Amid whistling gusts that tore through the air, three figures darted swiftly through the forest. With just a light tap of their feet, they could leap more than ten meters with ease, clearly revealing them to be formidable shinobi of considerable strength.
Boom...
Just then, an explosion cut off the trio's path.
As the smoke from the blast gradually dispersed, two figures clad in Akatsuki's red-cloud robes appeared before them. These two uninvited guests were none other than Kakuzu and Hidan of Akatsuki's Immortal Duo, the latter carrying the Bloody Triple-Bladed Scythe.
Clang...
Hidan viciously smashed the Bloody Triple-Bladed Scythe in his hand into the ground and grinned. "Mizukage, you really weren't easy to find!"
There was no doubt that the three intercepted by Kakuzu and Hidan were the Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura, who had just left Konoha, along with his personal guards, Mei Terumi and Ao.
Knowing that Akatsuki would launch an attack on Konoha soon, Karatachi Yagura, as the Three-Tails' Jinchuriki, had not remained in Konoha for long. Instead, as before, he had left Konoha to avoid being caught in Akatsuki's net.
At that moment, Ao, standing beside Karatachi Yagura, said, "No wonder I kept feeling someone was watching us. So it was you!"
Hidan licked his lips. "This time, I'm going to find out what the Mizukage's blood tastes like!"
Kakuzu said coldly, "Enough nonsense. Move!"
Hidan said no more. With a strange laugh, he swung the Bloody Triple-Bladed Scythe and charged at Karatachi Yagura's group. At the same time, Kakuzu tore off his red-cloud robe, and the four masks on his back detached simultaneously, unleashing ninjutsu of different attributes.
Rumble...
In an instant, unceasing explosions rang out through the forest!
In the distance.
Obito stood quietly atop the crown of a massive tree, arms folded as