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The billowing steam gradually dissipated.
In the thicket, a slender figure slowly emerged.
"Hmm? Managed to avoid it, huh?"
A casual voice drifted down, as if not bothered at all that his attack had missed.
Meanwhile, not far away, Kushimaru and Ringo were panting heavily.
With fearful eyes and a lingering sense of danger on their faces, they looked at the area that had been severely damaged by the intense explosion. Cold sweat had formed on their foreheads.
Swallowing nervously, Kushimaru trembled as he said, "Thanks... thanks to you, Ringo, or it could've been really bad."
Beside them, a figure dressed in ANBU attire but without a mask was coldly observing the slowly appearing figure.
"ANBU from Konoha? Not bad in terms of strength for your age."
The lean Rain Shinobi appraised Ringo with a casual glance and chuckled.
At this point, both Kushimaru and Ringo were also looking at the man with vigilance and whispered softly,
"Be cautious, Ringo. That guy's attacks are extremely elusive and hard to detect."
Ringo nodded lightly, his eyes fixed intently on the Rain Shinobi before him as he said in a grave tone,
"Are you the one responsible for the recent assassination activities, the guy from the Rain Village?"
The Rain Shinobi let out a light laugh, a touch of flippancy in his voice.
"You're correct. However, it's a bit disrespectful to call me 'the guy from the Rain Village.' When killing you, I always leave my calling card."
Saying this, he smirked, revealing a brilliant smile, and said in a cunning tone,
"Remember, my name is Jinin Akebino. Don't forget it."
Before his words had even settled, his hands suddenly clasped together.
"Secret Technique: Water Bind Sonic Burst!"
Seeing Jinin Akebino's movement, Ringo and the others' expressions tightened!
"Watch out!"
The three of them instantly moved away from their original positions!
From the surface of the ground, the accumulated water suddenly seemed to come to life, transforming into massive hands that lunged towards the trio!
A loud rumbling sound!
Although the trio had already moved out of the reach of the giant hands, they were still affected by the powerful shockwave of the explosion.
Whoosh—
All three of them sustained minor injuries, their clothes marked with small tears.
Ringo growled, "Damn it, when did this guy initiate the attack?! He's too unpredictable!"
Ringo took a slight breath and said in a low voice,
"You two engage him, draw his attention."
Hearing his words, Kushimaru and Ringo nodded.
As soon as they landed, they dashed toward Jinin Akebino!
Kushimaru rapidly formed hand seals, her expression focused as she stared at Jinin Akebino.
"Illusion Technique: Tree Bind Death Jutsu!"
In that split second, Ringo's jutsu was also ready!
He pinched with a single hand and blew forcefully.
"Fire Release: Fire Scorch Jutsu!"
Boom—
A sea of roaring flames surged toward Jinin Akebino.
It seemed that Jinin Akebino was trapped in an illusion, standing motionless as the flames engulfed him!
Success! The cooperation with Kushimaru worked!
Ringo's eyes sparkled with excitement.
At this moment!
Kushimaru's expression darkened, and she exclaimed,
"Be careful! He evaded my genjutsu!"
Hearing this, Ringo's face suddenly changed!
From a puddle of water beside him, a figure suddenly leaped out!
Akebino held a water blade in his hand, a smile on his face as he thrust it toward Ringo!
"You little brat, still too green!"
Just then!
A black figure suddenly appeared!
A flash of white light!
"Thud!"
The arm wielding the blade from Jinin Akebino was cleanly severed!
Ringo's face was expressionless as he looked at him,
Seizing the momentum, their figures moved once again.
His blade's movement was nearly imperceptible, and in an instant, Jinin Akebino's body was sliced into multiple pieces!
However, at this moment...
A voice slowly echoed from the distant thicket.
"Lucky brats, remember my name. Next time, you won't be fortunate enough to survive."
Hearing this, whether it was Ringo or Kushimaru and the others, their expressions subtly tightened.
And in front of Ringo, the body parts suddenly turned into water and splashed on the ground.
At this point...
A figure suddenly appeared from the woods and shouted,
"Are you all okay?! Ringo, Kushimaru!?"
Seeing the newcomer, all three of them let out a sigh of relief and replied in hushed tones,
"It's you, Tachikawa. We're fine. The person has escaped."
...
In the nearby thicket, a lean figure walked slowly.
A flippant smile hung on his face as he muttered in a low voice,
"I thought they were all useless, but it seems there are a few formidable ones among them."
"Well... I guess I didn't complete the mission this time... what a shame..."
Soon, a light hum resonated in the forest.
The hum was of a well-known children's song from the Rain Village...
...
Meanwhile, in the Land of Wind.
Sands whirled in the air, carrying with them small rocks that stung upon impact.
Within the sandstorm, three figures slowly appeared near a mysterious altar.
This was the Wind Altar—a place where the One-Tailed Shukaku was sealed.
"This is it."
Sōsuke looked at the ancient altar not far away with a hint of a smile.
Seeing the scenery before him, Shino's face twitched slightly, a hint of surprise in his voice.
"Could this be..."
He glanced at Shino and said softly, a faint smile on his lips.
"One of the seal locations for the legendary Nine-Tails, the One-Tailed Shukaku's sealing altar."
Upon hearing Aizen's words, Shino's expression grew slightly solemn, and he spoke in a deep voice,
"This kind of place, Sunagakure must have strict surveillance here. What's the point of us coming?"
Aizen's eyes beneath his glasses flashed a smile as he said in a calm voice,
"Hidden legends have their unique value. As far as I know, even Konoha has a Tailed Beast, but we know so little about it."
"However, as a compromise, coming to Sunagakure allows us to witness the Tailed Beast's appearance and facilitate our next move."
Hearing Aizen's evasive response, Shino frowned slightly and said in a serious tone,
"Are we going to forcefully infiltrate Sunagakure? That's extremely risky."
A faint chuckle escaped Aizen's lips, a glint of determination in his eyes.
"Don't easily underestimate yourself. This isn't a task of great difficulty. Besides, this isn't our village. If someone obstructs us, we eliminate them."
"Let's go. I'm eager to witness this ancient existence."
Speaking of this, a trace of excitement flickered in Aizen's gaze.
He then walked forward at a leisurely pace.
Seeing this, Saki followed without hesitation.
Meanwhile, Shino frowned as he observed Aizen's figure, wondering inwardly.
What's giving this guy so much confidence...
Since he couldn't figure it out, Shino promptly followed suit.
At the Wind Altar.
Around it, both hidden and visible, numerous Iwa shinobi stood guard.
Their mission was singular: to protect the Wind Altar at all costs, even at the expense of their lives!
These shinobi, whether overtly or covertly, were privy to Sunagakure's secretive plans!
About the technology regarding the Tailed Beasts left behind by the Second Kazekage!
This was the technology that could allow Sunagakure to stand as a dominant power atop the shinobi world!
Here!
Lay the hopes for Sunagakure's rise!
Each individual assigned to guard here was the most loyal shinobi of Sunagakure!
And today!
Before them stood three individuals!
Three individuals who threatened to crush the village's hopes...