The room they entered resembled a typical business office, but on a much grander scale than what Gaara was used to, certainly not like the Kage's office. This one felt more like a hall, with a staircase at the far end and various rooms leading to different departments. It was a goddamn enterprise.
As Lady Chiyo saw Gaara methodically distribute fine sand particles, using the mask she wore as a tool to enhance his sensory abilities, she couldn't help but mentally praise him. He was proving to be more than capable for this mission. She turned her attention back to the task at hand, focusing on the infiltration.
It took a while for the wind to sweep through every nook and cranny of the building. When it finally did, Gaara realized they weren't alone. He paused, assessing the situation. The presence wasn't immediately threatening. Should I silence them or let Lady Chiyo know?
He considered his options. 'They don't seem to be making any moves.'
Deciding not to act immediately, Gaara stayed still. This mission was meant to be a stealthy infiltration, and making unnecessary noise could ruin their advantage. He continued to observe, letting the sand swirl and shift through the building, feeding him valuable sensory information.
After some time, Lady Chiyo signaled that she was going deeper into the building. At that moment, Gaara informed her of the other presence. She paused, considering the information. For a moment, it seemed like she was about to engage one of the figures for questioning, but after assessing the situation, she immediately advised against it. "They seem well-coordinated," she muttered under her breath. "We can't afford to tip our hand just yet."
Instead, they devised a more dangerous plan. They retreated to a secluded corner of the building, where Gaara could spread his senses even further. In a few minutes, he determined that there were 37 people in the building.
With that knowledge, it was time for the next phase. Gaara used his sand to distribute explosive paper talismans in every concealed corner of the building—ensuring that they'd have an escape route or leverage if things went wrong.
Then, it was Lady Chiyo's turn. She created a diversion at the building's entrance by engaging the security forces. It was easy enough. She used Transformation Jutsu to disguise herself as another Shinobi, immediately drawing attention to herself as an intruder. The alarm was raised, and within moments, chaos erupted throughout the building as the security scrambled to respond.
The building was now on high alert, with everyone either running to evacuate or moving to apprehend the intruder. Lady Chiyo couldn't use her usual puppetry skills here—she couldn't risk revealing too much about herself, as only certain people and villages employed such techniques, and it would give her away immediately.
The evacuation process was slow, but Lady Chiyo's approach was relentless. She stormed through the building, forcing the remaining occupants to flee. No one was a match for her—until a Shinobi stepped forward.
He was a tall man with brown hair and piercing blue eyes, holding two blades in his hands. His posture exuded expertise, his stance confident and ready for battle. The moment their eyes locked, he sprang into action.
The blades seemed to have a life of their own, cutting through the air with precision. The speed and finesse with which he wielded them were beyond impressive. Lady Chiyo quickly found herself on the defensive, forced to block, dodge, and evade as the blades came at her from every direction. He was a master with weapons, and though she tried to counter with her own techniques, he anticipated her moves, using shuriken and swift strikes to keep her on edge.
Gaara, watching from his vantage point, could see that Lady Chiyo was at a disadvantage. His instincts told him that she wasn't giving up, but it was clear that this Shinobi was no ordinary fighter. Gaara clenched his fists, unsure whether he should intervene. His sand wasn't enough to match the speed and skill of either combatant, and he knew they were both hiding their true capabilities. The situation was too dangerous.
But then, for the first time in this mission, Gaara made a decision. His eyes narrowed in focus. He didn't hesitate.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu."
A burst of chakra erupted from his body as a shadow clone appeared beside him. The clone immediately dashed into the building, ready to assist. Gaara knew this was a calculated risk, but he couldn't let Lady Chiyo face this danger alone. With his clone moving toward the battlefield, he focused on a plan of action—he would use the clone as a distraction, a way to turn the tide in their favor.
As the clone closed in on the fight, Gaara's sand began to swirl around him, preparing for whatever might come next. The mission was far from over, and every decision counted.