Sunagakure.
The desert village was quiet in a way that felt wrong.
Grief hung in the air like a sandstorm that never moved.
The Suna shinobi guarding the entrance stiffened when they saw someone approaching. Hands went to weapons out of reflex. Then they noticed the Leaf forehead protector.
Anger drained away, replaced by something heavier.
Tōma frowned.
They're not chasing Gaara. They're just… standing here?
"—You?!"
Maki froze when he recognized the visitor. Surprise flashed across his face.
"Is that a problem?" Fujimoto Tōma asked calmly.
"No, of course not." Maki quickly shook his head, then glanced behind Tōma. Seeing no one else, he hesitated. "You came alone? The enemies this time are extremely dangerous."
"For now, yes. Konoha is tied up with the Mōryō incident. Most forces can't be spared yet."
Maki sighed. He knew that situation well. Suna had sent symbolic support, but no one truly believed a single monster could destroy the world.
"Tell me what happened," Tōma said as they walked into the village.
Maki didn't hide anything. This concerned their Kazekage.
After Jiraiya warned the villages about Akatsuki, Sunagakure had strengthened its defenses and even held strategy meetings. None of it mattered.
At dawn, the morning after Tōma emerged from seclusion, two Akatsuki members infiltrated the village.
One used white explosive clay, shaping it into spiders and birds that detonated on command. When Gaara detected the intruder, the battle moved into the sky above the village.
Because Gaara had to protect the civilians below, he was heavily restricted. That single opening was enough.
He was defeated and captured.
Tōma nodded. It matched what he remembered. Without those limitations, Gaara wouldn't have fallen so easily, much less been taken alive.
"Did anyone pursue them?" Tōma asked.
Maki's expression tightened. "Kankurō did. He went alone."
That told Tōma enough already.
"When we found him again, he was unconscious. He's still not awake. The medics say he was poisoned with something they can't treat."
"So the trail went cold," Tōma said quietly.
Maki nodded, shame written across his face.
Tōma sighed and glanced at him. "This is why I suggested placing a mark on Gaara."
Maki had no defense for that. Even now, Suna would never agree to such a thing. Leaving their Kazekage's life in another village's hands was unthinkable.
"Please," Maki said quickly, changing the subject. "Save Kankurō. He might know something."
"I'll try," Tōma replied. "But don't expect miracles. I'm not a medical specialist."
Maki immediately led him to the medical center.
On the way, Tōma noticed the looks. Some shinobi recognized him. They'd seen him during the campaign against Orochimaru's hideouts in the Land of Rice Fields.
Hope stirred.
Maybe this Leaf shinobi could do it again.
Sunagakure's medical center was… lacking.
Tōma didn't comment, but the gap compared to Konoha was obvious. Limited equipment. Cramped space. Barely enough supplies.
He reviewed the examination report, then ignored it and checked Kankurō himself.
Several readings were off.
So this is their baseline, Tōma thought. No wonder they're stuck.
"The poison hasn't fully spread," he said after finishing. "It's treatable."
Maki finally breathed out. "Thank you."
"Clear the room. Leave one medic to assist me."
Maki obeyed without question.
As Tōma began treatment, the assisting medic watched in stunned silence.
Only then did Tōma realize how distorted his sense of "normal" had become. He was used to Tsunade, Shizune, and elite Konoha medics. Compared to them, anyone would seem inadequate.
In reality, his medical ninjutsu was already well above average. He just lacked field experience.
The extraction took time, but it worked.
Kankurō woke up mid-procedure, eyes flying open as he shouted Gaara's name.
"Don't move," Tōma said flatly. "You're alive. That's enough for now."
Kankurō relaxed when he recognized the Leaf shinobi.
"Support… arrived," he murmured. "Good…"
"I need Maki," Kankurō said weakly. "I have information."
Maki was brought in immediately.
Kankurō explained what happened after Gaara was taken. The clay user ignored him entirely, escaping by air with Gaara. The one who stayed behind was a puppet master, overwhelmingly skilled.
Before leaving, the man revealed his identity.
The creator of the Salamander puppet.
Akatsuki member.
Former Suna rogue ninja.
Sasori of the Red Sand.
During the fight, Kankurō had managed to tear a piece of cloth from him. The scent was still there.
The room fell silent.
A medic quickly retrieved the black fabric from Kankurō's puppet storage and handed it to Tōma without hesitation.
Maki noticed the exchange and felt conflicted. Tōma was an outsider, yet everyone treated him as the authority.
But he understood why.
Tōma examined the cloth and immediately thought of Kakashi's ninken. Then dismissed the idea. Kakashi might not be available.
Besides, he had his own solution.
He formed a seal.
Several dark green snakes appeared, slithering across the floor.
The lead snake raised its head respectfully.
"Fujimoto-sama. How may we assist?"
Tōma placed the cloth in front of it. "Track the owner."
The snake flicked its tongue once.
"Leave it to us."
Snakes, after all, had senses far sharper than dogs.
And now, the hunt had a direction.