"What a coincidence." Zetsu chuckled, shifting his gaze toward the cave entrance. "Both groups arrived at the same time, but..."
He glanced at Gaara, whose lifeless body lay on the ground, devoid of chakra. "You're still a step too late. We've already finished our side."
"Well then, Sasori, Deidara, the Jinchuriki outside is in your hands. And Kirito, even though you're just a shadow clone, that girl who defeated Itachi's Elephant Transmigration clone won't be easy to deal with. So, I'll leave her to you."
With that, Pain canceled his summoning technique.
A loud bang echoed through the cave as smoke dispersed, and the Gedo Statue vanished.
Before it disappeared, Kirito, Sasori, and Deidara leaped down and landed steadily on the ground.
"What's the situation outside?" Sasori tilted his head toward Kirito.
Kirito pretended to sense the surroundings before speaking indifferently.
"The Might Guy team, after defeating Kisame, is currently removing the sealing talismans scattered at the four other locations. Kakashi is blocking the entrance, preparing to remove the barriers at the same time as Guy. Right now, there are six people outside—Kakashi, Uzumaki Naruto, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Chinatsu, the Hokage's daughter, your grandmother Chiyo, and the Hokage's two apprentices, Uzumaki Karin and Haruno Sakura."
Upon hearing this, Deidara reached into his clay bag, pulling out a large explosive clay bird.
He chuckled.
"There's a double trap set on the Five Seal Barrier by the leader. When someone removes the [Forbidden] seal, a copy of them—with the same abilities and appearance—will be created and immediately attack them."
"In other words, we don't need to worry about Might Guy's team anymore."
At that moment, Deidara turned to Sasori.
"Well then, Brother Sasori, leave the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki to me. Hmm."
"Haven't you already captured one?" Sasori glanced at Deidara, his tone growing cold.
"Capturing a Jinchuriki... now that's a true work of art. Hmm." Deidara shrugged.
Kirito spoke casually.
"Do as you like. There are six of them out there. No shortage of opponents."
"I'll take Chinatsu—the rest are yours."
"Wait... Brother Kirito, do you know that girl?" Deidara asked in surprise.
Kirito nodded.
"Yes. She's a talented girl, just like me."
"We met in Tanzaku Street before Tsunade became Hokage. At the time, I didn't realize she was Tsunade's daughter. I just noticed she resembled me and decided to give her a few pointers."
"I never expected fate to play such a trick on us. We'll be fighting each other so soon… It's a shame my real body isn't here to enjoy it."
After hearing this, Deidara and Sasori finally understood why the girl was so strong at such a young age.
Outside the Cave
At the same time, Might Guy's team reached their respective locations, standing in front of the sealing talismans.
Kakashi leaped onto the boulder, where the final talisman was placed.
Using the radio communicator, they all counted down.
Three… two… one…
Each person tore off their talisman simultaneously.
The moment the barrier disappeared, Karin and Sakura attacked.
Both punched the boulder blocking the cave entrance.
Boom—
The entire mountainside trembled, and massive rocks shattered instantly.
As rubble tumbled down, Kirito remained completely unfazed.
Inside the Cave
Kakashi, Naruto, Karin, Chinatsu, Sakura, and Granny Chiyo all nodded at each other before dashing into the darkened cave.
Upon entering, their eyes landed on one familiar figure.
A man sitting cross-legged on the ground, resting his chin on his hand—Fujiwara Kirito.
Both Kakashi and Sakura—who had witnessed Kirito's terrifying strength firsthand—felt their hearts sink instantly.
Naruto, however, froze in shock.
His pupils dilated, and his voice quivered with disbelief.
"Why… Why are you here, Brother Kirito?!"
Kirito chuckled.
"Can't you see, Naruto? I'm also a member of Akatsuki."
"Capturing Jinchuriki is part of my mission—though honestly, I just came here to watch the fight and have fun."
"I'M ASKING YOU WHY YOU CAPTURED GAARA!"
Naruto roared in rage, his chakra surging violently.
The Nine-Tails' influence seeped through his body, his pupils turning blood-red.
Seeing Naruto beginning to lose control, Kakashi immediately restrained him.
His sharp gaze locked onto Kirito, his voice steady yet grim.
"Naruto, calm down. If you rush in carelessly, we'll all be wiped out."
Kirito smiled lazily.
"Don't worry.
I'm just a shadow clone."
"I've been sealing the One-Tail for three days and three nights—I don't have much chakra left."
Kakashi almost sighed in relief—until Kirito continued.
"But I did leave myself with three cards worth of chakra."
"Oh, and in case you're wondering—one card equals twice your total chakra."
Kakashi's face darkened.
"Your chakra reserves are still monstrous as ever…"
"So… should I be honored by this?"
Kirito laughed.
"Of course."
"But don't get too excited.
I only left three cards worth of chakra for a specific reason."
Kirito's sharp gaze shifted toward Chinatsu.
Kakashi immediately understood and sighed.
"He really isn't taking us seriously at all. This is all just… because of Chinatsu?"
Kirito smirked.
"Little girl, we meet again."
Chinatsu's cold eyes stared directly at him.
"Yes, Kirito, we meet again."
"Ever since our last encounter, I've always wanted to kill you."
Karin—who knew the truth—nearly choked on air.
Meanwhile, Kakashi and the rest—who had no idea about their real relationship—were completely dumbfounded.
From an outsider's perspective, it truly looked like they shared some deep grudge.
Kirito nodded approvingly.
"You're not mistaken."
"You truly have the same talent as me."
"To defeat Itachi's clone at such a young age… not bad at all."
Kirito formed a hand seal.
"Let's see how much you've grown."
Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique!
A massive wave of chakra surged into Kirito's throat, and in the next moment—
Three colossal fire dragons burst forward, roaring toward Chinatsu, Kakashi, and the others.
(End of this chapter)