112 Wait a little longer

“Trying to run? In your dreams!”

Kirabi and the others saw Kakashi’s move and immediately understood Konoha’s plan. They had no intention of letting this guy pull the same trick again.

Inside the Crimson Flow Tiger, Sasori sneered coldly, manipulating the Third Kazekage to soar high and launch countless magnet rods.

But these weren’t aimed at the Konoha shinobi; instead, they targeted the escape route Kakashi had anticipated.

The Akasuna no Sasori, experienced in combat, quickly scanned Kakashi and the Konoha squad’s formation, discerning subtle clues. He guessed that at such a high speed, even Kakashi might struggle to maintain control, so he decided to test this theory immediately.

The result was outstanding. Kakashi abruptly halted, his rapid acceleration cut short before it could fully build momentum.

However, he did not despair. Instead, he changed direction, preparing to execute another technique.

Though the Third Kazekage’s magnet-style chakra was sharp, the number of magnet rods was limited. Having expended much in his previous effort, only a few remained—enough to hinder Kakashi once, but not twice.

Yet, during that brief pause, Kirabi and Kakuzu caught up.

“White-haired brat, don’t even think about running.”

Kirabi let out a sharp bark. A faint blue glow appeared on the crimson cloak of the Eight-Tails jinchuriki, and his speed instantly multiplied several times as he surged forward.

Behind him, rather than holding Kirabi back, Kakuzu unfolded four pairs of demonic black wings and launched eight massive black spears toward the Konoha side.

Hinata Hizashi and the others changed color, intending to dodge, but worried that the enemy would seize the opportunity to attack Kakashi, they stayed put and deployed defensive ninjutsu.

Still, defending against Kakuzu’s assault was already a struggle, leaving Kirabi free to focus entirely on the chase.

The two who had been battling moments before now moved with silent coordination.

Thus, Kirabi moved unhindered, bypassing the Konoha squad and closing the distance on Kakashi, whose speed had yet to peak.

In an instant, they were face to face.

“Kid, don’t run!”

Kirabi stomped heavily, cracking a thick tree trunk beneath his foot. His speed surged again, surpassing Kakashi by a hair.

“Thunder Plow!”

With a wild roar, Kirabi twisted his waist and abdomen, channeling his immense core strength into a powerful strike from his sturdy arm, swinging like a battle axe toward Kakashi.

So fast was the attack that Kakashi couldn’t dodge.

At the critical moment, a flicker of realization dawned on him.

Generations of Raikage had trained in the “Lightning Release Chakra Mode,” but always with a trusted partner in the village to jointly perform the “Lightning Release: Absolute Bull Thunder Plow.” Kirabi was one half of this generation’s AB duo.

If Kirabi’s speed and reflexes had been average, how could he have kept pace with the Fourth Raikage?

All this time, Kirabi had carried the reputation of the Eight-Tails jinchuriki, which even deceived himself, causing him to underestimate his opponent’s personal capabilities.

But now, understanding this came too late—there was no room left to evade.

With a thunderous crash, Kakashi was sent flying backward, slammed into the spot where the Konoha squad had been, gouging a large crater in the ground.

“Cough, cough, cough…”

Kakashi spat blood, collapsing weakly onto the earth, unable to stand, his fighting ability lost.

Yet most of his injuries stemmed from the impact with the ground rather than the Thunder Plow itself.

Had the attack struck him directly, the damage would have been far worse. Given his frail constitution, he likely wouldn’t have survived.

Lying in the deep pit, Kakashi’s view darkened as a shadow fell before him: Tsunade, who had taken the blow in his stead, had mostly recovered and was now able to stand.

Well, what can be said—no wonder she was one of the “Legendary Three Shinobi.”

Kakashi felt a genuine admiration but smiled bitterly.

Now, they had truly lost both the lady and the soldiers. They hadn’t saved Lady Tsunade, and now they themselves were trapped.

Swish, swish, swish…

Following the rustle of wind, Sasori and Kakuzu, Kirabi and the Hidden Cloud shinobi, along with numerous human puppets, encircled the Konoha squad completely.

“Xianmu Qiyuan”

Even if he were unscathed, escaping this place was impossible.

Hinata Hizashi and his companions shielded Kakashi and Tsunade between them, eyes scanning the surrounding enemies with heavy hearts sinking.

“Heh…”

From the Crimson Flow Tiger, Sasori chuckled lightly, his voice echoing through the dense forest. “Hidden Cloud, why don’t we eliminate these Konoha shinobi first, then decide the fate of Princess Tsunade of Konoha?”

The Hidden Cloud shinobi exchanged glances, visibly intrigued.

Having participated in previous wars, their hostility toward Konoha’s shinobi was deep, to the extent they did not mind cooperating with these two S-rank rogue ninjas.

Kirabi, however, spoke in a strange tone,

“Once the Konoha shinobi are wiped out, we’ll likely be next. Heh heh, clever plan.”

“I, Kirabi, the handsome lord, won’t fall for your trick!”

The Hidden Cloud shinobi, reminded by Kirabi, realized they held no advantage against Sasori and Kakuzu alone.

Compared to these two powerful foes, the frail Konoha side was a more suitable ally.

Previously blinded by bloodlust, they hadn’t realized this as Kirabi had.

“Tsk tsk… I thought you were crazy, but you’re quite sharp,” Sasori said, undeterred by the failed trick, commanding the human puppets to attack again.

The Hidden Cloud shinobi were merely flesh and blood, and their numbers were limited. Sasori still had many reserve hidden puppets; by wearing them down, he could exhaust them—it would just take more time.

The battle reignited. Apart from Konoha’s reinforcements, the situation remained unchanged.

Kirabi led the Hidden Cloud shinobi in a fierce clash with the two rogue ninjas, sometimes on the back foot, sometimes pressing the enemy.

Regardless, both sides stubbornly kept Tsunade and the others trapped, leaving no chance for escape.

The battle reached a delicate, fragile balance, ready to shatter at any moment.

…

Not far from the battlefield, another force waited to break the stalemate.

Shisui watched the perilous Konoha group anxiously. “Lord Orochimaru, shall we intervene now?”

Their squad had arrived almost simultaneously with Kakashi’s team, within ten minutes.

The reason was simple: Kakashi had to painstakingly search for Tsunade’s location, while they only needed to follow his trail.

Shisui had planned to coordinate with Kakashi, but Orochimaru stopped him, watching silently as they failed repeatedly, becoming increasingly encircled.

Now that Kakashi was gravely wounded, Shisui could no longer hold back.

“No need to rush. Wait a little longer,”

Orochimaru glanced at the silent figure at the center of the battlefield, still relaxed.

A faint smile curled his lips as he looked to the woman beside him. “Keep concealing your presence. That will be a continued favor.”

Tenshin Jakki covered her mouth with a playful laugh. “No problem. It’s a good chance for me to get some fresh air.”

Their casual conversation and light-hearted atmosphere resembled a spring outing, sending chills through the Konoha shinobi nearby.

Kakashi was fighting desperately on the front lines. Did Lord Orochimaru truly have absolute confidence, or did he simply not care about the lives of Lady Tsunade and Kakashi’s group?

Shisui’s heart filled with doubt as the three-tomoe Sharingan in his eyes rapidly rotated, fixating on the shifting battle.

He resolved that if Kakashi and the others faced mortal danger, he would save them at all costs, even if it meant facing Orochimaru’s wrath afterward.