A Chance Encounter

Guren's room was right next to the street. Guren sat by the window, watching people come and go on the street below, racking her brains about how to deal with Uzumaki Hane's Kekkei Genkai. If she couldn't solve this problem, she wouldn't be able to catch Uzumaki Hane at all.

Guren pondered for a long time but had no clue. She muttered, "It seems I still need to search for more information about Uzumaki Hane to make a better response. Hmm..." Just then, two ninjas wearing black trench coats and straw hats walked down the street. The trench coats were embroidered with red clouds. Guren had seen this kind of outfit at Orochimaru's place before, and later learned that it was the clothing of the Akatsuki that Lord Orochimaru had joined.

Guren found it strange that the Akatsuki members were here. Realizing that her mission had found a breakthrough, Guren decided to secretly observe them.

Deidara and Sasori of the Red Sand walked down the street, their strange attire naturally attracting the curiosity of many. However, the villagers, knowing that curiosity killed the cat, didn't delve into it. The two began asking those around them for directions to the Shrine Maiden's Palace and some information about Uzumaki Hane, unaware that someone was watching them. It was Guren, secretly following behind them. Seeing them ask about Uzumaki Hane, she thought to herself, "Could this person also be here to deal with Uzumaki Hane?"

After asking some questions, the two left the town and headed towards the palace, with Guren secretly following behind.

Guren carefully concealed her presence, remaining hidden behind them. The three walked and stopped intermittently until they reached a forest. Suddenly, as Guren cautiously crept forward, a white spider landed on her. Guren looked at the spider in confusion, wondering, "What is this?" She had never seen such a spider before. At the same time, a terrible sense of crisis rose within Guren, a feeling lingering from years of life-and-death battles.

Guren thought to herself, "Have I been discovered?" Without hesitation, Guren emitted shimmering crystal particles from her body, instantly crystallizing the spider.

At this moment, several more spiders fell from the tree. Guren realized that she had been exposed. Although she didn't know what these spiders were for, Guren trusted her instincts. She flashed and jumped down from the tree trunk. With a few loud bangs, the white spiders exploded, destroying the entire tree and scattering wood fragments everywhere.

Guren narrowly avoided the explosion. Although she was not injured, she looked quite disheveled.

Suddenly, a figure appeared in front of Guren; it was Deidara. Deidara looked at Guren and said, "Hey, who are you?"

Guren asked, "What is your relationship with Uzumaki Hane?"

Sasori of the Red Sand walked slowly up behind them. Deidara said, "Uzumaki Hane, we're just here to capture him."

Then he looked at Sasori of the Red Sand and said, "Brother Sasori, leave this guy to me. I want him to see the art of the explosion, hmm."

Guren's expression turned extremely solemn. She formed hand Hand Seals and unleashed the "Crystal Release: Jade Crystal Blade." Guren right arm was surrounded by red crystal particles, which then transformed into a blue crescent-shaped crystal blade, swiftly slashing towards Deidara's neck.

Deidara leaned back, dodging Guren's blade. His right hand went into the pouch at his waist, and a mouth opened above his palm as he began to devour the clay inside.

Several small white birds then appeared in his hand and flew towards the Guren. At the same time, his body retreated continuously.

Deidara looked at the clay bird he had created with great satisfaction and said, "Brother Sasori, look, my art is still as perfect as ever, hmm."

A small white clay bird flew to Guren and suddenly exploded. Boom, boom, boom, Guren was instantly engulfed by the explosion.

After the explosion, as the smoke cleared, Guren's figure was revealed. Several holes had been blown into Guren body, and even her left arm had been blown off. However, Guren remained expressionless, and no blood flowed from her wounds. Instead, glittering crystal fragments flew outwards. Finally, she vanished into the air.

Deidara asked, "Is this a clone?"

At this moment, a hundred meters away from Deidara, Guren held a crystal ball in her hand, which displayed the figures of Deidara and Sasori of the Red Sand. Watching her Jade Crystal Clone being instantly killed, Guren sighed inwardly, "No wonder he's from the same organization as Lord Orochimaru. I didn't expect him to be so powerful. Luckily, I was cautious and sent a clone over. However, since the other party wants to deal with Uzumaki Hane, we can cooperate."

Guren looked at the crystal mirror in front of her, formed a hand Hand Seals, and chanted "Crystal Release: Jade Crystal Clone." Guren hands were surrounded by sparkling crystal particles, forming a red halo. A ripple appeared in the mirror, and a Guren emerged from it.

Guren approached Deidara said, "Hey, I didn't expect you to dare come here. Today, I'll show you my art, hmm."

Guren said, "Wait a minute, I'm here to seek cooperation."

Deidara said, "Regardless of any collaboration, first witness my art of explosion."

Boom, boom, boom! Several more small birds blasted Guren's Jade Crystal Clone to smithereens.

Deidara said, "Find her, Brother Sasori. Leave this to me, okay?" He put his hand into the bundle in the evening, opened a mouth on his palm, and began to eat the clay inside.

Deidara conjured a small white bird, which landed with a thud and transformed into a giant bird taller than a person.

Deidara looked at his work with satisfaction and exclaimed, "Still so artistic!" He then jumped onto the bird's back and said to Sasori of the Red Sand, "Brother Sasori, what do you think of my art?"

Scorpion said directly, "Don't keep me waiting too long, we still need to go to Uzumaki Hane first."

Deidara rode the giant bird and flew towards the Guren.

When Guren's clone was killed, she sensed something was wrong and immediately left in the opposite direction.

But Deidara quickly caught up with Deidara, saying, "I've found you after all."

A dozen or so small white clay birds flew down from the sky and headed towards the Guren.

Having witnessed the explosive power of these birds, Guren naturally wouldn't let them get close. She quickly Hand Seals, unleashing "Crystal Release: Crystal Shuriken," and countless snowflake-shaped Shuriken flew from her hands, sweeping towards the birds flying through the air.

Deidara shouted, and boom, boom, boom! The birds exploded one after another.

Guren rapidly Hand Seals, unleashing "Crystal Release: Giant Hexagonal Shuriken!" A massive snowflake-shaped Guren crystallized in her Shuriken. Spinning her body, she launched the Shuriken towards the giant bird in the air, reaching its base in the blink of an eye. Deidara skillfully maneuvered the bird to the side, dodging the Shuriken.

However, Guren continued to Hand Seals, and several huge crystal pillars fell from the sky, crashing down on the giant bird.