The Battle Resumes

In a tree hollow in the forest, Deidara sat upright, slowly recovering his Chakra. At this moment, Deidara looked extremely disheveled and covered in blood.

Suddenly, footsteps echoed through the silent forest. Deidara snapped his eyes open, looking in the direction of the sound, and became secretly on guard.

The footsteps grew closer, and soon Sasori of the Red Sand appeared in Deidara's sight, walking towards him step by step. Deidara breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Brother Sasori, you've come, hmm."

Sasori of the Red Sand, looking at the disheveled Deidara, said, "Deidara, you've kept me waiting too long. We still need to find Uzumaki Hane." Last night, Sasori left the place where Deidara fought Uzumaki Hane, originally intending to search for Uzumaki Hane. However, the sudden downpour erased all traces, forcing Sasori to turn his attention to Deidara instead. Although Deidara left a coded message when he escaped, the rain made it difficult to find, and it was only now that Sasori finally located Deidara.

Deidara, his Chakra now restored, stood up, walked out of the tree hollow, and approached Sasori of the Red Sand, saying, "Yesterday, when I went to chase that ninja, I happened to run into Uzumaki Hane."

Scorpion asked, "How did it go after you encountered Uzumaki Hane?" Scorpion had also seen the traces of their battle, and it seemed that the opponent was very strong.

Deidara said gravely, "We all underestimated Uzumaki Hane. It seems he really might have been able to kill Kakuzu. Moreover, his regenerative abilities are very strong; even my masterpiece couldn't kill him."

Sasori was somewhat surprised. He knew about Deidara's masterpiece, but he hadn't expected it to fail to kill him.

Deidara said, "Next time we meet, I'll make sure he dies under my art. Brother Sasori, you can't take him from me."

Uzumaki Hane entered the main hall and said directly, "Taruho, I need your help with something?"

Taruho asked seriously, "What is it? Is it about the intruders?"

Uzumaki Hane said, "That's right. I have two enemies this time. The invaders from last time were one of them. I need you to send soldiers to find their whereabouts."

Taruho replied, "That's no problem."

Uzumaki Hane said solemnly, "Those two are both top-tier ninjas, and they're both missing-nin, making them extremely dangerous. You just need to find out about them; don't get too close, or you'll be in danger."

Seeing Uzumaki Hane's solemn expression, Taruho knew the seriousness of the matter and said worriedly, "Uzumaki Hane, if you need help, just say so. You've saved Lady Shion so many times recently, and we haven't had a chance to repay you."

Uzumaki Hane felt a warmth in her heart and said, "It's alright. Although they are strong, I am not weak either. As long as I track their movements and set a trap, I am confident I can eliminate them."

Taruho said, "Okay, then you need to be careful. I'll instruct the intelligence department to start investigating the two of them right away."

Next, Uzumaki Hane began to describe the characteristics of the two to Taruho, even explaining their strengths and the Ninjutsu they were good at.

Suddenly, Gozu said, "Lord Uzumaki, please let me help too."

Uzumaki Hane looked at Gozu and said, "No need. To prevent any accidents, I need you to stay by Shion's side and protect her."

Just then, Shion suddenly appeared and said, "Uzumaki Hane, I heard everything, I want to go help too."

Taruho immediately objected. "No, Lady Shion, this is too dangerous. You saw the last battle; we can't possibly get involved."

Uzumaki Hane reached out and stroked Shion's hair, saying softly, "Taruho is right. I can handle them all by myself. Don't worry. Don't you trust my strength?"

Shion pulled down Uzumaki Hane's hand, stared intently at Uzumaki Hane voice, "I now have the strength to help you."

Uzumaki Hane said, "Shion, I can handle this. If I can't deal with them, I'll ask you for help." Taruho also tried to dissuade Shion from the side.

Suddenly, Uzumaki Hane sensed an aura and Uzumaki Hane, "Who goes there?"

Guren emerged from the shadows. Uzumaki Hane, somewhat surprised, asked, "You haven't left yet?"

Upon seeing Guren, Shion and Taruho immediately became wary and asked, "What are you doing here?"

Guren said, "You can't handle them all by yourself. However, I can help you as repayment for saving me last time. After that, we'll be even. I'll still capture you and report back to Lord Orochimaru."

Uzumaki Hane stared at Guren for a long time before saying, "Alright, I believe you."

Guren said, "What do you plan to do? I can help you stall one person."

"In that case, let's deal with him," Shion suddenly said. "I, Gozu, and Guren will hold off the one that explodes, while you deal with the other one. After you've taken care of him, come help us."

Uzumaki Hane said, "No, that's too dangerous for you."

Shion said, "But they're already here. Do you think they'll let us go?"

Uzumaki Hane fell silent for a moment. Both of them were madmen, especially Deidara, who liked to create explosions everywhere for his art. He might come and blow up the palace.

Taruho immediately left to set up her mission, and also to arrange for sufficient guards to prevent the two from suddenly invading.

Uzumaki Hane and the others stayed in the main hall to recuperate, as a great battle was about to begin.

An hour later, a soldier rushed in and reported to Taruho.

Taruho's expression hardened, and she said, "It seems we're in trouble this time. Our people have discovered their tracks, and they're heading towards the palace."

Uzumaki Hane stood up and said to Shion and the others, "Let's set off then. Be careful." The group left the palace and headed towards Deidara and the others.

Five hundred meters from the priestess's palace, Deidara and Sasori were heading towards it. Suddenly, a Rock Fist shot out and smashed directly at the two of them.

The two reacted extremely quickly, easily dodging the attack. Looking in the direction of the attack, they saw Uzumaki Hane standing there, then turned and quickly left.

Deidara said, "Uzumaki Hane, don't run away, hmm." He quickly conjured a giant bird with his right hand, mounted it, and flew towards Uzumaki Hane.

Sasori watched Deidara leave, but paid no attention, maintaining his speed as he headed in the direction Deidara had gone.

After a few steps, Scorpion stopped and looked to his left, where he saw Uzumaki Hane standing.

Scorpion said, "So you're Uzumaki Hane. You want to deal with me first? Looks like I've been underestimated. Well, that's just how it is." Whoosh! A scorpion tail instantly pierced Uzumaki Hane's chest.