Whoosh—!
Uchiha Shingen darted through a dense forest. Before he could catch his breath, he sensed that shadowy figure still pursuing him like a ghost.
He could only take off again, racing into the distance.
"Tch—!"
"Sure enough, he wasn't that easy to shake off!"
Feeling the killing intent at his back, Uchiha Shingen's expression darkened further.
He had originally thought that, after relying on his speed to ditch those two burdens, he would be able to escape easily.
But now, it seemed he had still underestimated Sasori's strength.
As expected of someone capable of killing the Third Kazekage, his strength far exceeded expectations.
"There's still no movement from Kakashi's side. Things probably aren't going smoothly over there either. This is getting troublesome."
"Don't tell me I'm going to wipe out here. That would be one hell of a joke!"
Uchiha Shingen frowned slightly. Just as he considered how to break the deadlock, several familiar figures appeared within the perception of his Sharingan.
"This is..."
Uchiha Shingen's eyes lit up.
"There's no reason for me to carry such a huge burden alone. You're so strong—if you don't take the blame, that'd just be unreasonable!"
Several kilometers away.
A bloody slaughter was nearing its end.
Slash—!
Zabuza swung his blade, beheading the last Genin wearing a Takigakure forehead protector.
Looking at the fallen corpse, he casually shook the blood from his blade and said,
"So Takigakure is only capable of this much? It truly doesn't even inspire the desire to fight."
"Heh heh heh..."
Kisame's deep, raspy voice rang out.
With his arms folded over his chest, he stood to one side and watched the scene before him with amusement, as though enjoying a farce.
Even Mei Terumi, who was determined to change Kirigakure, showed no unusual reaction.
That was