S-rank rogue ninjas—how many of them exist in the entire ninja world? No one knew for sure, but there certainly weren't many. And now they were hearing that multiple S-rank rogues had appeared at once?
All the Leaf ninjas took a sharp breath, their faces full of shock.
S-rank rogues were on the same level as village leaders!
Even the squad leader was visibly shaken. He immediately asked, "What is their target?"
"The Tailed Beast!" Kankuro gritted his teeth, his bloodshot eyes burning with anger. "They were very clear about their goal. They came straight for the Tailed Beast. The Sand Village was wiped out before we even had a chance to react."
"The Tailed Beast…" The leader muttered the words under his breath, then suddenly clenched his fists. "We've received the Sand Village's emergency request. I'll send three ninjas to protect you and notify the Leaf Village as quickly as possible. The rest of us will hold off those enemies for now."
The enemy's goal was the Tailed Beast. He didn't know their exact motives, but one thing was certain—anyone targeting a Tailed Beast couldn't be up to anything good.
Kankuro, still looking grim, managed a trace of gratitude. "Those guys… they're really strong…"
"We've been ready for this." The squad leader cut him off without hesitation. "As the border patrol unit, we've been prepared for a situation like this for a long time."
Who are the first to fall when war begins? The border patrol ninjas.
Because of how this world works, before a war officially starts, the attacking side will often infiltrate the enemy's land first. And the ones who face them head-on are always the border ninjas. Even in times of peace, countless small-time troublemakers appear.
This is why border squads suffer the highest casualties. But for the same reason, border ninjas are never weak. Most of them are Jonin, and many are even retired Anbu veterans.
Kankuro looked at them with gratitude. Thinking back to what the Sand Village did to Konohagakure years ago, a sense of guilt surfaced on his face.
The leading ninja stepped forward, patted Kankuro on the shoulder, and smiled. "Don't think about anything else. We're allies now. What you need to do is go get treated."
Looking at the firm expression on the ninja's face, Kankuro nodded hard. "My sister… she stayed behind alone to stop the enemy so we could escape. If possible… please, save her too."
He bowed deeply to the ninjas around him.
"If we get the chance," one of them replied.
After all, their enemies were S-rank ninjas. Judging by Kankuro's Jonin-level chakra, his sister was likely a Jonin too.
But a single Jonin against multiple S-rank rogue ninjas…
None of them believed Temari could survive.
Just then, Gaara, who had been lying motionless on the puppet, suddenly lifted his head. His face was filled with pain as he spoke.
"Sorry… for the trouble."
"It's not really trouble. They're enemies. We run into them all the time."
That much was true.
The lead ninja chuckled. "Still, getting to see the Fifth Kazekage in person isn't a bad deal."
Gaara's expression was complicated. "I've already… contacted Konohagakure through special means… They've sent ninjas our way… There's no need to waste resources reporting it again."
Shukaku had just told him the news.
Kankuro's face lit up slightly. "You finally reached them?"
But his expression darkened again. "But… even at top speed, it'll take Konohagakure at least half a day to get here. We…"
It wasn't that Kankuro doubted his comrades, but if the entire Sand Village couldn't stop these guys, what could a dozen ninjas possibly do?
"The one coming… is Naruto."
Gaara was still in pain, but when he said that name, his expression softened as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.
"If it's him, he can do it. He won't fail."
Kankuro was stunned.
Uzumaki Naruto…
To be honest, Kankuro was grateful to him. He remembered Naruto as a strong fighter, but that was mostly because of the Nine-Tails.
Three years had passed. Even with the Nine-Tails, could Naruto really take on multiple S-rank rogue ninjas?
Kankuro wasn't convinced. "Is he coming alone?"
"He's the advance unit," Gaara said quietly.
Kankuro let out a long sigh.
…
"Well? What's the situation?"
High in the sky, on the back of a massive white bird, Kakuzu looked down at Temari with cold, indifferent eyes.
Standing beside him was Sasori, his bulky body still and lifeless. "No contact," he muttered.
"Tch." Kakuzu clicked his tongue in irritation. "The boss wouldn't be trying to keep the Konohagakure bounty for himself, would he?"
"Not everyone is as greedy as you."
Sasori's voice was rough and icy as he stared down at Temari.
Deidara showed no reaction at all. "Can't that guy hurry up?"
He hated waiting.
Kakuzu glanced over. "Give him a little warning. Tell him not to go overboard, or the boss will lose his temper…"
Before he could finish, both Kakuzu and Sasori tensed up at the same time. Their killing intent flared, and they immediately turned toward the back of the giant bird.
A metallic tail sliced through the air and landed on Obito. As the swirling black Uzumaki pattern slowly faded, the portal closed.
"Oh, it's just you." Sasori retracted his tail casually and looked away, completely unbothered.
This unique ability belonged to only one person—there was no need to worry about an imposter.
Obito stepped forward and looked at the two of them. "Where's the One-Tail?"
"It escaped, heading toward Konoha." Kakuzu pointed toward the forest ahead. "I can still sense it—it's not far."
Obito frowned. "Uzumaki Naruto is on his way here. At his speed, he'll be here in less than an hour. Do you want to die?"
"Relax, it's just the One-Tail." Kakuzu spoke calmly, showing no sign of worry. "Besides, isn't the boss keeping Konoha busy? We don't have to worry for now…"
"Boss… Pain is dead." Obito cut him off coldly.
Both Kakuzu and Sasori froze. Then, shock flashed across their faces as they turned to Obito.
Pain… dead?
Pain wasn't just anyone—he was the god of the Land of Rain!
Everyone in the Akatsuki had witnessed Pain's power. They all knew how terrifyingly strong he was, especially those eyes of his. Even among their own group, no one fully understood the extent of his abilities—only that they were incredibly powerful.
And yet, Pain was dead?
Obito narrowed his eyes slightly and explained, "Pain was killed by Jiraiya and Tsunade. He completely ran out of chakra. The Angel took his body, and she's heading toward the Land of Rain now."
"Pain… died?" Sasori's voice grew lower. "Tobi, that's a terrible joke."
"I'm not joking." Obito's gaze was ice-cold. "If you two don't hurry, you'll end up just like Pain. Uzumaki Naruto has gained new power, and we have no way to counter him right now."
Sasori and Kakuzu exchanged looks, and in each other's eyes, they saw the same fear.
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