Aoba and Asuma's expressions changed at the same time. They turned to look and saw a figure clad in Sunagakure attire appear beside the sealing array in an instant. With a wave of her hand, a massive wave of sand erupted and blocked Aoba's Splitting Void.
Boom—!
Splitting Void collided with the wave of sand, producing a deafening explosion. The shockwave spread outward, snapping the surrounding trees in half at the waist as wood chips and sand flew through the air.
Aoba was blasted backward repeatedly by the shockwave, a trace of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth. He raised his head and stared warily at the figure before him. "Who are you? Another Sunagakure ninja?" The figure slowly turned around, revealing a cold, stern face. A Sunagakure forehead protector was engraved across her brow, and her blade-sharp gaze locked firmly onto Aoba and Asuma. "I am a Jonin of Sunagakure, Lord Kazekage's direct guard, and Sasori of the Red Sands' subordinate—Kurotsuchi."
"Sasori of the Red Sands' subordinate?"
Asuma's expression shifted slightly, his tone grave. "Sasori of the Red Sands? The ninja who defected from Sunagakure and joined the Akatsuki? You're still in contact with him?"
Kurotsuchi sneered and raised her hand, undoing the restraints and sealing array on the Sunagakure Elite Jonin. Disdain colored her voice. "Defected? Lord Sasori merely grew tired of Sunagakure's hypocrisy. Compared to Sunagakure, only the Akatsuki can truly allow Lord Sasori's art to shine."
The freed Sunagakure Elite Jonin staggered back several steps, gasping for breath. Looking at Kurotsuchi, he said respectfully, "Lady Kurotsuchi, thank you for saving me."
"Useless trash!"
Kurotsuchi cast him a cold glance, her voice full of displeasure. "You couldn't even handle two Konoha brats and needed me to intervene personally. You've disgraced Sunagakure—and disgraced Lord Sasori."
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