Naruto: Echoes of a Distant Home

The pursuit of Tailed Beasts would continue, but the forces sent by the Sand and Leaf Villages also warranted sufficient attention.

Originally, sending Sasori to the Sand Village was the most suitable choice, but since Sasori preferred to engage the Leaf forces, Nagato didn't oppose him.

"This scroll contains information on some of the Sand and Leaf ninjas dispatched in this mission. Each one is strong, so you'd better memorize their profiles," Nagato said, addressing the group.

Kakuzu tossed the scroll in his hands and asked, "Who's handling the interception and who's capturing the Tailed Beast?"

With an expressionless face, Nagato replied, "You and Konan will go to capture the One-Tails. This time, failure is absolutely not an option."

"Failure is not an option, huh?" Kakuzu chuckled softly, glancing at Konan. "Looks like I'll be working with the woman closest to the leader this time, so I guess I'll have to hold back a bit."

Nagato's cold gaze remained fixed on him. "That's right."

"Fine," Kakuzu replied a bit more seriously.

Nagato continued, "There are fifty-nine enemies, twenty-seven from the Sand Village and thirty-two from the Leaf Village. Your mission is to head to the border and eliminate them all—leave no one alive."

Juzo briefly scanned the scroll and replied grimly, "These are all formidable opponents, especially since the Leaf's White Fang is among them. Do we have enough people?"

Kotoe and Shin reviewed the scroll as well, confirming Juzo's observation. In addition to the famous White Fang, the enemy lineup included Pakura, Hizashi Hyūga, Shikuro Aburame, and Ninashi Uchiha. All elites from major clans in the Leaf Village.

How could they face such an army with their limited numbers?

Sasori said, "I can handle White Fang, but I need a one-on-one environment."

"That will be difficult," Ye Zi replied coolly. "With our limited numbers, expecting a one-on-one with White Fang is unrealistic."

"If I can't face him one-on-one, I'll lose," Sasori said, glancing at Ye Zi. "But if you help me with White Fang, victory is guaranteed."

"You sound confident," Ye Zi remarked.

"What? Don't you have confidence in yourself?" Sasori retorted.

Ye Zi scoffed. "The key problem is that we won't get the chance for two-on-one."

White Fang is the greatest threat, and if they could eliminate him quickly, Ye Zi wouldn't mind teaming up with Sasori to take him down. After all, Ye Zi had initially recruited Sasori on the condition that he would help kill White Fang.

Eventually, Ye Zi would have to confront the Leaf Village. Handling some of their most formidable shinobi now would reduce the pressure in future confrontations with them.

At that moment, Nagato said, "The Rain Village currently has sixteen Chūnin and eleven Jōnin available, and they will accompany you in this mission."

Hearing this, Sasori's eyes lit up. "That's more like it."

He had a technique that would allow him to fight dozens of Jōnin without being at a disadvantage, but with White Fang present in the Leaf forces, his primary focus would remain on him.

Ye Zi glanced at Nagato, realizing he didn't intend to join the fight.

"So, two-on-one shouldn't be a problem now, right?" Sasori looked at Ye Zi.

One of the conditions for Sasori joining the Akatsuki was the promise of assistance in killing White Fang.

For years, he had been honing his skills, crafting puppets, and enhancing his strength, all for this moment. Now, at last, the opportunity he had been waiting for had arrived.

In Sasori's eyes, Ye Zi was incredibly strong, so if Ye Zi helped him, his confidence in defeating White Fang would be solidified. Facing White Fang alone, however, would be a challenge with no guarantee of success.

He might even fall to White Fang's blade.

"I will keep my promise to you," Ye Zi replied. "Taking down White Fang first would be ideal since he could take down many of our forces quickly if given the chance." Ye Zi continued, "I, along with Sasori will take out White Fang as soon as possible. The rest of you will need to hold off the other enemies until then."

Kotoe nodded solemnly. "I'll do my best to create the conditions for you."

Shin remained silent, but his expression showed his resolve.

"Ye Zi, the command of this mission will be under your authority," Nagato said, looking around the room. "If you fail, prioritize your lives and retreat back to the Land of Rain."

It was undeniable that the enemy's lineup was formidable, and their side was outnumbered. Victory was uncertain. But with Ye Zi on their side…

Nagato wouldn't be participating this time, but he was curious to see how much potential Ye Zi could bring out.

The plan was set.

Konan and Kakuzu would capture the One-Tails from the Sand Village.

Ye Zi would lead the remaining members and the twenty-some Rain Ninjas to intercept the Sand and Leaf forces and eliminate them.

The outcome of this clash might depend on whether White Fang fell first or Ye Zi and Sasori did.

In a town in the Land of Fire, inside a bar.

Near the window sat two women: Tsunade and Shizune, who had left the Leaf Village together.

Shizune, whom Tsunade had taken as her apprentice, handled all aspects of their daily life since they left the village.

Sometimes, Tsunade was glad she'd brought Shizune along, as it had proven to be a wise decision.

Empty bottles were scattered on the table. Tsunade's face was flushed from drinking, showing signs of intoxication, while Shizune looked on helplessly as Tsunade continued to down cup after cup, her attempts to dissuade her proving useless.

Several men in the bar ogled Tsunade, mesmerized by her voluptuous figure.

"Ribbit!"

A sudden croak interrupted the room as a yellow toad, the size of a small dog, leapt onto their table.

Shizune stared in confusion at the toad, which wore a tiny blue vest, had a bead around its neck, and held a scroll in its mouth. Wait… wasn't that a frog's croak?

Tsunade glanced at the yellow toad, chugging her drink with gusto, spilling some of it down her neck and into her cleavage.

"Jiraiya's summon, huh?" Tsunade smirked as she glanced at the toad, slamming her cup down onto the table with enough force to make a loud noise, though not enough to shatter it.

The yellow toad flinched, fear evident in its eyes, and hoped Tsunade would quickly take the scroll so he could make his exit.

Tsunade knew the scroll was likely from Jiraiya, so she took it from the toad, which promptly leapt away.

Opening the scroll, Tsunade's slightly bleary eyes scanned its contents.

As she read, her drunken expression vanished, replaced by a stern look of suppressed rage.

Her chest rose and fell as she closed the scroll and handed it to Shizune, who noted the change in Tsunade's demeanor.

Tsunade abruptly raised her left arm and swung it at the wall beside her.

Shizune gasped, startled, barely managing to utter "Lady Tsuna—" before a thunderous crash drowned her out.

Tsunade's punch, fueled by her monstrous strength, obliterated the wall, sending debris flying across the street and causing a wave of panic outside.

An entire wall was gone, though the bar itself remained standing.

Great… more money to pay!

Shizune stared hopelessly, covered in dust.

The men who had been ogling Tsunade's ample figure fell out of their chairs in fear.

The bar owner, meanwhile, could only gape at the scene.

"Shizune, throw some money down. We're leaving," Tsunade said, grabbing a bottle of liquor and striding out through the newly created opening.

"I'm so sorry, so sorry!" Shizune apologized repeatedly, placing a large bag of money on the table before quickly following Tsunade.

Only heaven knew what news Lord Jiraiya had sent to provoke such a strong reaction from Lady Tsunade.

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Currently on Chapter 358 - Unknown Energy