"There are two routes leading to the destination. Akatsuki is very likely to have an ambush along the way. To save time, we'll split into two groups."
After Temari and Pakura returned to the new Sunagakure, Kenya gave his orders:
"The Guy Squad will come with me. Chiyo-senpai, Suigetsu—you'll go with Kakashi's squad."
"Why do I always end up with this troublesome lot…"
Suigetsu wanted to cry, but under Kenya's gaze he didn't dare argue. With a sigh, he slipped obediently into Team 7's formation.
Chiyo furrowed her wrinkled face but said nothing, following after Kakashi and the others.
Meanwhile, inside a sealed cave in the Grass Country—
The Demonic Statue of the Outer Path loomed as the sealing of Gaara neared completion. Just then, an Akatsuki member monitoring the barrier spoke up:
"Someone is coming. Two groups. It seems they've used a tracking technique to pinpoint our location."
"Who is it?"
In the phantom projection, only the silhouettes and Rinnegan eyes of the Six Paths could be seen as Tendo Pain questioned.
"Split into two teams—one led by Hatake Kakashi, the other by Uchiha Kenya."
Kisame grinned. "Oh~ that guy from three years ago. Didn't expect the [Shinigami] himself to step in."
He turned toward the "art duo" with a mocking smile.
"You're the ones who snatched his precious disciple. Why don't you deal with him?"
Only Sasori and Deidara were present in the flesh. The others were merely projections through the Illusionary Dragon Nine Consuming Seals—meaning only the duo could fight at full strength.
Sasori snorted, saying nothing. Deidara's lip curled in irritation, but before he could retort, Pain's voice cut in:
"Use that technique. Delay them. Now is not the time to clash with [Shinigami]. Among us, only I can stand against him."
His gaze grew heavy.
Three years ago, Kenya had shattered his technique with illusion alone—a memory still seared into Pain's mind.
For an instant, he wanted to admit aloud, "Even I may not be his equal."
But he swallowed the thought.
Instead, Itachi spoke calmly:
"I'll take the group led by Kakashi."
The organization members turned. It was rare for the cold and silent Uchiha Itachi to volunteer.
Pain gave a slight nod. "Your control of the Sharingan far exceeds Hatake Kakashi's. Even through this projection, you should be able to overwhelm him."
He turned toward Kisame.
"As for the other… Kisame, you'll handle him."
Kisame chuckled darkly. "I don't expect to defeat [Shinigami]…"
"You only need to delay him. Among us, your chakra reserves are the deepest."
"…Fair enough." Kisame shrugged with a toothy grin.
The two formed hand signs together, activating the jutsu.
In the forest, Naruto pushed himself to his limits, racing toward Gaara. His heart pounded with worry. He and Gaara—two Jinchūriki with similar pasts—had become close friends.
But suddenly, Naruto skidded to a halt, eyes wide.
Kakashi, Sakura, Chiyo, and Suigetsu—who'd been right beside him—were gone.
"W-what? Did I run too far ahead without noticing?" Naruto muttered, though even he didn't believe it.
Then, a cold voice answered him:
"No. You're trapped in a genjutsu."
From the shadows stepped a man in an Akatsuki cloak. His eyes—Sharingan.
Naruto's breath caught. He'd seen that face countless times on wanted posters.
"Uchiha… Itachi!"
The man Sasuke had sworn to kill.
On the other path—
"Be careful!" Neji shouted, activating his Byakugan.
The ground ahead erupted, dust exploding upward as something barreled toward them at terrifying speed.
Kenya stepped forward, his gaze calm.
"That blade… it isn't just a sword. It's practically a living creature, born of tailed beast chakra."
The air trembled.
BOOM!
Kenya released his spiritual pressure. The sheer weight of it twisted space itself.
In the rear, Tenten collapsed to her knees, pale and trembling.
"What… what is this pressure?!"
Even Guy and Neji staggered, struggling to remain standing.
The source of the attack revealed itself: Samehada.
But instead of lunging forward, the sentient blade curled up like a terrified animal, shivering as it cowered under Kenya's overwhelming presence.