"Where's the third chakra signature?"
Sasuke's sword tip never left Hidan's neck, but his left hand had already risen, and the Image Recording Array Disc on the logging site's outer perimeter immediately turned.
Yamada Naoto gripped the Array Disc's frame, sweat beading on his forehead. "North side of the perimeter. The chakra is intermittent, unlike a human ninja's. It's retreating!"
The veins around Hiashi's Byakugan deepened as his gaze pierced the canopy. "White, spore-like chakra, moving along the bark. It matches the traces left at the Orphanage last time."
The lightning in Kakashi's palm brightened. "White Zetsu?"
Kakuzu's expression grew even uglier at those two words.
Guy still had Hidan by the shoulders, and Hidan bellowed curses. "Kakuzu, your Akatsuki brought a spectator too? Tell him to get in here and join the sacrifice!"
Black threads spilled from Kakuzu's back, but his first reaction was not to save Hidan. It was to cut off whatever information that chakra on the perimeter might carry away.
Sasuke did not even look toward White Zetsu. He merely pressed his sword a little harder against the side of Hidan's neck. "Hyuga, outer three rings. Don't capture him. Get clear images of his face and chakra form, then let him go."
Neji immediately turned. "Let him go?"
Sasuke straightened his collar, his tone mocking. "Let him go back and tell whoever's behind him that Konoha has opened a case against the Akatsuki."
The corner of Kakashi's eye twitched. "You even counted the spectator as part of the chain of evidence?"
Sasuke looked at Kakuzu. "The eyes they sent can prove for us that the Akatsuki knew."
Wariness suppressed the greed in Kakuzu's eyes. "Brat, you're dirtier than those old foxes at the Bounty Exchange."
Sasuke finally looked at him. "Compliment accepted. Testimony accepted too."
"Testimony,