The Animal Path's foot pressed down on a stone slab, but the sensing tag buried beneath it did not activate.
Pain continued forward.
The Asura Path walked between two empty houses, the cannon ports on his shoulders swiveling back and forth.
Shikaku stared at the six points of light on the Array Disc.
"The Preta Path has twenty more steps to go."
"Wait."
"The Deva Path stopped outside the trap zone."
"Then give him a reason to move forward."
Sasuke brought up the false communications frequency left behind by the evacuation team.
"Play the recording of the third defense line requesting support. Set the location to the central square."
Yamada Naoto finished the adjustments.
An intermittent cry for help came from the street corner.
"The enemy has breached the western district. Please reinforce the central square. Repeat, please reinforce the central square."
The Asura Path turned toward the source of the sound.
The Deva Path also crossed the boundary of the trap zone.
Seeing the sixth point of light enter the area, Shikaku lowered his index finger onto the detonation Array Disc.
But an Intelligence Shinobi burst through the door of High Command.
"Emergency request for aid from Sunagakure! The One-Tail Jinchuriki, Gaara, was attacked and has been taken away by the Akatsuki!"
Tsunade walked over to the communications station.
"When was the message sent?"
"Four hours ago. Sunagakure's Messenger Hawk was attacked en route. The backup channel only just connected."
"What about the attackers' identities?"
"One used exploding clay, the other used puppets. Both wore Akatsuki cloaks. Sunagakure believes they were Sasori of the Red Sands and Deidara."
The water mirror connected to Sunagakure's channel.
The image kept shaking. Bloodstained bandages were wrapped around Kankuro's shoulder, and behind him stood the bombed-out Kazekage Building.
"Sasuke, they took Gaara."
"Is