In the arena below, after Satsuki instantly dealt with all the summoned giant snakes using Sharingan genjutsu, she quickly joined up with Kakashi and Guy to face the elite Sound Ninja blocking their path.
The battle was almost completely one-sided. Kakashi's kunai flashed through the crowd, while Guy became a green whirlwind, alternating between the Konoha Whirlwind and Strong Gale Whirlwind, sending the Sound Ninja flying like punching bags with his powerful taijutsu.
Satsuki's Three Tomoe Sharingan allowed her to easily see through every attack trajectory. The kunai in her hand and her precise Fire Release always struck after yet arrived first, forcing her enemies into desperate straits. The three of them worked in perfect coordination, tearing the Sound Ninja's defensive line to pieces in moments.
Yet Satsuki's gaze kept anxiously drifting toward the direction in which Naruto had vanished with Gaara. By now, the other Konoha ninja had also sprung into action. Some fiercely battled the invading Sound Ninja, while others began evacuating the panicked spectators in an orderly manner.
"Satsuki, focus on the task in front of you and protect yourself!" Kakashi reminded her gravely during a pause after knocking back a Sound Ninja. "This is already an A-rank combat mission. Don't worry. That brat from Sunagakure is no match for Naruto."
"But!" Satsuki knocked aside an incoming kunai, the worry in her eyes undiminished.
"Trust him." Kakashi's voice carried unquestionable certainty. "He is the finest ninja I have seen since Konoha was founded. The only people in whom I have ever felt talent and potential on this level were the Hokage of every generation."
"...Mm!" Satsuki nodded hard, temporarily suppressing the restlessness in her heart.
Yet trust was trust, and the uncontrollable worry still gripped her heart tightly. She made up her mind that she had to