In a valley in the Land of Rain, the four Akatsuki members tasked with killing Yusuke stood in a solemn circle, as if discussing something of the utmost importance.
"Let's begin," Kakuzu said gravely.
A gleam flashed in all four pairs of eyes as they raised their arms at once. Sasori raised Hiruko's mechanical arm.
"Rock, paper, scissors!"
Hidan looked at the three open hands in front of him, then at his own clenched fist. "Hey, hey, you guys didn't rig this, did you?"
Sasori said flatly, "Quit whining and carry the body."
"Just my luck. Should I have worshipped the God of Gambling instead of Lord Jashin?"
"No, no, Lord Jashin, I repent. Please forgive my disrespect."
Hidan grumbled under his breath, his face full of resentment.
As Hidan hoisted Yusuke's body onto his back, its dangling arm fell right in front of Hiruko, which was hunched over beside him.
Through Hiruko, Sasori noticed the corpse's smooth, unblemished hands.
"Something's wrong. This isn't the target's body!" Sasori cried, as if he had just realized something.
The instant Sasori finished speaking, a cold voice rang out from above the valley.
"Fire Release: Majestic Destroyer Flame!"
A blazing torrent of fire suddenly poured down from above the valley. Its range was enormous, far surpassing the Great Fireball Technique. It engulfed the four Akatsuki members and the entire area around them.
Faced with the overwhelming Fire Release Ninjutsu, Biwa Juzo of Kirigakure immediately used Water Release to defend himself.
"Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!"
The valley lay within the Land of Rain, where the surrounding air was saturated with moisture. A steady drizzle was falling from the sky as well, making the conditions ideal for Water Release Ninjutsu.
Under these conditions, Biwa Juzo, who was already skilled in Water Release, unleashed a