Chapter 154 - A Hair's Breadth
The six ninja from Sunagakure sat cross-legged in a circle, the atmosphere thick with tension.
Their earlier dispute with the other two villages had ultimately ended in Sunagakure backing down — a result that left a bitter taste only those directly involved could truly appreciate.
The three genin weren't too bothered — they lacked the experience to grasp the weight of the situation — but for the three jonin, the discomfort was clear and stifling.
"We're really just going to listen to that Konoha jonin?" Yura said resentfully, fanning the flames. "That guy's just a newly promoted jōnin. There's no reason to be afraid of him…"
"Enough, Yura," Maki interrupted firmly. "This has nothing to do with fear. I misjudged the situation — that's the truth."
"But—" Yura tried to argue again, but the kunoichi Jun gently tugged on his sleeve and shook her head.
"Yura, we appreciate your efforts. Your proposal was tempting, yes. But Sunagakure can no longer afford to carry the burden of betrayal,"
Jun said solemnly.
"If we leave now, no other village in the ninja world will ever trust us again."
For individuals, trust might be flexible. But for a Great Ninja Village, its reputation and credibility were the foundation of its survival.
If that was tainted, then the village's mission system — built entirely on that credibility — would collapse.
After all, even mercenaries wouldn't hire someone they couldn't trust.
If Sunagakure's reputation was damaged at this time — already struggling as it was — it would be devastating.
Even if Yura had manipulated Maki through tactical or intelligence-based suggestions,
this broader, structural weight wasn't something Yura could overcome.
"Then what about Sasori?" Yura insisted. "It's too inconvenient to act while surrounded by other villages."
Though he realized their mission from Sasori was likely to fail, he still wanted to try.
"What are we supposed to tell Elder Chiyo?"
"It's fine," Maki replied. "There are benefits to being here too. Even though we're strong, nothing is guaranteed.
Getting Gaara back to the village safely is our top priority.
As for Sasori… if it comes to that, we abandon the mission. I'll speak to Elder Chiyo myself."
…
As Jun and Yura left with visible frustration, Maki's face dimmed, and his exhaustion was no longer concealed.
"Sensei, what should we do now?"
Among his three students, Temari — being the eldest and most level-headed — asked the question.
"This doesn't concern you. Don't get involved,"
Maki said flatly.
"These matters will end with our generation."
Old grudges should not be passed on.
Even if things went wrong now, the relationship between Konoha and Suna was improving.
By the time the next generation took over, there would still be room to restore the alliance.
"Understood, Sensei," Temari nodded.
"But… are we really in danger this time?"
"No. We're not the primary target this time," Maki answered.
"Iwagakure is in more danger. As long as we keep Gaara safe, everything else is secondary."
"As for the rest…"
Maki paused, then continued,
"We won't actively help Iwagakure. But we'll align ourselves with Konoha."
"With Konoha?"
Temari caught the implication.
"You mean… Konoha and Iwa aren't exactly on good terms?"
"Of course not. Those two villages have no real connection.
And that Mizuki isn't an idiot — he knows how to act."
Even though Maki had been forced to back down earlier, he still respected Mizuki's methods.
"Konoha only trusts us, and we'll act with Konoha. After all, we're allies — the Iwa ninja are outsiders."
As one of Sunagakure's leading figures, Maki understood well that the relationship between villages could never be dictated by a few joint missions or personal grudges.
So long as Suna didn't act foolishly again, their alliance with Konoha would hold strong.
"Yura-sensei still seems dissatisfied..." Temari said with concern.
"It's alright. I'll talk to him privately later. His ideas aren't bad, but this kind of near-betrayal, walking the line like this — we can't afford the consequences."
Maki then turned to Gaara.
"About your seal — what did Jun say?"
"It's fine," Gaara replied. "Jun-sensei already checked. There are no signs of tampering."
"Are you sure? Konoha's sealing techniques are more advanced than ours. Could there be something we missed?"
"I can't say for certain," Kankuro interjected.
"But sealing jutsu isn't something easy to tamper with. Jun-sensei said the same."
"Good. But we'll still re-check it once we return. Especially the seal on Shukaku.
After all, that Mizuki guy is reportedly a top-tier sealing specialist.
And based on your story, there was a period of time where no one knew what he did to Gaara…"
Suna had investigated the incident from the Konoha Crush,
but there were no witnesses to what happened when Gaara and the others were captured alive.
Naturally, the details remained unknown.
"And then there's that chūnin — no, jōnin now,"
Temari added, recalling the previous battle with Deidara and Sasori.
"He's extremely dangerous. That devastating jutsu we reported… It shouldn't even exist in this world."
"I've already consulted Elder Ebizō," Maki said.
"He just advised that we avoid direct confrontation with him if possible."
Even Maki had trouble believing someone with no prior fame in Konoha could possess such terrifying power.
After researching with no results, he had even asked Chiyo and Ebizō.
Ebizō seemed to suspect something — but offered no explanation, only warning them to act cautiously.
"We understand."
"I think it's the right call," Maki nodded.
"Konoha's had the lion's share of ninja resources for years. Who knows what hidden horrors they've been nurturing?
Still, they're not our enemy — they're our ally.
So long as we remember that, everything else is secondary."
…
Just as Mizuki had said, he didn't really care how Yura had deceived Maki —
as long as the result didn't go off track, it was fine.
So long as Sunagakure remained wary of damaging their alliance with Konoha, everything could be worked with.
With the immediate crisis resolved, Mizuki didn't want to stir up more trouble.
He was certain the enemy could appear at any moment.
He had a rough idea of the Akatsuki's ambitions — and how much effort they might put into this.
As long as Pain with the Rinnegan didn't show up, everything else could still be managed.
Without Hiruko or most of his puppets, Sasori would be easier to deal with.
The only concern was the Third Kazekage's Iron Sand techniques.
But if Suna was still daring to try and capture him, even with full knowledge of his abilities, they must have confidence.
Hidan would be manageable too —
with enough intel, and caution regarding his Death Controlling Possessed Blood, he could be countered.
Even Shikamaru defeated him once his weakness was exposed.
There was no reason Mizuki, who was far stronger and had access to Shikamaru's experience, couldn't do the same.
Aside from those two, even Zetsu's tricks wouldn't faze Mizuki —
the one-on-one wouldn't be an issue.
With more cards up his sleeve than last time, Mizuki was far better prepared.
This time, facing the Akatsuki wouldn't be such a desperate struggle.
…
And so, the three-village alliance continued marching as if nothing had happened.
But the sense of impending doom weighed heavier with each passing day.
Only Temari and Jun occasionally approached Mizuki and his two genin to share small talk or exchange bits of intel.
As for Yura — under the surveillance of Neji's Byakugan, Shino's kikaichū, and Aoba's summoned crows —
he had no freedom to act.
Sensing this, Yura had remained quiet and well-behaved.
But Mizuki had no intention of lifting the surveillance order.
By midday on the third day, the group had stopped to rest and set up camp in the sweltering heat.
Suddenly, Shino's expression tightened.
"Someone's coming."
"Hm?"
Mizuki's heart skipped.
"How many?"
"Can't tell," Shino replied.
"My scouting insects — they were instantly destroyed."
"I see..."
Mizuki knew there were Akatsuki members capable of perceiving even hidden kikaichū.
"Neji, take a look."
Normally, Mizuki would've set up detection traps —
but this was just a temporary camp, and he hadn't prepared much.
The enemy had struck at the perfect moment.
Activating his Byakugan, Neji observed for a while and said,
"Two people. But they're not headed for us — they're targeting the Sunagakure team."
"Huh? They're going after them?"
Mizuki was surprised.
The Akatsuki weren't coming for him or Deidara?
Then there was only one possible target — Gaara, the One-Tail Jinchūriki.
He considered it:
They weren't interested in Mizuki's Rinnegan secret, or perhaps they didn't even know about it.
And they weren't here to rescue Deidara — meaning there was no close bond.
"One of them is carrying a giant, strange-looking scythe," Neji added.
"The other seems normal, but has an unusually large chakra reserve, and…
his chakra flow is very odd."
"I understand now. You can stop," Mizuki said.
He now knew exactly who they were.
『Kakuzu and Hidan… So they've swapped out personnel due to Deidara being captured and Sasori being compromised.』
"This fight — none of you are to engage directly.
If you encounter the enemy, retreat immediately. Don't try to fight.
And if you're injured, report it to me at once."
"Mizuki, should we support Suna?"
Aoba asked.
"Even though they've got three jōnin and a Jinchūriki, the enemy might still outmatch them."
"I know," Mizuki said.
"But we shouldn't act recklessly.
There may be other enemies nearby.
We have to stay cautious."
Now that the fight had started, Mizuki didn't hesitate any longer.
"Send up the signal.
Alert both Suna and Iwa to prepare for combat."
『So the first wave is Kakuzu and Hidan. That's manageable.
Hidan's predictable.
Kakuzu… a bit trickier.』
With five hearts, five elemental affinities, and absurdly powerful jutsu —
even Kakashi had struggled against him.
But Maki, a powerful wind release user with strong fundamentals, should be able to hold his own.
Victory wasn't guaranteed, but he wouldn't go down easily.
As for Hidan, Mizuki thought carefully —
even if Hidan started his ritual, his cult-like obsession with pain meant he usually didn't kill immediately.
There would be time to intervene.
Plus, Suna had a capable sealing specialist —
Jun's binding techniques might counter Hidan's rituals effectively.
As long as Yura didn't betray them on the spot, two-on-one wasn't a hopeless scenario.
While Mizuki was still weighing options, Shino suddenly called out:
"Mizuki-taichō! Another one's coming — very fast — and headed straight for us!"
"Neji—"
Mizuki immediately gave the order.
"Understood."
Neji activated his Byakugan again and scanned.
"One person.
Their chakra flow is… extremely abnormal.
And their speed — very fast.
Definitely coming straight for us."
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