After hearing Oto's words, Zou Hyuga fell silent.
My scent changed? Could she mean Shukaku's chakra?
It was impossible to absorb that chakra without being affected. He could only marvel at how sharp Oto's senses were.
After eating their rice balls, the squad continued fighting along the way, passing through the Rōran oasis, where they encountered a Sand Ninja Squad that had come to investigate.
They approached and asked, only to learn that the Sand Ninja Squad was searching for the One-Tail, Shukaku.
According to the residents of Rōran, a huge battle had taken place at the factory outside the oasis, reducing it to ruins.
The Sand Ninja Squad had found traces of chakra left behind by Shukaku in the ruins and was preparing to report back to the Kazekage. It was easy to predict that this place would draw the Fourth Kazekage's attention for some time to come.
The Konoha Squad also lingered in the ruins for a while. Shisui frowned and asked bluntly, "Zou Hyuga, could the One-Tail have been captured by the Akatsuki?"
Other than members of the Akatsuki, Shisui could think of no one in the Land of Wind who could fight the One-Tail at this point.
Zou Hyuga rested his chin on one hand and said, "I don't know, but it's very likely."
Beside them, Oto Uchiha gave Zou Hyuga a few extra glances. She still had much to learn from his ability to lie through his teeth.
Shisui sighed softly at that. He had thought only the Five Great Nations had the strength to capture tailed beasts, yet the Akatsuki had suddenly appeared. Not only did its ranks include missing-nin from their village, but its strength also rivaled the shinobi villages of the Five Great Nations.
Without their support this time, their ally Sunagakure