The Third Kazekage was both furious and resolute. Although the enemy's identity wasn't confirmed, he strongly suspected Konoha's involvement. The timing, the precision, and the cold efficiency all pointed to an organized attack, not the random chaos of desert bandits.
*Konoha...* he thought grimly. *They're retaliating for what we did last year. Fine. Let's see who suffers more.*
---
### The Third Kazekage Mobilizes
"Prepare an elite team," he commanded. "We will hunt down these intruders and eliminate them."
Unlike the more cautious Third Hokage, the Third Kazekage was a man of action. He wasted no time assembling his forces, personally leading the effort. With the power of his magnetic release, he could fly swiftly and provide a devastating combination of offense and defense.
However, despite its versatility, his famed magnetic release often fell short in overwhelming powerful enemies—a fact he didn't dwell on.
Soon, the Third Kazekage was airborne, leaving the Sand Village with his elite team. Meanwhile, the Sand Village's patrols began their own search, meticulously combing the desert for traces of the attackers.
---
### Shinki's Strategy
Shinki, observing through his puppets, decided it was time to adjust his approach. The fires he had set at the previous targets had served their purpose—drawing the Sand Village's attention and spreading chaos. Now that the Third Kazekage was mobilized, there was no need for further distractions.
*Time to finish this mission and enjoy the show.*
Two days in the desert had worn out Shinki's initial fascination with its stark beauty. The endless dunes were monotonous, and the harsh conditions had long since lost their novelty.
Packing up his tent and supplies into a sealing scroll, he unveiled his method of transportation: a massive eagle puppet, standing over three meters tall with a wingspan exceeding ten meters.
The eagle's impressive size made it look like a marvel, but in the ninja world, it was modest compared to the giant boars, serpents, and other colossal creatures that roamed the land. Shinki hopped onto the puppet's back, and it soared into the sky, flying far faster than any traditional ninja mount.
---
### Destruction from Above
In under half an hour, Shinki reached his first target. Standing atop the eagle, he peered down at a small village that looked like a speck against the vast desert.
He extended his hand, summoning a green, chakra-infused *Tenseigan Truth-Seeking Orb*. The glowing sphere, no larger than a baseball, pulsed with immense power. With a casual flick, Shinki sent the orb plummeting toward the village.
As the orb detonated, it unleashed a catastrophic explosion, leveling the village in an instant. Dust and debris billowed into the air as the shockwave obliterated everything in its radius—structures, plants, animals, and people alike.
---
### The Sand Village Reacts
Elsewhere, the Third Kazekage arrived at a previously attacked site. The devastation confirmed his suspicions: this was no random group of bandits. The clean, surgical execution of the attacks suggested highly skilled shinobi.
"These are Konoha's tactics," he muttered, his hands clenching into fists.
A patrol leader approached him with new information. "Lord Kazekage, reports indicate that villages and oases in the north and east have also been attacked. The pattern suggests a coordinated effort."
The Third Kazekage's expression darkened. "Notify all patrols to shift their focus north and west. Track every trace of these attackers. And send a message to Chiyo—order her to pull back a team from the front lines. I want every one of these intruders exterminated."
For all his anger, the Third Kazekage was methodical. He wouldn't let his fury cloud his judgment. If this truly was Konoha's doing, he intended to make them pay dearly.
---
### Shinki's Mission Continues
Meanwhile, Shinki moved seamlessly from one target to the next. Unlike Koharu Utatane and Mitokado Hamura, who had to rely on traditional methods—scouting, stealth, and precise timing—Shinki had the power of the Tenseigan at his disposal.
From high in the sky, he unleashed orb after orb, each one delivering devastating results. His attacks were so swift and unexpected that the Sand Village's defenders barely had time to react.
At one oasis, two Sand Village ninjas were chatting in the shade, oblivious to the incoming danger. A green, glowing orb fell from the sky, its descent masked by the blazing sun. Before either could comprehend what was happening, the orb struck the oasis.
"BOOM!!!"
The explosion rocked the ground, wiping out everything in the vicinity—people, plants, animals, and even the insects hidden in the sand. The oasis was reduced to a lifeless crater in mere seconds.
---
### Chaos in the Wind Country
As the Sand Village patrols spread out, they stumbled upon more and more destruction. At one smoldering village, a patrol captain stood in stunned silence, staring at the carnage before him.
"What… what happened here?" he whispered.
The charred remains of buildings and bodies filled the area. Even the ground itself bore scars from the attacks.
"Send word to Lord Kazekage immediately," the captain ordered. "We have enemies tearing through the country!"
The reports reached the Sand Village quickly, each one painting an increasingly dire picture. The Third Kazekage reviewed the latest updates, his expression hardening with each passing moment.
*This is coordinated. Premeditated. Konoha... it must be you.*
"Prepare for an all-out response," he growled. "They will regret stepping into our territory."
---
### Shinki's Endgame
As the Sand Village scrambled to contain the chaos, Shinki relaxed aboard his puppet eagle, soaring high above the desert. His Tenseigan allowed him to see the ripple effects of his actions—patrols converging, messages being sent, and the Third Kazekage himself moving to intercept the attackers.
He smirked. *Let them chase ghosts.*
With his targets systematically eliminated, Shinki shifted his focus to observing the elders' progress. Koharu and Hamura, unaware of the chaos building around them, continued their mission, inching ever closer to the Sand Village's tightening encirclement.
"It's only a matter of time," Shinki mused, watching the pieces fall into place. "Let's see how this game plays out."
>>>>>
Up to Chapter 360 available on Patreon.com/c/GGFanfiction :)
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