Deep within a dark, cavernous mountain cave, a colossal humanoid golem stood, its body and limbs resembling withered wood, with ten pillar-like protrusions jutting from its back.
The golem's twisted facial expression and nine tightly shut eyes cast an eerie, unsettling aura throughout the cavern.
Uchiha Itachi's Illusionary Body Flicker materialized on one of the Outer Path Demonic Statue's fingers, his gaze sweeping indifferently across the assembled Akatsuki members.
Kakuzu and Hidan were the only ones missing.
Seeing the group assembled, Tendō Pain spoke slowly: "The situation in Takigakure has encountered complications and requires reinforcements. Which team will go?"
Hearing this, Uchiha Itachi lowered his gaze, feigning disinterest.
Helping others stage coups stirred up unpleasant memories for him. He had no desire to get involved in such matters unless absolutely necessary.
While Itachi remained indifferent, his partner Hoshigaki Kisame grinned widely. "What about Kakuzu and Hidan? Leader, didn't you assign them as backup?"
Tendō Pain said calmly, "Kakuzu and the others have encountered a formidable enemy, and Hidan..."
He paused, considering for a moment.
"He may already be dead."
Just minutes earlier, Tendō Pain had sensed the destruction of Hidan's ring.
The rings worn by Akatsuki members were specially crafted by Nagato.
Imbued with Nagato's spiritual energy, they served not only as communication devices but also as surveillance tools.
"Dead?" Deidara's voice dripped with mockery as he scoffed, "Wasn't that guy always boasting about being immortal? Kakuzu always seemed so tough too—who would have thought they'd fail at something so simple? By the way, Leader, who's the enemy?"
"The enemies obstructing my subordinates in Takigakure are from Konoha. I don't have detailed intelligence on their identities yet." Pain shook his head. "As for Kakuzu and the others, they're likely facing Konoha forces as well. I've already imprinted the Image Transformation Technique seals on two of my subordinates. You can use Image Transformation Technique clones to quickly reinforce them."
Hearing that the attackers were from Konoha, Uchiha Itachi, who had been silent until now, reacted subtly. His eyes flickered slightly, and his ears twitched, but he made no move to volunteer.
"Alright then," Deidara chuckled, turning to Sasori of the Red Sand. "Sasori, this time it's up to—"
"I know the enemy's exact situation," Zetsu suddenly interrupted.
"Hidan is indeed dead. The one who killed him was..."
Zetsu paused dramatically, his tone drawing out slightly. He glanced at Uchiha Itachi with a playful look before casually adding, "Uchiha Sasuke!"
'Sasuke?'
Upon hearing this name, Uchiha Itachi slowly opened his eyes, revealing his crimson Sharingan.
'Takigakure.'
Colliding Water Release techniques sent torrents of water cascading in all directions.
The tremendous force toppled trees and buildings, scattering splintered wood and broken branches everywhere.
Countless iron ninja tools, senbon, kunai, shuriken, shot forth, only to be shredded and deflected by a massive, humanoid tornado. Scraps of metal rained down, littering the ground.
"Naruto!"
A figure leaped into the fray, landing beside Naruto with a shout.
"Combined Ninjutsu!"
"Got it!"
Naruto responded swiftly, extending his right hand. Simultaneously, his Shadow Clone rotated both palms in a circular motion, conjuring a massive, tangible vortex of Chakra.
"Water Release: Raging Torrent!"
Sakura swiftly completed the hand seals. The water's surface erupted in violent waves, and a torrential flow of water surged forth like a raging waterfall!
"Rasengan!"
Combine!
'Water Release: Hurricane Water Vortex Technique!'
Sakura's Raging Torrent merged with Naruto's Rasengan, instantly forming a colossal water vortex that swept toward the Rain Ninja forces ahead.
(This combined ninjutsu technique originally appeared in the manga.)
"Ahhh!"
The Rain Ninja's meticulously formed ranks were shattered by the vortex's overwhelming force and speed. They cried out in agony.
"Rain Ninjas, you've already lost," Sakura declared, glancing at the groaning, incapacitated figures sprawled across the ground.
She stepped forward, addressing the gray-haired man, the man and woman beside him, and the few Rain Ninja still standing behind them. Her voice was firm and grave:
"Before this situation escalates further, there's still time to withdraw. Leave now, or face the consequences!"
As she spoke, Sakura subtly glanced at the distant battlefield from the corner of her eye.
Sakura breathed a sigh of relief as she watched Suien, the rogue ninja, struggle to withstand Fu's relentless assault.
She never would have imagined that the dark-skinned girl, who seemed as naturally dense and overly friendly as Naruto, would prove to be so formidable in battle.
Ordinarily, with their combined strength, Sakura and Naruto would never have been able to defeat nearly forty Rain Ninja so quickly.
But Fu had unleashed a secret techniqu, the Scale Powder Concealment Technique releasing countless paralyzing, vision-obscuring scales into the air.
The tide of battle instantly turned. With Naruto's overwhelming taijutsu charging through the ranks to disrupt their formation, and Sakura's Water Release support, the Rain Ninja were quickly pushed onto the defensive.
"Defeat?"
The gray-haired man murmured softly, then his voice surged into a crazed shout. "How could I be defeated? I still possess the power bestowed upon me by Lord God!"
"Kirisame!"
The gray-haired man glared at the masked Kirisame, demanding, "What are you waiting for?!"
Kirisame hesitated for a moment before sighing. "Understood!"
"The rest is up to you, Suien."
Kirisame murmured to the Amegakure Jonin beside him, "It's a pity... I won't live to see the day Lord God spoke of."
Suien nodded heavily. "The day Lord God foretold will surely come. Have faith!"
"I hope so..." Kirisame's lips twisted into a bitter smile, which vanished as quickly as it appeared, replaced by unwavering resolve and fervent devotion.
"Then, let's begin!"
No sooner had the words left his lips than Kirisame and the gray-haired man simultaneously formed a secret hand seal.
Their skin abruptly bulged and twisted as an inexplicable, mysterious chakra surged from their bodies.
"Naruto! Stop them!" Sakura shouted urgently, sensing something was wrong.
Though she didn't know what the Rain Ninja were planning, she knew one thing: whatever the enemy wanted to do, they had to prevent it!
Water Release!
Wind Release!
A ferocious joint ninjutsu erupted once more, hurtling toward the Rain Ninja in an attempt to intercept them.
"You think you can stop us?!"
Water Release: Multiple Water Formation Wall!
Suien roared, unleashing a defensive ninjutsu.
Boom!
The clash of jutsu unleashed a deafening roar and a massive shockwave, sending countless whirlpools and surging waves erupting across the water's surface.
'Did we manage to stop them?'
Sakura stared intently at the distant churning waves. The thick mist and towering waves obscured her vision, making it impossible to discern what was happening.
Then, in an instant, chaos erupted!
'Boom!'
A colossal fireball slammed into the water's surface with a sizzling hiss, hurtling toward Naruto and Sakura with terrifying speed.
___
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