Location: Konoha East GateTime: Late afternoon, orange sky
The main gate creaked open. Three figures appeared on the dusty horizon, walking in silence.
Hatake Kakashi led the way, hands in his pockets, his expression relaxed as always — but his eyes alert. Beside him, Naruto wore his orange jacket stained with dirt, breathing steady. Sakura, walking lightly, finished storing her medical equipment.
— "Haaa... that mission was a pain..." — muttered Naruto, scratching his head.
— "And yet, you still hit the target with the Rasengan from that distance..." — commented Kakashi, glancing sideways.
Naruto smiled.
— "Training with Ero-Sennin paid off! The toads helped too!"
Sakura chuckled softly.
— "You've changed, Naruto... more focused."
Naruto crossed his arms, proud.
— "I'm getting stronger. I told you, right? I'm gonna be Hokage!"
Kakashi let out a small amused sigh.
— "At this pace... we might actually start believing it someday."
As they passed through the gates, an ANBU ninja appeared discreetly to the right of the team, masked and standing straight.
— "Hatake Kakashi. Order from the Hokage. She requests your immediate presence. Command room."
Kakashi nodded slightly, already expecting this.
— "Understood."
He turned to Naruto and Sakura.
— "You two, go rest. I'll handle the report."
Naruto gave a thumbs-up.
— "Say hi to Baa-chan for me!"
Kakashi was already walking away but stopped for a moment. He looked over his shoulder.
— "Naruto... good job out there."
The blond blinked, surprised. A wide smile formed on his face.
— "Thanks, Kakashi-sensei!"
The ANBU ninja vanished in a flash, and Kakashi followed shortly after, his gaze more serious now, already suspecting this wasn't just an ordinary report.
Location: Hidden Sand Village – NightTime: Cutting wind, clear and starry sky
Atop a rocky hill south of the village, two silhouettes stood out under the full moon.
Deidara crouched on top of a winged clay sculpture, watching the village with the hungry eyes of an artist.
— "Heh... still the same. Just as ugly as always."— "We're not here to admire architecture," — Sasori said coldly, arms crossed beneath his Akatsuki cloak.— "The target is the jinchūriki."
Deidara's clay bird silently descended, gliding through the dry wind currents.
Inside the village, the sand towers and fortresses were on night alert, but no attack was expected. After all, Gaara was one of the most closely guarded ninjas there.
Deidara molded a small figure with his hands — a tiny bird, which flapped its wings and flew straight over the wall, landing atop a watchtower.
— "Katsu."
BOOM!The explosion was small, but enough to blow a hole in the side of the building and trigger alarms.
Bells echoed.
— "The Kazekage will come running," — said Deidara, with a sick smile.— "Perfect. I'll deal with him personally."
Sasori stepped back, vanishing into the shadows between buildings.
— "I'll cover the rear. Don't be late."
Location: Kazekage Tower
A sensory ninja burst into the Kazekage's office.
— "Lord Gaara! There's been an explosion on the east side of the village! Unknown invaders!"
Gaara opened his eyes instantly, already on his feet. The sand around him began moving on its own, vibrating ominously.
— "Call Kankurō. Isolate the eastern zone. I'll go ahead."
He leapt out the tower window, gliding on a cloud of sand, eyes narrowed, alert.
In the center of an abandoned village avenue, Deidara landed softly, arms crossed.
— "Kazekage... let's see if your art is worthy of mine."
The wind carried the reply.
Gaara appeared floating on his sand cloud, his gaze cold, impassive.
— "Akatsuki..."
— "Hehe... that's right." — said Deidara, molding a larger sculpture in his hands. — "I'll show you a real explosion."
Gaara raised his arms, and a massive sand shield formed behind him.
The village lights went out one by one as the two faced each other — the first real battle of this silent war was about to begin.
NIGHT IN THE LEAF VILLAGE
Dim light. The Hokage's office is lit only by tall candles. The moon casts a slanted glow through the open window. Outside, silence is nearly complete.
Tsunade sits at the desk, eyes fixed on a thick letter folded with Jiraiya's personal seal. Beside her, Kakashi stands with arms crossed, gaze watchful above his mask.
Tsunade (reading softly):"...the man appeared in the Rain Village two weeks ago. He doesn't use chakra. Defeated the Akatsuki with something... even Pain's eyes couldn't follow."
"I don't know if he came from another country or another world. But he's not an enemy. Not yet."
She closes the envelope. Sighs.
Tsunade:— If anyone else had said this, I'd doubt it.— But it's Jiraiya...
Kakashi slowly approaches. Eyes emotionless, but mind racing.
Kakashi:— He defeated Pain? Alone?— The Akatsuki lost half its strength and no one sensed any chakra?
Tsunade:— According to Jiraiya, it's not a jutsu. He revived the bodies... like shadows.— Not even Edo Tensei acts like that.
Silence.
Kakashi:— You believe he's not a threat?
Tsunade:— I believe he's something new.— And the new always frightens.
Kakashi crosses his arms. Reflects.
Kakashi:— Maybe... if we watch him closely.— We'll know if he's an ally or a problem.
A quick knock on the door interrupts. Before anyone can respond, the door opens.
ANBU with a wolf mask enters hastily.
ANBU:— Urgent report from the Sand Village.— Akatsuki attack confirmed.— The Kazekage... has been captured.
Tsunade stands up immediately. Kakashi clenches his fists.
Tsunade:— When?
ANBU:— A few hours ago.— The messengers arrive at dawn.— They're requesting reinforcements.
Tsunade narrows her eyes. Looks at Kakashi.
Tsunade:— We barely have time to respond.
DESERT BORDER (SAND VILLAGE) — NIGHTWind cuts across rooftops, sand dragged by the darkness.
Deidara flies atop a clay bird, Gaara's limp body strapped to its back. Sasori, cloaked in Akatsuki's hood, walks below beside his Hiruko puppet.
Deidara (laughing):— Heh. A captured Kazekage... pure art.
Sasori:— Shut up and move.— We don't have time.
They both vanish into the night, disappearing among the dark dunes.