Fresh intelligence kept pouring in, allowing the Allied Shinobi Forces to precisely adjust their route. Upon entering the Hidden Bird Village's territory, they made a beeline for the forest where Itachi and Sasuke had clashed.
Some time later, the main force arrived at the battlefield, but only a few Rock Hidden intelligence shinobi remained.
Kakashi scanned the surroundings and asked, "Is this the battlefield where Sasuke fought Itachi Uchiha?"
The Rock Hidden intelligence shinobi quickly replied, "Yes!"
"What's the situation? Any clues left behind? Any trace of Sasuke Uchiha?"
Kakashi fired off several questions in succession.
The Rock Hidden shinobi shook his head. "Before we arrived, Sasuke Uchiha and the two Hidden Leaf shinobi with him had already left. We've surveyed the battlefield. There's no blood or severed limbs, so there likely weren't any serious casualties. However, we believe Sasuke Uchiha was likely defeated."
Hearing the analysis, Kakashi let out a sigh of relief.
Few in the village knew the truth about Itachi, but Kakashi was one of them. If the Akatsuki member Sasuke encountered was indeed Itachi, he should be safe.
The Fourth Raikage and Fourth Kazekage were also briefed on the situation.
Thus, the two Kage, along with Kakashi leading the Hidden Leaf contingent, began planning their next move.
At this point, the Allied Shinobi Forces consisted only of the Rock Hidden, Hidden Leaf, Cloud Hidden, and Sand Hidden. The Mist Hidden's reinforcements were still en route due to the distance.
Among the four villages, the Rock Hidden's main force wasn't present; only a relatively weaker unit led by Kurotsuchi accompanied the group.
Thus, the true decision-makers were the Raikage and Kazekage. Kakashi, representing the Hidden Leaf, carried less weight compared to the two Kage.
Spreading a map on the ground, the Kazekage pointed to several directions. "If Itachi Uchiha and Juzo Biwa are fleeing west, they'll take one of these three routes. If we block these three points, we can trap them in the western part of the Hidden Bird Village!"
Kakashi nodded in agreement. "Good. Those are their only three options."
The Raikage said, "So we need to split our forces?"
The Kazekage nodded. "If we don't want to rely on luck, splitting up is our only option. But this area isn't large. If one group encounters the enemy first, the other two can reinforce in time. Plus, the Mist Hidden's reinforcements and the Tsuchikage are on their way, so all we need is time."
"Then it's settled. Each of our three villages will take one route!" the Raikage declared, standing and finalizing the decision.
The Allied Shinobi Forces sprang into action. The Cloud Hidden took one route, the Sand Hidden another, and the combined Hidden Leaf and Rock Hidden forces took the third, forming a net to ensnare the fleeing Itachi Uchiha and Juzo Biwa.
After splitting from the other two groups, the Hidden Leaf and Rock Hidden shinobi darted through the forest.
At that moment, Yakumo approached Shinji and whispered, "Shinji, don't you feel something's off?"
Shinji replied, "What?"
Yakumo's face was filled with doubt. "Before we entered the Hidden Earth Village, Itachi Uchiha and Juzo Biwa had already broken through the Rock Hidden's heavy defenses and escaped to the Hidden Bird Village. With the strength of those two rogue shinobi, how could they have exposed their tracks and let Sasuke and the others catch up?"
Shinji glanced at Yakumo.
Many caught up in the situation hadn't noticed this, but Yakumo had keenly picked up on it, showing how much she'd grown.
Shinji didn't need to analyze to know that Sasuke finding Itachi was, in all likelihood, Itachi's deliberate doing.
Of course, Itachi probably hadn't expected to draw Sasuke. His real target was likely the elite shinobi of the five great villages, creating an opportunity to release the captured Four-Tails Jinchuriki.
Similarly, Shinji, who had deduced Itachi's intentions, was already making his own covert arrangements to ensure the Akatsuki secured the Four-Tails.
Thus, the clash in the Hidden Bird Village appeared to be between the Akatsuki and the five great shinobi villages.
But in truth, it was a contest between Itachi, who secretly wanted to release the Four-Tails Jinchuriki, and Shinji, who aimed to ensure the Akatsuki obtained it.
In a grassy plain in the western Hidden Bird Village—
The Sand Hidden shinobi, led by the Fourth Kazekage, finally caught up with Itachi and Juzo Biwa, who were carrying the unconscious Four-Tails Jinchuriki as they fled west.
The Fourth Kazekage stood with arms crossed at the forefront of the Sand Hidden forces.
Dozens of Sand Hidden shinobi spread out behind him—some controlling puppets, others readying ninja tools, and some carrying scrolls—all glaring intently.
Juzo Biwa smirked. "The Kazekage himself came after us? Itachi, looks like we're in deep trouble this time."
Itachi said calmly, "If we fight, we'll both die."
Juzo Biwa raised an eyebrow. "Didn't expect someone like you to say something so discouraging."
Itachi explained, "My Sharingan needs to recover. Facing a powerhouse like the Kazekage now would mean certain death for me."
Juzo Biwa chuckled lightly. "So what do we do? Hand over the Jinchuriki and run?"
"That's the plan."
Itachi nodded slightly.
Without hesitation, Juzo Biwa tossed the Four-Tails Jinchuriki off his back.
Seeing Juzo Biwa surrender the Jinchuriki so readily, the Sand Hidden shinobi stirred, many showing joy.
The Fourth Kazekage frowned slightly, seemingly surprised that Itachi and Juzo Biwa would give up the Jinchuriki so easily.
Whoosh.
At that moment, a piercing whistle cut through the sky!
The Sand Hidden shinobi looked up to see a white bird diving from the air toward them.
Boom!
The white bird exploded, unleashing a blast far more powerful than an explosive tag!
The Sand Hidden shinobi were caught off guard. When they came to, they realized a layer of gold dust had appeared above them, shielding them from the bird's explosion.
"It's Kazekage-sama's gold dust!"
"What was that?"
"It looked like Deidara's explosive clay, the rogue Rock Hidden shinobi!"
The Sand Hidden shinobi began murmuring among themselves.
The Fourth Kazekage, controlling the gold dust, wore a grave expression. As expected, the Akatsuki wouldn't give up the Jinchuriki so easily.
Swish.
At that moment, a figure burst from the lingering smoke, lunging at the Kazekage.
The Kazekage raised his hand to counter with gold dust but froze briefly. That split-second hesitation cost him the initiative, and a long blade on the attacker's arm grazed him.
Retreating with a flash, the Kazekage clutched his wound, glaring at his assailant with gritted teeth. "The Third!?"