On the other side, Chiyo and the others had returned.
Dozens of figures emerged one after another from the shadows of an earthen wall at the mouth of an alley. They landed in an open area thirty paces from Shukaku, treading lightly for fear of startling the One-Tail.
Chiyo stood at the front, her gaze fixed on the motionless Shukaku. Doubt and unease gnawed at her, deepening the wrinkles on her face.
She studied the Tailed Beast's eyes, which still glowed Kurenai. The Sharingan's Eye Power was still at work. The beast remained under the enemy's control.
She could not help muttering, "Pakura is useless. She didn't even make that brat deal with the One-Tail first. Once he dies, we'll be in trouble too!"
Ebizo stood just behind her, also watching Shukaku. He lowered his voice.
"Pakura sacrificed herself for the village. Don't be too hard on her."
"Maybe Uchiha Yongye did it deliberately. He killed Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo in public. He's not just incredibly strong—he's clever too."
Chiyo gave a cold snort. Her mouth turned down, and resentment sharpened her voice.
"No matter how strong or clever he is, my deadly poison will kill him!"
"How dare he run wild in front of me? He has a death wish!"
"Spread out and get ready. The moment that brat dies, we move according to plan!"
No one argued. The dozens of figures dispersed around Shukaku, crouching in the shadows of earthen walls or at the edges of low rooftops. Their eyes never left the enormous Sand Shell.
Time crawled by amid the windblown Sand.
Shukaku did not move. He might have been asleep.
Chiyo and the others kept watch, fully alert. Every moment dragged, but they did not dare attack early. Startling Uchiha Yongye could ruin Pakura's assassination plan.