naruto yelled and Sasuke winced as did the rest of the room. Tsume did not look the least impressed.

"What is it, Naruto?" Sasuke hissed.

"Master Jiraiya and I just got word from Sakura! She's on the ship and they're almost here. It'll take about half an hour more to get down here."

"Understood, Naruto," Master Kakashi said, gently but firmly removing the Comlink from Sasuke's grasp. "How are you and Master Jiraiya holding up?"

"Oh, we're fine, dattebayo!" Naruto said. "We're still finishing off these droids, but we'll be there at the promised time!"

"Okay, that's good," Master Kakashi said. "We'll be there in…"

The Jedi Master paused and looked to Kiba, who shrugged. "I'd say we can make it there in around half an hour if we hurry."

"Half an hour," Master Kakashi finished.

"Yeah, sure, we can do that! Right, Master Jiraiya?"

The distant voice of Master Jiraiya could be heard yelling at Naruto to shut off the Comlink and return to the fight. Master Kakashi handed the Comlink back to Sasuke and then faced the Inuzuka and Aburame's.

"That was the other two Jedi," Master Kakashi explained. "They'll be securing the exit while we'll be protecting you."

Tsume nodded. "Fair enough. I know Jedi are no slackers."

She barked out an order and the other people in the room filed out.

.

It took another ten minutes for everyone to be gathered and ready to leave. Like before, Kiba, Shino, and Sasuke led the way, with the Zetsu soldier Tobi coming along for extra assistance. The two numbered Zetsu soldiers were in the middle of the group, while Kakashi and the last Zetsu soldier, Kuro, stayed back at the palace to make sure everyone got out safely.

The group of Inuzuka and Aburame clan members who had been at the palace, consisting of only twenty-four members, walked on in silence.

"We're the last ones, right?" Hana asked. She and Shino's father, Chief Shibi of the Aburame clan, were with them at the front.

Sasuke nodded. "The rest of your clan were rescued weeks ago. The Akatsuki were more focused on attacking your families than the citizens."

"All Aburame and Inuzuka members are family," Shibi said.

Sasuke said nothing, focused on the road ahead.

.

Sasuke watched as the members reached the exit. He spoke into his Comlink, and Naruto confirmed he was already there.

"Let's hope you're in the right place," Sasuke muttered, knowing what an idiot Naruto could be.

"He'll be there," Master Kakashi said. "Naruto knows what he's doing. He's no longer the foolish Padawan from years ago."

"I know."

Master Kakashi gestured to Kiba and Shino. "I'll go up with you. Sasuke, you're on guard."

Sasuke nodded, placing his hand near the hilt of his lightsaber as he reached out with the Force once again, closing his eyes while doing so. No enemies had found them the entire time, but Sasuke wanted to make sure. It was always better to be safe than sorry.

Sasuke sensed the presence of the Inuzuka and Aburame members, and the two Zetsu soldiers by his side. Master Kakashi and the other two Zetsu soldiers were somewhere above, as were Naruto and Master Jiraiya. There were no enemies within range—

Without warning, smoke filled the room. Sasuke's eyes snapped open but he saw nothing, at least not with his eyes. All the Inuzuka and Aburame members had safely exited, leaving just him and the two Zetsu soldiers. Still, he sensed no enemies.

"What's going on?" the voice of Master Kakashi demanded, but no one offered a reply. "Sasuke? Sasuke, where are you? What's going on?"

Sasuke opened his mouth to reply, to say he was right there, but a hand clamped itself over his mouth. How had he not noticed a presence behind him?

Sasuke struggled but could not break free. His kidnapper dragged him away from the entrance and Sasuke continued to struggle. Somehow, he managed to wrestle the hands away from him, and he broke free, leaping backwards. His eyes narrowed at the man in front of him. There was someone lying on the ground near him, and with a shock, Sasuke recognized the still figure as one of the Zetsu soldiers. Where was the other one, then?

Sasuke unhooked his lightsaber, its blue light filling the dark of the cave. Before him stood one of the Zetsu soldiers.

"What—" Sasuke began to ask, but the Zetsu soldier pulled out his own lightsaber.

"I wouldn't fight if I were you," the soldier said, and dimly Sasuke remembered his name to be Tobi.

"Who are you, really?" Sasuke demanded. "How do you have that lightsaber?"

"I am Tobi," Tobi said. "You already knew that, though. Now, be a good boy, and put that lightsaber down. I have someone here who would like to speak with you."

Sasuke scowled, taking on a defensive position. "I'm not going anywhere with you."

"You won't have to."

From behind Tobi, a pale man emerged, his long hair covering his feminine features. It was a face anyone in the galaxies knew.

"Orochimaru," Sasuke growled. "I should have known it was you."

Orochimaru smiled at him. "Hello, Sasuke."

Sasuke stiffened. "How do you know who I am?"

"Everyone knows you, the Uchiha boy."

Sasuke raised his lightsaber. "I won't let you escape. You're under arrest."

Orochimaru laughed, a hollow sound that echoed through the tunnel.

"You can't defeat me, boy," Orochimaru said. "Now, let's be civilized. I just want to talk to you."

"There's nothing to talk about except the terms of your surrender," Sasuke said grimly.

Orochimaru reached into his robes and Sasuke tensed, ready for a confrontation, but the former Jedi merely produced a hologram.

"Wouldn't you like to know how the Uchiha died?" Orochimaru asked softly and Sasuke froze.

A cold dread gripped the young Jedi and he involuntarily took a step back. "What?"

"I know who is responsible," Orochimaru said and Sasuke forgot he was a Jedi, that he had a duty to preserve peace in the galaxy and to capture Orochimaru—he was a child once again, waking up to screams and the smell of blood and smoke.

"Aren't you curious to know?"

Slowly, Sasuke's lightsaber armed lowered of its own accord, his eyes transfixed on Orochimaru. "Who was it? Who killed them?"

Orochimaru's eyes trained on the young man in front of him, and Sasuke failed to notice the ill intent in those snake-like eyes of his. The wanted criminal smiled again and turned on the hologram.

The hologram lit up and a face presented itself. A man with a somewhat stern face, and long bangs that came up to his chin, and hair that extended beyond his shoulder.

Though there was no color, save for shades of blue and white, in the hologram image, and the face was older than he remembered, Sasuke knew he would recognize it anywhere.

It was the unmistakable face of his dead brother.