Naruto 469

Page 1:
Bee: I'mma kill you right where you stand,
I'm the headliner, you're the opening band!
Get ready to rumble, beeotch,
my rhymes are-

SFX: skrsh

Sub: Ponta!

Title: Sakura's confession!

Kisame: You've certainly got an...interesting way with words, Jinchuuriki.
Let me take care of this bizzare beasts, first.

Page 2:
SFX: Thud

Ao: Doesn't look like Danzou set THIS trap...
Must've been that other Akatsuki member...

Better get moving...

Fuu: They're like chakraless plant spores that attach to a host
and feed off its chakra, like a parasite.
Torune: No wonder you couldn't detect it...

Anyway...
what about our OTHER pursuer?

Page 3:
Fuu: He's still tailing us...
That eye will be a huge gain if we can trap him.
Torune: Your traps are unique, it will work.

Danzou: Alive or dead, I don't care. Just make sure the eye stays undamaged.
Fuu: Yes sir!

...I'll need you to take care of my body in a minute, Torune.

SFX: Tak

SFX: slip
Seal: Curse

Page 4:
SFX: Grab

SFX: whizz

SFX: thock

Ao: A booby trap...
THIS one's Danzou's.
SFX: tak tak

SFX: shhhh

Page 5:
SFX: Twitch

Fuu: Gotcha.

Ao: What's happening? Why can I see my own body?!

Fuu: The "Cursed Mind-Swap Marionette" technique
is the full name.

Ao: Shit!
A mind-body switch variation where attacking the doll activates the technique?!

Page 6:
SFX: Tap

Torune: What do we do now, sir?
Danzou: My next move hinges on the manner of Fuu's return.

Tsuchi: Well, your beloved Danzou's flown the coop,
so we still need to decide who will lead the joint shinobi force!

Who among the remaining Kages is suited for the job?
I recall you had some choice words about the four of us earlier, Mifune.

Page 7:
Mifune: I believe Raikage-dono is the best suited for the job.

Tsuchi: Wasn't he too hot-headed and prone to rely on force?

Mifune: We know for a fact that the Eight-Tails is alive.
I believe that will help Raikage-dono keep a more level head.
I spoke prematurely, and I ask for your forgiveness.

We simply weren't ready to form a plan before.
But now we are all united in our goals.
And finally...the Eight-Tails will be a key player, and Raikage-dono is the only one who can exercise control over him.

Tsuchi: Mizukage, Kazekage, do you agree with him?

Mizu: There's no more time for debate.
I will trust Raikage-sama.

Gaara: So will I.

Raikage: ..."Pillar of the Hidden Stone Village."
You're the only one here who's ever fought Madara...we'll need your knowledge.

Page 8:
Raikage: Join us!

Tsuchi: Always barking out orders regardless of whether or not you're in charge...you never change.

Raikage: I don't care if you don't trust me, but if things stay the same, the world as we know it ends.
We have to check our personal issues at the door and work together!

Tsuchi: ...I suppose it beats losing this war.
Our feud won't mean much if the world collapses.
You can count on me.

Page 9:
Tsuchi: The joint shinobi army is formed!
We'd better inform all the Daimyous!

NAruto: WHA-

I...Sakura-chan...
WHAT did you say?
I must have something in my ears...
Say that again...

Page 10:
Sakura: Naruto...
I said I've fallen in love with you!

That Sasuke-kun's means nothing to me now.
That I don't know WHY I ever liked him...
I'm confessing how I feel about you, the least you could do is listen!

Page 11:
Naruto: But...why?
Why now?

If this is some kind of joke, it's NOT funny,
Sakura-chan...

I mean...what happened?

Sakura: Nothing in particular.
...I finally opened my eyes.
How can I love a rogue ninja, a traitor and a criminal?
I'm not a child anymore...I'm see things as they really are.

Page 12:
Sakura: You can forget all about that stupid promise now...
Why don't you and I forget all about chasing after Sasuke-kun?

Yamato: What are you trying-
SFX: swip

Sakura: I'll tell Naruto myself...
Plese don't say anything about this to him.

Keep this a secret, everyone...for me.
Also...

Naruto: ...Seriously, what happened Sakura-chan?
This is all coming out of nowhere-

Page 13:
Sakura: I told you, nothing!
I've got plenty of reasons to love you...

Sakura: I only want YOUR acknowledgement, Sasuke-kun!
I...I really mean it!

Sasuke-kuuuuun!
Sasuke-kun Sasuke-kun!!
UHHAAAAAA-

Naruto...this is the biggest thing I'll ever ask of you...
Bring...Bring Sasuke-kun back...

Next time, I'll be with you!

Sasuke...kun...

Page 14:
SFX: twitch
SFX: step

Kakashi: Sakura...you're...

Page 15:
Sakura: Sasuke-kun only gets further and further away...
But you've always been there for me, Naruto.
Supporting me...

I finally see you
for who you really are.

You're a hero, the savior of the village...everyone back home loves you now, too.
I'm just one among many.

Bit by bit, you've grown from a prankster and a slacker to a strong, dependable man.
And I've seen it happen right before my eyes.

But Sasuke-kun's just compounded his crimes...he broke my heart.
He's become a completely different person, one who exists far away from us.

But you're here, Naruto...I can hold you.
I feel safe with you.
I mean it...from the bottom of my heart, I l-

Page 16:
Naruto: Cut it out, Sakura-chan...
I told you, this isn't funny.

Page 17:
Sakura: Why're you getting angry?
I just moved on from Sasuke-kun to you.
Girls can be fickle, you know?

SFX: Pat

Naruto: I hate people who lie to themselves!

Text: Within the blanket of snow...