Several of Iwagakure's higher-ups found it hard to believe. "Second Pillar was already that strong. How could there possibly be someone even stronger?"
Yet an image surfaced in the Third Tsuchikage's mind.
Back when they had gone to Konoha to negotiate, they had encountered that man on their way back.
Madara Uchiha—that was a deeply etched memory the Third Tsuchikage could never forget.
Deidara said, "Second Pillar is indeed powerful, but his woman is incredibly powerful too."
Deidara revealed another piece of information.
"Second Pillar's woman?"
No one had expected another such figure to be by Second Pillar's side.
Deidara said, "That's right. There is also a pink-haired woman beside Second Pillar. She should be the disciple of Tsunade-hime, one of Konoha's Sannin."
"She is about the same age as Second Pillar, also sixteen."
"But in Sunagakure, she alone defeated me, Sasori of the Red Sands from Sunagakure, Kisame Hoshigaki from Kirigakure, and Kakuzu from Takigakure with nothing but terrifying taijutsu. And it was a crushing victory."
"None of the four of us could withstand a single punch from her."
"Her taijutsu wasn't her only strength. Her ninjutsu was also extremely powerful."
"Her strength has definitely surpassed Kage-level."
The Third Tsuchikage frowned.
He had assumed Deidara had been defeated by Sasuke.
He had never expected him to be defeated by a woman—a woman only sixteen years old, at that.
"What is her name?"
Deidara thought for a moment before saying, "Second Pillar calls her Sakura. I think that's her name."
Several of Konoha's higher-ups were stunned. "We've never heard that name before."
At that moment, a ninja from Iwagakure's medical department said, "Haruno Sakura? I know a little about her. She is currently the director of Konoha Hospital."
The people around him were all dumbfounded. "A little girl of only