Arrival

On the East Coast of the Land of Fire, heavy storm clouds hung low on the horizon, as though they were about to crush this entire stretch of sea.

Gale-force winds whipped up waves several meters high, which smashed violently against the reefs with deafening roars.

"Quick! Get Sasori to higher ground!"

Terumi Mei wiped the rainwater and mud from her face, her voice nearly hoarse against the howling wind.

As she gave orders, her hands rapidly formed seals. "Lava Release: Dissolving Monster Technique!"

A mass of orange acid shot forth, attempting to stop the colossal monster rampaging ahead. Yet when the acid struck the creature's translucent skin, it merely produced a faint wisp of white smoke before quickly being diluted and sliding away, unable to leave even a proper wound.

"Damn it! This monster's resistance is absurd!" Terumi Mei gritted her teeth, a deep sense of helplessness rising within her.

Behind her, Shizune knelt behind a patch of barely level rock, her hands glowing with gentle green Chakra as she desperately administered emergency treatment to a red-haired youth.

"Senior Sasori! Hold on!" Fine beads of sweat covered Shizune's forehead.

Just minutes ago, in order to cover everyone's retreat, Sasori had controlled a puppet equipped with a light Electromagnetic Cannon—since he had just left the Police Force and had not had time to bring any other powerful puppets—to attack the monster that had suddenly emerged from the deep sea.

However, those electromagnetic beams not only failed to pierce the monster's defenses, but seemed to have enraged it instead.

The creature merely swung one of its tentacles, instantly slicing Sasori's puppet into scrap metal. The terrifying shockwave then sent Sasori flying, severely damaging his internal organs and knocking him unconscious on the spot.

"Shizune, take little brother Sasori into the Barrier!"