Naruto: Passerby and Returnee

Chapter 388 Offense and Defense

"I see, so it was sent out on purpose. Although it seems like a traitor who leaked our information to Orochimaru and the others. Hmm."

"But there's nothing I can do. After the procedure, I don't know what will happen."

Two figures, one tall and one short, one thin and one broad, were slowly moving through the desert. The sandstorm could neither stop their steps nor silence their exchange of information. Although Akatsuki's robes somewhat hindered their movement in battle, they were quite effective at protecting them from the sandstorm.

The figure, only half the height of the tall one, glanced at the small cloth bag in his companion's hand and asked in a hoarse voice, "By the way, are you sure you're okay using only the contents of one bag? The other party is a 'Jinchūriki'."

The crisp sound of bells rang in the sandstorm, and the tall man's voice was incredibly young, tinged with a hint of fanaticism, "All my ninjutsu are art! And I've brought my trump card. After all, the opponent is, after all, the 'One-Tailed Beast'."

During a break from chatting, the tall creature's other mouth was also busy. It swallowed a mouthful of white clay, chewing it continuously and injecting dangerous chakra into it.

If one knows enough about the Akatsuki organization, then their identities can be determined simply by their appearances. Sasori and Deidara, a duo, have been active between the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth for many years, repeatedly switching sides under the guise of being rogue ninjas from both countries. Therefore, the task of retrieving the first tailed beast naturally fell to this duo.

As previously agreed, Deidara would handle the One-Tailed Beast. Sasori's identity was somewhat special; if he intervened directly, it might alert the usually inactive Sand Village's elite ninja, which would be detrimental to their operation. However, Sasori also knew the village's ruthless nature. The newly appointed Kazekage hadn't truly secured his position; if their only goal was to kidnap the Kazekage, there would always be those unwilling to exert their full strength, giving them an opportunity to fish in troubled waters.

However, plans can never keep up with changes. They had only just reached the vicinity of the Sand Village's gate when a sharp cry resounded through the sky.

"Oh? Looks like your technique failed, Sasori-nii-san~ Hmm." Despite the highly vigilant ninja village, Deidara still had the mood to make a joke.

"...No, the ninjutsu was successful, but time will wear some things down." Sasori wasn't particularly surprised. Yura was a smart person, and it was precisely because of this intelligence that he chose her as a pawn to keep. However, smart people are often difficult to control, and betrayal is common.

Did that guy who once hated the darkness of Sunagakure finally succumb to the corrupting influence of power? It doesn't matter anymore; the outcome will just be a little more troublesome.

"What should we do now? Force our way in? Hmm." Deidara asked the question, but his tone was full of eagerness.

"Do you think you're well-prepared? Go in according to the plan, and I'll make sure the retreat route is clear," Scorpion said with utter disdain.

Deidara stuck out his tongue where the other person couldn't see. The white clay he was holding had now transformed into the shape of a bird. With a spell, the tiny bird miraculously transformed into a large bird capable of carrying people. Deidara tossed his hat aside, jumped onto the bird's back, waved without a care, and took off.

"Then I'll leave it to you, Brother Scorpion! Okay."

The sudden ascent of the white bird naturally drew the attention of the defenders, who unleashed a barrage of arrows from the stepped rock face, aimed directly at the ascending bird. Unfortunately for them, Deidara's agility proved superior. With a flap of its wings, the bird accelerated through the rain of arrows, inadvertently drawing the attention of almost everyone present.

"Keep the arrow rain going, deploy the explosive tags. Have the ranged units arrived yet?" This was Yura's first time facing Akatsuki, and he was severely lacking in intelligence. However, he knew Sasori's terror well, and he dared not take his eyes off the ground for even a moment.

"The ranged unit is still assembling. This is the advance emergency team reporting!" A ninja carrying a large fan jumped up from below. "Except for the captain who went to Konoha, the ranged unit consists of 35 people, and 7 have arrived!"

"Seven people will do. Please arrange yourselves in formation and prepare to use the Wind Net."

"The one in the sky?"

"No, against the enemy on the ground. Attack the moment he moves, understand?"

Although the group didn't understand, they still followed the instructions, forming a formation on the rock wall, accumulating chakra while intently watching the situation on the ground.

Soon, they understood why Captain Yura insisted on using the "Wind Net," a large-scale ninjutsu that consumes a great deal of chakra. It was because... that seemingly harmless person had suddenly unleashed an overwhelming army of puppets!

In an instant, the shouts of the Sand Village ninjas, the cutting sounds of wind blades colliding with the puppet army, and the explosions in the sky were continuous, clearly indicating a fierce melee.

Upon hearing the alarm, Gaara instinctively rushed to the main gate. Having only become Kazekage in the last year, he was mostly a ninja who followed orders. Therefore, he had no intention of staying behind to command; instead, he immediately went to the scene.

Fortunately, he had many reliable companions, such as his older brother Kankuro and his teacher Baki. Normally, Baki would be the one to step forward and take charge, but Kankuro waited and waited and Baki didn't arrive, so he had to step forward and take over the command position himself.

Evacuating the crowd near the main gate is essential, as is establishing multiple layers of defense. The enemy is the dangerous Akatsuki; even if there are only two of them, we must treat them with caution. Also...did Yura report that Akatsuki's target might be a Tailed Beast? Wouldn't that put Gaara in grave danger?! Yura said he needs ranged units, right? Then send everyone over there, leaving no one in the middle!

By the time Kankuro had finished assigning most of the tasks, Maki finally arrived late, carrying a man who looked half-dead with a large, bright red gash on his chest.

"Where is Lord Kazekage?"

"I was already at the door."

Maki frowned and said, "This traitor said that Sasori of the Red Sand is about to attack Sunagakure."

"What? Sasori of the Red Sand!" Kankuro's mind went blank for a moment. For him, a puppeteer, Sasori's name was legendary!

"You continue commanding, I'm going to fetch the elders." Maki had no intention of taking over Kankuro's job; after delivering the information, he immediately prepared to set off.

"The elders will step in?" Kankuro didn't understand. What else could those guys do besides contradicting them?

"This time it definitely will." Maki disappeared without looking back.