Gulp, gulp...
Ao's body rolled on the ground...
Eventually, his body stopped in front of Terumi Mei, the blood gushing from his throat flowing across the ground, staining Terumi Mei's shoes with red.
"Senior Ao..."
An expression of pain appeared in Terumi Mei's eyes.
Since she rose to the higher echelons of The Hidden Mist Village, Ao had always been by her side, guiding her growth just like a senior, following her orders devoutly.
Because Ao knew that a ninja like Terumi Mei was the future hope of The Hidden Mist Village, her double Kekkeigenkai was enough to foster a strong individual comparable to Kage level.
Now, Ao's body was right in front of Terumi Mei, his stiff face bearing a trace of surprise, as if he had never expected his ambush would be detected.
After all, he had sacrificed his Byakugan, assassinating that hooded member of Akatsuki!
"Hahahahaha..."
Deidara couldn't help but clutch his belly in uproarious laughter: "What kind of village is this, to have such idiots, he thinks he knows who he attempted to assassinate?"
To be honest, Deidara initially felt a bit apprehensive.
After all, if Uehara Naraku really had been assassinated, Konan might go insane, right? Given her affection for Uehara, she might have bombed the entire Land of Water into ruins, and he and Sasori might end up suffering her wrath.
Now that Uehara Naraku was unharmed, he could afford to be arrogant!
Deidara grinned, pulling out a lump of clay from his pouch, the mouth on his palm consuming the clay and gradually chewing it.
Ao unilaterally broke the agreement, so it was time to create a scene!
"Such hubris..."
Sasori of the Red Sand's emotions gradually calmed down, casting a slightly amazed glance at the nearby Uehara Naraku, after all, even he hadn't reacted in time to Ao's sudden attack!
Yet Uehara swiftly slit Ao's throat without a single trace of blood on himself.
Perhaps it's true, no wonder both Pain and Konan hold him in high regard?
"Senior Sasori, lend me a scroll."
Uehara Naraku waved as he tossed Ao's kunai to the ground, smoothly borrowing a sealing scroll from Sasori's hand, sealing away the Byakugan he held.
This is what's truly important.
In the future, perhaps this Byakugan could be given to Yakushi Kabuto, having it installed onto the White Zetsu Cloak, undoubtedly enhancing Yakushi Kabuto's strength once again.
The Mist Village Ninja gazed at Uehara Naraku, their faces displaying a touch of fear.
This monstrous member of Akatsuki seemingly didn't care about the assassination attempt just now.
Terumi Mei clenched her jaw, instructing the Anbu beside her: "Help me collect Ao's remains, I'm going to avenge him."
Her voice was somewhat calm.
But the Anbu nearby could hear a trace of anger within her calm voice, like the calm before a volcanic eruption.
A Hidden Mist Anbu couldn't help but swallow a mouthful of saliva, recalling Terumi Mei's terror, hurriedly responding in a low voice: "Yes, Lady Terumi Mei."
Tap, tap...
Tap, tap, tap, tap...
The crisp sound of high-heeled clogs on the floor resonated.
Terumi Mei walked step by step towards the members of Akatsuki, one by one the Mist Ninja whispered among themselves and regrouped, prepared to support her at any moment.
Uehara Naraku put away the scroll containing the Byakugan, watching Terumi Mei walk leisurely, he turned to Momochi Zabuza: "Zabuza-san, has she always been this brave?"
"...Yes."
Momochi Zabuza nodded with a grim expression.
Just in that instant earlier, Zabuza faintly held a hope.
He hoped Uehara Naraku was successfully assassinated by Ao, so he could immediately switch sides, directly attacking Sasori and Deidara, returning to The Hidden Mist Village as a hero spy.
Unfortunately.
Ao failed, and failed miserably.
Sasori of the Red Sand glanced at Momochi Zabuza, then at the Decapitating Carving Knife in his hand, frowning slightly: "Momochi Zabuza, the killing intent coming from you just now, was it directed at me?"
"..."
Cold sweat dripped from Momochi Zabuza's forehead.
Uehara Naraku chuckled, speaking up to relieve Zabuza: "There are still enemies present, we'll settle some things later, after all, the one we are up against might very well be the future Fifth Mizukage of The Hidden Mist Village!"
Momochi Zabuza barely let out a sigh of relief.
He wanted to wait until the end of this battle to make plans.
If Akatsuki failed in attacking The Hidden Mist Village this time, he would immediately return to The Hidden Mist Village, and with the intelligence he had on Akatsuki, surely he would hold a high position in the village.
If Akatsuki succeeded in attacking The Hidden Mist Village this time, he would immediately and obediently become a loyal member of Akatsuki again, after all, even though Akatsuki was few in number, their combat ability was exceptionally formidable, they might really be able to rule the Ninja World!
Just as Momochi Zabuza was feeling a bit relieved, Uehara Naraku suddenly spoke: "Now, let Zabuza-san kill this woman named Terumi Mei to prove his loyalty!"
Uehara Naraku's voice carried a hint of amusement: "In that case, if he wins, it proves he is still valuable; if he loses, dying doesn't concern us, it indicates we don't need a traitor and a waste like him..."
Bastard!
Momochi Zabuza cursed inwardly.
Just how little faith does Uehara Naraku have in him, when his people are still around them, and yet Uehara makes such arrangements for him?