"It's massive, far bigger than the last one!"
Konan gazed at the giant meteorite ball in the sky, muttering in awe.
If Nagato were still alive, condensing a Chibaku Tensei this large would likely drain both his kidneys, and even then, success wasn't guaranteed!
"The Kyuubi's power far surpasses the other Tailed Beasts, especially since he's a perfect Jinchuriki, Naruto."
"There's no harm in being cautious. Even this might not be safe. I can sense the Kyuubi still struggling inside the Chibaku Tensei; it won't be long before he breaks free!"
Nagato sighed slightly, clearly aware of the situation inside the Chibaku Tensei.
Knowing how absurd Naruto and the Kyuubi were, the comparison only highlighted the vast gap between the Kyuubi and the other Tailed Beasts, as well as Naruto's uniqueness.
But none of that mattered now. Even if they could only seal the Kyuubi temporarily, it was enough to destroy Konoha.
Afterward, rallying people to deal with the Kyuubi would be more than sufficient.
What Nagato needed, after destroying Konoha Village, was to ensure Naruto and the Kyuubi weren't released, preventing a ticking time bomb for Amegakure.
"What do we do next?"
"Tell Deidara to act freely. Consider it fulfilling one of his wishes."
With the threat neutralized, Nagato could finally move freely to destroy Konoha Village.
"Got it!"
"Wait, pull Kisame out first. Also, inform Itachi to bring his brother out too; that guy's been fooling around long enough. It's time he does something."
Nagato specifically reminded.
Kisame and Sasuke were still alive and needed attention. It wouldn't be good if they were killed by their own side.
Nagato cared deeply for his comrades.
"Hm."
Konan nodded coldly, clearly displeased with Itachi's spying but complied.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Soon, a swarm of paper butterflies flew to the Konoha battlefield, delivering information to specific targets.
When Deidara learned of it, he was thrilled:
"What? The Kyuubi's been captured? Finally, I can show off my ultimate explosive art?"
"Hahaha, amazing! Sasori, hurry and take your puppets away! If they all blow up, you'll be pissed again."
Sasori glared at Deidara but wisely began retreating.
He didn't have many puppets, and collecting them wasn't easy. If Deidara's explosion destroyed them, it'd be a shame.
"Wait until Kisame and Sasuke are evacuated before unleashing your explosion." Konan reminded again.
"What, I still have to wait?"
"It's Nagato's order."
"Fine! I'll wait one minute. If they don't escape, I don't care!"
"That's enough."
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Meanwhile, Itachi received Konan's message and witnessed Naruto being captured and sealed by Chibaku Tensei outside the village.
Clearly, Konoha had lost its momentum.
He had to act.
Itachi glared at Kakashi, relaying that Akatsuki was preparing to let Deidara detonate, destroying the entire Konoha Village. Then he turned into a flock of crows and vanished swiftly.
When he reappeared, he was in front of Sakura.
Sakura was carrying Sasuke, retreating quickly toward the Hokage Rock, where a sturdy shelter could protect Sasuke temporarily.
Unfortunately, with Itachi's appearance, a single glance caused her to lose consciousness.
When Sakura came to, she found Sasuke, unconscious in her arms, was gone.
Clearly taken by Edo Itachi!
Sakura panicked. Naruto had just entrusted Sasuke to her, and she couldn't even protect him before he was snatched?
What should she do?!
Sakura hurriedly looked for Kakashi, hoping he could help retrieve Sasuke.
"Kakashi-sensei, Sasuke…"
Kakashi looked grim, clearly aware something bad had happened.
With Naruto sealed and Deidara preparing to detonate, both were true disasters for Konoha.
As Itachi said, there was no time to hesitate.
Save one person at a time!
"Sakura?"
"Huh? Kakashi-sensei, Sasuke was taken, I need…" Sakura was still focused on Sasuke.
"Sorry, I'll get you out when this is over!"
Kamui activated.
Kakashi instantly sucked the confused Sakura into Kamui's dimension, leaving her no time to react.
Without pause, Kakashi rushed toward the battlefield's center where Tsunade and the others were.
Sasuke was taken by Itachi, so his safety wasn't a concern, but it confirmed the enemy wasn't lying. Akatsuki was indeed planning a massive, indiscriminate attack, or they wouldn't have rushed to save Sasuke.
He had to inform Tsunade immediately. If there wasn't time, he'd at least use Kamui to save the Hokage!
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
At this moment, with Edo Sasori retreating with his puppets, Kisame withdrawing, and Edo Itachi and others pulling back, Akatsuki's entire assault suddenly halted.
Konoha's side gained a significant advantage, pushing many enemies out of the village and defeating or sealing several. The hurried retreat of several Kage-level enemy leaders was seen as a defeat.
This reignited Konoha's confidence, as if the Juubi threat was gone, and they saw hope for victory!
"Great job, keep it up!"
"They're losing, kill these beasts!"
"Don't let them escape!"
"Sealing Team, where the hell are you? Seal them now!"
Cheers echoed, rekindling hope in Tsunade, the Hokage.
This also caused most Konoha ninjas to completely miss that Edo Deidara was already atop his clay bird, opening his chest, preparing his C0 suicide bomb.
"Hokage-sama, danger!"
"Kakashi? What's wrong? Did you defeat Uchiha Itachi?"
Kakashi's rushed arrival surprised the elated Tsunade.
"Naruto's been captured, and the enemy is preparing a Bijuudama-like explosion to level the entire village!"
"What?"
Kakashi pointed to Edo Deidara flying in the air, charging up. He'd seen Deidara's self-detonation power, no less than a Bijuudama, enough to vaporize Konoha!
"So that's why the enemy started retreating… To avoid the blast wave?"
"Kakashi, can you take him down?"
Tsunade's expression changed, realizing the enemy's retreat wasn't a defeat.
"No! He's flying too high, moving too fast; my Kamui can't lock on accurately…"
Kakashi shook his head helplessly.
Deidara, having suffered before, wasn't foolish. Since preparing his suicide bomb, he'd flown high on his clay bird, giving Konoha ninjas no chance to interfere. Once charged, he'd just dive and detonate.
"Then what? Do we just watch him destroy the village?"
Tsunade gritted her teeth in anger, lacking means to attack aerial units and nearly helpless.
"There's no other way… Hokage-sama, forgive me!"
Seeing Deidara nearly fully charged, Kakashi gritted his teeth, deciding to use Kamui to suck Tsunade in too.
Saving one person was better than everyone dying to the enemy's explosion!