Inside a cave in the Land of Rivers.
Deidara contacted Path using the ring on his finger.
Using the Projection Technique, Deva Path appeared as a mental projection.
Seeing Gaara half-dead, Deva Path spoke: "Since we've captured him, start the sealing process immediately."
Deva Path formed hand seals. A massive Demonic Statue of the Outer Path appeared inside the cave.
"Now then, assemble!"
Deva Path used the Projection Technique again, receiving the thought transmissions from the Akatsuki members through chakra conversion, materializing as phantasmal projections.
Once everyone had gathered, Deva Path announced, "Let's begin the sealing! Everyone must protect their true forms carefully. Zetsu, use your physical body to monitor the outside situation first."
Zetsu responded, "Understood."
All members of Akatsuki began forming hand seals.
[Sealing Technique: Phantom Nine-Dragon Seal!] Nine dragons made of chakra erupted from the mouth of the Demonic Statue, wrapping around Gaara, beginning to extract Shukaku from within his body.
...
Shindai, Kakashi, Naruto, and the others finally arrived at Sunagakure.
This was Shindai's first return to the Sand Village after more than ten years since he left.
Looking at the surrounding buildings, Shindai remarked, "After so many years, Sunagakure still looks just as rundown as ever."
Temari and the Sand ninja guiding them instantly developed dark expressions.
While heading to meet Kazekage Baki, the guide provided an update on current events.
Temari exclaimed in shock, "What? Did Kankuro also sustain serious injuries?"
"Yes. Because Gaara was taken away, Lord Kankuro chased right after them. He suffered damage from enemy poison. Even with Lady Chiyo treating him, no antidote has been found yet. If this continues..."
Shindai scoffed, "What an idiot! No sense of self-awareness at all, daring to chase alone after Sasori and Deidara. Who gave him that courage? The one-armed Rasa?"
Sakura said seriously to Temari, "Let's hurry over, Temari. I'll handle the medical treatment!"
Knowing Sakura was Tsunade's apprentice—one of the legendary Sannin—Temari nodded firmly, "Please help him!"
They arrived at Treatment Room 3 of Sunagakure's ninja hospital.
Temari rushed to Kankuro's side, calling his name anxiously.
Chiyo's face darkened when she saw Shindai and Kakashi.
Without hesitation, Shindai started right in, "You old hag, what's with that face? You look like hell!"
Chiyo's wrinkled face quivered—clearly provoked by Shindai's words.
Kakashi and Naruto looked unsurprised — they had already figured this out along the way.
Shindai scoffed, "Your grandson Sasori killed the Third Kazekage, and now he's abducted the jinchuriki son of Rasa, that idiot Fourth Kazekage, and seriously injured another of Rasa's sons. Oh great, your grandson sure turned out well! So impressive!"
Kakashi placed a hand on Shindai's shoulder. "You slipped out this time. If we start fighting here, it'll put Minato in a difficult position."
Unmoved by the advice, Shindai shot back, "Can't handle some trash talk? Are Sunagakure ninjas really that soft? Well, considering how easy it was to just snatch their jinchuriki, guess it makes sense they're so weak."
Kakashi twitched slightly at the corner of his mouth. He turned to Sakura and said, "Sakura, help treat him. Shindai and I will wait out in the corridor."
Reluctantly pulled along by Kakashi, Shindai stepped into the hallway.
Originally, Kakashi had planned to stay and listen in, but with Shindai acting like this... he really feared another clash between Shindai and Chiyo's group.
After Kakashi and Shindai left, Sakura approached to examine Kankuro's condition.
Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata couldn't do much to help, so they also went out to the corridor.
Shindai sat in the corridor smoking.
Naruto suddenly remembered something. He turned to Shindai and asked, "Shindai, since you know so much about Red-Sand Sasori, and this is his poison — do you have an antidote?"
Standing at the doorstep waiting as well, Chiyo and Ebizō glanced sideways toward Shindai upon hearing Naruto's question.
Exhaling a puff of smoke, Shindai replied, "Who said I know anything about Sasori? Your older brother never even considered Sasori worth paying attention to, so I never bothered researching his poisons. After all, as long as I don't get poisoned myself, no matter how powerful his toxins are, they're useless to me.
"Besides… even if I had the antidote, I wouldn't give it to anyone from Sunagakure. I'd say I'm being generous just by not laughing when they die."
Chiyo and Ebizō lowered their eyes slightly, ceasing their sidelong glances.
Sakura's medical skills had reached an extremely high level. Using the [Fine Needle Extraction Jutsu], she successfully drew the poison from within Kankuro's body.
Several hours later,
Wiping sweat from her brow, Sakura let out a long breath. "The toxin has been extracted directly. I think there should be no further threat to his life now."
Upon hearing this, Naruto excitedly declared, "That's our Sakura!"
Temari, and the recently arrived Baki, both sighed in relief upon learning Kankuro's life was safe.
"Tch," Shindai muttered under his breath. "Lucky bastard."
Sakura warned, "But we still need to be careful. Next, we must prepare antidotes for the remaining toxins in his body. First, I need a name list of available medicinal herbs in this village. Then, change all the bandages on Kankuro's body. Then get ready to administer intravenous treatment. Also, take a small sample of the extracted poison. It may prove useful later..."
Hinata was in awe of Sakura. She had no medical knowledge whatsoever.
Naruto nudged Sasuke playfully, "Sasuke, Sakura looks really cool right now."
Although Sasuke didn't respond verbally, he nodded slightly to show agreement.
Chiyo looked at Sakura and said, "You're just like that Katsuyu girl. I never expected someone like you would actually come along."
Shindai cut in, "Well then, did you expect someone as handsome as me to show up either?"
Chiyo twitched her eyebrow slightly. Does he really have to barge into every conversation? Can't he just shut up sometimes?
Sakura replied, "Because Tsunade-sama is my mentor."
Kakashi approached Baki, "Kazekage-sama, if I may ask, what is the current situation regarding Akatsuki's pursuit?"
Baki glanced toward Kankuro inside the hospital room, "Initially, Kankuro pursued them alone, and this is the result—serious injuries. Later, although we dispatched a pursuit team, we haven't received any updates yet. Based on the circumstances, they likely have already..."
Kakashi asked grimly, "So does that mean we've completely lost track of those two from Akatsuki?"
Baki muttered bitterly, "Yes."
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