"Let's move."
Shigure rose to his feet, his gaze sweeping over Chiyo and the others.
"The sooner this is resolved, the sooner I can return to the Hidden Mist Village and handle my own affairs."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"Sunagakure will be sending ninja as well, correct? Have you decided who?"
A rescue mission like this didn't require large numbers. In fact, the more people involved, the easier it would be for the enemy to detect them. For ninja, a compact team of elites was far more effective.
Chiyo answered calmly, "I'll go—with Kankurō. The rest will remain in the Village."
She then glanced at Baki.
"My younger brother, Ebizō, will assist you here."
Baki's eyes lit up instantly.
No one knew better than him how much pressure he had endured while trying to hold Sunagakure together. Despite his experience, his authority could never compare to that of the Fourth Kazekage. If not for Gaara, the Village might have collapsed long ago.
Now, with veterans like Chiyo and Ebizō stepping forward, the burden on his shoulders lightened considerably.
"I wish you a safe journey, Lord Chiyo," Baki said sincerely, bowing to both her and Shigure.
After leaving Sunagakure, Shigure set off in a specific direction, accompanied by Kuji and Kisame. Chiyo and Kankurō followed close behind.
As they traveled, Chiyo drifted closer to Shigure, her sharp eyes flicking toward the two figures at his sides.
"Boy," she said, "your guards are no ordinary ninja."
Shigure smiled faintly. "Kaguya Kuji. Hoshigaki Kisame."
Chiyo froze for a brief moment.
"The Kaguya Clan…?"
Her gaze fixed on Kuji, slowly examining him from head to toe.
"I never thought I'd see a member of the Kaguya Clan again after all these years."
Beside her, Kankurō looked puzzled. "Lady Chiyo… are they really that famous?"
Chiyo chuckled softly. "You youngsters really don't study history anymore."
"The Kaguya Clan possessed an extremely rare physical Bloodline Limit. Their combat power was terrifying. Unfortunately, their temperament was just as extreme."
"They were prone to losing control—and many suffered from a mysterious bloodline-related illness. The stronger their bloodline, the more likely the condition would manifest."
Shigure nodded. "That's correct, Granny Chiyo. But the Kaguya Clan has already overcome that flaw."
He glanced at Kuji.
"Kuji is exceptionally stable."
Chiyo's eyes narrowed slightly.
If that were true… then the Kaguya Clan would no longer be merely fearsome.
They would be terrifying.
Granny Chiyo knew very well just how terrifying a ninja of the Kaguya Clan could be.
Her gaze shifted to the other man walking beside Shigure—a member of the Hoshigaki Clan.
Although the Hoshigaki did not possess a Bloodline Limit, their clan had a distinctive trait: a shark-like physiology. Some members were even capable of breathing underwater.
For those born in a place like the Land of Water, this trait alone was an overwhelming advantage.
More importantly, many Hoshigaki clan members were known for their monstrous physical strength.
Chiyo's eyes narrowed slightly as she studied the weapons on their backs.
"Judging by those swords… they're members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, aren't they?"
Shigure nodded calmly.
"That's right. Kuji wields the ninja sword Splash, and Kisame is the wielder of the great sword Samehada."
So that was it.
Chiyo let out a soft laugh.
"I never expected to see a Kaguya clan ninja among the new generation of the Seven Swordsmen."
She looked puzzled.
"The Kaguya Clan has always relied on their Bloodline Limit. Why would they need to become one of the Seven Swordsmen?"
Shigure smiled faintly.
"The Kaguya Clan's Shikotsumyaku is extremely powerful, but it has one flaw—its lack of long-range attack options. Splash perfectly compensates for that weakness."
Chiyo's expression stiffened slightly.
She understood immediately.
If a Kaguya clan ninja gained reliable long-range attack capabilities, their threat level would rise dramatically.
Her gaze then shifted to Shigure himself.
"You're the new Mizukage of the Hidden Mist Village?"
"Acting Mizukage," Shigure corrected calmly.
Acting or not, Chiyo knew better than anyone—no ordinary ninja could ever sit in that position.
She studied him carefully.
"And your surname?"
Shigure replied without hesitation.
"Minazuki."
At those words, Kankuro froze.
Minazuki?
Wasn't this man supposed to be Gekkō Shigure?
Chiyo, however, reacted very differently.
"Minazuki… no wonder." She smiled slowly. "Back then, I always said that the Yuki Clan's Ice Release was the most formidable Bloodline Limit in the Hidden Mist."
That didn't mean Ice Release was the strongest ability in existence—but in the Land of Water, it was almost unfair.
Most shinobi there specialized in Water Release.
In such an environment, Ice Release was naturally amplified. With coastlines, islands, and constant moisture, its power could be brought out to terrifying levels.
"I never imagined that after all these years, someone from the Yuki Clan would actually become the Mizukage."
Chiyo chuckled softly.
Shigure didn't respond.
Instead, he raised his hand—and released a pure white dove into the sky.
As the bird soared higher, Shigure's eyes sharpened.
"Found him."
Chiyo's smile vanished.
"Found who?"
Shigure pointed in a specific direction.
"Gaara's location."
Chiyo's expression turned serious.
"Are you certain?"
"Yes."
She nodded without hesitation.
"Then there's no time to waste. We move immediately."
Shigure glanced at her sideways.
"Granny Chiyo, can you keep up? Don't slow us down."
"Hmph!" she snorted. "You brats better not underestimate this old woman—or you'll regret it."
The next instant, Chiyo shot forward.
Shigure was briefly startled. Her speed was anything but slow.
The group immediately accelerated, rushing toward Gaara's location.
At the same time, the Akatsuki's sealing ritual had nearly concluded.
Gaara lay motionless on the ground.
From afar, Obito turned his head slightly. Though the approaching group was still distant, Zetsu had already detected their chakra.
"It seems we have guests," Zetsu said slowly.
Itachi opened his eyes.
"Who?"
"Shinobi from the Hidden Mist Village."
Hidden Mist…
Itachi recalled the young Mist ninja he had encountered in Konoha before.
"…Is Kisame among them?"
Zetsu nodded.
Itachi seemed ready to act, but the Deva Path of Pain spoke first.
"Now is not the time for unnecessary conflict. The sealing has just been completed—disperse immediately."
His gaze briefly fell on Konan, a trace of concern flickering in his eyes.
Konan met his look and nodded reassuringly.
"We must accelerate the capture of the Tailed Beasts," Pain continued.
"Itachi, you'll head to the Hidden Cloud Village and capture the Two-Tails."
"The Four-Tails and Five-Tails are mine."
After issuing his orders, Pain spoke one final word.
"Disperse."
One by one, the projections vanished.
Only Sasori, Deidara, and Konan remained.
Konan had stayed behind to assist the two of them in covering their retreat.
After all, sealing a Tailed Beast took time—and being discovered at this stage would be disastrous.
"I need to leave as soon as possible," Konan said calmly.
"You two should also withdraw immediately."
(End of Chapter)
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