The Rogue Ninja Squad Called Akatsuki Bursts onto the Scene

"They're coming! Ahaha! I'm going in first!"

A figure with a wild gleam in his eyes charged straight at Sunagakure's force of several thousand ninja, laughing with bloodthirsty delight.

"Does Jūzō Biwa always go this crazy when he sees something he can cut? No wonder he's a ninja from Kirigakure's Bloody Mist. He really does love killing."

"But it's time I started hunting valuable prey."

Kakuzu strode out alone with a cold smile, heading straight for the thousands of ninja. There was no trace of fear on his face. His green eyes, like ghostly flames, blazed with killing intent fierce enough to frighten anyone who met them for even an instant.

"It's been years. I'll send a few puppets ahead to say hello. I hope Granny Chiyo won't be too surprised."

Sasori of the Red Sands made his move too, sending five puppets flying out at once. They looked hastily made, with signs of rough workmanship in their materials. He was probably only announcing his presence, letting everyone know a puppeteer was here.

Sure enough, the moment Chiyo saw five puppets flying toward her, surprise spread across her deeply lined face. A puppeteer skilled enough to control five at once would rank among Sunagakure's Elite Jonin.

But Sunagakure had not had a single rogue ninja in years. The village was already dirt poor and had little money to train ninja. Every one of them was a precious resource whose name was recorded in the village archives.

A puppeteer who could control multiple puppets would never betray the village, whatever their standing.

"A puppeteer? I never expected the Land of Rain to have someone like that. They've trained a puppeteer every bit as good as ours."

"No. The Land of Rain didn't train them. Their clothing looks like that of the