Snow Country.
It took Deidara and his team a while, but they finally managed to take out all the White Zetsu Clones.
They hadn't expected the third enemy they faced to have such annoying abilities. Though not strong in terms of combat power, these opponents had remarkable vitality.
In some ways, he bore great similarities to Kakuzu and Hidan—two previously encountered enemies with near-immortal abilities.
Also, facing those White Zetsu Clones, Deidara found his clay bombs were nearly useless. The enemy's body didn't seem to be made of flesh and blood; normal attacks barely affected it.
Still, in the end, they emerged victorious.
The enemy's purpose wasn't to stay and kill them, but merely to cover the retreat, preventing them from capturing or hindering Kakuzu and his companions who were leaving.
"Is everyone alright?" asked a ninja named Tozawa, his expression grim.
He glanced at no fewer than ten White Zetsu Clones lying on the ground before shifting his gaze toward Kitsuchi, who lay collapsed nearby.
The battlefield gradually grew quiet, an air of solemnity spreading among them.
Everyone, including Deidara, looked toward Kitsuchi, whose lifeless body showed no sign of breath—his heart had long stopped beating.
Before the mission, none of them had imagined that Kitsuchi would actually perish during this operation.
No one even imagined that the mission would fail.
After all, they had Kitsuchi, the current Tsuchikage's son and heir to the title, Han the Five-Tails Jinchuriki, Deidara himself, and several powerful Jonin-level ninja.
There were many reasons for their defeat, but the first step toward collapse likely began when Han fought alone against members of the Akatsuki Organization.
But now was not the time to assign blame.
Their immediate priority was reporting the situation back. If possible, they might attempt to pursue and rescue the captured Jinchuriki.
Akatsuchi looked at Deidara, noticing no expression on his face—only cold indifference deep within his eyes.
"Let's bring Captain Kitsuchi back first. The next steps should be decided by Lord Onoki!"
Akatsuchi spoke to Tozawa, but his gaze remained fixed on Deidara.
Only Deidara possessed the ability to quickly return to the village—and do so safely.
Flap—
Deidara's giant bird flapped its wings, positioning itself above Kitsuchi's corpse before sweeping down with its tail to wrap around and secure the fallen man.
"Climb on! Let's head back first."
Deidara's voice rang out sharply under the gradually darkening sky.
Several figures landed silently on the bird's back, none speaking, each appearing dispirited.
No one wanted such a disastrous outcome after beginning the mission filled with confidence.
Deidara had initially planned to chase onward alone, using his aerial advantage to potentially locate the enemy base.
Still, he knew the pursuit came with serious risks; without knowing what they were up against, chasing after them wouldn't help him at all.
Perhaps there were even members within this Organization capable of flight?
Therefore, after careful consideration, Deidara chose to remain with the group and return first.
After all, his mission this time was simply to assist Kitsuchi with the ambush. Although the mission failed, he had fulfilled most of his duties.
The root cause could only be their lack of enemy intelligence, leaving them at a disadvantage from the very beginning.
Plus, the enemy's strength had always been above theirs.
"Someone's coming from the north!"
Just as the group prepared to leave, Akatsuchi suddenly spoke up.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
At Akatsuchi's warning, everyone turned their gaze northward and indeed saw several dark figures dashing through the snow.
"It seems like they're Kumo ninja."
Deidara narrowed his eyes, identifying the approaching figures.
Upon hearing it was Kumo, everyone—including Akatsuchi—frowned warily.
There had always been lingering hostility between Iwa and Kumo. Especially after their last war with Kumo, they had paid a heavy price just to take down the Third Raikage!
Deidara guided his giant bird slowly into the air, gaining altitude.
Meanwhile, the Kumo ninja arrived before them.
...
"Ameyuri Ringo, the Mizukage has already departed for the Daimyo's mansion."
An Anbu ninja stood before Ameyuri Ringo, blocking her attempt to enter the Mizukage's Office.
"What?!"
"He's already left?"
Ameyuri Ringo suddenly felt a sharp pain in her head. Her vision blurred, and a wave of weakness washed over her body.
"How long ago did the Mizukage leave?"
Her voice was low, her eyes burning with intensity.
The Anbu also noticed Ringo's unusual state and, behind his mask, showed a hint of confusion.
Though he didn't know what had caused Ringo—one of the Seven Legendary Shinobi—to panic so greatly, an inexplicable unease still rose within him.
"It's been about half a day since he left."
The Anbu wasn't entirely sure when Yagura had departed. He was only estimating based on when he himself had started his shift.
After all, the Mizukage's whereabouts were beyond the knowledge of a simple Anbu member.
"The Mizukage is in danger! Assemble a squad of Anbu and follow me—we must depart immediately to provide support!"
Ringo gritted her teeth but refused to give up.
Although she had wasted valuable time missing Yagura, she was still determined to set out and aid the Mizukage.
"The Mizukage... in danger? This..."
The Anbu's expression changed. After glancing at Ameyuri Ringo several times, he finally placed more trust in her.
"My team encountered enemies along with Mei Terumi. I'm the only one who made it back, so I must report to the Mizukage immediately."
"And furthermore, I suspect the enemy will try something against the Mizukage while he's en route."
"I'll get things ready right away. But since the Mizukage has already left the village, only Elder Onoki can authorize the deployment of Anbu forces, so I'll need to request permission first."
Understanding the severity of the situation, the Anbu vanished immediately afterward, leaving Ameyuri Ringo behind.
"I can't wait—I must reach the Mizukage's side as soon as possible! I have to inform him of everything I've discovered!"
Watching the Anbu vanish, Ameyuri Ringo turned and sprinted toward the edge of the village.
She had no time to waste waiting any longer. The chance Terumi Mei had created for her at the cost of her own life must not be wasted like this!
...
"So you're saying Yagura has already left the village?"
Saitama looked at White Zetsu's half-emerged body from the tree trunk, his face carrying an indescribable smile.
Konan stood silently on a tree trunk several meters high, her gaze fixed steadily on both White Zetsu and Saitama.
"Yes. He's on his way to the Daimyo's mansion, heading southeast from our current position, about ten *li* (approximately five miles)."
White Zetsu simply and clearly stated the intelligence he possessed.
"Talk about perfect timing—it's like finding a pillow just when you're ready for a nap!"
"I was actually worried that if Yagura hadn't left the village at this moment, our plan couldn't proceed as scheduled."
"Never thought he would directly leave the village. What a great opportunity!"
Licking his lips slightly, Saitama looked quite pleased.
"In that case, let's start taking action now! We should complete our mission quickly so we can proceed with future plans!"
Though Konan's voice was cold and distant, it betrayed the excitement she felt inside.
They had never been this close to their objective before, causing excitement deep inside her!
That goal that once felt out of reach—was it really within their grasp now?
"All right then. White Zetsu, continue scouting and provide detailed information anytime. We'll head there immediately!"
Nodding in agreement, Saitama followed White Zetsu's direction without further delay.
Without wasting any words, he started chasing in the indicated direction, electricity arcs beginning to surge all over his body. His speed accelerated continuously during his movement until he nearly disappeared from Konan and White Zetsu's sights.
Swish!
Konan withdrew her gaze, looking at White Zetsu momentarily with some complicated meaning behind her eyes.
She dissolved into a flurry of paper petals, trailing silently behind Saitama's shadow.
If everything went smoothly, they could capture [Three-Tails] this time too. Then, the situation would gradually become clearer.
Looking at Saitama's back, Konan's expression was unreadable.
She had never stopped being alert toward Saitama. Multiple reasons combined made her believe that his motives for joining Akatsuki weren't pure.
At such a critical moment, she absolutely must not let her guard down.
Therefore, she needed to keep a close watch on Saitama. Whatever his ill intentions might be, she would definitely stop them.
This was a promise she once made to Yahiko!
She wouldn't allow herself to become the burden that drags everyone else down again. Even at the cost of her own life, she would see her former comrades' ideals realized.
This lingering guilt had persisted within her all these years—an expression of remorse from long ago.
"You'd better not pull anything, Saitama—or I swear I'll make you regret it!"
A flash of coldness passed through Konan's eyes. Her speed increased further, and the vaguely discernible human-shaped figure among the flying papers became even more blurred.
...
"Lord Yagura, we'll reach the Capital City after crossing this forest."
Beside Yagura, his guard walked behind him while speaking respectfully.
"Hmm, I understand."
Yagura nodded, yet his frown remained deep, as if something troubled him.
The closer they approached the Daimyo's mansion, the stronger that sense of unease grew. The Three-Tails slumbering within him also began to stir, disturbed from its deep sleep.
But the surroundings had already been checked thoroughly—there was absolutely nothing unusual.
Yet that pressure never disappeared; instead, it intensified with every passing moment!
Suddenly, Yagura halted mid-step, his expression darkening as he stared toward a forest junction ahead.
His personal guard looked confused, following Yagura's gaze but spotting no anomaly.
Yet he said nothing—only tightening his grip on his blade, stepping sideways to stand protectively in front of Yagura, assuming a defensive stance.
The surrounding Anbu ninja gradually emerged from hiding, forming a half-circle formation behind Yagura, shielding him carefully.
Their eyes swept cautiously across the area, though nothing seemed out of place.
The lead Anbu had already cleared this area; everything was in order.
Yet now—the silence was unbearable.
Unnervingly silent!
They were deep in the dense forest; just moments ago, birds chirped and insects hummed, but now everything had fallen into sudden, eerie stillness.
Anyone would find that abnormal.
Whoosh!
Under everyone's watchful eyes, a lone figure abruptly appeared at the path ahead.
Black Cloak Bearing Red Clouds, dark-blue ninja trousers.
The figure appeared shockingly sudden, as if it had leapt directly from another space, merging seamlessly into reality.
Most of them hadn't even sensed how this figure appeared out of nowhere.
The moment Saitama Uchiha appeared, Yagura narrowed his eyes, his right hand instinctively reaching for the staff strapped across his back.
"An Akatsuki member?"
The guard stared at the approaching figure, mind racing through intelligence reports about Akatsuki.
That signature Black Cloak Bearing Red Clouds left little doubt.
"I see you're not completely ignorant after all!"
Saitama Uchiha slowly lifted his head, revealing a cold, bitterly cruel smile curling his lips.
"Protect the Lord!"
All the Anbu ninja brandished their weapons, locking deadly gazes onto Saitama Uchiha.
"Are you Saitama Uchiha? Konoha's rogue ninja—the one who killed the Third Hokage?"
Yagura himself hadn't moved, but his voice cut cleanly through the Anbu ranks, reaching Saitama Uchiha's ears.
Upon hearing their Mizukage's words, the gathered ninja all inhaled sharply.
Lately, Saitama Uchiha had once again become a hot topic across the Shinobi World—because he assassinated the Third Hokage, the elder revered as the "Professor" of Ninjutsu.
Didn't expect someone still remembered me. So my name has really reached this far?
Saitama Uchiha lightly touched his face, his calm, sharp eyes slowly narrowing into slits.
"I'd prefer not meeting under such tense circumstances—but I have my reasons for coming."
"So then, Mizukage," Saitama Uchiha gazed at Yagura, encircled tightly by more than a dozen ninja. His tone was calm, collected, and utterly confident.
"Figured it. Your target is the Tailed Beast, isn't it?"
Yagura stared at Saitama, his expression slowly shifting.
He seemed to sense something, recalling the group led by Terumi Mei that had been dispatched not long ago. A flicker of worry flashed across his mind.
"So, will the Mizukage hand over the Three-Tails to me?" Saitama asked.
Arcs of electricity crackled across Saitama's body, their flickering cobalt-blue glow gradually lifting his bangs upward, letting them float in front of his forehead.
"Cursed Akatsuki! How dare they be so bold!"
The Mist shinobi concentrated hard, slowly channeling their chakra as they prepared for battle.
They hadn't expected the enemy to actually confront them head-on and demand the Three-Tails outright.
As the jinchuriki of the Three-Tails, if Yagura were to give up the beast, there would be only one possible outcome—death.
In short, the Akatsuki were telling their own Mizukage to go die.
That was absolutely unacceptable!
Shsh!
Just before the clash, countless paper pieces swirled from all directions toward a branch behind Yagura, rustling like wind and catching the Mist shinobi's eyes.
Konan slowly resumed her physical form, her face expressionless as she observed the dozen enemies standing before her.
That small-statured ninja wearing the Kage hat—that was the target this time: Yagura Karatachi, the Three-Tails Jinchuriki!
"Another enemy has appeared—what?!"
"Be on guard."
Several Anbu ninjas immediately shifted direction, landing behind Yagura and surrounding him completely.
"A woman?!"
One of the Personal Guards eyed Konan wearing the black cloaks adorned with red clouds, sounding somewhat uncertain.
There was no information about this female kunoichi in the intelligence they currently possessed.
Thud!
Yagura placed his left hand on the edge of his hat, slowly removing from his head the honor belonging to the Mizukage.
"You really think I'm that important, huh?"
Inside him, the Three-Tails roared ceaselessly. Yagura could feel its fear toward Saitama—it seemed this man possessed the power capable of sealing a Tailed Beast.
And regarding this newly arrived female ninja, Yagura could also sense the surging chakra within her body.
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