Baki walked in with a grave expression, an intelligence report in his hand.
"Lord Kazekage, Akatsuki has accepted Iwagakure's mission to destroy our Solar-Powered Seawater Desalination Device."
Pakura frowned as she took the report. After reading it, she gave a cold snort. "Their organization is on the verge of falling apart, and they still want to make an example of the Hidden Sand Village."
Just then, the door flew open with a bang!
An ANBU operative rushed in with an urgent report. "Lord Kazekage, Deidara has blown up our desalination device at Gourd Mouth."
Pakura slammed her palm onto the desk and shot to her feet.
Shock darkened her face. "Already?"
She picked up the report, read it, then glanced at Chiyo.
Chiyo seemed to sense what was troubling her. She stepped over to read it, her brow furrowing.
"Sasori came too?"
Pakura shook her head. "He hasn't made a move. We can't be sure."
"No!"
Chiyo cut her off at once. "He's here."
"For the past few years, Sasori and Deidara have always carried out Akatsuki's missions together."
"And knowing Sasori, he would definitely come."
Pakura glanced at Chiyo, looking as though she wanted to say something.
She had always wondered why Sasori of the Red Sands had defected from the Hidden Sand Village.
After all, the better she understood an enemy, the easier it would be to find his weaknesses.
Unfortunately, Elder Chiyo had never spoken about it, in public or in private.
So Pakura had never brought herself to ask.
She closed her eyes for a moment, cleared her head, then read the report again carefully.
"How nice. He thinks he can do whatever he wants just because he can fly."
"If they dare come here, we'll have to give them a proper welcome."
Chiyo gazed at