"Trying to run? Keep dreaming!"
Killer Bee and the others immediately understood Konoha's plan from Kakashi's hand signals. There was no way they'd let him pull the same trick again.
Sasori sneered and commanded the Third Kazekage puppet to soar into the air, launching a barrage of metallic projectiles.
But they weren't aimed directly at the Konoha ninjas—he targeted the route Kakashi was likely to take for his escape.
With years of battlefield experience, Sasori needed only a glance at Kakashi's positioning and that of the Konoha team to grasp the plan. He guessed that such high-speed movement would be difficult for Kakashi to control, and decided to test that theory.
The result was immediate: Kakashi was forced to halt abruptly before he could fully accelerate. His momentum was broken before it even began.
Still, he didn't hesitate. Without showing frustration, Kakashi changed direction and prepared to try again.
The magnetic assault from the Kazekage puppet had been effective—but the number of magnets was limited, and most were already spent. It could stop him once, but not twice.
However, the delay was enough. Killer Bee and Kakuzu closed in.
"White-haired brat, you're not going anywhere," Killer Bee called out.
His crimson-tailed beast cloak shimmered with a sudden blue gleam. In a flash, his speed doubled, and he charged ahead.
Behind him, Kakuzu didn't try to stop Killer Bee. Instead, he unfurled four ominous black wings and launched eight massive black spears toward the rest of the Konoha team.
Hiashi and the others immediately tensed. They wanted to dodge, but couldn't risk leaving Kakashi unguarded. Gritting their teeth, they held their ground and layered their defensive jutsu.
Even so, blocking Kakuzu's barrage was already pushing them to their limits. They couldn't spare anything to stop Killer Bee.
In perfect unspoken sync, Killer Bee and Kakuzu had pulled off a devastating combo.
Killer Bee shot through their defenses unhindered, bypassing the Konoha line entirely and closing in on Kakashi—who hadn't yet reached full speed.
In the blink of an eye, they were within striking distance of each other.
"You're done running!" Killer Bee shouted, slamming his foot into the trunk of a massive tree. The force cracked the wood, boosting his momentum as he surged past Kakashi by a hair's breadth.
"Lariat!"
With a fierce roar, he twisted his torso, focusing all of his momentum into a single, devastating strike with his thick arm—like a battle axe cleaving through air.
It was too fast. Kakashi couldn't dodge.
In that fleeting instant, Kakashi came to a realization.
The Raikages of the past had all trained in "Lightning Release Chakra Mode," and each had a trusted partner for their "Lariat" combo. Killer Bee was part of the famed "A-B Combo" with the Fourth Raikage.
How could someone with average speed and poor reflexes ever keep up with the Fourth?
For too long, Killer Bee had been viewed only as a Jinchūriki of the Eight-Tails. Even Kakashi had underestimated his own abilities.
But understanding that now was too late—there was no escape.
With a thunderous crash, Kakashi was sent flying upside down, landing back where the Konoha team had once stood. His body struck the earth hard, leaving a gaping crater in the ground.
"Cough… cough…"
Blood spilled from Kakashi's mouth as he lay slumped in the pit, completely unable to stand. He had lost the ability to fight.
Most of the damage came not from Killer Bee's Lariat, but from the brutal impact with the ground. If that attack had landed directly, Kakashi wouldn't just be injured—he might've died on the spot. His body simply couldn't withstand a direct hit of that magnitude.
As he lay in the pit, a shadow loomed over him. Tsunade, who had shielded him from the brunt of the attack, had already regenerated more than half her body and was now standing again.
Truly, a Sannin through and through.
Kakashi let out a dry chuckle, his voice full of bitter admiration.
"This is a disaster. We came to rescue Tsunade-sama… and now we're all trapped."
Shua shua shua shua…
The wind whistled as more figures arrived. Sasori, Kakuzu, Killer Bee, the Kumogakure shinobi, and a swarm of human puppets had now completely surrounded the Konoha team.
Even if Kakashi had been uninjured, escape would be impossible now. In his current state, it was laughable.
Hiashi and the others quickly formed a protective circle around Kakashi and Tsunade, weapons ready, eyes sharp. But as they looked at the overwhelming force closing in from all directions, a sense of dread settled in their hearts.
"Ah…"
Inside his crimson-armored puppet, Sasori let out a low, amused laugh. His voice echoed ominously through the dense forest.
"Kumogakure shinobi, how about we eliminate Konoha's forces first, and settle the matter of Princess Tsunade's custody afterward?"
The Kumogakure ninjas exchanged glances, eyes lighting up with barely concealed hostility.
They'd fought Konoha in past wars. That hatred didn't fade easily. Teaming up with two S-class rogue ninja didn't bother them if it meant crushing old enemies.
But Killer Bee's voice rang out, sharp and mocking:
"If Konoha gets wiped out, we're next, huh? What a smart little trap."
He smirked, eyes sharp beneath his sunglasses.
"I, Killer Bee—the one and only —won't fall for your games!"
His words snapped the others out of it. The Kumogakure shinobi began to rethink the situation.
They didn't have a clear advantage over Sasori and Kakuzu. Despite Konoha's weakened state, they were still the safer allies—for now.
They'd nearly let their bloodlust cloud their judgment. If not for Killer Bee's level head, they might've walked right into a trap.
"Tch… I thought he was just some loud mouthed idiot," Sasori muttered. "Didn't expect him to be clever."
With the trick exposed, Sasori didn't waste time pretending anymore. He silently gave the signal, and the human puppets resumed their assault.
Kumogakure's shinobi were flesh and blood—and limited in number. Sasori, on the other hand, had countless hidden puppets in reserve. He wasn't in a hurry.
The battle resumed. Konoha had joined in, but the situation remained just as grim.
Killer Bee led the Kumogakure forces against the two rogues. At times, they gained the upper hand. At others, they were overwhelmed. But no matter how the tide shifted, one thing stayed the same:
Tsunade and the others were still trapped, with no chance to escape.
A fragile balance had formed—one that could break at any moment.
---
Not far from the battlefield, another force quietly watched the chaos unfold.
Shisui's eyes were filled with anxiety as he stared at the unfolding battle. "Lord Orochimaru, are we really not going to help?"
Their squad was just minutes behind Kakashi's, thanks to the trail Kakashi left behind. While Kakashi had to spend time locating Tsunade, they simply followed the clues.
Shisui had wanted to jump in immediately—but Orochimaru had stopped him. Now, they were forced to watch as Kakashi's team fell deeper into danger.
Kakashi was already badly injured. Shisui's fists clenched. He couldn't wait any longer.
"Be patient. Watch a little longer," Orochimaru replied calmly.
His golden eyes weren't on Kakashi, but on the silent figure standing at the center of the battlefield. He smiled faintly, unbothered.
Turning to the woman beside him, he added, "I'll leave the suppression of our chakra signature to you."
Tagorihime let out a charming giggle. "Of course. Just let me breathe a little—it's no trouble."
The two chatted casually, as if on a peaceful stroll. The relaxed air around them made the other Konoha shinobi uneasy.
Kakashi and the others were fighting desperately… and yet Orochimaru seemed utterly unbothered.
Was it confidence?
Or did he not care at all about Kakashi and Tsunade's lives?
Shisui didn't know. But his Sharingan spun rapidly as he watched the battlefield with growing unease.
He made a silent vow: if Kakashi and the others were pushed to the brink of death, he would intervene—no matter what punishment he might face from Orochimaru afterward.