Uehara Naraku, with a bizarre summoning jutsu, killed the Third Kazekage in an instant. This move was completely incomprehensible.
Not only Orochimaru but Sasori of the Red Sand and Deidara also looked utterly bewildered.
"What happened?" Sasori directly asked.
"I don't know either."
Uehara Naraku shook his head with the same confused expression: "Kisame once gave me a summoning contract and said his shark summoning beast was very powerful, capable of killing any enemy upon summoning, but it would disappear after just one attack."
"Is that Kisame's summoning beast?"
Sasori suddenly seemed deep in thought.
Deidara, standing nearby, felt a bit uneasy and said, "Isn't that shark face Uchiha Itachi's sidekick? Does he really have such a powerful summoning beast?"
"Yeah, I didn't expect it either."
Uehara Naraku nodded along with Deidara's words.
Initially, he merely intended to try using the Giant Shark Assault to see if it could counter the Reanimation.
After all, a Reanimation Being is relentless and possesses infinite chakra unless someone can seal it; there's not much one can do about it.
Even a tiny fly buzzing nearby is annoying enough, let alone a huge entity like the Third Kazekage.
Who could've thought after summoning the Void Giant Shark, it would directly devour the Third Kazekage's soul, just like it had killed the Fourth Mizukage Yagura.
As for pinning the blame on Hoshigaki Kisame, well, isn't it because he has a shark face and an unpleasant way of talking?
Uehara Naraku covertly glanced at the system panel.
Side Quest: Defeat the Third Kazekage (1/1), mission accomplished, reward: 100 Gold Coins.
How could defeating the strongest Kazekage, known as the Third Kazekage, only earn 100 Gold Coins? Was the Third Kazekage not respected?
This really is a bit lackluster.
But since Sasori of the Red Sand managed to kill the Third Kazekage at fifteen, maybe it's really not that big of a deal.
"The Hidden Mist Village's ugly bunch is really not to be underestimated…"
Sasori's surprise slowly subsided. He looked up at Orochimaru and Yakushi Kabuto across from him, and suddenly charged forward with the Third Kazekage Puppet in hand: "Hmph, with the Third Kazekage gone, what right do they have to fight us!"
"…Run!"
Orochimaru swiftly retreated while pulling Yakushi Kabuto.
A smoke bomb tossed by Yakushi Kabuto exploded on the ground, kicking up a large cloud of dust, allowing the two to quietly vanish from sight.
"Did they escape?"
Deidara quickly jumped onto a white clay giant bird, focusing on the barren dunes, trying to track down the two.
Uehara Naraku opened the display panel of destiny, seeing Orochimaru and Yakushi Kabuto fleeing rapidly. He softly analyzed: "It's probably the Earth Release: Hiding Like a Mole Technique?"
"That's not so easy to find…"
Sasori furrowed his brow and looked at Uehara Naraku: "How about you and Deidara go after Orochimaru, and I'll pursue that Sand Ninja and that red-haired brat, helping you rid the Hidden Sand Village of its trouble."
"I should go myself!"
Uehara Naraku shook his head stubbornly: "The red-haired brat is the One-tailed Jinchuriki from the Hidden Sand Village. I want to capture him and give him to Teacher Konan as a gift."
"One-tailed Jinchuriki?"
Sasori put away the Third Kazekage Puppet and advised in a muffled voice: "Catching a One-tailed Jinchuriki recklessly could easily invite the other great ninja villages' covetous eyes. Pain wouldn't agree to you doing this."
After speaking, Sasori continued: "Nobody in Akatsuki knows the Hidden Sand higher-ups better than I do. Killing someone like Rasa would at most invite the Hidden Sand's hostility, but capturing Shukaku would cause the Hidden Sand Village to relentlessly harass the Land of Rain."
"Given the current situation, the intelligence on other great ninja villages' Jinchuriki is not yet fully in our hands, and it will certainly interfere with Akatsuki's plans."
"Senior Sasori."
Uehara Naraku squinted slightly, lowers his voice: "I'll leave the Hidden Sand Village's issue to you, senior, but since Akatsuki's official members act in pairs, how about you go with Deidara! I'll pursue Orochimaru myself!"
"You're going after Orochimaru?"
Sasori slowly turned his head, looking at Uehara Naraku: "Even I find that guy tricky; if you die at his hands, it'll be a bit of a hassle for me…"
"Don't worry!"
Uehara Naraku shook his head and softly continued: "I'm just going to give it a try… If the battle turns unfavorable, I'll immediately flee towards the Hidden Sand Village to meet up with you."
After saying this, Uehara Naraku added: "I got intelligence from the Sand Ninjas that they might request an advisor named Chiyo from the Hidden Sand Village to come out.
Chiyo lives in the oasis outside the Hidden Sand Village. If Senior Sasori wants to negotiate under the name of the Land of Rain, contact her first. I estimate the old lady to be rather weak, right?"
Sasori tilted his head, looked at Uehara Naraku, and suddenly nodded: "I understand. Hope you survive at Orochimaru's hands."
His grandma isn't weak!
If they aimed to negotiate by contacting Chiyo, it probably wouldn't take long before the Land of Rain was overrun by swarms of Hidden Sand Ninjas.
They were planning to use the One-tailed Jinchuriki to pressure the Hidden Sand Village into a treaty, forcing them to cease pursuing the trouble Uehara Naraku caused by killing the Fourth Kazekage.
If it were a typical Hidden Sand senior, it wouldn't matter much, but Granny Chiyo is the fiercest ninja in the Hidden Sand Village!
As one of the founders of the Hidden Sand Village, Chiyo never showed weakness to outsiders, always advocating violence with violence. At worst, even if the Hidden Sand Village were scattered, they'd just eat sand and drink the northwest wind again in the Land of Wind.
Uehara really is too young!
Sasori already had a plan in mind.
His next move was to hold the One-tailed Jinchuriki of the Hidden Sand Village and use his spies within the village to suggest to the Hidden Sand seniors that they prioritize the greater good and not pursue the Hidden Rain Village to prevent greater losses.
According to Sasori's understanding, if his grandma Chiyo came out in this crisis, his uncle Ebizo would likely follow suit.
Ebizo would surely agree to this more rational proposal.
The group split into two; Uehara Naraku left them to pursue Orochimaru alone.
Sasori watched Uehara Naraku's figure soar into the air, made a hand seal for the Illusionary Body Jutsu, and injected chakra into his ring.
The other side, Deva Path of Pain, received the message.
After a while, Deva Path of Pain, Konan, Sasori of the Red Sand, and Deidara's apparition appeared in a secret chamber.
Konan asked with some confusion: "Sasori, is there something wrong?"
"There's a small issue."
Sasori briefly reported the situation, including Uehara Naraku killing the Fourth Kazekage, attempting to capture the One-tailed Jinchuriki, and how he's now going to the Hidden Sand Village to handle what Uehara left behind.
After finishing his report, Sasori added: "I am somewhat concerned about him going after Orochimaru alone, but that little brat Uehara insisted…"
"No need to worry."
Deva Path of Pain nodded after listening: "You've done well to handle the Hidden Sand Village's issue. Without all the tailed beasts' intel, it's not the right time to capture the One-tail. You and Deidara can go about your tasks!"
After finishing the discussion, Pain ended the Illusionary Body Jutsu.
Deidara looked at Sasori with some confusion: "Sasori Danna, you're quite worried about that intern, huh!"
"Hmph, you're still too young."
Sasori shook his head, manipulating Hiruko to climb onto Deidara's clay giant bird: "That little brat has given me a valuable material.
But he's a bit too stubborn, always aiming to become a formal member of Akatsuki.
Right now, he should return to the Land of Rain to ensure his safety.
After all, Orochimaru is not someone he can easily handle."