Kakashi stared at the figure before him, clad in a Red Cloud Robe and wearing a Crimson-Gold Mask, his heart filled with wariness and concern.
The fact that this enemy had appeared here proved one thing: like Guy, Shisui had failed to stop the Akatsuki and had vanished without a trace. Anyone capable of defeating the Mangekyō Sharingan head-on had to possess strength far beyond Kakashi's reach.
Moreover, his arrival had drastically changed the situation.
Judging by what had just happened, as long as his core remained intact, Sasori of the Red Sands could be revived and become a formidable threat once more.
Chiyo also frowned deeply, watching the newly arrived Akatsuki member with a grave expression.
Zou Hyuga's arrival had completely disrupted her plans. She had wanted to spare her grandson's life, let him repent, and make him a powerful asset to their side. Now, however, she felt a quiet pang of regret for not acting sooner.
After leisurely putting away Sasori's core, Zou Hyuga turned his gaze toward the ninja edging closer around him.
Zou Hyuga certainly would not let a master puppeteer like Sasori die so easily. He had to extract every last scrap of knowledge from his mind first.
As he quietly pondered this, the surrounding ninja attacked in unison. Even the most basic ninjutsu made for quite a spectacle when used in sufficient numbers.
Yet Zou Hyuga merely waved his hand, and the incoming ninjutsu vanished without causing so much as a ripple.
Seeing this, Kakashi shouted to the surrounding Sand Ninja, "He has Dark Release! Ninjutsu won't work. We have to use physical attacks!"
Hearing Kakashi's warning, the Sand Ninja changed tactics, drawing melee weapons and bringing out the puppets they carried before launching another attack.
This isn't Dark Release! Zou Hyuga thought as