"Stop chattering and let's go already."
Sasori had no interest in discussing this with Deidara and simply kept urging him. Noticing that Sasori was starting to get serious, Deidara did not continue either.
Then, using the giant dragon as cover, the two rode on Deidara's newly made clay bird. Even Kakashi and Guy did not notice their departure right away.
By the time they realized it, the pair had already put some distance between them. Even if they wanted to pursue, it would be very difficult to catch up.
.....
"The leader actually ordered a retreat. This is really unexpected. When we came here, they were all so determined to win. Could it be that the leader and the others were really defeated?
But that has little to do with us. Since we're told to leave, then let's go too, Mr. Itachi."
Compared to the other Akatsuki members, Kisame Hoshigaki and Uchiha Itachi were positioned more on the outskirts. Their opponents, while not weak, posed no real threat to them.
As a result, the two were the most relaxed among all the combatants. After receiving the message from White Zetsu, Kisame even had the mood to tease. It was just unclear what he truly thought about the situation deep down.
"Hm, in that case, there really is no need to stay any longer."
Hearing this, Itachi nodded calmly. For someone who had never wanted to fight in the first place, refusal was naturally impossible. During the previous battle, he had been holding back the whole time, even earning a few concerned remarks from Kisame about his condition.
"Heh heh, I really didn't expect a retreat at this point. You guys are truly lucky."
On the opposite side, the several ninja confronting them were all in very sorry states. Even with Uchiha Itachi holding back during the battle, they had still struggled greatly to cope.
Because of this, although they felt some displeasure at Kisame's mockery, none of them said anything in retort. They knew full well that if the fight continued, they would not last much longer.
"Hmph." Seeing their reaction, Kisame grinned widely, clearly very satisfied, before turning to chase after Itachi, who had already left.
After catching up some time later, Kisame had just wanted to strike up a conversation, but before the words could leave his mouth, a massive sound from afar interrupted him.
"Boom!"
"Roar!"
Along with the loud noise came a painful, piercing screech. Its penetrating power was so strong that even Itachi and Kisame, hearing it suddenly, could not help frowning.
"?"
After hearing this screech, Itachi and Kisame exchanged a knowing glance. They could both tell the voice belonged to Mōryō. To make that monster let out such a miserable roar, the attacker's strength must far exceed the ordinary.
Combined with the earlier retreat order, both of them already had an answer in their hearts about who was attacking Mōryō.
With these thoughts, Kisame lost any mood for talking and simply followed Itachi in silently increasing their travel speed.
.....
Half a minute earlier
Mōryō, who had already revealed his true form, was clearly no longer something ordinary ninja could contend with. For those lacking in strength, even injuring him was a luxury.
In such a situation, his opponent was naturally no ordinary person either, but a giant of comparable size—the Eight-Tails.
With another clash between the two, Mōryō could not help feeling some irritation in his heart. He had originally just wanted to hang around on the periphery without getting too involved. Who would have thought that shortly after starting, he would encounter an opponent who had been entangled with him until now—Killer B.
The guy acted like there was something wrong with him. He knew the Akatsuki's goal was the tailed beasts, yet he kept deliberately coming toward him. Did he look that weak?