Path Not Taken 58

Azula

I have a new mission for you and your partner Tayuya, my dear protege.

Azula

It seems Akatsuki has captured your friend, Gaara. Such a shame, really.

Uzumaki Naruto

They took Gaara? When? How?

Uzumaki Naruto

(After all this time undercover... one of the few people who understood my pain...)

Tayuya

Don't get your panties in a twist, idiot. We'll get your friend back.

Tayuya

I've been itching for a real fight. Those Akatsuki bastards should provide some entertainment.

Uzumaki Naruto

Tell me everything you know about their location. We need to move fast.

Uzumaki Naruto

(Six months left until my mission deadline to eliminate Azula... but Gaara comes first.)

Azula

My intelligence network has tracked them to the Land of Rivers. They're extracting the Tailed Beast as we speak.

Azula

This will be an excellent test of your... development under my tutelage.

Tayuya

Are we going or what? Every second we waste, that redhead gets closer to death.

Tayuya

Besides, I don't do well with these formal briefings. Makes my skin crawl.

Uzumaki Naruto

We'll leave immediately. Thank you for the information... Lady Azula.

Uzumaki Naruto

(Her smile... she's treating this like a game. Just like everything else.)

Azula

Do make me proud, Naruto. You're becoming more like me every day.

Azula

(I wonder how much longer before he tries to kill me... I simply can't wait to see just how much of myself I've created in him.)