While Pain frowned, knowing that the enemies would arrive much sooner than expected, Black Zetsu spoke up.
-Leave it to us, they're tracking us by scent, so let's just 'drag' the Kazekage away.- He said.
Pain frowned slightly, but the next moment, a white Zetsu emerged from the ground, approached Gaara, and absorbed some of his chakra.
The next moment, Zetsu began to transform rapidly, his form changing to resemble Gaara exactly, his chakra and scent were identical.
Pain calmed down, this should give him some more time.
The other Akatsuki members were also somewhat surprised, but said nothing, merely observing the figure of 'Gaara' entering the ground, ready to drag the pursuers away.
//-//
Yami advanced rapidly through the land of rivers, but Chiyo was the first to realize that something was wrong. -Something's wrong, it seems we're leaving the Land of Rivers by the previous route, this doesn't make sense...- She said.
Sasuke and Karin frowned, neither of them knew the territory well, but Chiyo had already fought in three wars, so they didn't doubt what she said.
-Did they realize how we're tracking them? Are they using Gaara's scent to throw us off track?- Karin finally asked, somewhat confused.
-Probably.- Sasuke sighed.
-Yami, stop!- Karin yelled at the dog, who stopped, confused. Weren't they chasing anymore?
The group exchanged irritated glances. -And now?- Karin asked.
Sasuke frowned. -Let's go back, the original trail should still be there.
Yami quickly turned and began trying to find the previous scent, Black Zetsu, on the other hand, noticed this quickly. - They found out.
-Never mind, we're almost done.- Pain said lightly. Zetsu had managed to buy a few hours, that was enough.
-Hehe! When they arrive, I'm going to blow that Uchiha brat to a pulp, Hn!- Deidara said, still furious about how his clone had died.
Sasori hadn't taken the group seriously either, he had only sent Hiruko last time. Now he could fight with all his might.
Kakuzu, on the other hand, was glad he wasn't there in person, he could simply ignore that detestable Uzumaki brat.
Even one of his current arms was taken from the body of another ninja, yet he didn't think of revenge, he just wanted that brat to stay as far away from him as possible.
When the last vestige of Shukaku's energy left Gaara, the group finally began to leave, in the end, only Deidara, Sasori, and Pain remained.
-There's no need to get involved in unnecessary fights, just run away first.- Pain said. He didn't think the two of them could handle the coming group, given the previous situation, even four of them and 'Madara' himself hadn't been able to stop their advance. Pain preferred that these guys stay alive and be useful later.
-Hey, you think I'm going to lose to that Uchiha brat?!- Deidara yelled, completely enraged. As for Pain's power? So what? He was only with those guys because he could blow things up. Right now, he wants to blow up an Uchiha!
Pain simply looked at him, seeing that even Sasori was silent, he finally left, saying only one sentence before departing. - Do as you please.
In the Village Hidden in the Rain, when Nagato opened his eyes, he frowned. He needed to recruit new subordinates, the chances of Deidara and Sasori returning were slim, and Itachi, Konan, and Hidan were already dead.
He sighed irritably, he missed Konan at that moment, but quickly dismissed it. He saw Black Zetsu rise from the ground as he spoke. -There's a really strong guy, he was a childhood friend of the Konoha Sannin, his name is Hiruko, you could try recruiting him.
Nagato narrowed his eyes and asked. -Anyone else?
Zetsu thought for a moment. There were other rogue ninjas, but who were strong enough? Very few. The only ones Black Zetsu could think of were Toji and Afro, but he felt he didn't need to talk about them now.
Nagato would probably be furious.
Then he simply said. -I'll look for it.
Nagato grunted and spoke. -That Hiruko, where is he?
//-//
On the other side, Oto and Suna's group arrived in front of the Akatsuki hideout.
-It's sealed.- Chiyo said, looking at the large stone at the cave entrance with a seal on it.
Sasuke noticed that too, he just spoke up. - Karin.
Karin looked at the seal, closed her eyes, and began to sense the chakra of the entire place.
-A barrier of 5 seals.- She finally spoke, opening her eyes again, completely calm about it.
-Can you open it?- Sasuke asked.
Karin smiled and said.-Hehe... who do you think I am?
The next moment, she approached the seal while rapidly making hand seals, then jumped onto the large stone and struck the seal directly with her hand.
-Release!- She shouted.
The next moment, a large amount of chakra left her body, the seal rippled, trying to fight off the intrusion, but it was useless. It lasted only a second, as Karin began to fall, the seal immediately caught fire.
The other four seals blocking the passage also burned at the same time.
-It's done.- She said.
-Now we just need to move the stone.- Chiyo said.
Karin smiled and clenched her fist, her curse mark entering directly into the first stage, with her chakra concentrated in her fist she spoke. - Leave it to me.
Sasuke said nothing, he just jumped back, and Chiyo, seeing this, quickly followed him.
Karin didn't hesitate any longer, gathering momentum, she punched with all her might. - Ha!
BOOM!~