A Raid on the Enemy's Home!

Sasuke let out a sigh of relief.

He had been worried that if he temporarily turned down the Sage of the Dao Path's offer, the other man might lose his temper and attack him and Konoha.

The Shell Organization and Jigen alone were enough to bring Konoha to its knees.

Add an enemy on par with the Sage of Six Paths, and Konoha might as well give up.

That was why he had politely asked for time to think before giving an answer. It seemed even the once-arrogant Uchiha Sasuke had learned how to handle people.

Fortunately, the Sage was gentle and magnanimous.

He hadn't taken offense at Sasuke's wariness, and had readily agreed to let him try to deal with the threat first.

Sasuke's instincts also told him that the Sage didn't seem to have any ill intentions.

Otherwise, Sasuke wouldn't have dared to tentatively turn him down.

"Knock, knock!"

The sudden sound at the door made Sasuke jump.

"Sakura, are you in there?" Shikamaru's voice came from outside the hospital room.

Sasuke looked at the door, then at Natsu Yuu, about to ask whether the Sage was willing to meet some of his Konoha comrades.

But in the blink of an eye, he suddenly realized—

The Sage of the Dao Path had vanished!

He had disappeared in an instant, without warning or a trace of his presence—not even the slightest ripple in space...

Faster than the Flying Thunder God! More inconspicuous than Sasuke's Body Switch Technique!

It was downright terrifying!

After his initial shock, Sasuke quickly pushed aside his thoughts and answered the person outside.

"Is that you, Shikamaru?"

"I'm here. Come in."

Hearing Sasuke's voice, Shikamaru immediately pushed the door open, his face lighting up.

"Sasuke, you're awake?"

"Huh? What happened to Sakura?"

Sasuke replied without changing