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The pursuit squad, having finished assembling, moved out at breakneck speed.
Originally, given the head start the enemy had and the intelligence regarding the strength of the Sound Four, the probability of Naruto's group catching up was slim to none. However, this was the Land of Fire, after all—territory within the Hidden Leaf's sphere of influence.
When Tsunade sent Shizune to notify Naruto, Kakashi, and the others, she had also issued advance orders for the Leaf ninja in that region to deploy layered searches and blockades. While they couldn't leave their designated patrol zones to fully encircle and suppress the Sound Four, this heightened state of alert was enough to force the Sound ninja off the shortest straight-line path. They had to take detours.
Furthermore, even on their chosen path, they had to move as covertly as possible.
This not only restricted the speed of the Sound Four but also lengthened the distance they had to travel to escape the Land of Fire.
This gave Naruto's squad a fighting chance to catch up.
Otherwise, if things had played out in the conventional way, neither in the original story nor in this life would Naruto, Shikamaru, and the others have ever been able to catch them.
---
While the pursuit began in the rear, events were also unfolding ahead.
Located in the western part of the Land of Fire, Kakashi received Tsunade's orders via the Hidden Leaf's special communication channels.
"What!? Sasuke defected!?"
Unlike the "polite" wording used with Naruto, the message Tsunade sent to Kakashi was blunt. She told him the unvarnished truth about Sasuke leaving the village.
Upon reading the intelligence, Kakashi's face was filled with shock and disbelief.
He truly hadn't expected that his Team 7 would produce two defectors in a row—and both of them individuals with the most unique identities in the village.
"Kakashi-senpai, this is an urgent order from the Hokage. Please move out immediately."
The Leaf ninja responsible for receiving the order at the outpost and relaying it to Kakashi spoke with a solemn expression.
"Right, I understand. I'll leave immediately. I'll leave the rest of the mission here to you."
Kakashi nodded heavily.
"Yes, sir!"
After the Leaf ninja acknowledged the order, Kakashi leaped into action, speeding due north according to the coordinates sent by the village.
If everything went smoothly, Kakashi would be able to regroup with Naruto and the others somewhere before the Valley of the End. Or, if luck was on his side, he might even be able to intercept Sasuke's group ahead of time.
People in different locations were all rapidly converging on a single point.
---
At the same time.
Land of Grass, southeast corner. Inside one of Orochimaru's secret bases.
"Oh? Is it time already?"
Menma, who had been allocated his own private room and laboratory, had been engrossed in his experiments.
Hearing a familiar presence approaching from behind, Menma paused his work, looked up at Karin as she drew near, and raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, Menma. It's the time you agreed upon with Orochimaru-san," Karin nodded and replied as she walked in.
"That was fast."
Because he had been obsessed with his experiments recently, focusing without distractions, it felt like time was flying. Thanks to this focus, Menma had made significant strides in his research on the physical body, gaining a deeper understanding of human physiology.
Of course, most of this was due to Orochimaru's help.
The fact was, Orochimaru had already ventured into the "deep waters" of this field. Menma was essentially walking down a path Orochimaru had already paved, moving forward without obstruction.
As long as he held the "helm" steady and accurate, everything would unfold according to his set goals.
Menma had a premonition: as long as he could achieve one more breakthrough in his research understanding, he could apply it to himself. He could use external forces to further develop his physical strength. By that time, perhaps without even relying on the Nine-Tails' power, he could exchange blows with someone of Orochimaru's caliber.
This was both a necessity dictated by reality and a result of his genuine, high-level interest in the subject.
That was why Menma had set a time and asked Karin to remind him when necessary—he couldn't afford to miss the timing.
"Then I suppose I should head out. Can't delay Orochimaru-san's big event," Menma said with a light smile.
Orochimaru had been very generous. He had handed over the necessary payment before Menma had even executed the mission—and the payment had exceeded Menma's expectations. Since Orochimaru was being so direct, Menma certainly had to pull his weight.
"Do you really not want me to go with you? Menma, I can provide a lot of help with sensory and healing duties."
Karin looked at Menma, who was ready to leave. Although he had told her this days ago, she couldn't help but ask again.
On one hand, she truly wanted to help Menma.
On the other, she had subconsciously developed a dependency on him. Karin wasn't willing to be too far away from Menma. It had to be said that even now, Karin still lacked a sense of security deep down and always wanted to stay by Menma's side.
"No, you shouldn't go out this time, Karin. There are still a few final auxiliary steps for the experiment here. I need you to help me perfect them so it won't affect the subsequent progress. Don't worry, it'll be two days at most. I will definitely come back."
Menma wore a gentle expression as he lightly patted Karin's head, speaking softly.
Leaving Karin alone in this secret base of Orochimaru's wasn't a concern for Menma.
This was one of Orochimaru's most important bases, and Orochimaru himself was present. Unless the Snake Sannin decided to break ties with him right now, Karin's safety was guaranteed.
"Also, regarding Orochimaru-san... you saw it last time too. His condition isn't very good. Keep an eye on things and see if there are any particular changes over the next two days."
"Mhm, I understand, Menma. Don't worry."
Although Karin felt disappointed that she couldn't go with Menma, she still nodded heavily with a look of determination.
"Well then, I'm off."
After Menma nodded, his figure blurred. He left the room directly, flying rapidly toward the exit of the base.
Just as Menma left...
Orochimaru received the news.
"Heh, cutting it close to the departure time as expected? That's Menma-kun for you. Cough, cough..."
Unlike when Menma had first returned...
Only a few days had passed, yet Orochimaru's condition had clearly deteriorated further. His face bore an obvious sickly pallor.
The weak aura that could be clearly sensed was proof enough that the Snake Sannin's current situation was far from good.
"Kabuto, prepare the ritual immediately. This body can't hold on any longer."