"What did you say!"
Kakashi Hatake widened his eyes in disbelief.
"You'll know when you return to Konoha..."
Uchiha Madara shook his head somewhat helplessly. He didn't want to say much about their outdated information. How could he tell them they were tricked?
Moreover...
He's been deceived by two people!
Though it's the same trick, both of them used it to deceive him!
Just then, several Anbu swiftly arrived and spoke coldly, "Orders from Lord Hokage! Teams three, seven, eight, and ten are to return to Konoha immediately!"
"This..."
Kakashi Hatake and a group of Konoha Ninja hesitated.
They weren't sure what was going on. Why suddenly return to Konoha? Weren't they supposed to capture Uchiha Obito here?
"Wait..."
Kakashi Hatake stepped forward and said softly, "Does Lady Tsunade mean to hand over the task of capturing Obito to the Root?"
"No!"
However, upon seeing a group of Root Ninja also present, these Anbu Ninja continued seriously, "Root Leader Akihara Kagura has defected, wanted as a Konoha SSS-Class Traitorous Ninja. All Root Ninja are to return to Konoha immediately for investigation, violators will be executed!"
"!!!"
Everyone present was stunned.
The appearance of Uchiha Madara was bewildering and unsettling enough, but the news of Akihara Kagura's defection was truly shocking!
"Impossible!"
Naruto Uzumaki's expression changed dramatically.
"You must be joking..."
Uchiha Sasuke frowned deeply.
To them, Akihara Kagura held a very high position, almost like a parent. They refused to believe such a thing!
"..."
The Root Ninja bewilderedly looked at each other.
They didn't know what their supervisor's situation was or what they should be doing. Whose orders should they even follow? Surely not these Anbu orders?
"Don't joke about something so terrifying..."
Nara Shikamaru couldn't believe this news.
As one of the few smart individuals in Konoha, the Nara Clan had always been judicious, fully aware of Akihara Kagura's significance to Konoha.
"Has something happened in the village?"
Kakashi Hatake's forehead dripped with cold sweat as he questioned gravely, "Kagura... what exactly did he do? Why would Lady Tsunade issue this manhunt out of nowhere?"
Konoha's strongest defection...
This could only mean one thing.
That is...
The sky is falling.
"To my knowledge, the highest level for a manhunt should be S-Class..."
Team ten's instructor Jonin, Sarutobi Asuma also stepped forward, refusing to believe this order, searching for loopholes: "Who exactly are you? Why impersonate the village's Anbu? Are you spies sent by other Ninja Villages?"
"..."
The Anbu Ninja felt utterly aggrieved.
Because they too hoped someone wasn't secretly sowing discord upon learning of Akihara Kagura's defection.
But...
All this was factual!
Kakashi Hatake looked at these Anbu Ninja, among them were even his former subordinates, but his heart also feared blindly believing it.
"Please... return to Konoha first!"
The Anbu Ninja could only helplessly hope those present would return to Konoha with them: "Once back in Konoha, you will know what's happening..."
"No need to rush back though."
A familiar voice resounded in everyone's ears.
"Kagura!"
Naruto Uzumaki immediately recognized the identity of the newcomer!
"Kagura!"
A bit of reassurance crept into Kakashi Hatake's heart. He didn't know what had happened, but he believed asking Akihara Kagura would reveal what was occurring in the village.
Could it be...
Root has angered everyone or something?
"Stand guard!"
These Anbu Ninja, hearing Akihara Kagura's voice, immediately raised their alerts, urging loudly, "Everyone withdraw promptly, we will cover you!"
Compared to the mixed or tense feelings of the Konoha Ninja, Uchiha Madara's mood instantly grew excited as a strong burst of Chakra erupted from him!
"Kid, you indeed came!"
Uchiha Madara immediately focused his gaze into the depths of the forest!
"No choice."
Akihara Kagura's figure slowly emerged from the forest, followed closely by a pitch-black creature, nervously eyeing Uchiha Madara.
"Black Zetsu!"
Flames of fury flashed in Uchiha Madara's eyes as he stomped the ground and abruptly charged at them, attempting to eliminate Black Zetsu and Akihara Kagura!
Akihara Kagura raised his arm.
Their arms suddenly collided!
The impact of their arms instantly whipped up a fierce gust, forcing everyone to shield their faces against the blasting wind, incredulously feeling the aftermath of their clash!
"Don't rush."
Akihara Kagura's arm obstructed Uchiha Madara, the impact felt like a breeze to him, his voice remained calm: "Mr. Madara, if you wish to fight, could you wait a while? At least until I decode the relic information from the Hyuga Clan..."
"Then let me kill Black Zetsu first!"
Uchiha Madara's gaze turned icy cold, directing it towards Black Zetsu!
During the collision with Akihara Kagura, Uchiha Madara felt the immense power within him, knowing their battle wouldn't conclude swiftly!