The four joined forces, preparing to summon the Ten-Tails together.
Within this strange dimension, the fluctuations of chakra were incredibly intense. Anyone present would have easily witnessed the terrifying surges of energy taking shape. Astonishing waves of chakra pulsed wildly, seeming to vibrate the very fabric of space itself. Chakra powerful enough to make space tremble faintly—even Sasuke couldn't achieve such a feat easily; merely gathering that much power would take a significant amount of time.
Just then, Sasuke seemed to sense something, turning his head to look in a specific direction. A knot of unease tightened in his chest.
At that moment, Hamura, noticing Sasuke's distraction, called out, "Kid! Was everything you said just now true?" Although Sasuke didn't look like he was lying, Hamura couldn't shake his doubts. Could he truly trust the words of this stranger completely?
Indra felt a surge of frustration. To think this person was his father's younger brother... Well, that meant he wasn't an enemy. There was no point in continuing the fight. He'd been hoping to regain some face by giving the guy a sound beating.
Just as Sasuke was pondering how to convince Ōtsutsuki Hamura, a violent explosion suddenly ripped through the air from the direction of Sunagakure. The sound was immense, clearly audible even from their considerable distance. Faintly, they could even see the shockwave rippling through the air.
Sasuke's gaze snapped towards the Hidden Sand Village. That explosion! It felt disturbingly familiar. Simultaneously, the three Kazekage nearby reacted instantly, streaking straight towards Sunagakure. Sasuke, curious about the cause of the blast and its perpetrator, also leaped forward, heading towards the village.
Indra followed close behind Sasuke, also making his way towards Sunagakure.
Hamura was left standing alone for a moment, looking slightly bewildered, before he too hurried after Sasuke and Indra.
Outside the village, Gaara and the other two former Kazekage were easily overtaken by Sasuke. In that instant, the Third Kazekage struck without hesitation. Iron Sand surged forth, forming a barrier directly in Sasuke's path.
However, Sasuke merely frowned slightly. In a flash, with a casual wave of his hand, the Iron Sand dispersed instantly. Sasuke halted, hovering in mid-air, and turned to face the Third Kazekage who had attacked him.
"What is the meaning of this?" Sasuke asked coolly. "Attacking me... do you understand the consequences?"
The Third Kazekage remained unfazed. "I don't care who you are! This is Sunagakure. Outsiders are forbidden entry!"
Being barred entry like this momentarily stunned Sasuke. Indra, arriving just behind him, was about to stop when a wave of Gold Dust shot out, blocking his path as well.
Indra's expression darkened as he turned to face the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa.
"Are you looking to die?" Indra's temper was far more volatile than Sasuke's. Lightning crackled around him as he instantly attacked, a thunderous bolt streaking past Rasa's side.
Cold sweat beaded on Rasa's forehead. So fast! If he hadn't reacted quickly, that attack would have struck him. This newcomer's power seemed to rival Sasuke's. Rasa sensed this situation could easily spiral out of control, yet as a Kazekage, he couldn't back down.
Gaara looked at Sasuke, recognizing the familiar, overwhelming presence. Even just standing there silently, Sasuke's calm eyes seemed to make one's very soul tremble.
"Sasuke!" Gaara called out. "Why are you here in Sunagakure?"
In truth, Gaara didn't need to ask; he had already guessed. It was obviously for the Tailed Beast. But he didn't understand. Didn't Konoha already have Naruto? Weren't the nine Tailed Beasts he possessed enough? Why compete with the other Great Shinobi Villages for more? Aside from the One-Tail they had initially brought back, this was the Eight-Tails—Sunagakure's hope for resurgence. Even Gaara couldn't truly relinquish it, let alone the Third and Fourth Kazekage.
"To retrieve the Tailed Beasts," Sasuke stated his purpose directly.
Gaara stared at him. "Konoha already possesses nine..."
"These Tailed Beasts do not belong to this era," Sasuke interrupted. "I intend to send them all back to their original time. Otherwise, the history of the shinobi world might be irrevocably changed!"
Gaara hesitated for a moment upon hearing this. But... so what if the Tailed Beasts were from another era? Even if it affected history, it didn't matter. Perhaps altering history could even benefit Sunagakure's rise.
"No matter what you say, you cannot have the Tailed Beast!" Gaara's stance was firm.
Sasuke nodded slightly, having anticipated this reaction. "I wasn't asking for your permission."
Gaara was taken aback. Sasuke truly was as domineering as ever...
"Tailed Beasts? What Tailed Beasts? Are you referring to those little creatures my brother created?" Hamura's voice cut in as he arrived. He directed his question at Sasuke.
Sasuke glanced at the newcomer and nodded. "That's right. The Sage of Six Paths originally divided the Ten-Tails' chakra into nine parts. Those nine life forms are the Tailed Beasts."
"I see," Hamura mused. If that was the case, then he knew what he needed to do. "If they belong to my elder brother, they shouldn't be entrusted to you!" he declared, facing Sasuke and the others. "They should be placed under my care. The power of the Tailed Beasts is immense; you may not be able to handle them properly!"
Hamura still regarded Sasuke and the others with suspicion. Given that this involved the Tailed Beasts, and knowing how powerful Sasuke's group already was, letting them acquire more power seemed risky. What if they weren't the 'good guys' they claimed to be? That would be disastrous. Until he could be certain, Hamura decided the best course of action was to take control of the Tailed Beasts himself, preventing any unnecessary trouble. He looked up at Sasuke expectantly.
Sasuke felt a touch of exasperation. Was this guy going to interfere too?
Just as Sasuke was about to respond, a familiar laugh echoed through the air.
"Hahaha!"
"Quite the party we have here!"
"So many people! It seems we aren't the only ones after the Tailed Beast, hm!"
Hearing that voice, Sasuke's eyes narrowed slightly. Just as Nagato had predicted, the operation had begun. Members of the Akatsuki had arrived in this era, likely those from before the organization officially started hunting the Tailed Beasts.
The figure in the sky rode a large, white clay bird, looking down on them imperiously. He had blond hair and wore the signature Akatsuki cloak.
"Deidara!" Sasuke murmured, looking up at the man in the sky. The earlier explosion must have been his work.
Gaara also saw him, the familiar face instantly igniting a burning rage within him. It was because of this man that Sunagakure had suffered so much destruction. He had rampaged through the village, stolen the One-Tail, and his actions had ultimately led to Elder Chiyo's death.
Deidara! Akatsuki! It was a scene Gaara had relived countless times in his nightmares.
Instantly, the surrounding desert began to tremble. Gaara glared at Deidara, his voice filled with cold fury.
"This time... I will absolutely... absolutely... make you pay... Deidara..."
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