Being a rogue ninja is worse than being Hokage.

"Just like on your side, that guy who likes to throw bombs has been taken care of by me."

Naruto answered, his gaze fixed on the puppet that had lost control of the chakra threads.

Among the puppets scattered on the ground, the ones that attracted Naruto's attention the most were Sasori's physical puppet and the Third Kazekage's human puppet, which could perfectly use the Magnet Release bloodline limit.

Facing the Hundred Machine Manipulation and the Bloodline Limit Puppet with Kage-level strength.

They also had to deal with the scorpion who controlled the puppets.

I never expected that Sasuke could kill Sasori without getting hurt.

However, this is not surprising.

No matter how powerful Sasori's puppets are, they can use the ninjutsu and even the bloodline limits of the ninjas who were made into puppets.

But ultimately, the power of these puppets needs to be demonstrated by the puppeteer.

The puppeteer controls the puppet by using chakra threads.

The chakra lines were so fine they were practically transparent, and even Karin, who possessed Kagura's Mind's Eye, couldn't accurately perceive them.

But the essence of chakra threads is still chakra.

These chakras, which are difficult to detect with the naked eye, are only perceptible to the eyes of ordinary people.

Within the Sharingan's vision, which can perceive chakra colors, the chakra threads controlling the puppets have nowhere to hide.

It's worth noting that in the original story, during the clash between Sasuke and Deidara, Sasuke's three-tomoe Sharingan was even able to see through the tiny, cell-sized explosive clay spiders scattered in the air after the C4 Garuda explosion, which could easily burrow into living organisms.

Compared with the C4 Garuda miniature clay spider.

Sasori's incredibly fine chakra threads were already quite noticeable under the Sharingan's perception.

If the chakra thread, the only connection between the puppeteer and the puppet, is severed, even the strongest puppet will be unable to exert its full power.

Just like how Lightning Release can absolutely counter Deidara's Exploding Clay.

The Sharingan's terrifying insight also absolutely restrains puppeteers who rely on puppets as their primary means of combat.

Moreover, Orochimaru has already obtained almost all of Sasori's information.

In the original story, during the battle at the Tenchi Bridge, Orochimaru, who was hiding from the Akatsuki organization, surprisingly took the initiative to appear in front of the Akatsuki members.

Given Orochimaru's personality, it's hard not to suspect that he already had a way to deal with Sasori at that time.

It's important to know that in the original story, Orochimaru was unable to unleash his true power because his vessel was incompatible with his soul and he was constantly tormented by the Reaper Death Seal.

If it weren't for the intervention of the new Team 7 led by Yamato, and only if Kabuto Yakushi, who had already been turned into a double agent by Orochimaru, had given Sasori a little guidance...

The chances of Scorpion leaving the Heavenly Bridge alive are slim.

Unlike the original story, the Battle of Tiandi Bridge no longer exists in the present day.

The fact that Orochimaru had gathered information about Sasori over the years remained unchanged.

Sasuke has also received information about Sasori and used it in his battle against him.

The absolute compatibility and restraint between intelligence gaps and ninjas.

These two factors are also the reasons why Naruto and Sasuke chose to divide the battlefield.

From the very beginning, Deidara and Sasori were at a significant disadvantage.

All Naruto and Sasuke needed to do was quickly kill them before they realized something was amiss and changed their battle strategy.

"Have you obtained any intelligence?"

Sasuke asked again.

He reached out and pulled up the kimono top that had been draped around his waist before he entered the Cursed Seal II state, and put the kimono back on.

Naruto didn't answer, but simply reached into his ninja tool pouch.

The next moment, Naruto tossed a scroll to Sasuke.

Sasuke reached out and caught the scroll, unfolding it before his eyes without hesitation.

"map?"

Sasuke was surprised to find that the scroll contained only a map.

But he soon discovered the problem with the map.

“These marked red circles…”

Sasuke muttered to himself, several locations marked with red circles on the map.

Several of the locations looked familiar to Sasuke.

The information about these familiar locations came from Hidan.

The locations on the scroll map that Naruto gave to Sasuke that Hidan hadn't mentioned are...

“I found this map on that Akatsuki member named Deidara. Combined with the information you got from Hidan using genjutsu, the meaning of these red circles is self-evident. This is a map that records the Akatsuki's strongholds in more detail.”

Naruto spoke up, voicing Sasuke's suspicions, "Deidara and Sasori, these two do fit what Hidan said; they are senior members of the Akatsuki organization who have been with it for a long time."

"The level of intelligence that Deidara possesses is far beyond what Hidan, a newcomer who has only recently joined the Akatsuki organization, could possibly have."

Naruto commented on the value of this map.

The Akatsuki strongholds circled on the map allow Naruto and Sasuke to conduct more targeted intelligence gathering on the Akatsuki organization.

Naruto stared at Sasuke's expression and continued, "Sasuke, you should have noticed the crucial information on Deidara's map, right?"

It's like a pillow being delivered when you're feeling tired and sleepy.

Sasuke's gaze was fixed on a location marked with a red circle on the map.

This red circle is different from the other Akatsuki strongholds on this map; it also features a red and white fan pattern.

The fan pattern is exactly the same as the fan on Sasuke's kimono collar.

This is a mark that Sasuke, an orphan of the Uchiha clan, is all too familiar with.

The emblem of the Uchiha clan.

"We were very lucky. After Orochimaru's death, the first Akatsuki members we encountered happened to be Deidara and Sasori."

Naruto's words echoed in Sasuke's ears.

Although Sasuke did not answer, he felt a connection with Naruto.

There is a conflict between Deidara and Itachi, a conflict so obvious that even Hidan, a newcomer to the organization, is somewhat aware of it.

Clearly, Deidara's Uchiha clan crest on the map indicates that this stronghold was Itachi's usual hiding place.

Although both were members of the Akatsuki organization, Deidara was constantly preparing to defeat Itachi Uchiha, gathering all sorts of information about Itachi.

The information Deidara painstakingly gathered about Itachi ended up being entirely reaped by Sasuke.

"Then let's head straight for this outpost."

Sasuke carefully put the scroll map away, his eyes revealing an undisguised eagerness to avenge himself on Itachi.

Naruto nodded, about to respond to Sasuke's suggestion, when he suddenly sensed something was amiss and looked up at the sky.

Above the forest above Sasuke and Naruto.

An eagle was circling overhead.

Chapter 51 Konoha Search Team

"what--!!"

Originally kneeling and leaning against the tree trunk, using the Mind Transfer Technique to separate her spirit from her body, Yamanaka Ino, who was sound asleep, suddenly opened her eyes and let out a terrified cry.

Ino stared wide-eyed, instinctively clutching her chest, feeling the strong beating of her heart, her eyes filled with the relief of surviving a close call.

Ino's sudden reaction surprised and puzzled everyone around her.

"Ino, are you alright?"

Choji, standing beside Ino whose body had become extremely vulnerable after using the Mind Transfer Technique, looked at the awakened Ino with concern.

"Ino, what happened?"

Along with Choji, a male ninja in his mid-twenties, who was guarding Ino, asked Ino about her situation in a low voice with a more rational tone.

The male ninja had short brown hair and wore an iron mask covering his face with a white Konoha headband.

His questioning of Ino stemmed not only from concern for his fellow villager and comrade-in-arms, just like Choji's.

This was also to ensure that everyone could receive the information Ino had gathered as soon as possible.

Ino merely glanced at the ninja, but she hadn't fully composed herself and was still panting heavily with a look of fear on her face.

"Captain Yamato, leave this to me..."

Noticing Ino's unusual behavior, Sakura made a suggestion to the male ninja.

Yamato nodded and stepped back to make room for Sakura.

Sakura immediately knelt down next to Ino, gently stroking Ino's back to ease Ino's emotions.

"...It's alright, Ino, everyone is here for you."

Ino's heavy breathing at this moment was clearly a normal physiological reaction caused by the shock she had received.

As a medical ninja, Sakura knew exactly how to handle this situation.

Sure enough, with Sakura's help, Ino finally regained her normal breathing rhythm.

Ino, who was finally able to speak, did not thank Sakura for her help, nor did she answer Captain Yamato's earlier question about the information obtained by the synchronized Mind Transfer Technique.

Instead, he hurriedly shouted to Hinata, who was on guard not far away, "Hinata! Quickly use your Byakugan to check the situation at four o'clock!"

Hinata was taken aback when Ino suddenly called her name, but she quickly responded, "Y-okay!"

Unlike three years ago, Hinata, who had grown her black hair long, followed Ino's words and looked towards the four o'clock position in the forest with her unusual white eyes that had no pupils.

Hinata's white eyes have prominent chakra veins on the skin near the eye sockets, a sign that the Hyuga clan infuses chakra into their eyes to use the Byakugan.

Hinata's Byakugan pierced through the trees that blocked her view in the forest, and at the four o'clock position Ino had indicated, she saw what Ino wanted her to see.

Although they were far away, they were in the same forest as the Konoha team—eight people in total.