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Deidara, a rogue ninja from Iwagakure, was highly talented and strong, but he still felt a sense of apprehension when facing Onoki, the Third Tsuchikage.
No matter what, Onoki was considered by Deidara to be the strongest among the Five Kage.
Of course, this does not include figures like Hashirama Senju.
"Deidara, you and Sasori will handle the Four-Tails that is wandering outside. I will take care of the Five-Tails personally."
Pain, who controlled the Six Paths of Pain, did not show any dissatisfaction or anger towards Deidara's words.
The Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, was indeed formidable.
The Akatsuki organization not only needed to resolve matters quickly but also maintain stability.
Nagato, who was behind Pain, believed that he had the capability to handle the Eight-Tails after dealing with the Five-Tails.
"Are there any other issues?"
Pain's emotionless, ripple-patterned Rinnegan glanced at each person.
No one else said anything.
"Then there are no problems. Continue with the extraction of the Tailed Beasts. Today's workload is still quite heavy."
After finishing this statement, Pain fell silent.
At that moment,
The enormous statue, known as the Outer Path: Gedo Statue, suddenly opened its massive mouth and took a deep breath, emitting a powerful suction force.
Under the effect of this suction,
Gaara's unconscious body gently floated upwards, and a vast amount of chakra was drawn out from him, entering the mouth of the Gedo Statue.
The chakra was transparent but clearly visible, and its quantity was immense.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
The Gedo Statue's gaping mouth acted like a vortex, drawing in all the chakra that had manifested from Gaara's body.
Clang!
Gaara's body abruptly lost its upward force, falling gently to the ground with a sound of impact.
Thus,
Gaara fell.
No life signs remained.
Once the Tailed Beast is extracted from the Jinchuriki, only death awaits.
"Next."
Pain's voice carried a slightly more noticeable edge, though it was still subtle.
*Phantom Dragon Nine Seals*
This technique, which extracts and seals the Tailed Beasts into the Outer Path: Gedo Statue, consumes an enormous amount of chakra. Given the current personnel of the Akatsuki, the energy expenditure is still significant.
Whoosh!
On the finger of the Outer Path: Gedo Statue, Kakuzu's figure flashed and disappeared.
In the next moment,
An unconscious female ninja was thrown into the spot where Gaara had been.
She was a kunoichi from Kumogakure, the Two-Tails Jinchuriki, Yugito Nii.
Whoosh!
After placing Yugito in position, Kakuzu's figure reappeared on the Outer Path: Gedo Statue's finger.
The Akatsuki members once again stood on the fingers of the Gedo Statue.
"Begin!"
Pain's deep voice echoed through the area, and immediately, each ninja started channeling their chakra for a new round of Phantom Dragon Nine Seals.
...
In the Land of Wind, Sunagakure, Conference Room.
The high-ranking officials of Sunagakure were holding an urgent meeting. Sitting in the highest positions were the reclusive advisors, Eizō and Chiyo.
These two Sunagakure advisors,
Had long lost their practical authority since the time of the Fourth Kazekage.
Not only because their son died in the Ninja World War but also due to the Land of Wind's budget cuts.
With all these reasons combined,
Their roles had become mostly ceremonial, leaving them to lead a more retired and leisurely life.
There was no one left in Sunagakure.
That's why these two were brought back into action.
"The Fifth Kazekage, Gaara, has been abducted. His bodyguard, Maki, is missing and his fate is unknown. All those who attended the Five Kage Summit have perished?"
Chiyo's grave voice filled the conference room, intensifying the already heavy atmosphere.
"Actually, Kankuro and I also attended the Five Kage Summit. However, when they went to Kumogakure, we returned to Sunagakure, which allowed us to survive."
The speaker was Gaara's sister, Temari. Her face was filled with anxiety, deeply worried about Gaara's situation.
If it had been the Chunin Exams, or if Gaara had been with peers, her concern would have been directed elsewhere.
But now, Gaara was missing from the Five Kage Summit!
Participants in that summit were ninjas bearing the title of Kage from each village.
Among them, Gaara was the youngest and the least experienced. Despite the protection of the Sand Armor, he was no match for the other Kage-level ninjas.
"You two were ineffective even if you had been present. The force that prevented both Gaara and Maki from returning was something none of us could escape. It would have only added to the casualties."
Chiyo gestured dismissively, having to analyze the situation. Sunagakure's development had been very slow over the years, with only this group of elite young ninjas available.
They couldn't afford to lose them all!
These individuals were the future backbone of Sunagakure.
"The information has already been sent to Konoha. Considering the time, we should receive a response soon. Let's see what Konoha has to say and then make our decisions."
Eizō shared his viewpoint. Compared to the anger and impatience of others, he remained relatively calm.
First, gather all the information.
Avoid acting impulsively.
"That makes sense."
Chiyo lowered her eyelids, her wrinkled and aged face showing signs of fatigue.
She was exhausted.
She had supported several generations of Kazekage.
From the disappearance of the Third Kazekage, to the Fourth Kazekage's disappearance, and now, the Fifth Kazekage.
Had it become a tradition for Kazekage to go missing?
Chiyo felt that these incidents were occurring too frequently, indicating some underlying issue.
*Knock! Knock! Knock!*
Suddenly, urgent knocking came from outside the door!
"Come in."
Chiyo spoke calmly.
The door opened.
A ninja wearing a Sunagakure forehead protector entered, holding a scroll sealed with Konoha's emblem, indicating it had not been opened yet.
"Lady Chiyo, Lord Eizō, and everyone, the response from Konoha has arrived!"
The ninja's voice was urgent, with beads of sweat on his face, showing that he had rushed here, sprinting in haste.
"Quickly, open it!"
Eizō urgently waved his hand. Their hopes were now pinned on Konoha.
Sunagakure's current situation was quite dire.
The old were old, the young were few, and there was no middle ground— the entire village seemed to be cannon fodder.
"Understood!"
The ninja immediately opened the scroll and began to read the contents aloud.
"To the ninjas of Sunagakure, we at Konoha deeply sympathize with your village's plight. We extend our most sincere condolences and best wishes. We recommend that your village quickly appoint a new Kazekage to avoid disrupting normal operations."
(End of Chapter)