Extracting the Tailed Beast! The Interception Team Sent by the Akatsuki
Kankuro's condition stabilized.
The Konoha and Sunagakure factions sat down to discuss the matter of bringing Gaara back.
Inside the meeting room, Kakashi said, "I've released the Ninja Dogs to track Gaara's scent; I believe they'll send back news soon."
However, shortly after Kakashi finished speaking, Pakkun, the talking Ninja Dog, sent back a message.
Kakashi looked horrified and explained, "Pakkun said that the Akatsuki took Gaara to the Land of Rivers."
"However, the exact location has not yet been found."
Might Guy immediately stood up and said excitedly, "In that case, let's not delay and get started!"
"I will go with you. Sasori of the Red Sands is my grandson. I will personally bring him back to Sunagakure!"
Chiyo immediately got up as well.
I'll go too.
Gaara's safety Temari said, standing up.
Opposite the Konoha Ninja, the Sunagakure's high-ranking officials exchanged bewildered glances...
One hour later.
Outside Sunagakure.
In the vast desert.
The Ninjas who set out to hunt down Gaara have assembled.
These are Might Guy and Team Kakashi from Konoha, and Granny Chiyo from Sunagakure...
Naruto asked, annoyed, "We're supposed to be helping Sunagakure retrieve the Kazekage, so why did they only send an old woman...?"
Even the usually taciturn Sai was speechless, saying, "I don't understand what the higher-ups in Sunagakure are thinking."
"Temari wanted to set off with us, but the Sunagakure leadership kept her there with a fabricated reason—border defense..."
Kakashi looked troubled. "Perhaps the Sunagakure has limited personnel available right now."
Chiyo, seeing the Konoha members talking loudly, explained, "It's probably the village's higher-ups who don't want to repeat the mistakes of the Third Kazekage."
"Back then, the Third Kazekage of Sunagakure mysteriously disappeared, prompting the village to dispatch a large number of its main forces to search for him. This left the village vulnerable, allowing Ninjas from other countries to take advantage of the situation..."
Shinki touched his lower arm and began to analyze.
"It might be more than that; perhaps Sunagakure doesn't even value Gaara as the Kazekage..."
" In his Gaara struggled to control the Tailed Beast within him, resulting in a violent and bloodthirsty personality, making him feared and avoided by everyone in Sunagakure."
"Although they've toned it down somewhat, they're still a ticking time bomb for Sunagakure."
"Perhaps his disappearance isn't a bad thing for Sunagakure..."
After listening to Shinki's words, Chiyo nodded, acknowledging Shinki's point of view.
Suddenly, Tiantian stretched out his hand, pointed at a giant pile of sand outside the city wall of Shayin Village, and asked doubtfully, "What is that pile of sand used for? (꒪⌓꒪)?"
Chiyo explained, "Temari said that the Akatsuki attacked Sunagakure used Explosive Clay."
"Gaara used sand to form a barrier, blocking a bomb powerful enough to destroy Sunagakure, which exposed his weakness, allowing Gaara to be severely injured and taken away..."
"That pile of sand must be the part that Gaara used to create a barrier and moved above the village..."
"It's said that Gaara was severely injured in the explosion when he removed the sand... This child has grown into a responsible Ninja."
In the end, Chiyo sighed.
It's not just a pity for Gaara, but also a disappointment in the Sunagakure leadership.
Shinki: "Gaara is protecting the village so much, yet Sunagakure won't even send a single search and rescue Ninja. How heartless..."
Ahead, Might Guy urged, "What are you all dawdling about? Youth isn't for wasting, let's get going!"
And so, the group of nine embarked on their journey to the Land of Rivers.
Just as the group approached the Land of Rivers, a plant resembling Zetsu emerged from the ground, watching their figures from afar...
In a cave in the Land of Rivers.
Inside the cave is a strangely shaped stone statue with nine eyes.
The stone statue's mouth was open, and strands of pure Tailed Beast Chakra were being drawn into it...
Opposite the stone statue, Gaara's body floated in mid-air, the One-Tail being gradually peeled away from his body...
A Jinchūriki loses their Tailed Beast is certain to die.
On the other side, inside the cave, there is a huge stone statue shaped like two hands.
A giant stone hand opens upwards.
On the nine fingers, a fluorescent glow appeared, revealing black characters.
The characters are as follows:
Zero, Green, White, Vermilion, Pig (or 'Black'), Jade, Three, South, North
At this moment, a person stands on each of the lit fingers.
Of course, only the fingers representing "jade" and "blue" have Deidara and Sasori standing on them; the rest are all projections.
"There should have been ten people, but because that traitor Orochimaru took 'Void's' ring, we're now one short," Sasori said.
"I'll kill that traitor sooner or later."
The person standing on the first finger of the 'zero' sign said.
If someone pays close attention, they will notice that this person's eyes are very peculiar, resembling spirals...
"Boi" said, "The Ninjas from Konoha are almost inside the Land of Rivers."
The person standing on the platform codenamed 'Zero' appears to be the Leader of the Akatsuki. He says, "The extraction of the Tailed Beasts will still take some time. Who will stop these troublesome Ninjas?"
Kisame's phantom, carrying the Samehada, stood on the character "South" and said, "It seems that Konoha Beast is involved this time. Should I go? I'm quite interested in that guy."
Uchiha Itachi, who was standing on the word 'Zhu', said, "Kisame-san, not only Metkai is here this time, but also the red-haired boy..."
Upon hearing this, Kisame fell silent.
Three years ago, he and Itachi-san went to Konoha to capture the Nine-Tails, where they encountered that brat who used Wood Release.
If he hadn't run fast, he might already be locked up in Konoha's prison...
Codename 'Three' said, "Hey! Is that Red-haired Brat really as powerful as the rumors say? I don't believe it! I'm going to go see for myself!"
The codename "North" said, "Hidan, the Shapeshifting Technique cannot replicate your immortality. Without that ability, how long can you hold out?"
Hidan remained silent. "This..."
Zero said, "Is that kid really as mysterious as you all describe? It's a pity it's not the right time yet, otherwise I really want to go and meet him myself."
The Akatsuki members discussed for a while longer.
Finally, it was decided to use the Shapeshifting Technique to send the four people to intercept them.
It's important to know that the Akatsuki always operated in pairs.
The fact that they deployed four people at once to fight a small-scale battle shows their respect for the unpredictable factor of Shinki.
The border of the Land of Rivers.
The group of nine from Shinki stopped in their tracks.
Two Akatsuki members, dressed in black cloaks adorned with auspicious Cloak, blocked their way.
Shinki asked Kakashi beside him, "Kakashi-sensei, do you know these two people...?"
Kakashi shook his head. "I don't know him."
"However, although they are not as famous as Uchiha Itachi, every member of the Akatsuki organization deserves our attention; we must not be careless!"
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