Tenten nodded in agreement, watching Natsuki leave.
Two years of peaceful life had made her treasure and love these days. Now that the Akatsuki was moving again, it left her feeling quite unhappy.
Fortunately, she wasn't worried about Natsuki's safety. After all, Natsuki was truly strong. His Hiraishin no Jutsu (Flying Thunder God Technique) had become ever more refined. In her eyes, Natsuki was already the fastest shinobi in the world, and coupled with his overwhelming strength, he was definitely among the top in the entire ninja world.
Anyone who wanted to harm him would have to go get their funeral arrangements ready first.
What she worried about was that the Akatsuki's actions would shatter the peace in the world. At that point, even something as simple as having a quiet meal together might become impossible.
How annoying!
Tenten finished her meal with a heavy heart. Just as she finished washing the dishes, another ANBU came to summon her—Tsunade wanted her to come immediately.
"Natsuki just left, and there's already another urgent summons? Looks like the Akatsuki's movements aren't ordinary this time!"
She didn't dare delay. After changing into her gear, she used Hiraishin no Jutsu to flash directly to the Hokage's office.
Her Flying Thunder God could already transport herself, though she wasn't confident yet in bringing another person along, and the range was still limited. But for personal combat, it was more than enough.
Given a few more years, she might even reach Natsuki's level.
"Tsunade-sama, what's going on?" Tenten quickly asked.
"You got here fast—as expected, Flying Thunder God is reassuring," Tsunade said with a rare look of relief.
After all, this girl wielded the Rikudō Tools, making her one of the village's top combat forces—only second to Natsuki.
Tsunade believed that with Tenten in the mission, things would be fine.
She handed over a scroll.
Tenten opened it and immediately frowned. "Gaara's been captured? The ones who did it were Deidara and Sasori of the Red Sand?"
Tsunade nodded. "Mm. Don't rush yet. I'll wait for the others to arrive before giving orders."
Tenten could only sit patiently. Before long, Kakashi, Team 7, and Guy's team all arrived. It seemed Tsunade was planning to send two full squads for support.
That was quite the reinforcement. Just in terms of jōnin, they had Kakashi, Guy, Tenten, Neji, and Sasuke—five in total.
Of course, Tsunade had her reasons. If it was just Deidara and Sasori, there was no need for so many, but what if other Akatsuki members showed up?
Better safe than sorry.
When everyone was present, Tsunade said directly, "We just received word: the Kazekage, Gaara of Sunagakure, has been captured by Deidara and Sasori. We need to send reinforcements."
Naruto immediately became anxious. "What happened? The Akatsuki captured Gaara?!"
The others weren't surprised, but Sasuke quietly glanced at Naruto. He, Naruto, and Gaara were all now Jinchūriki.
The Akatsuki… it seemed they had truly begun their hunt.
He looked forward to Uchiha Itachi coming for him.
Tsunade quickly reassured, "Don't panic—panic won't help! Naruto, you've trained for two years; you need to learn to stay calm first!"
Naruto took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, but the change in his pupils revealed his unrest. After all, Gaara was a friend who shared the same fate as him.
"Gaara was only just taken. Sunagakure immediately sent a messenger hawk. I'm sending both your squads to bring the Kazekage back. If possible, eliminate Deidara and Sasori—cut down the Akatsuki's fighting power. You're all the village's elite; I trust your strength! Now, Kakashi will lead you out immediately!"
"Yes!"
Kakashi led everyone out.
Walking at the rear, Tenten caught Tsunade's meaningful glance—if necessary, don't hold back. Use the Rikudō Tools.
Against the Akatsuki, those legendary weapons wouldn't stay hidden for long anyway, so they might as well be used where they mattered most. And even if word got out, it wasn't as if the enemy could easily counter them.
Tenten understood.
Tsunade's calmness came entirely from her and the Rikudō Tools.
After all, Kakashi couldn't beat Uchiha Itachi. If they really encountered him, Tenten might be the only one who could turn the tide.
Earlier…
Takigakure.
The spiral-masked man suddenly appeared in the village, slaughtering any Takinin who approached without discrimination, throwing the entire settlement into chaos.
Leader Shibuki, upon seeing the black cloak with red clouds, immediately knew the intruder was here for Fū.
Without hesitation, he charged in, stabbing his kunai at the masked man—only for it to pass through as if he wasn't there. In the next moment, his neck was caught in a crushing grip.
"The leader of a tiny village? Pathetic," the masked man mocked, about to kill Shibuki.
"Stop! I'll go with you! Just don't hurt anyone else!" Fū suddenly appeared, blocking him.
The masked man raised an eyebrow. "Oh? How selfless. Seems this man is important to you. I don't like wasting time, so if you're willing to come, fine."
He tossed Shibuki aside.
Fū let out a breath of relief. She had always known this day would come. Looking at the villagers lying in pools of blood, her heart was heavy with guilt.
But now, the only thing she could do was go with this Akatsuki member—otherwise, the entire village would be wiped out. That would be even more painful.
Thankfully, she had prepared in advance. Her hand brushed against the pouch at her waist.
Inside was the kunai Natsuki had given her.
Shibuki struggled to his feet, reaching out with a hoarse cry, "Fū! Don't go! You'll die!"
Fū shook her head. "Shibuki, we agreed on this. Goodbye."
Shibuki froze, watching her walk away as tears streamed down his face. But there was no time to grieve—he quickly wrote an urgent scroll and sent it off with the fastest messenger hawk to Konoha, hoping it wouldn't be too late.
This was the plan they had made beforehand. Fū's words just now had been a signal.
She would follow the enemy, and Shibuki would send word to Natsuki, who could then arrive in time to save her.
Shibuki had objected to this plan at first, but after experiencing the enemy's overwhelming power just now, he realized how foolish his earlier defiance was.
Now, his only hope was that Natsuki would receive the message quickly and arrive even faster.
Natsuki had already locked onto the Flying Thunder God marker on Fū's kunai. In the next moment, he flashed in.
"Yo! Die!"
With a casual greeting, a laser beam shot from his fingertip, piercing through the masked man's body.
But the man reacted quickly, twisting away so only his shoulder was hit, and then immediately becoming intangible.
Since he was intangible, he could no longer hold Fū hostage. Natsuki instantly pulled her behind him—without a hostage, things just got a lot easier.
"Natsuki! You're here!" Fū said in delight.
See? This was exactly why she had made that plan.
She had known—her amazing friend Natsuki would arrive at the fastest speed to save her.
(End of Chapter)
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