"My younger brother is in your hands!"
Kankuro gritted his teeth against the pain as Temari carefully helped him to his feet. Then he bowed deeply to the people of Konoha.
Seeing this, Naruto grinned. "Haha, let's just say the future Hokage of Konoha is doing you Kazekage a favor! Don't worry. We'll definitely bring Gaara back."
At that moment, Temari, who had been silent until then, stepped forward and looked at Chiyo, who was ready to depart. "Granny, how about letting me come with you?"
Chiyo only smiled and waved a hand reassuringly. "Child, there's no need to worry about this old woman. It's better if I go myself. Don't underestimate me just because I'm old—these bones are still in good shape!"
As she spoke, Sasori's face flashed across her mind. He was the grandson she had once cherished, and the one she now had no choice but to face.
Then, as if she had just thought of something amusing, Chiyo smiled again and said with a touch of teasing, "Besides, I can't wait to give that mischievous grandson of mine a good scolding!"
Even so, everyone present could hear the complicated emotions behind her words.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the border, Kakashi's Ninja Dog, Pakkun, used his keen sense of smell and excellent tracking skills to catch up with Might Guy and the group he was leading.
After carefully sniffing and analyzing the trail, Pakkun found that the scent left behind by the Akatsuki members led to the Land of Rivers, which lay between the two countries. And the team closest to the Land of Rivers was undoubtedly Guy's.
Without hesitation, Guy ordered his team to race toward the place where the Akatsuki might be hiding.
But as they ran at full speed, hearts pounding with