Sasuke Uchiha storms in!

Inside the cave at First Line Gorge.

The phantom dragon extracted the last trace of brilliant crimson and returned to the statue's mouth. The statue fell silent once more.

Gaara fell to the ground. As a jinchūriki who had lost his tailed beast, he no longer showed any signs of life.

Kisame Hoshigaki said, "Whew, that really was a massive undertaking. Still, our Tailed Beast Hunting Plan is off to a pretty good start!"

Rumble! Pain's projection cast a jutsu, and the statue sank underground.

"Next up is Kumogakure's Two-Tails."

His gaze shifted toward the ring fingers on the statue's left and right hands. "Itachi, Kisame... it's your turn to move out!" he said gravely.

Itachi remained silent.

Kisame said, "My, my... we don't get a moment's rest, do we?"

"I'll await your good news. Zetsu will head to First Line Gorge to dispose of the jinchūriki's corpse. Suigetsu, Jugo, wait here until Zetsu arrives, then you may leave!"

After the orders were given, the Akatsuki members' projections disappeared one after another.

Suigetsu and Jugo stretched their tired, stiff limbs.

Looking at Gaara's body, Suigetsu said wistfully, "I feel bad for the poor kid, but at least we've finally secured a place for ourselves in the Akatsuki!"

Outside First Line Gorge.

Sasuke's group of three and Baki's group of three were racing toward the cave!

Karin confirmed with her sensory ability, "I've located Suigetsu's and Jugo's chakra. They're inside that cave!"

With his back to them, Sasuke asked grimly, "Only... those two?"

Karin said, "Yeah, as far as living signatures go... that's right."

Baki's gaze darkened.

Kankuro snapped, "Hey, redheaded woman, what do you mean by that? Are you saying Gaara's already dead? You'd better take responsibility for what you're saying!"

Karin said irritably, "I'm only reporting what I sensed. If you don't like it, you can check for yourself!"

Kankuro said, "You..."

Sasuke cut him off coldly. "All of you, shut up."

Feeling the chilling menace radiating from Sasuke's back, Baki and the siblings fell silent.

Temari wondered in surprise, He... is he angry because Gaara's in danger? What's going on? They aren't close, are they? If anything, they have a personal grudge, don't they?

Bzzzt!

They reached the cave entrance.

Six-pointed stars lit up in Sasuke's eyes. A Susanoo arm rose beside him and drove a heavy punch forward!

Boom...!!!!

The cave entrance, sealed by an enormous boulder, shattered beneath the punch!

Baki and the siblings gasped in shock. "What... what kind of technique is that?!"

Whoosh!

Sasuke landed, his Susanoo faded, and the Kusanagi Sword slid from its sheath. He burst into the hideout like a thunderbolt!

"Hey... that doesn't sound like Zetsu!"

Hearing the strange noise, Suigetsu immediately drew his sword and readied himself. Beside him, Jugo released his cursed seal to face the intruder!

Whoosh...!!!

The sound of rushing air drew closer.

Suigetsu cried urgently, "So fast...!!!"

Whoosh! After charging inside, Sasuke caught sight of two familiar figures!

Trees sprouted from his left arm and lashed toward them without warning. Both hurriedly pulled back!

Sasuke murmured, "Sharingan? So Obito tampered with you."

Shing! Shing! Susanoo chakra flared at the tips of the branches, forming skeletal hands that seized the two in an iron grip!

Sasuke's gaze darkened. "You two really never make things easy!"

Trapped in Susanoo's palm, Suigetsu struggled in vain. He tried to escape with the Hydrification Technique... only for lightning to suddenly spring from the palm, paralyzing him and preventing him from turning into water!

"What's with this guy? This makes no sense at all!"

"But now that I'm here, I won't let things spiral any further out of control. For now, you two can behave yourselves and get some sleep!"

With that, Sasuke directed his piercing gaze at Jugo's and Suigetsu's "Sharingan"!

Neither had any chance to resist. They both lost consciousness and fell into a deep sleep.

Entering the cave, Baki and the siblings were utterly stunned to see Sasuke subdue, with barely any effort, the two Akatsuki members who had driven Gaara into a hopeless situation!

But Gaara's safety mattered more!

"Gaara...!!"

Temari and Kankuro rushed to Gaara together. They lifted him up, only to find him utterly unresponsive. Only then did they realize... Karin had told the truth!

Baki sighed mournfully. "Were we too late...?"

"Those two bastards! I'll kill them!"

Kankuro's eyes blazed with fury. He rose, intent on killing Suigetsu and Jugo.

Sasuke said, "I have some history with these two. You can't touch them..."

Kankuro roared, "Are you here to help us or them?!"

Baki barked, "Kankuro, hold your tongue!"

"Teacher Baki...?!"

Baki's gaze was heavy with grief. "This was the ordeal Gaara was destined to suffer, and the burden we in Sunagakure were destined to bear. If not for the villagers' indifference, those two could never have taken Gaara from the village in the first place. Recovering his body so he can rest in his homeland is already... a small mercy amid this tragedy!"

Temari and Kankuro looked stricken. For the first time in their lives, they truly understood what it meant to face a reality they could do nothing about!

As everyone sank into grief, the White Zetsu Clone sent to dispose of Gaara poked his head out of the cave wall. He was horrified to see the people gathered around Gaara.

"Damn it... why are these people here? Even Orochimaru and Sasuke Uchiha are here! No, I can't stay. I have to report this to Tobi immediately!"

Just as he was about to withdraw, Orochimaru glanced over from the corner of his eye, a faint smile curling his lips. Whoosh! A snake hand shot from his sleeve, coiled around the clone, and dragged him out of the wall.

White Zetsu flailed. "L-let me go... how did you detect me?!"

Great Serpent Maru smiled. “I mastered the method for sensing you products of the Infinite Tsukuyomi many years ago. Of course, I now also have a way to sever the telepathic link between your clones...”

Crunch!

The snake hand's fangs sank into White Zetsu's neck.

Secret Technique: Yin-Yang Severance Cursed Seal!

White Zetsu paled in horror. "Damn it... I can't sense the other clones, and I can't communicate with them telepathically! Our connection is maintained by the Outer Path Demonic Statue. How could he Dan it on his own?!"

The snake hand dragged White Zetsu in front of Orochimaru. With a somber gaze, Orochimaru looked at Sasuke. "Sasuke-kun, there's nothing else we can do. We'll have to settle for the next best option. At least there will still be a chance later..."

With his back to him, Sasuke replied grimly, "Yeah. Sorry for the trouble..."

With practiced ease, Orochimaru laid out the ritual, placing the dead Gaara and the newly captured White Zetsu in their respective positions.

Baki asked in alarm, "This jutsu... could it be the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu invented by the Second Hokage?!"

Great Serpent Maru began forming hand seals, his long hair stirring without any wind.

Sasuke quietly clenched his hand. Naruto, I'm sorry. I've done everything I could for Gaara. If you blame me in the future, I'll accept it...

"Wait..."

Whoosh!

Just then, a pitch-black vortex descended!