Lock halted mid-stride, his eyes narrowing.
Through the sensory link with his scouting hawk, he caught sight of something in the distance — figures clashing amid the rolling dunes.
"Combat?" he murmured, focusing the link. Several silhouettes darted across the sand, swift and precise. Their movements carried the rhythm of trained shinobi.
"In the middle of the desert? Must be Suna-nin."
After days of wandering without seeing a single shinobi, Lock's pulse quickened. If someone were fighting here, he might finally find a lead to Sunagakure's location. Without hesitation, he adjusted course and dashed toward the battle, silent across the sand.
But when he arrived and saw who was fighting,— he froze.
"…You've got to be kidding me."
In the storm of sand and chakra, two figures stood locked in deadly combat. One of them, commanding iron sand like a living storm, was unmistakable — the Third Kazekage himself.
And facing him was a red-haired youth, manipulating three deadly puppets that struck with precision and malice.
Lock recognized him instantly.
"Red hair… puppet techniques that sharp… no way. That's Sasori — the Scorpion of the Red Sand."
The realization hit like a blade. He had stumbled into that moment — the legendary battle where Sasori assassinated the Third Kazekage and turned him into his puppet.
This event was the spark that would ignite the Third Great Ninja War.
Lock's throat went dry. So it's happening right now.
The timelines had shifted since his arrival in this world, but clearly, some things still flowed toward their destined ends.
While Lock processed what he was seeing, both combatants suddenly turned their attention his way. The fighting ceased, tension rippling through the air as their killing intent refocused.
They couldn't see him — the desert shimmer distorted his chakra signature — but they felt him.
"Who's there?" the Third Kazekage's voice cut through the storm. "Show yourself!"
Lock sighed under his breath. He hadn't meant to get noticed. Had he known this was the battle, he would've stayed far, far away to watch from a safer distance.
Realizing stealth was useless now, he dispelled his concealment and stepped into view — black cloak, fox-mask glinting in the sunlight.
"Konoha's ANBU?" The Kazekage's eyes narrowed sharply.
Lock said nothing.
The Kazekage's tone hardened. "Scorpion, we'll finish our business later. That one—" he nodded toward Lock "—is clearly here on a mission. I'll deal with him first."
Sasori glanced briefly at Lock, his face calm, expression unreadable behind his youthful features.
"Konoha's ANBU?" he repeated softly. Then he smiled — a thin, chilling curve. "Not interested. My target is you, Kazekage-sama."
The Third Kazekage's brow furrowed. "We're from the same village, Sasori. That man is the enemy — focus on him first."
"Same village?" Sasori's tone was almost mocking. "Villages rot. Only art endures." His fingers twitched, and the puppets' chakra strings shimmered, ready to strike.
Before they could resume fighting, Lock finally spoke — voice even and faintly amused.
"You're both so quick to draw lines. I haven't even said who I am, yet you've already decided I'm an enemy."
The Kazekage turned toward him sharply. "You crossed into our borders without summons or permission. That alone defines you as hostile."
Lock shrugged beneath his cloak. "Maybe. But I'm here under the Hokage's orders. To open dialogue with Kazekage-sama himself. I'd say this isn't the warmest welcome."
"Dialogue?" the Kazekage's eyes glinted coldly. "Then let's talk—after you're subdued."
His hands blurred through seals, and in the next instant, waves of black iron sand surged from the ground, forming countless gleaming needles.
Lock's eyes flashed behind his mask. "So much for diplomacy."
The air filled with the hum of chakra and metal as the Kazekage unleashed his assault — and Lock moved to meet it.
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A/N: New Fanfic Is Out " Naruto: I'm Boruto Uzumaki"
A/N: Advanced Chapters Have Been Uploaded On My Patreon
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