The spiral blade in the hand of the green half-body Susanoo giant kept rotating, halting the falling long spears made of iron sand.
The elongated projectiles struck the spinning blade and the body of the Susanoo but were unable to move forward any further.
Sasori flexed his fingers skillfully, manipulating the Third Kazekage multiple times to reshape his Iron Sand Body.
The iron sand sometimes condensed into a massive spinning top, sometimes into a pyramid shape.
They spun rapidly through the air before descending downward.
Zzzzt~
It sounded like sparks flying from metal grinding—Sasori couldn't break through Shisui Uchiha's Susanoo defense.
Maintaining his Susanoo form, Shisui felt immense pressure. His ocular powers were steadily draining away.
Though Orochimaru and Kakuzu hadn't moved yet, they subtly blocked his escape routes.
After a brief moment of thought, he decided to break through in Kakuzu's direction.
Because he had never seen Kakuzu use any large-scale defensive techniques.
[Susanoo - Ninety-Nine]
The chest plate of the Susanoo opened. Countless arrows of green chakra shot toward Kakuzu.
Kakuzu frowned.
Why me?! Does he think I'm an easy target?
Without hesitation, he used the Shifting Body Technique to dodge.
Shisui Uchiha dashed in that direction...
"Stop him!" Dodai shouted.
Since ordinary ninja had limited offensive options, when Dodai gave the order, dozens of shinobi resorted to their quickest attack—they hurled countless kunai at Shisui, each fitted with an explosive tag.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Explosions raged on from behind without pause, leaving Shisui no choice but to keep his Susanoo active just to stay alive.
Only after the figure completely disappeared did Dodai angrily confront Orochimaru and the other three. "Why didn't you all attack just now?"
Sasori coldly replied, "We are not your subordinates. We're only working together; you have no right to command us."
They weren't about to explain themselves.
For these fiercely independent rogue ninjas, unity was like a pile of dung—messy and unmanageable—while scattering apart was like stars scattered across the sky—clear and free.
Dodai was momentarily left speechless.
"The Mangekyo Sharingan," Orochimaru murmured. "Madara Uchiha, who supposedly pacified the Ninja World alongside Hashirama Senju, also possessed eyes like that."
After Orochimaru and the others left, Dodai silently sighed.
They had been unexpectedly attacked, suffered heavy casualties, and gained absolutely nothing from the entire ordeal.
The Kumo ninja were tallying the losses and sending the injured for treatment.
Suddenly recalling something, Dodai ordered, "Go fetch that ninja who previously spoke with the Frost Shinobi."
After a brief search, his subordinate returned and said, "Lord Dodai, that person is already dead."
Dodai wasn't surprised. He proceeded with new orders. "Those Frost Shinobi must no longer remain here."
His subordinate immediately understood his implication and nodded repeatedly.
"Send someone to find another place as our new base."
"Replace the entire guard duty schedule and rotate out all personnel."
Meanwhile.
After what seemed like an eternity, Shisui Uchiha was finally brought back before Shimura Danzo and others from the Uchiha clan.
Danzo Shimura was not a man known for kindness or concern toward his subordinates.
The truth was, Danzo only cared about Shisui's eyes.
Ever since discovering that Shisui had awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan, those eyes had stopped being just a part of Shisui — they'd become backup eyes for Danzo himself.
Shisui entered the room where Danzo Shimura resided to report his findings.
"Shisui, are your eyes alright?" Danzo Shimura rarely showed any concern for members of the Uchiha clan, but now his tone betrayed some unease.
Gazing at Shisui's tightly shut left eye, he found himself worrying.
Had the eye gone blind? Had he used Izanagi during his escape?
Shisui shook his head and forced open his clenched-shut left eye.
Both were bloodshot, the left one especially so, looking truly terrifying.
"It's just excessive chakra strain on the eyes."
Danzo exhaled slightly in relief.
Without delay, Shisui recounted everything that had happened at the Kumogakure camp.
He included his suspicions regarding the Frost shinobi, Orochimaru, Kakuzu, Sasori of the Red Sands, and the corpse of the Third Kazekage.
Frowning deeply, Danzo ordered someone to relay news about Akatsuki's three members back to Konoha.
"As for the Frost shinobi…" A flicker of killing intent flashed across his eyes.
Left alone in the room, Danzo sank into thought.
The number of effective fighters was dwindling.
Shisui would likely remain weakened for some time, as would Kakashi.
Might Guy's wounds weren't serious, but relying solely on him still wouldn't be enough…
The sound of frantic knocking jolted Hiroki Hyuga awake.
He got up and opened the door.
A medical ninja stood there with a sincere expression. "We're short-handed at the medical unit. Could you come help?"
"Sure." Hiroki didn't even hesitate.
All the new patients tonight were individuals involved in the hostage rescue mission.
Despite Hiroki and other medics' best efforts treating their wounds, these men wore grim expressions.
Cold faces often gave way to complex and indescribable emotions flashing through their eyes.
The clock hands on the wall kept spinning — only half an hour remained until the next day.
It would mark the third day since Kumogakure issued the hostage ransom notice — the deadline that would determine the fate of two specific people.
As dawn broke, members of the Uchiha clan arrived outside Danzo's room.
To them, every clan member who had awakened their eyes was extremely valuable; thus, they hoped to save this person.
Since direct action had failed, why not try a softer approach?
They're looking for cash? Hand it over then! One million ryo wasn't even a dent in the village's funds anyway.
Danzo had anticipated someone would come looking for him and stationed guards outside to block them.
"The Lord Danzo is resting and cannot see anyone."
The Uchiha members could do nothing but leave in anger.
Hearing the commotion outside, a pang of frustration rose within Danzo.
He had already sent people to try rescuing them, but failed — now surely no one could say he didn't care about lives.
Besides, he thought these Uchiha clan members were being too emotional.
Those hostages must have been deemed dead the moment they were taken captive.
As he stepped out of the Medical Station after an all-nighter, Hiroki Hyuga ran into several Hyuga ninja.
Given the versatility of the Byakugan, Hyuga clan members are scattered across various roles.
Some fight on the frontlines, some heal the injured, some spy outside, and others guard the base.
Hiroki Hyuga strode toward them.
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