"Akatsuki?"
Xia Yan looked at the black cloaks patterned with red clouds. Even without seeing their faces, he knew exactly who these people were.
Still, Xia Yan was somewhat puzzled. He had certainly had some warm, friendly exchanges with members of the Akatsuki.
For instance, he had stolen a kill from Kakuzu, then another from Sasori, and finally cut off Obito's hand.
But he had never revealed his true identity. Even now, after sneaking over to Rōran, he had never said who he was.
So he really could not understand why these Akatsuki members had blocked their path.
"Who are they?" Sara had noticed Xia Yan's reaction long ago. She looked toward the Akatsuki members as well. "People from Sunagakure?"
"No." Xia Yan shook his head, but soon thought of something. "All I can say is that I'm not certain. I don't even know whether they count as enemies."
"What should we do, then? Go around them?" Sara asked quietly. No matter how she looked at those people in the distance, they seemed dangerous.
"You should go around them and keep moving. I'll take a look." Xia Yan thought for a moment before continuing, "Prepare for the worst. If I fight them, run as far ahead as you can and stay out of range. Understand?"
Sara nodded solemnly at his words, then quickly turned and ran back to the main group.
Xia Yan walked straight toward the Akatsuki members. He was curious himself about just who these people would turn out to be.
Having already clashed with the Akatsuki, he naturally did not mind another conflict with them, especially since their conflicts would only escalate in the future.
But as he drew closer, Xia Yan's brows furrowed deeply.
The people he had encountered really were familiar faces. Three Akatsuki members