Scorching

As Sasuke Uchiha spoke, he flung out Chidori Senbon, and several screams rang out from within the dense fog.

"There's more than just one Kakuzu. Lady Mizukage, be careful!"

"That works too."

Mei Terumi nodded.

"Be careful. If possible, capture them alive—don't kill them casually. If the enemy flees, don't pursue recklessly. Protecting the daimyo is what matters..."

The number of formidable figures feared throughout the Shinobi World was growing. In past shinobi wars, those renowned experts could at most influence the course of a war. Now, however, one person challenging an entire nation was no longer a fantasy.

In the past, even the Kage of the Five Great Shinobi Villages would not have dared attempt such a feat lightly. Yet now, the disparity in power between shinobi seemed to be growing ever wider.

The heat waves around them had yet to completely subside, but as the mist spread, tiny particles of dust churned up by turbulent air currents floated through the air. Not only did this worsen visibility, it also kept getting sand into their eyes. Without special training, simply keeping one's eyes open in such an environment was difficult.

With their plan settled, Sasuke Uchiha stimulated his body with Lightning-nature chakra, drastically enhancing his speed and reflexes. He charged into the mist at top speed, heading toward where he remembered Kakuzu to be.

After ordering her subordinates to heighten their vigilance, Mei Terumi watched the direction Sasuke Uchiha had vanished in and sighed.

"Don't die, kid. It'd be a shame to waste such a handsome face!"

Although she could sense that Sasuke Uchiha was powerful, the fact that he had replaced Hatake Kakashi in the mission to protect the Land of Fire's daimyo meant that his strength had naturally been acknowledged by the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade. The other