Miles away from the subterranean hide post, the Konoha elite response team was pressing forward at a relentless pace. Hatake Kakashi led the vanguard with eyes narrowed scanning every corner for any hidden attacks since it is Orochimaru they were dealing he was extra cautious.
Right beside him was Yamato just as vigilant, ready to shape wood release at a moment's notice. Sakura Haruno followed closely as her emotions running through were in turmoil, while Neji kept watch on the broader environment as he swept his Byakugan through for hidden traps or ambushes.
At the very front of the formation trotted Pakkun, the diminutive summon hound whose nose was tracking the faint trace of Kimimaro's from the headband he threw... a crucial piece of evidence collected by Shino.
The team had spent the last hour cross-referencing information extracted from the mind-reading division led by Yamanaka Inoichi. Everyone had rapidly memorized the topography, secret escape routes, and known hideouts across the region.
Pakkun suddenly stopped, lifting his snout to test the wind before letting out a disappointed huff.
"His trail was left at the main stronghold in the Land of Sound, but it's abandoned now his scent is no longer here," Pakkun reported, looking back at the shinobi. "I'm picking up Sasuke's scent here too, but it's stale... he isn't here anymore either. Though I did pick up records of some pretty illegal experimentation in the back rooms."
Kakashi shook his head as he surveyed the corridors of the stronghold of Land of sound. "That's outside our scope of mission and irrelevant to our current directives. Did you pick up the scent of where they moved from here?"
Pakkun turned his body toward the setting sun, his small ears twitching. "Straight toward the west. I'm picking up the distinct scents of Orochimaru, Kimimaro, Sasuke, and one other... likely one of their closest high-ranking aides. Given the signatures, it's a gathering of heavy hitters."
Sakura clenched her fists so hard her knuckles turned stark white with desperation to see this through the end and resolve flashing in her eyes. "Sasuke is so close. I can feel it. This time... this time we're taking him back home with us, no matter what it takes."
Neji's expression remained calm, though his thoughts mirrored Sakura's determination albeit is was to bring back Kimimaro. He adjusted his stance as they prepared to move out towards where scents led. "We need to keep our focus, but we should also anticipate resistance. It's highly likely they are on the move because Orochimaru is about to face a direct assault from the Akatsuki. They may be relocating simply to find a battlefield better suited for them."
Kakashi gave a nod, pulling his forehead protector down over his left eye. "Let's move. We're running out of time."
~~
The team veered to the west, Kakashi hoisted Pakkun onto his back to get their quicker, with the ninja hound anchored securely their pace quickened as they approached a subterranean cavern. Even from the perimeter, the resonant thrum of bone pillars and shattered rock told them everything they needed to know about the scale of the destruction ahead.
Neji's veins bulged around his eyes as the Byakugan turned active. "I have visual," he reported. "Kimimaro is currently engaging Sasori and While Kabuto and Sasuke are tagging Deidara. There's an unfamiliar red-haired girl stationed on the flank... her position suggests she's providing strategic support." Having memorized rogue profiles during his tenure in the ANBU, he knew of Kabuto's threat level.
Kakashi absorbed the Neji's information as he weighed in options. "We hold our position for now," he commanded. "We wait for a rift and when the chance shows..."
Before Kakashi's orders were conveyed, Neji gave another update. "Orochimaru has entered the fray... and he's just summoned the Third Kazekage." Neji paused tracking a bizarre anomaly on the battlefield. "How are there two of them?" he asked, spotting the Third Kazekage's puppet floating beside Sasori.
Kakashi turned to Neji. "Do you possess any long-range technique with enough raw firepower to critically damage an Akatsuki member from this distance?"
Neji considered the question, calculating the exact strain on his body. "I can execute a high-density release if I tap into the second state of my Cursed Mark," he answered evenly. "However, the sage chakra will compromise our position immediately."
"It's a risk worth taking," Sakura interjected. "Exposing our location is a fair trade if it guarantees taking one of Akatsuki's core members off the board right now."
Yamato retorted. "You're letting your personal emotions cloud your judgment, Sakura. That's a reckless gamble. Even if Neji lands a lethal blow, what is our follow-up? We'll be exposed, surrounded, and completely outmatched in a power struggle against the Sound."
Kakashi let them debate for a brief moment before making his decision. "Neji, I want you to enter Stage Two and take the shot at Sasori... but I want you to intentionally miss."
Yamato's snapped toward his ex-ANBU partner. "Kitsun... Kakashi, why throw away the element of surprise on a guaranteed strike?"
Neji understood the reason behind Kakashi's intention. "It's about manipulating the balance of power," Neji explained, turning to Yamato.
"If I cripple Sasori outright, Orochimaru will simply execute him, consolidate his strength, and turn his full attention to hunting us down. But if a high-caliber strike nearly takes Sasori's head off out of nowhere, every faction down there realizes a third, highly capable force is watching them. They'll be forced to restrain themselves and factor us in as an immediate threat, preventing any single group from becoming a threat to us."
~~
A/N: We are back again, I have been re-reading the very first story which introduced fiction to me, it's called: "I'll surpass the MC"
Kakashi's intention is not to disrupt the balance, if any of the strongest is killed by Neji's move which he is capable if the opponent is caught off guard. Then, they would be targeted next hence the intention to miss.
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