Takigakure had no idea that an even greater disaster was about to descend upon them.
Compared to the chaos engulfing the entire ninja world, their lives were like a secluded paradise, the envy of all.
With no ninja attacks and no habit of going out to cause trouble, they lived like hermits. But such a life depended on the will of the strong. If the strong allowed you to keep living, you could remain safely in the village. But if they did not, all it took was a casual command for the village to vanish into ashes in an instant.
Clearly, once Uchiha Yū set his sights on Takigakure, their disaster was inevitable.
Takigakure lay north of the Land of Fire. To reach this region from the Land of Lightning, Uchiha Yū did not travel overland.
The movements of Dawn Hidden Village's upper ranks would draw the attention of many. Traveling by land risked exposure, so Uchiha Yū chose the sea route and hurried to this small country.
"Kakuzu, are you sure you didn't lead us to the wrong place? How could there possibly be a village here?"
Sasori hid inside Hiruko. After witnessing Uchiha Yū's powerful body, he had not rashly abandoned his own flesh and blood. Still, to protect his fragile body, he had crafted a sturdy shell. Even an A-rank ninjutsu would have difficulty breaking the puppet around him unless it possessed exceptional penetrating power.
"Are you questioning my memory, boy?"
The two were decades apart in age. Kakuzu remained wary of these ninjas who had joined with ulterior motives. Even after so much time, Sasori still held little standing in his eyes.
His gaze settled on the waterfall before them, and reminiscence filled Kakuzu's eyes. He had walked out from behind this waterfall. He had thought