Disadvantage

"I personally bear no ill will toward Lord Kazekage, but my allies are quite eager to gather enough tailed beasts. I'm also very satisfied with what the new leader of Akatsuki has offered, so it's simply a matter of everyone getting what they need!"

Kabuto Yakushi wore a dark robe, not Akatsuki's black cloak with red clouds, nor was he acting in a two-man team, so he probably had not joined Akatsuki.

Yet openly attacking the Fifth Kazekage—Gaara, who was also the One-Tail Jinchuriki—should have brought Kabuto Yakushi no benefit at all.

Other than the Five Great Shinobi Villages, the only force with both the strength and motive to target a Jinchuriki was the ill-intentioned Akatsuki.

However, previous intelligence indicated that although Orochimaru had once been a member of Akatsuki, he had long since left that rogue ninja organization.

Moreover, he had fallen out with its members and clashed with them on several occasions.

Who would have thought that after Orochimaru's death, Kabuto Yakushi would become involved with that organization and even directly attack the One-Tail Jinchuriki—Gaara?

"It seems that both Sunagakure and I have been underestimated."

Gaara's deep, slightly magnetic young voice carried a trace of displeasure.

"You think you can handle me alone?"

"Who knows? But at least you got one thing wrong—I'm not alone!"

As he spoke, Kabuto Yakushi controlled Deidara's reanimated body, waving his hand and scattering a vast flock of twin-winged birds made from Explosive Clay. They swept toward Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro like a sky-covering swarm.

"There's no point wasting more breath. My allies are already getting impatient."

Akatsuki's desire for tailed beasts was obvious. With every additional portion of tailed beast chakra, the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path's power rose dramatically. As one side grew while the other weakened, the impact on