Chapter 135 Defending the Disappearing Crane (Ch 135)

In the Four Purple Suns Formation, the huge Shukaku stood there like a small mountain. Its eyes were slightly narrowed, as if it was dozing off.

On the ground, Jiraiya and a group of Konoha Anbu were guarding outside the Four Purple Suns Formation. Whenever Shukaku showed signs of waking up or rioting, they would immediately stop him. Not only them, but also the people from the Sand Village were guarding nearby.

“What should we do, Maki?” A jonin whispered, “Shukaku finally came out. How should we explain this to the people of Konoha later? Just by looking at the way that adult stands, I feel that he is too strong.”

As he spoke, the jonin cautiously pointed at Jiraiya’s back.

Maki was already in a bad mood, and when he heard his subordinate’s words, he became even more angry. He said angrily: “Okay, if you don’t know how to talk, you can shut up!”

Turning his head and looking at the motionless Shukaku, Maki’s mood calmed down a little. He felt that things had not yet developed to the worst. Shukaku had not caused any damage to Konoha yet!

As long as Shukaku remains as it is until the incident is over, even if Konoha really pursues responsibility afterwards, they can stick to this point.

If no damage is caused, what is the compensation?

“You must control Shukaku, Gaara.” Maki thought silently in his heart.

Unlike Maki, Temari and Kankuro were more concerned about Gaara’s own safety. After all, every time the tailed beast in the body goes berserk, it is a death sentence for the Jinchūriki. This is especially true for a Jinchūriki like Gaara, whose tailed beast is not sealed perfectly.

In the history of the Sand Village, there have been several examples of Jinchūriki dying because of the tailed beasts in their bodies going berserk.

“Hey, Temari, do you think Gaara can wake up?”

“Don’t talk nonsense! Kankuro!”

Although her tone was very tough, Temari’s inner confidence was not much more than Kankuro’s.

After a while, under everyone’s gaze, Shukaku in the Four Purple Suns finally moved! Its head shook slightly, and then its eyes opened, revealing a pair of extremely ferocious… small eyes.

“Oh no!”

Jiraiya cursed in his heart, then suddenly waved his hand at the Anbu and shouted:

“Get ready for battle immediately!”

“yes!”

All the Anbu took up fighting stances. However, to everyone’s surprise, Shukaku in front of them began to disintegrate after shaking its body slightly. The sand that made up its body collapsed in an instant and fell like rain. The falling sand formed a curtain made of sand. As the curtain slowly opened, two figures appeared in front of everyone.

It was Naruto and Gaara. Gaara closed his eyes tightly, and his body, which was originally supported by the sand, fell forward as the sand collapsed. Naruto, who was in front of him, took his hand off his chest and then caught his body.

Among the crowd, Jiraiya keenly noticed Naruto’s special gesture when he withdrew his hand from Gaara.

“That hand gesture, is it the Five Elements Seal? Sealing technique… So, Shukaku’s sudden disappearance is related to Naruto? Wow, that little kid has grown into such a well-rounded ninja now.”

Jiraiya was still thinking silently in his heart, but Minato beside him had already rushed forward unable to hold back.

“Are you okay, Naruto?”

Hearing Minato’s words, Naruto turned his head and smiled.

“What can happen to me? Haha, I’m fine now!”

Hearing him say this, Minato finally felt relieved and then gave a helpless smile.

“You, ah, there’s really nothing I can do about you.”

It was also at this time that the others finally confirmed that Shukaku would not appear again, and they all came forward. Kankuro and Temari ran to Naruto’s side and took Gaara from him.

“Hey, Gaara.”

“Wake up, Gaara.”

Hearing the two people’s calls, Gaara finally responded and then opened his eyes weakly. After seeing this scene, Temari and Kankuro breathed a sigh of relief.

“Great, Gaara, you’re still alive.”

At this time, in the entrance passage, Hoshigaki Kisame stood in the shadows leaning against the wall, silently taking everything in. After withdrawing his gaze from other things, he locked his eyes on Naruto.

“Well done, kid. That Shukaku’s chakra suddenly appeared and then disappeared out of thin air. It seems that the rumors are true. There really are people who have the ability to absorb the chakra of the tailed beasts.”

Then, Kisame straightened up, left the wall, and walked towards the exit leading to the outside world.

“As expected, it is better to maintain a peaceful strategy with Konoha at this stage. Ah~ It’s time to bring the information to the Mizukage-sama. This trip to Konoha should also reach the end…”

Kisame stopped talking abruptly. A frail figure walked out from the corner in front of him. He was not tall, with long hair that was neatly braided behind his head. He was a little frail and looked like he would fall over if the wind blew.

But it was this weak guy that made Kisame feel extremely fearful.

“Uchiha…Itachi.”

Kisame whispered the other’s name. He then pulled out the Samehada from his back, put it on his shoulder and asked, “What can I do for you?”

Itachi spoke slowly: “I came to you not as a Konoha Anbu.”

Hearing this, Kisame was slightly stunned, and then he understood. Itachi was making his position clear. He obviously heard what he said just now, but he did not choose to pursue it.

“This is interesting.” Kisame grinned, “If not as an Anbu of Konoha, then what is your identity?”

Itachi didn’t say anything, but behind him, Konan’s figure suddenly appeared.

“He came to you as a member of our organization.” Konan said calmly, “He came to invite Mr. Kisame to join our organization.”

The appearance of Konan made Kisame’s expression change. If it was just Itachi alone, he would still be confident that he could escape unscathed. But with the addition of Konan, the situation would be different. Therefore, he asked seriously, “What is your organization?”

Xiaonan nodded slightly, and together with Itachi beside her, she revealed her red cloud coat under the cloak. She stretched out her right hand, revealing the ring on her finger.

“Our organization is called Akatsuki.”