Life was a play, and acting was everything

A quiet Valley, though it was midday, was still shrouded in thick fog.

A thick fog, like a mysterious veil, draped over the Valley, adding a layer of hazy beauty.

Kakashi, with his silver hair, stood with his arms crossed on a high slope, watching the Ibiki's Squad leap across the Mountain Stream and run rapidly towards them from not far away.

Before long, the four Ibiki's Squad passed through the Anbu Guard's defenses and entered the Valley.

"Kakashi..." Ibiki had just opened his mouth when Kakashi waved his hand.

Kakashi gestured for everyone not to speak yet, "Come with me first."

At the same time, a squad of Anbu Ninja darted out from behind Kakashi, seemingly on another mission.

Ibiki and Asuma followed Kakashi away, heading deeper into the Valley.

Tōka wisely chose to stay where he was, standing with Kai, secretly observing the Konoha Ninja hidden in the shadows around them.

"No less than thirty people, eight squads?" After a rough assessment, a glint of light flashed in Tōka's eyes, and he immediately withdrew his sensing Jutsu Formula.

Including Ibiki's four-man team, a total of nearly forty people were deployed?

Why did Konoha send so many people to the Land of Earth?

Was it really just to find out about the Two-Tails Jinchūriki?

Just as Tōka was frowning in thought, Kai, who was standing not far away, approached.

"Tōka, what are you looking at?" Kai followed Tōka's gaze and asked with a puzzled expression.

"It's nothing, let's rest for a while." Tōka covered her mouth and yawned, then turned and walked to sit down next to a tall Rock.

Seeing Tōka close her eyes and begin to rest, Kai swallowed back the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

Deep in the Valley, Ibiki and Asuma arrived at a secluded spot with Kakashi.

Strangely, the area was shrouded in a thick fog, and in the middle of the desolate mountains and wilderness, there was a square wooden house.

There are many layers of Anbu) personnel guarding the area around Konoha, so even a small insect cannot get close.

Kakashi, Ibiki, Asuma sat cross-legged in Square Table.

"Do you really think the disappearance of the Two-Tails Jinchūriki wasn't something the Cloud Ninja did, but rather something related to the Akatsuki Organization?"

As the Anbu Captain, Kakashi knew a lot of information.

This includes Jiraiya, who was searching for Orochimaru's whereabouts, and the news he received about a Mercenary organization called Akatsuki.

Now, after leaving Konoha, Itachi Uchiha has also joined that organization.

Konoha's attention was also drawn to the mysterious Akatsuki.

"It's just speculation; we haven't actually seen the Two-Tails Jinchūriki." Asuma lit a cigarette, took a drag, and slowly exhaled a smoke ring before speaking.

"Although it's speculation, it's pretty close to the truth," Ibiki added.

Kakashi crossed one arm and pinched his chin with the other, looking deep in thought as an idea popped into his head.

Since Akatsuki Organization is a Mercenary organization, is it possible that they were hired by Kumogakure)?

Kakashi, who was deep in thought, suddenly paused, a look of realization crossing his face. He asked in a deep voice, "What about Tōka? Did he gain anything from this trip?"

Ibiki and Asuma were both meticulous, steady, and good at keeping secrets.

Therefore, Kakashi only told Ibiki and Asuma about testing Tōka, but he didn't tell Guy at all.

Upon hearing this, Ibiki and Asuma exchanged a glance.

After organizing his thoughts, Asuma truthfully stated, "Those two were very strong. If Tōka hadn't intervened, we might not have been able to win."

"So..." Kakashi pressed.

"We don't think Tōka is a spy sent by another country," Ibiki said solemnly.

Although Ibiki usually has a serious, expressionless face, Kakashi could see the seriousness in his eyes this time.

"This matter, once spoken by you, has entered my ears; let it end here." Kakashi wrote the compiled information into Scroll, then set up Sealing Technique.

Seeing this, Ibiki and Asuma also stood up.

Kakashi gave a coded hand signal, and immediately a dark figure darted out. "Yamato, you'll be temporarily assigned to Asuma's squad. Go with them to deliver the intelligence Scroll back."

Kakashi handed over the Scroll, and the Anbu Ninja took it.

When Yamato heard Kakashi call him by his first name, Yamato knew that he was no longer carrying out the mission as Anbu Ninja.

Yamato and removed his mask, revealing a square face.

"So that's why there's a wooden house in this Desolate Valley. It's you here." Asuma patted Yamato on the shoulder and laughed.

As members of the Hokage's direct Anbu, Yamato and Asuma had obviously interacted before.

"You sent them back with the intelligence?" Ibiki knew he had been left behind; the Hokage probably had another mission.

"Asuma, the investigation into the Two-Tails Jinchūriki has yielded results, understand?" Kakashi didn't answer Ibiki, but turned to Asuma and said.

After a slight pause, Asuma nodded solemnly, "Understood."

Kakashi had his reasons for keeping Ibiki, the leader of the Konoha Torture and Interrogation Force, and Asuma's wisdom lay in not questioning him.

Even as the son of the Hokage, Asuma adhered to his duty.

On the border of the Land of Earth, Kakuzu and Hidan, both dressed in black robes, strode across the desolate mountains.

Night fell, and darkness descended.

The two showed no intention of stopping to rest, walking briskly with their heads down and hardly saying a word.

Call out!

Suddenly, a chilling aura filled the air, and a glint of silver light flashed in the darkness, the sharp weapon carrying a hint of bone-chilling cold.

Clang!

With Hidan speed, Hidan raised his Blood Scythe, and a crisp clang rang out as the scythe deflected the weapon.

"Who's there? Show yourself!" Kakuzu shouted coldly, his eyes narrowed like a demon's.

"Hehehe, don't be so nervous!" With a lighthearted laugh, a Pitcher Plant emerged from the ground not far away.

Swish!

At the same time, two slender figures landed one after the other directly in front of the path.

"Black Zetsu? You're here to meet us?" Hidan grinned, the Earth Grudge Fear covering his body appearing particularly ferocious and terrifying at that moment.

"I suppose so," Black Zetsu said ambiguously, glancing furtively at the two people standing not far away.

You look terrible! Did you run into someone?

The seemingly casual question was actually a ploy to elicit information from Kakuzu and Hidan.

Hidan is bloodthirsty and murderous, but he has little cunning and is carefree all day long. He does things entirely by brute force.

Upon hearing Black Zetsu's words, Hidan immediately shouted angrily, "Hmph, they're just a few worms from Konoha. Let me rest for a bit..."

"Hidan, shut up!" Before Hidan could spout any more nonsense, Kakuzu coldly snorted and cut him off.

Hidan frowned, glanced at Kakuzu, and gestured with his Kakuzu, but ultimately didn't say anything more.

Kakuzu remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he became wary, feeling a sense of unease for some reason.

This feeling is mysterious and inexplicable, but it is precisely this ominous premonition that allows Kakuzu to escape death many times.

"Black Zetsu, do you have a new mission here?" Kakuzu asked in a deep voice.

"A mission... can also be understood as a mission." Black Zetsu gave a strange smile, his body seemingly without substance, slowly sinking back into the earth.

Buzz!

A scorching wave of air suddenly surged out, and the girl with Red Clouds on a Black Background clasped her hands together in a mudra, as chakra frantically gathered.

"Scorch Release - Over-Steam Kill!"

Pakura let out a low shout, and several fireballs resembling small suns floated around her, unlike ordinary Fire Release: Fireball Technique.

Scorch Release: Over-Steam Kill is Kekkei Genkai capable of evaporating all the moisture from an opponent's body in a single strike.

While seemingly unrelated, the caster can actually manipulate the technique secretly and combine it with Taijutsu attacks. Condensing the Scorch Release into a fireball is just one application of it.

Years ago, even though Pakura's strength was only that of Jonin, she was able to fight against Kage-level.

The current Pakura is no longer the girl who fled in panic back then.

Kakuzu can be considered a veteran member of the Akatsuki Organization, and he watched Pakura grow up. Pakura naturally knows the Kakuzu of the Scorch Release very well!

"Water Release · Water Wall!"

Splash!

Kakuzu quickly Hand Seals, and a continuous curtain of water exuded a cool sensation, seemingly effectively isolating the scorching heat wave.

Hidan was still somewhat dazed, his blank expression suggesting he was pondering why the Ice and Fire Duo, Pakura, had attacked them.

Just then, a loud shout rang in Hidan's ears; it was Kakuzu's voice.

"Idiot, get out of here!"

Even without Kakuzu's reminder, Hidan sensed danger from the heat before him. Although he was immortal, he was not invulnerable to blades, spears, water, or fire!

Being cut by a knife will cause bleeding, and being burned by fire will cause pain.

Hidan lowered his body and gathered his strength, his chakra converging on his legs. With a bang, he was propelled backward.

Several fireballs formed from Scorch Release rushed into the water curtain, instantly drying out the foot-thick Water Wall.

Then they continued their advance towards Kakuzu and Hidan, who had retreated rapidly.

"Hmph!" Kakuzu, having created Kakuzu distance, snorted disdainfully, slamming his hands onto the ground as his chakra surged wildly into the earth.

Rumble!

Suddenly, the ground shook violently, and rocks flew everywhere.

The earth began to tremble and shake, and everyone immediately gathered their chakra into the soles of their feet, gripping the ground firmly like suction cups.

Click!

Suddenly, the ground in front of Kakuzu and Hidan cracked open, revealing a crack as thick as an arm that spread out to both sides.

Click click click...

The cracks grew larger and deeper.

"Earth Release ·Rock Burst!"

A solid Rock suddenly sprang out from beneath Kakuzu and Hidan, lifting their bodies several feet into the air.

At that moment, the scorching fireball was right in front of them, disappearing into the Rock.

After one exchange, it seemed that the two sides had fought to a draw, but in reality, Kakuzu and Hidan fought a series of battles and sealed the Two-Tails without sleep for several days.

Neither of them were in good condition, and they were naturally at a disadvantage when faced with Pakura's sudden attack.

"Pakura, what do you mean?" Kakuzu's icy gaze fell on Pakura's face, a chilling glint in his eyes.

Hidan, meanwhile, gripped his Blood Scythe, watching warily at another girl—Haku—who wore Red Cloud Black Cloak.

Normally, Kakuzu wouldn't have paid any attention to Pakura and Shiro, who were behind him.

Hidan, with his carefree attitude and self-important demeanor, didn't care about the Ice and Fire Duo.

But things are different now...

The fireball dissipated, but a chilling heat lingered in the air, and sweat beaded on the foreheads of both Kakuzu and Hidan.

The heat was so intense it felt like it was steaming them alive.

"White, let's finish this quickly!" Pakura did not answer Kakuzu's question, nor did he give the other party a chance to speak again.

Bai remained silent, but raised her slender, jade-like hands.

Her slender fingers pressed several marks, and a cluster of snow-white ice flowers swirled around her.

Call!

A gust of Cold Wind swept by, and the mountains, shrouded in heat, instantly rippled with layers of snow crystals, making the already dark night sky appear as if it were shrouded in dark clouds.

A cold front appeared, and snowflakes the size of rice grains began to fall from the sky.

"What the hell is going on?" Hidan had only been a member of Akatsuki for a short time and had only heard a general idea about Pakura and Haku's abilities.

One possesses the Scorch Release Kekkei Genkai, while the other possesses the Ice Release Kekkei Genkai.

Kakuzu, however, was different; he knew all too well how difficult the two men would be to deal with...

Neither the Scorch Release nor the Ice Release is easy to deal with!

Hidden in the shadows, Black Zetsu coldly observed and recorded everything.

"The Immortal Duo were quite good pieces, but unfortunately..." Black Zetsu murmured, a look of regret on his face, "You chose Nagato."

Little did they know, Nagato was nothing more than a small pawn.

Now, in order to allow Tōka to successfully infiltrate Konoha and put the Third Hokage at ease, you have all died a worthy death.

Black Zetsu sneered and became even more careful to conceal his aura.

"Kakuzu, we can't let her complete this technique!" Hidan suppressed his usual arrogance and stared at Haku with a solemn expression.

He could feel the ice crystals condensing in the air, the cold seeping into his bones with the wind.

Kakuzu silent with a tense expression. He could clearly see that most of his chakra had been wasted, and this technique was definitely not to be underestimated.

But with Pakura protecting him, and since he wasn't at his peak...

Most importantly...

Bai's technique is likely already complete.

"Kakuzu, say something!" Just as Hidan was angrily shouting, a clear and charming voice seemed to come from afar.

But her pearly white teeth parted slightly...

"Frost Sky Hundred Flowers Burial!"

As the snowflakes danced in the air, they surged wildly toward Kakuzu and Hidan, following the movement of Shiro's slender fingers.

The cold air seemed capable of freezing the heavens and the earth, and solidifying time.

Click click click...

A layer of visible ice crystals appeared on the rocky ground, and the ice threads floated into the air, as if trying to connect the sky and the earth into one line.

And Kakuzu and Hidan happened to be in this very place!

The swirling snowflakes landed on their hair and shoulders, instantly blooming and transforming into delicate and beautiful ice flowers.

In the blink of an eye, a huge cluster of flowers, formed from countless ice flowers, bloomed, freezing Kakuzu and Hidan within it.

Lifelike...