Sunagakure is located in a canyon region within the desert.
This Ninja Village cleverly utilizes the natural canyon as a barrier, shielding it from the endless yellow sand outside, creating a habitable environment for its people.
There are only two ways to enter Sunagakure: one is through the narrow passage between the canyons, undergoing layer upon layer of inspection by Sunagakure's sentries, and the other is to directly fly over the steep cliffs of the canyon from above.
Inside the Kazekage Building, Yashamaru respectfully reported to the Fourth Kazekage, who was also his brother-in-law, Rasa.
"This scroll has already been inspected by Chiyo-sama. There is no poison or any other hidden traps on it." Yashamaru placed the scroll given to him by Pakura on the Kazekage's desk.
Rasa was more concerned about the enemy's strength: "How strong were those five Sunagakure's Ninjas?"
The blond-haired Yashamaru pondered for a moment before answering slowly: "One of them had Jonin-level strength, while the others were just Chunin and Genin. Overall, they weren't particularly strong. Moreover, that Jonin seemed to have been injured in a previous battle with Pakura and the others. During the fight, I could sense his weakness."
"There was originally a prisoner, but he bit into a poison capsule and committed suicide. Our colleagues at the border outpost are transporting the body back. It should take about two more days to reach the village."
After hearing the report, Rasa nodded slightly.
Pakura's team had gone to investigate Hoshigakure but had been out of contact for over two months. Now, they had suddenly returned, which inevitably made Rasa suspicious.
However, after confirming that the pursuers included at least one Jonin and several Chunin and Genin, Rasa relaxed slightly.
After all, Jonin-level combatants were high-tier assets in any village. Even if used as bait, it was unlikely they'd be sacrificed so easily.
Even the envoy sent by Kumogakure to Konoha to deliberately cause trouble was just a Special Jonin.
"You may go and rest now." After understanding the situation, Rasa dismissed Yashamaru.
"Yes." Yashamaru bowed slightly.
Just as he was about to leave, Rasa's voice came from behind him again.
"By the way, Gaara hasn't been doing well lately. Spend more time with him." Rasa unfolded the scroll, covering his face.
"If he truly can't control the One-Tail's rampage… for the sake of the village, you know what must be done."
Yashamaru's expression darkened upon hearing this, his face filled with sorrow as he replied, "Understood."
Bang.
The sound of the door closing echoed as Rasa, now alone in the office, carefully studied the contents of the scroll.
The scroll recorded the intelligence gathered by Pakura's team after infiltrating the Land of Bears, including the massacre of the Daimyo's family and the purge of the Land of Bears' nobility.
It also detailed how Pakura's team was discovered by Hoshigakure, surrounded, and ultimately overpowered, becoming prisoners.
However, during the two months of imprisonment, Pakura discovered that there were dissenting voices within Hoshigakure.
She was secretly released by what could be called the 'conservative faction' of Hoshigakure's Ninjas, who also helped rescue her two companions.
During their escape, they were pursued and attacked by Hoshigakure's pursuit team.
As for the current leader of Hoshigakure, the scroll made no mention of it. According to the conservative faction's claims, Hoshigakure had undergone major changes.
But what exactly those changes were remained unknown.
After reading the information in the scroll, Rasa's dark-circled eyes grew even more solemn, his brows tightly furrowed.
Although Pakura had brought back valuable information, it only made Hoshigakure seem even more mysterious.
Rasa knew the leader of Hoshigakure had most likely been replaced, and their true combat strength remained unknown.
Moreover, the natural barrier of Devil's Ravine blocked off most of the border, leaving only the northern border. where Devil's Ravine didn't extend, as the sole path for an invasion.
On top of that, Sunagakure had only just ceased fighting a few years ago and hadn't fully recovered. The old guys in the council also opposed restarting the war.
And then there was the One-Tail's Jinchuriki's condition...
"It's really troubled times." Rasa couldn't help but sigh.
…
Meanwhile, at Sunagakure's hospital.
At the entrance of this hospital which was built based on the medical system of Konoha, a girl with two purple markings on her face hurried in.
The door to Pakura's ward was suddenly pushed open. Pakura, who is lying on the bed, turned her head and saw the panting girl. A gentle smile appeared on her weary face: "What's wrong, Maki?"
Maki rushed forward, her voice choked with emotion: "Sensei!"
Watching her student cry, Pakura gently stroked Maki's hair.
"I'm back now." She whispered softly, comforting her only student.
During the Third Great Ninja War, Maki's parents were killed by Kirigakure's Ninjas, fueling her determination to become a Ninja.
However, she was already fourteen or fifteen at the time, which is past the ideal age for training, so she sought out Pakura as her teacher, enduring grueling training.
Pakura, moved by Maki's drive and perseverance, took her in as a student and devoted herself to her growth. Even when exhausted from missions, she would still make time to train with Maki.
After years of training, Maki, who is now nineteen, had become a Chunin, and her talent in Sealing Techniques had caught the village's attention.
Maki wiped away her tears and smiled, holding her teacher's hand as she sat by the hospital bed, asking about her injuries while also updating her on recent events in the village.
Over the next few days, Pakura remained in the hospital to recover, and Maki visited daily, always bringing small gifts for her teacher.
Meanwhile, the Anbu of Sunagakure would occasionally come to question Pakura and the other surviving Sunagakure's Ninja about the Land of Bears and Hoshigakure, using Sensor Ninjutsu to scan them for any irregularities.
Only after confirming that nothing was amiss were Pakura and her comrade, who have now mostly healed, allowed to leave the hospital and resume normal activities.
But on the very first night after leaving the hospital-
Pakura, who was sleeping soundly in her home, suddenly opened her eyes.
Her normally brown pupils now glowed faintly purple, her gaze hollow and vacant.
She pushed aside the covers and sat up, revealing a strange seal-like mark on the back of her right hand.
Placing her left hand over the mark, Pakura channeled Chakra into it.
Her consciousness was pulled into a unique Genjutsu Space.
Here, the sky and sea seemed to merge into one, an endless expanse of azure stretching beyond sight.
But there was a single table and chair, as if waiting for her.
Moving mechanically, Pakura walked over, pulled out the chair, and sat down. She picked up the pen on the table and began writing classified intelligence about Sunagakure onto a scroll.
Soon, the scroll was filled with dense lines of text-
Details about the Sand Village's geographical layout, entry and exit methods, organizational structure, high-ranking people, Anbu's operations, and more.
As Pakura continued writing, another table and chair materialized beside her.
A man with spiky hair, wearing an Iwagakure's forehead protector and a Iwagakure's Jonin vest, walked over with the same hollow gaze. He sat down and began writing confidential information about Iwagakure.
This person is none other than the Explosive Release Ninja from Iwagakure who was previously captured by Kanon, Gari!