The four Konoha Chunin on lookout duty immediately formed hand seals to call for help, their fingers rapidly tapping out coded signals to relay news of the Akatsuki intrusion back to the village.
But they were still too slow.
Two figures in black robes patterned with red clouds stood in the middle of the path, their presence cold and their malice undisguised.
Hidan carried the Triple-Bladed Scythe over his shoulder, not taking the Konoha Ninja before him seriously at all. His tone was lazy and casual.
"A bunch of small fry. Don't waste your time."
Before his words had faded, he lunged forward in a blur, not even bothering with unnecessary ninjutsu.
These Chunin spent their days patrolling the outskirts. They were strong enough for ordinary missions, but against full-fledged members of the Akatsuki, they were nowhere near the same level.
They hastily formed hand seals and scrambled to defend themselves, while Hidan and Kakuzu used nothing more than basic taijutsu.
Several dull thuds rang out in the space of a few seconds.
Every patrol ninja fell to the ground, unable to fight.
The entire encounter was brutally efficient. After dealing with everyone, Hidan casually shook his scythe, looking completely unbothered.
"Too weak. What a waste of time."
He turned toward Kakuzu, who stood silently beside him. Full of questions, he could not resist complaining.
"Hey, Kakuzu, isn't the leader being way too cautious?"
"With both of us here, why not just charge straight into Konoha and check things out? What's the point of sneaking around the edge of this lousy little town to test the waters?"
Hidan had always been arrogant. Relying on his immortal body, he feared neither combat nor injury.
To him, the supposedly powerful fighters of the Five Great Shinobi Villages could all be killed, crippled,