Chapter 349 Tracking
Chapter 349 Tracking
The fierce fighting, shouts, and explosions on the battlefield suddenly ceased, as if time had frozen, and the entire world fell into an eerie silence. Deidara, who had just self-destructed, vanished before everyone's eyes like a dazzling firework, leaving no trace.
At the same time, Kakashi Hatake collapsed to the ground, his chest heaving violently, each breath a struggle. Large beads of sweat slid down his pale cheeks, mingling with the dust kicked up from the ground. Clearly, forcibly using the mysterious and powerful Sharingan within him had exceeded the limits of his body's capacity.
This power not only placed a heavy burden on Kakashi's body, but was also like a greedy beast, ruthlessly devouring every last bit of chakra within him. At this moment, he felt unbearable stinging pain all over his body, as if countless fine needles were piercing deep into his bone marrow; the pain was simply indescribable. However, despite his extreme exhaustion and pain, Kakashi gritted his teeth, relying on his tenacious willpower to try and prevent himself from fainting.
Naruto Uzumaki arrived at his side with lightning speed and, without hesitation, reached out to help him up; at the same time, Sasuke Uchiha also arrived with astonishing speed, joining in to support the swaying body. At this moment, both of them showed undisguised exhaustion and haggardness on their faces, as if they were the wounded soldiers after a life-or-death battle.
However, in stark contrast to his two exhausted companions, Gaara lay motionless not far away, like a soulless shell, utterly lifeless. His eyes were tightly closed, his face as pale as paper, his once agile body now stiff and rigid, as if completely imprisoned by an invisible force. A gentle breeze swept by, yet it couldn't stir even a single hair on his head; the entire scene was filled with a suffocating atmosphere of deathly silence.
After the Konoha team confirmed the death of Akatsuki member Deidara, they immediately sprang into action, evacuating the smoke-filled, ravaged battlefield at breakneck speed. At this moment, everyone was nearing the limits of their strength and physical endurance, utterly exhausted and overwhelmed. Yet, despite these hardships, they gritted their teeth and persevered. They knew that time was of the essence and the situation was extremely critical; any delay could lead to utter destruction.
Thankfully, after countless hardships, they finally succeeded in rescuing Gaara. Although the young leader of Sunagakure showed no signs of life, the incredibly difficult rescue mission was ultimately completed successfully. This not only brought a glimmer of comfort and hope to Sunagakure and the entire ninja world, but also served as the best proof of the courage and perseverance of all those involved. For those who lost their loved ones, the pain may never be erased; but at least for this moment, they can embark on their journey home with some solace and peace.
Only Naruto's face was now filled with endless grief and indignation. He and Gaara had shared remarkably similar childhood experiences. Since the Chunin Exams, they had forged a deep bond, becoming rare and devoted friends. They not only truly understood and appreciated each other, but also cherished each other as if they were brothers. This emotional bond was like an unbreakable bridge, tightly connecting two lonely hearts.
However, at this moment, a heartbreaking scene unfolded—Gaara was tragically killed by the mysterious and extremely evil Akatsuki organization! This sudden and devastating news was like a sharp sword, mercilessly piercing Naruto's heart. He could not accept this cruel reality, his heart filled with endless self-blame and regret.
Naruto knew that if he had been faster and stronger, he might have been able to rescue Gaara and prevent this tragedy. But now, it was all too late. His comrade, who had shared the same hardships and respected him, had left this world forever.
Every memory was like a sharp knife, constantly piercing Naruto's heart. They had both experienced countless times being hated and faced countless hardships together, but in the end, they still couldn't withstand the cruel tricks of fate. Naruto felt that he had let Gaara down, and this pain was as heavy as Mount Tai crushing an egg, almost completely destroying him.
Naruto was completely overwhelmed by grief, and this deep self-blame transformed into a powerful rage. He harbored resentment towards the people of Sunagakure for sealing the Tailed Beast into Gaara, forcing Gaara to endure such a tragic childhood. Gaara had finally become the Fifth Kazekage of Sunagakure, only to die before his very eyes. He secretly vowed to become stronger, not only to avenge Gaara's death but also to protect all those important to him, ensuring that such a tragedy would never be repeated.
Just as the Konoha team was moving further and further away, the giant clay bird that had been lying quietly on the ground, seemingly lifeless, suddenly exploded in the abdomen without warning! With this breathtaking scene, a figure emerged like a cocoon, an arm slowly protruding from the shattered abdominal cavity. And this person was none other than Deidara, who had just resolutely chosen to detonate himself!
His appearance was astonishing, like a resurrection. Deidara was covered in dust and blood, but his eyes still shone with unwavering determination. He struggled to free himself from the wreckage of the clay bird, each movement labored, as if exhausted from a life-or-death struggle. Yet, despite his dire physical condition, Deidara's expression revealed an indomitable will, as if nothing could stop him.
Hyuga Kanan was like a cheetah lurking in the darkness, silently lying in wait. His sharp eyes pierced through the layers of shadows, locking onto every move ahead. He knew that he could not act rashly at this moment; he had to maintain absolute patience and composure, because this was not only related to whether the mission could be completed successfully, but also to his own safety and the success or failure of the entire plan.
Time ticked by, the air around them seeming to freeze, but Hyuga Kanan's gaze remained unwavering. Finally, after a long wait, a figure appeared in the distance. His movements were swift and stealthy, clearly shrouded in mystery. Hyuga Kanan's heart tightened slightly; he knew the masked man was very likely the Akatsuki member who had come to meet Deidara.
As the masked man drew closer, Hyuga Kanan grew increasingly excited. He silently prayed that his guess was correct, while also preparing for any unexpected situation. When the Akatsuki members approached, Hyuga Kanan suppressed his excitement and tried his best to appear natural.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Hyuga Kanan began to carefully observe the masked man's words, actions, and belongings, trying to find clues about the Akatsuki's core base. However, the masked man seemed very cautious and did not reveal any flaws. But Hyuga Kanan was not discouraged; he believed that as long as he followed him, he would definitely find the answer.
So, after the Akatsuki members left with Deidara, Hyuga Kanan secretly followed. Along the way, he carefully avoided dangerous areas that might expose him, while closely monitoring the movements ahead. After an unknown amount of time, he finally arrived at Amegakure (the Hidden Rain Village) in the Land of Rain.
Hyuga Kanan scrutinized everything before him with piercing eyes. Looking at the light drizzle, an indescribable shock welled up within him. His eyes widened, as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing. He never expected that the mysterious and powerful Akatsuki organization would be hiding in this Rain Village!
You must understand, Amegakure has always been the territory of Hanzo the Salamander, a demigod! This world-renowned powerhouse commands awe from everyone. Yet, the Akatsuki organization is now able to establish itself here so brazenly, which is truly baffling. Does Hanzo simply ignore them? Or is there some hidden secret at play?
Hyuga Kanan found the situation increasingly perplexing, and he fell into deep thought. This seemingly peaceful Amegakure was now rife with endless mysteries and dangers. As an outsider, how should he deal with such a complex situation? Countless questions flooded his mind, putting immense pressure on Hyuga Kanan, but also igniting his intense curiosity and fighting spirit.
Amidst the vast expanse of the river, Hyuga Kanan stood on the water's surface. His eyes were closed, his mind focused, and he channeled his immense spiritual power, like a surging tide, relentlessly towards the mysterious and unknown Amegakure in the distance. This spiritual power seemed to possess boundless penetrating power, capable of piercing through layers of obstacles and mist to uncover the secrets hidden deep within.
Amegakure stands like an impregnable fortress, its outer defense system impeccable and impregnable! The towering walls, like an iron Great Wall, tightly enclose the village; the walls are covered with countless watchtowers and arrow towers, each guarded by elite ninjas whose eyes are as sharp as hawks, always vigilant for every move around them.
Furthermore, Amegakure has set up countless traps and mechanisms, cleverly hidden in the grass, on the ground, and even in the air. These traps can be triggered with the slightest carelessness, making them impossible to guard against. Moreover, these mechanisms are incredibly powerful; once activated, they can instantly unleash tremendous force, delivering a fatal blow to any invading enemy.
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