Tsunade abruptly turned to look at Kakashi.
"Why did Lumen send everyone away?"
"To prevent the battle from affecting Konoha."
Kakashi said, "He used the Heavenly Transfer Technique to construct a teleportation array and sent everyone far away. The exact location cannot be confirmed, but the chakra fluctuations are still there."
Shikaku closed his eyes and focused for a moment.
There was indeed an extremely massive residue of chakra in the distance. Even from such a great distance, it could still be sensed.
One source was vast and heavy, brimming with astonishing vitality.
The other was condensed and sharp, carrying a suffocating pressure.
The two chakra sources had yet to truly clash, yet merely existing in the same place made Shikaku's chest tighten.
He opened his eyes and said solemnly, "I can sense them."
"They're far away, but the direction is clear."
Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately said, "We must get there."
"The First and Second Hokage must not remain under Orochimaru's control. If Lumen is defeated, Orochimaru may use the First Hokage's power to counterattack Konoha. If that happens, the village will face utter destruction."
Tsunade turned toward the distance, fury surging in her eyes.
She was worried that Lumen was overestimating himself, yet she also wanted nothing more than to drag Orochimaru back and break every bone in his body.
"Shikaku, organize the villagers' evacuation and have the Sealing Unit stand by."
"Sensei, let's go."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded.
The two set off at once, racing toward the lingering chakra fluctuations in the distance.
At the same time, blinding lightning exploded above the Valley of the End.
Several figures were forcibly hurled from a subspace tunnel enveloped in lightning.
Kakuzu was the first to crash into the ground.
Boom!
His body blasted a deep crater into the hard rock, and dense