The vast expanse of land, the swirling dust settling in the wind. Looking at the passage to Kikyō Pass, naturally defensible,
it was now utterly leveled. This was beyond Kakuzu's comprehension. Even using all his Earth Grudge Fear and hearts, he couldn't have caused such devastation.
Was this a god?
Kakuzu stared at Kai in shock.
"Alright, let's go meet our new companion," Kai said suddenly.
Kakuzu was startled, looking towards the ruins.
A battered figure, an arm broken, struggled to climb out of a deep crater.
Recalling the apocalyptic attack, Sasori was still shaken. Seeing Kai appear, he looked up quickly.
"Congratulations on surviving," Kai smiled warmly.
"You can choose to be killed and then resummoned, or surrender and become my subordinate."
Subordinate?
Sasori was stunned. In Sunagakure, he was invincible, even plotting against the Third Kazekage. His human puppets and abilities made him arrogant.
But against Kai, his trump cards were child's play.
"I surrender," Sasori deflated like a balloon.
"But as a puppeteer, all my puppets are destroyed. My strength is a fraction of what it was. Am I still useful to you?"
"Haha, don't worry," Kai chuckled, his Mangekyō Sharingan spinning, the crimson fading.
Everything around them twisted like water, then shattered.
When things cleared, seeing the Third Kazekage still beside Kai, Sasori was stunned.
"Genjutsu?"
As a puppet, Sasori's senses were different from ordinary people. It was difficult to trap him in genjutsu.
But he'd encountered Kai, with his Tsukuyomi and Amplification Eye.
"Sasori, I didn't expect you to lose," the Third Kazekage said coldly.
"You underestimated me. Seeing me summoned broke your composure, trapping you in genjutsu."
"But facing him, you weren't wrong to lose. Remember what I said in the genjutsu space. Don't let Sunagakure provoke this monster."
With that, the Third Kazekage dissipated like dust.
Sasori looked at his intact puppet scroll and fell silent.
"Was that real, or genjutsu?" Sasori asked. Recalling the helplessness against the Heavenly Hand Power, his heart felt like it was being squeezed.
"You guess!" Kai smiled playfully, patting Sasori's shoulder. "If you can't guess, try it. It won't be so easy this time..."
Kai looked towards Konoha, wondering if his deception had been exposed.
"It's about time. I'll return to Konoha. You two stand by."
Watching Kai vanish in a flash of lightning, Sasori swallowed his words.
"Don't doubt the boss's strength. Not just you, even I was trapped in genjutsu. He still held back," Kakuzu said, looking at Sasori.
"I'm not concerned about you, just don't want you to be eliminated too quickly. I'd get lonely."
Konoha Village, the sealed gate.
A small figure burst through the gate.
Mitarashi Anko looked around, finding no sentries, and cautiously moved towards the shadows.
But after a few steps, a familiar voice echoed.
"Anko, you're finally back."
Mitarashi Anko tensed, looking towards the source of the voice. The figures she saw made her expression change.
"Sensei Rou..."
After Orochimaru's departure, due to her Cursed Seal, Mitarashi Anko was assigned to Sarutobi Rou's team, the eldest son of the Third Hokage, one of Konoha's Eight Colors.
But Danzō, Yamanaka Fū, the Third Hokage, and other high-ranking advisors were also present.
"Haha, Jiraiya, what do you have to say for yourself?" Danzō gripped his cane, his face grim. "Didn't you say you sent that kid to Mount Myōboku for training?"
"Perhaps Yamanaka Fū's report was one-sided. But Mitarashi Anko's return proves I didn't frame him, right?"
After Yamanaka Fū's report, Danzō decided to strike first. If the Third Hokage knew about his collusion with Orochimaru, he'd be under surveillance. His hard-earned Root would be destroyed.
"Danzō, that's just your one-sided account," Jiraiya said sternly. "I know how difficult training at Mount Myōboku is."
"Your words alone can't prove he left the village."
"Hmph, is Yamanaka Fū's testimony not evidence? Jiraiya, don't forget, you've been away from Konoha for a long time. Are you meddling too much this time?" Danzō snorted coldly.
"Enough!" Sarutobi Hiruzen shouted.
"Mitarashi Anko is back. The Anbu I sent to check on Kai has returned. Let's hear their report."
A figure descended from the sky, landing before Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Hokage-sama, at the Police Headquarters, we found Uchiha Kai. He was meditating."
What?
Danzō's expression changed dramatically.
"Impossible! He clearly fled Konoha. Yamanaka Fū saw it, and Mitarashi Anko can testify!"
"Oh?" Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Anko. "Anko, tell us honestly. Yamanaka Fū mentioned you and Kai were outside Konoha. Is that true?"
Everyone's gaze fell on Anko, making her face pale.
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