Path Not Taken 76

Gaara

Kakashi! The Akatsuki member Deidara is preparing his final technique.

Gaara

He plans to detonate himself. We have seconds at most.

Hatake Kakashi

I just finished with this Itachi clone. Can your sand protect us all?

Hatake Kakashi

Sakura, Shikamaru! Get behind Gaara now!

Gaara

Sand Ultimate Defense!

Gaara

(I need to make this shell denser than ever before. Deidara's explosions are not to be underestimated.)

Haruno Sakura

The sand is muffling the explosion. I can feel the pressure wave!

Haruno Sakura

(Hinata went after Naruto alone... I hope she's safe from this blast.)

Hatake Kakashi

Even Gaara's sand is being tested. What power...

Hatake Kakashi

Sakura, be ready with medical jutsu when this is over.

Haruno Sakura

I'm ready, Kakashi-sensei. But I'm worried about Naruto...

Haruno Sakura

I can't believe he joined forces with that Grass Village kunoichi!

Gaara

The explosion is subsiding. We survived.

Gaara

Uzumaki Naruto once saved me from darkness. Now it seems he needs the same from us.

Hatake Kakashi

Naruto wouldn't betray the village without reason. There's more to this Azula from the Grass Village than we know.

Hatake Kakashi

And I suspect it has something to do with why the Akatsuki are so desperate to stop us right now.