Kakashi, shouldn't we rest for a bit? We've been rushing nonstop without taking a single break. Everyone's worn down, and our chakra reserves aren't at their peak. If we run into a fight like this, it'll put us at a serious disadvantage.
The one speaking was Yamanaka Haiichi, from the Yamanaka clan—one of the three great clans of Konoha's Ino–Shika–Chō formation, known for their unique abilities to control bodies and probe memories.
"Yeah, Kakashi," added another, "I know you're eager to confirm whether this has to do with Aoyama, but the intel only said suspected. It might not even be him."
"Enough talking. Kakashi, you're the captain, but I propose we rest midway and recover. If we run into a real fight like this, we could suffer casualties."
"Shikaku's right," another said gravely. "What matters most right now is not speed, but being in fighting shape. Kakashi, you're an experienced ninja—you know what the best choice is in this kind of situation."
Kakashi glanced back. Indeed, fatigue was written across everyone's faces. Even he was drained—his chakra barely at seventy percent, his stamina at less than half.
In this state, if they encountered an enemy, things could go very badly.
Kakashi nodded seriously. "You're right. I let my impatience get the better of me. Sorry, everyone."
"We'll rest here a bit," he continued. "In the meantime, let's plan. If Shimura Danzō and his Root squad really are gone, we need to make sure none of this leaks back to Konoha. Rain Country's strength may surpass expectations. Even if Hanzō of the Salamander doesn't show, we must prepare for the possibility. After all, he's a figure at the very pinnacle of the shinobi world. Against him, we wouldn't stand a chance."
Shikaku nodded. "Exactly. Hanzō is one of the strongest in the entire shinobi world. Don't forget—the legendary title of the 'Sannin' was bestowed by him. Aside from the Hokage himself, I doubt anyone could face him one-on-one. Certainly not us."
Haiichi agreed. "If it comes to a fight, we'll be outmatched—completely. Our mission isn't to clash head-on, but to confirm the intel: whether Danzō and Root are dead, or if they were captured."
Akimichi Chōza popped a soldier pill into his mouth, then offered some to the others. "If you ask me, Danzō's dead. Otherwise, he would've returned to the village already. You all know what kind of man he was. Why don't we just poke around Rain a bit, gather some intel, avoid clashing with Hanzō, and wrap up the mission? How about that?"
Kakashi shook his head. "We'll have to go deeper. Until we reach Amegakure itself, too many things remain uncertain."
The four were still discussing when they suddenly felt a very familiar chakra signature approaching. Spinning around, they saw a green blur racing toward them.
It was Might Guy, flashing his trademark grin, teeth gleaming white as he threw up a thumbs-up.
"Yo, Kakashi! Finally found you guys. How could you take on a mission involving Aoyama without me, huh?"
Everyone's expressions shifted at once. Shikaku slapped his forehead. "Guy… our mission isn't to find Aoyama. It's to determine whether Danzō and his Root team are dead or captured."
Guy beamed. "I know, I know! But the mission notes did say Aoyama might have been sighted, right? So if we check along the way, what's the harm?"
Then he added, grinning even wider: "Besides… I can tell you responsibly—Danzō's already dead."
A sudden voice—strange yet familiar—made them all snap into fighting stances, kunai drawn, eyes searching. And there he was: Aoyama, standing calmly, with a stranger beside him.
Kakashi's eye widened. "Aoyama! It's you! Wait—the man beside you… damn it, so you did join some underground organization."
Chōza hesitated. "So… do we fight him?"
Shikaku nodded grimly. "I'd say so. That guy reeks of blood. The killing intent rolling off him makes it clear—this won't end peacefully."
The figure beside Aoyama was hidden within the puppet body of Hiruko—none other than Sasori of the Red Sand. Seeing the Leaf ninja ready themselves, Sasori rasped, "The Ino–Shika–Chō trio, and Hatake Kakashi… quite the interesting combination. Worthy of becoming part of my collection."
Five Konoha shinobi stood there—yet Sasori's words had pointedly skipped over one.
Guy blinked, then shouted indignantly, "Hey! What about me?! You can't just ignore me—I'm Konoha's Noble Green Beast!"
Sasori paused, then tilted his head toward Aoyama. "…Is that guy mentally stable?"
Aoyama shrugged. "He's as much a beast as he claims. If you're not careful, he'll send you flying. You may want to wait for Kakuzu before you go all-in. Alone, you might get overwhelmed."
The Ino–Shika–Chō formation was famous, but not particularly threatening. Kakashi, on the other hand, was a name to respect—not just the "Copy Ninja," but the son of Konoha's White Fang. As for the Green Beast… Sasori dismissed him once again, as if he weren't even there.
Unrolling a scroll, Sasori summoned two ordinary puppets. "Let's begin the performance of my art. Kakuzu can have the head, but the rest of your bodies—I'll be taking them for myself."
"They're coming!" Shikaku barked. "The enemy's a Sand puppet master! Battle formation B! Kakashi, act freely!"
"Understood. Partial Multi-Size Jutsu! Super Hand!"
"'Act freely,' huh? That suits me just fine—Lightning Style: Chidori!"
"Wait, what about me? Hey, Shikaku, what am I supposed to do? I'm Konoha's Noble Green Beast—you can't just leave me out!"
Guy hopped anxiously from foot to foot, waiting for orders. Instead, what came was the first attack: one of Sasori's puppets lunged straight at him.
Sasori grimaced at the sight of the green-clad, thick-browed "watermelon" charging his way. Disgust churned in him. Better to just kill this one first.
The puppet's chest opened, revealing a black aperture. Mechanisms clicked, and a volley of poisoned kunai shot out, gleaming faintly with toxic light.
Being targeted first only made Guy more excited. Locking eyes on the puppet, he ignored the rain of kunai, whipping out his nunchaku. Spinning them at blinding speed, he batted the blades away and then sprinted forward—driving a massive kick right into the puppet's face.
The print of Guy's size-forty-four sandal landed squarely on the puppet's head—directly on Sasori's face.
Aoyama didn't need to see Sasori's expression to know the puppet master was seething. Hiruko's tail immediately lashed out, the steel blade arcing toward Kakashi.