Huge stretches of golden yellow sand spread out to the horizon. Further beyond were rolling dunes, all made of the same endless sea of yellow sand. This was a world of sand—its vast waves blending seamlessly with the sky, stretching without limit.
This was the view known to the ninja guarding the gates of Sunagakure. Watching the ocean of sand day after day sometimes led to illusions—figures appearing to move within the shifting grains.
Wait... this time it wasn't an illusion. Someone was really coming.
Startled, one guard shouted urgently at his companion, "Quick, look! Aren't those three figures approaching in the distance?"
Having already endured two great wars, Suna had become like a bird startled by the sound of arrows. The companion immediately confirmed with his own eyes and responded, "Yes, someone's coming. Hurry and inform the village leadership."
"Right."
By the time the trio came closer, a large group of Suna ninja had already gathered, weapons in hand, surrounding the newcomers warily. The air was thick with tension, their weapons ready to strike at the first order.
The three surrounded individuals appeared stunned—frozen in place. Suddenly, the figure in the center threw back his hood with a heavy sigh, revealing a face instantly recognizable to the Sand ninja.
"That face... isn't that Third Kazekage?"
"It really is him!"
"Has the Third Kazekage returned?"
Suddenly seeing the Third Kazekage standing before them, the gathered ninja showed expressions of shock, some even rubbing their eyes repeatedly as if fearing they'd mistaken a mirage.
Anya, using the Kazekage's body, sneered coldly, "What? Have I really been gone so long that none of you even remember your leader?"
That familiar voice combined with an overwhelming presence quickly diffused the tense atmosphere. The previously vigilant ninja lowered their weapons, some breaking into joyful tears. "Lord Kazekage, you've finally returned! We've searched everywhere for you!"
Some Suna ninjas couldn't contain their excitement and shouted, "Quick, let Third Kazekage enter the village!"
"Hold on," a commanding voice rang out from behind the ranks of ninja.
Though aged, Grandma Chiyo strode forward with vigor. Upon seeing the Kazekage herself, shock flashed in her eyes before suspicion settled over her features. "Third Kazekage, your sudden disappearance followed by such an abrupt reappearance surely deserves an explanation to all Suna ninja present?"
"Please, Grandma, allow us inside first," replied someone beside the Kazekage. He pulled off his hood, revealing a refined yet sinister-looking face—Akasuna no Sasori.
Chiyo stood frozen for a moment. Then she suddenly rushed forward, staring intently at her grandson's face before gently touching it to make sure he was real. Her voice trembled as she spoke, "Sasori, you naughty child, where have you been all this time? I've been so worried about you."
"Ah, actually, I must take responsibility for this too," sighed the Kazekage. "Let's go. Call a meeting of the village's higher-ups—I'll explain everything properly."
"As you command."
With Sasori back alongside the Kazekage, Chiyo didn't even have time to question what had just happened. Her heart overflowed with joy at having regained what was lost. Her lingering doubts were cast aside into thin air. She didn't even spare a glance toward the remaining figure still wearing a mask.
At a large round table, all the top officials of Sunagakure had gathered. Naturally, everyone's attention was fixed on the Third Kazekage who had just returned to the village.
An elder with a fiery temper slammed his fist on the table and shouted angrily, "Even though you're the Kazekage, how can you act so recklessly? You vanished without reason for such a long time. Don't you realize the devastation your disappearance brought upon the village during that period?"
The Kazekage stood up and spoke in a heavy tone, "I already understand what happened generally. The mistake was indeed mine, but I was helpless. Before I explain the truth behind my disappearance, allow me to introduce someone to everyone. Remove your veil now, Your Majesty."
"Okay."
Upon hearing this exchange, people finally noticed someone veiled standing behind the Kazekage from the beginning.
Mabui lifted her veil, removed the cloak covering her body, and revealed herself wearing an elegant ivory gown, exuding nobility and grace.
"This is… the queen?"
"Which country does she belong to?"
"What does her presence have to do with your disappearance?"
Immediately, whispers began circulating around the table.
"Let me explain," [Sasori] offered. "This lady is the Queen of the Ancient Kingdom of Loulan, an ancient site connected to Sunagakure. During a mission, I accidentally discovered some rogue ninja sneaking into the ruins. I immediately informed Lord Kazekage. Since time was short, we didn't have time to tell everyone first. We left immediately, but ended up trapped in the ruins until now."
"The Ancient Kingdom of Loulan, rumored to possess the Ryumyaku Chakra Control? Are we saying it actually existed?"
"But even if it was an ancient ruin, how could it trap you for so long?"
Sighing deeply, the Kazekage said, "Indeed, the Loulan Ruins do contain the power of the Ryumyaku. At the time, the rogue ninja had already stolen its strength. Alone, neither myself nor Sasori could defeat him. Worse still, Konoha ninjas were also involved. With the three factions clashing, the Loulan Ruins were ultimately destroyed, and we barely managed to escape."
As he spoke, Mabui acted accordingly by wearing a sorrowful expression on her face. Her eyes glistened with tears as she tried hard not to cry, attempting to show her inner strength. Even [Sasori], standing beside her, was taken aback by her acting, almost believing she truly mourned the fall of the Loulan Kingdom.
Looks like Big Brother Kurotsuchi was right after all. Women really are natural-born performers.
Upon hearing the words "Konoha ninja," Chiyo clenched her teeth and jumped up furiously, saying, "Which Konoha ninjas dared sneak into our ruins and steal our powers? How despicable!"
Then [Sasori] explained further, "The leader was a blonde man skilled in the Shifting Body Technique, moving at incredible speed. The other two could either expand their bodies or control insects."
The elder responsible for intelligence work quickly analyzed aloud, "That blonde must be Minato Namikaze, the rising star of Konoha recently dubbed the Yellow Flash. As for the others, one is from the Akimichi Clan and the other from the Aburame Clan. They are indeed Konoha ninjas."
Mabui interjected at the right moment, "Even though Kazekage kept helping me, unfortunately we were still outnumbered... Loulan just..."
At this point, Mabui choked up, a wave of sorrow surging within her. Tears streamed down endlessly, stirring deep sympathy among the upper echelons as they loudly condemned Konoha's ninja and rogue ninja.
"I must also express my gratitude to Queen for assisting me in finally obtaining the Ryumyaku energy," Kazekage stood up, activating the Ryumyaku power absorbed within his body. A mighty aura radiated from him as he proclaimed powerfully, "I'm much stronger than before. Now that I've returned, Sunagakure Village will never again suffer bullying."
Looking at the spirited Third Kazekage, the senior officials felt both comforted and elated. Finally, Sunagakure had found its backbone...
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