Chiba and Temari both nodded. They naturally felt that forming an alliance with Konoha had been the right decision.
At the very least, without Konoha's reinforcements this time, Gaara would undoubtedly have died.
With Sunagakure's strength, they would never have been able to rescue Gaara.
His death and the destruction of Sunagakure might even have led other ninja villages to attack Sunagakure, triggering a war across the Ninja World.
It was terrifying just to think about.
Earlier, Elder Chiyo had believed that she and Sunagakure's ninja still had a chance to save Gaara.
But after seeing the strength of those Akatsuki members, she no longer entertained such thoughts.
She was instead immensely grateful that they had allied with Konoha, and that Konoha had honored the agreement by sending Sakura and Sasuke.
Otherwise, they would never have been able to save Gaara from Akatsuki on their own.
Elder Chiyo had no confidence in defeating Sasori and Deidara even individually.
If those two joined forces, Elder Chiyo felt she would be defeated without question.
As for Temari and Chiba, they had always been Gaara's trusted subordinates.
They had always supported Gaara.
Temari, in particular, understood Konoha's power.
Afterward, they found Deidara, who was barely clinging to life.
Kakashi asked, "Should we kill him, or return him to Iwagakure?"
Deidara was a rogue ninja from Iwagakure.
He had even been the Third Tsuchikage's disciple.
Sasuke thought for a moment before saying, "Return him to Iwagakure."
Kakashi looked at Sasuke, wanting to know what he meant.
After Sasuke nodded, Kakashi understood.
It was a warning.
On the surface, it was a favor. In reality, it was a warning.
In recent years, due to reduced military funding, Iwagakure had secretly conducted many transactions with Akatsuki.
The Third Tsuchikage knew how powerful the Akatsuki members were.