Sai was confused—Tobi didn't seem interested in attacking him at all.
He simply moved at an incredible speed, constantly provoking Sai. No ordinary fighter would behave like this during a battle.
Then again, from what he knew, there wasn't a single "ordinary" person in the Akatsuki organization, so Sai decided not to dwell on it.
Just as he was fully focused on watching the strange man, he suddenly spotted a towering mushroom cloud rising on the horizon.
"That's the direction where Maki is. That must be Naruto-senpai clashing with the enemy. I wonder how he's doing now?"
He turned his focus back to Tobi.
"Maki is with Naruto-senpai, and Nine-Tails is helping them too. They should be safe enough."
"Wow, what a big cloud," Tobi said absentmindedly.
"Senior Deidara must've gone too far again. His art really shakes the heavens."
Sai unsheathed his tanto and disappeared into an ink clone.
Suddenly, he appeared beside Tobi and slashed at him with his blade—but the blade sliced right through the man's body.
"What?!"
Sai jumped back in shock, creating distance between himself and the weirdo.
"What in the world is going on here?"
"It hurts so much…" Tobi covered his face, pretending to look pitiful—even though it was clearly just an act. "You sure don't pull your punches, Mr. Sai."
"What kind of defense technique is this?" Sai thought to himself. "Fine then… if cutting you won't kill you…"
He sheathed his tanto and pulled out the scroll again.
[Super Beast Pseudo-Illusion!]
He painted three large birds and sent them flying toward Tobi. However, he had previously attached explosive tags onto the ink birds, which would detonate once they reached their target.
A powerful explosion rang out, and Sai leaped backward to dodge the explosion's shockwave.
When the smoke cleared, Sai looked at the wreckage before him and found that Tobi had disappeared once more.
"Is his speed really that fast? Maki was right—his speed truly surpasses even Naruto-senpai's."
"Thanks for the compliment!" Tobi suddenly appeared behind Sai, tapped him on the head with a wooden stick, and jumped up from a hidden hole in the ground.
Sai fell down from the blow but quickly scrambled back up, staring at Tobi behind him. The strange ninja held a wooden stick in hand, seemingly broken off from a tree branch.
"This is the weirdest ninja I've ever faced—he's treating me like a plaything."
******
"Myself and Akamaru both heard something!" A voice came from far away, followed by a dog's bark. "It came from that direction. I can even catch Naruto's scent!"
Five figures leapt from behind the trees and landed before Sai and Tobi.
Kiba, Akamaru, Neji, Shikamaru, and Kakashi observed the two shinobi before them, trying to assess whether they were allies or enemies.
Kakashi immediately recognized the Konoha insignia on Sai's headband.
"You're a ninja from Konoha?"
"That's right."
"Sai answered, "My codename is Zero. You can call me Sai." He smiled at the newly arrived ninja. "Pleased to meet you, Kakashi Hatake. Naruto speaks highly of you—you're something of a legend."
Kakashi raised an eyebrow.
"You're telling me you're working with Naruto? And I wasn't even informed?"
He vaguely recalled hearing the name "Sai" during one of Naruto's past missions. But why was he here now?
"It's a long story—and classified. A secret mission," Sai replied, then looked toward Tobi. "Right now, we have more important things to deal with."
Kakashi noticed the man wearing an orange spiral mask and Akatsuki uniform. He immediately understood the threat he posed.
"Everyone, be careful—he's a member of the Akatsuki organization." His words immediately put the others on high alert.
"Where is Naruto?" Kakashi asked Sai.
"I don't know," Sai honestly responded. "If I'm not mistaken, he should be a few kilometers east, possibly fighting another member of the Akatsuki. We're also missing another teammate too."
Kakashi frowned slightly and nodded.
"No matter what, we must deal with him first."
"Hello there!" Tobi waved energetically at the group. "Nice to meet you all—I'm Tobi! Sorry, gotta run now. I still have to find Deidara-senpai. See ya!"
With that, he sprang onto a nearby boulder and vaulted over it.
The others quickly jumped up after him, only to discover he was already gone.
"Troublesome..." Shikamaru sighed helplessly.
******
Tayuya and Sakura relentlessly pursued Karin through the crowded streets. Karin swiftly darted through the maze of people, trying to shake them off, but Pakkun kept her trail without trouble. The two kunoichi leapt effortlessly from tree to tree, gliding through the canopy, staying right on her tail.
While running, Tayuya lifted her flute to her lips.
"I wonder if that brat's in range yet..."
She played a few notes but sensed no one falling into her genjutsu.
"Tch, guess she's either out of range or blocking her ears."
"We can't lose her!" Sakura called out while running.
"Relax, Pinky. Keep your cool," Tayuya said. Sakura nodded and kept close behind.
"Pakkun, how close are we now?" she asked.
The little dog sniffed the air and answered,
"Close. Just a bit further—we've almost got her."
Tayuya grinned mischievously.
"Heard that, Pinky? Let's go!"
Sakura grinned and nodded. They picked up speed and finally caught sight of Karin ahead.
"I want to see how she plans to escape this time," Tayuya said as she brought the flute to her lips again.
As soon as the two girls noticed Karin slowing down, Sakura seized the opportunity and shot forward.
With a battle cry, she drove her fist into the tree branch where Karin was about to land. Karin couldn't dodge in time and plummeted from the tree.
Karin stood up, turned around, and warily eyed the two women, readying herself for a fight.
Tayuya spun the flute in her hand as she looked at Karin.
"We meet again. Still remember me?"
"Orochimaru's lapdog," Karin sneered mockingly. "How does it feel to betray your own comrades?"
Tayuya shrugged her shoulders.
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