"No!!"
As Asuma Sarutobi reached out, helpless and despairing-
A massive blade, carrying an enormous amount of water release chakra, shot forth like a surging water dragon and crashed down in front of Kurenai Yuhi.
Hissss~
Water release collided with fire release, producing a huge cloud of steam that spread through the surrounding area.
"What's going on?"
Asuma's pupils contracted.
He couldn't understand. Was there another water release ninja this powerful in the village?
"Water mist?"
"Someone from Kirigakure?"
Seeing the fire release extinguished while the mist lingered, Kakuzu looked puzzled.
Kirigakure was on an island out at sea.
As a rule, its people never attended major events.
Unless it was the Five Kage Summit or something else of great importance.
In that case...
Who exactly had saved Kurenai Yuhi?
"Motherfucker, why the hell are you targeting me?!"
Hidan's eyes twitched. He grabbed his scythe and held it across his chest.
An instant later, the Kubikiribōchō came crashing down.
Clang!!
Metal clashed, sending sparks flying.
The force traveled through the scythe, making Hidan's hands tremble and sending him flying backward.
Hidan was still in midair.
Before he knew it, the surrounding mist condensed into countless ice spikes that shot at him in a relentless barrage.
Thud, thud, thud~
In just a few seconds-
Hidan had been turned into a sieve.
"Wind Release: Great Windstorm!!"
Kakuzu formed hand seals with both hands.
The wind release mask monster of Earth Grudge Fear unleashed a swirling vortex of wind from its mouth.
It blew away all the surrounding mist.
Two mysterious figures in white, wearing silver-white masks, were revealed.
"Is that Kirigakure's Kubikiribōchō?"
Kakuzu recognized the massive sword resting on Zabuza's shoulder at a glance.
"Ptooey, ptooey, ptooey!!"
"Why are you Kirigakure bastards meddling in Konoha's affairs? Aren't you sticking your noses a